1. Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Kenneth Harrison Branch
Gender Male
Race White
Marriage Age 26
Birth Date abt 1930
Marriage Registration Place Roanoke, Virginia, USA
Marriage Date 5 Nov 1956
Marriage Place Roanoke, Virginia, USA
Father John Hardin Branch
Mother Virginia Richardson
Spouse Florence Erlene Walk
Certificate Number 1956033173"
1. Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Florence Erlene Walk
Gender Female
Race White
Marriage Age 21
Birth Date abt 1935
Marriage Registration Place Roanoke, Virginia, USA
Marriage Date 5 Nov 1956
Marriage Place Roanoke, Virginia, USA
Father James Earl Walk
Mother Nola Lambert
Spouse Kenneth Harrison Branch
Certificate Number 1956033173"
2. "Bluefield Daily Telegraph"; Bluefield, WV; Posted Obit.
"Florence Erlene Branch, age 83, died on Sunday, May 8, 2022 at Princeton Community Hospital.
Mrs. Branch was born on August 4, 1938 in Oceana, West Virginia, to James Earl Walk and Nola Marie Lambert Walk."She was preceded in death by her parents; paternal grandparents, Araminta and Alex Walk, and maternal grandparents Etta and Ken Lambert.
"She is survived by her daughter, Connie Sue Branch of Bluefield, WV.
"Mrs. Branch lived most of her life in Bluefield, graduating from Beaver High School in 1955, attending Concord College and graduating from Bluefield State College in 1985. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Bluefield where she served as a Deacon and Worship Leader.
"She is probably best remembered for the years she hosted "Romper Room" and "Coffee Break" on WHIS/WVVA where she also worked as Continuity Director. She was later employed at Bluefield College in the Office of Admissions. Mrs. Branch also worked as the Director for the Tazewell Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tazewell County Office on Youth. After retirement, Mrs. Branch was employed by the Council of the Southern Mountains as a "Foster Grandparent" at Whitethorn Elementary School, the Wade Center, Energy Express Summer Program at Bluefield Intermediate School, and finally at Bluewell Elementary School.
"A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date at First Presbyterian Church.
Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com"Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Florence Erlene Branch.
"Published on May 13, 2022 "
1. Indiana, U.S., Marriages, 1810-2001; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Lester Curtis Black
Gender Male
Race White
Age 23
Event Type Marriage Registration (Marriage)
Birth Date 1 Apr 1914
Birth Place Van Wert, Ohio
Marriage Date 28 Sep 1937
Marriage Place Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States
Residence Place Fort Wayne, Indiana
Father Willaim Oscar Black
Mother Grace Gertrude Hileman
Spouse Evelyn Mae Black
Officiator Thomas M Long
Page 634"
2. Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Lester Black
Marriage Age 42 [42]
Birth Date 6 Apr 1914
Marriage Date 10 Nov 1956
Marriage Place Steuben, Indiana, USA
Father William Oscar Black
Mother Grace Gertrude Heleman
Spouse Hazel Pettit
Certifier Kenneth Maugherman
Officiator Dorothy E Smith"
1. 1930 Census, Boone Co, WV; Crook District; Precinct #4; taken on 16 Apr 1930; Page 22B; Image 28
of 45; Family #247/251.
Listed as Hazel Pettit; age 15; born in KY; married at 15; in household of husband, Asa Petit.
2. Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Hazel Pettit
Marriage Age 42 [42]
Birth Date 6 May 1914
Marriage Date 10 Nov 1956
Marriage Place Steuben, Indiana, USA
Spouse Lester Black"
3. Summit County, Ohio, Marriage Records, 1840-1980; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Hazel Black
[Hazel Lawhorn]
Gender: Female
Marriage Age: 44
Birth Date: 6 May 1917
Birth Place: Gatliff, Kentucky
Marriage Date: 26 Aug 1961
Marriage Place: Summit, Ohio, USA
Father: Frank Lawhorn
Mother: Eliza B Black
Spouse: Edward George Ripplinger "
Additional Information Given: She was previously married 4 times; last time to Lester C. Black; divorced
25 Nov 1960.
4. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Hazel Lawhorn Pettit
[Hazel Odell]
[Hazel Black]
[Hazel Ripplinger]
[Hazel Lawhorn Lawhorn]
SSN: 292208374
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 6 May 1914
Birth Place: Gatliff Whit, Kentucky
[Gatliff, Kentucky]
Death Date: 16 Aug 1990
Father: Frank Lawhorn
Mother: Eliza B Black
Type of Claim: Original SSN.
