Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014
John Davis
ROANOKE, Va. - Recipient of the Horatio Alger Award for Distinguished Americans, John William Davis, died Wednesday June 12, 2002. He was days short of his 98th birthday. He attributed any success he ever had in life to the Lord and to his wife of 64 years, Alice Anna Grumke Davis, who died seven years ago.
Davis was born July 7, 1904 in San Augustine, Texas. In 1936, he brought Dr. Pepper to Virginia. By the 1950's, the Roanoke Valley franchise had the highest per capita consumption of Dr. Pepper in the Beverage World Hall of Fame. He was the only beverage bottler in the U.S. to receive this award.
In 1946 Davis opened the first Frito plant east of the Mississippi River in Washington, D.C. and in New York. He sold it to the H.W. Lay Company in 1956, and Lay subsequently merged with the Frito Company of Dallas, forming Frito-Lay, Inc., presently a division of Pepsico. In the fifties he introduced Fritos to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
In the fifties, Davis established Moore's Super Stores in Roanoke. Moore's stores were found in many cities on the east coast from Virginia to Connecticut.
Davis was in the oil and gas business for most of his adult life beginning in the Gulf Refining Company in Texas at age 17. Davis was in the wholesale distribution of oil with Sinclair Oil in Texas. For many years he worked in the area of exploration of oil and gas throughout the country.
Davis has contributed to the Roanoke area in many other ways. He served as chairman of the executive board of Dominion Bank Shares for many years until he was 79 years old. He was instrumental in the establishment of a halfway house for recovering alcoholics, the formation of the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Roanoke and also Junior Achievement. He added his entrepreneurial talents to The Gathering Place in St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Davis is survived by two daughters: Kaye Anne Aikins of Durham, North Carolina and Pamela Alice Davis of Ponte Vedra, Florida; seven grandchildren: William DeLay Aikins, William Robert Aikins, and John William Davis Aikins of Danville, Virginia, Pamela Aikins Pierce of Raleigh, North Carolina, Alice Burress Sarlls of New York, New York, Glenna Burress Patton of London, England, Kay Davis Burress King of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; six great-grandsons: William David Pierce, Joseph Madison Pierce, and Joshua Logan Pierce of Raleigh, North Carolina, William Davis Aikins of Danville, Virginia, John Burress Sarlls of New York, New York and William Davis King of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, June 17, 2002 at First Baptist Church, 515 Third Street SW, Roanoke, Virginia with Dr. Charles Fuller officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 1307 Summit Avenue SW, Roanoke, Virginia.
Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 540-982-2100.
Ruth Fowler
DANVILLE, Va. - Ruth Adams Fowler, 75, of 53 Garland St., died Thursday, June 13, 2002 at Danville Regional Medical Center. She had been in declining health for two years.
Born Aug. 17, 1926 in Danville, she was a daughter of Robert William Adams and Gertie Hardy Adams.
She was retired from the time-keeping office at Dan River Inc. after 40 years. She attended Arlington Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Cheryl F. Williamson of Danville; one son, Robert "Bob" William Fowler of the residence; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by two brothers and one sister.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Townes Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Samuel Greeson officiating. Interment will follow at Schoolfield Cemetery.
The family received friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday at Townes Funeral Home and at other times at the residence.
Townes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Donald Harris
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Donald Franklin Harris, 71, of 754 SE Hidden River Dr. died Tuesday, June 11, 2002 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Born in Springfield, Ohio, he was the son of LeRoy Harris and Dossie Harris.
He was married November 4, 2001 to Nancyann Harris, who survives. In 1954 he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps and was awarded a senatorial commission by the Republican Senatorial Inner Circle in 1991. He was awarded the Humanitarian Award in Danville in 1985, the Restaurant Man of the Year award in Tennessee in 1968, and named to the Shoney's Founders Hall of Fame Award in 1983. He was the president and founder of the Danville Chapter of the March of Dimes from 1977-92 and was owner and president of the MFM Restaurant Group.
Survivors include one daughter, Pamela Harris McCauley of Danville; one son, Phillip Taylor Harris of Danville; two sisters, Rose Hancock and Mary Lodge, both of Matoaca, Va.; and three grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Fort Pierce.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 2002 at Townes Funeral Home in Danville, Va.
The viewing was held from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday at Haisley-Hobbs Funeral Home in Fort Pierce is in charge of arrangements.
Ella Horne
DANVILLE, Va. - Ella Mae Harris Horne, 76, of 529 Cedarbrook Drive, died Friday, June 14, 2002, at the residence following three months as a patient at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born June 14, 1926, in South Boston, she was the daughter of the Rev. John C. Harris and Betty Matthews Harris.
She was married to the Rev. Monroe S. Horne, who survives. She lived her early life in Danville and later spent her life traveling throughout several states with her husband. They moved back to Danville after his retirement where they had lived for the past 13 years. She was a member of Central Boulevard Church of God where she was active in all church activities.
