Person Page - 1056

     George Lewis Conner was born on January 16, 1874 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,4,7,5 He married Sarah Jane "Sally" Stump, daughter of Cebret Stump, on November 16, 1897 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,7,8 George Lewis Conner and Sarah Jane "Sally" Stump were divorced on May 1, 1923 at Floyd Co., Virginia.⁸ George Lewis Conner married Mary Della Moran, daughter of James Fleming Moran and Mary Elizabeth Walters, on November 10, 1923 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,5 George Lewis Conner died on May 20, 1948 at Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 74.^3,7,5

     Sarah Frances Gearheart was born in 1838 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3,4 She married Anderson Mills on June 24, 1859 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 As of June 24, 1859,her married name was Mills. Sarah Frances Gearheart died on August 16, 1915 at Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁵

     Anderson Mills was buried at Anderson Mills Cemetery, On US 221, beside driveway of 9052 Floyd Highway North, Floyd Co., Virginia.² He was born on July 4, 1816 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^1,2 He married Hannah Smith, daughter of Jacob Smith and Eve/Eva "Evy" Shilling, on January 13, 1844 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,2 Anderson Mills married Sarah Frances Gearheart, daughter of John Gearheart and Frances DeWeese, on June 24, 1859 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2 Anderson Mills died on March 15, 1888 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 71.²

     Adeline W. "Adelia" Mills was buried at Wimmer, Bohan, Maxie, Shilling Cemetery, Adney Gap, corner of Franklin Co., Floyd Co., and Roanoke Co., Virginia.^4,5,3 She was born on April 1, 1861 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^5,2,3 She married William Isaac Wimmer, son of Jacob Wimmer and America Brown, on January 17, 1882 at Floyd Co., Virginia.² As of January 17, 1882,her married name was Wimmer. Adeline W. "Adelia" Mills died on October 12, 1948 at age 87.^4,5,3

     William Isaac Wimmer was buried at Wimmer, Bohan, Maxie, Shilling Cemetery, Adney Gap, corner of Franklin Co., Floyd Co., and Roanoke Co., Virginia.^5,6,3 He was born on June 14, 1864 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,5,6,2,3 He married Adeline W. "Adelia" Mills, daughter of Anderson Mills and Sarah Frances Gearheart, on January 17, 1882 at Floyd Co., Virginia.² William Isaac Wimmer died on August 11, 1950 at age 86.^4,5,6,3

     Jacob Wimmer was born on March 25, 1837 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2 He married America Brown, daughter of John Brown and Peggy Unknown, on September 25, 1863 at Floyd Co., Virginia.³ Jacob Wimmer died on December 20, 1863 at Civil War at age 26.^1,2

     America Brown was buried at Wimmer, Bohan, Maxie, Shilling Cemetery, Adney Gap, corner of Franklin Co., Floyd Co., and Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3 She was born on July 25, 1838 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 She married Jacob Wimmer, son of Isaac K. Wimmer and Mahala King, on September 25, 1863 at Floyd Co., Virginia.⁴ As of September 25, 1863,her married name was Wimmer. America Brown died on October 21, 1927 at age 89.^1,2,3

     Her married name was Hoy.⁴ Her married name was Grubbs.³ Minnie Ella Wimmer was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.⁴ She married Unknown Grubbs.³ Minnie Ella Wimmer married William A. Hoy.⁴ Minnie Ella Wimmer was born on March 6, 1888 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,4 She married Giles William Conner, son of Jordan Walter Conner and Julia Ann Blankenship, on October 28, 1920 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,5 As of October 28, 1920,her married name was Conner.⁵ Minnie Ella Wimmer died on June 18, 1978 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 90.⁴

     Giles William Conner was buried at Wimmer, Bohan, Maxie, Shilling Cemetery, Adney Gap, corner of Franklin Co., Floyd Co., and Roanoke Co., Virginia; His tombstone reads "Va. Pvt. 154 Depot Brig."^11,1,2,9,6 He was born on August 27, 1895 at Floyd Co., Virginia; His death certificate has a birth date of Aug 12, 1894.^4,9,5 He married Minnie Ella Wimmer, daughter of William Isaac Wimmer and Adeline W. "Adelia" Mills, on October 28, 1920 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,12,10 Giles William Conner died on June 16, 1927 at Coal Spring, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 31.^11,1,2,9,5,6

