Monday, February 29, 2016

Photograph of Bernice Faye Muir

This photograph was shared with me by Faye (Muir) West:

Margaret (Muir) Hess, Faye's aunt and Bernice Faye Muir as a toddler;
photograph courtesy of Faye (Muir) West

_______________
'Margaret (Muir) Hess and Bernice Faye Muir,' personal collection of Faye (Muir) West

2.12.3.3.5. Bernice Faye Muir (1940- )

Bernice Faye Muir was born on 15 May 1940 in Tazewell County, Virginia, to Robert Muir, Jr., and Sadie Viola Cline. She was nine years old when her parents divorced.

Faye Muir senior class photograph, 1957; photograph
from the 1957 Richlands High School Yearbook, The
Tornado

She graduated from Richlands High School in 1957 and married Roy Lee West, son of William H. West and Hazel Wriston, on 23 December 1957 in Lebanon, Virginia. Roy was in the U.S. Army when they married. The couple had two children.

When her brother, Bobby Joe Muir, died in 2014, Faye and her husband lived in Claypool Hill, Virginia.

_______________
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia; Roll: T627_4298; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 93-19
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1: 1985 Cedar Bluff, VA (West, Faye M)
US, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, Richlands High School, 1957 The Tornado, pages 12, 84, and 129
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1940 Muir, Bernice Fay
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1957 West, Roy Lee - Muir, Bernice Fay

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Joshua David Mercer Headstone

The photograph of the headstone of Joshua David Mercer was taken and shared by Ronnie Mallory:

Joshua David Mercer headstone; courtesy of Find A Grave volunteer, Ronnie
Mallory

_______________
'Joshua David Mercer headstone,' Find A Grave

Joshua David Mercer Obituary

As published on the Hurst Scott Funeral Home website:

Joshua David Mercer, 26, of Pounding Mill, died at this home Dec. 12.

Born in Richlands, he was the son of Tina Muir of Pounding Mill and the late Tommy David Mercer.

He was a life long resident of the area and had attended Richlands High School. He was an employee of the Apple Jack Coal Company of Dante.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, James and Phyllis Mercer, and one aunt, Dana Sayers.

Additional survivors: step-father, Ronnie Hurt, brother Elijah Craig Stiltner of Pounding Mill; maternal grandparents, Bob and Nell Muir of Raven; his special dog and constant companion, Buddy; aunts and uncles, Rebecca Fox and husband, Mike, of Richlands, Robert Muir and wife, Debbie, of Doran; cousins Greta Hurst, Holly Cantrell, Heather Sayers, Joey Fox, Robert Muir, Zachary Muir, James Mercer, Michelle Mercer, Shawn Combs and Jared Combs; and a host of family and friends.

The funeral was conducted Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. David Brannock officiating.

Interment followed at the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands.

_______________
Hurst Scott Funeral Home, http://www.hurstscottfuneralhome.com/

2.12.3.3.4.4. Tina Denise Muir (1962- )

Tina Denise Muir was born on 26 February 1962 in Tazewell County, Virginia, to Bobby Joe Muir and Nell Fern Ball.

She married Tommy David Mercer, son of James Adrian Mercer and Phyllis Ann Shelton, on 4 May 1979 in Tazewell County. They had one son before the couple separated on 21 July 1985. Tina was granted a divorce on 22 January 1988 in Tazewell County. Ex-husband Tommy David Mercer died on 19 May 1991 in Tazewell County. He was interred at the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum.

Tina then married Craig Alan Stiltner, son of Garland Stiltner and June Wright, on 17 July 1995. He had been married twice previously and had at least two children. Tina and Craig had one son before they divorced on 1 September 1999 in Tazewell County.

When Tina's oldest sister, Dana Jo, died in 2004, Tina was in a relationship with Ronnie Hurt. According to her father's 2014 obituary she was still in that relationship.

The children of Tina Densie Muir:
  1. Joshua "Josh" David Mercer was born on 23 November 1979 in Richlands, Virginia, to Tina and Tommy David Mercer. He died on 12 December 2005 in Raven, Virginia, and was interred at the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum.
  2. Elijah Craig Stiltner was born on 20 September 1987 in Tazewell County, to Tina and Craig Alan Stilner. 
_______________
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 19997121
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 19997129
Hurst Scott Funeral Home, http://www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com/
US, Obituary Collection, 1930-2015, 2005 Mercer
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 1994 Mercer, Tina (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 1995 Mercer, Tina (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 1999 Stiltner, Tina (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2000 Stiltner, Tina (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2001, 2001 Stiltner, Craig (Wytheville, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2001 Stiltner, Tina (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2002 Stiltner, Craig (Wytheville, VA)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1988 Richlands, VA (Stiltner, Craig Alan)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1993 Pounding Mill, VA (Stiltner, Craig A)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1993 Raven, VA (Mercer, Tina M)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1995 Pounding Mill, VA (Stiltner, Craig A)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1996 Raven, VA (Stiltner, Tina)
US, Social Security Application and Claims Index, 1936-2007, 2005 Mercer, Joshua D
US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Number: 228-94-2854; Issue State: Virginia; Issue Date: 1973
US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, 2005 Mercer, Joshua D
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1959 Mercer, Tommy David
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1961 Stiltner, Craig Alan
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1962 Muir, Tina Denise
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1979 Mercer, Joshua David
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1987 Stiltner, Elijah Craig
US, Virginia Death Records, 1912-2014, 1991 Mercer, Tommy David
US, Virginia Death Records, 1912-2014, 2005 Mercer, Joshua David
US, Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014, 1983 Stiltner, Craig Alan - Janet
US, Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014, 1988 Mercer, Tommy David - Tina Denise
US, Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014, 1999 Stiltner, Craig Alan - Tina Denise
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1978 Stiltner, Craig Alan - June (Brooks) Wright
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1979 Mercer, Tommy David - Muir, Tina Denise
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1988 Mercer, Tommy David - Whited, Abby Gail
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1991 Stiltner, Craig Alan - Slone, Laura
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1995 Stiltner, Craig Alan - Muir, Tina Denise
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 2000 Stiltner, Carig Alan - Cordle, Judy Ann

Saturday, February 27, 2016

2.12.3.3.4.3. Robert Lee Muir (1958- ) (twin)

Robert "Bobby" Lee Muir, and his twin sister, Rebecca Lynn, were born on 18 February 1958 in Tazewell County, Virginia, to Bobby Joe Muir and Nell Fern Ball.

He married Sheila Ann Baldwin, daughter of Lector Ann and Edna May (Cochran) Baldwin, on 5 March 1982 in Tazewell County. They had two children:
  1. Robert Lee Muir, Jr., was born on 23 November 1982 in Tazewell County
  2. Zachary Adam Muir was born on 2 July 1985 in Tazewell County
Bobby and Sheila divorced on 12 August 1994.

Bobby then married Debra "Debbie" Jean Hess, daughter of Claude A. and Helen (Shook) Hess, on 18 February 1998. Debra had previously been married to Philip Edward Combs, Jr., and had two children: Shaun Michael and Jared Combs.

At the time of his father's death in 2014, Bobby and Debbie lived in Raven, Virginia.

_______________
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1: 1986 North Tazewell, VA (Muir, Robert L)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1: 1992 North Tazewell, VA (Muir, Robert)
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1957 Hess, Debra Jean
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1958 Muir, Robert Lee
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1966 Baldwin, Sheila Ann
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1982 Muir, Robert Lee, Jr.
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1985 Muir, Zachary Adam
US, Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014, 1994 Combs, Philip E., Jr. - Debra Jean
US, Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014, 1994 Muir, Robert Lee - Sheila Ann
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1974 Combs, Philip Edward, Jr. - Combs, Debra Jean
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1982 Muir, Robert Lee - Baldwin, Sheila Ann
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1998 Muir, Robert Lee, Sr. - Combs, Debra Jean

2.12.3.3.4.2. Rebecca Lynn Muir (1958- ) (twin)

Rebecca "Becky" Lynn Muir and her twin brother, Robert Lee, were born on 18 February 1958 in Tazewell County to Bobby Joe Muir and Nell Fern Ball.

