1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1937); Page 82; WV Archives Web Site.
Troy Snow; age 25; born in Surry Co, NC; single; miner; living at Coalwood, WV; son of
Byrd and Phylenia; married on 7 Jan 1937 at Welch, WV; Ruth Hammond; age 24; born in
Magoffin Co, KY; divorced; living at Welch, WV; daughter of J.G. and Hattie Hammond.
2. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Troy Glenn Snow
Race: White
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Place: Low Gap Serry, North Carolina, USA
Birth Date: 1 Jun 1911
Residence: Coalwood, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Occupation: Carter Coal Company
Weight: 158
Complexion: Dark
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Black
Height: 5 11
Next of Kin: Ruth Elizabeth Snow
Household Members:
Name Relationship
Troy Glenn Snow Self (Head)"
3. Raleigh Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1952); Page 155; WV Archives Web Site.
Troy Glenn Snow; age 40; born 1 Jun 1911 in NC; living at Helen, WV; son of Byrd and Phylenia
Snow; married on 31 May 1952 at Beckley, WV; Katherine Adkins Bennett; age 33; born 1 Sep 1918
in WV; living at Helen, WV; daughter of Jonah and Myrtle Adkins.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1937); Page 82; WV Archives Web Site.
Troy Snow; age 25; born in Surry Co, NC; single; miner; living at Coalwood, WV; son of
Byrd and Phylenia; married on 7 Jan 1937 at Welch, WV; Ruth Hammond; age 24; born in
Magoffin Co, KY; divorced; living at Welch, WV; daughter of J.G. and Hattie Hammond.
1. 1900 Census, McDowell Co, WV, Big Creek Township, taken on 14 Jun 1900,
Page 80A, Family #129.
Listed as Charlie M. Sparks, age 1, born in Oct 1898 in WV, in household
of father, Thomas Sparks.
2. Ancestry.com Web Site, Thomas Sparks search, 5 May 2002, submitted by
Shelea McLaughlin, shelea3@juno.com.
Mary Elizabeth Beavers; born on 30 Jun 1878 in McDowell Co, WV; died on
11 Oct 1968 in Tazewell Co, VA; daughter of Moses and Nancy Elizabeth Asbury
Beavers; married Thomas James Sparks on 30 Dec 1894 in McDowell Co, WV.
Son, Charles Moses Sparks; born on 17 Oct 1897; died on 9 Nov 1988.
2. C.M. Sparks; age 36; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at Capels, WV; son of
Tom and Mary; married on 2 May 1935 at Welch, WV; Louise Rushbrook; age 20; born in
McDowell Co, WV; single; living at Capels, WV; daughter of A.B. and Fannie.
1. C.M. Sparks; age 36; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at Capels, WV; son of
Tom and Mary; married on 2 May 1935 at Welch, WV; Louise Rushbrook; age 20; born in
McDowell Co, WV; single; living at Capels, WV; daughter of A.B. and Fannie.
1. Douglas Mortuary; Welch, WV; Posted Obit.
"Peggy Frances Anderson, 87, of Welch passed away Wednesday, December 1, 2021 in McDowell Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gary."Born July 13, 1934 in Capels she was the daughter of the late Charles Mose Sparks and Evelyn Louise Sparks. She was a former retail manager at G.C. Murphy in Welch. She was a graduate of Welch High School. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
"In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two brothers Charles Thomas Sparks and John Sparks, and a sister Alma Virginia Bishop.
"Those left to cherish her memory are her God Daughter Peggy Michelle Spicer of Richmond, CA; three brothers, James Sparks of Decatur, AL, William Michael Sparks of Beckley, and Joseph Sparks of Myrtle Beach, SC; and two sisters, Ruth Canups of Trinity, AL and Helen Cielakie of Spotsylvania, VA.
"Peggy’s request was to be cremated, and the family has honored her request. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at a later date.
"The Douglas Mortuary in Welch is serving the family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.douglasmortuary.com"
1. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; taken on 4 Feb 1920; Page 142A;
Family #517/606.
Listed as Henry Spangler; age 2; born in WV; in household of father, George V. Spangler.
2. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; taken on 28 Apr 1930; Page 223A;
Family #544/561.
Listed as Henry Spangler; age 12; born in WV; in household of father, George V. Spangler.
3. U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Henry Walter Spangler
Race: White
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Place: Welch McDowell, West Virginia, USA
Birth Date: 21 Aug 1917
Residence: Roderfield, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Occupation: J T Eddins
Weight: 170
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 6
Next of Kin: George V Spangler
Relationship to Draftee: Father
Household Members:
Name Relationship
Henry Walter Spangler Self (Head)
George V Spangler Father"
4. Dickenson Co, VA; Marriage License #20141; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Henry Spangler; age 44; born in Welch, WV; single; no previous marriage; miner; living at Welch, WV;
son of George and Harriett (Swader, sic Shrader) Spangler; married on 27 Jul 1962 at Clintwood, VA;
Mary Louise Milam; age 39; born in Welch, WV; single; no previous marriage; housewife; living at
Welch, WV; daughter of Henry and Lena (Brewster) Milam.
5. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Henry W. Spangler
SSN: 236-18-3054
Last Residence:
24740 Princeton, Mercer, West Virginia, USA
BORN: 21 Aug 1917
Died: 12 Nov 1993
State (Year) SSN issued: West Virginia (Before 1951)"
6. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Henry Walter Spangler
[Henry W Spangler]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 21 Aug 1917
Birth Place: Welch, West Virginia
Death Date: 12 Nov 1993
Father: George B Spangler
Mother: Hariet Swager
SSN: 236183054
Notes: Sep 1939: Name listed as HENRY WALTER SPANGLER; 23 Nov 1993: Name listed as HENRY W SPANGLER"
1. Dickenson Co, VA; Marriage License #20141; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Henry Spangler; age 44; born in Welch, WV; single; no previous marriage; miner; living at Welch, WV;
son of George and Harriett (Swader, sic Shrader) Spangler; married on 27 Jul 1962 at Clintwood, VA;
Mary Louise Milam; age 39; born in Welch, WV; single; no previous marriage; housewife; living at
Welch, WV; daughter of Henry and Lena (Brewster) Milam.
1. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, Tazewell Co, VA; submitted by
Terry Lindsay; 6 Sep 2017.
John Elmer Sizemore; born 27 Nov 1919 in McDowell Co, WV; died 22 Jul 1998 in Tazewell Co, VA;
buried here; no grave marker photo shown.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1936); Page 65; WV Archives Web Site.
Thomas Asbury; age 23; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miller; living at Welch, WV; son of
Noah and Rebecca; married on 26 Sep 1936 at Newhall, WV; Daisy Scott; age 17; born in WV
(sic, NC); single; living at Welch, WV; daughter of Henry and Agnes.
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Hartwell Cemetery, Canebrake, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
Terry Lindsay; 15 Mar 2014.
Daisy Lee Scott Sizemore; born 22 Jul 1922 in Surry Co, NC; died 24 Mar 2002 in McDowell Co,
WV; buried here; no grave marker photo shown.
1. Virginia, Marriage Records, 1936-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Wanda Smithers
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age: 19
Birth Date: abt 1932
Marriage Date: 19 May 1951
Marriage Place: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Registration Place: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Father: Ay Smithers
Mother: Elsie Mae McKeehan
Spouse: Edward Junior Duke
Spouse Gender: Male
Spouse Race: White
Spouse Age: 21
Spouse Father: Edward E Duke
Spouse Mother: Daisy Mae Draper"
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Hull; E.D. 24-57; taken on 17 Apr 1940; Image 40 of 74;
Household #339.
Listed as Wanda Smithers; age 8; born in WV; 2nd grade education; attending school; lived in McDowell Co, WV
on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, A.Y. Smithers.
2. Virginia, Marriage Records, 1936-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Wanda Smithers
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age: 19
Birth Date: abt 1932
Marriage Date: 19 May 1951
Marriage Place: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Registration Place: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Father: Ay Smithers
Mother: Elsie Mae McKeehan
Spouse: Edward Junior Duke
Spouse Gender: Male
Spouse Race: White
Spouse Age: 21
Spouse Father: Edward E Duke
Spouse Mother: Daisy Mae Draper"
3. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Wanda S. Duke
SSN: 236-46-3081
Last Residence:
23707 Portsmouth, Portsmouth City, Virginia, USA
BORN: 2 Feb 1932
Last Benefit: 23707, Portsmouth, Portsmouth City, Virginia, United States of America
Died: 1 Aug 2003
State (Year) SSN issued: West Virginia (Before 1951)"
4. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Wanda Smithers
[Wanda Smithers Duke]
[Wanda Duke]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 2 Feb 1932
Birth Place: Asco McDowel, West Virginia
Death Date: 1 Aug 2003
Father: Ay Smithers
Mother: Elsie M McKeehan
SSN: 236463081
Notes: Jun 1948: Name listed as WANDA SMITHERS;
Nov 1951: Name listed as WANDA SMITHERS DUKE;
04 Nov 2003: Name listed as WANDA S DUKE"
5."The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "Ay Smithers, Miner"; Article;
Page 241; submitted by Vivian S. Porter, PH.D.; 12701 Allendale Lane, Tampa, FL 33618-3003,
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; "Ay Smithers, Miner"; Article;
Page 241; submitted by Vivian S. Porter, PH.D.; 12701 Allendale Lane, Tampa, FL 33618-3003,
1. Tennessee, State Marriages, 1780-2002; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: H C McKeehan
Gender: Male
Marriage Date: 17 Aug 1910
Marriage Place: Campbell, Tennessee, USA
Spouse: Ethal Marshal"
1. Tennessee, State Marriages, 1780-2002; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Ethal Marshal
Gender: Female
Marriage Date: 17 Aug 1910
Marriage Place: Campbell, Tennessee, USA
Spouse: H C McKeehan"
1. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Hemphill; taken on 7 Jan 1920; Page 263A;
Image 7 of 30; Family #60/59.
