1. United States Public Records, 1970-2009; LDS Web Site.
"Name Cecil J Bowman
Event Date 01 Jan 1998
Event Place Warriormine, West Virginia, United States
Birth Date 27 Sep 1938
Address Warriormine, West Virginia 24894
Affiliate Identifier 787428421"
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1950); Page 105; Ancestry.com Website.
Paul Edgar Blankenship; age 19; born and living in Bradshaw, WV; single; married on 22 Jul 1950
at Lex, WV; Betty Katherine Gross; age 17; born in Bartley, WV; single; living in Bradshaw, WV; with
consent of Rosa Blankenship, mother of Paul Edgar Blankenship; and Howard Christian, step-father
of Betty Katherine Gross.
2. Douglas Mortuary, Welch, WV; Posted Obit.
"Betty Katherine Bowman, 89, of War, WV, passed away Friday, March 3, 2023 at her residence. Born July 10, 1933 in Bartley, WV she was the daughter of the late Jake Gross and Stella Gross."Betty was a homemaker and she was of the Pentecostal Faith.
"In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Bowman; two children, Paul Blankenship, Jr. and Wayne Blankenship; and eight brothers and sisters.
"Those left to cherish her memories are two daughters, Stella Browning of War and Rosa Lee Adams of English; six step-children, Dora Marlene Roberts of Welch, Tina Marie Chambers of Marion, VA, Sue Ellen Blankenship of Florida, Amy Nicole Collison of Coalwood, Cecil Lee Bowman of Bartley, and James Daniel Bowman of Bartley; one sister, Beatrice Faye Christian of Eckman; nine grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren.
"Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 12:00 noon from the Power House Ministries Church in Caretta, WV, with the Reverend Ricky Muncy, officiating. Burial will follow in the War Cove Cemetery in War Cove.
"Pallbearers will be family and friends.
"Friends may call at the church Wednesday evening March 8th after 6:00 PM.
"The Douglas Mortuary in Welch is serving the family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.douglasmortuary.com"
1. McDowell Co, WV; WW II Draft Registration Card #404; 16 Oct 1940; Ancestry.com Website.
Howard Christian; age 25; born 28 Jul 1915 in Bradshaw, WV; living at Bartley, WV; employed by
Pond Creek Pocahontas Co, Bartley, WV; name of person who will always know address; Mrs. Stella
Grose Christian, wife; Bartley, WV; 5'9" Tall; 140 lbs; brown eyes; brown hair; dark complexion;
scar under right eye.
2. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #82-015412; Ancestry.com Website.
Howard Christian; age 66; born 28 Jul 1915 at Bradshaw, WV; widowed; this is his 2nd marriage;
last marriage ended 14 Oct 1981 no education; living at Vine St, War, WV; son of Dan and Arbella
(Estep) Christian; married on 17 Apr 1982 in Russell Co, VA; Sarah Penley; maiden name Cooper;
born 20 Jan 1921 in Buchanan Co, VA; widowed; this is her 2nd marriage; last marriage ended 10
Nov 1977; 8th grade education; living at Vine St, War, WV; daughter of Charlie and Polly (Wimmer)
Cooper.
3. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Howard Christian
Social Security Number 233-07-6541
Birth Date 28 Jul 1915
Issue year Before 1951
Issue State West Virginia
Last Residence 24817, Bradshaw, Mcdowell, West Virginia, USA
Death Date Dec 1992"
4. Buchanan Co, VA; Death Certificate #92-047604; Ancestry.com Website.
Howard Christian; age 77; born 29 Jul 1915 in Bradshaw, WV; living at PO Box 825, Bradshaw, WV;
coal miner; divorced; son of Dan and Arliva? (sic, Arbella); died 28 Dec 1992 in Buchanan General
Hospital. Grundy, VA; due to cardio-pulmonary arrest with COPD; buried in Tom Sparks Cemetery,
Bradshaw, WV; informant, Fay Hill.
Estella Bethanna "Stella" Estep
1. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Patty Greene; 13 Jul 2018.
"Stella B. Estep Christian
BIRTH 20 Dec 1912
DEATH 14 Oct 1981 (aged 68)
BURIAL Tom Sparks Cemetery
Paynesville, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
MEMORIAL ID 191342394"Additional Information Posted:
"Married to Howard Christian (Deceased)."Mother of Margaret Christian-Tolliver, Brenda Christian-Mullins, Katherine Christian-Blankenship, Faye Christian, and Eva Sue Christian-Addair (1944-1973)."
