Person Page - 3636

     William Edward Stump was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.³ He was born on September 30, 1954 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,3 He died on November 8, 1954 at Roanoke, Virginia.³

     Her Social Security Number was 225-58-0272.⁵ Ruth Evelyn Baker was buried at East Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, 4997 Memorial Blvd., Kingsport, Sullivan Co., Tennessee.^3,4 She was born on December 3, 1937 at Washington Co., Virginia.^1,5,2 As of March 22, 1970,her married name was Stump.¹ She married James Luther Stump Jr., son of James Luther Stump and Martha Isabel Williams, on March 22, 1970 at Bristol, Virginia.^1,4 Ruth Evelyn Baker died on May 19, 1982 at Johnson City, Washington Co., Tennessee, at age 44.^5,4 She Mrs. Ruth Evelyn Baker Stump, 115 Spring Valley Road, Bristol, Va., died at 6:20 p.m. Thursday at Johnson City Medical Center after a lengthy illness. A member of Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church, she graduated from Emory & Henry College and Emory University, Atlanta, with a masters degree in Christian Education. She also was awarded a masters degree in library science from East Tennessee State University. Mrs. Stump was former director of Christian Education, for State Street and Anderson Street United Methodist Churches and taught school in the Bristol Virginia School System. At the time of her illness, she served as librarian at St. Ann's Catholic School. Surviving are her husband, James L. Stump; one daughter, Sara Elizabeth Stump; and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph F. Baker, Kingsport. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery. on May 23, 1982.⁴

     Doris Jean Wood was buried at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, Virginia.³ She Jean Wood Eavey, 84, a ballroom dancer renowned among all who knew her as an extra in the film Dirty Dancing, passed away Dec. 17, 2014, at her beloved home on Smith Mountain Lake. She and her late husband, Jim Eavey, had enjoyed the lake life since 1990. Also known to family as “Doje”, Jean and Jim had met at Madison College, now JMU, and were married for 56 years until Jim’s passing. A Roanoke native, Jean was a lively lady who made friends throughout the Roanoke area and the lake. In later years, she was a fixture at the SML Curves, and had friends at coffee shops and the Kroger, CVS and other shops at Westlake. Jean also had worked for many years as a medical technologist at Roanoke Memorial Hospital and had many friends in the original laboratory there as well. Jim, who died in 2009, was a former public school administrator and principal who had worked with others to integrate public schools around the state, and Jean was his most avid supporter. She is survived by her beloved grandchildren, Michael Hartley of Roanoke and Mary Catherine Hartley of New Orleans, both of whom were very close to their Granny. She is also survived by a sister, Nancy Phelan of Spring Hill, Fla., and Nancy’s husband, Bob Phelan and daughter, Lisa DuFaux. Also surviving is a daughter, Marjie Gowdy and her husband, Willard Gowdy, of Callaway. Additionally surviving are many relatives in the Eavey, Wood and Stump families. She is also survived by her beloved cats, Jethro and Abby. Jean was preceded in death by her sons, William Mark Eavey, a student at Boston University when he died in an accident; and infant sons, William David, Thomas William and Robert Lee, and in 1990 by grandson, Andrew William Hartley. Jean’s parents were Lee Abraham Wood and Evelyn Stump Wood of Roanoke. Recently, Jean attended the Grandin Court Reunion in Roanoke, where she and old friends remembered antics from the 1930s. She also enjoyed friendships and family ties from Jim’s family home in Weyers Cave and in the Harrisonburg area, as well as in Culpeper, Front Royal and Smithfield, Va. She was known for her quick wit, deep friendships and generous gifts to charity. There are so many people who deserve the appreciation of our family, but to name only a few: Dr. Robert Mountcastle, Dr. Robert Keeley, Dr. Greg Wright, the neighbors of Buck Run Drive, Debbie Shell, Mary and Jody Lambert, and recently, the kind people of Good Samaritan Hospice. Graveside service at a later date at Evergreen Burial Park in Roanoke.³ She was born on September 22, 1930 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,4 As of June 15, 1951,her married name was Eavey.² She married James William Eavey on June 15, 1951 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,3 Doris Jean Wood died on December 17, 2014 at Smith Mountain Lake, Franklin Co., Virginia, at age 84.³

     Nancy Lee Wood was buried at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW. 102nd Ave., Bushnell, Sumter Co., Florida.⁵ She Nancy W. Phelan, Apr 15, 1938 - Sep 20, 2020, 82, of New Port Richey, Florida, passed away on September 20, 2020. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Michael) DuFaux.⁶ She was born on April 15, 1938 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,5,6 As of June 18, 1960,her married name was Phelan.³ She married Robert Bruce Phelan on June 18, 1960 at Fairfax, Fairfax Co., Virginia.³ Nancy Lee Wood died on September 20, 2020 at Florida at age 82.^5,6

