1. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; Geneva Steel, Sandra Long,
and Tom Hatcher; "Lacy Blankenship Vance"; Article; Page 251; submitted by Brenda Wood,
Bradshaw, WV 24817.
2. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Franklin Charlie Vance [F C Vance]
Gender Male
Race White
Birth Date 22 Jan 1951
Birth Place Bradshaw McD, West Virginia [Bradshaw, West Virginia]
Death Date 26 Nov 2000
SSN 235820705
Death Certificate Number FIX FOR "01" DOD 03/01
SSA Programs Participated In T
Notes Mar 1967: Name listed as FRANKLIN CHARLIE VANCE;
17 Apr 2001: Name listed as F C VANCE"
2. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Polly Fry Hagerman; 6 Dec 2011.
"Charlie Franklin Vance
Birth 22 Jan 1951
McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 26 Nov 2000 (aged 49)
Tennessee, USA
Burial Tom Sparks Cemetery
Paynesville, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Memorial ID 81634721"Additional Information Posted:
"Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Tabernacle of Praise at Bradshaw, W.Va., with Rev. Ancil Childress, Rev. Hershel Helton and Rev. Arvil Arwood officiating. Interment will follow in the Tom Sparks Cemetery of Rock Ridge, W.Va. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Tabernacle of Praise after 6 p.m. Wednesday where an evening service will be conducted at 7 p.m.with Rev. Roger Payne officiating. Mr. Vance, 49, of Portland, Tenn., formerly of Bradshaw, passed away Sunday (Nov. 26, 2000) in Tennessee Christian Medical Center at Portland. Born Jan. 22, 1951, in McDowell County, W.Va., he was a son of Lacy Belle Blankenship Vance of Gallatin, Tenn., and the late Charlie Vance. He was a graduate of Iaeger High School. A disabled coal miner, he had resided in Tennessee for the past six years, moving there from Jewel Ridge. In addition to his mother, survivors include his wife, Karen Kennedy Vance of the home; one son, Roger Lee Vance of California; one daughter, Mrs. Craig (Jennifer Lynn) McClanahan of Charleston, W.Va.; one stepson, Michael Anthony Kennedy of the home; two stepdaughters, Angela Beth Meyers and Jennifer Marie Ball, both of the home; three sisters, Mrs. Ben (Sharon)Cannady of Gallatin, Mrs. Timothy (Margaret) Stanley of Bristol Tennessee and Mrs. Pete (Roma) Church of Pineville, W.Va.; one brother, Mose Edward and Janalee Vance of Portland; his mother-in-law, Jeanette Kennedy of the home. Two step-grandchildren also survive. Honaker Funeral Home of Honaker, Va., is in charge of the arrangements."
1. Tennessee, U.S., Marriage Records, 1780-2002; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Roger Lee Vance
Gender Male
Age 22
Birth Date abt 1974
Marriage Date 17 Apr 1996
Marriage Place Sumner, Tennessee, USA
Spouse Kristi Veleta Toney"
1. Tennessee, U.S., Marriage Records, 1780-2002; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Roger Lee Vance
Gender Male
Age 22
Birth Date abt 1974
Marriage Date 17 Apr 1996
Marriage Place Sumner, Tennessee, USA
Spouse Kristi Veleta Toney"
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1951); page 208; WV Archives Website.
Ferrell Clarence Vance; age 19; born and living at Bradshaw, WV; single; married on 26 May 1951
at Welch, WV; Lucille Mae Mullins; age 18; born in Jenkins, KY; single; living at Bradshaw, WV; with
consent of Mythias Vance, father of Ferrell Clarence Vance; and Helen Mullins, step-mother of
Lucille Mae Mullins.
2. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; Geneva Steel, Sandra Long,
and Tom Hatcher; "Tom and Eva Jewell"; Article; Page 201; submitted by Geneva Steele;
HC 61; Box 37B; Paynesville, WV 24873.
3. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #66 462386; Ancestry.com Website.
Ferrell Vance; age 33; born and living in Bradshaw, WV; divorced in 1965; one previous marriage;
miner; son of Mythias and Louise (Cannody) Vance; married on 20 Jan 1966 in Lebanon, VA; Orpha
Lee Pruitt; age 31; born in Ashland, WV; widow; one previous married; living in Yukon, WV; daughter
of Coy and Orpha (Baldwin) Ball.
4. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Patty Greene; 25 Jul 2018.
"Ferrell Clarence Vance
Birth 27 Feb 1932
Bradshaw, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 12 May 1992 (aged 60)
Burial Tom Sparks Cemetery
Paynesville, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Memorial ID 191656882"Additional Information Posted:
"Son of Mathias Scaggs Vance (1888-1960) and Louvisa Kenneda-Vance (1890-Deceased)."Brother of Lilly M. Vance (B. 1921), Mose E. Vance (1922-1945), Charles Vance (B. 1925), Lady Lou Vance-Cooper (1928-1963), and Betty Jean Vance-Ball (B. 1936).
