Class of 1928

CLASS OF 1928
GALAX HIGH SCHOOL
by Judith Nunn Alley
I think that many of us would have liked the opportunity to know our parents when they were
teenagers…. to know them before we came along. I have always been fascinated by the photograph
of my mother’s graduating class. I remember her saying how hard it had been to move from one
town to another and one school to another during the middle of her senior year in high school.
When I decided to do a sketch on each member of the class I turned to the Ancestry site on the
internet and to the old Galax Gazettes that had become available on the internet. During my
research I found a family tree that included a photograph of Ruth Busic Magill. I contacted the
“owner” of the tree and asked if she would share information with me. Much to my amazement
and delight she had a copy of one of the earliest GHS student newspapers which included brief
comments about each member of the class of 1928. The first issues of the newspaper, known at
the time as the “Mountain Gale,” were printed in 1926 with Sam Boyer as editor-in-chief. The staff
of the newspaper during the 1927-1928 school term was headed by Glenn Ward Phipps as editorin-chief. “The Mountain Gale” subtitled by “Live News of a Real Good High School” featured a
senior edition in issue eight of Volume two.
Of the 19 members of the class of 1928, one was born in 1907, four in 1909, ten in 1910, two in
1911, one in 1912 (one unknown). Madeline Cornett was the first to be born, Sam Boyer was the
first to die in 1955 and Ruth Busic Magill was the last surviving member when she died in 2005.
Four lived to see the new century, three died in the 1990s, six in the 1980s, four in the 1970s ( one
unknown). All were married. Two became doctors, at least five were nurses or teachers, one was a
furniture factory superintendent, one was the manager of a car dealership, and the remaining girls
were homemakers. They were teenagers during the “Roaring Twenties” and lived through two
world wars, the depression, the Korean War, the Viet Nam War and the Cold War. They
witnessed a major change in culture when women went to work outside the home and the country
benefited from a great advancement in medicine. There were 18 presidents between 1907 and
2005 and the U. S. population exploded from 87 million to over 298 million. It is said that the
world advanced more and faster in the 20th century than any other time period…. and these 19
students were witness to all of it.
Many of the members of the class of 1928 were children of the first owners of property in Galax.
The streets in town had only been paved a few years, so it still had the appearance of being newly
settled. They also watched as Galax grew from a few muddy streets into a thriving community.
They watched as the dreams of the “founding fathers” came true.
A Scrapbook clipping reported that only eleven boys on the football team earned their “G” letter
for the 1927-28 season. Seniors Glenn Ward Phipps and Willard Stoneman were among the
group. For the first time in the history of GHS the girls received letters for Basketball. Ruth Busic
and Marguerite Phipps were among the six girls. The girls Hi Y club was also started that year.
left to right, top row: Georgia Vaughan, Glenn Ward Phipps, Madeline Cornett, Wavie Wilson, Sam Boyer, and
Eilene Ward.
left to right, center row: Virginia McCarty, Bea Messer, Helen Jones, Virginia Witherow, Thelma Collier, Marguerite
Phipps and Willard Stoneman
left to right front row: Robert Caldwell, Fay Higgins, Dora Dobyns, Vivian Dalton, Ruth Busic and Mary Ruth Bishop.
26 May 1927 Galax Gazette
June 1928 issue of the GHS student newspaper
Ruth Busic Magill
Ruth Busic was the daughter of Mont and Carrie Bryant Busic of Elk Creek. She was born 31
December 1909. She was chosen as “assignments editor” for the GHS newspaper her senior year.
Upon graduation she entered nursing training at the Johnson-Willis hospital in Richmond where
she met her future husband. Marriage records indicate she was 21 years old when she became the
wife of George T. Magill on 21 November 1930 in Petersburg Virginia. The family resided in
George’s hometown of Richmond Virginia where they were blessed with four sons and one
daughter. Mr. Magill passed away on 19 Nov 1966. When Ruth died in Richmond on 1 March
2005 she was the last surviving member of the class. Ruth was described by a daughter-in-law as
being very patient and loving to her daughter, four sons, thirteen grandchildren, twelve greatgrandchildren and one gt-gt-grandchild. “She was top notch in the Granna category.”
