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THE SMITHS OF ABRAHAM, W.VA.
George Washington Smith Jr., Emily Alice Vandall
and Emma Catherine Biars
Updated Dec. 16, 2024. West Virginia Vital Research Records recently changed its site. Most links here won’t work (I am trying to switch over) but you can still access the information by going directly to the Vital Records page.
Smith -- origin of surname. Smithers, Smithson, Smythe. English - occupational from Middle English meaning "smith," referring to a worker in metal, one of the most important crafts, giving rise to one of the most common surnames. (“The Wordsworth Dictionary of Surnames,” Terry Freedman & Iseabail Macleod, 1997, Wordsworth Editions, Hertfordshire, Page 224.) Smith, Smyth, Smythe (Eng.) r.w. Smith (O.E.) Blacksmith, spearsmith, nailsmith, arrowsmith, or other medieval trade name. (“What’s in a Name? Surnames of America,” La Reina Rule & William K. Hammond, 1973, Pyramid Book, New York, Page 386.)
George Washington Smith Jr.
George Washington Smith Jr. was born on June 30, 1860, in Meadow Creek, Raleigh County, W.Va., a son of George Washington Smith Sr. (1826-1862) and wife Catherine (Kate) Bennett (1825-1904). There were 10 children in the family: Frances “Franky,” Nancy Jane, Mary Ann, Barbara, Martha, William Ballard, General Marion, Ervin (Irvin), Jacob, and George Jr. Photo of George.
George W. Smith Jr. was a prominent member of the Abraham community in Richmond District, Raleigh County. He was named postmaster of Abraham when the post office was organized in 1907. He was the postmaster for 35 years until his death. His successor was daughter K. Golda Fox. (Abraham Post Office Once Site of Booming Business, Beckley Post-Herald, Aug. 9, 1974, Page 13.)
“[George] engaged in farming for a time, taught school, served as assessor and operated a store and served as postmaster and owned the Abraham post office (building)," according to family historian David Arnold Smith. "George Jr., Ervin and Marion Smith ran a large merchandise store called Smith Brothers at Abraham. George stocked everything anyone desired and people would ford New River or come across by ferry and walk three miles up the mountain from Meadow Creek to buy their wares. The family also operated a grist mill, saw mill. Nearby was the one-room Smith School. G. W. Smith Jr. was named deacon of New Salem [Missionary] Baptist Church on 21 Oct. 1886. G.W. Smith Jr. and Jackson Plumley paid the pastor for past services.”
The Smith brothers’ mill was convertible. “This old-time mill manufactured lumber most of the time – but on Saturdays it was rigged for grinding meal from the corn brought in by farmers.” (Yesterday And Today In Sawmill Operation, The Register and Post-Herald, Beckley, W.Va., Saturday, Oct. 17, 1959, Page 8.)
1911. “ABRAHAM. Smith Brothers are doing a large business at this writing. Our town is building up rapidly, the latest additions being a large store house and a fine grist-mill, also several dwellings.” (The Raleigh Register, Beckley, W.Va., July 6, 1911, Page 2.)
George Washington Smith Jr. married two beautiful women, Emily Alice Vandall in 1881 and, after Emily’s death in 1905, Emma Catherine Biars in 1908. George and Emily had nine children. George and Emma had seven.
His daughter Eda Smith Ellison wrote in 1996, “The farm was his [George’s] first home. It had 100 acres. Built with some logs and other material. There were nine children. Their mother [Emily Alice Vandall] died leaving several young. All stayed with Mom [George’s second wife Emma] except two oldest were married. They lived in a room in [the] store while building the house where we were born and reared. He kept the P.O. and store for about 35 years. After two strokes he had to give [the post] office over to [daughter] Golda.”
George, 21, married Emily Alice Vandall, 17, on Dec. 18, 1881, in Fayette County, W.Va. (Marriage record.) They had nine children: Bertha Jane Smith Surbaugh, Bessie Smith Arthur, Glenville E. Smith, Wayne Smith, Arthur Jackson Smith, Ada Smith Martin, Ola Ernest "Oley" Smith, Charles Ota (C.O. "Smitty") Smith Sr., and Emily Mae Smith Hutchinson. Emily Vandall Smith died on Jan. 2, 1905, in Raleigh County. (Emily's death record.)
