Person Page - 199

     Eugene Grant "Little Gene" Graham Jr. Asheville - Eugene "Gene" Graham, 79, died Monday, July 29, 2013. He was born in Roanoke, VA June 7, 1934 and was a graduate of E.C Glass High School. Gene entered the US Marine Corp after graduation where he became Sergeant. After the Corp he became a baker following his father. He was Superintendent of a large bakery in Orangeburg, SC, and later became Representative of a major manufacturer of flour and other bakery products when he retired. He is survived by his wife of many years, Evelyn Graham; his sister, Sue Bell and her husband Addison of Charlotte, and his Uncle Warren Webb of Richmond, VA; also a special person, Alena Pifer from CA. Special thanks to Beystone and to Care Partners Hospice, Asheville and Hendersonville for the loving care they gave to Eugene.¹⁰ He was buried at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 962 Old US 70 Highway, Black Mountain, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.⁴ He married Evelyn Unknown.¹⁰ Eugene Grant "Little Gene" Graham Jr. was born on June 7, 1934 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,10,3,4,5,6 He died on July 29, 2013 at Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 79.^10,4,6

     His Social Security Number was 721-12-7183.⁸ Coy Raymond Ridinger was buried at Monte Vista Park Cemetery, Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,4 He was born on June 30, 1892 at Huffville, Floyd Co., Virginia.^8,9,3,4 He married Gertrude Gay "Gerta" Wimmer, daughter of Hosea Allen Wimmer and Martha Agnes Weaver, on February 11, 1916 at Floyd Co., Virginia.² Coy Raymond Ridinger married Mary Ellen Merle Whitlock, daughter of Joseph Albert Whitlock and Permielia Rosabelle "Jennie" Lester, on June 7, 1933 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,10 Coy Raymond Ridinger died on January 6, 1965 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 72.^8,3,4

     Sarah Alice Wimmer was buried at Huffville Union Church Cemetery, 1078 Huffville Road, NE, Terrys Fork, Floyd Co., Virginia.² She was born on December 8, 1871 at Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia; The Floyd Co. Birth records has a birth date of Dec 9, 1871.^4,1,2 As of February 26, 1891,her married name was Ridinger.⁵ She married Harvey Jackson Ridinger, son of Heinrich S. "Henry" Ridinger and Jane Howery, on February 26, 1891 at Botetourt Co., Virginia.⁵ Sarah Alice Wimmer died on October 4, 1915 at Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 43.^2,1

     Hosea "Hode" Wimmer was buried at Huffville Union Church Cemetery, 1078 Huffville Road, NE, Terrys Fork, Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on August 2, 1824 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.¹ He married Caroline Wimmer, daughter of Hosea Wimmer Sr. and Christina "Christiniah" Poff, on March 30, 1850 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^5,3,2 Hosea "Hode" Wimmer died on October 7, 1906 at age 82.¹

     Caroline Wimmer was buried at Huffville Union Church Cemetery, 1078 Huffville Road, NE, Terrys Fork, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,4 She was born on October 17, 1832 at Floyd Co., Virginia.⁴ She married Hosea "Hode" Wimmer, son of John Wimmer Jr. and Mary Pauline "Polly" Akers, on March 30, 1850 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^5,2,3 Caroline Wimmer died on June 17, 1918 at Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 85.^1,6,4

     Wiley Ernest Wright married Girlie May Martin. Wiley Ernest Wright was born on June 28, 1896 at Roanoke, Virginia.²

     Janette Marie "Sue" Graham Janette (Sue) Marie Graham Bell passed away May 10, 2024, at the age of 87 after a long battle with dementia. Sue was born on July 9, 1936, in Roanoke, VA, to Eugene Graham and Margorie Elmore. She also had a brother, Eugene (Gene) Graham. Sue was the first in her family to attend college. She was a graduate of Marion College in Marion, VA. Sue met and married J.Addison Bell in 1957 and they moved to Charlotte, North Carolina shortly afterwards. Sue and Addison had four children together while building Carotek, Inc., an engineering firm in Matthews, NC. Sue was instrumental in helping build the business through human resources and administrative duties. Sue was also featured in the Charlotte Observer as one of the first female licensed pilots on the East Coast. Sue was a member of Christ Lutheran Church for over 45 years. Sue is the preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Marjorie Graham, her brother, Eugene (Gene) Graham of Asheville, NC, and her husband, Addison Bell, who passed away from ALS in 2015. Sue is survived by her sister-in-law, Evelyn Graham, her children Eddie Bell and his wife, Linda, Stephen Bell and his wife, Dawn, Rebecca Bell Holland and her husband, Rod Holland, and Jennifer Bell. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Mackenzie Holland, Andrew Holland, Kathryn Holland, Christian Holland, Addison Bell, Mason Bell, Harrison Bell, Matthew Brown, and Rachel Brown. She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Beatrice Bell, and Blaise Bell.⁷ She was born on July 9, 1936 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,6,7 As of December 8, 1956,her married name was Bell.⁴ She married James Addison Bell on December 8, 1956 at Lynchburg, Virginia.^9,4,5,7 Janette Marie "Sue" Graham died on May 10, 2024 at North Carolina at age 87.⁷