June 1928 issue GHS newspaper
1 Dec 1966, pg 8 Gazette
Dora Dobyns Nelms
Dora Dobyns was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Dobyns, and sister of Lillian and Dorothy
Dobyns. She was a nurse at the Galax Hospital. In May of 1944 she completed her advanced
course in nurses training at Duke University in Durham NC. A search of the early Galax Gazettes
indicated she was very active in the social life of the community, especially in the bridge circles.
She was on the staff of the Galax for a number of years but 1941 she moved to Pulaski to be
superintendent of nurses at the Pulaski Hospital. She married J. C. Nelms 18 May 1945 and their
son was born 18 May 1947. Dora passed away on 23 June 2000.
June 1928 issue of GHS student newspaper
Madeline Cornett Worrell
Madeline was daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Cornett. She attended Radford College for a year
and then taught school in Austinville Virginia according to a 6 June 1929 reprint in the 5 June
1939 issue and the 26 Sept 1929 reprint in the Galax Gazette on 25 September 1939. She was
teaching there in 1932. She became a charter member of the Galax Business and Professional
Woman’s Club on 21 December 1935. Madeline married Rev. Ernest R. Worrell, son of Mr. and
Mrs. W. F. Worrell on 11 Dec 1936. The couple moved around a lot but on the 1940 census they
were residing in Radford Virginia. The record indicated they had been residents of Galax in 1935.
The 1948 Bluefield West Virginia city directory indicated that Rev. Ernest R. Worrell was pastor
of the Graham Christian Church on Virginia Street. They later resided in the Hillsville Virginia
area because she became a member of the Garden Club and the Woman’s Club in 1969. In 1957
they were living in Madison Va. Madeline was born on 8 Sept 1907 and died May 1973. She was
buried in Felts Cemetery, Galax.
June 1928 issue of GHS student newspaper
Galax Gazette 14 December 1936
Mary Ruth Bishop Scott
Mary Ruth was the daughter of Martin Luther Bishop and his second wife Lenora Bishop. She was
half-sister to Grace Bishop and Lelia Bishop, two beloved Galax teachers. The family lived on
South Main Street in a large two-story frame house. After graduating from Galax High School
Mary Ruth attended the National Business College in Roanoke Virginia. Grayson County court
records indicate that Fred S. Scott, age 33, and Mary Ruth Bishop 24 were issued a marriage
license in July 1935. Both were residents of Galax. The Scotts maintained very close ties with their
families and made frequent trips to visit in Galax.
June 1928 issue, GHS student newspaper
Galax Gazette 4 July 1935
Fred S. Scott obituary, Galax Gazette 3 Sept 1964, pg 4
Fred Sharp Scott, 62 of 3030 S. Buchanan St., Arlington Va., formerly of Galax, passed away August 22, 1964 in
Arlington Hospital. He was the son of James Mitchell Scott and Sue Richardson Scott, both deceased.
He is survived by his wife the former Mary Ruth Bishop and a son Jim Scott, both of the Arlington residence.
Other survivors include three sisters, Mrs. M. T. Llewellyn, and Mrs. Frank Shipe of Oak Hill, W. Va. and Mrs.
Homer Welsh of Roanoke Va.
Graveside services were held August 36, 1964 at the Galax Cemetery by Dr. W. M. Bunts of Marion Va. and Dr.
D. Sidney McCarty of Mt. Airy N. C., both longtime friends of the deceased.
The family requested contributions to the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.
Out of town relatives attending were Mr. and Mrs. Edward Scott and Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Honaker of
Greensboro N.C., Mr. Guy K. Patrick, High Point, N.C., Mr. and Mrs. John Trittipoe, Fairfax, Va., Mr. and Mrs.
James Pearson, Arlington Va., Mr. George Scott, Wytheville, Va., and Mrs. Olivia Scott Lederman from Florida.
Virginia Josephine Witherow Nuckolls
Virginia was the daughter of James and Josephine Witherow of Galax. She was born 3 March 1912
and grew up in town. She served as associate editor of the GHS newspaper during her senior year.
The old Galax Gazettes reported on her busy social life of travels, school, parties and college trips.