George, 48, married Emma Catherine Biars Thompson, 30, on Aug. 5, 1908, in Raleigh County. (Marriage certificate.) They had seven children: Kay Golda Smith Fox, Pearl Lora Smith Gwinn, Eda Flora "Edie" Smith Ellison, Earl George Smith, Everett Abraham Smith, Carl Eugene Smith and Ernest Sidney Smith.
Nina Vest Worley, then married to Percy Bennett, was a neighbor to George and wife Emma in Abraham, W.Va. Nina's sister Golda Vest was married to their son Earl George. In March 1992, Nina wrote a letter to niece Eva Smith that contained family history including the following:
"Mr. Smith [George Washington Smith Jr.] bought a truck (pickup) before he died say 3 yrs. Every time [his son] Earl and Golda used it to go home in he would tell them to take Nina. I thought a lot of him, I often think about getting to go home because of him. I guess that (is) where your dad [Earl] got his good deeds from. Mrs. Smith [Emma Biars Smith] liked me and after he [her husband George] died she was so lonely about 3 or 4 times a week she came down to my house and (ate) the evening meal with me. I have often wondered why she would eat at my home. I wasn't a good cook, didn't have much to eat like she did, nevertheless she was a faithful visitor and I really loved her. What she thought she said and lots of people didn't like it but she wouldn't lie so they couldn't stay angry long. Ha. Mr. Smith had a mill (grind corn) he had a grocery store and was postmaster. So they had plenty. No one could really say anything mean about them. Your Aunt Pearl [Pearl Smith Gwinn], I dearly loved and she was beautiful, kept an immaculate house…Mr. Smith was the one who would always do things for people – just like your daddy [Earl George Smith]. That could have been the reason he was so prosperous. You children lacked for nothing."
George Washington Smith Jr. died on April 6, 1940, in Raleigh County. Obituary. George, Emily and Emma are buried in the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Abraham. Find A Grave pages: George W Smith Jr. Emily V Smith Emma Smith Runyon
Emily Alice Vandall
Emily was born Oct. 18, 1864, in Fayette County, W.Va., a daughter of Joseph Dan (Joel) Vandall (20 Jan 1824/February 1901) and Elizabeth “Betty” Fox (born March 1825). The family name has also been spelled Vandle. Joel and Betty had 12 children, Emily, Ruth, Virginia M., Charity Ann, Elizabeth L., James A. “Jim,” Sarah E., Thomas A. “Tom,” Sabina L. “Sibby,” William J. “Billy,” Rennick Price, and Ophelia “Ginerva.” (Information from Vandall Family History page, Third Generation.)
George, 21, married Emily Alice Vandall, 17, on Dec. 18, 1881, in Fayette County, W.Va. Emily, 40, died on Jan. 2, 1905, near Pear in Raleigh Co. of "interstitial nephritis," a kidney disorder, complicated by tuberculosis. Photos: Emily and George. George and Emily's family.
Children of George and Emily
BERTHA JANE SMITH SURBAUGH. Born Dec. 28,1882, in Raleigh County, W.Va.; died July 18, 1941, in Summers County, W.Va. (Death record. Obituary.) She married Wade E. Surbaugh on Nov. 29, 1905, in Raleigh County. (The source of the marriage date is Marriage Records of Raleigh County West Virginia 1850-1910 compiled by Ronald Ray Turner.) Wade was born around 1880 in Summers County, W.Va., a son of Francis Marion Surbaugh and wife Elizabeth C. Duncan. (Wade's birth record says he was born on April 21, 1880. But his World War I draft card and death record say he was born on Dec. 16, 1880. The 1900 Summers census says Dec 1879.) Wade died on Aug. 25,1940, in Hinton, Summers Co. (Obituary.) He was a brakeman for Chesapeake & Ohio Railway for almost 40 years, working out of Hinton and owned a farm in Raleigh County. (Source: Roger Surbaugh.) Wade and Bertha had three children: Emma Elizabeth Surbaugh, born Sept. 20, 1906 (birth record); Thelma Jerushia Surbaugh, born April, 28, 1908 (birth record); and Harry Wade Surbaugh, 1910-1956. (Death record. Obituary.) Bertha, Wade and Harry are buried in Greenbrier Burial Park, Hinton, Summers County. Bertha, Find A Grave Memorial# 76016864.