"Half brother of Virgie J. Mitchem-Privett (1907-Deceased), Elizabeth "Lizzie" Mitchem-Hagerman-Thomas (1909-Deceased), Marinda "Rinda" Mitchem-Van Dyke (1913-Deceased), John Vance (1912-Deceased), and Alexander Vance Sr. (1913-1970).
"Married to Lucille Mae Mullins-Vance (B. 1933) on May 26, 1951 in Welch, McDowell County, WV (per WV Marriage License Register, McDowell County, WV, 1951, Page 208, Application Date: May 23, 1951).
"Also married to Orpha Lee Ball-Vance (B. 1934) on January 20, 1966."
1. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #66 462386; Ancestry.com Website.
Ferrell Vance; age 33; born and living in Bradshaw, WV; divorced in 1965; one previous marriage;
miner; son of Mythias and Louise (Cannody) Vance; married on 20 Jan 1966 in Lebanon, VA; Orpha
Lee Pruitt; age 31; born in Ashland, WV; widow; one previous married; living in Yukon, WV; daughter
of Coy and Orpha (Baldwin) Ball.
2. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Orpha Lee Ball [Orpha L Vance] [Orpha Pruitt]
Gender Female
Race White
Birth Date 25 Mar 1934
Birth Place Ashland Merc, West Virginia [Ashland, West Virginia]
Death Date 25 Jan 1998
Father Lewis C Ball
Mother Orpha E Baldwin
SSN 236487343
Notes May 1950: Name listed as ORPHA LEE BALL;
09 Jun 1993: Name listed as ORPHA L VANCE; :
Name listed as ORPHA LEE PRUITT'
3. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Patty Greene; 25 Jul 2018.
"Orpha Lee Ball Vance
Birth 25 Mar 1934
Death unknown
Burial Tom Sparks Cemetery
Paynesville, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Memorial ID 191656900"
1. West Virginia, U.S., Marriages Index, 1785-1971; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Willis Ward Bowling
Gender Male
Spouse's Name Eula Lambert
Spouse Gender Female
Marriage Date 1946
Marriage Place Mcdowell, West Virginia, United States"
2. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by John Pratt; 26 Mar 2010.
"Willis Ward Bowling
Birth 7 Mar 1923
Tazewell County, Virginia, USA
Death 1 Sep 1978 (aged 55)
Welch, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Burial Maplewood Cemetery
Tazewell, Tazewell County, Virginia, USA
Memorial ID 50266415"
1. West Virginia, U.S., Marriages Index, 1785-1971; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Willis Ward Bowling
Gender Male
Spouse's Name Eula Lambert
Spouse Gender Female
Marriage Date 1946
Marriage Place Mcdowell, West Virginia, United States"
2. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by John Pratt; 26 Mar 2010.
"Eula Lambert Bowling
Birth 17 Sep 1924
Welch, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 5 Jan 2007 (aged 82)
Pineville, Wyoming County, West Virginia, USA
Burial Maplewood Cemetery
Tazewell, Tazewell County, Virginia, USA
Memorial ID 50266447"
1. Evans-Calfee Funeral Service; Pineville, WV; Posted Obit.
"Karen Marie Bowling of Charleston, and a proud native of Pineville, made her final metamorphosis into a butterfly headed to Heaven on April 22, 2024. She was 69."She was born on January 28, 1955, to the late Willis and Eula Lambert Bowling. She was a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pineville where she was the pianist until moving to Charleston, where she attended the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
"Karen was a much loved and dedicated kindergarten teacher before her retirement in 2012. Her classroom had always been themed according to season or project and required a U-Haul truck to move her resources back home. She was a lover of dogs, proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a passionate Mountaineer and Loved Elvis. She enjoyed music, riding rollercoasters, traveling, and attending any event where she could spend time visiting people. She was a social butterfly.
"She is survived by her brother Everett and his wife Junemarie, niece Veronica and her husband Isaiah, great niece Olivia who has inherited Karen’s ability to color coordinate her outfits and accessorize with sparkles and great nephew Brayden who inherited Karen’s ability to hold long phone conversations. She leaves behind Agnus her 8 ft giraffe and 4ft zebra who shall remain nameless.
"In keeping with Karen’s love of theme she requested that her celebration of life be an explosion of color.
"The family would like to thank Bowers Hospice House of Beckley for the care given to Karen in her final days."
1. Evans-Calfee Funeral Home; Oceana, WV; Posted Obit.
"On Monday, June 8, 2026, these country roads took Dr. Everett William Bowling,
D.D.S., to his eternal home in Heaven after battling a short illness.
