1. Douglas Mortuary, Welch, WV; Posted Obit.
" Caroline Potter Parker, 55, of Bluewell gained her wings Sunday, August 25 at her home after a long illness.
"Born December 31, 1963 in Welch she was the daughter of the late Alvery Potter and Raney Charles Potter. She was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal Holiness Faith.
"In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two daughters Amanda Dawn Parker and Christina Colleen Parker; three brothers Donald, Doug and Alvery Potter Jr.; two sisters Clara Sue Jones and Shirley Simpson; and a special brother-in-law Saul Simpson Jr.
"Those left to cherish her memory are two sisters, Juanita McCoy and husband Terry of Iaeger and Drema Brown of Welch; two brothers, Ricky Potter of Pineville and Julian Ray Potter of Bluewell; two grandchildren Tommy Parker and Colleen Parker of Arkansas; two special nieces Amanda McCollum of North Carolina and Kathy Thompson of Princeton; a special nephew Arthur M. Bishop III of Twin Branch; and a host of nieces and nephews.
"Funeral services will be conducted Friday, August 30, at 1 p.m. in the Douglas Mortuary Chapel in Welch with Revs. Tommy Addair and Thomas Addair officiating. Burial will follow in Duncan Cemetery in Twin Branch...."
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1905); Page 185; WV Archives Web Site.
C.S. Ratcliff; age 21; born in Smyth Co, VA; single; miner; living at Bradshaw, WV; son of
_______ and Maudie Allen; married on 29 Nov 1905 at Rolph, WV; Lillie M. Foley; age 20;
born in ______; single; daughter of ________ and Marian.
2. 1910 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Kimball; taken on 3 May 1910; Page
157A; Image 71 of 82; Family #610/693.
Listed as Clay Ratcliff; age 22; born in VA; married once for 4 yrs; brakeman for railroad; head
of household.
3. Mercer Co, WV; WW I Draft Registration Card #592; 5 Jun 1917; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Clay Smith Ratcliff; age 29; born 25 Jun 1888 in Olympia, VA; living at Matoaka, WV; railorading
for N&W Railway, Williamson, WV; married; dependent wife and 4 children; medium height with
stout build; blue eyes and light hair.
4. 1920 Census, Mingo Co, WV; Williamson District; Williamson; taken on 15 jan 1920; Page 262A;
Image 57 of 79; Family #471/557.
Listed as Clay S. Ratliff; age 32; born in VA; married; railroad conductor; roomer; in household of
Willie G. Long.
5. 1920 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Rock District; Matoaka; taken on 28 Jan 1920; Page 148A; Image
9 of 34; Family #76/93.
Listed as Clay Ratcliff; age 32; born in VA; married; steam railroad conductor; head of household.
6. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Clay Smith Ratcliff
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 25 Jun 1887
Birth Place: Olympia Smit, Virginia
Father: James Ratcliff
Mother: Amanda Wilson
Type of Claim: Original SSN.
Notes: Mar 1937: Name listed as CLAY SMITH RATCLIFF"
7. Cabell Co, WV; Death Certificate #15914; WV Archives Web Site.
Clay Smith Ratcliff; age 54 yrs, 5 mons, 23 days; born 25 Jun 1887 in VA; married; husband of Mabel
L. Newberry, age 34; N &W railroad conductor; living at Iaeger, WV; son of James and Amanda (Wilson)
Ratcliff; died 18 Dec 1941 in the Huntington State Hospital, Huntington, WV; due to general paralysis;
buried 20 Dec 1941 in Roderfield, WV.
8. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorail Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls, 22 Dec 2013.
Clay S. Ratcliff; born 25 Jun 1887; died 18 Dec 1941; buried here; grave marker photo shown.
"AT REST".
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV, Sandy River District, taken on 10 Apr 1930, Page 231B,
Family #136.
Listed as Mabel Bean, age 22, born in WV, in household of husband, Swanson Beane.
2. "Heritage of McDowell Co, WV 1858-1999", Vol II, "Mr. and Mrs. John W. Alley" article, Page 158;
submitted by Stella Baker Rose, 160 Kist Road, Elkton, Maryland 21921-4849.
