Person Page - 814

     His Social Security Number was 237-42-3723.⁸ Brainard Thomas Palmer Sr. was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Mebane, Orange Co., North Carolina.^2,9 He was born on February 12, 1912 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,8,10,9,11 He married Effie Mae Cunningham on December 21, 1935 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3,10,4 Brainard Thomas Palmer Sr. died on August 31, 1973 at Efland, Orange Co., North Carolina, at age 61.^2,10,9 He Brainard T. Palmer, 61, of Rt. 1, Efland died in his home Friday at 10 p.m. following an extended illness. A native of Floyd County, Va., he was the husband of Mrs. Effie Cunningham Palmer, of the home, who survives. He was a retired employe of White Furniture Co. of Mebane and a member of Cedar Grove Methodist Church. Survivors, other than his wife, include two daughters, Mrs. Pat Lloyd of Rt. 2, Mebane and Mrs. Shirley Wood of Graham; a son, Brainard T. Palmer Jr. with the U.S. Navy stationed in Greece; three brothers, Hardy and Chester Palmer of Goodview, Va. and Ralph Palmer of Fla; two sisters, Mrs. Lilly Holland and Mrs. May Blankenship, both of Goodview, Va. and several grandchildren. on September 1, 1973.¹⁰

     Her Social Security Number was 231-05-7923.⁹ Annie May Palmer was buried at Basham Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Drewerys Hill Road, Stewartsville, Bedford Co., Virginia.^2,10 She was born on June 28, 1917 at Chamblissburg, Bedford Co., Virginia.^9,2,8,10,4,5 As of July 3, 1937,her married name was Blankenship.⁸ She married Woodrow Blankenship Sr. on July 3, 1937 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,11,8 Annie May Palmer died on August 25, 2007 at Bedford Co., Virginia, at age 90.^9,2,10,12 She BLANKENSHIP, Annie May Palmer, June 28, 1917 August 25, 2007. Mrs. Blankenship was the youngest of eight children born to Ira Shelton and Rhoda Alice Blankenship Palmer. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Hardy, Ralph, Chester, Limmie, Brainard, Lillie and Goldie; her husband, Woodrow Blankenship, Sr; a granddaughter, Angel Blankenship; a great-grandson, Henry Hancock and a son-in-law, Gordon Tuck. Mrs. Blankenship is survived by her children and spouses, Woodrow Jr. and Sharon, Phyllis Tuck, Carolyn and E. R. Gresham, III, Allen and Judy, Roy and Gail, Mary Alice and Rob Colwell and David and Laura; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. on August 26, 2007.²

     William Leslie Palmer was buried at Bible Tabernacle Church Cemetery, Southern Pines, Moore Co., North Carolina.^3,5,7,11 His Social Security Number was 244-32-2896.³ He was born on February 8, 1928 at Goodview, Bedford Co., Virginia.^3,5,6,11,12 He married Ruth Helen Stanley on December 22, 1956 at Bedford Co., Virginia.^3,4,7 William Leslie Palmer died on October 30, 1969 at Carthage, Moore Co., North Carolina, at age 41.^3,5,11 He Funeral Services for William Leslie Palmer, 41, former employe of Carthage Fabric Co., who died Thursday will be held at Bible Tabernacle Church, Southern Pines. Burial church cemetery, Whispering Pines. Surviving: his wife, Mrs. Ruth Stanley Palmer; a son, William T. Palmer of the home; three daughters, Prudence, Dottie and Leslie Ruth Palmer of the home; his father, Hardy Palmer of Ocala, Fla; two sisters, Mrs. Mamie Walters and Mrs. Dorothy Collins; two brothers, Harold E. and Donald Palmer, all of Goodview, Va. on November 1, 1969.⁷

     His Social Security Number was 224-32-2895.¹⁰ Hardy Eugene "Gene" Palmer was buried at Parrish Chapel Church Cemetery, Chamblissburg, Bedford Co., Virginia.^2,11,4 He married Verna Pauline Nutty.⁴ Hardy Eugene "Gene" Palmer was born on June 8, 1929 at Goodview, Bedford Co., Virginia.^{10,11,3,4,5,12} He died on March 5, 1993 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 63.^10,2,11,4,5 He PALMER, Hardy Eugene ("Gene"), 63, of Goodview, passed away Friday, March 5, 1993. He was retired from Singer Furniture. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict. Surviving are his wife Pauline N. Palmer; one son, Ronald Eugene Palmer and Connie Neal, Goodview; one daughter, Stephanie Marie Palmer of the home, and fiancee, Sammy R. Lynch, Huddleston; two sisters, Mamie Walters, Roanoke, Dorothy Collins, Hardy; two grandsons, Dewayne and Eugene. Graveside services will be held from the Parrish Chapel Church Cemetery in Chamblissburg. on March 7, 1993.²