BESSIE SMITH ARTHUR. Born in November 1884 in New, Raleigh County. (November 30 according to her death certificate, and November 20 according to her funeral card.) Bessie married Oliver James Blaine Arthur on July 4,1905, in Raleigh County. Oliver was born on June 21,1884, in Fayette County, W.Va., a son of Charles Franklin “Frank” Arthur and Amanda Treadway Arthur. (The source of the marriage date is Marriage Records.) She died on Dec. 9, 1955, in Raleigh County. (Obituary.) Oliver died on April 2, 1968, in a local hospital after a long illness. (Obituary.) Bessie and Oliver are buried in the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church cemetery in Abraham. Bessie's photo, funeral card and obituary are here: Find A Grave Memorial# 21382204. Bessie and Oliver had nine children: George Franklin, James Ernest, Russell Blaine, Edith V., Eva V., Henry D., Nannie B., Nerma Gladys, and Jocie Helen. Go to the Bessie Smith Arthur page for more information.
GLENVILLE EVERETT SMITH. Born March 15, 1886, in Abraham, Raleigh County, W.Va; died Feb. 12, 1952. in Hinton Hospital, Summers County, Hinton, W.Va. He married Lucinda Franklin Gwinn in 1910 in Summers County. (Marriage record.) Lucinda, born Aug. 15, 1891, in Lockbridge, Summers County, was a daughter of Alexus Laben Martin Gwinn and wife Elizabeth Ann Stickler. Lucinda died on Nov. 10,1979, in Lockbridge. Lucinda and Glenville had 15 children: Elsie Virginia, Beatrice Elizabeth, George Everett, Cecil Lawrence, Basil Arthur, Mildred Irene, Mabel Evelyn, Glenville Muriel, Harriett Isabelle, Lois Edith, twin daughters who died shortly after their birth, Jesse Franklin, Madalyn Rose and Shelvia Jean. (Information and photo provided by Shelvia.) Glenville and Lucinda are buried in the Dequasie Cemetery, Lockbridge, Summers County. Photo of Glenville and obituary here: Find A Grave Memorial# 76742496
WAYNE SMITH. Born Aug. 14, 1888, in Raleigh County; died in July 1911 of a gunshot wound. Wayne's tombstone says he died in 1913 but I found a 1911 article about his death that year. He married Parthena Davis on Aug. 29,1910. (Marriage record.) Wayne was buried in the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Abraham, W.Va. Article, Accidental Shooting, The Raleigh Herald, Beckley, W.Va., Thursday, July 20, 1911, Page 1. Find A Grave Memorial# 21382206.