"Everyone knew thwm as Mabel and Johnny. Their residence was located at Apple Grove, above
Iaeger in McDowell County, in the Big Stone House above the road, Mabel first married Swanson
Bean, the father of her two children: Helen Ruby and Robert Wesley "Bob" Bean...."
..."Mabel had a sister, Blanche Parsons and a brother, Garnett Newberry. She also had a brother
who lived in Florida. I never met him. I believe his name was Wiliam and they called him Bill...."
3. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1927); WV Archives Web Site.
Newton S. Bean; age 26; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at Iaeger, WV; son of William
and Nancy; married on 4 Jan 1927 at Welch, WV; Mabel L. Newberry; age 21; born in Russell Co, VA;
single; daughter of William and Mary Bell.
4. Social Security Death Index, LDS Web Site.
Mabel Alley; born on 12 Jun 1907; died in Dec 1984; living at Iaeger, McDowell Co, WV at death.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; Caretta; E.D. 24-19; taken 22 Apr 1940; Page
351A; Image 7 of 46; Household #52.
Listed as Judith Bryant; age 4; born in WV; in household of father, Troy Bryant.
2. "McDowell County, WV Genealogy & Family History"; Facebook Page; April 2022; Judith Bryant Haught.
"I was born & raised in Caretta! Went to Coalwood JH. & Big Creek HS! Beautiful country &. Memories"
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Northfork District; taken 8 Apr 1930; Page 69B; Image 10 of 39;
Family #78/85.
Listed as Jack Wade; age 47 born in VA; married at 18; Negro; coal loader in coal mine; head of
household.
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Northfork District; taken 8 Apr 1930; Page 69B; Image 10 of 39;
Family #78/85.
Listed as Ada Wade; age 45 born in VA; married at 18; Negro; in household of husband, Andrew J.
Wade.
1. 1900 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 7 Jun 1900; Page 273B;
Image 8 of 22; Family #69/72.
Listed as J. Robert Leatherwood; age 45; born in Sep 1854 in NC; married 2 yrs; farmer; head
of household.
2. 1910 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 21 Apr 1910; Page 201B;
Image 8 of 19; Family #70/70.
Listed as James R. Leatherwood; age 54; born in NC; widowed; farmer; head of household.
1. 1900 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 7 Jun 1900; Page 273B;
Image 8 of 22; Family #69/72.
Listed as Dare M. Leatherwood; age 11; born in Jan 1889 in NC; in household of father, James R.
Leatherwood.
1. 1900 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 7 Jun 1900; Page 273B;
Image 8 of 22; Family #69/72.
Listed as Anna Leatherwood; age 9; born in Aug 1890 in NC; in household of father, James R.
Leatherwood.
2. 1910 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 21 Apr 1910; Page 201B;
Image 8 of 19; Family #70/70.
Listed as Anna Leatherwood; age 20; born in NC; single; in household of father, James R. Letherwood.
3. 1920 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 29 jan 1920; Page 174A; Image
21 of 22; Family #204/210.
Listed as Annie Leatherwood; age 30; born in NC; single; home farming; head of household.
1. 1900 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 7 Jun 1900; Page 273B;
Image 8 of 22; Family #69/72.
Listed as J. Gilmer Leatherwood; age 8; born in Apr 1892 in NC; in household of father, James R.
Leatherwood.
2. 1910 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 21 Apr 1910; Page 201B;
Image 8 of 19; Family #70/70.
Listed as Gilmer Leatherwood; age 18; born in NC; single; in household of father, James R. Letherwood.
1. 1900 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 7 Jun 1900; Page 273B;
Image 8 of 22; Family #69/72.
Listed as Pauline Leatherwood; age 6; born in Oct 1893 in NC; in household of father, James R.
Leatherwood.
2. 1910 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 21 Apr 1910; Page 201B;
Image 8 of 19; Family #70/70.
Listed as Pauline Leatherwood; age 16; born in NC; single; in household of father, James R. Letherwood.
1. 1900 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 7 Jun 1900; Page 273B;
Image 8 of 22; Family #69/72.
Listed as Davis Leatherwood; age 5; born in Feb 1895 in NC; in household of father, James R.
Leatherwood.
2. 1910 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 21 Apr 1910; Page 201B;
Image 8 of 19; Family #70/70.