She married Michael "Mike" Edward Fox, son of Paul Edward Fox and Eva Bean Brewster, on 17 January 1975 in Richlands, Virginia. Mike was born in the State of New York. The couple has two children:
  1. Holly Michelle Fox was born on 30 June 1979 in Tazewell County. She married Robert Travis Cantrell on 29 May 1999 in Tazewell County. The couple have three children: Kaleb Jordan (born 2001), Robert Michael (born 2003), and Katelyn Gray Cantrell (born 2008).
  2. Joseph "Joey" Michael Fox was born on 25 January 1983 in Tazewell County.
At the time of the death of Becky's father, the Fox family lived in Richlands.

_______________
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2000 Cantrell, Holly (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2000 Cantrell, Travis (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2001 Cantrell, Holly (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2001 Cantrell, Travis (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2002 Cantrell, Holly (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2002 Cantrell, Travis (Richlands, VA)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1986 Richlands, VA (Fox, Rebecca M)
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1958 Muir, Rebecca Lynn
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1979 Fox, Holly Michelle
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1983 Fox, Joseph Michael
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1975 Fox, Michael Edward - Muir, Rebecca Lynn
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1999 Cantrell, Robert Travis - Fox, Holly Michelle

Friday, February 26, 2016

Children of Fred Andrew Sayers, Jr., and Dana Jo Muir

2.12.3.3.4.1.1. Greta Leigh Sayers (1975- )

Greta Leigh Sayers was born on 12 February 1975 in Tazewell County, Virginia, to Fred Andrew Sayers, Jr., and Dana Jo Muir. In 1995 she lived in Eldridge, Iowa, but by 1996 was back in Virginia, living in Richlands.

She married Jeffrey Nelson Hurst, son of Eugene H.  and Martha Hurst, Jr., on 27 June 1998 in Tazewell County. Jeffrey works for the family funeral home business. The couple has three children:
  1. Bailey Nicole Hurst, born on 27 September 2000 in Tazewell County
  2. Addison Jill Hurst, born on 22 October 2002 in Tazewell County
  3. Cooper Nelson Hurst, born on 7 April 2008 in Tazewell County
It is possible that Greta and Jeffrey have separated and/or divorced.

2.12.3.3.4.1.2. Heather Nicole Sayers (1981- )

Heather Nicole Sayers was born on 23 June 1981 in Tazewell County. She lived in Richlands, Virginia, at the time of her mother's death. She is in a long-term relationship and has a daughter:
  1. Ella Drew Ringstaff was born on 5 February 2012
_______________
Hurst Scott Funeral Home, http://www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com/
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 1998 Sayers, Heather (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 1999-2001 Sayers, Heather (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2002 Hurst, Greta
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2002 Hurst, Jeff
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1995 Eldridge, IA (Sayers, Greta L)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1996 Richlands, VA (Hurst, Jeff)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1996 Eldridge, IA (Sayers, Greta L)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1996 Richlands, VA (Sayers, Greta L)
US, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, 1991 James Madison University, Simply Put, pages 276 and 379 
US, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, 1992 James Madison University A New Look, page 256
US, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, 1993 James Madison University for Impact, page 212 
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1971 Hurst, Jeffrey Nelson
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1975 Sayers, Greta Leigh
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1981 Sayers, Heather Nicole
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 2000 Hurst, Bailey Nicole
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 2002 Hurst, Addison Jill
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 2008 Hurst, Cooper Nelson
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2012, 2012 Ringstaff, Ella
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1998 Hurst, Jeffrey Nelson - Sayers, Greta Leigh

Dana Jo (Muir) Sayers Obituary

As published in the Bristol Herald Courier, 16 March 2004

Dana Jo Muir Sayers, RICHLANDS -- Ms. Dana Jo Muir Sayers, age 48, died suddenly Sunday, March 14, 2004, at her home. She was born in Raven, Va., and was a daughter of Bobby Joe and Nell Ball Muir of Raven. She was a life-long resident of the Raven and Richlands areas, was a 1974 graduate of Richlands High School, and was a licensed practical nurse for 29 years. Dana was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother and friend. She had a healing touch and was loved by everyone who knew her.

Survivors in addition to her parents are: tow daughters, Mrs. Greta Sayers Hurst and husband, Jeff of Richlands and Miss Heather Nicole Sayers of Richlands; two sisters, Mrs. Rebecca Lynn Fox and husband, Michael of Richlands  and Ms. Tina Denise Stiltner of Doran, Va.; one brother, Mr. Robert Lee Muir and wife, Debbie of Doran; two beautiful and special granddaughters, Bailey Nicole Hurst and Addison Jill Hurst of Richlands; one niece; five nephews; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and friends also survive.

Funeral services for Ms. Dana Jo Muir Sayers will be conducted Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. David Brannock officiating. Interment will be private with family and friends serving as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands from 6 till 9 p.m. Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Richlands First United Methodist Church Preschool, 402 Suffolk Ave., Richlands, VA 24641. Hurst-Scott Funeral HOme in Richlands is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes. com.

–––––––––––––––
Bristol Herald Courier, 16 March 2004


2.12.3.3.4.1. Dana Jo Muir (1955-2004)

Dana Jo Muir was born on 27 October 1955 in Raven, Virginia, to Bobby Joe Muir and Nell Fern Ball. Her parents married two years later. Her father was in the U.S. Army at the time he married.

Dana Jo married John Ellis Cook, Jr., son of John Ellis Cook and Louella Patton, on 17 March 1977 in Tazewell County, Virginia. They separated 26 July 1978 and Dana Jo was granted a divorce decree after a one-year separation on 4 September 1979. There were no children.

She married Fred Andrew "Casey" Sayers, Jr., son of Fred Andrew Sayers and Gloria Swanson McCoy, on 22 September 1979 in Richlands, Virginia. The couple had two daughters. During their marriage they lived in in Abingdon, Doran, and Galax, Virginia. They may have also lived in Bettendorf, Iowa, for some period of time. They divorced on 13 August 1999 in Scott County, Virginia.

After the divorce, Dana Jo moved to Richlands where she lived until her death on 14 March 2004 in Richlands. Dana Jo Muir was interred at the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum.

_______________
Bristol Herald Courier, 16 March 2004
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 19829910
US, Obituary Collection, 1930-2015, 2004 Muir Sayers, Dana Jo
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 1998-2001 Sayers, Dana (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 1998-2001 Sayers, Fred (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2001-2002 Sayers, Dana (Galax, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2001 Sayers, Dana (Richlands, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2002 Sayers, Dana (Galax, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2002 Sayers, Dana (Raven, VA)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1984 Doran, VA (Sayers, Jr. Dana Jo)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1993 Abingdon, VA (Sayers, Dana Jo)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1994 Abingdon, VA (Sayers, Jr, Fred A)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1995 Bettendorf, IA (Sayers, Jr, Fred A)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 2, 1950-1993 Sayers, Dana J (Bettendorf, IA)
US, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Number: 233-92-3950
US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Number: 233-92-3950; Issue State: West Virginia; Issue Date: 1971
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1949 Cook, John Ellis
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1951 Sayers, Fred Andrew
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1955 Muir, Dana Jo
US, Virginia Death Records, 1912-2014, 2004 Sayers, Dana Jo
US, Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014, 1979 Cook, Jr., John Ellis - Dana Jo
US, Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014, 1999 Sayers, Jr., Fred Andrew - Dana Jo
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1977 Cook, John Ellis - Muir, Dana Jo
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1979 Sayers, Jr., Fred Andrew - Muir, Dana Jo

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Children of Bobby Joe Muir and Nell Fern Ball

2.12.3.3.4.1. Dana Jo Muir (1955-2004)

The lives of Dana Jo Muir and her husbands, John Ellis Cook, Jr., and Fred Andrew Sayers, Jr., will be told in a future post.

