Obituary of Precy Lee Blackwell (c.1918-2007)

Percy Lee Blackwell (c.1918-2007)

April 20, 2007 3:01 AM
RUFFIN — Mr. Percy Lee Blackwell, 89, of 197 Smith Road, died April 14, 2007, at his residence.

A native of Caswell County, he was the husband of the late Addie Ray Settle Blackwell, and the son of the late Mr. Joe B. Blackwell and Mrs. Lizzie Totten Blackwell. Survivors include a brother, Sandy Blackwell of Reidsville; two sisters, Elizabeth Jones and Ruby Blackwell, both of Ruffin; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a goddaughter, Jarnice Blackwell.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, at New Ephesus Baptist Church on U.S. 158. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday 30 minutes prior to the service, and at other times the family will receive visitors at the home. Viewing will be at Blackwell Funeral Home in Yanceyville from 1 to 8 p.m. today.

Source: Burlington Times News, 20 April 2007.
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Ruffin is an unincorporated community located in Rockingham County, North Carolina. It is northeast of Reidsville, North Carolina and southwest of Danville, Virginia just off US 29 (future Interstate 785).


Ruffin - Mr. Percy Lee Blackwell, 89, of 197 Smith Road died at his residence April 14, 2007. He was born in Caswell County to Joe B. Blackwell and Lizzie Totten Blackwell, both deceased. He was also, predeceased by his wife, Addie Ray Settle Blackwell.

Survivors are one brother, Sandy Blackwell of Reidsville, two sisters, Elizabeth Jones and Ruby Blackwell both of Ruffin, 5 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild and goddaughter, Janice Blackwell.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 pm at New Ephesus Baptist Church on Hwy. 158 with visitation thirty minutes prior to the service and at other times at the home. Burial was in the Church cemetery. Services were in trusted to Blackwell Funeral Home, Yanceyville.

Source: The Caswell Messenger, 1 May 2007

Obituary of John Walter Newnam, Jr. (1933-2007)

John Walter Newnam (1933-2007)

Apr 18, 2007 - 12:30:30 am CDT

RALEIGH, N.C. - John Walter Newnam, Jr., 73, of Morrisville, North Carolina died Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at Rex Health Care, Raleigh, NC where he had been a patient since March 19th. He was born December 1, 1933 in Danville, VA to John Walter Newnam, Sr. and Blanche Allgood Newnam, both deceased. Mr. Newnam lived most of his life in the Pelham, North Carolina area where he was a well known farmer. He was a graduate of Hargrave Military Academy, Chatham, VA and a veteran of the US Army serving during the Korean War. He was a 32nd Degree Mason with the Yanceyville, NC lodge.

He is survived by daughters, Bettie Newnam Moore of Raleigh, NC, and Cynthia K. Bridges of Greensboro, NC; sons, Bruce Wayne Newnam of Raleigh, NC, Randall Arthur Newnam of Pelham, NC, and Vincent Brian Newnam of Asheville, NC; a sister, Shirley Sartin of Ruffin NC, and nine grandchildren.

The funeral will be Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 2:00 pm at Swicegood Chapel with Reverend Wayne Sartin officiating. Burial will be at Lively Stones Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, April 13th from 7:00 until 8:30 pm at Swicegood Funeral Home and at other times at the home of Randall Arthur Newnam, Pelham Loop Road, Pelham, N.C.

Source: The Caswell Messenger, 18 April 2007.

Obituary of William Franklin Mise (1931-2007)

William Franklin Mise (1931-2007)

Apr 18, 2007 - 12:30:30 am CDT

LEASBURG, N.C. - William Franklin Mise 76, 1064 Highway 119 North went home to be with his Lord Wednesday April 11, 2007 at his residence. He had experienced declining health for several years. He was born in Caswell County March 20, 1931, to the late Dan Hannable Mise and Mary Hamlett Mise. He was a farmer most of his life. Educated in Caswell County, he was a member of Griers Presbyterian Church and he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Funeral services will be Friday, at 11:00 at Beulah Baptist Church, conducted by Reverend Morgan Roberts. Interment will be at Griers Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Survivors are wife, Leona Simmons Mise of the home; one daughter, Robin Elaine Mise; two sons, William Dennis Mise and wife, Gail of Leasburg and James Ronald Mise and wife, Connie of Lehi, Utah; sisters, Maggie Mise of Leasburg and Sarah Broach of Roxboro; four grandchildren; two great grandchildren; step children, Debra Stikeleather and husband Gene, Meleady Gusler and Husband Bill, Peggy Barfield and husband Travis, Pamela Reagan, Melissa Wells and husband, Dwight, Denise Reagan Parliman, James Reagan, Jr. and wife, Diane,, Bryon Reagan and wife, Donna, nineteen step grandchildren and eight step great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one son Michael Timothy Mise, two brothers "Mack" Mise and Allen Mise and one step grandson Nathan Scott Harrell.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 6-9 pm at Beulah Baptist Church on Highway 158 East and at other times at the residence. Harrelson Funeral Service is assisting the Mise family with arrangements.