She graduated from the University of Alabama. The 1930 University of Alabama yearbook “The
Corolla” featured the Crimson Tete Club that had been formed on 31 January 1929. The
membership was limited to 35 red headed students. They must also have tact and oratory or
musical and literary abilities. Among the founding membership was Virginia Witherow of Galax. It
was announced in the 26 March 1931 issue of the Gazette that Senator Swanson and Congressman
Burch had designated Miss Virginia Witherow as a princess for the Eighth Annual Shenandoah
Apple Blossom Festival. The Gazette reported in the 19 September 1932 issue that Virginia was
going to be teaching at the Moravian school in NC. The Galax Town Council appointed her to the
faculty of the local schools for the 1934-35 term. She was to be in charge of the 7th grade and
possibly the Home Ec class as well. In September 1935 it was reported that Virginia would be
teaching in Kingsport Tenn. for the 1935-36 school year. The following year she was back in Galax
to teach 7th grade and Home Ec again. On 22 August 1936 Virginia married Earl Nuckolls, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen N. Nuckolls of Grayson County. If the fact that the name Mrs. Earl
Nuckolls appeared 515 times in the incomplete collection of old Gazette is any indicator, she was
quite involved with community and social affairs in Galax during her adult life. She was active in
church events, the Galax Country Club where she was known to be an outstanding golfer and was a
member of many social organizations in town including the Blue Ridge Garden Club, The Galax
Music Club, and The Womans Literary Club. Virginia was elected as the first president of the
newly for Galax Womans Club in 1941. Virginia died on 8 March 1987 and was buried in Felts
Cemetery, Galax.
June 1928 issue of GHS student newspaper
Miss Witherow is Married Saturday to Earl Nuckolls
An event of much interest in Southwestern Virginia took place in Galax Saturday morning at nine o’clock when
Miss Virginia Josephine Witherow, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Witherow became the bride of Mr. Earl
Garland Nuckolls.
The interesting social event was carried out at the home of the bride’s parents on West Stuart Drive with only relatives
and a few close friends in attendance. The marriage rites were administered by Rev. D. Sidney McCarty, pastor of the
Galax Presbyterian Church.
An improvised altar before the mantel in the living room of the Witherow residence was banked with greens and
trailing white clematis. Tall candelabra holding white tapers stood on each side with flour baskets of hydrangea and
other garden flowers.
Wedding music was played by Mrs. J. Fred Witherow, of Elizabethton Tenn., sister-in-law of the bride, and during
the ceremony Mrs. Witherow played one of her own compositions.
The bride descended the stairway with her father and was preceded by Miss Alice Lee Roberson maid of honor
and only attendant. She wore a smart fall suit of brown with fox trimmings and brown accessories. Her flowers were
talisman roses. Miss Roberson wore a frock of brown lace and carried bronze variegated gladioli.
Glenn Pless was the bridegroom’s best man and John M. Cheek, Jr, Mount Airy N.C. , Jake Aaron, Danville and
Grey Anderson were ushers.
Immediately following the ceremony, the couple left for a wedding trip and will be home in Galax at the Giersch
apartments after September 1.
The bride was graduated from University of Alabama and has taught school in Galax High School and also in
Kingsport, Tenn.
The bridegroom, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen N. Nuckolls, of near Galax attended Virginia Polytechnic
Institute, Blacksburg. (Galax Gazette 24 August 1936 pg 1, pg 4)
Virginia Witherow Nuckolls, 75, of Rt. 5, Galax, died Sunday March 8, 1987 in Twin County Community Hospital.
She was born March 3, 1912 in Galax to Josephine Dufphey Witherow and James Henry Witherow. She was a
graduate of the University of Alabama and a founding board member of Twin County Community and was also a
member of its auxiliary. She taught school in Grayson and Carroll Counties and was an active member of the First
United Methodist Church in Galax.
She is survived by her husband Earl Garland Nuckolls; two sons James Garland Nuckolls M. D., and William
Eugene Nuckolls, both of Galax. Two brothers James Fred Witherow, D.D. S. Galax, and Lewis Eugene Witherow,
D. D. S. Roanoke, and 4 grandchildren.
Services were held at 11 a.m. March 10 in the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. C. Kenneth Caraway
officiating.
