Person Page - 3234

     Heather Nicole Vernon was born on January 27, 1998 at Rockingham Co., North Carolina.¹

     Masiel Lee DeWeese was buried at Maple Hill Cemetery, 203 Maple Hill Drive, Huntsville, Madison Co., Alabama.⁷ She Mrs. Masiel Deweese Ayers went to be with the Lord on November 13, 2023. She was a godly wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as a member of Whitesburg Baptist Church. Mrs. Ayers was born to William and Beulah Deweese on February 10, 1931, near Beckley, West Virginia. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1950. She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1954 from Berea College in Kentucky. While at college, she met her handsome and wonderful husband, Dr. Orval Edwin Ayers and they were married on December 20, 1952. After teaching for two years near Dayton, Ohio, she attended Auburn University where she received her master’s degree in Elementary Education in 1958. After teaching for nine and a half years in Dayton, Ohio, Opelika and Huntsville, Alabama, she retired to stay home with her three daughters. Mrs. Ayers was involved for several years with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) and church activities. She served on the communion committee, delivered meals to the homebound church members, taught children’s church and Bible clubs, and was active in the Ladies Bible Class. Mrs. Ayers was preceded in death by her parents, William and Beulah Deweese, her siblings, Zelda Deweese Cowell, Harold Deweese, and Ronald Deweese, as well as four unborn grandchildren. Mrs. Ayers is survived by her husband of almost 71 years, Dr. Orval Ayers; three daughters, Karen Pinkleton (David), Sylvia Ayers, and Lisa Knox; five grandchildren, David Allen Pinkleton II, Megan Zimmerman (Michael), Natalie Shannon (Ryan), James Pinkleton, and William “Billy” Knox (Autumn); great-grandchildren, Rikardo Zimmerman, Deven Zimmerman, Campbell “Camp” Knox, Archer “Archie” Shannon, and Chappell Knox; and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Katrina Coleman at Kyser’s Place with her staff of Clarice, CeeCee, and Harriet, who took loving care of Masiel as her health declined.⁵ She was born on February 10, 1931 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^7,5 As of December 20, 1952,her married name was Ayers.⁵ She married Dr. Orval Edwin Ayers on December 20, 1952.^1,5 Masiel Lee DeWeese died on November 13, 2023 at Alabama at age 92.^7,5

     Zelda Mae DeWeese Zelda Mae Cowell, Nov 14, 1932 - Nov 4, 2020. Zelda was born in Beckley, West Virginia. Her father was a life-long coal miner and her mom was a homemaker and mother to Zelda and her three siblings, Masiel, Ron, and Harold. After graduating high school, Zelda moved to Bowling Green, Ohio and attended Bowling Green University and received her secretarial certification. She then began working as a secretary and eventually moved to Huntsville, Alabama, where her sister Masiel also lived. She met a young soldier, Tad Cowell, in Huntsville and the two were married shortly thereafter. Tad and Zelda moved to Seattle, Washington where they made their home while Tad completed his degree in Electrical Engineering at Seattle University. During the time they lived in Seattle, they had one daughter, Cheryl. In 1976, when Tad’s parents could no longer manage the Cowell family farm, Tad and Zelda moved to his parents’ ranch in Eureka, Washington. Zelda began helping with the farm finances and bookkeeping, which she continued until her retirement. Upon moving to the family farm, Zelda became avidly involved in Prescott Community Church. Whether she was in the kitchen, helping with Vacation Bible School, or preparing communion, Zelda faithfully served behind the scenes. She always had a ready smile and a sweet spirit, no matter who she was spending time with or serving. The first thing people would always say about Mom was, “Your mom is so sweet!” While Mom was a quiet, reserved person, everyone she met and interacted with loved her for her sweet, accepting spirit. Zelda is survived by her husband Tad Cowell; her daughter, Cheryl Richards; son-in-law, Joe Richards; grandchildren, Joshua Richards and Jessica Richards; and her sister and brother-in-law, Masiel and Orval Ayers; and additional extended family members.⁶ She was born on November 14, 1932 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.⁶ As of May 27, 1961,her married name was Cowell.³ She married Tade Ernest Cowell Jr. on May 27, 1961 at Huntsville, Madison Co., Alabama.^2,3,6 Zelda Mae DeWeese died on November 4, 2020 at Benton Co., Washington, at age 87.⁶