     Betty Jane "Betsy" Burchett was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^4,3 She was born in 1895 at Rock, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^5,3 She married Raymond Lincoln Vest, son of Charles Will Vest and Alma Victoria Poff, on February 27, 1918 at Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,6,3 As of February 27, 1918,her married name was Vest.⁶ Betty Jane "Betsy" Burchett died on August 5, 1970 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ She Mrs. Betsy Jane Vest, 75, of Freeman, died Wednesday morning in a Bluefield hospital after a short illness. Born in Rock, she was a daughter of the late Amanda Minor and Gilford Burchett. Surviving are her husband, Raymond L. Vest; five sons, George Anderson of Sarasota, Fla., Charles Vest of Battle Creek, Mich., Frank Vest of Fayetteville, Ted Vest of Van Wert, Ohio, and Curtis Vest of Bluefield, Va; four daughters, Margaret Henderson of Sandstone, Mary Ann Becker of Indianapolis, Ind., Madeline Johnson of Sandstone, and Dorothy McComas of Detroit, Mich; and one sister, Mary Kinzer of Sarasota. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. on August 6, 1970.³

     Charles Benson "Charley" Vest was buried at North Sherwood Cemetery, Sherwood, Branch Co., Michigan.⁹ His Social Security Number was 236-05-5694.¹⁰ He married Hazel May Warren.⁵ Charles Benson "Charley" Vest was born on December 16, 1918 at Rock, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^10,3,4,11 He died on April 11, 1986 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan, at age 67.^3,11,5 He Charles Benson Vest, 67, of 176 Central St., died Friday at Community Hospital after a short illness. He was born in Rock, W. Va., and moved to Battle Creek from Freeman, W. Va., in 1950. He was a coal miner in West Virginia, and after moving to Battle Creek was a foreman at Central Iron and Metal and worked at Franklin Iron and Metal. During World War II he was with the U.S. Army's 605th Tank Destroyer Company in Germany. He was a member of the VFW #8715 Bastogne Luzon Post in Battle Creek and a member and past president of the Troubleshooters REACT CB Club. He is survived by his wife, the former Hazel Warren; six daughters, Athelene Villeneuve of Paducah, Ky., Betsy Monk of Princeton, W.Va., Eunice Dickerson of Zion, Ill., Debra White, Joan Baird, and Brenda Gibbs of Battle Creek; a son, John Villeneuve Jr. of Bellevue; 27 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three brothers, George Anderson of Sarasota, Fla., Frank Vest of Oak Hill, W. Va., Ted Vest of Charleston, W. Va., Curtis Vest of Bluefield, Va; sisters, Margaret Henderson from Sandstone, W. Va., Madeline Johnson of Hinton, W. Va., Mary Ann Parnell of Indianapolis, and Dorothy McComas of Garden City. on April 13, 1986.⁵

     Hazel May Warren married Charles Benson "Charley" Vest, son of Raymond Lincoln Vest and Betty Jane "Betsy" Burchett.² Her Social Security Number was 373-20-9379.³ Hazel May Warren was buried at North Sherwood Cemetery, Sherwood, Branch Co., Michigan.⁴ Her married name was Vest. She was born on September 29, 1916 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan.^3,5,1 She died on March 8, 1996 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan, at age 79.⁵

     Lloyd Engram Vest was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,6 He Lloyd Engram Vest, 36, of Freemen a machine operator for the Amonate mines died in the explosion Friday. He is survived by his widow the former, Sadie Lee Dillon, Freeman; and the following children at home, William, Shirley, Marsia and Darline; his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Raymond Vest, Freeman; and four brothers, Charlie, Frank, Curtis Vest, and George Henderson; four sisters, Miss Margaret Henderson, Mary Vest, Madline Vest and Dorothy.² His Social Security Number was 235-26-2965.⁷ He was born on February 3, 1921 at Rock, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^8,1,9,6,7 He married Sadie Lee Dillon on December 2, 1945 at Freeman, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^8,2 Lloyd Engram Vest died on December 27, 1957 at Amonate, McDowell Co., West Virginia, at age 36; Died in a coal mine explosion.^1,6,2