Dr. Bowling was born on October 20, 1947, in Tazewell, VA to the late Willis Ward
and Eula Lambert Bowling. He was proceeded in death by his sister Karen
Bowling. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Junemarie Bowling, his
daughter Dr. Veronica Brown, his son-in-law (whom many mistake as his
biological son since they act so much alike) Isaiah Brown, and his grandchildren
Olivia and Brayden Brown."In 1955, Dr. Bowling and his family moved to “almost heaven” West Virginia. He
graduated from Pineville High School in 1965 and then pursued bachelor’s and
master’s degrees and received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from West
Virginia University School of Dentistry in 1975. While Dr. Bowling was in dental
school, a young lady caught his eye in Cavanaugh’s Cafeteria at the WVU Health
Sciences Center. A fellow dental student knew this lady and he introduced them.
Her name was Junemarie, and she worked at the hospital as a medical
technologist. Junemarie was so nervous, she spilled coffee on him several times.
This did not stop his pursuit, as they fell in love and married in 1974 and their
beloved daughter Veronica was born in 1982. After graduation from dental
school in 1975, Dr. and Mrs. Everett Bowling moved back home to Pineville. Dr.
Bowling became a partner with his childhood dentist, the late Dr. John “Sam”
Lambert Jr., where he practiced until his retirement in 2013.
Dr. Bowling was a proud lifelong resident of Pineville! He has been an active
member of Holy Cross Catholic Church since its inception in 1962. He was elected
as mayor of Pineville in 1980 and 1982. He was inducted into the Pineville High
School Hall of Fame in 1998. He was president of the Pineville Lion’s Club at the
time of his passing. Dr. Bowling truly was a pillar of the community and his
dedication to the Town of Pineville will leave a lasting impact.
Dr. Bowling was involved in organized dentistry on all levels. He was a member of
the New River Dental Society where he served as President. He also served as the
90 th President of the West Virginia Dental Association in 1996. He was a
Diplomate of the International College of Dentists as well as the American College
of Dentists. Dr. Bowling was the recipient of the West Virginia Dental Association"Dr. Robert B. Bridgeman Distinguished Dentist Award in 2020. He enjoyed going
to dental meetings and cherished the time spent with friends and colleagues.
Dr. Bowling was a lifetime member of the West Virginia University Alumni
Association and was awarded the West Virginia University School of Dentistry
Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2000. He was president of
the West Virginia University School of Dentistry Alumni Association in both 1996
and 2009. One of his proudest moments was hooding his daughter Veronica at
her West Virginia University School of Dentistry graduation in 2009. His support
of the School of Dentistry was unwavering."Dr. Bowling’s hobby and passion was Mountaineer sports, with an emphasis on
football and Blue Lot Tailgating. He was a football season ticket holder every
single year since 1975. His game day persona was “Eerman” where he proudly
dressed in blue and gold all the way down to his socks and shoes. His trademark
was a gold hat with large plastic ears sewed into the sides. He would ride around
the Blue Lot on his motorized cooler shouting “How Bout Them Eers?” and the
horn played “Hail West Virginia.” He was a big supporter of the Pride of West
Virginia, the Mountaineer Marching Band and always made it into the stadium in
time for the pre-game show. He knew the words by heart and surrounding fans in
section 218 would sing along with him. He was a charter member of the
Mountaineer Bucket Club. Dr. Bowling was the 2012 recipient of the West
Virginia University Alumni Association Paul B. “Buck” Martin Award for
preserving, maintaining, and promoting the traditions of WVU. The Eerman was
by far one of the biggest WVU fans this state has ever had! His school spirit will
be missed “From Weirton to Welch, Martinsburg to Matewan, and all points in
between.”"Of all the awards, accolades, recognition, and titles he has received over his
lifetime, being Grandpa was his absolute favorite. He loved Olivia and Brayden so
very much. He attended every game and school function possible and was so
proud of them. Even in his last weeks, he made it a point to go to Brayden’s t-ball
games and Olivia’s end of year awards."Dr. Bowling’s smile and laughter could light up a room. He was kind, generous,
and loving. He lived life to the fullest and his humor was unmatched. He loved
his family to his inner core. He shared such a special bond with his daughter"Veronica. And he took amazing care of his wife Junemarie as her health declined.
Dr. Bowling loved God and talked about how He blessed him with such a
wonderful life. Just as the song goes, a great soul has gone home. We take
comfort in knowing that Dr. Everett “Eerman” Bowling has crested down the final
hill while driving down those country roads and is now resting peacefully in the
place he belongs."In keeping up with Eerman’s love of WVU, the family has requested that his
celebration of life be a sea of Blue and Gold. No matter the heartache and grief
we are experiencing “it’s a great day to be a Mountaineer wherever you may be!”
The family would like to thank the staff at Wyoming Healthcare Center to taking
such good care of Dr. Bowling during his last week of life."In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to
Holy Cross Church
c/o Rev. Rey Landicho
111 Virginia Avenue
Welch, WV 24801
Wyoming Healthcare Center
236 Warrior Way
New Richmond, WV 24867"