1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1959); Page 247; WV Archives Website.
Billy Gene Blankenship; age 22; born in Iaeger, WV; single; living at General Delivery, Hensley, WV;
married on 3 Spt 1959 in Iaeger, WV; Betty Joe Lowe; age 16; born in Tazewell Co, VA; single; living
in Iaeger, WV.
2. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #76-031262; Ancestry.com Website.
Billy Gene Blankenship; age 38; born 2 Aug 1937 in Iaeger, WV; divorced; this is his 2nd marriage;
1 yr HS education; living at Bradshaw, WV; son of Willis and Stella (Facello) Blankenship; married on
3 Jul 1976 in Lebanon, VA; Mary J. Short; maiden name Jones, age 47; born 16 Jun 1929 in Lex,
WV; divorced; this is her 2nd marriage; 4 yrs college education; living at Bradshaw, WV; daughter of
William and Laura (Short) Jones.
3. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #80-037141; Ancestry.com Website.
Billy Gene Blankenship; age 43; born 2 Aug 1934 in WV; divorced; this is his 4th marriage; last
Marriage ended 25 Mar 1980; 8th grade education; living at Box 668, Iaeger, WV; son of Willis and
Stella (Facello) Blankenship; married on 14 Aug 1980 at Grundy, VA; Thelma Ferris Lee; maiden
name Beavers; age 46; born 21 Aug 1933 in WV; divorced; this is her 4th marriage; last marriage
ended 25 Mar 1980; 10th grade education; living at Box 668, Iaeger, WV; daughter of John and
Sarah (Lester) Beavers.
4. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Billy Gene Blankenship [Billy G Blankenship]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 2 Aug 1934
Birth Place: Larger McDow, West Virginia [Iaeger McDow??, West Virginia]
Death Date: 16 Jan 2004
Father:
Willie Blankenship
Mother:
Stella M Facello
SSN: 236546512
Notes: 22 Nov 1983: Name listed as BILLY GENE BLANKENSHIP;
03 Feb 2004: Name listed as BILLY G BLANKENSHIP"
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 57; WV Archives Web Site.
Gleason Douglas Bowles; age 21; born and living at Iaeger, WV; single; married on 3 Nov 1949
at Iaeger, WV; Thelma Farris Beavers; age 21; born and living at Iaeger, WV; single.
2. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #71 007608; Ancestry.com Web Site.
William Ray Lee; age 53; born 24 Jun 1917 in AL; divorced; this was his second marriage; living at
Iaeger, WV; son of James Fred and Elizabeth Ada (Manshardt) Lee; married on 19 Mar 1971 in
Grundy, VA; Thelma Farris Bowles; age 37; born 21 Aug 1933 in WV; divorced; this was her second
marriage; living at Iaeger, WV; daughter of John and Sara (Lester) Beavers.
3. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #80-037141; Ancestry.com Website.
Billy Gene Blankenship; age 43; born 2 Aug 1934 in WV; divorced; this is his 4th marriage; last
Marriage ended 25 Mar 1980; 8th grade education; living at Box 668, Iaeger, WV; son of Willis and
Stella (Facello) Blankenship; married on 14 Aug 1980 at Grundy, VA; Thelma Ferris Lee; maiden
name Beavers; age 46; born 21 Aug 1933 in WV; divorced; this is her 4th marriage; last marriage
ended 25 Mar 1980; 10th grade education; living at Box 668, Iaeger, WV; daughter of John and
Sarah (Lester) Beavers.
4. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"Thelma Farris Blankenship, 90, of Iaeger, WV, passed away Friday, April 5, 2024, at her home."Thelma was born August 21, 1933, in War, WV a daughter of the late John and Sarah Lester Beavers.
"Thelma was a member of the Iaeger Church of God and a devoted prayer warrior. She was a hard worker with her last employment being at her daughter’s restaurant “Lynne’s Pizza” where she was known for the meals and delicious coconut pies and peanut butter cakes. She was great cook and she also worked for the McDowell County Board of education as a cook for several years.
"Thelma was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
"In addition to her parents Thlema was preceded in death by five brothers: Moody, Luther, Daniel, Jessie and John Jr. Beavers; four sisters, Addie Beavers, Zella Mae Mullins, Rosie Love and Mildred Davis; five children, Mickey, Gerald, Marietha, Joey, and Lynne.