Burial followed in the Felts Memorial Cemetery. Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia Witherow Nuckolls Endowment for Youth at the Galax First
Methodist Church.(Galax Gazette, 11 Mar 1987, pg 6)
Marguerite Phipps Beville
Marguerite was the daughter of Franklin Con Phipps and Leota Ross Phipps of Bridle Creek in
Grayson County. She was born 2 December 1910 in Grayson County. Her siblings included Hazel
Phipps Waugh, Ada Evangeline Phipps Cassell and Cynthia Celene Phipps. She was the
Valedictorian of the Class of 1928 and graduated from Duke University in June 1932. An 8 May
1930 issue of the Galax Gazette reported that Marguerite was one of six sponsors for a series of
dances by the leading fraternities at the University of North Carolina. A 19 March 1931 item
reported that she had been elected president of her Kappa Alpha Pheta Sorority at Duke and was
also appointed chairman of the costume committee for the May Day festivities. Newspaper items
revealed she was an attendant in the Queen’s Court at May Day festivities at Duke on 7 May 1932.
She graduated in June 1932 and that fall she was appointed as assistant principal at Baywood High
School in Grayson County. She became the bride of Leon Deuel Beville on 14 April 1933. The
family appeared on the 1940 census in Marion Virginia. At that time Leon was employed as the
officer manager of a furniture factory and Marguerite was at home with their five year old son Leon
Jr. The last mention of Marguerite in the Gazettes indicated she was living with her family in
Wytheville in 1946. She died on 28 September 1988 in Marion Virginia and was buried at Rose
Lawn Cemetery, Marion.
June 1928 issue of GHS student newspaper
Death Takes L. B. BeVille Leon D. BeVille, prominent Marion citizen, died at the Smyth County Community hospital,
Marion, June 8, following a pro tracted illness. Mr. BeVille held a prominent place in the business, industrial and civic
life of the community. He was born October 11, 1902 in• Radford, and spent his early life in Portsmouth. He came to
Marion in the early 1920's as secretary to the late C. C. Lincoln, Sr., President of the Virginia Table Company. He
later arose to vice-president and treasurer of The Virginia Lincoln Furniture Corporation and as secretary and
treasurer of other Lincoln interests ..and corpora tions in the city.// Active Citizen Leon BeVille exhibited a keen
interest not only in the business life of the community but also the civic and church life of the town. He was a past
president of the Kiwanis club of Marion and past chairman of the Marion planning commission and was a member of
town council for many years. He was a member of Kazim Temple and the Elks lodge and a life long Mason, being a
member of Taylor lodge No. 23 and Royal Arch chapter No. 54. He was member of the First Methodist church of
Marion where he had served for some years on the board of stewards. He was scoutmaster of the first troop formed in
Marion, and a member of the board of directors of the Smyth County Community hospital. At the time of his death, Mr.
BeVille was in the real estate business, president of Marion Mutual Insurance Agency, Inc., vice president of Lincoln
Thea ters, Inc. and a member of the board of directors of radio station WMEV. He was always available for work in
any project that led to the betterment of his community and took a prominent place in all efforts to ob tain industry and
employment opportunities for its citizens. Widow Survives Leon D. BeVille is survived by his widow, the former
Marguerite Phipps of Grayson county; one son, Leon D. BeVille, Jr. and two grandchildren, Dana Lynne and Michael
Edward BeVille. He is also survived by his mother, Mrs. Mary Maiden BeVille, of Abingdon; a brother, W. E. BeVille,
of Marion, a.ild three sisters, Mrs. R. E Robertson of Charlotte; Mrs. J. H, Latture, of Abingdon, and Mrs. M. L.
Hanrahan, of Portsmouth. Active pall bearers were: Dr. J. S. Staley, Charles S. Wassum, Roy Gotham, John C. Tate,
Ralph L. Lincoln, Dr. Henderson Graham, David Greear and Lloyd E. Currin. Honorary pall bearers were members of
the Shrine club and members of the Kiwanis club of Marion, of which Mr. BeVille was an early member. Funeral
services were conducted by the Rev. Edgar T. Ferrell, rector of Christ Episcopal church, assisted by the Rev. Wilmer B.
Robbins, pastor of the First Methodist Church of Marion. Interment was in Rose lawp cemetery. Of Mr. BeVille many
friends point out it ca:n truly be said Marion is a better place for his having lived here.