In addition to her husband, survivors include four daughters, Betty Arnold of Danville, Elaine Morrow of Shawsville, Betty Higgins of Memphis, Tenn., and Audrey "Ike" Hackworth of Irvine, Ky.; two brothers, Jack Harris of Danville, and the Rev. Arthur Harris of Radford; two sisters, Mildred Mills and Dorothy Bernard, both of Danville; 17 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by one daughter, Sandra Louise Horne; and 10 brothers and sisters.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Central Boulevard Church of God with the Rev. John Meadows, the Rev. W.A. Davis, and the Rev. Daryl Joyce officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Sunday at Central Boulevard Church of God and other times will be at the residence.
The family suggests memorials may be made to Hospice Support Services Inc., P.O. Box 2713, Danville, Va. 24541.
Swicegood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Moses Jones
MADISON HEIGHTS, Va. - Moses Preston Jones, 88, of 161 Daniel Drive, died June 13, 2002, at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Born June 28, 1913, in Campbell County, he was a son of Preston Jones Sr. and Irene Jones.
He was married to Jeffrie V. Jones, who survives. He was employed by Smith Transfer Co. as a long distance truck driver prior to his retirement, and was a member of New Free Springs Baptist Church in Rustburg where he served on the board of deacons, male chorus, and was past president of the Usher Board. He was the last original member of the Gospel Four Quartet of Lynchburg.
In addition to his wife of the residence, survivors include one sister, Ruby Howard of Chicago.
He was predeceased by one brother, George Jones.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at New Free Spring Baptist Church with the Rev. S.C. Terry officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. The remains will lie in state from noon until the time of the service Monday.
Miller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Louise Giles Lewis
DANVILLE, Va. - Louise Giles Lewis, 83, of 146 Bernard Court, died at 5:05 a.m. Thursday, June 13, 2002 at Roman Eagle Memorial Home.
Born November 18, 1918 in Pittsylvania County, Va., she was a daughter of James Isaac Giles and Annie Hutcheson Giles, who both predeceased her.
She was married February 24, 1937 to Charles W. Lewis, who survives. She was a member of Oakland United Methodist Church and was a homemaker.
Survivors, in addition to her husband, include two daughters, Anne Giles of Danville and Alice Shelton of Chatham; three sisters, Janie Robertson and Evelyn Jones, both of Danville and Kitty McGregor of Blairs; three grandchildren, Susan Turner of Columbia, S.C., Sarah Shelton of Richmond and Lewis Giles of Ringgold; and one great-granddaughter, Ashley Turner of Columbia, S.C.
She was predeceased, in addition to her parents, by three brothers, David Giles, Vernie Giles, Clyde Giles, and two sisters, Callie Brumfield and Garland Merricks.
The funeral will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 15, 2002 at Barker Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Steve Lewis officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park in Danville.
The family received friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2002 at Barker Funeral Home Chapel and at other times at the residence, 146 Bernard Court.
Barker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Mabry
DANVILLE, Va. - Mary Wilcox Mabry, 77, of Roman Eagle Memorial Home, died Friday morning, June 14, 2002, at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born Feb. 8, 1925, in Manlius, N.Y., she was the daughter of Baughn Wilcox and Bernice Dunn Wilcox.
She was married to Frank Mabry, who predeceased her in 1987.
Survivors include one daughter, Lynda K. Hill of Danville; one son, Robert L. Klelman of Tampa, Fla.; one sister, Reva Burt of Manlius, N.Y.; and five grandchildren.
Interment will be held at a later date at Manlius Village Cemetery in Manlius, N.Y.
Townes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kenneth Miles
DANVILLE, Va. - Kenneth Gene Miles, 66, of 166 Applewood Drive, died Wednesday, June 12, 2002 at the residence.
Born August 26, 1935, he was a son of John W. Miles and Carrie Dillon Miles.
He lived most of his life in Danville and was of the Baptist faith. He was a disabled veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict. He died unexpectedly.
He is survived by one sister, Geraldean Rae Milam of the residence.
He was predeceased by two brothers, William D. Miles and Asa L. Miles, and one sister Whealer M. Elliott.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at New Testament Baptist Church with the Rev. Lee Van Eime and the Rev. Red Stover officiating.
Swicegood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ruth Parks
ORLANDO, Fla. - Ruth Gwyn Parks died May 3, 2002, at Westminster Care Home in Orlando.
Born Feb. 10, 1909, in Locust Hill, Caswell County, N.C., she was the daughter of Sarah Eliza Hatchett Gwyn and Joseph Pinkney Gwyn.
She was married to Dr. Hugh Parks, who predeceased her. She and her family lived in Yanceyville, N.C. and she was active in church and community life in Elkin, N.C. for many years. She worked in Washington D.C. and Atlanta. She resided in Caswell County, N.C. following her retirement.
Survivors include one niece, Mary Lee Wilson of Orlando, and eight other nieces and nephews.
The graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hatchett-Gwyn Family Cemetery in Caswell County, N.C.
The family suggests memorials may be made to the Museum of the Caswell County Historical Society, Yanceyville, N.C. 27379.
Marley Funeral Home in Yanceyville, N.C., is in charge of arrangements.
