Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014
George W. McCormick Sr.
RINGGOLD, Va. - George W. McCormick Sr., of 1861 Ringgold Church Road, died Jan. 1, 2003 in the Danville Regional Medical Center after a lengthy decline in health.
Mr. McCormick was born on Feb. 22, 1926, in Ringgold, Va., the son of Oscar Beverly and Stella Evans McCormick. On May 14, 1946, he was married to the former Marguerite Inez Lester McCormick, who survives.
Mr. McCormick owned and operated the Riverside Barber Shop until his retirement in 1984. He also owned and operated the Nor Dan Barber Shop and the Ballou Barber Shop. He was extremely interested in upgrading and enhancing his profession and was instrumental in getting laws passed through the General Assembly to have all barbers and beauticians licensed by the State of Virginia, as well as barber and beauty shops inspected by the local health departments. He was appointed by Governor Mills Godwin to serve on the State Board of Barber and Beauticians Examiners for two four-year terms during which he served as its Chairman. He was an active member of the American Master Barbers Association. Mr. McCormick was also appointed to and served on the Selective Service Board for the City of Danville.
Mr. McCormick was a charter member of the Danville Life Saving and First Aid Crew. He was a life member of the Danville Jaycees, served as its President and received the Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award in 1961. It was during his term as President that the "Penny Parade" which evolved into the "Empty Stocking Fund" was first started to provide toys for underprivileged children as well as the Danville Speech and Hearing Center. Mr. McCormick was a life member of American Legion Post 325 and the Danville Elks Lodge. He worked with the YMCA in the Indian Y Guides, a program for fathers and sons.
Mr. McCormick was a veteran of World War II and served in the United States Navy on the USS Noas in the South Pacific from 1944 to 1946.
Mr. McCormick was an active member of the former Calvary United Methodist Church, where he served on the Administrative Board, the Finance Committee and the Board of Missions. He also worked with Junior High School students and was a Delegate to the United Methodist Church Annual Conference.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by five brothers, E. Leland McCormick, John R. McCormick, Oscar B. McCormick, Frank M. McCormick and Samuel R. McCormick.
Survivors, in addition to his wife of the residence, include three children, George W. McCormick Jr. and wife, Lisa Cunningham McCormick, of Richmond, Kay Lester McCormick of Tampa, Fla. and Sarah Ann Fry and husband, John Andrew Fry, of Charlotte, N.C. Two grandsons, Matthew Kent McCormick and David Keegan McCormick and one granddaughter, Katlyn Elizabeth Fry. He is also survived by one brother, Hugh Thomas McCormick of Danville; two sisters, Sarah E. Hardy and her husband, William Hardy, of Ringgold and Jessie May Lindsey of Kernersville, N.C.
Funeral services will be held at the St. Luke's United Methodist Church on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003 at 2 p.m. by the Reverend Randy Duncan, Dr. David Palmer and Reverend Carl Burger. Interment will follow in Highland Burial Park with full graveside honors given by the Honor Guard of American Legion Post No. 325.
The family received friends at St. Luke's United Methodist Church on Friday, Jan. 3, 2003, from 7-8:30 p.m. and at other times will be at the residence.
Townes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
The family suggests donations be made to the Danville Life Saving Crew, 202 Christopher Lane, the Kentuck Fire Department, 425 Bennett Drive, Ringgold, VA 24586 or St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Agape Fund, 3090 North Main St., Danville, VA 24540.
Lillie Ola Mosley
DANVILLE, Va. - Lillie Ola Mosley, 99, of 302 Greenwich Circle, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003, at Riverside Health Care Center.
Born May 25, 1903, in Pittsylvania County, she was the daughter of Sallie Martin.
She was a member of Vance Street Baptist Church and was a deaconess and the church mother.
She was married to Deacon Jessie W. Mosley, who predeceased her.
She is survived by four daughters, Luetta Barber, Beulah Williams, Odessa Clark, all of Danville and Priscilla Whitlock of New York City, N.Y.; seven grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a daughter, Gladiola Ferguson and a son, Jessie W. Mosley Jr.
The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Vance Street Baptist Church with the Rev. Herbert Dickerson officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the residence.
Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
James Taylor Peters
DANVILLE, Va. - James Taylor Peters, 71, of 316 Hanley Circle, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003 in Danville Regional Medical Center, due to complications from open heart surgery at Duke University.
Born January 19, 1931, in Clifton Forge, Va., he was the son of Taylor Jefferson Peters and Beatrice Wright Peters, who predeceased him.
Mr. Peters lived most of his life in the Danville area.
Mr. Peters retired after 36 years of service with the federal government, where he was a chief warrant officer 4 supervisor with the National Guard. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army Institute at Fort Eustis, Va., the Army Defense Electronic Radar School at Fort Bliss, Texas and Mechanical Operations School at Fort Sill, OK. He was a member of Westover Baptist Church and the Retiree's Club of the Army Reserves.
He married Millie B. Peters May 24, 1949.
In addition to his wife, of the residence, he is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Rachel Peters and one daughter and son-in-law, Donna Peters Brown and Bobby Brown of Danville; and three grandchildren, Garrett Smith, Ashley Smith and Hannah Peters, all of Danville.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one sister, Edith Peters.
The funeral will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Wrenn-Yeatts Westover Chapel with the Rev. Billy Scearce and the Rev. Norman Graham officiating. Interment will follow in Danville Memorial Gardens, with military honors by the American Legion Dan River Post 1097.
The family will receive friends 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday at Wrenn-Yeatts Westover Chapel. At other times they will be at the residence.
The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Danville Life Saving Crew, 202 Christopher Lane, Danville, VA 24541.
Wrenn-Yeatts, Westover Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Jane Viola Barnett Watlington
YANCEYVILLE, N.C. - Jane Viola Barnett Watlington, 59, of 1390 Hodges Dairy Road, died Thurs., Jan 2, 2003 at her residence.
Born July 24, 1943, in Rockingham County, N.C., she was the daughter of Walter R. Barnett and Pauline Pankey Barnett, who survives.
She was a former member of Mineral Springs Baptist Church. She later joined and became a member of Apostolic Faith Holiness Church in Ringgold, VA, where she was a member of the senior choir and the missionary circle.
She was an employee of Miller Brewery in Eden, N.C. before retirement.
She was married to Thomas (Sonny) Watlington.
In addition to her husband, of the residence, and her mother, of Ringgold, she is survived by three sons, Thomas Gregory Watlington of Hillsborough, N.C., Jeffery Blair Watlington of Ruffin and Antwan Watlington of the residence; two daughters, Natalie Gail Walters of Blanch and Bridgett Jane Watlington of the residence; three brothers, Walter R. Barnett Jr. of Ruffin, Steven A. Barnett and Anthony R.Barnett, both of Ringgold; three sisters, Wanda Jean Murphy and Patricia Enoch, both of Stokesdale and Evelyn B. Jones of Reidsville; and twelve grandchildren.
In addition to her father, she was also predeceased by one sister, Margret Ann Barnett.
The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Mineral Springs Baptist Church with Bishop Willie Watkins officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive visitors 7-8 p.m. Saturday at Fulton Funeral Home Chapel and at other times will be at the residence.
Fulton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Dabney Cosby
VERNON HILL, Va. - Dabney Alvin Cosby Sr., 78, of 1040 Plato Road, died July 26, 2002, at his residence.
Born June 24, 1924 in Halifax County, he was the son of Dabney Cosby and Hilda Compton Farmer and stepson of Obediah Farmer.
He was married to Nell Puryear Cosby, who survives. He was a member of South Boston Bowling Association, was elected into the South Boston Bowler's Association Hall of Fame and received numerous sportsmanship awards. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church.
Survivors, in addition to his wife of Vernon Hill, include one daughter, Elizabeth C. Zimmermann of South Boston; one son, Dabney Alvin Cosby Jr. of Vernon Hill; one sister, Mary Cosby Clements of Vernon Hill; four grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
The graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Asbury United Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Jack Gowen officiating.
The family will receive friends 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday at Powell Funeral Home.
Powell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
John Gregory Jr.
COLLINSVILLE, Va. - John Lloyd Gregory Jr., 48, of 270 Miles Road, died July 26, 2002, at University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlotte.