     Isaac Johnson "J.G." Gearheart was buried at Gearheart Cemetery, Rt. 686, off Rt. 622, Reesedale, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^5,1 He was born on February 12, 1871 at Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia; The funeral home records have a birth date of Jan 12, 1869.^1,3 He married Emma Zetta King, daughter of Michael O. King and Louisa Octavia Aldridge, on August 25, 1892 at Franklin Co., Virginia.¹ Isaac Johnson "J.G." Gearheart died on January 11, 1943 at Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 71.^1,3

     Emma Zetta King was buried at Gearheart Cemetery, Rt. 686, off Rt. 622, Reesedale, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^4,1,2 She was born on February 29, 1868 at Floyd Co., Virginia; Her death certificate has a birth year of 1866.^4,1,2 She married Isaac Johnson "J.G." Gearheart, son of John Harvey Gearheart and Massie Mahala Wilson, on August 25, 1892 at Franklin Co., Virginia.¹ As of August 25, 1892,her married name was Gearheart. Emma Zetta King died on February 25, 1951 at Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 82.^4,1

     Her Social Security Number was 573-42-1189.⁴ Dorothy May Williams and William Earl Hummell were divorced.⁵ Dorothy May Williams was born on May 10, 1904 at Clifton Forge, Alleghany Co., Virginia.^2,4 As of December 28, 1928,her married name was Hummell.⁶ She married William Earl Hummell on December 28, 1928 at Los Angeles Co., California.^7,6 Dorothy May Williams married Harold Wilshires Sweetland on August 20, 1960 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California.^8,9 As of August 20, 1960,her married name was Sweetland.⁹ Dorothy May Williams died in April, 1982 at Arizona at age 77.⁴

     Michael O. King was buried at Bethlehem Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 0.3 miles west of the church on Rt. 739, Franklin Co., Virginia.³ He was born on August 2, 1847 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 He married Louisa Octavia Aldridge, daughter of Mary "Polly" Aldridge, on December 20, 1866 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 Michael O. King died on November 29, 1931 at age 84.³

     Louisa Octavia Aldridge was buried at Bethlehem Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 0.3 miles west of the church on Rt. 739, Franklin Co., Virginia.³ She was born on January 7, 1850 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 She married Michael O. King, son of Anthony King Jr. and Margaret "Peggy" Wright, on December 20, 1866 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 As of December 20, 1866,her married name was King. Louisa Octavia Aldridge died on December 28, 1933 at age 83.³

     Her Social Security Number was 223-30-3030.⁷ Elsie May Aldridge was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.⁸ She was born on October 4, 1916 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,7,2 She married Frank Wilson Hale Sr., son of Jeremiah Lee "Jerry" Hale and Laura Isabel Wilson, on October 12, 1935 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,8,2 As of October 12, 1935,her married name was Hale. Elsie May Aldridge died on October 26, 2003 at Virginia at age 87.^8,7 She HALE, Elsie Aldridge (Ma), 87, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, October 26, 2003. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank W. Hale, daughter, Sarah Hale, sons, Bill Hale, Richard Hale and Frank W. Hale, Jr., grandsons, Richard Hale, Jr., Harry Hale, Jr. and Brian Hale. She is survived by sons, Jerry Hale and wife Pat, Gene Hale, Gary Hale and wife Susan and Harry Hale; daughters, Shirley Bowles, Ann Jordan and husband Tommy, Linda Parker and husband Barry; 21 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Jim Aldridge. Elsie also leaves behind her devoted caretakers and loving friends at Avantz of Roanoke. A graveside service will be held in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. on October 27, 2003.⁸

     Joseph Howard Hale Aldridge was buried at Head of the River Cemetery (also known as Salem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery), Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^6,1,2 He was born on November 27, 1922 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^6,1,2 He died on February 28, 1961 at Bent Mountain, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 38.^6,1,2