     William Harold DeWeese was buried at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, Oak Hill, Fayette Co., West Virginia.⁹ His Social Security Number was 233-54-8863.¹⁰ He was born on September 6, 1934 at Crab Orchard, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^10,3,4,5,6,9 He died on December 21, 1987 at age 53.^10,9

     His Social Security Number was 234-66-9021.⁶ Ronald Clifford DeWeese was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5250 Robert Centre Byrd Drive, Prosperity, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.⁷ He was born on September 10, 1938 at Crab Orchard, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^6,3,8 He died on February 5, 1993 at West Virginia at age 54; Died when he was stabbed to death.⁶ He An anonymous call lead police to the body of a Charleston man found stabbed to death in his Roseberry Circle apartment. Police later arrested two men for a burglary of the victim's apartment, but no one has been arrested for his death. Lt. Pat Epperhart of the Charleston Police Department said the call came in after midnight Saturday. When police arrived at 1311 Roseberry, they found Ronald C. DeWeese dead of a knife wound. Epperhart said police are treating his death as a homicide. Epperhart said the 54-year-old DeWeese had lived in Charleston several years, but was originally from Crab Orchard, Raleigh County About 8:30 p.m. Saturday, police arrested Arnold Van Robinson, 40, and Stearald Jones, 44, both of 1311 Roseberry Circle, and charged them with the burglary of DeWeese's apartment, Epperhart said. Police also recovered a television that belonged to DeWeese. Both men are in the Kanawha County jail. on February 7, 1993.⁹

     Dr. Orval Edwin Ayers was born on March 29, 1932.¹ He married Masiel Lee DeWeese, daughter of William Alden "Willie" DeWeese and Beulah Ruth Fitzpatrick, on December 20, 1952.^3,2

     Paris Floyd Graham was buried at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Akron, Summit Co., Ohio.² He was born on September 10, 1927 at Stephenson, Wyoming Co., West Virginia.¹ He married Barbara Ann Graham, daughter of Frank Madison Stone and Bessie Lee DeWeese, on May 31, 1953 at Sophia, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.¹ Paris Floyd Graham died on March 19, 1998 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 70.² He Paris Floyd Graham, 70, of Beckley died March 19, 1998, at home after a sudden illness. He was a retired custodian from the Raleigh County Board of Education and a member of DAV. Surviving: wife, Dottie Graham of Sophia; son, David Graham of Akron, Ohio; stepdaughter, Candy Murdock of Sophia; stepson, Donald Murphy of Oak Hill; brothers, Lloyd Graham of Midway, Perry Graham of Brunswick, Ga., Brady Graham of Oklahoma, Chester Graham of Bolt, Md., Junior Graham of Delaware, Willard Graham of Roanoke, Va; sisters, Annie Ward of Canton, Ohio, Betty Burns of Akron, Effie Lemon of Massillon, Versie Hyatt; one grandson, two step-grandchildren. Graveside service will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Akron. on March 20, 1998.²

     Anna Ester "Annie" DeWeese was born on April 4, 1904 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.¹

     Daisy Pearl DeWeese was born on March 13, 1907 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.¹

     His Social Security Number was 236-09-1948.⁹ William Riley McKinney was buried at McKinney Cemetery, Sophia, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.⁵ He was born on August 8, 1899 at Abney, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,3,5,6,7 He married Nettie Jane DeWeese, daughter of Peter Sebird "Pete" DeWeese and Mary Ann Smith, on December 25, 1922 at Sophia, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^4,5,8 William Riley McKinney died on September 7, 1963 at Midway, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 64.^10,5 He Funeral services for William Riley McKinney, 64, of Midway, will be conducted Wednesday. Burial will follow in the McKinney Cemetery. He died enroute to a Beckley Hospital at 11:30 p.m. Saturday after suffering a heart attack. Born Aug. 8, 1899, at Abney, he was a son of William Ira and Mary Jane Hunt McKinney. He was a teacher in Raleigh County schools for 10 years and later was an employe of the Helen mines before retirmg in 1947. McKinney was a member of the Hilltop Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Nettie Deweese McKinney; one son, Robert Carl McKinney of Fort Pierce, Fla; three daughters, Mrs. Howard (Rosa) Branch of West Palm Beach, Fla; Mrs. Paul (Florine) Lilly of Crab Orchard; Mrs. Robert (Pattie) Lilly of Coal City; two brothers, Frank and Earl McKinney, both of Sophia; five sisters, Venetha Rupe and Mrs. Versie Rupe, both of Sophia, Mrs. Lillle Hatcher of Louisville, Ky., Mrs. Riiby Graves of Norfolk, Va., Mrs. Dorothy Pegram of Alexandria, Va., and 11 granddhildren. on September 9, 1963.⁵