2.12.3.3.4.2. Rebecca Lynn Muir (1958- ) (twin)

The lives of Rebecca "Becky" Lynn Muir and her husband, Michael Edward Fox, will be told in a future post.

2.12.3.3.4.3. Robert Lee Muir (1958- ) (twin)

The lives of Robert "Bobby" Lee Muir and his wives, Sheila Ann Baldwin and Debra "Debbie" Jean Hess, will be told in a future post.

2.12.3.3.4.4. Tina Denise Muir (1962- )

The lives of Tina Denise Muir and her husbands, Tommy David Mercer and Craig Alan Stiltner, will be told in a future post.

2.12.3.3.4. Nell Fern Ball (1938- )

Nell Fern Ball was born on 29 January 1938 in Tazewell County, Virginia, to Bert Thomas Ball and Josephine Taylor. When the 1940 census was enumerated the family lived in Maiden Spring and her father worked as a coal miner. In 1954 Nell was a sophomore at Richlands High School and was a member of the Dramatics Club.

Nell Fern Ball as a sophomore at Richlands High
School; photograph courtesy of Ancestry.com

In 1955 Fern's oldest daughter, Dana Jo Muir, was born. Fern married Bobby Joe Muir, who was in the U.S. Army, on 4 June 1957 in Lebanon, Virginia. During the course of their marriage they had three additional children.

On 18 February 2014, Nell's husband of 56 years died.

_______________
'Nell Fern Ball as a high school sophomore,' 1954 The Tornado, page 80
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia; Roll: T627_4298; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 93-22
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1993 Raven, VA (Muir, Nell F)
US, School Yearbooks, 1880-2014, 1954 The Tornado, pages 80 and 120
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1938 Ball, Nell Fern
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1957 Muir, Bobby Joe - Ball, Nell Fern

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Bobby Joe Muir Obituary

As published on the Hurst Scott Funeral Homes website:

Bobby Joe "Toad" Muir, age 76, of Raven, Virginia passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, Virginia. Bobby Joe was born in Raven, Virginia and was the son of the late Robert Junior Muir and Sadie Viola Cline Rose Campbell. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Bobby Joe was a retired miner and lived all his life in the Raven area. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother. He will be missed by all those who knew and loved him and especially by his special grandson and best buddy, Cooper Hurst. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Dana Sayers; one grandson, Josh Mercer; infant sister, Betty Lou Muir; and two brothers, Billy Eugene Muir and Jerry Allen Muir.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nell Ball Muir; two daughters, Becky Fox and husband, Mike of Richlands, Virginia, and Tina Muir and Ronnie Hurt of Raven, Virginia; two sisters, Faye West and husband Roy of Claypool Hill, Virginia, and Bonnie Ball of Florida; one brother, Bradley "Sonny" Muir and wife Shirley of Raven, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Greta Hurst, Heather Sayers, Holly Cantrell and husband Travis, Joey Fox; PFC Elijah Stiltner, Robert Muir, and Zachary Muir; two step-grandchildren, Shawn Combs and Jared Combs; nine great grandchildren, Bailey Hurst, Addison Hurst, Cooper Hurst, Kaleb Cantrell, Robbie Cantrell, Katie Cantrell, Ella Ringstaff, Kenzlee Muir, and Masun Muir; five step-great grandchildren, Zoe Combs, Ava Combs, Mia Combs, Bryce Combs and Brianna Combs; and best friend, Don Rose and a host of family and friends.

Funeral services for Bobby Joe "Toad" Muir will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 21, 2014 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Virginia with Rev. Dannie Short and Austin Burke officiating. Entombment will follow at Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum, Richlands, Virginia. Members of the John Ratliff American Legion Post #164 will conduct military graveside rites. Pallbearers will be: Joey Fox, Robert Muir, Zach Muir, PFC Elijah Stiltner, Bernard Cline, Terry Osborne, Austin Burke, and Shawn Muir. Honorary pallbearers will be: Mike Fox, Ronnie Hurt and Wayne Johnson.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm -- 9:00 pm on Thursday evening at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home; 1401 Second Street, Richlands, VA. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Richlands is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhome.com.

_______________
Bobby Joe "Toad" Muir Obituary, Hurst-Scott Funeral Home

2.12.3.3.4. Bobby Joe Muir (1938-2014)

Bobby Joe Muir was born on 11 January 1938 in Raven, Virginia, to Robert Muir, Jr., and Sadie Viola Cline. He was their fourth child, but third living child. In 1940 when the census was enumerated the family lived in Maiden Spring and Bobby's father worked as a miner. Four years later Bobby's parents separated and in 1949 his mother was granted an absolute divorce. Bobby was 11 years old.

After attending school, he began working as a coal miner.

While he was serving in the U.S. Army, he married Nell Fern Ball on 4 June 1957 in Lebanon, Virginia. She was the daughter of Bert Thomas Ball and Josephine Taylor. The couple had four children.

Bobby Joe Muir; photograph courtesy of Find a Grave volunteer Delcia
Clifton Alderson

Bobby Joe Muir died on 18 February 2014 at the Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, Virginia. He was 76 years old at the time of his death. He was interred at the Clinch Valley Cemetery and Mausoleum where his daughter, Dana Jo Muir, was buried.

______________
'Bobby Joe Muir,' Find A Grave
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia; Roll: T627_4298; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 93-21
Alice (Muir) Jennings Genealogy Notebook, page 12
Global, Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 12536394
Hurst Scott Funeral Homes, http://www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com
US, Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-2015, 2014 Muir, Bobby Joe
US, Obituary Collection, 1930-2015, 2014 Muir, Bobby Joe
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1: 1993 Raven, VA (Muir, Bobby J)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1: 1995 Raven, VA (Muir, Bobby J)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1: 1996 Richlands, VA (Muir, Bobby Joe)
US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Muir, Bobby J; Issue State: Virginia; Issue Date: 1953
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1938 Muir, Bobby Joe
US, Virginia Death Records, 1912-2014, 2014 Muir, Bobby Joe
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1957 Muir, Bobby Joe - Ball, Nell Fern

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Winston Brian Hess Headstone

This photograph of the headstone of Winston Brian Hess was shared by Find a Grave volunteer Bernd Doss:

Winston Brian Hess Headston; photograph courtesy of Find A Grave volunteer
Bernd Doss

_______________
'Winston Brian Hess,' Headstone, Find A Grave

2.12.3.3.3.3. Winston Brian Hess (1959-2003)

Winston Brian Hess was born on 10 April 1959 in Tazewell County, Virginia, to Winfred Jerome Hess and Bonnie Ann Muir. He was 14 years old when his parents divorced in 1973.

On 28 June 1985 Brian married Karen Ruth Markham in Cedar Bluff, Virginia. She was the daughter of Mose Markham and Virginia Ruth Whitt and had been married previously. She had one child by that earlier marriage. Interesting, Karen's ex-husband was Ricky Alan Hess, son of Balfred and Ruby Hess. I have not been able to link the two Hess families together as of this date.

After their marriage, the couple lived in Richlands, Virginia. They had one child together.

On 24 March 1998 Winston and Karen divorced. Brian continued to live in Richlands through at least 2001.

Winston Brian Hess died on 22 November in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. He was interred at Gethsemane Memorial Park in Morehead City, North Carolina.

2.12.3.3.3.3.1. Winston Brian Hess, Jr. (1990- )

Winston Brian Hess, Jr., was born on 24 September 1990 in Tazewell County to Winston Brian Hess and Karen Ruth Markham. He was their only son.