Notes: Sep 1942: Name listed as HAZEL LAWHORN PETTIT; Feb 1947: Name listed as
HAZEL ODELL;
Oct 1957: Name listed as HAZEL BLACK; Sep 1963: Name listed as HAZEL RIPPLINGER
3. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Hillside Memorial Park, Akron, Summit Co, OH; submitted by SKJerome;
20 Sep 2916.
Hazel Lawhorn Ripplinger; born in 1914; died 16 Aug 1990; buried here; no grave marker photo shown; obit posted.
"Born in Harlan (sic, Gatliff, Whitley Co), Kentucky, Hazel Lawhorn Ripplinger, 76, passed away August 16, 1990 in Akron City Hospital. She had been a resident of Akron for the last 45 years and was a member of the Church of God in Kenmore."Survivers include her daughter, June Riley, son, Donald Pettit, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. One sister, Gladys Guenther, of Akron also survives her.
"Burial in Hillside Memorial Park."
1. Fayette Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1896); Page __; Line #7; WV Archives Website.
Adam T. Burgess; age 33; born and living in Fayette Co, WV; single;; miner; son of Andrew and Bettie;
married on 23 Jan 1896 in Fayette Co, WV; Alva Royyson; age 16; born and living in Fayette Co, WV;
single; daughter of ______and ______.
1. Fayette Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1896); Page __; Line #7; WV Archives Website.
Adam T. Burgess; age 33; born and living in Fayette Co, WV; single;; miner; son of Andrew and Bettie;
married on 23 Jan 1896 in Fayette Co, WV; Alva Royyson; age 16; born and living in Fayette Co, WV;
single; daughter of ______and ______.
1. Lowe Family Tree; posted by materfelis; Ancestry.com Website.
"Herbert Dallas Blankenship...."
"Birth 9 JUL 1915 • War Eagle, Mingo, West Virginia, USA
Death 1 FEB 1971 • Welch, McDowell, West Virginia, USA"
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1955); Page 500; WV Archives Website.
Herbert Dallas Blanlenship; age 40; born in War Eagle, WV; widowed; living in Williamson, WV;
married on 11 Jun 1955 in Welch, WV; Pearl Blankenship; age 21; born in Paw Paw, KY; single;
living at Big Panther, WV.
3. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate # '71 002053; WV Archives Website.
Herbert Dallas Blankenship; age 55; born 9 Jul 1915 in WV; married; husband of Pearl Blankenship;
machine helper for railroad; SS# 719-07-7285; living at Wilcoe, WV; son of Hannibal and Brookie
(Belcher) Blankenship;died 1 Feb 1971 in Stevens Clinic, Welch, WV; due to coronary thrombosis;
buried 3 Feb 1971 in Bailey Cemetery, Panther, WV.
1. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 20 Dec 2013.
Pearl Frances Blankenship Morgan; born 26 Aug 1937; died 19 Jul 2007; buried here; double
headstone photo shown with husband, Walter L. Morgan.
2. Lowe Family Tree; posted by materfelis; Ancestry.com Website.
"Pearl Frances Blankenship
1937–2007
Birth 26 AUG 1937 • Paw Paw, Pike, Kentucky, USA
Death 19 JUL 2007 • Roderfield, McDowell, West Virginia, USA"
3. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1955); Page 500; WV Archives Website.
Herbert Dallas Blanlenship; age 40; born in War Eagle, WV; widowed; living in Williamson, WV;
married on 11 Jun 1955 in Welch, WV; Pearl Blankenship; age 21; born in Paw Paw, KY; single;
living at Big Panther, WV.
