This page is closed. For more recent obituaries, please see page 26.
Nancy Ellen Scott, age 62, of Grandview, West Virginia, died Thursday, May 27, 2010, at the Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley, West Virginia, following a long illness. Born on April 25, 1948, at Piney View, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Luther Clifford and Grace Neely Clifford. Mrs. Scott was retired with 33 years of service with the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, as the Personnel Officer for the Institute for Water Resources at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She had made her home in Fairfax County, Virginia, for 37 years, returning to West Virginia in 2007. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Orville Clifford, and Christopher Clifford, who died on May 26, 2010. Survivors include her husband, James Scott of Grandview, West Virginia. 3 Sisters, Rosalee Donelow of Beech Island, South Carolina; Linda Twomey and her husband Dennis of Old Orchard Beach, Maine; Marilyn Schneider and her husband Larry of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 4 brothers: Robert Clifford of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania; Charles Clifford and his wife Joy of Chicago, Illinois; Donald Clifford and his wife Judy of Beckley, West Virginia; and Victor Clifford and his wife Tammy of Houston, Texas. Many nieces and nephews also survive. Joint services with her brother, Christopher Clifford, will be held at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley, West Virginia, on Saturday, May 29, 2010, today, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Cecil Smith officiating. In keeping with Mrs. Scott’s wishes, her body will be cremated. Online condolences may be sent to our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association in memory of Mrs. Scott. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, West Virginia. [WWHS Class of 1966]
Christopher Clifford, age 73, of Beckley, died Wednesday May 26, 2010 at the Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley, following a sudden illness. Born on February 17, 1937 at Wrights, W.Va., he was the son of the late Luther Clifford and Grace Neely Clifford. Mr. Clifford was disabled, and lived most of his life at Piney View. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Orville Clifford. Survivors include four sisters, Rosalee Donelow of Beech Island, S.C., Linda Twomey and her husband Dennis of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, Nancy Scott and her husband James of Grandview, Marilyn Schneider and her husband Larry of Fredericksburg, Va.; four brothers, Robert Clifford of Sinking Spring, Pa., Charles Clifford and his wife Joy of Chicago, Ill., Donald Clifford and his wife Judy of Beckley, Victor Clifford and his wife Tammy of Houston, Texas, and many nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley, West Virginia on Saturday May 29, 2010 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Cecil Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens at Prosperity. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Friends and family members will serve as pallbearers. Online condolences may be sent to our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry. net Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley. [WWHS Class of 1955]
On Sunday morning, May 16th, 2010, surrounded by her loving family, Mary Katherine Scarafino passed away peacefully at the Bowers Hospice House following a short illness. She was in her 81st year. A twin, Mary Katherine Boblett was born on February 26th, 1929, at Piney View, the 5th of ten children born to the late Henry and Lola Hutchens Boblett. Her sister Ruby Huffman and brothers Ronce, Tom, Bob, Ken and James Boblett preceded her in death. Mary Katherine, as she was known affectionately all her life, spent her childhood at Piney View. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. While in her twenties she was working at Montgomery Ward when she was introduced to a handsome Italian widower, Martin Scarafino. They would marry in 1955 and Mary Katherine was blessed to have a son, Samuel Martin, come into her life. They settled in Crab Orchard where she has been a resident the past 55 years. To this marriage three more sons and a daughter would be born. Martin Scarafino died on April 16, 1997. A vivacious lady, Mary Katherine never met a stranger. She always had a smile for everyone. She was a member of the Orchard Valley Women’s Club, Women of the Moose, active in the Raleigh County Sheltered Workshop, the League of Democratic Women, the Degree of Honor, and Senior Friends. In 1974 Mary Katherine converted to the Catholic faith and became a devoted member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. She loved to cook and cross stitch. When her children recall their mother, they said, “Mom always put everyone first, ahead of herself in life, she was devoted to her family.” Proverbs 31:28 “Her children arise up and call her blessed…” and they did. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Anna Scarafino-McDaniel of Newport News, Va., her sons, Samuel Martin Scarafino and his wife Pamela Ann of Crab Orchard, Jerry Scarafino and his wife Alice of Charlotte, N.C., Charlie Scarafino and his fiancée Leslie Ann Saunders of Kannapolis, N.C., and Paul Scarafino of Dublin, Va.; she was the doting “Grandma” of grandchildren: Brian, Jeremy, Stephanie, Josh, April, Justin, Anthony, Brandon, Christopher, Deirdre and John, the proud great-grandmother of Tyler, Colton, Jeremiah, Justin Blake II, Carmine Anthony, and Antonio James; the dear sister to her twin, Christine Jennings of MacArthur, Vera Snyder and Pete Boblett and his wife, Rita, all of Piney View; a large extended family of nieces, nephews, many friends, her church family; and also her late husband’s niece, Doris Scarafino of Troy, Mich. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 19th, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Church with Fr. John Duhaime as celebrant. The Rite of Committal will follow at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in the Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today, Tuesday, at the Melton Mortuary Chapel. A Vigil Prayer service will be conducted at 8:30 p.m. by Rev. Mr. Donald Wise. Pallbearers will be: Andy Moscarito, Leo Porreca, Tim Snyder, Ronald Jennings, Mark Boblett and Steve Snyder. The family suggests that donations of sympathy can be made to the Bowers Hospice House, PO Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802. Condolences may be sent to the family’s guestbook at www.meltonmortuary.com. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
On Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 our beloved Larry D. Williams of the Raleigh Heights Addition, (Parkway Street) Beckley died at the University of Pittsburg Medical Center following a long battle with lung disease. The fourth of five children, Larry Dale Williams was the only son of the late Howard Hamilton and Clarice Buckland Williams. Born on December 6th, 1938 at Long Branch, he was 71 years of age. His youngest sister, Dreama Williams preceded him in death. Larry’s early childhood was spent at Pax, a place, that would always be special in his heart. The Williams family moved to Beckley settling on Fulton Avenue where he would graduate from Woodrow Wilson High School, class of 1957. While in high school, Larry met Judy Bowers. This past January, they celebrated 50 years of marriage. He attended Beckley College. Larry Williams was born to be a salesman. He had a very genial personality that was a great asset in his work. A shoe buyer for the May Company in Cleveland, Ohio, his association with them would last for 20 years. In 1976 he settled with his family in Newton Falls, Ohio where he opened Williams Shoe Store. While in Ohio he was active in the Gethsemane Lutheran Church where he was an elder and president of the church council. He enjoyed fishing on Lake Erie and golf. Upon his retirement from the shoe business, he became a district representative for the Aid Association of the Lutheran Church. Larry and Judy returned to Beckley in 1991. They are members of the First United Methodist Church on South Heber Street. Larry and Judy were blessed to have three children. They are survived by their daughter, Laura Dale Pirsig and her husband, William of Glastonbury CT; their sons, Andrew Howard Williams, retired Army Special Forces of Godwin, NC and MAJ Stephen Justice Williams, US Army and his wife Alicia of Ft. Sam Houston, TX. Larry was proud of his children. He was the doting “Grandpa” of Meghan Elizabeth and Samuel William Pirsig, Linda Lloyd, Paul Odom, Scott Williams, Sierra Cook, Siobhan Gomez, Kayla Cain, Olivia and Emily Williams; the great grandfather of Aishlyne Jeana Gomez; he was the dear brother of Virginia Karagis of Naples, FL, Mary Pugh and her husband Edgar of Eccles and Phyllis Zita and her husband Dan of The Villages, FL; several nieces and nephews, among them Arnold Karagis and Greg Goins who always stayed in close touch with their uncle; his loyal, sheltie, Dougal who was always by his side. Larry had a great affection for his in-laws, the Bowers family throughout his life. Although Larry has not been well for many years, he loved life and the people around him. He enjoyed his neighborhood immensely over the years. He was proud of his “Pax Roots,” enjoying the Pax Reunion and had a great interest in the Upper Paint Creek Water Association. This Friday, May 14th at 1 p.m. we will remember the life of Larry Williams with a service of thanksgiving at the First United Methodist Church, 217 South