ARTHUR JACKSON SMITH. Born 15 Oct 1890 in Raleigh County; died 24 May 1956, in Hinton, Summers County. He married Rufina M. F. Plumley on 30 Oct 1912. Mrs. Smith (b. 11 Mar 1895/d. 26 Sep 1936) was a daughter of Jackson Plumley and Minerva Richmond. Arthur and Rufina had eight children: Clyde A. Smith, Forrest Gladwell "Frosty" Smith, Theodore P. Smith, Roy M. Smith, Margaret Smith Bragg, Imogene Smith Gwinn, Mary Ellen Smith Richmond, and Anna Mae Smith Cales. (Sources: obituaries and Our Families, Larry G. Shuck, 1995, Gateway Press, Baltimore, Md., Page 125.) Arthur J. Smith obituary. Death certificate. Arthur: Find A Grave Memorial 21382807. Rufina Smith: Find A Grave Memorial# 21382810:
ADA (IDA) SMITH MARTIN. Born Nov. 18, 1892, in Raleigh County; died March 9, 1970, in Huntington, Cabell County, W.Va. Her name is Ida Martin in the Social Security Death Index and her obituary. Birth record. Ada's obituary is here: Find A Grave Memorial# 121713222 - Woodmere Memorial Park, Huntington. A descendant e-mailed some information about Ada's life. Ada lived in Cabell County for 60 years and worked at the Frederick Hotel, one of Huntington's finest hotels, as a pantry girl. (Link to Frederick Hotel history on Clio.) Ada married Harry Martin Sr. She and Harry had a son, Harry Martin Jr., born on Feb. 14, 1916/died in Feb. 28, 1981 (SS Death Index and obituary). The 1920 census for Huntington Ward 2, Cabell, has Harry, 4, living in the Mary Kilgore household as a ward. Harry Jr. married Elaine A. Harry Jr.: Find A Grave Memorial# 45434058: Woodmere Memorial Park.
OLA ERNEST "OLEY" SMITH. Born Feb. 4, 1894, in Abraham, Raleigh County, W.Va., died Nov. 7, 1974, in West Virginia. At the time of his death, Oley was a resident of Danese, W.Va. He was a retired Chesapeake and Ohio Railway conductor, a member of the New Salem Baptist Church, Abraham, and a member of Laurel Masonic Lodge No. 104. Among his survivors were his wife Nellie Kincaid Smith, two sons and four daughters.(Sources: Ola Smith's Funeral Set, 9 Nov 1974, Page 11, and Ola E. Smith, Page 3, Post-Herald/Raleigh Register, Beckley, W.Va., combined weekend edition.) Photo, obituaries and photos of grave markers at: Find A Grave Memorial 21382797 - New Salem Missionary Baptist Church cemetery, Abraham, W.Va. Oley married Nellie Kincaid (1896/1992), daughter of Samuel T. Kincaid and Estaline Luvernia Vance Kincaid, in 1919 in Raleigh County. Marriage record. Article from Nina Vest Worley album: Nellie Smith birthday honoree. Nellie Kincaid Smith: Find A Grave Memorial 21382804 Oley and Nellie had nine children: 1. Mabel V. Smith, born May 1, 1920, married Ralph Leslie Morse in 1948, Cabell Co., W.Va., marriage record. 2. Charles Earnest Smith, a baby, born Oct. 9, 1923/died Nov. 11, 1923, in Raleigh Co., W.Va., Death record, Find A Grave Memorial# 21382195, New Salem. 3. James Edward Smith, born Dec. 20, 1921, Abraham/died July 17, 1973, in Bradley, W.Va., after a car accident. Married Mary Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of Olen and Bertha, in 1948 in Raleigh County, marriage record. Photo, World War II. Obituary at Find A Grave Memorial 115421187, Sunset Memorial Park. 4. Oley Arnold Smith, born June 5, 1925/died Sept, 29, 1999; married Marjorie Louise Morris (1927-2002). Photo: Find A Grave Memorial# 1195581. West Virginia National Cemetery, Grafton, Taylor Co., W.Va., Plot: 1, 0, 394. 5. George Donald Smith, born 10 Jun 1928, Prince, Fayette Co./died July 14, 2016, Raleigh Co. (NOTE: Both Donald's obituary and an entry in "Our Families" by Larry G. Shuck, Page 138, have his birthdate as June 10, 1928. However, the West Virginia, Births Index, 1804-1938, FHL Film Number 584756, has his birthdate as May 17, 1928.) A photo and his obituary are online here: Find A Grave Memorial 166956499 , New Salem. 6. Nellie Ruth Smith, born 07 Mar 1930 at Prince, Fayette Co./died Sept. 4, 2016, Beckley, Raleigh Co. Her obituary is here: Find A Grave Memorial 169443665, Fox Cemetery Crickmer, Fayette Co. Nellie married Winfred Theodore "Tink" Kincaid (1925-2012). Tink's obituary is here: Find A Grave Memorial# 121531162 Fox Cemetery. 7. Thelma Mae Smith, born Oct. 16, 1932, in Prince, Fayette Co. (West Virginia, Births Index, 1853-1969. FHL Film Number: 584756)/ died May 16, 1984, in Kanawha Co., W.Va. Find A Grave Memorial 112875635, Sunset Memorial Park, Raleigh Co. 8. Harley Sherman Smith, a baby, born 23 Feb. 23, 1933/died Feb. 23, 1933. Find A Grave Memorial# 21382197 New Salem. 9. Katie Jo Smith, born Sept. 27, 1939, in Danese, Fayette County, W.Va. (West Virginia, Births Index, 1853-1969 . FHL Film Number: 584757).Katie passed away at Bowers Hospice House in Beckley, Raleigh County, W.Va., on March 29, 2018. Photo. Obituary. Find A Grave Memorial 188417519