1. U.S., Index to Public Records, 1994-2019; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name James Dewey Lamb Jr [James D Lamb Jr] [James R Lamb Jr] [Jamie Lamb Jr]
Birth Date Apr 1970
Residence Date 2008-2020
Address Po Box 357
Residence Welch, West Virginia, USA
Postal Code 24801
Second Residence Date 2002-2012
Second Address Lerona
Second Residence Athens, West virginia, USA
Second Postal Code 24712
Third Residence Date 2001
Third Address 1 Rt 103 Apt 62
Third Residence Havaco, West Virginia, USA
Third Postal Code 24801
Fourth Residence Date 1990
Fourth Address 584 Concord Clg
Fourth Residence Athens, West Virginia, USA
Fourth Postal Code 24712"
1. U.S., Index to Public Records, 1994-2019; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Joy L Lamb [Joy C Lamb] [Joy Lynn Coleman] [Joy Lynn Lamb]
Birth Date Nov 1970
Residence Date 2008-2020
Address Po Box 357
Residence Welch, West Virginia, USA
Postal Code 24801
Second Residence Date 2012
Second Address Havaco
Second Residence Welch, West Virginia, USA
Second Postal Code 24801
Third Residence Date 1991
Third Address 101 1st Apt 2
Third Residence Athens, West Virginia, USA
Third Postal Code 24712
Fourth Residence Date 1991-2019
Fourth Address Po Box 1591
Fourth Residence Welch, West Virginia, USA
Fourth Postal Code 24801"
1. Virginia, U.S., Select Marriages, 1785-1940; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name R.G. Depriest
Gender Male
Marital Status Single
Race White
Age 25
Birth Date 1865
Birth Place Greenbrier Co., W. VA.
Marriage Date 10 Dec 1890
Marriage Place Botetourt, Virginia
Father Jos. D'Priest
Mother Mary
Spouse Sallie A. West
FHL Film Number 30732
Reference ID P87 L121"
2. 1900 Census, Alleghany Co, VA; Covington District; taken 6 Jun 1900; Page 224A; Family #1/1.
Listed as R.G. Depriest; age 33; born in Oct 1866 in VA; widowed; farm laborer;in household of
brother, James F, DePriest with three children.
1. Virginia, U.S., Select Marriages, 1785-1940; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Sallie A. West
Gender Female
Marital Status Single
Race White
Age 17
Birth Date 1873
Birth Place Rockbridge Co., VA.
Marriage Date 10 Dec 1890
Marriage Place Botetourt, Virginia
Father Isaac West
Mother Eliza
Spouse R.G. Depriest
FHL Film Number 30732
Reference ID P87 L121"
1. 1900 Census, Alleghany Co, VA; Covington District; taken 6 Jun 1900; Page 224A; Family #1/1.
Listed as Elizabeth V. Depriest; age 4; born in Sep 1895 in VA; in household of uncle; Jmaes F.
DePriest, with father.
1. 1900 Census, Alleghany Co, VA; Covington District; taken 6 Jun 1900; Page 224A; Family #1/1.
Listed as Mollie D. Depriest; age 3; born in Apr 1897 in VA; in household of uncle; Jmaes F.
DePriest, with father.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1945); Page 225; WV Archives Website.
James T. Alger; age 37; born in Stanley, WV; divorced; living at Jolo, WV; married on 5 Feb 1945 at
Jolo, WV; Okie T. Riffe; age 18; born in Buchanan Co, VA; single; living at Jolo, WV; with consent of
Granville Riffe, father of Okie T. Riffe.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1945); Page 225; WV Archives Website.
James T. Alger; age 37; born in Stanley, WV; divorced; living at Jolo, WV; married on 5 Feb 1945 at
Jolo, WV; Okie T. Riffe; age 18; born in Buchanan Co, VA; single; living at Jolo, WV; with consent of
Granville Riffe, father of Okie T. Riffe.
2. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #72-011671; Ancestry.com Web Site.
John William Cline; age 60; born 18 Mar 1912 in KY; divorced; this is his 2nd marriage; 2 yrs HS
education; living at Iaeger, WV; son of Andy Cleve and Lillie Belle (Blankenship) Cline; married on
15 Apr 1972 in the Grundy Baptist Church, Grundy, VA; Okie Thelma Alger; maiden name Rife; age
44; born 5 May 1927 in VA; divorced; this is her 4th marriage; 2 yrs HS education; living at Iaeger,
WV; daughter of Granville Willard and Louise Octavie (Cooper) Rife.
1. Logan Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1924); Page 11; Line #16; WV Archives Web Site.
John Bowling; age 23; born in KY; single; living in Accoville, WV; son of John and Sarah (Fraley)
Bowling; married on 2 Mar 1924 in Accoville, Mona Toler; age 21; born in WV; single; living in
Accoville, WV; daughter of Perry and Ellen (Trent) Toler.