Wavie Wilson Smith
According to Ancestry, census records and family trees, Wavie was the daughter of Fred Wilson
and Rosa Hampton. She married Dewey Counselman Smith around 1929 because they were listed
as being married one year on the 16 April 1930 census. They were residing in Speedwell Virginia
with her parents. Her father was recorded as being the foreman of a sawmill and Dewey was listed
as a truck driver, the same occupation he was to have on the 1940 census after he and Wavie had
moved to the Blairtown area of Fries Va. He was six years older than Wavie and the driver of a
gasoline truck by profession. Her name was only mentioned a few times in the old Galax Gazettes
on-line but it was evident that she was involved with the activities of the Fries Methodist Church
and the Fries Garden Club. Dewey was president of the Fries Lion’s Club in 1961, a Mason and
involved in other civic activities. Wavie was born 13 Nov 1911 and died 15 Oct 1987. Dewey was
buried in the Speedwell Methodist Cemetery with members of his family. A grave marker was in
place for Wavie but the death date was not inscribed.
Willard Gleen Stoneman
The 19 September 1932 issue of the Galax Gazette reported that Willard was going to teach at the
Oak Grove School during the 1932-33 term. Willard, one of four boys in the class, was very active
in civic affairs of Hillsville. He received a plaque from the Veterans of Foreign Wars in recognition
for his outstanding work in town, country and community activities. He was on the Twin County
Hospital Advisory Board in 1967, and a director of the Twin County Crime Stoppers. In 1936 he
resigned as Manager for the local ABC Store and left for Charleston West Virginia for General
Motors Acceptance Corp. He then moved to Hillsville where he became General Manager of the
B & L Chevrolet Company. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Virginia Automotive
Trade Association and also served as President of the 1950 Blue Ridge Automobile Dealers
Association. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sid Stoneman and the husband of Maxie Gay Young
who he married on 29 July 1935 in Grayson County.
June 1928 issue of GHS student newspaper
Beatrice Mercedes Messer Nunn
Galax High School student newspaper June 1928
Bea arrived in Galax in December 1927 so she had not grown up with the rest of her classmates.
However, this did not stop her from immediately blending in with the class. Bea, her siblings
Gertie, Ken and John were the children of John and Augusta Messer. They rented a home in the
northern section of town until the construction of their new home on the corner of Adams and
Oldtown streets was completed. Bea attended the Woman’s College of the University of North
Carolina in Greensboro. After two years she took a summer course in teaching and taught school
in Austinville where she met her future husband. She and Roy Poage Nunn of Pulaski were
married on 2 March 1931 and set up housekeeping in their new home on the west end of Calhoun
Street. They were the parents of three children, Roy Jr., John and Judy. In 1946 Bea and Poage
were divorced and she opened the Galax Gift and Decorating Shop. She helped to establish the
Galax Art Guild, the First United Methodist Church MYF, and was an active member of the
Garden Club, the Music Club and numerous bridge clubs in town. She was also the photographer
for the Theater Guild. Bea was born on 8 June 1910 in High Point NC and died on 18 Jan 1993.
She was buried in the Messer family plot in Felts Cemetery, Galax.
Beatrice M. Nunn
Beatrice Messer Nunn, 82, of Greentree Lane, Galax, died in Forsyth Memorial Hospital, Winston Salem N.C.
Monday, Jan. 18, 1993.
She was born in High Point, N. C. June 8, 1910 to John A. Messer, Sr. and Augusta Germain Messer.
She is survived by two sons, Roy Nunn, Knoxville Tenn. and John Nunn, Galax; one daughter Judith Nunn Alley,
Niceville Fla.; one sister, Gertrude Messer Cheek, Mt. Airy, N.C.; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; also
several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. today, (Wednesday) in the First United Methodist Church, Galax, conducted by Rev.
Kenneth Caraway. Burial will be in Felts Memorial Cemetery. (Galax Gazette, Jan. 20-21, 1993, page 6)
Eilene Ward Carpenter
Eilene was the daughter of Newel Monroe (N.M) and Nettie Ward, one of the “first families of
Galax.” She married Dr. W. B. Carpenter and resided in Lovettesville Virginia. There were only
four mentions of her in the old Galax Gazettes: one pertained to her husband’s hospital stay in
1964, one in 1937 when she visited her parents from her home in Richmond unmarried at the
time, and two pertaining to class of 1928 items. They were residing in Lovettsville, Loudoun
County Virginia in 1940 where Dr. Carpenter maintained his medical practice. Eilene was
approximately five years younger than her husband and they did not have any children as of April
1940. A search of “family trees” on Ancestry seem to agree with the birth, marriage and death
dates for Eilene of: birth 10 Nov 1910, marriage 16 Apr 1938 (Richmond Va) and death 25 Nov
1992.
Georgia Lois Vaughan
Very little information has been found pertaining to Georgia. She was possibly the daughter of
William A. Vaughan and Amelia Ann Wagoner. Georgia was mentioned in several articles about
the Class of 1928. She was listed as attending Radford College and among teachers in 1930 and
also on 3 Oct 1932 she was listed as a teacher in Lundy, Grayson County. At that time she was
living in Independence.
June 1928 issue of GHS student newspaper
Virginia McCarty Green
Virginia was the sister of Rev. D. Sidney McCarty, a beloved minister who resided in Galax. They
were the children of James M. and Mable McCarty and were residing in Smyth County Virginia in
1920. At that time there were nine children in the family. By 1930 Sidney was the pastor of the
Presbyterian Church in Galax and his siblings Virginia, Eugene and Katy were living with him.
Virginia attended Marion College and at some point met John Dillard Green of Bowling Green,
Virginia, who was a 1934 graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Agronomy. Information on
Ancestry indicated that they were married on 5 March 1937. In 1940 John (“Joe”) and Virginia
were residing in Fredericksburg Virginia where he was working as a county agent with the Bureau
of Agriculture. At that time Virginia was not listed with an occupation. Information indicated he
was listed as living in Bowling Green in 1935 and Virginia was listed as living in Marion. Their
daughter Virginia was three months old at the time of the 1940 census. “Find a Grave” Indicated
that Green was a Lt. in the army during WWII and was killed at Stadtkyll Germany on 6 March
1945. He was buried at Foy, Belgium but later moved to Chapelle Belgium. His grave is marked
by a simple white cross. There is also a memorial stone for him at the Lakewood Cemetery in
Bowling Green. There are few items in the old Galax Gazettes pertaining to Virginia before and
after she as married. She was mention in a 10 July 1969 issue as living in Marion and still as
Virginia McCarty Green so she had not remarried at that time.
June 1928 issue GHS student newspaper
Faye Higgins Truitt
Very little has been found about Faye Higgins Truitt. She was the daughter of Emmett and Charity
Higgins. Charity was listed as his second wife and she died on 25 March 1910. Faye’s obituary
listed her birthdate as 14 May 1910 but cemetery records indicate she was born 15 March 1910
which would be the correct date considering the death date of her mother. There was a small
clipping in the 4 September 1947 issue of the Galax Gazette (page 7) when the family thanked
their friends and neighbors following the death of their baby Mary Frances (1947-1947). The baby
was buried in the Andy Higgins Cemetery near Faye’s parents. Faye and her husband John Edgar
Truitt were buried in Felts Cemetery.
June 1928 issue GHS student newspaper
Galax Gazette
28 November 1983, pg 2
Robert Manfred Caldwell
Robert was the son of Dr. J. K. and Mrs. Hattie Caldwell who resided on West Center Street
across from the old Galax Hospital. He attended medical school and set up practice in Galax. He
moved his practice to Mt. Airy North Carolina in 1939. He married Clara Elizabeth Ponton on 26
August 1934 in Arrington Virginia. He practiced medicine briefly in Fayetteville North Carolina
according to an item in the 12 September 1935 issue of the Galax Gazette. When he moved to Mt.
Airy he took over the long established practice of Dr. T. H. Worrell and moved into the Worrell
home after Dr. Worrell and his wife returned to Virginia. The 1954 Mt Airy city directory
indicated Dr. Caldwell maintained his medical practice at 224 South Main Street and resided at
309 Franklin Street. In 1964 he was appointed president of the Surry-Yadkin Medical Society. At
that time he was also the Surry County Health Director. He died at age 80 on 21 November 1989
was buried in the Skyline Memory Garden in Mt Airy. Clara died in Charlottesville Virginia on 13
February 1998 and she and their daughter Roberta were buried in the Oakdale Cemetery, Mt.
Airy.