     Robert Bruce Phelan was buried at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW. 102nd Ave., Bushnell, Sumter Co., Florida.³ He PHELAN, Robert B., U.S. Army, 83, of New Port Richey, died May 15, 2020. Survived by wife, Nancy; daughter, Lisa DuFaux (Michael).² He was born on June 5, 1936 at Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan.^1,3 He married Nancy Lee Wood, daughter of Lee Abraham Wood and Evelyn Mildred Stump, on June 18, 1960 at Fairfax, Fairfax Co., Virginia.¹ Robert Bruce Phelan died on May 15, 2020 at Florida at age 83.^3,2

     James William Eavey was buried at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, Virginia.^2,3 He was born on May 28, 1931 at Sangerville, Augusta Co., Virginia.^3,2 He married Doris Jean Wood, daughter of Lee Abraham Wood and Evelyn Mildred Stump, on June 15, 1951 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,4 James William Eavey died on March 2, 2009 at Virginia at age 77.^3,2 He James William Eavey, 77, of Moneta, passed away March 2, 2009, after an extended illness. He was preceded in death by four sons, infants William David, Thomas William and Robert Lee, and in 1981 by William Mark (Bill), who was a student at Boston University at the time of his death, and in 1990 by grandson, Andrew Hartley. He was also preceded in death by his parents, R.D. and Katherine Eavey, of Weyers Cave. Mr. Eavey is survived by his beloved wife, Jean Wood Eavey, whom he affectionately called "Doje", and by daughter, Marjie Gowdy and husband, Willard P. Gowdy, of Callaway; grandchildren, Michael Hartley and wife, Sarah Lucas Hartley, of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mary Catherine Hartley and friend, Ryan Kaldari of Nashville, Tenn., as well as by his siblings: Roland D. Eavey and the late Elizabeth Eavey, of Media, Pa., Basil L. and Ruby Eavey, of Keymar, Md., De Ray and Becky Eavey, of Grottoes, Va., and the Rev. Warren Landis and Wanda Landis of Newport News, Va; by sister-in-law and husband, Nancy and Robert Phelan, of Spring Hill, Fla; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins on both sides of the family. Mr. Eavey was born in Sangerville on May 28, 1931. After retirement, Jim and Jean lived at Smith Mountain Lake and enjoyed many neighbors and friends from around the country as well as their devoted cat, Ginger. Mr. Eavey was retired after 40 years as a public school administrator in seven communities around Virginia, including Superintendent of Schools in Isle of Wight County, Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Roanoke City and in Warren County, Director of Instruction in Culpeper County, and principal of many schools in Roanoke City and County and Loudoun County. He also was a mentor and friend to many individuals in the area over the years. Mr. Eavey attended Ferrum College and graduated from Madison College, now James Madison University, where he and Jean met. He also received a Master's of Education from University of Virginia. There will be a graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery in Roanoke. on March 4, 2009.²

     His Social Security Number was 234-01-0612.⁵ Preston James Belt was buried at Memory Gardens, Madison, Boone Co., West Virginia.³ He married Glenna Evelyn Moore, daughter of Lenna Irwin "Lennie" Moore and Alice Rusia/Rushie/Ruth McCune.^1,6 Preston James Belt was born on April 22, 1917 at Gilmer Co., West Virginia.^5,2,3,4,7 He died on December 19, 1973 at Madison, Boone Co., West Virginia, at age 56.^5,8,3,7

     Ruth Ann Starcher was buried at Sam Samples Cemetery, Samples Mountain Road, Procious, Clay Co., West Virginia.² She was born on September 28, 1946 at Procious, Clay Co., West Virginia.² She died on November 3, 1946 at Procious, Clay Co., West Virginia.²