     James Galen Hamlin was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.³ He James Galen Hamlin, 62, of Quakertown, died Thurs. May 14th at St. Luke's University Hospital, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Diane (Scott) Hamlin. He worked as a plumber for many years. Born in Roanoke, VA, he was a son of the late James and Barbara (Brinkley) Hamlin. Surviving with his wife are his daughter, Vanessa Hamlin (Justin) of Quakertown; son, Aaron Hamlin (Teri) of Coopersburg; step son, Brian Monteith; granddaughter, Maya; step grandchildren, Rylin and Brynn; brothers, Dennis Hamlin and Daryl Hamlin; sister, Sharon Hamlin.⁶ He was born on August 8, 1952 at Roanoke, Virginia.⁵ He married Brenda Faye Mitchell circa 1971 at Allendale Co., South Carolina.⁷ James Galen Hamlin and Brenda Faye Mitchell were divorced on August 31, 1972 at Okaloosa Co., Florida.⁸ James Galen Hamlin married Diane Lynn Montieth on April 24, 1999 at Roanoke, Virginia.⁴ James Galen Hamlin died on May 14, 2015 at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, at age 62.⁶

     Ocie Louise/Lois Conner was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^8,9,4 She was born on June 17, 1891 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^8,1,6,9,4 She married Posey Lee Angle, son of John Henderson Angle and Octavia Conner, on April 21, 1912 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^6,10,3,4 As of April 21, 1912,her married name was Angle. Ocie Louise/Lois Conner died on November 26, 1943 at Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 52.^8,1,11,9,4