Listed as Ay Smithers; age 11; born in TN; in household of father, Jerry Walter Smithers.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1929); Page 17; WV Archives Web Site.
A.Y. Amithers; age 23; born in Campbell Co, TN; miner; living at Asco, WV; son of Walter and Ethel;
married on 28 Oct 1929 at Welch, WV; Elsie McKeehan; age 21; born in Bell Co, KY; single;
daughter of Cooke and Ethel.
3. 1930 Census; McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Asco Road; taken 15 Apr 1940; Page 73B;
Image 18 of 47; Family #155/160.
Listed as A.Y. Smither; age 21; born in TN; single; laborer in coal mine; in household of father, Jerry
W. Smithers.
4. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Hull; E.D. 24-57; taken on 17 Apr 1940; Image
40 of 74; Household #339.
Listed as Ay Smithers; age 31; born in TN; married; 7th grade education; lived in McDowell Co, WV
on 1 Apr 1935; coal miner; head of household.
5. U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: A Y Smithers
Gender: Male
Race: White
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Place: Newcomb, Tennessee, USA
Birth Date: 18 Sep 1908
Residence: Berwind, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Occupation: Little Warcreek Coal Co
Weight: 162
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Gray
Height: 5 7
Next of Kin: Elsie Smithers
Relationship to Draftee: Wife
Household Members:
Name Relationship
A Y Smithers Self (Head)
Elsie Smithers Wife"
6. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Ay Smithers
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 18 Sep 1908
Death Date: 3 Jul 1972
SSN: 235101685
Enlistment Date 1: 9 May 1926
Release Date 1: 5 Apr 1929
Enlistment Date 2: 9 May 1928"
7. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #'72 011011; WV Archives Website.
A.Y. Smithers; age 63; born in Sep 1908 in TN; married; husband of Elsie McKeehan; coal miner;
SS# 235-10-1685; living at Iaeger, WV; son of Jerry and Ethel (Robinson) Smithers; died 3 Jul 1972;
DOA Doctors Memorial Hospital, Welch, WV; due to acute coronary occlusion with pneumonconosis;
buried 6 Jul 1972 in Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, WV.
8. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 14 aug 2014.
A. Y. Smithers; born 18 Sep 1908; died 3 Jul 1972; buried here; grave marker photo shown;
"WEST VIRGINIA * S2 US NAVY".
9."The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "Ay Smithers, Miner"; Article;
Page 241; submitted by Vivian S. Porter, PH.D.; 12701 Allendale Lane, Tampa, FL 33618-3003,
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1929); Page 17; WV Archives Web Site.
A.Y. Amithers; age 23; born in Campbell Co, TN; miner; living at Asco, WV; son of Walter and Ethel;
married on 28 Oct 1929 at Welch, WV; Elsie McKeehan; age 21; born in Bell Co, KY; single; daughter
of Cooke and Ethel.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Hull; E.D. 24-57; taken on 17 Apr 1940; Image 40 of 74;
Household #339.
Listed as Ethel Smithers; age 28; born in KY; married; 1 yr HS education; lived in McDowell Co, WV on 1 Apr 1935;
in household of husband, A.Y. Smithers.
3. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Elsie M. Smithers
SSN: 229-38-1153
Last Residence:
29115 Orangeburg, Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA
BORN: 5 Jul 1911
Died: 6 Mar 1998
State (Year) SSN issued: Virginia (Before 1951)"
4. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007: Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Elsie Mae Smithers
[Elsie M Smithers]
[Elsie Mae McKeehan]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 5 Jun 1911
Birth Place: Rockhold, Kentucky
Death Date: 6 Mar 1998
Father: Henry C McKeehan
Mother: Ethel Marshell
SSN: 229381153
Notes: Apr 1951: Name listed as ELSIE MAE SMITHERS;
14 Mar 1998: Name listed as ELSIE M SMITHERS"
5."The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "Ay Smithers, Miner"; Article;
Page 241; submitted by Vivian S. Porter, PH.D.; 12701 Allendale Lane, Tampa, FL 33618-3003,
1. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #11031; WV Archives Web Site.
Ay Smithers; born and died 19 Sep 1944 at Berwind, WV; premature birth; parents, Ay Smithers,
born in Newcomb, TN, and Elsie Mae McKeehan, born in Rockholt (sic, Rockholds), KY; buried
21 Sep 1944 at Roderfield, WV; informant, Ay Smithers.
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 22 Dec 2013.
Ay Smithers, Jr; born and died 19 Sep 1944; buried here; headstone photo shown; "OUR BABY".
3."The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "Ay Smithers, Miner"; Article;
Page 241; submitted by Vivian S. Porter, PH.D.; 12701 Allendale Lane, Tampa, FL 33618-3003,