1. 1910 Census, Wyoming Co, WV; Baileysvelle District, taken on 26 Apr 1910;
Page 191B, Family #167.
Listed as Mony Toler, age 6, born in WV, in household of father, Perry B. Toler.
2. 1920 Census, Wyoming Co, WV; Baileysville District; taken on 9 Jan 1920; Page 137B; Family #52/53.
Listed as Mona Toler, age 14; born in WV; in household of father, Perry B. Toler.
3. Logan Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1924); Page 11; Line #16; WV Archives Web Site.
John Bowling; age 23; born in KY; single; living in Accoville, WV; son of John and Sarah (Fraley)
Bowling; married on 2 Mar 1924 in Accoville, Mona Toler; age 21; born in WV; single; living in
Accoville, WV; daughter of Perry and Ellen (Trent) Toler.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1968); Page 260; WV Archives Web Site.
Wallace Blair Lavender; age 21; born 24 Dec 1946 in Welch, WV; single; living at Southwood
Addition, Welch, WV; son of Joseph Wallace and Joe (sic, Jo) Jacqueline (Blair) Lavender; married
on 20 Dec 1968 at Welch, WV; Bonnie Gayle Dykes; age 17; born 10 Nov 1951 at War, WV; single;
living at Box 331, War, WV; daughter of Julius Andrew and Rosa Lee (Fite) Dykes.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1968); Page 260; WV Archives Web Site.
Wallace Blair Lavender; age 21; born 24 Dec 1946 in Welch, WV; single; living at Southwood
Addition, Welch, WV; son of Joseph Wallace and Joe (sic, Jo) Jacqueline (Blair) Lavender; married
on 20 Dec 1968 at Welch, WV; Bonnie Gayle Dykes; age 17; born 10 Nov 1951 at War, WV; single;
living at Box 331, War, WV; daughter of Julius Andrew and Rosa Lee (Fite) Dykes.
2. "The Welch News"; Welch, WV; Monday, 24 Aug 2020; Newspaper Obit.
"Bonnie Gayle Dykes Lavender, devoted wife, sister, aunt and friend, passed away, Friday, August 21, 2020, at the age of 68."Bonnie was born on November 10, 1951, in Welch, WV, the youngest of five children, to Julius and Rosa Lee Dykes. In 1969, she met and married her soul mate of the last 51 years, Wallace Lavender.
"Bonnie earned her undergraduate in Business from Concord University and her Master’s in Counseling at Marshall University. For 28 years, she joyfully served her community and her “kids” in McDowell County, WV, as their mentor, teacher, and guidance counselor. She was also the Coordinator for their Drug Free Schools Program, where she wrote many grants that provided funds and resources for the students. She retired in 2004 and relocated to High Point, NC, where she and Wallace began and, very much enjoyed, their next chapter.
"We will always remember Bonnie as a great cook, an avid golfer, who also enjoyed pickleball and had a passion for playing cards and games, especially with her family and friends. She was the life of any gathering and always greeted everyone with a huge smile and hug.
"She was preceded in death by her parents, Julius and Rosa Lee Dykes; her sister, Anna Mae Roncaglione; and a brother, Rex Eugene Dykes. She is survived by her husband, Wallace Lavender of High Point, NC; her sister, Linda (Bill) Pantili of Princeton, WV; her brother J.A. “Sonny”(Debra) Dykes of High Point, NC; her sisters-in-law, Billie Dykes of Richmond, VA, and Jodie Lavender Lewis of Alisonia, VA; and her only brother-in-law, Kent Lavender of Durham, NC; as well as many nieces and nephews. She had two very special life long friends, Ellen Wood of Farmville, VA, and Tanya Cook of Welch, WV, with whom she worked most of her career in the McDowell County School System.
"A private Celebration of Life is being coordinated by Sechrest Funeral Service in High Point, NC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bonnie’s memory to the Vietnam Veterans, The American Cancer Society, or to the Barrel Bowl, a charitable organization that benefits McDowell County, WV.
"Thank you to everyone for your prayers, cards, food and words of encouragement. Most importantly, to those who knew and loved her – Hugs.
"Online condolences may be made at sechrestfunerals.com. Sechrest Funeral Service is honored to serve the Lavender family."