CHARLES OTA (C.O. "SMITTY") SMITH SR. Born May 23.1897, in Raleigh County, W.Va.; died on Dec. 13, 1978, in Hinton Hospital, Summers Co., W.Va. His half brother Everett A. Smith called him “Oat.” On Aug. 17, 1915, C.O. married Flora Lee Arthur, daughter of Charles William Arthur and wife Caroline "Callie" Janney. C.O. was a locomotive engineer and for several years served as constable for Richmond District in Raleigh County. Campaign article - 1956. Flora was born on Sept. 19, 1895, at Turkey Knob, Fayette Co., W.Va., and Aug. 21, 1990 in Beckley, W.Va. Article (1977, Raleigh Register) about Flora's childhood home, the Arthur farm: Forgotten Americana – 109-Year-Old Farm Defies Urban Sprawl. C.O. and Flora are buried in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Their obituaries are posted here: Find A Grave Memorial 112600820 and 112600807. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had nine children: 1. Louella Ethel Smith Goodson, born Dec. 7, 1915, Oswald, Raleigh Co./died July 9, 1997, in Florida. (Social Security Death Index.) Married Everett Ray Goodson in 1945 in Raleigh Co. Marriage record. Louella and Everett are buried in Highland Memory Gardens Forest City, Seminole Co., Fla. Find A Grave Memorial 173505367. 2. Rachel Marie Smith Richmond, born Aug. 20, 1917, at Abraham, W.Va./died Jan. 2, 2014, W.Va. Obituary. Married Billy E. Richmond (1915-2016). Rachel and Billy are buried in Sunset Memorial Park. Find A Grave Memorial 122778220. 3. Juanita Flora Smith Fitzgerald born July 17, 1919, in Abraham, W.Va./died June 3, 2007, in Florida. Married to Varden Fitzgerald who died in 1993. Juanita and Varden are buried in Chapel Hill Cemetery Orlando, Orange Co., Fla. Juanita's obituary: Find A Grave Memorial 120625256. 4. C.O. Smith Jr. born Jan. 8, 1921, in Abraham/died Nov. 17, 2013, at his home in Beckley, W.Va. Obituary. C.O. married Norma Lee Richmond in 1945 in Island Co., Washington. C.O. was buried in Sunset Memorial Park, Raleigh Co. Find A Grave Memorial 120496643 5. Jesse Sebird Smith, born Nov. 1, 1923, in Abraham/died March 22, 1991, in Baltimore, Md. Obituary. He married Frances Kathleen Ball in 1946 in Raleigh County. Marriage record. Jesse is buried in Meadowridge Memorial Park Elkridge, Howard Co., Md. Find A Grave Memorial 118944308. 6. Carrie Eileen Smith Mann, born July 16, 1924, in Abraham/died April 8, 2013 at the Raleigh Center, Daniels, W.Va. Obituary online. Married Fred Franklin Mann in 1950. Marriage record. He died in 1959. Carrie is buried in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Find A Grave Memorial 108242412. 7. June Elizabeth Smith Westfall, born June 23, 1929, at Abraham; died Aug. 8, 2003, in her home at Hinton, W.Va. She was married to Wesley Hayden “Buster” Westfall (1925-2016). June and her husband are buried in Restwood Cemetery, Hinton, Summers County, W.Va. Memorial includes photo: Find A Grave Memorial# 165390663. 8. Dempsey Rudolph Smith, born March 13, 1931, in New, Raleigh County/ died July 26, 2001, in Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital. Obituary He married Norma Jean Bailey in 1952 in Nicholas County, W.Va. Marriage record. Dempsey is buried in New Salem MB Church cemetery, Abraham. Find A Grave Memorial 21382793. 9. Robert Noel Smith, born on Sept. 9, 1934, in Abraham/died Nov. 7, 1995, in a Beckley, W.Va., hospital. Obituary. Married Nellie Maxine Kincaid in 1953 in Raleigh County. Marriage record. Photo of Robert and Nellie. Robert is buried in Sunset Memorial Park Beckley, Raleigh Co. Plot Highlawn 18-34 Flat Section. Find A Grave Memorial 112845561.