     Peter Albert Poff was buried at Shutt Cemetery, Rock-Lashmeet Road Sec. Rt. 71/12, Wright Mountain, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁶ He was born on February 3, 1852 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,6 He married Sarah Jane Stump on January 29, 1874 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,7 Peter Albert Poff died on December 27, 1915 at Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 63.⁶

     Frank Scott Vest was buried at Pleasant View Cemetery, Fayetteville, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^1,2 His Social Security Number was 234-22-0960.¹² He was born on March 30, 1923 at Rock, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^{12,1,2,3,13,4} He married Ressie Lee Tincher, daughter of Wesley Wilbur Tincher and Ola B. Smith, on March 26, 1949 at North Tazwell, Tazewell Co., Virginia.^5,14 Frank Scott Vest died on March 29, 1998 at West Virginia at age 74.^12,1,2,13

     His Social Security Number was 233-40-5022.⁷ Theodore Bird/Byrd "Albert" Vest was born on March 11, 1925 at Rock, Mercer Co., West Virginia; His draft card has a birth year of 1924.^7,3,8 He married Mary Ruth Wingo on August 3, 1951 at Tazewell, Tazewell Co., Virginia.³ Theodore Bird/Byrd "Albert" Vest died on October 31, 2010 at Pennsylvania at age 85.⁷

     Mary Ruth Wingo was born on February 6, 1924 at War, McDowell Co., West Virginia.^1,2 She married Theodore Bird/Byrd "Albert" Vest, son of Raymond Lincoln Vest and Betty Jane "Betsy" Burchett, on August 3, 1951 at Tazewell, Tazewell Co., Virginia.¹ As of August 3, 1951,her married name was Vest.¹ Mary Ruth Wingo died on February 12, 2014 at age 90.²

     Mary Ann Vest Mary Ann Parnell, 90, of Indianapolis, passed away on Friday December 21, 2018. She was born on May 17, 1928 to the late R.L. and Betsy J. Buchett Vest. Mary Ann was married to the late Harry Becker. Mary Ann worked over 40 years at Southern Trailway, retiring in 2007. While working there she made lifelong friends. She was a member of Franklin Road Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Washington Park East Cemetery.⁵ She was buried at Washington Park East Cemetery, 10612 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana.⁵ She and Stultz Frederick Gravely were divorced.¹⁰ Mary Ann Vest was born on May 7, 1928 at Rock, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^5,6 As of June 22, 1950,her married name was Gravely.⁶ She married Stultz Frederick Gravely on June 22, 1950 at Tazewell Co., Virginia.⁶ As of December 31, 1963,her married name was Becker.⁷ Mary Ann Vest married Harry Robert Becker on December 31, 1963 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana.^5,7 As of February 8, 1981,her married name was Parnell.⁷ Mary Ann Vest married Charles Wayne Parnell on February 8, 1981 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana.^1,3,7 Mary Ann Vest died on December 21, 2018 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana, at age 90.⁵

     Harry Robert Becker was buried at Washington Park East Cemetery, 10612 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana.^2,5 He was born on February 16, 1928 at Indiana.⁵ He married Mary Ann Vest, daughter of Raymond Lincoln Vest and Betty Jane "Betsy" Burchett, on December 31, 1963 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana.^1,4 Harry Robert Becker died on August 19, 1979 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana, at age 51.^3,5 He Mr. Harry R. Becker, 51 years, of 1115 N. Butler Ave., husband of Mrs. Mary Ann Becker, father of Mrs. Michael (Peggy) Hinshaw, of Indianapolis, passed away Saturday. on August 19, 1979.³