_______________
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 39577642
US, Obituary Collection, 1930-2015, 2003 Hess, Winston Brian
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2001 Hess, Winston B (Richlands, VA)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1987 Richlands, VA (Hess, Winston B)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1: 1993 Richlands, VA (Hess, Karen Ruth)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1995 Richlands, VA (Hess, Winston)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 2, 1950-1993, Hess, Winston B. (Vilas, CO)
US, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Number: 234-94-0035
US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Number: 234-94-0035; Issue State: West Virginia; Issue Date: 1972
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1956 Hess, Ricky Alan
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1959 Hess, Winston Brian
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1960 Markham, Karen Ruth
US,  Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1990 Hess, Winston Brian
US, Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014, 1982 Hess, Ricky Alan - Markham, Karen Ruth
US, Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014, 1998 Hess, Winston Brian - Karen Ruth
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1975 Hess, Ricky Alan - Markham, Karen Ruth
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1985 Hess, Winston Brian - Markham Karen Ruth

Monday, February 22, 2016

2.12.3.3.3.2. Teresa Ann Hess (1954- )

Teresa Ann Hess was born on 5 August 1954 in Tazewell County, Virginia, to Winfred Jerome Hess and Bonnie Ann Muir. She was 19 years old when her parents divorced.

She married Mike Scharron Stevenson on 30 April 1977 in Tazewell County. He was the son of Henry Frazier Stevenson and Elizabeth McCoy. It was the first marriage for both Teresa and Mike. During the course of their marriage they had one daughter.

Teresa and Mike were granted a divorce on 21 September 1984 in Tazewell County after a one-year separation. When her step-mother died in 2006, Teresa was listed with her maiden name so I assume she was single. When her father died in 2012 she was listed in his obituary as Teresa Mason and lived in Hubert, North Carolina.

2.12.3.3.3.2.1. Mandolin Scharron Stevenson

Mandolin Scharron Stevenson was born on 5 October 1977 in Washington County, Virginia, to Mike Scharron Stevenson and Teresa Ann Hess. She was 7 years old when her parents divorced. In 1995 she lived in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, and by 2001 had moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. When her grandfather died in 2012 she was listed as Mandolin Graham in his obituary. She has also lived in Casselberry and Orlando, Florida.

_______________
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 21 July 2012
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 15796050
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2001-2002 Stevenson, Mandolin (St. Petersburg, FL)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2002 Stevenson, Mandolin (St. Petersburg, FL)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1995 Emerald Isle, NC (Stevenson, Mandolin S)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 2, 1950-1993 Graham, Mandolin S (Casselberry, FL)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 2, 1950-1993 Graham, Mandolin S (Orlando, FL)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 2, 1950-1993 Hess, Teresa A (Coral Gables, FL)
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1949 Stevenson, Mike Schoron
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1954 Hess, Teresa Ann
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1977 Stevenson, Mandolin Scharron
US, Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014, 1984 Stevenson, Mike Scharron - Hess, Teresa Ann
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1977 Stevenson, Mike Sharron - Hess, Teresa Ann

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Auto Accident Claims Life of Student

As published in the Oklahoma City Community College Pioneer on 21 September 1998

By Melissa Guice, Assistant Editor

When Paula Hess talks about her daughter Regina, she recalls a young woman who made friends easily.

"She collected friends like some people collect flowers, " said her mother Paula Hess.

OKCC student, Regina "Reg" Hess, died Saturday, Sept. 12, following a car accident in Newcastle.

At about 5:30 p.m., Hess was driving westbound on S.E. 32nd St. when her car left the roadway. It traveled about 250 feet before it struck a utility pole, said Newcastle Police Lt. Frank Hibbs who is in charge of the investigation.

At present the cause of the wreck is unknown.

Hess was born on Dec. 12, 1977, in West Plains, Mo. She grew up in Colorado and moved to Newcastle where she was very active in school activities and sports at the local high school.

Her high school years were spent behind home plate where she played catcher for the Newcastle Lady Racers. She was also an outfielder for the team. During her junior year she was named Offensive Player of the Year for the Western Division All Conference.

She was an honor student who received many awards as well as being named Who's Who in Sports. She was also a homecoming queen candidate many times.

Upon graduating high school, Hess received a full softball scholarship to Wichita State University in Wichita, Kan. She had played Division I softball at WSU for the past two years until she decided to return home to be closer to her brothers.

"She loved her brothers very much," her mother said. "They were her life, her whole family and friends were her life.

"She took care of everyone she loved."

Regina Ann Hess; photograph courtesy of Oklahoma
City Community College

After Hess returned to Oklahoma, she began taking classes at OKCCC with plans to earn her associate's degree. She was considering transferring to the University of Oklahoma where she wanted to major in health sports counseling.

"She figured that a lot of kids needed help when it came to dealing with sports and school," her mother said. "She even knew, herself, what it was like to deal with school and sports and everyday life. She just wanted to help others with the stress of it all."

Funeral services were Sept. 15 at the First Baptist Church in Newcastle. About 1,600 attended.

Burial was at Oakdale Cemetery in Paden Oklahoma.

Survivors include her mother, Paula Hess of Newcastle; her father, Jerome Hess of Simla, Colo.; two brothers, Paul and Jeremy Hess of Newcastle; maternal grandparents, the Rev. Wayne and Karen Ray of Paden; paternal grandparents, Bonnie and Flem Ball of Emerald Isle, N.C., and Winfred and Lois Hess of Pounding Mill, Va.; paternal great grandmother Sadie Campbell of Doran, Va.; three aunts, Rita Bohn, Jeanna Dobry and Teresa Capps; four uncles, Brian Hess, Paul Ray, Ronnie Ray and Jimmy Ray; many great aunts and great uncles, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Hess was preceded in death by her grandmother, Helen Lorene Ray in 1982.

A memorial fund has been set up in Hess' memory. Memorials may be sent to Regina Hess Memorial Fund c/o Tri-Star Bank, P.O. Box 638, 1308 N. Main St., Newcastle, OK 73065.

_______________
'Regina Ann Hess,' Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City Community College Pioneer, 21 September, 1998

Regina Ann Hess Headstone

Regina Ann Hess was interred at the Oakdale Cemetery in Paden, Oklahoma. The photograph of Regina Ann Hess' headstone was shared by Find A Grave volunteer Sherry.

Regina Ann Hess headstone; photograph courtesy of Find a Grave volunteer
Sherry

_______________
'Regina Ann Hess headstone,' Find A Grave

Regina Ann Hess Obituary

As published in The Daily Oklahoman on 15 September 1998:

HESS, Regina "Reg," age 20, of Newcastle, passed away Saturday, September 12, 1998, in Newcastle, following an automobile accident. She was born December 12, 1977 in West Plains, MO. Her parents are William Jerome Hess and Paula Lorene Ray. Regina moved to Newcastle in 1988 and was a member of the Heartland Harvest Church in Norman. She graduated from Newcastle H.S. in 1996. She received many softball awards from district and regional games throughout her high school years. Her junior year, she was offensive player of the year for the Western Division All Conference. She was an honor student and received many awards. She was Who's Who in sports and homecoming queen candidate several times. Regina with a full softball scholarship. For the pat 2 years, she has played Division I softball at Wichita State University in Wichita, KS. She will be remembered as a very giving and outgoing person. She liked music and being with her friends and family.

She was preceded in death by grandmother, Helen Lorene Ray in 1982. Survivors include mother, Paula Hess of Newcastle; father, Jerome Hess of Simla, CO; 2 brothers, Paul Hess and Jeremy Hess both of Newcastle; maternal grandparents, Rev. Wayne and Karen Ray of Paden, OK; paternal grandparents, Bonnie and Flem Ball of Emerald Isle, N.C., Winfred and Lois Hess of Pounding Mill, VA; paternal great grandmother, Sadie Campbell of Doran, VA; 3 aunts, Rita Bohn, Jeanna Dobry and Teresa Capps; 4 uncles, Brian Hess, Paul Ray, Ronnie Ray, and Jimmy Ray; many great aunts and uncles and cousins, J. Harrison of Norman. Pallbearers will be Paul and Jeremy Hess, Rob and Laramie and Laramie Bohn, Jerry Ray and Anthony Newman.