     Her Social Security Number was 223-30-3196.⁸ Sylvia Virginia Aldridge was buried at Restvale Cemetery, Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^9,10,11 She was born on June 24, 1925 at Ironto, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^{10,8,2,1,11,3,12} She married Tildon J. King Sr., son of Oakley Albert King and Nannie Byron Manning, on July 20, 1946 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,9,1,13 As of July 20, 1946,her married name was King. Sylvia Virginia Aldridge married Isaac Theodore Brown on February 14, 1981 at Roanoke, Virginia.^14,13 As of February 14, 1981,her married name was Brown.¹⁴ Sylvia Virginia Aldridge married Alton B. Cox on November 19, 1991 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^9,14 As of November 19, 1991,her married name was Cox.¹⁴ Sylvia Virginia Aldridge died on April 22, 1994 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 68.^9,10,11 She COX, Sylvia A. King, 68, of Christiansburg, died Friday, April 22, 1994 in a Salem hospital. Survivors include her husband, Alton B. Cox, Christiansburg; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Dickie Poage, Salem; son, Tildon King Jr., Leavenworth, Kansas; one grandchild, Katrina Lowe, Boones Mill; and an expectant great-granddaughter, Alexis Kate Lowe; one brother, James C. Aldridge, Bent Mountain; and a sister, Elsie Hale, Roanoke. Interment in Restvale Cemetery, Copper Hill. on April 23, 1994.⁹

     James Clarence Aldridge was buried at Restvale Cemetery, Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁴ He was born on July 13, 1929 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^8,1 He married Elizabeth Dawn Farmer, daughter of Perry Carter Farmer and Elizabeth Cathryn "Lizzie" Nolley, on September 16, 1949 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^9,8,10,1,3,4 James Clarence Aldridge died on March 23, 2022 at Virginia at age 92.⁴ He James "Jim" Clarence Aldridge, 92, of Copper Hill, Va., passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2022. He enjoyed fishing, going to yard sales, and attending estate sales. James retired from Allstate as an insurance agent. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth "Libby" Dawn Farmer Aldridge; parents, Clarence and Maine Aldridge; son, James Lowell Aldridge; two daughters, Jennifer Aldridge and Elizabeth Ann Penn; grandson, Bryan Nester; two sisters, Elsie Hale and Sylvia Cox; and brother, Howard Aldridge. James is survived by his two grandchildren, Travis Aldridge and his wife, Courtney, and their son, Logan Johnson; and Taylor Penn; special friend, Jean Ferguson; several nieces and nephews; and other extended family. The family would like to thank the staff at Skyline Manor Nursing Home and to Carilion Hospice for their loving care of Jim. A private graveside service will be held at Restvale Cemetery. on March 25, 2022.¹¹

     His Social Security Number was 230-05-8946.⁵ Frank Wilson Hale Sr. was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2 He was born on May 13, 1916 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^5,3 He married Elsie May Aldridge, daughter of William J. Clarence Aldridge and Ida Mainie Gearheart, on October 12, 1935 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,6,2 Frank Wilson Hale Sr. died on June 26, 1991 at Virginia at age 75.^5,1,2 He Frank Wilson Hale, Sr., age 75, Roanoke, died Wednesday. He was preceded in death by his son Billy W. Hale, daughter, Sarah L. Hale, and grandson, Richard Hale, Jr. Surviving includes his wife, Elsie A. Hale; six sons, Frank W. Hale, Jr., Jerry L. Hale, Gene Hale, Richard L. Hale and Gary L. Hale, all of Roanoke; and Harry P. Hale of Eagle Rock; three daughters, Shirley H. Bowles, Roanoke; Shelby A. Jordan, Daleville; and Linda G. Mitchell of Roanoke; one brother, James M. Hale; 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Burial at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. on June 28, 1991.¹

     His Social Security Number was 223-30-8119.⁹ Tildon J. King Sr. was buried at Restvale Cemetery, Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,10,11 He was born on February 18, 1926 at Roanoke Co., Virginia; His death certificate, draft card, and gravestone have a birth date of Feb 28, 1926.^{9,12,10,11,13} He married Sylvia Virginia Aldridge, daughter of William J. Clarence Aldridge and Ida Mainie Gearheart, on July 20, 1946 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,14,2,10 Tildon J. King Sr. died on May 10, 1980 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 54.^1,2,10,11

     Oakley Albert King was buried at Head of the River Cemetery (also known as Salem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery), Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^5,3 He was born on October 25, 1886 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^6,7,5,3 He married Nannie Byron Manning, daughter of William Pleasant Manning and Priscilla Ann Conner, circa 1916.^2,8,1,5 Oakley Albert King died on January 7, 1945 at Cave Spring, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 58.^5,3