     Betty Madeline Vest was buried at Restwood Memorial Gardens, Hinton, Summers Co., West Virginia.^7,3 She was born on February 13, 1931 at Freeman, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,3 As of October 6, 1952,her married name was Ward.² She married Summers Doran Ward on October 6, 1952 at Green Sulphur, Summers Co., West Virginia.² As of October 21, 1961,her married name was Johnson.⁸ Betty Madeline Vest married James Edward "Eddie" Johnson on October 21, 1961 at Hinton, Summers Co., West Virginia.^8,3 Betty Madeline Vest died on May 12, 2015 at Hinton, Summers Co., West Virginia, at age 84.^7,3 She Betty Madeline "Blondie" Johnson, 84, of Hinton, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at home following a long illness. Born February 13, 1931 at Bramwell, she was a daughter of the late Raymond L. and Betsy Burchet Vest. Betty was a member of the Meadow Creek Baptist Church and had attended First Baptist Church in recent years while her health permitted. She was a homemaker and lifelong resident of Summers County who enjoyed children, flowers, gardening, cooking and participating in church activities. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Pastor James E. "Eddie" Johnson; one sister and five brothers. Those left to cherish her memory include one son, Mark Ward and wife Bonnie of Sandstone; one daughter, Diania Price and husband Jim of Hinton; five grandchildren, Dean Perdue and wife Jodie, Jennifer Stillion, Austin Persinger and wife Billie, Amber Stover and husband Jason and Jennifer Dickens; six great grandchildren, Maggie and Ava Stover, Drew and Chloe Dickens, Miles Persinger and Molly Stillion; one brother, Ray Vest and wife Sara of Bluefield, Va; two sisters, Mary Ann Parnell of Indianapolis, Ind. and Dot McComas of Michigan; a special caregiver, Donna Weikle and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Burial will follow in the Restwood Memorial Gardens in Hinton. on May 14, 2015.³

     His Social Security Number was 721-14-7717.³ Summers Doran Ward was buried at Richmond Cemetery, Sandstone, Summers Co., West Virginia.^3,5 He was born on May 15, 1928 at Brooks, Summers Co., West Virginia.^1,2,3,4,5 He married Betty Madeline Vest, daughter of Raymond Lincoln Vest and Betty Jane "Betsy" Burchett, on October 6, 1952 at Green Sulphur, Summers Co., West Virginia.¹ Summers Doran Ward died on February 18, 1961 at Hinton, Summers Co., West Virginia, at age 32.^2,3,5 He Probable inhalation of gasoline flames and burns about the face, chest, neck, and arms resulted in the death of Summers D. Ward, 32, of Sandstone. Ward died at 4:50 a.m. Saturday in a Hinton hospital, where he had been taken after a "freak" accident in the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway's West Yard. Ward was an equipment operator for the railroad. Ward, working alone, was engaged in cleaning grease off the brake bands of Burro crane when the accident occurred. Details as to how the fire started were undetermined. Officials and fellow workmen assumed Ward had used the gasoline to burn grease from the brake bands and in some manner his clothing caught fire. Robert Ferguson, a road mechanic and commander of the local National Guard until, was returning from lunch when he saw Ward burst into flames. He said Ward jumped off the crane from the opposite side and started running. Ferguson said he crossed the track to the side where Ward was running and stopped him. Ward broke loose and started running again and Ferguson said he stopped him and threw him down in an effort to smother the flames. "As fast as the flames in one place were put out by rolling him on the ground they would break out in another place. Finally with the help of J. T. Cales and A. B. Bragg, we started tearing his clothing off to stop the flames," Ferguson added. Ferguson was burned about both hands and sustained a broken left little finger. He was treated at the hospital and released. Ward remained conscious and insisted on walking to the waiting ambulance which had been called. He lapsed into a coma about one hour before his death. Born May 15, 1928 at Brooks, he was a son of Enny and Beatrice Ward and had resided in Summers County all of his life with the exception of Army service, during which he spent 21 months in Korea. He had been employed by the railway since 1945. He was a member of the Lick Creek Baptist Church. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include his wife, Mrs. Madeline Ward; one son, Doran Mark, and a daughter, Dianna, both at home; one brother, Lloyd of Sandstone; one sister, Mrs. Hubert Adkins of Hinton. Burial wlll be in the Richmond Cemetery. on February 19, 1961.⁵

     James Edward "Eddie" Johnson was buried at Restwood Memorial Gardens, Hinton, Summers Co., West Virginia.² His Social Security Number was 232-44-2060.⁵ He was born on September 5, 1929 at Sandstone, Summers Co., West Virginia.^1,5,4 He married Betty Madeline Vest, daughter of Raymond Lincoln Vest and Betty Jane "Betsy" Burchett, on October 21, 1961 at Hinton, Summers Co., West Virginia.^1,3 James Edward "Eddie" Johnson died on January 27, 2005 at Summers Co., West Virginia, at age 75.⁵

     Samuel J. Poff was born on August 19, 1856 at Floyd Co., Virginia.⁴ He died on September 4, 1858 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 2; Died of thrash.^2,3,5

