Person Page - 2002

     His Social Security Number was 236-05-7938.⁸ Sherman Thomas Isaac Gray was buried at Calfee Cemetery, Mount Tabor Road, Mount Tabor, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.⁹ He was born on April 18, 1910 at Trap Hill, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,8 He married Helen Elizabeth McMullin on October 22, 1932 at Slab Fork, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.⁴ Sherman Thomas Isaac Gray died in May, 1983 at age 73.⁸

     James Bryson was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,4,5 He was born on June 12, 1863 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^6,2,4,5 He married Alcie May Lester, daughter of Cass Lewis Lester and Virginia Lynn "Ginnalin" Gray, on April 13, 1898 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,3 James Bryson died on September 29, 1947 at Maple Meadow, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 84.^2,4,5 He James Bryson, 84, one-time school superintendent of Raleigh county and father of the present superintendent, died at his home in Maple Meadow early Monday morning after an extended illness. He was born at Maple Meadow on June 12, 1863, the son of Alexander and Mary Riffe Bryson. He began teaching school in 1884 and held posts in Raleigh, Mercer and Wyoming counties. He was Raleigh county superintendent form 1889 to 1891, and was sole teacher of the Beckley school when it had only two rooms. Bryson held the post until 1897, when he began farming. He was a member of the Crab Orchard Baptist Church. His wife, Alicia, preceded him in death in 1934. Surviving are two sons, D. W. Bryson, Beckley, Raleigh County superintendent of schools, and George W. Bryson, War. Two brothers and three sisters also survive. They are Henry Bryson, Harper Road, Simeon Bryson, Cambria, Va., Corala Bryson, Lester, Mrs. Reuhamah Smith, Mansfield, Mo., and Mrs. Caroline Canaday, Lester. The body will be removed to the residence at 5 p.m. today. It will lie in state at the Crab Orchard Baptist Church from 12:30 p.m. tomorrow until the funeral services at 2 o'clock. The Rev. Shirley Donnelly will officiate. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park. on September 30, 1947.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 236-60-7292.⁸ George Wayman Bryson was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^4,5 He was born on March 29, 1902 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^8,4,5 He married Dorothy Kennedy on August 11, 1931 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^9,10 George Wayman Bryson died on January 2, 1984 at Welch, McDowell Co., West Virginia, at age 81.^8,4,5 He Longtime McDowell County school superintendent George Wayman Bryson of War, died Monday in a Welch hospital following a short illness. He was 81. Born in Lester, he was a superintendent of McDowell County chools from 1935 until 1968. He received his bachelor degree from Concord College and his master's degree from the University of Kentucky. His teaching career began in 1921 and spanned nearly 50 years in teaching and administrative work in Southern West Virginia. He was a member and past president of the War Kiwanis Club and was a 50-year member of the Athens Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of th Berwind Masonic Lodge. He was a past president of the West Virginia Association of School Administrators and a member of the state Retired Teachers Association. He was a member of the War Calvary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1974. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Kathryn Ann Davis of Reston, Va; one brother, D. W. Bryson of Beckley; and two grandsons. Funeral service will be conducted Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church in War with Rev. W.H. Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley. on January 4, 1984.⁵

     Daniel Winfred "D.W." Bryson was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.⁶ He was born on February 18, 1904 at Maple Meadow, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^5,6,7 He married Mary Bridget McGrady on December 24, 1931 at Athens, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^5,9 Daniel Winfred "D.W." Bryson died on February 5, 1989 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 84.^6,7 He Daniel Winfred (D.W.) Bryson, 84, of 204 Foote St., Beckley, died Sunday morning, Feb. 5, at home after a long illness. Born Feb. 18, 1904 at Maple Meadow, he was the son of the late James and Alcia Lester Bryson. Mr. Bryson was a principal and taught at Stoco High School from 1925 to 1928, he taught at Woodrow Wilson High School from 1928 to 1931, he was principal at Beckley Junior High School from 1931 to 1937, was assistant superintendent of schools of Raleigh County from 1937 to 1945, was superintendent of schools of Raleigh County from 1945 to 1957, and was principal of Stoco High School from 1957 until his retirement in 1969. Mr. Bryson was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Beckley Elks Lodge, the Beckley Lions Club, the Beckley Masonic Lodge No. 95, the Scottish Rite Bodies, the Beni-Kedem Shrine Temple at Charleston, and the National Education Association. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Bryson in 1976, and a brother, George Bryson in 1984. on February 6, 1989.⁷

