Person Page - 975

     Iris Jane Nichols was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,5 She was born on March 6, 1959 at Roanoke, Virginia.^7,2,3,5,6 She FLOYD — The body of a 1-year-old Floyd County girl who wandered away from her home Monday afternoon was found today in a creek 8 miles from here. The sheriff's office said the girl, Iris Jane Nichols, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James A. Nichols of the Camp Creek community, apparently fell into the creek and drowned. A neighbor found the child's body caught in some bushes in the creek about 2 miles from her home. Rescue squads and firemen had searched until dark Monday and the child's body was found shorty after the search was resumed today. on March 28, 1960.⁴ She died on March 28, 1960 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 1.^7,2,3,4,5

     Jacob "Jack" Leibrant KETCHIKAN, ALASKA - Jack Leibrant has perished in the woods within a few miles of his aKsaan homestead where he resided for many years. This was the growing conviction today for searchers who have scoured the district since the aged man dropped from sight while hunting on November 14. Captain H. C. Hermann and his crew on the coast guard cutter Cygan gave up the search and returned to Ketchikan last night. They joined the quest last Tuesday, when Mrs. Julia Griffin communicated with Judge J. W. Kehoe here, requesting federal aid to find Leibrant. With his nephew, Ben L. Leibrant of Kasaan, Leibrant left his home early on the morning of the fouteenth. While together, they shot a deer about a mile back of the Griffin homestead. They separated and Ben returned home a few hours later. Leibrant has never been seen since. When Captain Hermann and his men took up the search, they traced Leibrant to a creek about half a mile from where the two hunters separated. But from there no trace could be found of the missing man's movements. Storms which swept the region following his disappearance are believed to have driven him farther into the woods for shelter and it is believed that he died from starvation and exposure. His body may never be found. Leibrant had lived in Alaska for thirty-two years. He was born in Allen county, Indiana, in 1849, and came here in 1896. At different times, he was hunter, trapper and prospector, but for some years had remained on Pat Griffin's homestead about two miles out of Kasaan. A portion of the land had been given him by Griffin and he had just procured lumber in order to build a new home for himself. He was a member of the Pioneers of Alaska. Surviving him are his daughter, Mrs. May Fox of Seattle, a son, Thomas Leibrant of Sedro Wooley, Washington, two brothers, Wm. Leibrant of Santa Cruz and Henry Leibrant of Watsonville, and three sisters, Mrs. Maria Hoffman and Mrs. Mary Wilson of Gilroy, and Mrs. Gerry Pura or Gonzales.² He was born on September 27, 1849 at Indiana.⁴ He married Elizabeth Ann "Nellie" Iddings, daughter of James David Iddings and Rebecca Sumner, on March 29, 1891 at King Co., Washington.³ Jacob "Jack" Leibrant died in November, 1929 at Ketchikan, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, at age 80.²

     Mae Leona Leibrant was buried at Cypress View Mausoleum and Crematory, 3653 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, San Diego Co., California.⁶ She was born on February 21, 1897 at King Co., Washington.^1,2,7 As of February 15, 1909,her married name was White.⁴ She married Morris Sayles White on February 15, 1909 at Everett, Snohomish Co., Washington.⁴ As of 1919,her married name was Fox. Mae Leona Leibrant married Frank Chester Fox in 1919.^1,3,7 Mae Leona Leibrant died on December 13, 1943 at San Diego Co., California, at age 46.²

     His Social Security Number was 553-10-1222.⁷ Edward Edgar Harrisburg married Mabel Virginia Easterly.⁸ Edward Edgar Harrisburg and Jane Margaret Sommer were divorced.⁹ Edward Edgar Harrisburg was born on August 23, 1914 at Seattle, King Co., Washington.^7,2,1,4 He married Jane Margaret Sommer in July, 1940 at Yuma Co., Arizona.³ Edward Edgar Harrisburg married Geraldine Bernice Coulon on November 21, 1966 at Orange Co., California.¹⁰ Edward Edgar Harrisburg died on January 17, 1993 at San Diego Co., California, at age 78.^7,2