Memorials may be sent to the Regina Hess Memorial Fund, c/o Tri-Star Bank, P.O. Box 638, 1308 N. Main St., Newcastle, OK 73065. Arrangements by Wilson-Little Funeral Hme in Purcell.

_______________
The Daily Oklahoman, 15 September 1998

Saturday, February 20, 2016

2.12.3.3.3.1. William Jerome Hess (1953- )

William Jerome Hess was born on 18 August 1953 in Tazewell County, Virginia, to Winfred Jerome Hess and Bonnie Ann Muir. He was 20 years old when his parents divorced. He married Paula Lorene Ray, daughter of Rev. Wayne and Helen Lorene Ray. She graduated from Paden High School in Paden, Oklahoma, in 1969. Jerome and Paula had three children:
  • Jeremy Hess, who is married to a woman named Allison; they have 2 children: William Preston, born in 2013, and Everly JoAnn, born in 2015.
  • Paul Jerome Hess, who is married to Christina Hoshall.
  • Regina Ann Hess was born on 12 December 1977 in West Plains, Missouri. She was killed in an automobile accident on 12 September 1998 and was interred at Oakdale Cemetery in Paden, Oklahoma.
At some point Jerome and Paula divorced. Paula lived in Newcastle, Oklahoma, with the children and Jerome lived in Greeley, Simla, and Loveland, Colorado, where he lived when his father died in 2012. He was married to a woman named Sue at the time of his father's death.

______________
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 21 July 2012
The Daily Oklahoman, 15 September 1998
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 15796050
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 1993-1994 Hess, Jerome (Greeley, CO)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1986 Greeley, CO (Hess, Jerome)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1989 Greeley, CO (Hess, William J)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 2, 1950-1993 Hess, Jerome (Greeley, CO)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 2, 1950-1993 Hess, Jerome (Simla, CO)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 2, 1950-1993 Hess, William J (Loveland, CO)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 2, 1950-1993 Hess, William (Vilas, CO)
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1953 Hess, William Jerome

Children of Winfred Jerome Hess and Bonnie Ann Muir

2.12.3.3.3.1. William Jerome Hess (1953- )

The life of William Jerome Hess will be covered in a future post.

2.12.3.3.3.2. Teresa Ann Hess (1954- )

The life of Teresa Ann Hess will be covered in a future post.

2.12.3.3.3.3. Winston Brian Hess (1959-2003)

The life of Winston Brian Hess will be covered in a future post.

Friday, February 19, 2016

Richlands Brickyard

From the Town of Richlands photo tour website:

Although the coal industry was not the heart of Richlands, Richlands was certainly the heart of the coal industry. Local coal mining included operations at Big Creek, Seaboard, Hill Creek, Doran and Raven, as well as the Middle Creek and Indian Creek at Cedar Bluff, according to the Richlands New Press Centennial Edition.

Dependent on coal was the brick plant located off Kents Ridge Road. Dating to 1890 when the town had iron, ice and glass factories, the brick plant alone survived. Howard E. Steele in a news article in 1923 wrote that the brick plant was the "town's most important industry." During World War II the plant supplied 95 percent of its production to the war effort.

Richlands Brickyard Kilns; image courtesy of the Town of Richlands

In 1908 bankruptcy notices on the plant became payable. Mr. C. C. Hyatt purchased the business in 1911 and continued the plant until ill health led him to lease the plant to General Shale Corp. A. H. Kelly assumed management until his retirement in 1964. In that year production numbers listed 80,000 bricks made daily with plans of doubling that with future installation of four new kilns. Using as much as 30 tons of coal per day, the plant remained for a long time a major purchaser of coal. However, by 1973, General Shale had converted all but one of its Richlands coal-burning plants to gas operation.

In 1982 the business begun in the 1890s closed. Of the operation that once extended from the shale pits located on the east and west ends of town to the massive plant on Kent's Ridge, there remains a shopping center and a parking lot. Perhaps Civil War chaplain, Abram Joseph Ryan, said it most appropriately, "A land without ruins is a land without memories -- a land without memories is a land without history."

_______________
'Richlands Brick Yard Kilns,' Town of Richlands
Town of Richlands, http://town.richlands.va.us/

2.12.3.3.3. Flem Evert Ball (1922-2002)

Flem Evert Ball was born on 29 January 1922 in Russell County, Virginia, to Lynza Ball and Belle Lawson. When the 1930 census was enumerated the family lived in Maiden Spring, Virginia, and Flem's father worked as a laborer at a brickyard. By 1940, Flem had joined his father working at the brickyard.

Flem enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 14 March 1945. He was aboard the USS Bairoko (CVE-115), a carrier escort, when she was commissioned on 16 July 1945 at Tacoma, Washington. Commissioned too late to take an active part in World War II, the ship engaged in peacetime fleet cruises, maneuvers, and exercises until December 1949. If Flem was onboard until 25 March 1946, when his Department of Veterans Affairs death file indicated he was discharged, he sailed nearly 20,000 miles during his Navy hitch. After the Bairoko was commissioned, she sailed to the Naval Air Station at Alameda. A few days later the ship moored at North Island Naval Station in San Diego where it took part in its first inspection by Fleet Operational Training Command Pacific, which took three weeks. On 18 October Bairoko steamed for Pearl Harbor. On 7 November she was ordered to Okinawa. Enroute, however, orders changed her destination to Saipan where she arrived on 19 November. Next was a stopover in the Philippines and then Bairoko spent eight days in Hong Kong. Next, was Manila and the sailors got to see the terrible destruction. Many said it was impossible to describe in words. After a brief stop in Guam, Bairoko arrived back in Pearl Harbor on 14 January 1946 and ten days later the ship had returned to San Diego.

USS Bairoko (CVE-115); photograph courtesy of the United States Navy

Flem married Dolly Lorine Shinall, daughter of Silas Clint Shinault and Virgie Merrel Nipper. Since Virginia marriage records from 1936 through 2014 are online, I do not believe they were married in Virginia, but I have found no record of when or where the marriage did take place. In fact, I have been unable to discover much about Dolly at all except the circumstances surrounding her death.

Dolly had been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver in 1971 and died on 15 May 1973 at the Clinch Valley Clinic in Richlands. At the time of her death, she and Flem made their home in Cedar Bluff, Virginia. Dolly was 48 years old when she died. I do not know if the couple had children.

Flem married Bonnie (Muir) Hess on 29 December 1973; she was a divorcee with three children, who were in their late teens or early 20s.

By 1993 Flem and Bonnie lived in Emerald Isle, North Carolina.

Flem Evert Ball died on 13 April 2002 at Emerald Isle.

_______________
'USS Bangor CVE-115,' U.S. Navy
1930 US Federal Census, Census Place: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia; Roll: 2463; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 0016; Image: 216.0; FHL microfilm: 2342197
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia; Roll: T627_4298; Page: 18B; Enumeration District: 93-23
Bangor Public Library, http://www.bangorpubliclibrary.org/
CVE-115, http://www.hullnumber.com/CVE-115
Naval Source, http://navalsource.org
US, Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010, 2002 Ball, Flem
US, North Carolina Death Indexes, 1908-2004, 2002 Ball, Flem Evert
US, Navy, "Album USS Bairoko (1946). World War Regimental Series. Book 207.
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1993 Emerald Isle, NC (Ball, Flem E)
US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Number: 228-14-2037; Issue State: Virginia; Issue Date: Before 1951
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1922 Ball, Flem Evert
US, Virginia Death Records, 1912-2014, 1973 Ball, Dolly Loraine
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1973 Ball, Flem - Muir Hess, Bonnie Ann
US, World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949, CVE-115; 16 July 1945
US, World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949, CVE-115; 1 April 1946

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Winfred Jerome Hess Obituary

As published in the Bluefield Daily Telegraph on 21 July 2012:

POUNDING MILL, Va. — Winfred Jerome Hess, age 80, of Pounding Mill, Va., died, Thursday, July 19, 2012 at the Salem, Va. Veteran's Hospital. Born at Drill, Va. he was the son of the late Robert and Jessie Fitzgerald Hess. 

