1. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "Walter Sloan, Jr, Miner"; Article;
Page 238; submitted by Evelynese Sloan, Widow, Panther, WV 24872.
1. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "Walter Sloan, Jr, Miner"; Article;
Page 238; submitted by Evelynese Sloan, Widow, Panther, WV 24872.
1. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Dee G; 29 Jan 2017.
" Robert Jennings Johnson
Birth 28 Jan 1928
Death 27 Aug 1994 (aged 66)
Burial
Sunrise Cemetery
Fortuna, Humboldt County, California, USA
Plot Center Section, Row D, Grave 61
Memorial ID 175849319"Additional Information Posted:
"Name: Robert Jennings Johnson
[Robert J Johnson]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 28 Jan 1928
Birth Place: Bloomington, Wisconsin
Death Date: 27 Aug 1994
Father: Oscar Johnson
Mother: Nettie Lawrence
Type of Claim: Original SSN.
Notes: Feb 1944: Name listed as ROBERT JENNINGS JOHNSON;
03 Sep 1994: Name listed as ROBERT J JOHNSON"Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 30, 1946, and served until his honorable discharge on April 30, 1949.
"SOURCE: ancestry.com
- Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-201
"InscriptionROBERT J JOHNSON
CPL US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
JAN 28 1928 [cross] AUG 27 1994"
1. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: April Showers Dotson [April Sho Johnson] [April Johnson] [April Showers Thornbury]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 22 Apr 1936
Birth Place: Taeger, West Virginia [Iaeger, West Virginia]
Death Date: 17 Sep 2006
Father:
Colley Thornbury
Mother:
Elizabeth Coleman
SSN: 373400703
Notes: Sep 1956: Name listed as APRIL SHOWERS DOTSON;
Jul 1972: Name listed as APRIL SHO JOHNSON;
03 Jan 1992: Name listed as APRIL SHOWERS DOTSON JOHNSON;
22 Sep 2006: Name listed as APRIL S JOHNSON"
2. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Cristy; 14 Mar 2010.
" April Showers Thornbury Johnson
Birth 22 Apr 1936
Litwar, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 17 Sep 2006 (aged 70)
Fortuna, Humboldt County, California, USA
Burial
Sunrise Cemetery
Fortuna, Humboldt County, California, USA
Plot Center Section, Row D, Grave 62
Memorial ID 49713484"Additional information Posted:
"April Showers Johnson passed away September 17, 2006, in Fortuna, CA."April was born to Colley and Elizabeth Thornbury on April 22, 1936, in Litwar, West Virginia. She was the youngest of 10 children.
"At the age of 13, April married Joseph Dotson and they had 5 children. After they parted, she and the children moved to California. April met and married Robert Johnson in 1969 and they had one daughter.
"She was a very hard worker. April worked in the timber industry for many years. She was employed by Pacific Clears and Crown Redwood. She also worked at St. Luke’s Manor in Fortuna as a Certified Nurses Aide for 9 years.
"There was nothing April enjoyed more than playing the lottery and slot machines. She dearly loved her dog, Chief and her cat, Pebbles.
"April was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Johnson and her brothers and sisters, Faye Inez (Jake) Williamson, Grant Thornbury, Opal Davis, James Thornbury, Elaine Cook, Juanita Fame Grisback, Allen Thornbury, Paul Thornbury and Ruby Pearl Thornbury.
"April leaves behind her children, David and Becky Dotson, Greg Dotson, Sherrie Ayala, Kathy King and George Grove, Ken and Gwen Dotson and Lisa and Brian Ownby. She also leaves 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 23 nieces and nephews.
"Friends are invited to attend graveside services as Sunrise Cemetery on Friday, September 22, 2006, at 11:00 A.M.
"Arrangements are under the direction of Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary where friends may call Thursday, from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
"Published in Eureka Times-Standard on Sept. 20, 2006
"Bio by: Dee G."