1. Douglas Mortuary; Welch, WV; Posted Obit.
"Beatrice Christian, 80, of Eckman, WV, entered her heavenly home on June 2, 2026 surrounded by loved ones."Born on February 5th, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Howard Christian and Stella Estep. Beatrice was a woman of faith who loved her crafts, reading, and going out with her friends.
"In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers Lonnie Christian, James Gross and Joe Gross; and five sisters Brenda Christian, Sue Gross, Kathryn Blankenship, Margaret Tolliver and Gladys Akers.
"Survivors include two nieces, a nephew, and many dear friends and neighbors including three special lifelong friends Imogene Jarrels, Juanita Serra and Barbara Marcum who were like Beatrice’s family.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Compassus Hospice staff for being so supportive and caring."A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 1:00pm at the Trinity Church at Eckman with Pastor Tim Akers officiating.
"The Douglas Mortuary in Welch is serving the family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.douglasmortuary.com"
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; taken on 3 Apr 1930; Page 152B; Image 4 of 57;
Family #26/27.
Listed as Martha Brewster; age 9; born in VA; in household of father, Richard Brewster.
2. Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Martha Brewster
Gender: Female
Race: White
Marriage Age: 19
Birth Date: abt 1920
Marriage Registration Place: Tazewell, Virginia, USA
Marriage Date: 28 Jul 1939
Marriage Place: Tazewell, VA., Virginia, USA
Father: Richard Brewster
Mother: Ida Pruett
Spouse: Kinzer Beavers
Certificate Number: 1939024871"
3. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; Berwind-Newhall; E.D. 24-19; taken on 29 Apr
1940; Page 360 A; Image 25 of 46; Household #214.
Listed as Martha Brewster; age 19; born in WV; single; 6th grade education; lived in same place on
1 Apr 1935; lodger; in household of father, Richard Brewster.
4. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Martha Lue Beavers [Martha Lue Ernest] [Martha Beavers] [Martha Lue Brewster]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 29 Jul 1920
Birth Place: War McDowell, West Virginia [War, West Virginia]
Death Date: 27 Sep 1998
Father: Richard Brewster
Mother: Ida M Pruett
SSN: 235388279
Disability Status: Disability denied - no record of type.
Notes: Oct 1943: Name listed as MARTHA LUE BEAVERS;
Jun 1956: Name listed as MARTHA LUE ERNEST;
06 Nov 1998: Name listed as MARTHA L BEAVERS"
1. 1950 Census, Hawkins Co, TN; Carter Valley Rd; taken 21 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 28;
Dwelling #221.
Listed as Mary Alice Brewster; age 1; born in WV; in household of father, William A, Brewster.
2. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Bob Nuchols; 2 May 2018.
" Mary Alice Brewster Laster
Birth 3 Feb 1949
Death 25 Apr 2018 (aged 69)
Church Hill, Hawkins County, Tennessee, USA
Burial Elm Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery
Church Hill, Hawkins County, Tennessee, USA
Memorial ID 189378900"Additional Information Posted:
"Mary Alice Laster, age 69, of Church Hill, passed away on April 25, 2018. She was a daughter of the late William and Catherine Campbell Brewster."In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Janet Marie Laster; sister, Sharon Brewster; brothers, Tom Wayne Brewster and Bill Brewster.
"She was a member of Fishers Creek Missionary Baptist and attended Full Gospel Church of Jesus Christ. She had retired from Holston Defense and enjoyed her church and family time. Mary never met a stranger, she was friendly to everyone.
"Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Larry Laster; sons, Brian Laster and wife Brenda, and Bobby Brewster and wife Anja; daughter, Michele Robinson; several grandchildren, to include special grandchildren, Amber and Jacob; sisters, Imogene Brewster, and Brenda Richards; brothers, John Henry Brewster, and George Brewster; special friend, Loretta Taylor. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
"The family will receive friends on Sunday, April, 29, 2018, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Christian-Sells Funeral Home in Rogersville. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm with Rev. Luther Russell and Brian Laster officiating. The graveside service will be held on Monday at 1:00 pm in Elm Springs Church Cemetery.
"Christian-Sells Funeral Home"