     Laura Gay Starcher was buried at Floral Hills Garden of Memories, 6839 Sissonville Drive, Sissonville, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.⁴ Her Social Security Number was 236-86-0529.⁵ Her married name was Christy.⁴ She married Richard Joseph Christy.⁴ Laura Gay Starcher was born on December 12, 1942 at Procious, Clay Co., West Virginia.^2,5 She married Clifford Clem Craft on November 29, 1958 at Clendenin, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.² As of November 29, 1959,her married name was Craft.² Laura Gay Starcher died on June 24, 2005 at Hurricane, Putnam Co., West Virginia, at age 62.^4,5 She Laura G. Christy, 62, of Sissonville died Friday, June 24, 2005, at Sun Bridge of Putnam. She was a native of Clay County and a 40-year resident of Sissonville. Laura was a former owner and operator of The Underpass, South Charleston, and also had worked for the Daniel Boone Hotel and the Charleston Moose Lodge. She was a member of Charleston Moose Lodge and the Eagles Club of Charleston. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Christy; and her father, Ira O. Starcher. Surviving: sons, Eddie C. Craft of Teays Valley, Cedrick C. Craft of Clendenin and Richard Christy II of Sissonville; daughters, Carla Shirkey and Lisa Conn, both of Sissonville; mother, Indianna Moore of Sissonville, formerly of Clay County; brothers, Holley Samples of Vine Grove, Ky., and Larry Starcher of Elyria, Ohio; sister, Maxine Shaffer of Clendenin; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Burial will be in Floral Hills Gardens of Memories, Pocatalico. on June 25, 2005.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 235-74-2603.² Richard Joseph Christy married Laura Gay Starcher, daughter of Ira Otis Starcher and Indianna "Inda" "Anna" Samples.¹ Richard Joseph Christy was born on February 16, 1947 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^2,3 He died on January 2, 1979 at age 31.^2,3

     Clifford Clem Craft was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery, 4849 County Road 389, Lynn Haven, Bay Co., Florida.² His Social Security Number was 233-54-3658.³ He was born on September 22, 1936 at Sybial, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^1,2,3 He married Laura Gay Starcher, daughter of Ira Otis Starcher and Indianna "Inda" "Anna" Samples, on November 29, 1958 at Clendenin, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.¹ Clifford Clem Craft died on July 30, 2010 at Florida at age 73.^2,3

     John Franklin Ramsey was buried at Sunset Cemetery, Bickmore, Clay Co., West Virginia.³ His Social Security Number was 235-18-9475.² He was born on February 17, 1916 at Bickmore, Clay Co., West Virginia.^1,2,3,4 He married Indianna "Inda" "Anna" Samples, daughter of George David Samples and Anne Laura "Annie" Samples, on December 12, 1953 at Ivydale, Clay Co., West Virginia.¹ John Franklin Ramsey died on March 4, 1960 at Indore, Clay Co., West Virginia, at age 44.^2,3,4

     His Social Security Number was 234-76-6382.² John Allen Shirkey II was buried at Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^3,4 He John Allen Shirkey II, 60, of Sissonville passed away Nov. 12, 2007, on the Shirkey Farm while hunting. John had 25 years service to Columbia Gas having worked as a technical engineer. He loved hunting, boating and especially his speedboat. John also served in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the Steel Workers Union Local 3-628. He was preceded in death by parents, John and Margaret Shirkey. Survived by: loving wife, Shirley Shirkey at home; daughters, Adrian Shirkey at home and Melissa Newman of Sissonville; sisters, Willa Beasley of Townville, S.C., Susan Harrison and her husband, Jim, of Sissonville and Rebecca Shirkey-Sloan and her husband, Bob, of Zurich, Switzerland; grandchildren, Jordan Hughart of Indiana and Zachary and Ashton Newman, both of Sissonville; and numerous nieces and nephews. Burial will follow at Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar.⁴ He and Camie Carla Craft were divorced.⁴ John Allen Shirkey II was born on June 29, 1947 at South Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^1,2,3,5 He married Camie Carla Craft, daughter of Clifford Clem Craft and Laura Gay Starcher, on May 27, 1988 at Giles Co., Virginia.¹ John Allen Shirkey II died on November 12, 2007 at West Virginia at age 60.^2,3,4,6,5

     Helen Maxine Starcher was buried at Molt C. Shafer Family Cemetery, Clendenin, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.⁵ She Helen Maxine Shafer, 83, of Clendenin, West Virginia passed away Monday May 2, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira Starcher and Indiana Moore; sons, Jeff Shafer and Cedric Craft. She is survived by: daughter, Dallie Dennis; nieces and nephews, Eddie Craft, Carla Shirkey and Lisa Conn; daughter in law, Shelia Shafer; two grandsons, David and Lucas Dennis; one step granddaughter, Tracy Hager; and caregiver, Tammy Shafer. Burial in Molt C. Shafer Cemetery.⁵ She was born on December 27, 1939 at Procious, Clay Co., West Virginia.^2,3 As of September 6, 1959,her married name was Shafer.³ She married James Ord Shafer, son of Esper Crawford Shafer and Mary Myrtle Elmore, on September 6, 1959 at Roane Co., West Virginia.³ Helen Maxine Starcher and James Ord Shafer were divorced in September, 1980.² As of March 19, 1984,her married name was Salisbury.² Helen Maxine Starcher married William Scott Salisbury on March 19, 1984 at Giles Co., Virginia.² Helen Maxine Starcher died on May 2, 2022 at Kanawha Co., West Virginia, at age 82.⁵