June 1928 GHS newspaper and draft registration card WWII
Galax Gazette
12 September 1935 pg 1
Galax Gazette
16 January 1939 p
Sam Boyer
Sam Boyer was born on 14 October 1909 to Kenny and Lula Boyer. He continued to excel in his
adult life in business and civil affairs. He was a member of the Moose and Masonic lodges, the
Lions Club, and the United Commercial Travelers. He was also well known among the musical
public through his band that provided music for round and square dancing. His “string band” was
mentioned as early as 1932 in the newspaper. In the 22 April 1935 issue it was reported that Sam
Boyer of Woodlawn won second place in the Old Fiddlers Convention with his renditions of
“Solid Front March” and “Fuzzy Rag.” It was reported that Sam Boyer was Superintendent of
Webb Furniture in the 11 March 1943 issue of the Gazette. In a special article in the 9 November
1950 issue (pg 9) of the Galax Gazette it was reported that Sam was the superintendent of Webb
Furniture Company. The company was owned by the father of his classmate Bea Messer Nunn.
Also on the staff was Sam Hampton, husband of another classmate Thelma Collier Hampton. On
13 March 1955 Sam, his wife, and her parents were tragically killed in a car accident near Galax. It
was estimated that over 5000 visited the funeral home during the visitation and over 4,000 people
attended the funeral. Sam was only 45 years old. He and his wife were buried in Felts Cemetery.
(Note: there were two Sam Boyers in the area before 1955… one who lived in Independence and one who lived in Woodlawn (class of 1928).
June 1928 issue of GHS newspaper
Thelma Lee Collier Hampton
Surprisingly, there were only eleven mentions of Thelma in the Galax Gazettes available on the
internet. She was born to Charles and Lucy Roberts Collier on 9 September 1910. She attended
Virginia Intermont College following graduation from Galax High School. After her marriage to
Sam Hampton in the early 1930s her name was frequently mentioned regarding the First Baptist
Church, the Galax Music Club and other social events. She was a very talented vocal soloist as well
as an expertise at the piano and organ. She was frequently listed as providing special vocal music at
various functions around town, civic and social. She played or sang for weddings, funerals, teas,
receptions, graduations, beauty pageants. She sang solos and in groups. She was a charter member
of the Woman’s Choral group formed in 1960. She taught piano and voice, sharing her talents
and encouraging the youth to follow in her footsteps. She died on 6 January 2001 and was buried
in Felts Cemetery, Galax.
June 1928 issue of the GHS student newspaper
Glenn Ward Phipps
Glenn Ward was the son of Dr. Zack and Mamie Phipps. He was born on 31 October 1910.
During the week of 12 September 1932 he left for Duke University to take a special course. A
photograph of Frances Graybeal appeared in the 17 June 1937 issue (page 10) announcing her
coming marriage to Dr. Phipps. In the society section of the 2 August 1937 issue it was announced
that Dr. Glenn Ward Phipps was substituting for Dr. A. N. Chaffin who was on vacation. Dr.
Phipps had served as an intern for a year at Lewis-Gale Hospital following his graduation from
medical school at the Un of Va. After working with his father for several months Glenn moved to
Independence in December 1937 where he set up his own practice. A lovely picture was included
in the 26 February 1940 Gazette (page 7) of the Independence Senior Music Club and Mrs.
Phipps was among the group. She was quite active in the civic and social events in Independence
and Galax. Glenn Ward and his wife became the proud parents of Carole Gwyn in 1940. They
built a home on West Main Street in Independence but sold it to W. H. Mundy in 1943. His wife
and daughter resided in Christiansburg while he was overseas but made trips to Galax to visit Dr.
and Mrs. Phipps. Prior to his departure for the military, Dr. Phipps served as assistant coroner for
Grayson County in 1942. He entered service as a 1st/Lt in the U.S. Army and reported to Langley
Field Va. during the week of 13 August 1942. Official records indicate he enlisted on 12 August
1942 and was released from service on 10 March 1946. During WWII Lt. Phipps was stationed at
Camp Robins, near Macon Georgia before being transferred to an undisclosed base in England.
His parents were notified in September 1943 that he had been promoted to Captain in the U.S.
Army. At the time of his father’s on 29 October 1953, Dr. Glenn Ward Phipps was residing in
Petersburg Va. They were still there in 1967.