EMILY MAE SMITH. Born Jan. 25, 1900, in Raleigh County; died March 15, 1952, in Raleigh County. Obituary. Her half brother Everett A. Smith spelled her name “May.” According to Our Families, Page 125, Emily was married to Ezra Huffman, George Surber and William Everett Hutchison. Emily Mae Smith, 20, married E.S. Huffman, 34, in 1920 in Summers County, marriage record; Emily Huffman, 28, widow, married George Surber, 23, widower, in 1930 in Summers Co., marriage record; and Emily Surber, 40, divorced, married W.E. Hutchinson, 44, divorced, in 1942 in Summers Co., marriage record. William's obituary. Emily and William are buried in Fairview Baptist Church Cemetery Forest Hill, Summers Co., W.Va. Find A Grave Memorial 71277043.
Emma Catherine Biars
Emma was born on July 20, 1878, in Harrison Township, Gallia County, Ohio, a daughter of Gustava “Gus” Biars and his wife Catharine "Kate" Kraus. Gus and Kate were German-speaking immigrants who came to America in the 1860s. They had six children: Emma, Christopher William, John Phillip A., Augustus, Frederick and Henry. (Go to Smith/Biars Page 3 for more information on Emma's parents and brothers.) Photo of Emma.
Emma Biars' first husband was Charlie Thompson, according to family members. Emma Biars, 22, single, employed as a servant, was still at home in Ohio with her parents in 1900. (Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Clay, Gallia, Ohio; Roll: T623_1271; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 26.) So, it looks like Emma Biars married Charlie Thompson some time after June 1900 when the federal census was taken. The marriage ended in divorce.
In September 1908 in the bride's Raleigh County, W.Va., home, Emma Biars Thompson, 30, married George Washington Smith Jr., 48. Marriage record of Emma and George.
The family story is that George, a widower with nine children, did not plan to have more children with his second wife. He assumed that Emma could not have children. C.O. Smith Jr., a grandson, said George remarked that Emma – beautiful and childfree – was the kind of woman he had been seeking. As the saying goes, "Man plans, God laughs." George and Emma had seven children.
George died on April 6, 1940, in Raleigh County.
In 1944 Emma married Harrison Maynard in Raleigh County. Marriage record. According to family members, it was not a happy marriage. I don't know if Mr. Maynard died or the marriage ended in divorce.
When Emma's grandson Bobby Earl Smith died in March 1946, the obituary listed her as Emma Maynard.
So, at some point after that, Emma then married the Rev. Andrew W. Runyon, known to me as Grandpa Andy. Photo of Andy: Emma Biars, Andy Runyon, and four of her seven children (1950s). (Thank you, Katherine N.) He died in 1960. Andrew Runyon obituary. Andy’s obituary says he was a son of William and Mary Runyon. The 1880 U.S. census lists Andrew W. Runyon, 7, in the household of William and Arrisby Runyon of Logan County, W.Va. (Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Hardee, Logan, West Virginia; Roll: 1406; Family History Film: 1255406; Page: 261D; Enumeration District: 073.)