     Robert Carl McKinney was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5250 Robert Centre Byrd Drive, Prosperity, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.¹ His Social Security Number was 232-42-7536.⁹ He married Gail Louise Wingo.^1,10 Robert Carl McKinney was born on April 20, 1928 at Sophia, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,9,2,4,5 He married Naomi May Davis on June 30, 1951 at Mabscott, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,2 Robert Carl McKinney and Naomi May Davis were divorced on September 14, 1976 at Palm Beach Co., Florida.¹¹ Robert Carl McKinney died on January 31, 2008 at Greenville, South Carolina, at age 79.^1,9 He GREENVILLE, S.C. — Robert Carl McKinney, 79, formerly of Jupiter, Fla., passed away Jan. 31, 2008, following a long illness. Born April 20, 1928, in Sophia, he was the son of the late W.R. and Nettie McKinney of Crab Orchard. He was retired from PGA/JDM Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., having served as golf course superintendent for 20 years. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Naomi Davis McKinney, his second wife, Gail Ginn McKinney, and his brother, Eunice McKinney. Survivors include three daughters, Debbie Bound of Greenville, Linda Demus and husband, Pete, of Hobe Sound, Fla., and Jane Porter and husband, Lee, of Warrenton, Va; seven stepchildren; three sisters, Rose Pruitt and Florine Lilly of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Patty Lilly and husband, Bob, of Coal City; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. on February 7, 2008.¹

     Naomi May Davis was buried at Mount Tabor Cemetery, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.³ Her Social Security Number was 236-48-7749.⁴ She was born on April 23, 1933 at Mabscott, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,4,3 As of June 30, 1951,her married name was McKinney.² She married Robert Carl McKinney, son of William Riley McKinney and Nettie Jane DeWeese, on June 30, 1951 at Mabscott, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,2 Naomi May Davis and Robert Carl McKinney were divorced on September 14, 1976 at Palm Beach Co., Florida.⁵ Naomi May Davis died on May 23, 2006 at Greer, Greenville Co., South Carolina, at age 73.^4,6,3 She GREER, S.C. - Naomi Davis McKinney, 73, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2006. She was the daughter of the late Kyle and Gladys Davis. on May 27, 2006.⁶

     Her Social Security Number was 265-46-2263.² Her married name was McKinney.³ Gail Louise Wingo married Robert Carl McKinney, son of William Riley McKinney and Nettie Jane DeWeese.^3,1 Gail Louise Wingo was born on September 18, 1934 at Miami, Dade Co., Florida.^4,1,2 She died on March 9, 2005 at Florida at age 70.^4,1 She Gail Louise McKinney, age 70 of Jupiter, Florida passed away March 9, 2005. She was born on September 18, 1934 in Miami, Florida to Mr. Gale Wingo and Mrs. Mae Donomoyer. Survivors include her loving husband, Robert C. McKinney, five sons; Gary Ginn of Chitnea, AK, Guy Ginn of Tequesta, FL, Gregg Ginn of Whittier, AK, Gordon Ginn and Glenn Ginn both of Jupiter, FL; two daughters, Gail Vorpagel and Gwen Fretias both of Jupiter, FL; three step-daughters, Debra Bound of Greenville, S.C., Linda Demus of Hobe Sound, FL, Jane Porter of Warrington, VA; fourteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, three great step-grandchildren and one sister, Irene Kelly of Holbrook, MA. on March 13, 2005.¹

     Eunice Clyde McKinney was buried at McKinney Cemetery, Sophia, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,3 He was born on July 16, 1924 at Sophia, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,3 He died on October 26, 1942 at Glen White, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 18.^2,3 He Eunice Clyde McKinney, 18, died at the home of his parents at Glen White Monday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock after an illness of five months. Born at Sophia, July 16, 1924, he was the son of William Riley and Nettie Deweise McKinney, both of whom survive him. He graduated from the Mark Twain High school with the class of 1940, and was a member of the Sophia Baptist church. In addition to his parents he is survived by one brother and three sisters, Robert Clark McKinney, Rosa Mae McKinney, Florence McKinney and Patty Lou McKinney, all of Glen White. Burial will follow in the McKinney cemetery at Sophia. on October 27, 1942.³