SherRee Elicia NIELSEN

Notes:

She was killed on her 20th birthday by a drunk driver.

Buried:
Located on Find A Grave
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Nielsen&GSiman=1&GScid=422961&GRid=62861308&

Other Events:

• _UID: C41280456FAF47F7A2E94C5479CD1E60E6BF

Notes:

Sherrill started his singing career at the age of 4 singing in his local Nazarene Church in Montgomery, AL, where Mom and Dad Speer attended. Sherrill started his professional music career at the tender age of 14. He won the Mr. America Youth Singer at the Coliseum in Montgomery, AL. At age 15, he cut his first solo LP ? A Name I Highly Treasure.

He attended Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, TN. He then proudly served his country serving in the Air Force with the Air Force Strategic Command Band, Omaha, NE.

In 1961, he joined the Singing Speer Family. While with the Singing Speer Family he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. This was the stepping stone for his legendary 50 plus year career in Southern Gospel Music. Sherrill teamed up with Jake Hess and formed the Illustrious Imperial Quartet, which won him another induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

In late 1966, Sherrill moved to California and re-joined the Songfellows Quartet headed up by Bob Jones, Sr. He then moved on to the Plainsmen who was working with Gov. Jimmie Davis. Then had a solo career and later put together a group that Elvis later named VOICE. He was singing at the Grand Ole Opry when he got the call from the Elvis Presley Assn. to become Elvis? backup singer. He stayed with Elvis, as a solo act, up until Elvis? death in 1977.

Sherrill Nielsen (1975 - 1977) - sang with both the Imperials and Voice (see above), and in 1975 began backing Elvis on stage, often as a "guest lead vocal", like on "O Sole Mio / It's Now Or Never", and "Softly As I Leave You". He was also present at Elvis' last Graceland recording sessions (October 29 - November 1, 1976).

In 1990, Sherrill moved to his grandfather?s homeland of Denmark and stayed there for 14 years. While residing in Denmark, he began writing gospel music; he introduced Southern Gospel Music to the churches, performed concerts and traveled all over Europe. In 2004, he got a life changing e-mail from Houston, TX and moved to Houston in June, 2004. The life changing message was from his first love, Brenda Hall, whom he married in December 1963. They went their separate ways in 1967 and 40 years after the fact, the two love birds got back together, remarried and thus, he put VOICE back together.

He received two Legendary Awards for his dedication to gospel music, a Proclamation from the Governor of Alabama, and in June 2011 was scheduled to be honored by the Music City Gospel Showcase as ?As Pioneer and Legendary Performer?. In March, 2010, Sherrill was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. He lived his life with dignity and lived his life to the fullest.

Sherrill, an undisputed legend in gospel music, is the only person to be inducted into the gospel music hall of fame as a member of 3 different groups, The Speer Family, The Imperials and the Statesmen.

Buried:
Located on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=62861247

Sherrill married Brenda Hall [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: 94F584D4938D4A05A3DCA76FEDFAAD8B0453

Notes:

Son Sherrill Neilson, by first wife, was a famous gospel singer.

CENSUS RECORDS

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Charlie Whittaker
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1922
Birthplace: Virginia
Race: White
Home in 1930: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: William Whittaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Susie M Whittaker
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia

1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Charley Whittaker
Age: 18
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1922
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Virginia
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
House Number: 95
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members:
W M Whittaker 63
Susie Whittaker 56
Charley Whittaker 18

YEAR BOOK

School Yearbooks
Name: Charlie Whittaker
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1922
Estimated Age: 16
School: Richlands High School
School Location: Richlands, Virginia
Year: 1938
Yearbook Title: Reminiscences

OBITUARY

Charlie Lee Whitaker, 91, of Windsor, beloved husband of the late Jeannette "Jan" Whitaker, passed away Monday (September 2, 2013) in his home.

Son of the late William Riley Whitaker and Susie Mae (Lee) Whitaker, Charlie was born in Cedar Bluff, Virginia on October 8, 1921. After four years of playing football at Richlands High School in Tazewell County, Charlie graduated and enlisted in the United States Army in 1940. He honorably served during World War II in the Army Air Corps receiving the rank of Staff Sergeant in May of 1942. Upon the completion of his military service, Charlie relocated to Connecticut where he worked for Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford for many years retiring as the General Foreman.

He leaves a son, Gary L. Whitaker and his wife Margie Nolan Whitaker of Windsor; a daughter, Jane Whitaker of Windsor; a grandson, Nolan L. Whitaker; and a special niece, Frances McGlothin of Cedar Bluff, VA. In addition to his wife Jan, Charlie was predeceased by a son, Sherrill "Shaun" Nielsen, three brothers, and four sisters.

His funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday in the chapel of Carmon Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Avenue in Windsor with burial and military honors following at Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Masonicare Partners: Home Health and Hospice, 111 Founders Plaza, East Hartford, CT 06108.

Birth:
Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current
Name: Charlie Whitaker
Born: 8 Oct 1921
Died: 2 Sep 2013
State (Year) SSN issued: Connecticut (Before 1951)

Charlie married Virginia Evelyn Jackson. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: A959BB850C094A90BDC5109E90BD3A6048B5

Other Events:

• Occupation: Moonshiner
• _UID: 4782903439C04CEC85B14F6E1820C2600B65

Notes:

The DOB and DOD are what are on his tombstone. 1900 US Census Tazewell Co VA, listed him as being 21 years old, born Aug, 1878 living in the household of his father, Hiram Whitaker.

Started feud with the Altizers. Shot at Valls Creek, but not killed. Served 9 months at the Moundsville, WV prison for killing Noah Altizer.

Clinch Valley News 05 July 1940
LOCAL NEWS (TAZEWELL)

There are thirty-five or forty men in Tazewell jail for various offences. Many of them are for drunkenness. Three were added to the number Wednesday night, among them being Bill WHITAKER, of "Busthead" who is familiar with the architectural peculiarities of Tazewell's detention house. WHITAKER was arrested by Sergeant RATLIFF, and was charged with selling ABC liquor.


CENSUS RECORDS

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: William R. Whitaker
Age: 2
Birth Year: abt 1878 [1876]
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Hiram Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Jane Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Wm R Whitaker
Age: 21
Birth Date: Aug 1878
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Hiram Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Lillie B Whitaker [stepmother]
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: William Whitaker
Age: 42
Birth Year: abt 1878
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1920: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Susie M Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members:
William Whitaker 42
Susie M Whitaker 37
Joseph B Whitaker 4 years 9 months
Alice L Whitaker 3 years 9 months
Fannie J Whitaker 1 year 9 months

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: William Whittaker
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1881
Birthplace: Virginia
Race: White
Home in 1930: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Susie M Whittaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
William Whittaker 49
Susie M Whittaker 46
Joseph B Whittaker 14
Alace L Whittaker 13
Fannie J Whittaker 12
Otis Whittaker 10
Charlie Whittaker 8

1940 United States Federal Census
Name: W M Whittaker
Respondent: Yes
Age: 63
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1877
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Virginia
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
House Number: 95
Farm: Yes
Inferred Residence in 1935: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Residence in 1935: Same House
Resident on farm in 1935: Yes
Occupation: Farming
House Owned or Rented: Owned
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: $3000
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 5th grade
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 40
Class of Worker: Working on own account
Weeks Worked in 1939: 40
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: Yes
Household Members:
W M Whittaker 63
Susie Whittaker 56
Charley Whittaker 18


Birth:
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: William Whitaker
County: Tazewell
State: Virginia
Birth Date: 17 Aug 1877
Race: White

Buried:
Grave location and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=119776519

Died:
Virginia, Deaths, 1912-2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia

Name: William Whittaker
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age at Death: 84
Birth Date: 17 Aug 1876
Death Date: 21 Aug 1960
Death Place: Cedar Bluff, Tazewell, Virginia
Registration Date: 26 Aug 1960
Father: Hiram Whittaker
Mother: Jane Nelson
Spouse: Susie Mae Lee
Certificate Number: 1960022441

William married Susie Mae LEE. Susie (daughter of Joseph Calvin Lee and Louisa Haynes) was born 10 Jun 1883, Virginia; died 10 Dec 1971, Tazewell Co. VA; was buried , Whitaker Family Cemetery, Cedar Bluff, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: 37D39BFE012B453F8698C5A37A736A86B6BB

Notes:

The DOB and DOD are what are on her tombstone. She met William through her niece at an apple peeling in Tazewell.

CENSUS RECORDS

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Susie M Lee
Age: 10
Birth Date: Jun 1883
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Rich Valley, Smyth, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Jos Lee
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Louisa Lee
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Jos Lee 56
Louisa Lee 56
Vick T Lee 19
Susie M Lee 10
Manda A Lee 14

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Susan Lee
Age in 1910: 26
Birth Year: abt 1884
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Saltville, Smyth, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: J Calvin Lee
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Name: Louisa Lee
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
J Calvin Lee 65
Louisa Lee 65
Susan Lee 26
Alice Lee 22

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Susie M Whitaker
Age: 37
Birth Year: abt 1883
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1920: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: William Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members:
William Whitaker 42
Susie M Whitaker 37
Joseph B Whitaker 4 years 9 months
Alice L Whitaker 3 years 9 months
Fannie J Whitaker 1 year 9 months

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Susie M Whittaker
Gender: Female
Birth Year: abt 1884
Birthplace: Virginia
Race: White
Home in 1930: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Spouse's Name: William Whittaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
William Whittaker 49
Susie M Whittaker 46
Joseph B Whittaker 14
Alace L Whittaker 13
Fannie J Whittaker 12
Otis Whittaker 10
Charlie Whittaker 8

1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Susie Whittaker
Age: 56
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1884
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: Virginia
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Home in 1940: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
House Number: 95
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 1st year
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members:
W M Whittaker 63
Susie Whittaker 56
Charley Whittaker 18


Birth:
Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current
Name: Susie Whittaker
SSN: 225-70-3457
Last Residence: 24609 Cedar Bluff, Tazewell, Virginia
Born: 10 Jun 1883
Died: Dec 1971
State (Year) SSN issued: Virginia (1965)


Buried:
Grave location and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=119776715

Died:
Virginia, Deaths, 1912?2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia

Name: Susie Mae Whittaker
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age at Death: 88
Birth Date: 10 Jun 1883
Death Date: 10 Dec 1971
Death Place: Richlands, Tazewell, Virginia
Registration Date: 21 Dec 1971
Father: Calvin Lee
Mother: Louise Haynes
Spouse: William Whittaker
Certificate Number: 1971038541