     Her Social Security Number was 538-36-9279.⁴ Anna Josephine Coleman was buried at Hillcrest Burial Park, Kent, King Co., Washington.^2,5 She was born on April 6, 1883 at Ellensburg, Kittitas Co., Washington.^2,1,4,5 As of April 5, 1902,her married name was Iddings.⁶ She married James Elliot Iddings, son of James David Iddings and Rebecca Sumner, on April 5, 1902 at Springbrook, King Co., Washington.^3,6 Anna Josephine Coleman died on February 20, 1960 at Renton, King Co., Washington, at age 76.^2,5

     His Social Security Number was 535-07-8107.¹⁰ Harry Coleman Iddings was buried at Hillcrest Burial Park, Kent, King Co., Washington.⁴ He was born on February 5, 1907 at Cathcart, Snohomish Co., Washington.^10,7,4,6 He married Ruth Leila Peck on December 5, 1940 at Renton, King Co., Washington.^4,5 Harry Coleman Iddings died on February 26, 1979 at Seattle, King Co., Washington, at age 72.^1,4

     Joseph Clifton Key married Frances Garner. Joseph Clifton Key married Lillian Chambliss. Joseph Clifton Key was born in March, 1857 at Alabama.¹ He died in 1939 at Walker Co., Alabama.¹

     Susan Williams married John B. Key, son of Joseph Garland Key and Rachel P. Cole. Her married name was Key. Susan Williams was born on September 20, 1846 at Alabama.¹ She died on July 5, 1941 at Alabama at age 94.¹

     Joseph Weems married Nancy E. Key, daughter of Joseph Garland Key and Rachel P. Cole. Joseph Weems was born on November 27, 1847.¹ He died on June 11, 1916 at age 68.¹

     His Social Security Number was 225-05-6287.⁶ Charles Edward Crews was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^2,4,5 He was born on October 28, 1907 at Roanoke, Virginia.^6,2 He married Richie Burnell Gearheart, daughter of Elias Morgan Gearheart and Della Verta Layman, on December 24, 1932 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,3,5 Charles Edward Crews died on January 19, 1981 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 73.^6,2,5 He Charles Edward Crews, age 73, of 4608 Old Rocky Mount Rd., died Monday in a Salem hospital. He was retired welder of American Bridge Works. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Richie Gearheart Crews; one son, Charles Galen Crews, Sr., Moneta; two daughters, Mrs. JoeAnn Richards; Mrs. John H. (Sarah) Barbour, both of Roanoke; seven grandchildren. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. on January 21, 1981.⁵

     Velta Leona Akers was buried at Old Dominion Memorial Gardens, 7271 Cloverdale Road, Cloverdale, Botetourt Co., Virginia.² Her Social Security Number was 231-24-9998.⁴ She was born on February 13, 1925 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,4,3 As of circa 1947,her married name was Maxey.¹ She married William Clyde Maxey, son of Latosca Raymond Maxey and Laola W. Dickerson, circa 1947.^1,2 Velta Leona Akers died on September 19, 2013 at Botetourt Co., Virginia, at age 88.^2,4,5 She Velta Leona Akers Maxey, 88, of Botetourt County, passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, September 19, 2013, after enjoying many visits by her family and friends. Born in Floyd County, Velta was an active member of Gospel Light Baptist Church, a past member of Vinton Church of the Brethren, an avid gardener well known for her 'green thumb' and earned the nickname "The Hat Lady" for the fashionable hats she always wore. Velta was preceded in death by her parents, Griffith and Maude Akers. She was also preceded in death by her loving husband of 57½ years, William Clyde Maxey. A devoted mother, she is survived by her four children, Billy Maxey (Angie Lockhart), of Greely, Colo., Wayne Maxey (Kelly), of Fincastle, Teresa Maxey (Mike White) of Richmond, and Karen Bell (Rock), of Newport News; granddaughters, Kristina Waddell (Jeffrey), Veronica Wright (Michael), Tollie Bell; grandsons, Max and Hobbs Bell, Kevin (Tina) and Billy (Christina) White; seven great-grandchildren, Kiara Bailey, Jayden Waddell, Christian and Bentley Wright, Mireya, Isabella, and Braydon White. Burial to follow in Old Dominion Memorial Gardens. on September 21, 2013.²