     His Social Security Number was 228-16-1997.¹¹ Wiley Alexander Conner was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^12,1,3,4 He was born on February 12, 1880 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^{5,11,7,8,13,3,4} He married Harriett Permelia Arabelle "Hattie" Spangler, daughter of Isaac Anderson "Ike" Spangler and Sally Ann Hollins, on December 22, 1902 at Floyd Co., Virginia.⁷ Wiley Alexander Conner married Louisa/Louise Annie Nutter, daughter of Matthew Aleck Nutter and Malinda Alls, on July 31, 1926 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^6,14,2,4 Wiley Alexander Conner married Ada Frances Doyle, daughter of Paris Wade Doyle and Chloie Green "Cora" DeWeese, on November 27, 1941 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^5,2,15,4 Wiley Alexander Conner died on April 3, 1966 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 86.^5,3,4

     Elizabeth Dawn Farmer was buried at Restvale Cemetery, Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^5,6 Her Social Security Number was 224-34-5667.⁷ She was born on December 1, 1929 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^7,5,1 She married James Clarence Aldridge, son of William J. Clarence Aldridge and Ida Mainie Gearheart, on September 16, 1949 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^8,5,6,1,4,9 As of September 16, 1949,her married name was Aldridge. Elizabeth Dawn Farmer died on February 22, 1993 at Bent Mountain, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 63.^7,5,6 She ALDRIDGE, Elizabeth Farmer, 63, of Bent Mountain, died Monday, February 22, 1993, at her home. Surviving are her husband, James C. Aldridge; one son and daughter-in-law, Lowell and Emma Jean Aldridge, all of Bent Mountain; two daughters and a son-in-law, Jennifer Aldridge of Roanoke, Ann and Wayne Penn of Fredericksburg; two grandsons, Travis Aldridge and Bryan Nester; one sister, Mary Thompson of Salem; two brothers, Earl Farmer of Roanoke, Bernice Farmer of Kingston, Tenn. Funeral Thursday 1 p.m. Copper Hill Church of the Brethren with the Rev. Douglas Jones and the Rev. Frank Wimmer officiating with interment in Restvale Cemetery. The family will receive friends 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Wood Funeral Home, Floyd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Copper Hill Church of the Brethren Building Fund, 8838 Floyd Highway, North, Copper Hill, Va. 24079 or Bent Mountain Rescue Squad, P. O. Drawer B, Bent Mountain, Va. 24059. on February 24, 1993.⁶

     Minerva Annie "Minnie" Conner was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^6,7,2 She was born on October 28, 1896 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^6,7,3,2 She married Harper Freeman Gearhart, son of James Melvin Gearheart and Julia F. "Julie" Wilson, on October 8, 1919 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,2 As of October 8, 1919,her married name was Gearhart. Minerva Annie "Minnie" Conner died on September 14, 1927 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 30.^6,7,2

     Bessie Minnie Gearhart was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 She died on August 15, 1924 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 She was born on August 15, 1924 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,3

     Henry Gearheart was born circa 1798 at Franklin Co., Virginia.¹ He married Mary Polly Mills, daughter of James Mills Jr. and Nancy Frame, on May 1, 1823 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^2,1 Henry Gearheart died on August 6, 1863 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.²

     Mary Polly Mills was born circa 1806 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^1,2 She married Henry Gearheart on May 1, 1823 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^1,2 As of May 1, 1823,her married name was Gearheart.