1. Stafford Funeral Home; Lynco, WV; Posted Obit.
"Denny Wayne Lester, 73, of Craney, WV, went home to be with the Lord on June 2, 2026. Denny was born November 16, 1952, son of the late Wallace and Vera Lamb Lester. Denny was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, Uncle and friend. He was a proud Army veteran and retiree from the coal mines. Denny was also an avid lover of both fast sports cars and “sharp” trucks. Denny was a member of Oceana First Church of God. In 1969, Denny enlisted in the U.S. Army, being stationed in Germany until he turned eighteen and was sent to serve in the Vietnam War. After returning home, Denny married the late love of his life, Judith “Judy/Jude” Bailey Lester on April 21, 1972. That same year, he began his career in the coal mines. Denny worked his way up, from first becoming a Section Foreman to eventually becoming a General Mine Manager. He worked at many different mines over the years, from EACC to Coal River Energy, which is where he last worked before he retired in 2011. But, he would always say that his favorite was I.O. Coal, where he mentored his son-in-law and served as his boss for 6 years. As a proud veteran, Denny was actively involved in the DAV, VFW, American Legion, and the Wyoming County Veterans Honor Guard. He was also one of the core men who helped in establishing the Veteran Memorial Wall in Oceana, WV. He was so proud to be involved in this project, and was constantly working on things both for the memorial wall and for his fellow veterans. In addition to his parents and wife, Denny is preceded in death by his siblings Darrell Lester and Deanna Lester Cook. Those left to cherish his memory including his baby girl, Shelley Ann Lester Webb and her husband Carl, who he saw like a son; his two grandchildren, Kailey and Coleton Webb; his siblings, Darice Lester Bradford, Leah Lester Cook, David Lester, and Darita Lester Green; his brother and sister in law, Ralph and Sharon Hannah, and their children and families; special cousin, Lori Davis; special friends, Jeff Hood and Danny Bragg; special neighbors Terry and Anita Hood and Gary and Angie Philpot; his Tudor’s breakfast crew; and a host of loving family and friends. Funeral service will be held at 3:30 pm on Monday, June 8th at the Oceana First Church of God, Oceana, WV with Rev. Jerry Cook, Pastor Herb Cook, and Bro. Gary Walker officiating. Friends may gather with the family from 2:00 pm until time of service on Monday at the church. The Wyoming County Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military rites at the Veterans Memorial Wall, Oceana, WV. In keeping with his wishes, he will be cremated following the service and will be laid to rest in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny, WV. Pallbearers will be Carl Webb, Coleton Webb, Jeff Hood, Mason Hannah, Danny Bragg, Darrell Cline, and Jeff Martin. Honorary pallbearers are Terry Hood, Gary Philpot, Brian Steele, Joe Toler, and Clacey Lambert. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV."
1. "The Independent Herald"; Pineville, WV; Posted Obit; 29 Jul 2021; On-Line Edition.
"Judith Ann “Judy, Bootsie “Bailey Lester, 73, of Oceana, WV, peacefully entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Tuesday July 13, 2021, at Bowers Hospice House, Beckley, WV. She was born on June 27, 1948 in Oceana, WV, a daughter of the late Raymond Oliver and Bessie Mae Morgan Bailey. She married Denny Wayne Lester on April 21, 1972. They were the parents of their only child Shelley Ann Lester-Webb."Judy was a 1966 graduate of Oceana High School and studied business education at Concord College. She served as secretary in the prosecuting attorney’s office at Pineville, West Virginia, for several years and later for various law offices in the area. She was a member of the First Church of God in Oceana. Her faith in God was the driving force in her life, and she served in many different capacities. Judy served as church secretary until health issues required her to give up the position. Ministry in music was her passion. She served as choir director and featured soloist her passion for Christian music took her to various functions throughout the area. Judy sang at many church revivals, weddings, and funerals. She was assistant worship leader, Christian muppet coordinator, and vacation Bible school director for many years.
"Most of all, from the time she gave her heart to God on October 26, 1974, her greatest desire was to exemplify Christ in everything she did. Judy loved quilting, and she made quilts as gifts for her family. Photography, photo album organization, and work on The George Leander and Arminta Caroline Belcher-Morgan Annual Reunion were a joy.
"She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Denny Wayne Lester one child Shelley Ann Lester-Webb and her husband Carl Matthew of Oceana two grandchildren Kailey Raeshelle Webb and Coleton Matthew Webb both of the home a sister Sharon Kay Bailey Hannah, whom she called “her faithful best friend”, and her husband Ralph of Matheny a niece Kelly Hannah Walls and her husband Patrick of Matheny a nephew Mason Ray Hannah of Matheny four great nieces Morgan Kelsey Walls, Kasey Madison Walls, Autumn Rayn Hannah, Lauren Bay Hannah one great nephew Clifton Tanner Walls. Judy considered her nieces and nephews her own children. Special cousins Lorane Morgan Hawk, Kim Cook Cline, Ray Cook and Kay Toler special friends Pat Gobel-Fitzpatrick, Pam Hall Worrell, Connie Cook, Lou and Floyd Blankenship, Priscilla Hood, and Jeff Hood whom she loved like a son.
"A Memorial service will be held 1:00 PM on Saturday July 17, 2021 at the Oceana First Church of God with Pastor Herb Cook, Rev. Jerry Cook and Bro. Perry Blankenship officiating the service. In keeping with her wishes, Judy will be cremated. Denny and Shelly would like to thank the staff of Bowers Hospice House and with a special “Thank You” to Sara Harless for their wonderful care.
"The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV."