U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Virginia Headley
Always on top of the fashion world, Virginia Tatje Headley was the first woman to wear pants in Portsmouth, Ohio, in the 1930s.
"She was a very beautiful woman," said her daughter, Sally Burnley. "She was homecoming queen in high school."
Mrs. Headley of Columbia died Friday, June 16, 2000, at Ashland Healthcare Inc. in Ashland. She was 85.
Mrs. Headley was born April 2, 1915, in Portsmouth, Ohio, to Alberta Spaur Tatje and Orlando Davis Tatje.
After graduating from high school, she went on to major in fine arts at Stephens College in 1935. She graduated from Ohio State University in 1939. There, she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and the Pi Lambda Theta Honorary Education Society.
Mrs. Headley taught elementary education in Granville, Ohio, and kindergarten in Indianapolis. She also lived in Los Angeles; Palm Desert, Calif., and Sarasota, Fla.
In 1940, she secretly married Nathan E. Headley, a doctor specializing in arthritis. He started the Eisenhower Clinic in Palm Desert, Calif. They went to Ashland, Ky., in order to wed since being a married teacher in Indiana was forbidden at the time.
"Their time was on the golf course," Burnley said. "I got to be their caddy."
For Mrs. Headley, her family was the center of her life. She loved her children very much and tried to teach them many things, including etiquette.
"She was very proper, so we learned our etiquette," Burnley said. "You had to hold your napkin just the right way."
A true lover of travel and history, Ireland won the heart of Mrs. Headley during one of her many travels to Europe. She loved to keep up with world events.
Services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2000 at Desert Memorial Park in Palm Springs, Calif., where Mrs. Headley will be buried.
Mrs. Headley is survived by three daughters, Melinda Headley Ewell of Colorado Springs, Colo., Jan Johnson of Capitola, Calif., and Sally Headley Burnley of Columbia; one son, Kim Tatje Headley of Capitola, Calif.; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to the Arthristis Foundation-Central MO Branch in Columbia or to Stephens College, 1200 E. Broadway.
Helen Spaulding
Helen Gregory Spaulding died Wednesday, June 19, 2000, at Lenoir Retirement Community. She was 81.
Mrs. Spaulding was born January 11, 1919, in Binghamton, N.Y., to Aurthur and G. Jenny Gregory.
She was married to Roger Spaulding in New York. Mrs. Spaulding worked at the Harvard Medical School in the public relations department.
Services will be held at a later date.
Mrs. Spaulding is survived by her daughter, Susan Spaulding of Ashland; her brother, Bud Gregory of Virginia; and sister, Kit Lambert of New York.
Her husband and a brother died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 1121 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Rafael A. Bravo
Rafael A. Bravo was an enthusiastic person, especially when it came to watching his favorite sport, soccer, with his dad. His favorite team was La Chivas.
Friends and family remember him as a very friendly and lovable person. "He was a sweet kid and we all loved him," said his aunt, Maria Carmen Aguirre. "He was very easy-going, and also a very noble person."
Mr. Bravo, 19, died Monday, June 19, 2000, in Hickory County, from injuries sustained in a car accident.
Mr. Bravo was born Oct. 29, 1980, in Hollister, Calif., to Rafael and Maria Aguirre Bravo.
Family members remember Rafael's relationship with his sister, Monica. At times he was a troublemaker, but only because he loved to joke around with her, they said.
Mr. Bravo was a waiter and cook at La Casa Grande, and he shared his enthusiasm with his co-workers, who were mostly family members.
"He really loved to work, probably because he really enjoyed being around people," Aguirre said. She also works at La Casa Grande.
The large Bravo family also remembers that Rafael's dream was to be a policeman, that he loved kids and that one of his favorite people was his Uncle Chico in California.
Mr. Bravo is survived by his parents and his sister.
A brother, Vidal Antonio, died earlier.
Visitation for Mr. Bravo will be from 7 p.m. to midnight on Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1115 Locust St. Services, conducted by Father Edwin Cole, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart. He will be buried at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mabel Caldwell
Mabel Irene Caldwell died Sunday, June 18, 2000, at her home in Columbia. She was 84.
Mrs. Caldwell was born Jan. 11, 1916, in Monroe County to John Bertram and Dora Ann Hymers. She married Robert Riley Caldwell Oct. 8, 1939, in Hannibal. The couple moved to Monroe City, where they lived from 1939 until 1982. After six years in Hallsville, the couple moved to Columbia in 1988. Mrs. Caldwell was a member of the First Baptist Church and Rebecca Lodge in Monroe City.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Riley Caldwell of Columbia; one son, Bob Caldwell of Ashland; two daughters, Barbara Coffman of Shawnee Mission, Kan. and Beverly Underhill of Columbia; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Six brothers and two sisters died earlier.
Visitation for Mrs. Caldwell will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St. Services, conducted by Chaplin Bart Larson will follow. Mrs. Caldwell will be buried at Memorial Park Cemetary. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Gail Wilson-Rogers
Gail Wilson-Rogers was a model and an actress, and she devoted her life to her children. "Her inner beauty overcame her external beauty, but the combination of the two made for a very unique person," said her aunt, Cristina Lindall of Columbia.
Gail Marie Wilson-Rogers of Duluth, Ga., died Thursday, June 15, 2000, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She was 31.
Relatives and friends described her as outgoing, non-judgmental and very receptive.
"She really touched the people she met," said her brother Robert Wilson.
Ms. Wilson-Rogers was born Dec. 12, 1968, to Dale Robert and Luz Maria Quiros Wilson. She grew up in Lima, Peru, and Columbia. She graduated from Hickman High School in 1987, where she participated in cheerleading and theater.
She was always interested in acting and was very persistent, Wilson said. Her persistence paid off when she landed a small acting role in the upcoming movie, "Remember the Titans."
Ms. Wilson-Rogers also did modeling work, mainly for hair salons. She recently completed a full-page layout for Elon Salon in Marietta, Ga. She was a contestant in the Mrs. Georgia Pageant a few years ago.
Ms. Wilson-Rogers also worked in sales.
She lived briefly in Maryland before moving to the Atlanta area where she married and had two children.
"She was a very dedicated mother," said cousin Arthur Meshach, who recalled a memory from last Independence Day. As fireworks lit up the sky, she wrapped her arms around her sons, who rested their heads on her shoulder, like a Norman Rockwell picture.
"She was so sweet with kids and so active in their development," Wilson said. Ms. Wilson-Rogers encouraged her sons to get involved in various sports and provided the support for her son, Steele, to win first place in a state art contest.
Ms. Wilson-Rogers was also a past president of the PTA in Forsyth County.
"Her children were everything to her," said her godmother, Camila Scavuzzo.
The funeral mass, conducted by Father Linus DeSantis, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1618 Ben King Road, Kennesaw, Ga.
Ms. Wilson-Rogers is survived by two sons, Hunter and Steele Rogers, both of Duluth; her mother Luz Maria Hamilton of Acworth, Ga., her grandmother, Bella Wilson of Phillipsburg, N.J.; a sister, Maria Luz Qahhat of Hallandale, Fla.; and a brother, Robert Coulter Wilson of Morrow, Ga.
Her father, Dale R. Wilson; step-father, James W. Hamilton; and a brother, Carlos Francisco Wilson, died earlier.
Memorial contributions may be made for the children of Gail Marie. Please make checks payable to Salomon Smith Barney, F.B.O. Hunter and Steele Rogers, 3333 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 800, Atlanta, Ga. 30326.
Michael Davin Smith
Michael Davin Smith, of Springfield, Mo., died Friday, June 16, 2000, at South Pointe Hospital in St. Louis. He was 36.
Mr. Smith was the manager of claims and customer service at Alliance Blue Cross Blue Shield in Springfield, Mo. He was a member of the National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield. Mr. Smith was a graduate of Moberly High School and received an associate of arts degree from Columbia College.
Visitation for Mr. Smith will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road. Services, conducted by the Rev. Joel Kidwell, will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Nilson Funeral Home. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Mr. Smith is survived by his father and stepmother, Robert L. and Carol A. Smith of Columbia, and brother, Mark Smith, two nephews and a niece of Columbia. He is also survived by stepbrother Barth Burgin of Greenwood and two stepsisters, Bonita Fitzmaurice of Columbia and Bendi Burgin of Festus and two stepnephews and one stepniece. His mother died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to The Ashland Fellowship United Methodist Church Building Fund c/o Boone County National Bank, 405 E. Broadway Ashland, Mo. 65010.
Catherine Edna Farmer
Catherine Edna Farmer didn't merely live life; she conquered it, even toward the end. After a hip injury two years ago, Mrs. Farmer continued to volunteer and participate in activities.
"She was very tough and young at heart," said her daughter, Ann Austin. "Mom loved everyone, and every day she celebrated life.
Mrs. Farmer died Friday, June 16, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 91.
She was born March 13, 1909, in St. Joseph to Matthew and Lavina Davis Plummer. In 1943, she married Brown Conklin and moved to Columbia. Nearly 15 years after Conklin died in 1965, she married Robert Farmer.
She graduated from St. Joseph Business College, but lived her life as a wife, mother and grandmother.
In her later years, Mrs. Farmer devoted her time to numerous groups, hoping her love for life would spill over into someone else's.
"She never really stopped helping others," Austin said, "Even at age 89, she continued to work with 'old people,' as she liked to call them."
She was a Pink Lady at Boone Hospital Center, where she helped patients adjust to their surroundings through conversation and emotional aid. She also worked with Columbia House Healthcare and helped out at the Columbia Senior Center. In addition, Mrs. Farmer was active in the Christian Women's Fellowship and Oakland Christian Church.
Oakland Christian Church minister Greg Robinson confessed he didn't know where to start in describing how important she was to the congregation.
"She was not merely someone who attended church. She was a part of this church, and the church was part of her," Robinson said.
He recalled the story Mrs. Farmer used to tell him about her first boyfriend leaving her and becoming a minister. "She never held it against me, though," Robinson said.
Helping others was not the only activity that occupied Mrs. Farmer's time. She always had a project in the works, Austin said, whether it was making quilts or doing embroidery work.
Visitation for Mrs. Farmer will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. today at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St. Robinson will conduct services for Mrs. Farmer at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery.
Mrs. Farmer is survived by two daughters, Ann Austin and Kay Conklin, both of Columbia; two sisters, Jane Hasten of Prescott, Ariz., and Ruth Plummer of St. Joseph; and three grandchildren.
Both husbands, four sisters and three brothers died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Columbia Senior Center, 1211 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Michael Davin Smith
Michael Davin Smith, formerly of Columbia, died Friday, June 16, 2000, at South Pointe Hospital in St. Louis. He was 36.
Mr. Smith was the manager of claims and customer service at Alliance Blue Cross Blue Shield in Springfield, Mo. He was a member of the National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield.
Mr. Smith was a graduate from Moberly High School and received an associate of arts degree from Columbia College.
Visitation for Mr. Smith will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road. Services, conducted by the Rev. Joel Kidwell, will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Smith is survived by his father and stepmother, Robert L. and Carol A. Smith of Columbia; one brother, Mark Smith; two nieces and a niece, of Columbia; a stepbrother Barth Burgin of Greenwood; two stepsisters, Bonita Fitzmaurice of Columbia and Bendi Burgin of Festus; and two step-nephews and one step-niece. His mother died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to The Ashland Fellowship United Methodist Church Building Fund, in care of Boone County Bank, Ashland, Mo. 65010.