     Fred Gray was born in March, 1895 at West Virginia.¹

     Bertha Alice "Bertie" Gray was buried at Dowdy Cemetery, Toms Creek, Montgomery Co., Virginia.⁶ Her Social Security Number was 230-77-0129.⁷ She was born on July 6, 1912 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^3,7 As of August 18, 1934,her married name was Dowdy.³ She married James Robert Dowdy on August 18, 1934 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.³ Bertha Alice "Bertie" Gray died on February 2, 2003 at age 90.⁷

     Nora Lester was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.² She was born on April 23, 1876 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,3 As of April 24, 1915,her married name was Baldwin.⁵ She married Roy Gilmer Baldwin on April 24, 1915 at Williamson, Mingo Co., West Virginia.^5,3 Nora Lester died on October 13, 1959 at age 83.²

     Lora T. Lester was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^4,6 Her Social Security Number was 224-64-9180.⁷ She was born on May 30, 1879 at West Virginia.^1,4,7,6 As of September 1, 1920,her married name was McAlexander.⁵ She married Charles Addison McAlexander on September 1, 1920 at Cambria, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^4,5,6 Lora T. Lester died on January 21, 1967 at Radford, Virginia, at age 87.^4,6

     Dora Gordon Lester was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,3 She was born on May 28, 1881 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.² As of November 20, 1913,her married name was McAlexander.⁴ She married Robert Irl/Irle McAlexander on November 20, 1913 at Cambria, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^4,2,3 Dora Gordon Lester died on August 12, 1943 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 62.²

     Cleveland Hendricks "Cleve" Lester was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.² He was born on August 14, 1885 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,3,4 He died on May 23, 1915 at Cambria, Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 29.^2,3,4

     Vilas Endicott Lester was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^9,5 He was born on October 15, 1889 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia; His WWI Draft Registration card has a birth date of Oct 14, 1889.^10,4,3,5 He married Mary Catherine Hall, daughter of John William "Bill" Hall and Octavia Aldridge, on May 21, 1921 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^9,5,8,6 Vilas Endicott Lester died on August 8, 1967 at Blacksburg, Virginia, at age 77.^9,5,6 He BLACKSBURG - Vilas E. Lester, 77, died Tuesday at his home. Surviving are his wife, Mary Hall Lester; two daughters, Mrs. Earl G. Taylor, Hyattsville, Md., Mrs. R. M. Wiatt, Blacksburg; a brother, L. B. Lester, Perry, Ga. on August 9, 1967.⁶

     Cora Lester was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.³ She was born on January 29, 1893 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^3,4 As of April 8, 1922,her married name was Brown.⁵ She married Brisco Baldwin Brown on April 8, 1922 at Cambria, Montgomery Co., Virginia.⁵ Cora Lester died on April 3, 1923 at Goshen, Rockbridge Co., Virginia, at age 30.^5,3,4

     Jennings Bryan Lester was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.² He was born on May 23, 1897 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,3,4 He died on January 22, 1926 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 28.^2,3,4

     Champ Edley Lester was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.⁵ He was born on April 14, 1900 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,5,6 He married Mavis Rebecca Edwards circa 1928.^6,7,8 Champ Edley Lester died on January 18, 1944 at age 43.^8,9

     Roy Gilmer Baldwin was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.³ His Social Security Number was 225-05-6564.⁴ He was born on May 6, 1883 at Creswell, Russell Co., Virginia; The SSDI has a birth date of May 6, 1881.^1,2,3,4 He married Nora Lester, daughter of Gordon Lester and Mary Charity Gray, on April 24, 1915 at Williamson, Mingo Co., West Virginia.^5,6 Roy Gilmer Baldwin died on February 11, 1981 at age 97.³

     Gordon Lee Baldwin was buried at Trinity Cemetery, Buckingham Co., Virginia.⁵ He was born on October 25, 1916 at Virginia.^1,6,5 He married Josa Virginia Carlson on February 5, 1943 at Roanoke, Virginia.^3,4,5 Gordon Lee Baldwin died on August 12, 2010 at Henrico Co., Virginia, at age 93.^6,5,7

     His Social Security Number was 225-01-6811.⁷ Roy Gilmer Baldwin Jr. was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^8,3 He was born on September 30, 1919 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^3,7,5 He married Ida Louise Duncan circa 1949.^3,4 Roy Gilmer Baldwin Jr. died on March 23, 1991 at Blacksburg, Virginia, at age 71.^3,7,8 He BLACKSBURG - Roy G. Baldwin, Jr., age 71, died Saturday, March 23, 1991, in the Montgomery Regional Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Louise D. Baldwin; a brother and sister-in-law, Gordon and Josa Baldwin, Buckingham, Va; a foster sister, Mrs. Fred (Louise) Pierdon of Maryland; two nephews; Lee Baldwin of Orlando, Fla; and Bill Baldwin of Oxford, Conn; and a number of cousins. Mr. Baldwin was a retired employee of the Sealtest Division of Kraft Foods in Asheville, N. C; a veteran of World War II, graduate of V.P.I. and a member of the Blacksburg United Methodist Church. Since retiring, he had been an active member of the Va. Tech. Hokie Club. A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 25, in Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg, conducted by the Rev. Jack Minnick. A memorial service will be held at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Ellett at 10:30 a.m. on July 28. The family will receive friends at the home, 4347 Preston Forest Drive. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to the Blacksburg Rescue Squad, Progress Street, Blacksburg, Va. 24060. The remains are at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg, where friends may also call. on March 24, 1991.⁸