     Harold David Yopp Jr. was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² He was born on April 24, 1964 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,3,4 He married Patricia Diane Moore, daughter of John Ned Moore and Helen Marie Paxton, on August 3, 1981 at Roanoke, Virginia.¹ Harold David Yopp Jr. and Patricia Diane Moore were divorced on October 1, 1985 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.³ Harold David Yopp Jr. died on June 26, 2016 at Virginia at age 52.² He Harold D. Yopp, 52, of Riner passed away Sunday, June 26, 2016. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold D. Yopp Sr. Left to cherish his memory are his mother and step-father, Martha and Buddy Obenchain; sister and husband, Lori and Wes Bishop; his niece and family, Amanda and Paul and Haden and Collin Murphy; ex-wife and family, Sharon Yopp, Peggy, Terra, Savannah and Lucius; and good friends, Russ Bush and Tinker Scarberry. Interment to follow in Sherwood Memorial Gardens. on June 29, 2016.²

     Henry Lee Crawford Henry Lee Crawford, of Salem, Va., went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 24, 2025. He was 69 years old. Henry was born on Tuesday, July 31, 1956, to the late Ethel Bryant and Alexander Watson Crawford. In addition to his parents, Henry was preceded in death by a special godchild, Autumn. Left to cherish Henry's memory are his partner, Barbara Ann Leonard; his daughter, Brenda Wells (Eddie); his siblings, Mary Jones (Butch), Lewis Crawford (Savona), Charlotte Stiles and Betty Lawrence; special daughter, Stephanie; grandchildren, Elexa (David), Jen (David), Dakota and Landyn; great-grandchildren, Winter, Olivia, River, Skye and Abigail; and many nieces and nephews. Henry's family was his world and greatest priority. He fulfilled many roles, including father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, with joy and love. Henry was an avid collector, and he cherished the days he spent hunting at flea markets, auctions, and estate sales. He was beyond proud of his finds and the many kinds of collectibles he amassed over the years. Henry also loved to spend time at Rosie's, where he reveled in the thrill of taking risks. Above all, though, a simple lifelong joy for Henry was simply laughing alongside his family and making memories. Henry was a blessing to all who knew him, and he will be dearly missed. A graveside service for Henry will be held at Smith Cemetery, located at 655 Carterdell Rd, Salem, VA.² He was buried at Smith Cemetery, 655 Carterdell Road, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² He was born on July 31, 1956 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,3 He married Patricia Diane Moore, daughter of John Ned Moore and Helen Marie Paxton, on December 6, 1985 at Roanoke, Virginia.¹ Henry Lee Crawford and Patricia Diane Moore were divorced on August 5, 1988 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁴ Henry Lee Crawford died on November 24, 2025 at Virginia at age 69.²

     Charles Irvin Hurst Jr. was buried at Gibson Family Cemetery, Whitewood, Buchanan Co., Virginia.^4,6 His Social Security Number was 230-28-3287.² He was born on October 30, 1929 at Oxford, Granville Co., North Carolina.^1,2,3,4,7 He married Patricia Diane Moore, daughter of John Ned Moore and Helen Marie Paxton, on October 22, 1988 at Roanoke, Virginia.¹ Charles Irvin Hurst Jr. died on November 24, 2003 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 74.^2,4,6,7,8,5 He Charles I. Hurst (Chuck), 74, of Moneta, went home to be with the Lord Monday, November 24, 2003. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a retired welder. He attended the Fountain of Life Church, and was preceded in death by his parents and a sister. He leaves behind his beloved daughters, Jessica Hurst Ellis and her husband, Jimmy Lee Ellis, Andrea Nicole Hurst, Nola Ann Hughes, Michael Hughes, Amanda Hughes; sons, Joshua Alan Hurst and his wife, Carmen Boothe Hurst, John Wayne Smith, Charles (Skip) Hughes; six grandchildren, Alexandra Dawn Graham, Brittany Lynn Graham, Dakota Jordan Ellis, Joshua Dylan Hurst, Elizabeth Marie Hurst, Trisdan Dunbar; special nephew, John Pope; numerous other nieces and nephews; close friends, Carlie Gibson and Geri and Danny Counts. Interment will be held in the Gibson Family Cemetery on Compton Mtn. in Whitewood, Va. on November 26, 2003.⁶

     Col. John Mottrom Col. John Mottrom (or Mattrom), a Cavalier immigrant often regarded as the founder or first English settler of the Northern Neck of Virginia, is believed to have been born in Cheshire, England, about 1610. By 1640, he settled at York, founded by Governor Sir John Harvey and located on the York River at the west side of Wormeley’s Creek, three miles away from latter-day Yorktown. At that time York and Chiskiack were the first two plantations on the York River. Mottrom used a shallop to trade with other plantations in Virginia and Maryland.