Source: The Caswell Messenger, 18 April 2007.

Obituary of Ronald Ross (Ronnie) Crumpton (1940-2007)

Ronald Ross (Ronnie) Crumpton (1940-2007)

Apr 18, 2007 - 12:30:29 am CDT

YANCEYVILLE, N.C. - Ronald Ross "Ronnie" Crumpton, Sr. 66, formerly of Foster Road died Monday April 16, 2007 at Piney Forest Health Center in Danville, following several years of declining health. He was born in Rockingham County August 2, 1940 to the late James "Jim" Crumpton and Hazel Apple Crumpton. He retired from N.C. Department of Correction after thirty-two years of service, and was awarded the Long Leaf Pine Award for exceptional Service. He graduated from Bartlett-Yancey High School and attended Prospect United Methodist Church. Funeral Services will be Thursday 2:30 P.M. at Prospect United Methodist Church, conducted by Rev. David Grissom, pastor. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Gayle Stuck Crumpton, after thirty-two years of marriage, and sister Betty Andrews. Surviving are daughter Rhonda Hampton and husband Ryan of Greensboro, son Ronald R. Crumpton, Jr. and wife Sabrina of Yanceyville, two granddaughters, Abigayle and Alayna Crumpton, sisters Christine Cook and husband Wally of Pelham, Connie Griffin and husband Jim, of Newton-Conover, brothers Jim Crumpton and wife Sarah of Danville, and Mark Crumpton and wife Fran of Roxboro.

The family will receive friends Wednesday 7-8:30 p.m. at Harrelson Funeral Service and at other times at the residence of son Ross and Sabrina Crumpton, 321 Hatchett Road. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Alzheimer' s Association, 400 Oberlin Road Ste 220, Raleigh, N.C. 27605 919-832-3732. Harrelson Funeral Service is assisting the Crumpton family with arrangements.

Source: The Caswell Messenger, 18 April 2007.

Obituary of Myrtle Lee Simmons Allred (c.1914-2007)

Myrtle Lee Simmons Allred (c.1914-2007)
Apr 18, 2007 - 12:30:29 am CDT

ELON, N.C. - Myrtle Lee Simmons Allred, 93, of 1280 Milesville Rd. went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at her home after two months of failing health and a one week critical illness. She was born in Caswell County, daughter of the late John D. and Mamie Miles Simmons, and was married to the late William Preston Allred. She was a member of Concord Christian Church where she was also a member of the Women's Fellowship.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Delmar W. and Brenda Allred of Elon, John W. Allred of Burlington, Melvin D. and Patsy Allred of Elon, Claude A. and Linda Allred of Burlington; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 7 step grandchildren and sisters, Eva S. Coble of Graham, Sue S. Brooks and Doris S. Simpson, both of Burlington. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Edgar, Doake, Claude and Earl Simmons; and daughter-in-law, Connie T. Allred.

The funeral was held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Concord Christian Church by Pastor Keith Murray with burial following in the church cemetery. The family received friends at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory and at the home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Concord Christian Church c/o Doug Simmons 5730 Cherry Grove Rd. Elon, NC 27244 or to Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell 914 Chapel Hill Rd. Burlington, NC 27215. Condolences may be sent to the family at info@lowefuneralhome.com.

Source: The Caswell Messenger, 18 April 2007.

Connie B. Gay in Caswell County, North Carolina

(Click Photograph for Larger Image)

Connie Barriot Gay was born 22 August 1914 in Lizard Lick, North Carolina (about twenty miles east of Raleigh, in Wake County). He died 4 December 1989. In 1980, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. During 1940 Gay apparently was the Agriculture Extension Agent assigned to Caswell County, North Carolina.

Above is a 1940 photograph of Connie B. Gay, Caswell County FSA (Farm Security Administration) county supervisor talking to Emery Hooper* about his tractor and disc plow purchased with a FSA cooperative community service loan. The location is near Prospect Hill, Caswell County, North Carolina.

After leaving Caswell County, Connie B. Gay went on to have a successful career in the country music industry. Gay may have been succeeded as Caswell County Agricultural Extension Agent by Ralph Mimms Aldridge (1917-1993), as the Aldridge family recalls that Ralph Aldridge spoke often of Connie B. Gay.

The following is from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Website:

Connie Barriot Gay was one of country’s leading entrepreneurs of the 1950s, playing a seminal role in transforming what was still called “hillbilly” music into a modern entertainment industry in just one decade from his base in the Washington, D.C.–Virginia area. Gay was one of the first to coin the term country music, in place of the less flattering hillbilly music.

Gay got his start in radio broadcasting on the Farm Security Administration’s National Farm and Home Hour. Later, at WARL, Gay helped popularize country music in Washington, D.C., where he nurtured a vibrant, profitable music scene beginning in 1946 through the 1950s. His activities spanned TV and radio, as well as live stage shows in the blockbuster mode, using the all-purpose moniker Town & Country. His early stable of talent included the Wheeler Brothers, Clyde Moody and the Radio Ranchmen with guitarist Billy Grammer, Grandpa and Ramona Jones, Hank Penny, and a then unknown Jimmy Dean.