He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by his wife, Lois Ann Fitzgerald Hess; a son, Winston Brian Hess; and a granddaughter, Regina Ann Hess; eight brothers, John Hess, Cleo Hess, Paul Hess, Clarence Hess, Richard Hess, Roy Hess, Ervin Hess, Columbus Hess; and two sisters, Ollie Coleman and Beulah Elswick Keene. 

Winfred was retired as an instructor for the Virginia Department of Corrections and was an off campus electrical and mechanical instructor for Southwest Virginia Community College. Winfred enjoyed singing and playing at area churches. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. 

He is survived by two sons, Jerome Hess and wife, Sue of Loveland, Colo., and Wesley Hess of Pounding Mill, Va.; one daughter, Teresa Ann Mason of Hubert, N.C.; three stepdaughters, Teresa Nelson and husband, Homer, Belinda Lankford and Anita VanDyke; grandsons, Paul Hess, Jeremy Hess, Winston Hess and Jeremy Nelson; granddaughters, Mandalin Graham, Sarah DeRoberts, Amanda Roland and Carley Nelson; several great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews also survive. 

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, July 23, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with the Rev. Lonnie Perkins and the Rev. Chuck Patterson officiating. Burial will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery at Richlands, Va. Family and friends will serve as Pallbearers. Casey Short V.F. W. Post 9640 will conduct military graveside rites. 

Friends may call at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff from 6 until 8 p.m. on Sunday. 

_____________
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 21 July 2012

2.12.3.3.3. Winfred Jerome Hess (1932-2012)

Winfred Jerome Hess was born on 9 March 1932 in Drill, Virginia, an unincorporated place in Russell County, to Charles Robert Hess and Jessie Mae Fitzgerald. When the 1940 census was enumerated the family lived in Buchanan County and Winfred's father worked for a coal mine doing construction.

Winfred attended Honaker High School in 1949 as a junior where he was the secretary and treasurer of the Glee Club.

1949 Honaker High School Glee Club. The club officers are kneeling in the
front row. I believe Winfred Hess is on the far right; photograph courtesy of
Ancestry.com

He served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War.

Winfred Jerome Hess, married Bonnie Ann Muir on 3 October 1952 in Lebanon, Virginia. He worked as a miner at the time of their marriage. The couple had three children together before separating on 4 September 1973. The final divorce was awarded to Winfred and at the time he lived in Richlands, Virginia.

He married Lois Ann (Horne) Van Dyke, a widow with three children and daughter of Jay and Irma (Brown) Horne, on 16 November 1974 in Tazewell County, Virginia. Winfred and Lois had one son named Wesley.

In 1986 Winfred and Lois lived in Cedar Bluff and Pounding Mill, Virginia. During his working life he was an instructor for the Virginia Department of Corrections and an electrical and mechanical instructor for Southwest Virginia Community College.

Lois died on 7 September 2006. She was interred at the Brown Family Cemetery in Jewell Ridge, Virginia. Winfred Jerome Hess died 19 July 2012 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem, Virginia. He was buried at the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum in Richlands.

_______________
'1949 Honaker High School Glee Club,' Ancestry.com
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Rock Lick, Buchanan, Virginia; Roll: T627_4251; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 14-12
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 21 July 2012
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 93978930
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 1998 Winfred Hess (Tazewell, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 1999-2001 Winfred Hess (Pounding Mill, VA)
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, 2002 Winfred Hess (Pounding Mill, VA)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1950-1993, 1993 Richlands, VA (Hess, Winfred J.)
US, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, The Torch, 1949, pages 19, 22 and 32
US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Name: Winfred J. Hess; Issue State: Virginia; Issue Date: Before 1951
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1932 Wineford Jerome Hess
US, Virginia Death Records, 1912-2014, 2012 Winfred Jerome Hess
US, Virginia Divorce Records, 1936-2014, 1973 Hess, Winfred Jerome - Muir, Bonnie Ann
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1952 Hess, Winfred Jerome - Muir, Bonnie Ann
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, 1974 Hess, Winfred Jerome - Horn Vandyke, Lois Ann

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

2.12.3.3.3. Bonnie Ann Muir (1935- )

Bonnie Ann Muir was born on 15 September 1935 in Raven, Virginia, to Robert Muir, Jr. and Sadie Viola Cline. She was one of a pair of twin girls; her twin sister, Betty Lou Muir died two days after they were born. Bonnie grew up in Maiden Spring, Virginia. Her parents separated when she was nine years old and divorced in 1949.

Left to right: Robert Muir, Jr., Bonnie Ann Muir, Billy Eugene Muir, and Sadie
Viola (Cline) Muir, c1937; photograph courtesy of Faye (Muir) West

Bonnie married Winfred Jerome Hess on 3 October 1952 in Lebanon, Virginia. They had three children together before the couple separated on 4 September 1973. Three months later, Winfred was granted a divorce decree.

After the divorce became final, Bonnie married Flem Evert Ball on 29 December 1973 in Russell County, Virginia. Flem was a widower.

Flem and Bonnie were living in Morehead City, North Carolina, when Bonnie's older brother, Billy, died. By 1993 they had moved across the Bogue Sound to Emerald Isle, a community on the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean.

Flem Evert Ball died on 13 April 2002 in Emerald Isle, North Carolina.

When Bonnie's brother, Bobbie Joe Muir, died in 2014, Bonnie lived in Florida.

_______________
'Robert Muir, Jr., Family, c1937,' personal collection of Faye (Muir) West
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia; Roll: T627_4298; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 93-21
Alice (Muir) Jennings Genealogy Notebook, page 12
Hurst Scott Funeral Home, http://www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com/
The State, 13 December 1989
US, Public Records, Volume 1, 1935-1993, 1993 Emerald Isle, North Carolina (Ball, Bonnie A.)
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1935 Bonnie Ann Muir
US, Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014, 1973 Hess, Winfred Jerome - Muir, Bonnie Ann
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1918-2014, 1952 Hess, Winfred Jerome - Muir, Bonnie Ann
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1918-2014, 1973 Ball, Flem - Muir Hess, Bonnie Ann

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Thomas Franklin Nipper Headstone

The columbarium plaque for Thomas Frankin Nipper:

Thomas Franklin "Tommy" Nipper plaque; photograph courtesy of Find a
Grave volunteer Carolina Dutchman

_______________
'Thomas Franklin Nipper plaque,' Find A Grave

Thomas Franklin Nipper Obituary

As published in The State on 13 February 2003:

LUGOFF--Services for Thomas "Tommy" Franklin Nipper will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 14, 2003 at the chapel of Greenlawn Funeral Home, Columbia. Entombment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The Rev. Gary Loadholdt will officiate. Pallbearers will be Jody Mitchum, Jimmy Ward, Rick Holton, Eddie Bryan, Mike Smith and Cale Fleming. Honorary pallbearers will be James Young and Robert Poplin. The family will receive friends from 6-9 this evening at the funeral home.

Mr. Nipper died unexpectedly Tuesday, February 11, 2003. He was the owner and operator of Tommy's Tree Service. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Surviving are his wife, June Nipper of Lugoff; mother, Pauline Cunningham Nipper of Columbia; daughters, Charley Marie Nipper of Lugoff, Jennifer Leigh Nipper Hart (Phillip) of Cassatt, Lane Wagner (Donnie) of Columbia, Suzie Thomas (Bubba) of West Columbia, Chelly Pound (Stuart) of Gaston and Robyn Wells (Eric) of Columbia; son Cale Fleming (Julie) of Lexington; sister, Brenda Burkett of Columbia; 12 grandchildren; a niece and nephew. He was predeceased by his father, Raymond Floyd Nipper.