About 1645, Mottrom settled at Chicacoan (or Coan), the first English settlement on the Virginia side of the Potomac River at the confluence of the Coan and Potomac Rivers in what was soon to become Northumberland County, Virginia. His home there became a refuge for Protestants and some disenchanted Catholics across the Potomac River in Maryland who opposed the Roman Catholic government of Lord Baltimore.

For the first few years of the Chicacoan settlement, its residents enjoyed living tax-free and free from governmental control until authorities needed revenue to finance the Indian wars, which cause the House of Burgesses to pass an act levying taxes on Chicacoan residents in the form of tobacco payments. The residents were alarmed, and Mottrom became involved. John Mottrom was present at the State House at Jamestown Island (James City), the first colonial capital of Virginia, on November 20, 1645. It probably took several days to sail from Northumberland down the Potomac into the Bay and then up the James River to Jamestown. Here the Assembly acknowledged Mottrom as a Burgess from the Plantation of Northumberland. Shortly afterwards, Northumberland County was created, at which time Mottrom became its first Burgess, and he served again in 1652. Mottrom’s home at Coan was the first county seat. At Coan he established the first wharf and warehouse on the Northern Neck. Mottrom also served as Presiding Justice and Colonel of the Militia, making him the highest ranking military officer of the Northern Neck.

The land acquired by Col. John Mottrom on the Northern Neck and/or Middle Peninsula amounted to more than 8222 acres, largely for transporting over 100 settlers to the Colony of Virginia. These land grants included sites on the "Pyankatanke River," on Nomini Bay and the Potomac, on the Coan, at Doegs Island and vicnity, and on "Wicocomoco Creek." Mottrom’s "Coan Hall," which was the site of his large personal library, no longer survives. There is a Victorian cottage, built about 1870, near what is believed to have been the home site. It is on Route 630 near Claraville in Northumberland County.

Mottrom was known to be married twice and had three children. His first wife was the mother of his children Anne (who married Captain Richard Wright, then David Fox, then St. Leger Codd), John, Jr. (who married Hannah Fox and Ruth Griggs), and Frances (who married Nicholas Spencer, Acting Governor of the Colony of Virginia in 1683-84, and (second) Reverend John Bolton). Mottrom’s second wife was Ursula Bish Thompson, who after Mottrom’s death married (third) George Colclough. Two years after John Mottrom died about 1655 in Northumberland, his 1657 estate inventory was valued at 33896 pounds of tobacco.

Mottrom’s descendants have played a major role in the heritage of the Northern Neck and elsewhere. His grandson, Major Francis Wright, married a great-aunt of George Washington, and was one of the principal contributors to and vestryman of Westmoreland’s historic Yeocomico Episcopal Church in Cople Parish. Distinguished jurists Spencer Roane (1762-1822) and nephew Thomas Ritchie (1778-1854), natives of Tappahannock, Virginia, and namesakes of two West Virginia counties, were Mottrom descendants. Among others, Jamestowne Society Chesapeake Bay Company member and local historian/ author Charles Willard Hoskins Warner descends from Colonel John Mottrom, as did Westmoreland County educator James Dall Brown, Jr., late husband of member Virginia Felts Brown of Westmoreland, and second cousin of Bryan Godfrey’s paternal grandfather.

Sources include the following (for the biographical information above and for the lineage information below): “Mottrom—Wright—Spencer—Ariss—Buckner” in Volume V of Genealogies of Virginia Families From the William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine (published by Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland in 1982); "Ayres-Dawson and Allied Families," by Henrietta Dawson Ayres Sheppard (1871-1960) of Hanover, Pennsylvania (published posthumously by The American Historical Company, Incorporated, 1961), and "The Stronghold: A Story of Historic Northern Neck of Virginia and Its People," by Miriam Haynie (published by The Dietz Press of Richmond, Virginia in 1959). Information on Mottrom and his activities is scattered throughout the early chapters of this narrative.¹ He was born circa 1610 at Cheshire, England.¹ He died circa 1655 at Coan, Northumberland Co., Virginia.¹