     Elder Andrew Jackson "Andy" Elmore A BIBLE SEMINARY & UNIVERSITY Many of the people of this younger generation are ignorant of the fact that New Castle had a Bible Seminary and University at one time. It was located on the opposite side of Main St., in front of the George Craft property. Elder Andrew Jackson Elmore was president and had as his assistants Elders Samuel Britts and N.A. Caldwell [Newton Caldwell--cb]. Few of our Biblical institutions had instructors better versed in Scripture than these men. The building was designed to be a workshop where farm wagons and buggies were manufactured. On the other end of the lot was a blacksmith's shop, operated by David Zimmerman. When the Seminary and University were not holding sessions, the president was turning out new work or repairing old work. They taught mostly by lectures and debates. President Elmore and Elder Britts did not agree on interpretations of some of the mysterious statements of Scripture. I confess here and now that I got more general Bible knowledge as I sat among the shavings and listened to these expounders of the Word than I got in college. The foundation of my life's work was laid at that time, when a bare-footed, dirty-faced lad absorbed knowledge at the feet of these wise, self-made men. It was not only a Seminary, it was a university, where political science was taught. President Elmore was without question the best posted man on political science of government and the history of the political parties in the county. He had a wonderful memory. He was allergic to monosyllables and could use jawbreakers with more ease and adaption than any of his fellows. He was assisted by Chester Hancock, Jackie Zimmerman and Col. Brent; and I must not forget to mention Bill Doss. They discussed the tariff, sovereignty of states, monopolies and trusts, and free trade. President Elmrore spent many hours in the courthouse absorbing interpretations of the law by attorneys and instructions given by the judges, and was himself capable of giving a good decision according to legal authority. His gift of repartee was out- standing; logical and generally true to historical facts. Col. Brent was one of the best history teachers of his day and one of the best historians; and he gave his instructions without money and without price. This Seminary and University was open to all who desired to attend. Only the lot where it stood is now visible; but sacred memories and lessons of eternal truth continue.⁵ He was buried at Waugh Cemetery, New Castle, Craig Co., Virginia; The grave is no longer visible.² He Andy made his living as a wagon maker but was also a minister. He apparently began his ministry in the Baptist church, but was converted to the "Campbellites" (later the Disciples of Christ) around 1840. In 1844 he was minister to the Disciples congregation at New Castle. In 1858 the Disciples were ejected from the building they had shared with the Presbyterian church, and in 1861 still had no regular place of worship. But in 1860, a church had been established at Mt. View, a few miles from New Castle. Andy and his brother-in-law, Samuel Britts, were among the founders of this church.³ He Andrew was born in North Carolina, probably in Orange Co. It is believed that his parents were James and Milly/Milla Elmore of that county who moved to the New Castle area after he was born. On 12 Dec 1837, a bond was issued indicating that a marriage was to be performed between Andrew and Elizabeth Walker, daughter of Andrew Woods and Elizabeth (Handley) Walker. Elizabeth was from Union, Virginia (Monroe Co., now part of West Virginia). Andy, as he was called, and Elizabeth made their home in New Castle where they raised seven children. Although he made his living as a wagon maker, Andy was first and foremost a minister of the Gospel. He apparently began his ministry in the Baptist church, but was converted to the "Campbellites" (later the Disciples of Christ) around 1840. In 1844 he was minister to the Disciples congregation at New Castle. In 1858 the Disciples were ejected from the building they had shared with the Presbyterian church, and in 1861 still had no regular place of worship. But in 1860, a church had been established at Mt. View, a few miles from New Castle. Andy and his brother-in-law, Samuel Britts, were among the founders of this church. Andy was very active in church affairs all of his life. The Craig and Botetourt marriage records frequently list his name as the minister. In the 1870's, Andy and Elizabeth deeded a portion of land in downtown New Castle to the congregation of the newly established Christian church for the purpose of erecting a church. Some records indicate that a church was built there and later burned. When the congregation decided to re-build, they moved to another location with more land. That small lot in town was still vacant as late as 1990, tied up in a legal mess: only a church could be built there according to the deed. No one seems to be willing to work out these problems since finding all of the heirs of Andy and Elizabeth would be a monumental task. According to a story passed down thru the family of Andy's brother, Joel*, "Uncle Andy" had an unusual way of praying during his church services. Marie Elmore Baxter, great-grandaughter of Joel, tells the story: He would begin to pray (on his knees) at the front of the church, speaking quite loudly. Then, still on his knees, he would begin to move around the church. Finally returning to his starting point, he would end with the same words every time: "Oh, Lord, we knowest that we are heard for our much speaking." One can only imagine how long his prayers had been. Andy's step-grandson, Will Book (a minister himself) wrote articles for the local New Castle newspaper in the 1940's. One of his articles about Andrew appears below. Another story taken from the pages of the local newspaper tells of an incident that took place during the Civil War. It seems that Andy was performing an outdoor wedding ceremony when some Union soldiers happened along. The soldiers broke up the wedding, taking Andy and the unfortunate groom hostage. After a time, they came to a creek. Andy, hoping to obtain their release, immediately began acting as if he thought himself to be Moses, ordering the waters to part so the soldiers could cross on dry land. The soldiers thought he was crazy and quickly decided to release their prisoners. Andy and Elizabeth were buried in the old Waugh Cemetery just outside New Castle, but deterioration of the cemetery makes locating their graves impossible. Some records indicate that Andy may have moved his family very briefly to Adams Co., Illinois. They do not appear on the Craig Co., Virginia census for 1860, and, as some of Elizabeth's family was living in Illinois, they may have been visiting there. Andy's brother Joel* had moved to Snowville, Virginia, so they may have been there in 1860. Clifton, Andy's son, also lived in Snowville for a few years, and some of the large Elmore clan can still be found in that area. Andy and Elizabeth's seven children were Dexter Campbell Elmore, Mary Jane "Mollie" Elmore, Josephine Elmore, Clifton Walker Elmore, Elzira "Ella" Elmore, Paul N. Elmore and Frances "Fanny" Elmore. * Some researchers say that Joel was Andy's cousin rather than his brother.² He was born on July 9, 1811 at Orange Co., North Carolina.^2,3 He married Elizabeth Murray "Betsy" Walker, daughter of Andrew Woods Walker and Elizabeth "Betsy" Handley, on December 12, 1837 at Botetourt Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 Elder Andrew Jackson "Andy" Elmore Andrew was one of 517 property owners who signed a petition to form Craig Co. on Dec 8, 1849. The petition was sent to the Virginia General Assembly and was acted on and passed on Mar 21, 1851, creating Craig Co. from parts of Botetourt, Giles, and Monroe Counties. on December 8, 1849 at Botetourt Co., Virginia. He died on November 29, 1895 at New Castle, Craig Co., Virginia, at age 84.^2,3