Dr. G. W. Phipps and Miss Graybeal Married Yesterday
A wedding of outstanding interest and attractiveness was solemnized yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon at four
o’clock in Christiansburg, when Miss Frances Graybeal, Christiansburg, became the wife of Dr. Glenn Ward Phipps,
son of Dr. and Mrs. G. Z. Phipps, Galax.
For the brilliant event, instrumental music was played by Miss Daisy May Gifford of Harrisonburg, who was attired
in green organza adorned with white gardenias.
Miss LaFayette Carr, Galax, sang two solo numbers “Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes” and “The Sweetest
Story Ever Told.” Miss Carr wore blue chiffon with pink accessories. She also wore pink roses.
Harold and Jack Graybeal of Christiansburg, brothers of the bride, were ushers for the wedding and Preston
Phipps, Galax, brother of the bridegroom, was best man.
Miss Inez Graybeal, Christiansburg, were bridesmaids. Miss Luemma Phipps, Galax, sister of the bridegroom and
Miss Ella Virginia Brooks, Christiansburg, were maid of honor. Miss Graybeal, maid of honor wore pink organza with
an arm bouquet of spring flowers, and the bridesmaids wore green organza dresses and hats with arm bouquets of
spring flowers. (exactly as written)
The wedding was solemnized in Leggett Memorial Methodist Church, Christiansburg, the nuptial ceremony being
performed by Rev. Murray D. Mitchell, pastor of the church.
The bride, who is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Graybeal, Christiansburg, is a graduate of Harrisonburg State
Teachers College, Harrisonburg. She having finished the course in the spring of 1936. Before entering college, she
graduated from Christiansburg High School. She taught during the past year.
The bridegroom, after graduating from Galax High School took a four year pre-med course at Duke University,
Durham N.C. and then took a four year course in Medicine at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, receiving his
M.D. degree in the spring of 1936. For the past year he has served as an intern in Jefferson Hospital, Roanoke.
For her wedding, the bride was attired in a Bridecourt redingcote dress of white alencon lace over satin, with veil.
She carried an arm bouquet of gardenias and white roses.
The church was decorated in ferns and white lilies with white candles shedding a soft glow over the beautiful and
impressive setting.
Following the wedding, a reception was held at the home of the bride, after which the bride and bridegroom left for
an extensive bridal trip. The bride’s going away suit was of beige, with maroon accessories. After their honeymoon, Dr.
and Mrs. Phipps plan to make their home in Galax, where the former will practice his profession.
Galax Gazette, 1 July 1927, page one. (Note: this is a complete transcription of the wedding write up, included because
it represents the style of media coverage during this period)
Helen Rose Jones McGee
Helen was born to Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Jones on 1 June 1910. According to various articles in the
Galax Gazette Helen attended Martha Washington College in Abingdon. In 1932 she took a
special post graduate summer course at Emory and Henry College. While there she also
broadcasted piano concerts over WEHC. She taught 6th grade in the Galax school system and her
class had the best attendance record for the month of October 1932. Her class numbered 37 that
year. In the 23 August 1934 issue she was listed as a recent bride. Shortly before that she was in a
car accident but escaped with very minor bruises. She belonged to the Galax Music Club, the
PTA, the Galax Woman’s Club and active with the First Baptist Church where she also served as a
pianist. In 1942 she was given a leave of absence from teaching so that she could join her husband
who was stationed at Portsmouth with the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve. The McGees lived on
McArthur Street where her sister Shirley Jones Akers and her brother Walter M. Jones also
resided. Between 1950 and 1952 she spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals. At one point she
was a patient for seven weeks at the Jefferson Hospital in Roanoke. Helen died on 5 Nov 1977
and is buried in Felts Memorial Cemetery, Galax.
Vivian Dalton Lindsey
Vivian was the daughter of Everett and Locky Dalton. She was born on 14 November 1910 in
Virginia. She and her family were living on Main Street in 1920. Her brother Marcus married
Stella Collier, the sister of Vivian’s classmate Thelma Collier. The Colliers also lived on Main
Street. Vivian was the Ad Manager of the GHS student newspaper during her senior year. She
married E. Witten Lindsey son of Curtis and Daisy Lindsey. The Social Security Death Index
indicated that Vivian had died in Richlands, Tazewell County Virginia on 19 September 1972 and
was buried in Felts Memorial Cemetery, Galax. Witten died in 1978 and was also buried in Felts.
This couple was very difficult to track and very little information was found.