1. Email from Melissa Friend Witt; 14 Jan 2026.
"... Dad (Robert Hayes (Bob) Friend)
dob: Nov 4, 1927
dod: May 1981
he was buried in the Friend family cemetery in Clendenin
Dad was also previously married.
Fannie McDaniel (no other info)..."
1. Email from Melissa Friend Witt; 14 Jan 2026.
"... Dad (Robert Hayes (Bob) Friend)
dob: Nov 4, 1927
dod: May 1981
he was buried in the Friend family cemetery in Clendenin
Dad was also previously married.
Fannie McDaniel (no other info)..."
1. McDowell Co, WV; WW II Draft Registration Card #U-578; 27 Apr 1942.
Joseph Campbell Neece; age 64; born 23 Feb 1878 in Castlewood, VA; living at Raysal, WV;
employed by Pond Creek Pocahontas Co, Bartley, WV; name of person who will always know
address, Roseana Neece, Raysal, WV; 5'6" tall; 130 lbs; blue eyes; brown hair; ruddy complexion.
1. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; By Geneva Steel, Tom Hatcher
and Sandra Long; "Gloria Crigger Day"; Article; Page 138; submitted by Michele Grad Roberts, Box
14, Coalwood, WV 24824.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; E.D. 24-3; taken 16 Apr 1940; Page 52B;
Image 40 of 64; Household #326.
Listed as Comer Cummings; age 42; born in TN; married; 4th grade education; Negro; lived in same
house on 1 Apr 1935; coal loader in coal mine; head of household.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; E.D. 24-3; taken 16 Apr 1940; Page 52B;
Image 40 of 64; Household #326.
Listed as Gertrude Cummings; age 35; born in TN; married; Negro; 1 yr HS education; lived in same
house on 1 Apr 1935; in household of husband, Comer Cummings.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; E.D. 24-3; taken 16 Apr 1940; Page 52B;
Image 40 of 64; Household #326.
Listed as Carr Cummings; age 19; born in TN; single; Negro; 8th grade education; new worker;
lived in same house on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Comer Cummings.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; E.D. 24-3; taken 16 Apr 1940; Page 52B;
Image 40 of 64; Household #326.
Listed as Earling Cummings; age 17; born in TN; single; Negro; 3 yrs HS education; attending school;
lived in same house on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Comer Cummings.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; E.D. 24-3; taken 16 Apr 1940; Page 52B;
Image 40 of 64; Household #326.
Listed as James Cummings; age 18; born in TN; single; Negro; 8th grade education; attending school;
lived in same house on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Comer Cummings.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; E.D. 24-3; taken 16 Apr 1940; Page 52B;
Image 40 of 64; Household #326.
Listed as Inzetta Cummings; age 15; born in TN; single; Negro; 8th grade education; attending school;
lived in same house on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Comer Cummings.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary; E.D. 24-3; taken 16 Apr 1940; Page 52B;
Image 40 of 64; Household #326.
Listed as L. Bernice Cummings; age 13; born in TN; single; Negro; 6th grade education; attending
school; lived in same house on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Comer Cummings.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #16711; WV Archives Web Site.
Lema Bernice Cummings; age 29 yrs, 8 mons; born 9 Mar 1926 in Sparta, TN; never married;
Negro; domestic; living at Gary, WV; daughter of Comer and Gertrude (Turner) Cummings; died 8
Nov 1955 in Gary, WV; due to bronchial asthma; buried 13 Nov 1955 in Oak Grove (Cemetery,
Bluewell, WV); informant, Comer Cummings.
3. FindAGrave.com Web Site; submitted by B. Walls; 13 Apr 2017.
" Bernice Cummings
Birth unknown
Death 13 Nov 1955
West Virginia, USA
Burial
Oak Grove Cemetery
Bluewell, Mercer County, West Virginia, USA
Plot H 165
Memorial ID 178375412"Additional Information Posted:
"Buried November 13, 1955.
Information from hand written record book for Oak Grove Cemetery."
1. 1920 Census, Buchanan Co, VA; Garden District; Hurrican; taken 9 Mar 1920; Page 45B; Image 40
of 71; Famil #335/336.
Listed as James Thomas, Sr; age 64; born in VA; widowed; in household of son, McCowen J.
Thomas.
1. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"Kirk Douglas Rife, 57, of Ikes Fork and recently of Iaeger, WV, was carried home by the angels April 25, 2024 at Princeton Community Hospital, Princeton, WV."Kirk was brought into this world by his biological mother, Susan Mcvey of Maryland, and was a special gift to his adoptive parents, Ralph and Priscilla Riffe of Ikes Fork.
"In addition to his parents, Kirk was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, James E. Stanley and Bonnie Stanley; his maternal grandparents, Adam and Gracie Damron and paternal grandparents, George and Hannah Riffe.
"Kirk is survived by his wife of almost 33 years, Jamie Lynn Stanley Riffe; their children, son, James Kirk Riffe and wife Lora of Ikes Fork; daughter, Holly Brooke Riffe of Iaeger; two granddaughters whom he loved and cherished dearly, Kayleigh Grace Riffe and Harper Lynn Riffe both of Ikes Fork; and his beloved pet Chihuahua, which he loved as his own daughter, Missy.
"Kirk was a graduate of Baileysville High School and began his retail career at the early age of 19 as a manager of Rite-Aid in Bradshaw. He then managed several retail stores, with the last being Magic Mart in Oceana. Changing career paths led him to work for Ameribank before he became certified as a real estate appraiser. Kirk formed his own appraisal company, “Mountaineer Appraisals”; he built his appraisal career until he was diagnosed with C.I.D.P. in 2013 which rendered him disabled and led to his retirement. Even though Kirk had constant chronic pain, he never complained or let his disability stop him from taking care of his family; especially spending time with his two granddaughters. Harper and Kayleigh were very much adored by their “Pop-Pop”.
"Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 2 o’clock, with Reverend James Cline officiating at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger. Following services Kirk will be laid to rest in Paris-Lester Cemetery at Ikes Fork. The Wyoming County Sherrif’s Department will escort his funeral procession. Serving as pallbearers will be his son, James Kirk Riffe, special friends, Randy Brooks, James Cline, Tommy Lester, Chris Davis and Chad Riffe.
"Friends may visit with the family at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger Sunday, April 28, 2024 from 1 o’clock until time of services at 2 o’clock.
"In honor of Kirk’s memory, donations may be made to, St. Jude Children’s Hospital of Memphis, TN, which he supported for many years.
"Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at fanningfuneralhomes.com"