     Her Social Security Number was 224-24-8542.⁴ Ida Louise Duncan was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2 She was born on October 8, 1924.^1,4 As of circa 1949,her married name was Baldwin.^1,2 She married Roy Gilmer Baldwin Jr., son of Roy Gilmer Baldwin and Nora Lester, circa 1949.^1,2 Ida Louise Duncan died on August 19, 1993 at Blacksburg, Virginia, at age 68.^1,2,3 She BALDWIN, Louise Duncan, 68, of Blacksburg, died Thursday, August 19, 1993, in Montgomery Regional Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Mason Duncan of New Castle. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Roy Gilmer Baldwin, Jr. She is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Holland S. Caldwell of New Castle and a special brother-in-law, Gordon L. Baldwin of Buckingham, Va. Since retiring from teaching in Ashville, N.C. for 28 years, Mrs. Baldwin served as President of Blacksburg Newcomer's Club, was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, and a member of Blacksburg United Methodist Church. At the onset of her illness, Mrs. Baldwin was an active volunteer at New River Hospice. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Hubert Hobbs at Richardson-Horne Funeral Chapel, Christiansburg, Va. at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 22, 1993, with interment to follow in Sunset Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home, Christiansburg. In lieu of flowers memorial will be accepted by New River Hospice, 1806 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Va. 24060. on August 21, 1993.²

     Josa Virginia Carlson was buried at Trinity Cemetery, Buckingham Co., Virginia.⁴ She was born on November 17, 1918 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,4,5 As of February 5, 1943,her married name was Baldwin.² She married Gordon Lee Baldwin, son of Roy Gilmer Baldwin and Nora Lester, on February 5, 1943 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,4 Josa Virginia Carlson died on February 3, 2011 at Henrico Co., Virginia, at age 92.^4,3,5

     Charles Addison McAlexander was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,3 He was born on January 22, 1881 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,3 He married Lora T. Lester, daughter of Gordon Lester and Mary Charity Gray, on September 1, 1920 at Cambria, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 Charles Addison McAlexander died on September 8, 1947 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 66.^1,3

     His Social Security Number was 235-26-0978.³ Robert Irl/Irle McAlexander was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^3,5 He was born on May 20, 1889 at Flat Top, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,6,4,5 He married Dora Gordon Lester, daughter of Gordon Lester and Mary Charity Gray, on November 20, 1913 at Cambria, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,7,5 Robert Irl/Irle McAlexander died on September 14, 1945 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 56.^3,4,5 He Robert Irle McAlexander, 56, teller for the Beckley National Bank and scoutmaster for troop 80 of the Boy Scouts of America, died suddenly of a heart attack at 8:30 o'clock Friday night at his home, 402 North Oakwood avenue. Funeral services, in charge of the Keyser Funeral home, are incomplete pending the arrival of a daughter, Maxine McAlexander, pharmacist's mate first class, stationed with the Navy Wave reserve at Hunter College, N.Y. He is survived by another daughter, Nelly Gray Bryant, at home; one son, Cpl. Herbert H. McAlexander, of Cambria, Va; and one sister, Mrs. T. J. Gardner, of Willis, Va. He was born May 29, 1889 at Flat Top, but because of the deaths of his parents, Lester and Mosby E. Calfee McAlexander, spent his early boyhood at Riner, Va... on September 16, 1945.⁴

     Her Social Security Number was 235-18-8988.⁴ Nell Gray McAlexander was buried at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, 2250 St. Anthony Blvd., Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., Minnesota.⁵ She was born on December 31, 1915 at Williamson, Mingo Co., West Virginia.^3,2,10,4 As of circa 1943,her married name was Bryant.⁴ She married Unknown Bryant circa 1943.^9,4 As of June 20, 1951,her married name was Kerr.¹⁰ Nell Gray McAlexander married Wallace Cooper Kerr on June 20, 1951 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,10 Nell Gray McAlexander died on October 16, 1995 at Anoka Co., Minnesota, at age 79.^3,4

     His Social Security Number was 235-09-3108.⁷ Herbert Horton McAlexander was buried at Clarks Grove Cemetery, 3217 Williams Mill Road, Maryville, Blount Co., Tennessee.³ He was born on February 28, 1917 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,7,3 He married Minnie Beatrice Mathes on November 28, 1969.² Herbert Horton McAlexander died on August 22, 1990 at Tennessee at age 73.^2,7,3

     Her Social Security Number was 169-24-6041.⁷ Maxine Mosby McAlexander was buried at Millersville Mennonite Cemetery, Millersville, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania.⁸ She was born on November 11, 1918 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^9,7,10,11,2 As of May 26, 1946,her married name was Shay.¹⁰ She married William Charles Shay on May 26, 1946 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^9,10,12,3 Maxine Mosby McAlexander died on August 29, 1991 at Newark, New Castle Co., Delaware, at age 72.^9,8,11,3 She Newark, Del. - Maxine Mosby McAlexander Shay, of 43 Chippendale Circle, Newark, Del., died Thursday at Christiana Hospital in Newark after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late William C. Shay, who died in 1983. A 1939 graduate of Concord Teachers College in West Virginia, she last taught at Brookside Elementary School, Brookside, Del. She retired in 1981 after 18 years of service. Previously she taught at schools in Lancaster and Elkton, Md. Mrs. Shay was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Blacksburg, Va., and also attended Kingswood United Methodist Church in Newark. She lived in Newark for 28 years. She served in the women's division of the U.S. Navy during World War II as a pharmacist's assistant. Born in Bluefield, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Robert E. and Dora Lester McAlexander. She is survived by a son, Robert F. Shay, Newark; a daughter, Leslie A. Shay, Wilmington, Del; and a sister, Nell Gray Kerr, Minneapolis. on August 31, 1991.³

     Wallace Cooper Kerr was buried at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, 2250 St. Anthony Blvd., Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., Minnesota.^3,5 His Social Security Number was 471-34-6790.⁴ He was born on July 3, 1914 at Plentywood, Sheridan Co., Montana.^2,4 He married Nell Gray McAlexander, daughter of Robert Irl/Irle McAlexander and Dora Gordon Lester, on June 20, 1951 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,2 Wallace Cooper Kerr died on November 16, 2004 at Minnesota at age 90.⁴ He Kerr, Wallace C., age 90, of Cumberland, WI, formerly of Mpls. Retired from Honeywell. Survived by niece, Coral (Wallace) Hollinger of Cumberland. No formal services will be held. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Cemetery, St. Anthony, MN. on November 17, 2004.⁵

     Minnie Beatrice Mathes was buried at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Knox Co., Tennessee.² She was born on November 16, 1914 at Columbus, Muscogee Co., Georgia.^1,2 As of November 28, 1969,her married name was McAlexander.¹ She married Herbert Horton McAlexander, son of Robert Irl/Irle McAlexander and Dora Gordon Lester, on November 28, 1969.¹ Minnie Beatrice Mathes died on November 18, 1983 at Knoxville, Knox Co., Tennessee, at age 69.^1,2

     William Charles Shay was buried at Millersville Mennonite Cemetery, Millersville, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania.⁴ His Social Security Number was 167-14-3299.⁷ He was born on January 10, 1925 at Lancaster, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania.^1,3,5,7,8 He married Maxine Mosby McAlexander, daughter of Robert Irl/Irle McAlexander and Dora Gordon Lester, on May 26, 1946 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,2,6,9 William Charles Shay died on October 30, 1983 at Newark, New Castle Co., Delaware, at age 58.^1,4,8,6 He William C. Shay, 58, of 43 Chippendale Circle, Brookside Park, died of a heart attack Sunday at his home. Mr. Shay retired because of illness in 1981 from the Colonial School District, where he was head of the special education department. He worked in the district for more than 10 years. Before that, he taught sixth grade at Eikton, Md., Elementary School for many years. Mr. Shay was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II, a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Ellett, Va., and a member of the National Retired Teachers Association. His survived by his wife of 37 years, the former Maxine M. McAlexander; a son, Robert F. at home; a daughter, Leslie Anne Shay of Stanton; his mother, Elizabeth Quenzer Shay of Lancaster, Pa; a brother, Edward H. of Leola, Pa; and two sisters, Margaret E. Frymyer and Phyllis R. Wright, both of Lancaster. Services and burial will be private. on November 1, 1983.⁶

     William Charles Shay II was buried at Millersville Mennonite Cemetery, Millersville, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania.^2,3 He was born on October 26, 1953 at Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania.^2,3 He died on December 31, 1953 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.^2,3