_______________
The State, 13 February 2003

Monday, February 15, 2016

Children of Billy Eugene and Mary (Dolan) Muir

2.12.3.3.1.1. Anna Mae Muir

Anna Mae Muir was born on 25 September 1957 to Billy Eugene Muir and Mary Dolan. She was their eldest child. Anna Mae married John Edmund DeArment, Jr., on 30 June 1978 in Broward County Florida. John had been married previously to Geraldine Phyllis Rossi.

Between at least 1986 through 1996 John and Anna lived in Elgin, South Carolina.

The couple may have divorced around 1996 as Anna is listed in some public records as Anna M. Muir living in Winnsboro, South Carolina.

2.12.3.3.1.2. June Frances Muir

June Frances Muir was born on 26 January 1960 to Billy Eugene Muir and Mary Dolan. She was their second and youngest child. June Frances married Thomas "Tommy" Franklin Nipper on 22 December 1978 in Broward County, Florida. He had been married previously to Clara Anita Wilson and had four daughters by that marriage. According to his obituary, there is also a son by another relationship.

Tommy and June had two daughters:
  • Charley Marie Nipper
  • Jenifer Leigh Nipper (married to Phillip Hart)
Between at least 1989 through 1993 Tommy and June lived in Elgin, South Carolina. By 1996 they lived Lugoff, South Carolina. Thomas Franklin Nipper died on 11 February 2003. He was interred at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Columbia, South Carolina.

_______________
The State, 13 December 1989
The State, 13 February 2003
Global Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 139410488
US, Florida Divorce Index, 1827-2001, 1977 Dearment, John Edmund, Jr. - Geraldine
US, Florida Divorce Index, 1827-2001, 1978 Dearment, John Edmund, Jr., - Geraldine
US, Florida Marriage Index, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001, 1962 DeArment, John Edmund, Jr. - Rossi, Geraldine Phyllis
US, Florida Marriage Index, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001, 1977 DeArment, John Edmund, Jr. - Rossi, Geraldine Phyllis
US, Florida Marriage Index, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001, 1978 DeArment, John Edmund, Jr. - Muir, Anna Mae
US, Florida Marriage Index, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001, 1978 Nipper, Thomas Franklin - Muir, June Frances
US, Navy Cruise Books, 1918-2009, 1971 USS Forrestal (CVA-59)
US, Obituary Daily Times Index, 1995-Current, 2003 Thomas Franklin Nipper
US, Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2001, 1998-2001 Nipper, June (Lugoff, SC)
US, Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1, 1986 Lugoff, South Carolina ( John E. Dearment, Jr.)
US, Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1, 1993 Elgin, South Carolina (Anna M. Dearment)
US, Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1, 1993 Elgin, South Carolina (June F. Nipper)
US, Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1, 1993 Elgin, South Carolina (Thomas Nipper)
US, Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1, 1996 Lugoff, South Carolina (June F. Nipper)
US, Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1, 1996 Lugoff, South Carolina (Anna M Dearment)
US, Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1, 1996 Winnsboro, South Carolina (Anna M. Muir)
US, Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2, Dearment, Anna M. (Winnsboro, SC)
US, Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2, Nipper, June F. (Columbia, SC)
US, Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2, Nipper, Thomas F. (Lugoff, SC)
US, Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2, Nipper, Thomas F. (Columbia, SC)

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Billy Eugene Muir Headstone

The photograph of Billy Eugene Muir's headstone was taken by Find A Grave volunteer, Cindy Taylor-Matuse.

Billy Eugene Muir headstone; image courtesy of Find A Grave volunteer,
Cindy Taylor-Matuse

_______________
'Billy Eugene Muir headstone,' Find A Grave

Billy Eugene Muir Obituary

As published in The State on 13 December 1989:

LUGOFF -- Billy E. Muir
Billy Eugene Muir, 57, died Tuesday. Born in Raven, Va., he was a son of Mrs. Sadie Cline Muir Campbell and the late Robert Muir. He was a Vietnam War veteran, received a Bronze Star, and retired from the Army Infantry as a first sergeant. He was the owner and operator of Bill's Stump Removal Service.

Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Mary Dolan Muir; daughters, Mrs. Anna DeArment and Mrs. June Nipper, both of Elgin; his mother of Raven; sister, Mrs. Bonnie Ball of Moorehead City, N.C., and Mrs. Faye West of Cedar Bluff, Va.; and brothers, Bobby Joe and Bradley Muir, both of Raven.

Services with full military rites, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Kornegay Funeral Home, Lugoff/Elgin Chapel.

_______________
The State, 13 December 1989

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Photograph of Billy Eugene Muir and Father

This photograph of a young Billy Eugene Muir and his father was share with me by Faye (Muir) West:

Billy Eugene Muir and his father, Robert Muir, Jr.; courtesy of Faye (Muir) West

_______________
'Billy Eugene Muir and his Father,' personal collection of Faye (Muir) West

2.12.3.3.1. Billy Eugene Muir (1932-1989)

Billy Eugene Muir was born on 24 November 1932 in Raven, Virginia, to Robert Muir, Jr., and Sadie Viola Cline. He was their eldest child. When the 1940 census was enumerated Billy lived with his parents and siblings in Maiden Spring, Virginia, and his father worked as a coal miner.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army on 9 December 1949 and was discharged on 26 July 1952. He rejoined the Army on 8 April 1954 and served until 31 August 1971 when he retired as a 1st Sergeant. He was a Vietnam War veteran and received the Bronze Star, which is awarded to military personnel who distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service.

Billy married Mary Dolan, who was born on 6 April 1937,  sometime in the mid to late 1950s. They had two daughters.

After retiring from the Army Billy and his wife, Mary, moved to Lugoff, South Carolina, where Billy owned and operated Bill's Stump Removal Service. I have been unable to learn any details about Mary (Dolan) Muir, who survives her husband.

Billy Eugene Muir died on 12 December 1989 in Lugoff. He was buried with full military rites at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Camden, South Carolina.

_______________
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia; Roll: T627_4298; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 93-21
Alice (Muir) Jennings Genealogy Notebook, page 12
Global, Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 98194483
The State, 13 December 1989 (Death notice and obituary)
US, Department of Veterans Affairs, BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010, 1989 Muir, B.
US, Public Records Index, Volume I, 1986 Lugoff, South Carolina (Billy E Muir)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 1, 1986 Lugoff, SC (Muir, Mary A)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 2, 1950-1993 Muir, Mary (Cooper City, FL)
US, Public Records Index, Volume 2, 1950-1993 Muir, Mary D (Lugoff, SC)
US, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, SSN 225-38-7626
US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Number: 225-38-7626; Issue State: Virginia; Issue Date: Before 1951
US, South Carolina, Richland County Obituary Index, 1892-2000, The State, 13 December 1989
US, Virginia Birth Records, 1864-2014, 1932 Muir, Billy Eugene

Friday, February 12, 2016

Photographs of Children of Robert Muir, Jr., and Sadie Viola (Cline) Muir

These photographs of the children of Robert Muir, Jr., and Sadie Viola (Cline) Muir were shared with me by Faye (Muir) West.

Front row left to right: Bernice Faye Muir, Bonnie Ann Muir, Bradley Kenneth "Sonny" Muir
Back row left to right: Jerry Allen Muir, Sadie Viola (Cline) Muir, Robert Muir, Jr.
Photograph courtesy of Faye (Muir) West

Sons of Robert Muir, Jr., and Sadie Viola (Cline) Muir
From left to right: Bradley Kenneth "Sonny", Billy Eugene, Bobby Joe, and Jerry Allen
Photograph courtesy of Faye (Muir) West

Front row from left to right: Bonnie Ann, Sadie Viola (Cline) Muir, Bernice Faye
Back row from left to right: Bradley Kenneth "Sonny," Jerry Allen, Bobby Joe,
and Billy Eugene Muir
Photograph courtesy of Faye (Muir) West

_______________
'Robert and Sadie Muir and their children,' personal collection of Faye (Muir) West
'Sons of Robert and Sadie Muir,' personal collection of Faye (Muir) West
'Children of Robert and Sadie Muir as adults,' personal collection of Faye (Muir) West

Children of Robert Muir, Jr., and Sadie Viola (Cline) Muir

2.12.3.3.1. Billy Eugene Muir (1932-1989)

The lives of Billy Eugene Muir and his wife, Mary Dolan, will be covered in a future post.

2.12.3.3.2. Betty Lou Muir (1935-1935) (twin)

Betty Lou Muir was born on 15 September 1935 in Raven, Virginia. She was a twin of Bonnie Ann Muir. Betty Lou died on 17 September 1935 in Raven, of marasmus, a serious form of malnutrition generally associated with gastro-intestinal tract infections.

2.12.3.3.3. Bonnie Ann Muir (1935- ) (twin)

Bonnie Ann Muir and the lives of her husbands, 1) Winfred Jerome Hess and 2) Flem Evert Ball, will be covered in future posts.

2.12.3.3.4. Bobby Joe Muir (1938-2014)

The lives of Bobby Joe Muir and his wife, Nell Fern Ball, will be covered in future posts.

2.12.3.3.5. Bernice Faye Muir (1940- )

The lives of Bernice Faye Muir and her husband, Roy Lee West, will be covered in future posts.

2.12.3.3.6. Bradley Kenneth Muir (1941- )

The lives of Bradley Kenneth Muir and his wife, Shirley Ann Patrick, will be covered in future posts.

2.12.3.3.7. Jerry Allen Muir (1943-1973)

The lives of Jerry Allen Muir and his wife, Shirley Gay Short, will be covered in future posts.

_______________
US, Virginia Birth Records Index, 1864-2014, 1935 Muir, Betty Lou
US, Virginia Death Records, 1912-2014, Certificate No. 22509

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Sadie Viola (Cline) Muir Rose Campbell Headstone

Sadie Viola (Cline) Muir Rose Campbell was interred beside her second husband, Samuel Melvin Rose, in Greenhills Memory Garden in Claypool Hill, Virginia:

Headstone of Samuel Melvin Rose and Sadie Viola (Cline) Muir Rose Campbell;
photograph courtesy of FAG volunteer  Ronnie Mallory

_______________
'Headstone of Samuel Melvin Rose and Sadie Viloa (Cline) Muir Rose Campbell,' Find a Grave
Global, Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 131364184

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Sadie Viola (Cline) Muir Rose Campbell Obituary

As published in the Bristol Herald Courier during the week of 6-10 June 2000:

RAVEN, VA. -- Sadie Viola Rose Campbell of the Doran Bottom Section died Wednesday, June 7, 2000, at home.

She was born in Caretta, W.Va., a daughter of the late Estill Johnson Cline and Maude Rasnake Cline, both Russell County, Va., natives. She had lived in the Raven area most of her life. She was a retired licensed practical nurse with the Clinch Valley Clinic in Richlands and a member of the Raven Assembly of God and the Rebekah Lodge. She was the widow of her first husband, Sam Rose, and her second husband, Marion Earl Campbell.

Surviving are two daughters, Faye West of Claypool Hill, Va., and Bonnie Ball of Emerald Isle, N.C.; two sons, Bobby Joe Muir of Raven and Bradley K. "Sonny" Muir of Raven; three sisters, Nell Osborne of Raven, Emily Mullins of High Point, N.C., and Lilly Keene of Richlands; two brothers, Estil Johnson and Jack Cline, both of Raven; 14 grandchildren; and 21 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands. The Rev. Joe Copolo will officiate. Burial will be in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va.

Mrs. Campbell was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Betty Lou Muir; two sons, Billy Eugene Muir and Jerry Allen Muir; a brother; and two half-brothers. Among survivors are sons-in-law Roy West of Claypool Hill and Flem Ball of Emerald Isle, N.C.; and daughters-in-law, Nell Muir and Shirley Muir, both of Raven.

Pallbearers will be grandsons.

Friends may call after 6 p.m. Friday in Hurst-Scott Funeral Home.

_______________
Bristol Herald Courier, 6-10 June 2000

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

2.12.3.3. Sadie Viola Cline (1915-2000)

Sadie Viola Cline was born on 15 October 1915 in either Virginia or West Virginia to John Estil Cline and Maude Rasnake. Several places of birth have been listed in different records related to Sadie's life -- Russell County, Virginia; Tazewell County; Virginia; and McDowell County; West Virginia -- to name just a few. I suspect she was born in Tazewell County. Her parents were enumerated as living in in Maiden Spring in the 1910 and 1920 census. When Estil registered for the World War I draft on 12 September 1918, he lived in Raven, Virginia, which is enumerated with Maiden Spring, and worked as a mine foreman for Crockett Red Ash Coal Company, which was located in Raven.

Sadie Viola (Cline) Muir; personal collection of Faye (Muir) West

Sadie grew up in Maiden Spring and likely met her husband in the community of miners who lived in the area. Robert Muir, Jr., and Sadie were married 1 November 1930. They settled in Maiden Spring and had seven children between 1932 and 1943, though one died as an infant. On 1 September 1944 Robert, Jr., and Sadie separated. Sadie was granted an absolute divorce decree on the grounds of desertion on 11 May 1949. Her youngest son was 6 years old at the time of the divorce.

Sadie worked as a licensed practical nurse at the Clinch Valley Clinic in Richlands, Virginia, in 1956 when her former father-in-law, Robert Muir, Sr., died there.

Robert, Jr., and Sadie's youngest son, Jerry Allen Muir, died on 5 September 1973 in a mining accident, leaving a wife and two small children behind.

Sadie married Samuel Melvin Rose on 17 April 1950 in Russell County, Virginia. He was the son of Charles Rose and Sarah Anderson and worked as a miner. He was a widower having lost his wife to cervical cancer the year before when she was just 38 years old. Sadie and Sam were married for 31 years until his death on 28 November 1981. He was interred in Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, Virginia.

Sadie then married Marion Earl Campbell, son of George Campbell and Willie Mitchem, on 3 April 1983 in Raven. He was a widower whose wife had died in 1979. Marion died on 10 April 1995 in Raven. He was also interred in Greenhills Memory Gardens with his first wife, Viola Kate (Tolliver) Campbell.

Sadie Viola (Cline) Muir Rose Campbell died on 7 June 2000. She was interred at Greenhills Memory Gardens and was laid to rest beside her second husband, Samuel Melvin Rose.

_______________
'Sadie Viola (Cline) Muir,' personal collection of Faye (Muir) West
1920 US Federal Census, Census Place: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia; Roll: T625_1917; Page: 22A; Enumeration District: 138; Image: 494
1930 US Federal Census, Census Place: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia; Roll: 2463; Page: 29A; Enumeration District: 0014; Image: 104.0; FHL microfilm: 2342197
1940 US Federal Census, Census Place: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia; Roll: T627_4298; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 93-21
Alice (Muir) Jennings Genealogy Notebook, page 12
Global, Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, Memorial No. 131364184
US, GenWeb Archive, 6-10 June 2000 Obituaries, Bristol Herald Courier
US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Number: 224-32-2662; Issue State: Virginia; Issue Date: Before 1951
US, Virginia Death Records, 1912-2014, 2000 Campbell, Sadie Viola
US, Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014, Divorce Decree 2592, Tazewell County
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, File Number: 83-015401
US, Virginia Marriage Records, 1936-2014, Clerk Number: 9462 or 55