I believe Andy was married four times: to an unknown first wife; Elizabeth “Bettie” Canterbury; Eliza Frye and Emma Biars Smith. Andrew married Elizabeth "Bettie" Canterbury in 1899 in Mingo County, W.Va. Marriage record. The 1900 census lists Andrew and Elizabeth, married one year, with an infant son, Ezekiel Runyon, born in February 1900. There are three older children in the household, presumably born to a first wife whose name is unknown: Emily Runyon, born January 1893; Harre Runyon, born Jun 1894; and William Runyon, born Mar 1896. Andrew worked at a sawmill. (Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Hardee, Mingo, West Virginia; Roll: 1766; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0088; FHL microfilm: 1241766.) He married Eliza Frye in 1921 in Mingo County. Marriage record. Andrew’s daughter Dorothy Marie Runyon was born on 24 Feb 1924. Dorothy married Erville Elmore Richmond (obituary). She died 23 May 1973 in Hinton. Her obituary lists a foster mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Meadows.
Emma Biars (Smith) Runyon died on Aug 26, 1967, in a Fayette County, W.Va., nursing home. (Mrs. E. Runyon Succumbs At 89, The Post-Herald, Beckley, Aug. 28, 1967.) She was buried in the New Salem Missionary Baptist Cemetery, Abraham: Find A Grave Memorial# 21382815.
Additional photos: 1. Emma at Abraham, W.Va. 2. Emma, children, stepchildren and grandchildren. (Thank you, Katherine N.) 3. Smith children & grandchildren -- brothers Everett, Carl and Ernest Smith and two of their sister K. Golda Smith Fox's children, James and Dorothy Fox, in a wagon. 4. George Smith Jr. family. If you have corrections or additions to the IDs, please e-mail me. And if you want a copy without the "ink," let me know. 5. Emma and grown children 1. 6. Emma and grown children 2
Children of George and Emma
KAY GOLDA SMITH FOX. Born 23 Sept. 23, 1909, in Abraham, Raleigh County, and died June 11, 2009, in Raleigh County at 99 years old, the last surviving child of George W. Smith Jr. Obituary. She married Euell Emory Fox ( June 14, 1900/Aug. 30, 1968) in 1927. Euell was a son of Rancelor Fox and wife Rosa Ella Buckland. Golda and Euell had three children, Dorotha Gene Fox Plumley, who died in 2001, James Euell "Jimmy" Fox, who died in 2001, and Katherine Fox Nicholas. Mrs. Fox was postmaster at the Abraham Post Office for many years and was the subject of several news articles. Photos: 1. Rancelor Fox and William Marion Bennett. 2. Fox family photo -- Rosa Fox (wife of Rancelor) and family. 3. Golda Fox at the Abraham, W.Va., Post Office, 1974. Golda, Euell, Jimmy and Dorotha are buried in the New Salem MB Church cemetery, Abraham. Golda: Find A Grave Memorial# 21398860
PEARL LORA SMITH GWINN. Born 01 Oct 1910, Raleigh County; died 19 Jan 1962, Raleigh County. Birth announcement. She married Hubert Maynard Gwinn (1907-1965), son of Enos Gwinn and wife Mary Plumley, in 1933 in Fayette County, W.Va. Marriage record. To my knowledge, Pearl and Hubert never had children. Photos: 1. Pearl Smith as a girl. 2. Pearl as a young woman. 3. Two photos of Pearl. (Thank you, Katherine N.) Pearl and Hubert Gwinn.Pearl and Hubert are buried in New the New Salem MB Church cemetery, Abraham. Pearl: Find A Grave Memorial 21382286
EDA FLORA "EDIE" SMITH ELLISON. Born Feb. 11, 1912, Abraham/ died June 30, 2003, Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital, Raleigh County. Edie's obituary. Edie married Horace Benton Ellison (October 1909, Pluto, Raleigh County/17 March 1956, Pinch Creek Road, Pluto). In 1956 Horace died from injuries sustained in a fight. Edie and Horace had three children: Charles, Glen and Patricia. Edie and Horace are buried in Meador Cemetery, Pluto, Raleigh County. Photo: Eda. Eda: Find A Grave Memorial# 38635462