"Left to cherish her memory are daughters, Darlene Bowles of Olin, NC, Rhonda Poirier of Statesville, NC, Donna Helton of Mt. Airy, NC, and Connie Lowe of Salisbury, NC; Special Grandson, Kevin Kirk who was her caregiver for several years; friend, Gary Lowe, who helped out a lot. Special nieces and nephews; Rita (Roscoe) Miller, Speedy (Teresa) Auville, Hershel (Anna) Davie; Grandchildren, Phillip (Kimberly) Bowles, Wendy (Michael) Martin, Sean (Casey) Poirier, Robin Poirier Townsend, Chrystal Andrigo, Brandon (Michelle) Rowe, Mandie (Craig) Kalista, and Jeffery Bowles. Several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Special Friends; Brenda Morgan, Jean Mullins, and Hazel Lowe.
"Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 2 o’clock, with Reverend Danny Bowles and Reverend Jimmie Justus officiating at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV. Burial will follow in the Bowles Cemetery in Mile Branch, WV. Serving as pallbearers will be family and friends.
"Friends may visit with the family Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV with an evening service at 7 p.m.
"Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger is assisting the family.
"Online condolences may be sent to the family at fanningfuneralhomes.com"
1. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"Donna Yvonne Cooper, 82, of Davin, WV, passed away Thursday, April 4, 2024 at CAMC Memorial in Charleston, WV."Donna was born February 28, 1942 in Man, WV a daughter of the late James and America Robertson Frazier.
"In addition to her parents Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Cooper; two daughters, Brenda Cooper and Sherry Smith; four sisters, Joann, Lillian, Midge and Betty and one brother Irvin.
"Survivors include three sons, Jackie Frazier of Davin, WV, Dale Cooper of South Charleston, WV and James Cooper of Duffield, VA; one brother, James “Jim” Frazier of Davin, WV; and five grandchildren, Brenda Golden, Carla Blevins, James Cooper, Eli Cooper and Zach Cooper; six great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
"Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 1 o’clock, with Reverend Lacy Griffith officiating at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Pea Patch, VA. Serving as pallbearers will be family and friends.
"Friends may visit with the family Tuesday, April 9, 2024 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV.
"Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger is assisting the family.
"Online condolences may be sent to the family at fanningfuneralhomes.com"
1. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"Kayden Cash Sparks, infant son of Justin and Abigail Sparks, passed away at birth Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Princeton Community Hospital in Princeton, WV,"Baby Kayden was preceded in death by his grandfather, Timmy McClanahan; his great grandparents, John Hicks and Jackie Sparks and Anita and Larry Vance; and a great uncle, Donald Sparks.
"Survivors include his parents, Justin and Abigail Sparks of Paynesville; one brother, Kole Sparks of the home; grandparents, Jackie and Patricia Sparks of Paynesville and Amy Vance of Jolo; great grandmothers, Lexie Hicks and Patsy Sparks; aunts and uncles, Andrew and Gabby McClanahan of Paynesville, Amber McClanahan and Todd of Bluefield, WV, Shane and Caitlin Sparks of Bradshaw, and Christopher Sparks of Paynesville; great aunt and uncle Anna and Mason Vanover of Iaeger; great aunt, Jennifer Sparks; and numerous cousins.
"Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 1 o’clock, with Elder Jimmy Amos officiating at the Old Samariah Old Regular Baptist Church at Groundhog near Jolo, WV. Burial will follow in the Sparks Cemetery at Beartown.
"Friends may visit with the family from 12 – 1 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2024 at the Old Samariah Old Regular Baptist Church at Groundhog near Jolo, WV.
"Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger is assisting the family.
"Online condolences may be sent to the family at fanningfuneralhomes.com"
1. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; McDowell Co Historical Society", 1999.
"Clarence R. and Lissie M. Bailey" Article; Page 164; submitted by Joyce Reed, Maiden, NC.
2. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; McDowell Co Historical Society", 1999.
"Nicholas Shane Bailey" Article; Page 166; submitted by Joyce Reed, Maiden, NC.
3. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; Geneva Steel, Sandra Long,
and Tom Hatcher; "Douglas and Pamela Mullins"; Article; Page 215; submitted by Joyce Reed,
1581 Maiden Woods Circle. Maiden, NC 28650.
1. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"Elsie Marie Perkins, 91, of Caretta, WV entered her heavenly home on Monday, March 11, 2024. Elsie was born on July 10, 1932, in Yukon, WV, a daughter of the late Barney and Vanney (Wagoner) Love."Elsie was a devoted member of the War Church of God for most of her life where she was also a member of the ladies’ ministry for many years. She enjoyed singing and working for the lord. She loved helping her church with bake sales and working in her church.
"Elsie was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She loved her family dearly.
"In addition to her parents, Elsie was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children Lewis Gross, and her second husband of 46 years Emmett Perkins; infant sons Richard and Earnest Gross; infant granddaughter Stephanie Gross; sisters Charmie, Georgia, Louise, and Barbara; brother Roby.
"Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Gary (Kathy) Gross of Lenoir, NC and Steven (Melissa) Gross of War, WV; daughter Lisa (James) Myers of Newhall, WV; grandchildren, Gary Lynn (Carrie) Gross of Tazewell, VA, Joseph (Amy) Puckett of Barren Springs, VA, Heather (Kenneth) Sanders of Tazewell, VA, Tracy (Matthew) Justus of Caretta, WV, Melanie (Sampy) Owens of Coalwood, WV, Eric Gross of Lenoir, NC, Zachary (Martha) Myers of Newhall, WV NC, AJ Gross of Lenoir, NC, and Jacob Myers of Newhall, WV; eleven great-grandchildren; sisters Willa Mae (Robert-Bob) Altizer and Mary (Richard) Wertz; brothers Johnny Otis Love and Jimmy Love.
"The family will receive visitors on Thursday, March 14, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until time of services at War Church of God in War, WV. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 12:00 Noon at War Church of God in War, WV with Brother Leroy Richards officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA. Pallbearers will be family and friends.
"Fanning Funeral Home of War is serving the family.
"Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fanningfuneralhomes.com."
1. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"Emmett Joseph Perkins age 88 of Caretta, WV passed away Tuesday, December 14, 2021 in Pikeville Medical Center in Pikeville, KY. Born September 1, 1933 in Caretta, WV. He was the son of the late Tim Perkins and Mary Hall Perkins. He was a member of the War Church of God in War, WV and a retired lineman from War Telephone Company. He loved the lord; singing and playing guitar in church; loved riding in the mountains; picking and canning Blackberries; loved to garden; loved to cook meals for his family; loved his animals and loved his family and friends dearly. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers: Claude Perkins, Don Perkins, Blaine Perkins, Carmen Perkins and Clifford Perkins; sisters: Frances Muncy and Mildred Bowman. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Elsie Marie Perkins; children Gary L Gross and wife Kathy of Lenoir, NC; Steven R Gross and wife Melissa of War, WV; Lisa M Myers and husband James of Newhall, WV; Pauline and Louis Figliozzi of MD; Michael Perkins of VA; Dianne Jones of MD; brothers: Raymond Perkins, Marvin Perkins and June Hughes; sisters: Ruth Mullins and Margie, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be conducted 12:00 PM Noon on Friday, December 17, 2021 at Fanning Funeral Home Chapel in War with Pastor Ricky Muncy officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA. Pallbearers will be friends and family. COVID-19 protocols currently remain in place with everyone asked to wear masks and properly socially distance during their visit. Fanning Funeral Home of War is serving the family."
1. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"Elsie Marie Perkins, 91, of Caretta, WV entered her heavenly home on Monday, March 11, 2024. Elsie was born on July 10, 1932, in Yukon, WV, a daughter of the late Barney and Vanney (Wagoner) Love."Elsie was a devoted member of the War Church of God for most of her life where she was also a member of the ladies’ ministry for many years. She enjoyed singing and working for the lord. She loved helping her church with bake sales and working in her church.
"Elsie was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She loved her family dearly.
"In addition to her parents, Elsie was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children Lewis Gross, and her second husband of 46 years Emmett Perkins; infant sons Richard and Earnest Gross; infant granddaughter Stephanie Gross; sisters Charmie, Georgia, Louise, and Barbara; brother Roby.
"Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Gary (Kathy) Gross of Lenoir, NC and Steven (Melissa) Gross of War, WV; daughter Lisa (James) Myers of Newhall, WV; grandchildren, Gary Lynn (Carrie) Gross of Tazewell, VA, Joseph (Amy) Puckett of Barren Springs, VA, Heather (Kenneth) Sanders of Tazewell, VA, Tracy (Matthew) Justus of Caretta, WV, Melanie (Sampy) Owens of Coalwood, WV, Eric Gross of Lenoir, NC, Zachary (Martha) Myers of Newhall, WV NC, AJ Gross of Lenoir, NC, and Jacob Myers of Newhall, WV; eleven great-grandchildren; sisters Willa Mae (Robert-Bob) Altizer and Mary (Richard) Wertz; brothers Johnny Otis Love and Jimmy Love.
"The family will receive visitors on Thursday, March 14, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until time of services at War Church of God in War, WV. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 12:00 Noon at War Church of God in War, WV with Brother Leroy Richards officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA. Pallbearers will be family and friends.
"Fanning Funeral Home of War is serving the family.
"Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fanningfuneralhomes.com."