     Ardella Arminta "Della" Conner was buried at William Winfield Spangler Cemetery, 1033 Friendship Road, Shawsville, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^2,4,6 Her Social Security Number was 228-70-6821.⁷ She was born on November 22, 1883 at Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^{8,1,2,3,7,4,6} She married William Winfield Spangler, son of Isaac Anderson "Ike" Spangler and Sally Ann Hollins, on October 7, 1903 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,8 As of October 7, 1903,her married name was Spangler. Ardella Arminta "Della" Conner died on July 16, 1987 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 103.^2,3,4,6 She Ardella Conner Spangler was 103 years old when she passed away in 1988. She had lived her entire life in a small area; first in the Floyd County community of Check where she was born, then in Montgomery County after she was married. She was only outside the area once, when she traveled to Virginia Beach 10 visit a granddaughter in 1969. She didn't think much of the ocean. She said, "the sand moved so much when I tried walking in it, and it got in my shoes. I thought the water in the distance seemed like snow."
Ardella was born into a family of 12 brothers and sisters. Her ancestors were Irish, with her grandfather coming directly from County Cork. She said that he was christened O'Conner but dropped the "O" in the ocean when he came to the United Stales. He relumed to Ireland to hunt a wife a few years later and purchased one on an auction block (indenturedness). He married the woman and brought her back to the United Slates as his bride. (As you can tell from her family tree the last few sentences are purely fictional - Scott Schaffer) Ardella's grandfather and Uncle Daniel Conner were both in the Civil War, even though Ardella didn't remember stories concerning it. The family also had a black sheep who was soinewhat of a celebrity. Edward Spangler worked backstage at Ford's theater and is said to have held the curtain aside tor John Wilkes Booth to get a look at President Lincoln, Edward was sentenced to hard work for life for his part in the conspiracy.
Ardella's school days were few, but she managed to learn to read and write. Her school teacher was Mr. Bill Cropp and she was afraid of him because he was so gruff. Her only book was a borrowed speller. One time she won a spelling bee by spelling hippopotamus and her prize for winning was a large safety pin. Even after Ardella was one hundred years old, she still enjoyed reading her Bible and "romance" paperback books. There were many changes Ardella lived through in her life. She remembered the first telephone in 1926. It belonged to a neighbor, Mrs. Mary Branch. The first radio was a little square box with a big horn and she added that some people didn't want radios in their homes because they thought the devil himse I ('was inside of them making the sounds. She remembered homemade lye and the soap they made from it. When the first bar of Octagon (laundry) soap was purchased, she said she felt like they were rich! She also remembered having a little apple brandy at home as a child. Music was a part of her life growing up, as most of her brothers played a variety of instruments. Ardella learned to dance early. In those days neighbors held dances in their homes.
As she grew older, Ardella's hearing grew dim. She joked, though, that sometimes she didn't try very hard to hear. Her memory and wit were still sharp at age 100.
In 1903, Ardella married William Winfield Spangler. She was 19 years old at the time and only had one dress. A year later they moved to Montgomery County to the Ironto community to a place called Friendship Hollow. She was to live there for the next 62 years and raise ten children in that Hollow. She and William built a two-story home in the Hollow which was their only home It was in the path of Interstate 81 and was torn down in 1967, the year after William died.
Ardella worked hard all her life and her young married years were perhaps the hardest. She worked doing everything and anything that needed doing. She worked the fields, did the housework, raised the children, but she said that building fences was the hardest. She never left the Hollow even to go to church because there were none nearby and transportation was so bad. At age 100, Ardella's health was still very good. She had only been in the hospital once in her entire life up to that point and it was for a nose bleed. She still had one tooth of her own and her daughter-in-law jokingly referred to it as "her sweet tooth". Ardella's appetite was still healthy. too. She loved to eat most any vegetable like beans, onions and combread for lunch. For supper she liked milk and bread. For breakfast she liked "coffee-soup" - coffee with cream and sugar with bread crumbled in it.
Her grandson, Jonathan, said she had a cast iron stomach, but he was referring to her snuff habit. She didn't even spit when using snuff! Ardella started using snuff when she was about 20 years old because someone told her it was good for a tooth-ache. She had her favorite brand and her grandson said ifhe brought the wrong kind. he heard about it for a long time.
When asked in an interview when she reached one hundred, how had she managed to live so long, Ardella replied she stayed healthy by working hard and eating food grown on their farm. Her daughter-in-law, Ethel Spangler commented, "Granny's long life is also due to her being so kind to everyone and always trying to help others."
Ardella Conner Spangler was a good example of Mountain Mothers. She will be loved and remembered for a long, long time. in May, 1991.⁸

     Dread T. Gearheart was born circa 1828 at Franklin Co., Virginia.¹ He married Elizabeth Emaline Aldridge, daughter of John Preston Aldridge and Charlotte Jane Mills, circa 1852 at Virginia.¹ Dread T. Gearheart died circa 1862.¹

     Elizabeth Emaline Aldridge was born circa 1835 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^1,2 She married Dread T. Gearheart, son of Henry Gearheart and Mary Polly Mills, circa 1852 at Virginia.¹ As of circa 1852,her married name was Gearheart. As of March 23, 1864,her married name was Whitlow.³ Elizabeth Emaline Aldridge married Perry B. Whitlow on March 23, 1864 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.³