EARL GEORGE SMITH. Born March 21, 1914, Abraham/died 07 April 1986. He had a heart attack while driving to Beckley to see his physician. Earl's obituary. Earl married Golda Mae Vest on Dec. 26, 1934, in Summers County. Golda, a teacher, was a daughter of Leonard Haliburton Vest and his wife Emma Stella Gadd. Golda's obituary. (For a list of Golda's siblings, go to Emma Stella Gadd: Gadd Page 2) Earl built their first home at Abraham. They later lived at Jumping Branch in Summers County then bought the Vest farm on White Oak Mountain in Raleigh County from Golda's parents. The elder couple built a new house nearby on the property. For years the Vest/Smith home ("the yellow house") was a way station for travelers crossing the mountain and there are many stories about people who took shelter there. Earl spent most of his working life as a coal miner and died from black lung. He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America. Golda, a graduate of Concord College, Athens, W.Va., taught in Summers and Raleigh counties. They were members of the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Abraham, and later transferred membership to the newly formed White Oak Missionary Baptist Church, White Oak, W.Va., where Earl was a deacon. Earl and Golda were honest, hardworking Christian people. Earl died first and Golda never stopped missing him. Golda died on Feb. 23, 1991, in the Ironton, Ohio, home of her daughter Ellen. Earl and Golda had four children: Billy Lee, Bobby Earl, Emma Ellen and Eva Mae. The couple and sons Billy and Bobby, who died in childhood, are buried in Smith Cemetery on their White Oak Mountain farm. Ellen Smith Lutz, who died in 2017, is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Coal Grove, Lawrence County, Ohio. Earl: Find A Grave Memorial 38583403
CARL EUGENE SMITH. Born Sept. 17, 1916, Abraham/died July 31, 1995, Beckley, W.Va. Carl married Bessie Mae Kincaid on 24 Jan 1947. Marriage record. Bessie was born on Dec. 28, 1924, a daughter of Samuel "Pete" Kincaid (1898-1974), also known as Sammie or Samie, and wife Sadie Adkins (1906-1986). Bessie died on Nov. 25, 1993, in Charlottesville, Va. Carl and Bessie had a son, Hershell. According to Carl's obituary in the Beckley newspaper, he "was a disabled World War II U.S. Army veteran, having received the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He was a lifelong member of the DAV Chapter No. 18 and was of the Baptist faith." Photos: 1. Carl in his Army uniform. 2. Carl and Bessie. 3. Carl. Carl and Bessie were interred in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum of Faith, Beckley. Carl: Find A Grave Memorial 38635860.
EVERETT ABRAHAM SMITH. Born March 1, 1918, Abraham/died March 5, 2003, at Montgomery Elderly Care, Fayette Co., W.Va. In 1939. Everett married Iva Violet McDaniel (05 Jan 1920/12 Dec 2000 ), daughter of Horace Greeley McDaniel and wife Bicy Ruhama "Hamie" Williams. Iva and Everett's marriage record. Everett and Iva had six children: Boyd, Gary, Darrell, Harold, Brenda Kay and Patricia (Patsy). Photo: Everett, Earl and Ernest. Everett and Iva were buried in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow, W.Va. Everett: Find A Grave Memorial 38636168.
ERNEST SIDNEY SMITH. Born Dec. 1, 1919/ died March 27, 1978. Ernest's obituary. He was a retired coal miner and a veteran of World War II. Ernest married Macie Mildred Meadows on March 15, 1941. Macie (June 10, 1923, at Pluto, W.Va./Aug. 26, 2005, Shady Spring, Raleigh County, W.Va.) was the daughter of the late H. Sanford Meadows and Stella Ward Meadows. Ernest and Macie had four children: George Ernest, Jo Ann, Gene and Linda Louise. George died in June 1998 and Linda Smith Nugen in June 2013. Photo: Ernest and Macie. Ernest, Macie, George and Linda are buried in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Ernest: Find A Grave Memorial 112258952.
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