Gay took over the management of Dean, whom he developed into a TV star and host of the regionally popular Town & Country Time show and the short-lived CBS effort, The Jimmy Dean Show (1957–1959), until Dean and Gay split in 1959. In his heyday Gay’s steady roster of talent included, besides Dean, Patsy Cline (who made her TV debut on Gay’s Town & Country TV shows), Roy Clark, and George Hamilton IV.

In 1958 Gay became the founding president of the Country Music Association (CMA), and several years later he helped launch the Country Music Foundation (CMF). He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980. - Margaret Jones

The following is from DC Music History Website:

Connie B. Gay got his start in radio broadcasting on the Farm
Security Administration’s National Farm and Home Hour, in the 40’s. In
1946, Gay contacted Frank Blair, the Program Director of WARL
Arlington, Virginia and got a mid-day Country show. Gay took a
percentage of the advertising revenue instead of a salary and He
registered the name Town and Country. The trademark name, "Town
and Country", was instrumental in changing the image of “Hill Billy"
music to a more "uptown" one. WARL became the first urban radio
station to have a full-time Country format.

Connie B. Gay’s activities spanned TV, radio, and live stage shows,
produced under the Town and Country trademark. On October 31,
1947, he booked the DAR’s Constitution Hall for two Country shows
headlined by Eddy Arnold. Both shows were sold out with thousands
turned away. Gay started to work closely with Jim Denny the General
Manager of the Grand Ole Opry and probably the most important man
in Country music.

Through this connection, Gay was able to have the monopoly on Opry
acts for the mid-Atlantic region. The following year, he gave 26
straight sold-out shows at Constitution Hall. The shows were
broadcast regionally by WNBW-TV and other NBC affiliates. Gay was
asked to take his shows some place else. After that he took his acts
everywhere , including amusement parks, the National Guard Armory
and County fairs. In 1949 he promoted the Watergate concert, which
drew 15,000 fans , and the Hillbilly Air Show at the Bailey’s
Crossroads’ Airport.

Gay started offering weekend train tours to Nashville to visit the Grand
Ole Opry. In 1950, Gay teamed up with the Wilson Line and began
"Hillbilly Moonlight Cruises," which operated on the Potomac. Then In
September 1951, Gay staged a star-packed show at Griffith Stadium in
Washington, D.C., which included Ernest Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, Carl
Smith, Hank Snow and Flatt & Scruggs. The show drew a record
14,000 crowd. He teamed up with Denny for a six-city promotion on
New Year’s Eve, 1951.
In 1952, Gay joined forces with the Department of Defense to organize
Special Services Road Shows, which brought Country music to other
parts of the world.

Gay discovered Patsy Cline In 1954, at the National Country Music
Championships in Warrenton.
In 1957, Gay had to face up to an increasing dependency on alcohol.
He withdrew from Country music in 1959 to recover from his alcohol
dependency. He remarried in 1961 and his new wife put his money into
more cautious investments. At his hight , Gay’s radio empire included
Town and Country Jamboree, which came from the Capitol Arena,
Washington, D.C. Every week, Town and Country Time, which featured
Roy Clark and was produced for RCA and in 1957, and Country Style,
with Jimmy Dean, on WTOP-T.V. Washington, D.C.

Some of his earlier acts that Gay showcased included the Wheeler
Brothers, Clyde Moody and the Radio Ranchmen with guitarist Billy
Grammer, Grandpa and Ramona Jones, Hank Penny, and Jimmy Dean.
Gay managed Dean, who he developed into a TV host of the regionally
popular Town and Country Time show and the short-lived The Jimmy
Dean Show (1957–1959) on CBS. Besides Dean, Gay’s roster of talent
included, Patsy Cline (who made her TV debut on Gay’s Town and
Country T.V. shows), Roy Clark, and George Hamilton IV.

In 1958 Gay became the founding president of the Country Music
Association (CMA), and later he helped launch the Country Music
Foundation (CMF). He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in
1980.
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Links

Country Music Hall of Fame

WQMR

Country Music Association

Elvis on the Potomac 1956

Lizard Lick
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* Who is this Emery Hooper who farmed near Prospect Hill, Caswell County, North Carolina? One possibility is Emery McCormick Hooper (1913-1994), son of Rufus Albert Hooper (1861-1938) and Margaret Charlotte McCormick (1876-1970).
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Samuel Stone

This photograph of Samuel Stone was provided by Vic Johnson. Samuel Stone is a relative of Vic Johnson and lived in the Danville, Virginia/Caswell County, North Carolina area. Samuel was born around 1885 and was last known to be alive in 1920. He had a large family born in the area that included the following names: Fred, Lillie, Mabel, Hilda, and James. His wife was named Janie M. Williamson Stone.

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