     Sara Maxine Crabtree Sara Maxine Crabtree Vest of Bluefield, VA, passed away Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center after a short illness surrounded by her family members whom she loved dearly as they loved her. Sara was born March 11, 1929 and had been a lifelong resident of Bluefield, VA. She was the daughter of the late George G and Lucille Watson Crabtree. She was also preceded in death by her loving sister, Peggy Jones Farley. Sara started work as a teenager at New Graham Pharmacy and then Bluefield Supply Company. She and her husband, Curtis also owned and operated their own business, Vest Inc. She worked hard all her life, but her greatest enjoyment was being a housewife and taking care of her family. Along with her love of family, was the love for her church. She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church, where she was involved with her Sunday School Class and the bereavement dinners. Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 49 years, Curtis Ray Vest; brothers: George W. Crabtree and wife, Janet of Laurens, SC, Pierce G. Crabtree and wife, Shirley of Bluefield, VA, Charles L. Crabtree and wife, Teresa of Laurens, SC; dear sister: Sue Crabtree Hollyfield of Bluefield, VA. She is also survived by her “children”, nephew: Keith Abel and wife, Tammy; nieces: Suzanne Kelley and husband, Kevin, Cindy Crabtree; great-nephews: Andrew Abel and wife, Sara, Klint Kelley, Christopher Puckett; great-niece: Kristin Kelley Perkins and husband, Brandon; nephews: William Jones, Charles Glen Crabtree and wife, Lisa; nieces: Lynn Bently, Rhonda Crabtree. Entombment will follow at Grandview Memory Mausoleum.² She was buried at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, Tazewell Co., Virginia.² She was born on March 11, 1929 at Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,2 She married Curtis Ray Vest, son of Raymond Lincoln Vest and Betty Jane "Betsy" Burchett, on August 4, 1967 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,2 As of August 4, 1967,her married name was Vest.¹ Sara Maxine Crabtree died on February 24, 2016 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 86.²

     His Social Security Number was 233-52-5129.³ Tressie Nathaniel McComas Jr. was born on April 14, 1934 at Pinoak, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,1 He married Dorothy Lee "Dolly" Vest, daughter of Raymond Lincoln Vest and Betty Jane "Betsy" Burchett, on May 21, 1956 at North Tazwell, Tazewell Co., Virginia.¹ Tressie Nathaniel McComas Jr. died on November 21, 2012 at Wayne Co., Michigan, at age 78.^3,2 He McComas, Tressie N., Jr. - Age 78 November 21, 2012. Beloved husband of Dorothy. Dear father of Cynthia A. (Roy) Milks, Gregory S. (Renee), and Paul T. (Christie). Grand father of Nathan, Nicholas, Kelly Milks, Gregory McComas, Jr., Alexandra, Christian, and MacKenzie McComas. Great-grandfather of Brendan, Riley, Caden and Grayson. Brother of Mavis Bailey and Nadine Shrewsbury. on November 23, 2012.²

     Her Social Security Number was 235-60-3821.⁷ Pearl Ruth Holley was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁶ She was born on April 18, 1905 at St. Paul, Wise Co., Virginia.^7,4,5,6 She married Roy Clifton Vest, son of Charles Will Vest and Alma Victoria Poff, on December 27, 1924 at Matoaka, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,8,6 As of December 27, 1924,her married name was Vest.³ Pearl Ruth Holley died on January 10, 1990 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 84.^7,6 She Mrs. Pearl Vest, 84, died Wednesday, Jan. 10, in a Bluefield care center following a long illness. Born April 18, 1905, at St Paul, Va., she was the daughter of the late Wade and Ida Holly. Mrs Vest was a member of the Rock Baptist Church at Rock, was a charter member of the Order of Eastern Star at Rock Lodge No. 130 and the VFW Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Vest and a son, Johnny Vest. Survivors include a daughter, Norma Ruth Guagnini of Harrison, N.Y; two brothers, Jim Ramey of Florence, S.C., and Clarence Ramey of Beaut, Mont; two sisters, Mable Phillips of Dante, Va., and Genevia Caldwell of Hammond, Ind; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Memorial Park at Bluewell. on January 11, 1990.⁶