Listed as Davis Leatherwood; age 14; born in NC; in household of father, James R. Letherwood.
1. 1900 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 7 Jun 1900; Page 273B;
Image 8 of 22; Family #69/72.
Listed as D. Bryan Leatherwood; age 3; born in Aug 1896 in NC; in household of father, James R.
Leatherwood.
2. 1910 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 21 Apr 1910; Page 201B;
Image 8 of 19; Family #70/70.
Listed as Dennis Leatherwood; age 12; born in NC; in household of father, James R. Letherwood.
3. 1920 Census, Haywood Co, NC; Jonathan Creek Township; taken on 29 jan 1920; Page 174A; Image
21 of 22; Family #204/210.
Listed as Dennis B. Leatherwood; age 23; born in NC; single; lawyer; in household of sister, Anna
Leatherwood.
1. FindAGave.com Web Site; submitted by civilwarbuff; 9 Apr 2016.
"Elizabeth “Lizzie” Slone Potter
Birth Jan 1865
Beattyville, Lee County, Kentucky, USA
Death 30 May 1940 (aged 75)
McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Burial
Monte Vista Memorial Park
Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee, USA "
1. FindAGave.com Web Site; submitted by civilwarbuff; 10 Apr 2016.
" Simon Jefferson Gilbert
Birth 1 Aug 1858
Owsley County, Kentucky, USA
Death 24 Nov 1918 (aged 60)
Dante, Russell County, Virginia, USA
Burial
Trammel Gap Community Cemetery
Trammel, Dickenson County, Virginia, USA "
1. FindAGave.com Web Site; submitted by civilwarbuff; 9 Apr 2016.
"Elizabeth “Lizzie” Slone Potter
Birth Jan 1865
Beattyville, Lee County, Kentucky, USA
Death 30 May 1940 (aged 75)
McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Burial
Monte Vista Memorial Park
Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee, USA "
1. 1910 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; taken 23 May 1910; Page 26B; Family #204/204.
Listed as Henry Smith; age 32; born in VA; married once for 10 yrs; mulatto; coal miner; head of
household.
2. McDowell Co, WV; WW I Draft Registration Card #3362; 12 Sep 1918; Ancestry.com Website.
Henry Smith; age 40; born 13 Jan 1878; living at 576 #10 Works, Gary, WV; Negro; loading coal;
employed by United States Coal & Coke Co, Gary, WV; nearest relative, Julia Smith, wife, Gary, WV;
tall with medium build; brown eyes and Black hair.
3. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary-Thorpe Rd; taken 5 Apr 1930; Page 21A; Image
15 of 60; Family #134/138.
Listed as Henry Smith; age 47; born in VA; married at 22; Negro; coal loader in coal mine; head of
household.
4. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Venus; taken 18 Apr 1940; Page 57B;
Household #425.
Listed as Henry Smith; age 61; born in VA; married; Negro; 2nd grade education; lived in same
house on 1 Apr 1935; coal loader in coal mine; head of household.
5. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; taken 11 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 21;
Dwelling #152.
Listed as Henry Smith; ag 69; born in VA; married; white (sic, Negro). no listed occupation; head of
household.
6. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #'70 010526; WV Archives Website.
Henry Smith; age 90; born 3 Jan 1880 (sic, see Ref 2); in VA; widowed; Negro; coal miner;
SS# 235-07-3798; lving at Pageton, WV; son of Reese and Rache Smith; died 7 Jul 1970; DOA
Doctor's Memorial Hospital, Welch, WV; due to acute coronary thrombosis; buried 11 Jul 1970 in
Restlawn Memorial Cemetery, Littlesburg Rd, WV; informant, Florence Smith, Pageton, WV.
1. 1910 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; taken 23 May 1910; Page 26B; Family #204/204.
Listed as Julia Smith; age 24; born in VA; married once for 10 yrs; mulatto; 5 children; two living; in
household of husband, Henry O. Smith, Sr.
2. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary-Thorpe Rd; taken 5 Apr 1930; Page 21A; Image
15 of 60; Family #134/138.
Listed as Julia Smith; age 44; born in VA; married at 17; Negro; in household of husband, Henry
Smith.
3. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Venus; taken 18 Apr 1940; Page 57B;
Household #425.