Born Jan. 20, 1954, in Martinsville, he was the son of John Lloyd Gregory Sr., who survives, and Charlotte Taylor Gregory, who predeceased him.
He was married to Jennifer Nickelston Gregory, who survives. He graduated from Martinsville High School and was a member of the Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department where he received the fireman of the year award. For 32 years, he was a service technician with Prillaman and Pace Inc.
Survivors, in addition to his father of Martinsville and his wife of the residence, include one son, John Kevin Gregory of Martinsville; three sisters, Dolores G. Stoneman of Collinsville, Cindy G. Kanode of Martinsville and Marilynn G. Conner of South Boston.
The funeral will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Norris Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Bob Blinn and the Rev. Chris Bennett officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Burial Park.
The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Norris Funeral Home and at other times at the residence of his mother-in-law, Betty Nickelston, 260 Paul St., Collinsville and at the residence of his father, John L. Gregory Sr., 902 Luck St., Martinsville.
The family suggests memorials be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, N. Canton, Ohio 44720.
Norris Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lorena Jones
DANVILLE, Va. - Lorena Jones, 44, of 331 East Thomas Street, died Thursday, July 25, 2002, at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born July 7, 1958, she was the daughter of Harvey Lee Williams, who predeceased her, and Helen G. Terry, who survives.
She was formerly married to Barry Jones.
Survivors, in addition to her mother, include, two sons, Dowayne A. Carter and Wendell Terry, both of Danville; three brothers, Lawrence Terry, Tony Smith, and Antonio Leftwich, all of Danville; and eleven sisters, Loretta Davis, Valeria Terry, Jean Harris, Jackie Williams, Christine Price, Patricia Childress, Marilyn Williams, Debra Garland, Audrey Bennett, Debra Bennett, and Christy Brown, all of Danville.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. George Lovelace officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park.
The family will receive friends at the residence.
Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Oakes
CASCADE, Va. - Mary F. Oakes, 87, formerly of Route 1, Box 1346, died Friday, July 26, 2002, at Roman Eagle Memorial Home following one year of declining health.
Born Sept. 12, 1914, in Pittsylvania County, she was the daughter of George H. Oakes and Maggie Hardy Oakes.
She lived all of her life in the Brosville Community of Pittsylvania County, and was a lifelong member of Brosville United Methodist Church. She worked for 35 years at Dan River Inc.
She is survived by a number of nieces and one nephew.
She was predeceased by two sisters, four brothers, one nephew and one niece.
The funeral will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at Brosville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Edward A. Roland officiating. Interment will follow at the Hardy Family Cemetery on Stoney Mill Road.
The family will receive friends 7-8:30 p.m. Monday at Swicegood Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Brosville United Methodist Church Building Fund, 12648 Martinsville Highway, Danville, VA 24541.
Swicegood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Archer Yeatts Jr.
RICHMOND, Va. - Archer L. Yeatts, Jr., long-time educator and State Government official, died on Saturday, July 27, 2002, at the age of 82. He was a native of Pittsylvania County and grew up on a farm outside of Chatham. He graduated from the County schools and received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Agricultural Education. He was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. Mr. Yeatts was an army veteran of World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia T. Ford Yeatts; a son, Judge Archer L. Yeatts, III, and wife Elaine of Richmond; a daughter, Kathryn (Kitty) Y. Davis and husband George of Richmond; three grandchildren, Carole E. Yeatts of Richmond, Laura Y. Thomson of Kaneohe, Hawaii, Philip S. Davis of Charlotte, North Carolina; one sister, Ann Y. Pulliam of Louisville, KY; two stepsons, Henry R. Ford, Jr. of Richmond and Charles R. Ford of Atlanta, GA; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Elinor Moore Yeatts in 1997.
Beginning his career as an educator, Mr. Yeatts taught Vocational Agriculture in Pittsylvania County and served as a teacher-supervisor in a 5-county area in Southside Virginia. After receiving his Master's Degree, he taught for two years at VPI.
He joined the State Department of Education in 1958 as Assistant Supervisor of Agricultural Education. He later served as Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture for 3 years, and then was appointed an Executive Assistant to Governor Mills Godwin in 1966. In 1969, Gov. Godwin appointed him to the ABC Board, where he served until retirement in 1983. While Chairman of the ABC Board in 1976, he served as President of the National Association of Alcoholic Beverage Control Officials.
Following retirement, he served two 4-year terms on the Richmond Metropolitan Authority and two terms as a member of the State Board of Corrections.
Mr. Yeatts was active in his church and the Masonic fraternity. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church for 40 years, serving as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher. Since 1998 he had been a member of Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School.
He was a 50-year and a 33rd degree Mason and Past Master of Manchester Lodge #14 A.F. & A.M. He also held membership in Varina #272 and Pittsylvania #24 Masonic Lodges; Richmond Scottish Rite Bodies, serving as Venerable master in 1985 and a member of the Scottish Rite Guard; and ACCA Temple Shrine. He was a member and Past Director of Richmond Court #16, Royal Order of Jesters, and Past President of the Past Masters' Club.
Mr. Yeatts was appointed to the Board of Governors of the Masonic Home of Virginia in 1978. He was elected President of the Board two years later and served until 1990, a period during which the Home experienced its greatest expansion. He had resided in the Masonic Village since 1996.
The family will receive friends on Monday, July 29, from 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. at Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Avenue. A Masonic Memorial service will follow at 7:30 p.m. The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 30 at 3:30 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 4200 Dover Rd., Richmond, with a reception afterwards. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Masonic Home, the Childhood Language Center, Carlisle Ave. Baptist Church or Grace Baptist Church.
Nina Allen Blackmon
NINETY SIX, S.C. - Nina Allen Blackmon, 73, of 114 Surf Circle, Harbor Heights, died Sept. 4, 2002, at her residence.
Born April 9, 1929, in Pittsylvania County, she was the daughter of Charlie C. and Lena Farthing Allen. She was raised by Dennis and Nellie Nuckols in Chatham, Va.
She was a 1946 graduate of Chatham High School as class Salutatorian and was a graduate of Spartanburg Junior College and Winthrop College.
She taught in Greenwood School District, No. 50, for 18 years and retired from West Hodges Elementary School.
She was a member of North Side Baptist Church and the Agape Sunday School Class where she taught the women's Sunday School classes for 30 years and was a member of the choir.
She was a member of the Greenwood Retired Teachers Association and the Harbor Heights Garden Club.
She is survived by her husband, Donald L. Blackmon of the residence; two sons, Donald Blackmon Jr. of Pensacola, Fla. and Allen Blackmon of Heath Springs; a daughter, Avis Coleman of Savannah, Ga.; a sister, Ellen N. Kent of Atlanta, Ga.; two brothers, Edgar Allen of Spartanburg and Clyde Allen of Griffin, Ga.; and nine grandchildren.
The funeral will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at North Side Baptist Church with Dr. Jeff Lethco, Rev. Steve Watson and Rev. Brian Saxon officiating. Interment will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park Mausoleum.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Friday at Blyth Funeral Home and will be at the residence at other times.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to North Side Baptist Church Building Fund, 409 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Blyth Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Margaret Arrington 'Peggy' Chears
DANVILLE, Va. - Margaret Arrington "Peggy" Chears, formerly of 156 Forestdale Drive, Apartment 210, died Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002, at Roman Eagle Memorial Home.
She was born in Danville on May 11, 1931, a daughter of the late William Crockett Chears and Frances Westbrook Chears.
Miss Chears attend public schools in Charlotte, N.C. and was a graduate of Salem College in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Miss Chears was employed eight years for the Extension Division for North Carolina State University and worked for seven years as a executive secretary for The Governor's Coordinating Committee on Aging.
Miss Chears returned to Danville in the early 1960s and had taught school at The Mount Hermon Elementary School.
She later became a substitute teacher for the City of Danville Public Schools. She also taught at Danville Community College and had worked at The Alumni Office at Hargrave Military academy in Chatham, Va. Miss Chears was a member of The Main Street United Methodist Church.
Surviving are a nephew: William Crockett Chears II of Dallas, Texas; one niece, Catherine C. Sonnier and her husband, Richard of Dallas, Texas; two great nieces, Emily Arrington Sonnier and Grace Alexander Sonnier both of Dallas, Texas.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2002 from the graveside at Mountain View Cemetery by the Rev. Gary Milstead.
Townes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