     His Social Security Number was 087-18-6651.⁵ Bernard Joseph "Bernie" Guagnini Bernard J. Guagnini (Bernie) - Harrisons first Supt. Of Parks and Recreation (1958-1986). Bernard Entered into Eternal Rest on Thursday - September 30th, 2010 at the age of 86. He was born on August 20, 1924 to the late Anthony and Irma Macchi Guagnini in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was a graduate of Concord College, Athens W. Virginia (1950) with a B.A. and B.S., and Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind., (1951) with a M.S. In 1950 he married his college sweetheart, Ruth Vest, of W. Virginia. As Harrisons first Parks and Recreation Administrator he developed a comprehensive and diversified program, recognized throughout the Middle Atlantic States. He also served as president of the Westchester County recreation and Parks Society. In addition to recreation development, he established Harrisons first Youth Employment Service, the Harrison Cares Fund (to meet emergency needs of residents), and the American Legion Operation Adoption Program, making Harrison the first community in the U.S. to “adopt” an army company in Vietnam. Bernard was the recipient of the B’nai Brith Brotherhood Award (1964), the Westchester Chapter American Committee on Migration (1979), the Westchester County and N.Y. State Merit Award (1986), the Lions Club International Melvin Jones Award (1989), and the American Red Cross 10 Gallon Blood Donor Award. Mr. Guagnini, recognized as “Bernie” throughout the community, spearheaded the popular “It’s Great to Live in Harrison Day” community celebration in 1978 that is held annually on Columbus Day to honor the privilege of living in a great town, great state, and great country. Bernie was also an avid swimmer, competing in open water ocean events, often winning his age group in the U.S. Masters competition. He served his country proudly during WWII as a weather observer for the U.S. Army Air Corps. Mr. Guagnini was an active member of the Harrison Lions Club, serving 2 terms as president, the American Legion Post #559, and the Giovanni Caboto Club, a 35 year member of the Harrison Volunteer Fire Department, the Harrison Knights of Columbus, and a parishioner of St. Gregory the Great Church. In 1998 the Town Board of Harrison honored Bernie by renaming Brentwood Youth Park- the Bernie Guagnini Brentwood Park. Along with his wife Ruth of Harrison, N.Y., Bernie leaves behind 3 children Deborah Cuniglio (Mike) of Babylon, N.Y., Brad (Lynn) of Signal Mt., Tn., and Chris (Valerie) of Mamaroneck, N.Y., 5 grandchildren Christy Lazer, James Cuniglio, Kayla, Maya, and Jake Guagnini, and 1 great grandson Jamie Lazer. Along with his parents, Anthony and Irma, Bernie had also been predeceased by a brother Charles.² He was born on August 20, 1924 at Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York.^1,5,2,4 He married Ruth Norma Vest, daughter of Roy Clifton Vest and Pearl Ruth Holley, on December 23, 1950 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,2 Bernard Joseph "Bernie" Guagnini died on September 30, 2010 at Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Connecticut, at age 86.^5,2,3

     His Social Security Number was 235-58-5070.⁷ Johnny Patrick Vest was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁶ He was born on December 13, 1936 at Rock, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^7,2 He married Phyllis Celeste Jackson on July 8, 1964 at North Tazwell, Tazewell Co., Virginia.² Johnny Patrick Vest died on January 28, 1986 at Rock, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 49.^7,6 He Johnny P. Vest, 48, of Rock, died late Tuesday at his home. He was born in Rock. He was the son of Mrs. Pearl Vest of Rock and the late Roy C. Vest. He was a member of U.M.W.A. He was a member of Rock First United Methodist Church. Survivors: son, Roy P. Vest of Montcalm; daughter, Miss Holly Vest of Rock; brother, Elliott Vest of Bluefield; sister, Mrs. Ruth Guagnina of Harrison, N.Y. Burial at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. on January 30, 1986.⁶

     Her Social Security Number was 235-14-7219.² Brookie Blanche Bailey was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,1,4 She was born on November 21, 1906 at West Virginia.^2,1 As of circa 1924,her married name was Vest.⁵ She married Curtis James "Curt" Vest, son of Charles Will Vest and Alma Victoria Poff, circa 1924.^5,1 Brookie Blanche Bailey died on October 8, 1983 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 76.^2,1,4 She Mrs. Brookie B. Vest, 76, of Bluewell, formerly of Rock, died Saturday in a Roanoke hospital after a long illness. She was a member of Rock Baptist Church. Survivors are one son, James H. Vest of Elkhart, Ind; two daughters, Mrs. Ernestine Parker of Bluewell, and Mrs. Janise Belcher of Princeton; one sister, Mrs. Edna Mae Storn of Baltimore, Md., nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton. on October 10, 1983.⁴

     Martha Eunice Poff was born on March 3, 1861 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,1