Listed as Julia Smith; age 53; born in VA; married; Negro; 4th grade education; lived in same
house on 1 Apr 1935; in household of husband, Henry Smith, Sr.
4. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; taken 11 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 22;
Dwelling #152.
Listed as Julia Smith; ag 65; born in VA; married; Negro; in household of husband, Henry O. Smith.
5. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #19812; WV Archives Website.
Julia Smith; age 78; born 15 Mar 1885 in Tazewell Co, VA; married; Colored; housewife; living in
Gary, WV; daughter of Charlie and Sarah Ward; died 27 Oct 1963 in Grace Hospital, Welch, WV; due
to cerebro vascular accident with crebral arteriosclerosis; buried 31 Oct 1963 in Restlawn Memorial
Estate Cemetery, Littlkesburg, Mercer Co, WV.
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary-Thorpe Rd; taken 5 Apr 1930; Page 21B;
Image16 of 60; Family #134/138.
Listed as Joe E. Smith; age 14; born in WV; Negro; in household of father, Henry Smith.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Venus; taken 18 Apr 1940; Page 57B;
Household #425.
Listed as Joe Smith; age 23; born in WV; single; Negro; 8th grade education; lived in same
house on 1 Apr 1935; coal loader in coal mine; in household of father, Henry Smith, Sr.
3. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Joe Smith [Joseph Ezel Smith] [Joseph Smith]
Gender: Male
Race: Black
Birth Date: 7 May 1916
Birth Place: Gary McDowel, West Virginia
Death Date: 1 Dec 1993
Father: Henery Smith
Mother: Julia Ward
SSN: 235073730
Notes: Dec 1936: Name listed as JOE SMITH;
Sep 1946: Name listed as JOSEPH EZEL SMITH;
8 Dec 1986: Name listed as JOSEPH E SMITH"
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Gary-Thorpe Rd; taken 5 Apr 1930; Page 21B;
Image16 of 60; Family #134/138.
Listed as Charlie Smith; age 2 yrs, 1 mon; born in WV; Negro; in household of father, Henry Smith.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Venus; taken 18 Apr 1940; Page 57B;
Household #425.
Listed as Charlie Smith; age 13; born in WV; single; Negro; 4th grade education; attending school;
lived in same house on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Henry Smith, Sr.
3. McDowell Co, WV; WWII Draft Registration Card #W-795; 11 Apr 1945; Ancestry.com Website.
Charles Smith; age 18; born 2 Apr 1927 in Gary, WV; living in Gary, WV; person who will always
know address, Henry Smith, father, Gary, WV; employed by US Supply Co, Gary, WV; Negro; brown
eyes; Black hair; dark brown complexion.
4. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1947); Page 403; WV Archives Website.
Charles Smith; age 20; born and living in Gary, WV; single; Colored; married on 10 Apr 1947 at
Thorpe, WV; Izatta King; age 17; botn in Mohawk, WV; single; Colored; living in Cary, WV; with
consent of Henry Smith, father of Charles Smith, and Bessie King; mother of Izatta King.
5. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; taken 11 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 22;
Dwelling #152.
Listed as Charlie Smith; age 23; born in WV; married; Negro; coal loader in coal mine; in household
of father, Henry O. Smith.
6. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1965); Page 269; WV Archives Web Site.
Charles Smith; age 37; born 10 Apr 1927 at Gary, WV; divorced; one previous marriage; Negro;
living at Pageton, WV; son of Henry and Julia (Ward) Smith; married on 1 Feb 1965 at Powhatan,
WV; Christine Elizabeth Burger; age 22; born 14 Aug 1942 at Kyle, WV; single; no previous marriage;
Negro; living at Box 88, Powhatan, WV; daughter of Walter Adam and Katie (White) Burger.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1965); Page 269; WV Archives Web Site.
Charles Smith; age 37; born 10 Apr 1927 at Gary, WV; divorced; one previous marriage; Negro; living
at Pageton, WV; son of Henry and Julia (Ward) Smith; married on 1 Feb 1965 at Powhatan, WV;
Christine Elizabeth Burger; age 22; born 14 Aug 1942 at Kyle, WV; single; no previous marriage;
Negro; living at Box 88, Powhatan, WV; daughter of Walter Adam and Katie (White) Burger.