Essie Roberts
DANVILLE, Va. - Essie Snead Roberts, 93, formerly of Gilbert Drive died Thursday, June 13, 2002 at the Riverside Health Care Center where she had been a resident for eleven months. She had been in declining health for several years.
Mrs. Roberts was born March 25, 1909 in Danville a daughter of James Snead and Mamie Hudson Snead. She had lived her entire life in Danville and Pittsylvania County and was a member of the Glenwood Memorial Baptist Church.
She was married to Lloyd H. Roberts, who died April 5, 1987.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by two sons, Harold H. Roberts and James I. Roberts and a sister, Thelma Arendall.
Survivors include a son, Thomas H. Roberts and his wife, Lucille of Danville; a daughter, Faye R. Gilbert and her husband, Chase of Collinsville; a daughter-in-law, Frances Roberts of Danville; eight grandchildren; H.C. Gilbert, Donald Gilbert and Jimmy Gilbert of Collinsville, Sylvia Whitten of Chase City, Susan Hill of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., Greg Roberts, Candice McFarthing and Kelly Chaney all of Danville; sixteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, June 17, 2002 at 2:00 P.M. from the Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel by the Reverend Linwood Daniel. Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park.
The family will receive friends at the residence of her son, 146 Allison Drive.
Walter "Giles" Snead
SOUTH BOSTON, Va. - Walter Dewey "Giles" Sneed, 81, of 205 Merritt St., died June 14, 2002, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Born June 15, 1920, in Halifax County, he was the son of Arthur Manley Sneed and Mattie Cully Sneed.
He was married to Frances Evelyn Dance Sneed, who survives. He was a member of the Faulkner Memorial Masonic Lodge #91 in South Boston, a Shriner, a veteran of World War II and guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
In addition to his wife of South Boston, survivors include two daughters, Sandra C. Murphy of Binghamton, N.Y., and Wanda S. Ulsaker of Wilmington, Del.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four brothers, Chester Sneed of Nathalie, John Sneed and Eugene "Dink" Sneed, both of South Boston, and Richard Sneed of Fayetteville, N.C.; and one sister, Ruby Watts of South Boston.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Powell Funeral Home with the Rev. John Wilder officiating. Interment will follow at Halifax Memorial Gardens with military rites.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Monday at Powell Funeral Home.
Powell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Harry Lee Vernon
DANVILLE, Va. - Harry Lee Vernon, 72, of 234 Eastwood Drive, died Thursday, June 13, 2002 at his residence. He had been in declining health since March.
Born December 15, 1929 in Pittsylvania County, he was a son of John Benjamin Vernon and Annie Belle Clark Vernon, who both predeceased him.
He was married September 3, 1955 to Lula Reynolds Vernon, who survives. Mr. Vernon lived his life in the Danville and Pittsylvania County areas where he was the former owner and operator of Glenwood Plumbing Company for many years and continued to do plumbing work on his own after retirement. He was an active member of Central Boulevard Church of God where he served on the usher committee and was a member of the choir.
Survivors, in addition to his wife of the residence, include one daughter, Karen D. Vernon of Danville; one son, C. Michael Vernon of Danville; three sisters, Myrtle Vernon Chattin, Ruby Lenora Vernon Campbell and Nancy Vernon Wall, all of Danville; two brothers, John Edmund Vernon Sr. of Keeling and Kenneth Ray Vernon of California; and two grandsons, Joshua M. Vernon and Jonathan L. Vernon, both of Danville.
The funeral will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 15, 2002 at Central Boulevard Church of God with the Revs. John Meadows and Herschel Stone officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park with military honors performed by Post 1097.
The family received friends 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2002 at Central Boulevard Church of God and at other times at the residence.
Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Howard Brachman
DANVILLE, Va. - Howard F. Brachman, 100, of 480 West Main Street, Apt. B2, Danville, VA died Saturday, May 11, 2002 at his residence.
Born November 1, 1901 in Middleport, PA, he was a son of John Brachman and Sophia Kreis Brachman, both deceased.
He was married May 29, 1924 to Kathryn M. Lewis Brachman, who predeceased him. Mr. Brachman lived in Pennsylvania until he retired in 1968 and has lived in Danville for 32 years. He worked for Jeddo Highland Coal Company and retired after 45 years of service.
Survivors include one daughter-in-law, Patricia M. Brachman of Danville, VA; two granddaughters, Rachel Brachman of Danville and Linda Woodard of Blairs; three great-grandsons, Jason Brachman of Charleston, SC, and Patrick Woodard and Tristan Woodard, both of Blairs; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased, in addition to his wife and parents, by one son, Dr. Russell C. Brachman, three brothers and four sisters.
The graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2002 at Danville Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Jonathan L. Bennett officiating.
The family will receive friends Monday, May 13, 2002 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Swicegood Funeral Home and at other times at the home of the daughter-in-law, Patricia Brachman, 139 Pendleton Road, Danville, VA.
The family suggests that Memorial Contributions be made to Russell C. Brachman Scholarship Fund at Averett University, 420 West Main Street, Danville, VA 24541.
Swicegood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