     Mildred Victorene Alderman was buried at Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 409 Ridgeview Road NW, off Rt. 8 N, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,3 She was born on December 9, 1937 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,3,4 She died on November 5, 1949 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 11.^1,3

     His Social Security Number was 500-01-7344.¹³ Rollo Ruben Bates Jr. was buried at Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 409 Ridgeview Road NW, off Rt. 8 N, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,6 He was born on April 26, 1920 at Aurora, Lawrence Co., Missouri.^13,2,3,6,7,8 He married Lena M. Venzlaff on June 16, 1946 at Monett, Lawrence Co., Missouri.¹ Rollo Ruben Bates Jr. married Elizabeth Junior Greenan on August 28, 1948 at Alexandria, Virginia.^4,14 Rollo Ruben Bates Jr. died on November 30, 1996 at Loudoun Co., Virginia, at age 76.^13,2,5,6

     Infant Dobbins was buried at Red Oak Grove Cemetery, Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ He died on April 20, 1917 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on April 20, 1917 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹

     His Social Security Number was 421-07-6918.³ Lt. Col. Leon Malcolm Burgess was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.⁴ He was born on August 2, 1916 at Collinsville, DeKalb Co., Alabama.^1,3,5 He married Helen Sue Weddle, daughter of William McKinley Weddle and Susan Vannoy "Sue" Conner, on December 24, 1945 at Harrogate, Claiborne Co., Tennessee.^6,1,2,7 Lt. Col. Leon Malcolm Burgess died on July 5, 2002 at South Carolina at age 85.^1,3,5 He Lt. Colonel Leon Malcom Burgess, United States Air Force (Retired) died July 5, 2002. Colonel Burgess was born August 2, 1916 in Collinsville, Alabama. He was the son of the late Claude M. Burgess and Theodosia Glazner Burgess. Colonel Burgess began his Air Force career in 1943 when he entered Navigator Training. During World War II, he served in the Western Pacific as a Navigator/Radar Operator aboard B-29's. He flew 29 combat missions in the air offensive against Japan. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters while serving with the 19th Bombardment Group in the Marianas Islands during this period. He was in the inactive reserves from 1948 until 1951. He was graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Personnel Management. He also obtained a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri. He resumed his Air Force career flying on the B-47 at Pinecastle AFB, Florida. During this period he was a member of the crew that flew the historic non-stop B-47 mission, 11,450 miles from Guam to Morocco in 22 hours and 50 minutes. In 1960, he was assigned to Barkdale AFB, Louisiana with the Combat Evaluation Group. In 1964, he transferred to the Minuteman Missile program at Whitemen AFB, Missouri where he served as the commander of the 508th Strategic Mission Squadron. He finished his military career as the Assistant Director of Operations at the 44th Missile Wing, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. After 30 years in the military, Colonel Burgess retired in 1973. He devoted his time to family, volunteer work, gardening, golf and church activities. Colonel Burgess was a Master Navigator with more than 6000 flying hours. He also held the Master Missileman Badge. Other military awards include an additional Air Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with two bronze service stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. Survivors include his wife, Helen Sue Weddle Burgess; daughters, Lt. Colonel Laura B. Stevens, Lt. Colonel Lucinda L. Carlson, Merry Burgess-Boyd and Commander Melody L. Bock; sons, Major Dean A. Burgess and Claude W. Burgess; 18 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Visitation will be at The McDougald Funeral Home from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, July 8, 2002. The memorial service, with full military honors, will be at New Prospect Baptist Church, Tuesday, July 9, 2002 at 2:00 PM with the Reverend John Rogers and Dr. Lewis E. Greene officiating. The family requests no flowers. Remembrances may made to Leon and Sue Burgess International Student Scholarship Fund at Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC 27506, Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621 or to a charity of one's choice. The McDougald Funeral Home on July 8, 2002.¹