Heber Street. The Rev. Dr. Robert Stoddard will be officiating. The family will receive friends from noon until the hour of the service. A repast will follow at the Williams home, 201 Parkway Street. The family suggests that donations of sympathy can be made to the Upper Paint Creek Water Association, PO Box 412, Pax, WV 25904 or go online to, www.paxflood.com And so now we must say goodbye to a very good man. He was first a son, then a sweet brother, a loving husband, a devoted father, “the best Grandpa” a good neighbor and friend to his fellow man. He shall be remembered. Condolences may be sent to the family’s guestbook at www.meltonmortuary.com Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Margaret Ann Cook Bostic. Margaret passed away at the Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility on April 23, 2010, after a long illness. She had been a guest at the Wesley Village Campus since 1994. Margaret was born April 10, 1923, in Terry, West Virginia, the daughter of Margaret Ellen Bair Cook and H.F. Cook. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, class of 1941, Beckley, West Virginia. In 1952, Margaret and family moved to Columbus, Ohio. She was an avid Ohio State football and basketball fan. She also enjoyed Cincinnati Reds baseball and was a great bowler. The loves of her life were her daughter Ann and her two grandsons Jerry and Jeffrey Ray. Margaret was a Department Manager at the J.C. Penney Company, Columbus, Ohio, retiring in 1988 after 38 years of dedicated service. She received numerous awards for her salesmanship and customer service. After retiring, she moved to Kingston, PA to be near her family. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Bill, Carl, Ray, and infant grandson, Michael Matthew Ray. She is survived by her only child, Ann Ray of Kingston, PA, grandsons, Jerry Ray, King of Prussia, PA, Jeffrey Ray and wife Linda of Allentown, PA., three great-grandchildren, Jeffrey and Matthew Ray and Amber Walko-Ray, nieces and nephews, and her long time "Penney Buddy", Jerry Ray Sr. of Amelia, Ohio. She was a devoted, generous, and loving mother and grandmother. She will be sadly missed by everyone that knew and loved her. "Thank You" to the wonderful staff at Wesley Village who took such amazing care of her over the years and Heartland Hospice Care who also helped care for her. There will be no public viewing. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements will be completed by McCune Funeral Home in Mountain Top, PA. Interment will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township.
James Lee (Jim Wood) Wood Jr. of Beckley died Monday, May 3, 2010. He was 85 years old. Born April 12, 1925, in Herndon, Wyoming County, he was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, class of 1943, and the University of Kentucky, class of 1947, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon social fraternity. He had been a resident of Beckley since 1939. Wood was a former managing editor of the Beckley Post Herald and the last editor of the Raleigh Register, predecessors of The Register-Herald. For 10 years he wrote a twice weekly newspaper column, “The Wood File.” A member of the Raleigh County Historical Society, the Fayette-Raleigh Counties Genealogical Society, and the Writers’ Group at the Raleigh County Public Library, he was the author of the 724-page “Raleigh County, West Virginia,” a history of the county published by the historical society, and the “Raleigh County Mine Deaths 1891-2000,” a 214-page history of the county’s mine fatalities. His history of Beckley’s Wildwood Cemetery was included in a booklet on the cemetery published by the historical society. He also wrote histories of the Wood and Snuffer families. His unpublished works include “Where’s the Body?” a 90-page tale of newspaper life in a small West Virginia town (Beckley), and a documented paper on the Indian Warpaths in Raleigh County. For many years he transcribed part of the Smith-Riffe Collection of New River Genealogy and History for the genealogical society. The son of the late James Wood Sr. and Tressie Snuffer Wood, he was also preceded in death by his former wife, Joyce Balding Wood, and his sister, Charlotte Wood Hampton of Charlotte, N.C. He is survived by his brother-in-law, Varge Hampton of Charlotte; two nieces, Mrs. James (Victoria Hampton) Blaine of Atlanta, Ga., and Mrs. Eric (Lisa Hampton) Kolb of Chapel Hill, N.C., and their husbands; a nephew, James Scott Hampton and his wife, Wendy, of Greensboro, N.C., two grandnieces, Amanda Kolb of Chapel Hill and Holly Hampton of Greensboro, and a grandnephew, Brent Kolb of Chapel Hill. At his request his body was cremated and there will be no service. Condolences may be sent to the family’s guestbook at www.meltonmortuary.com. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley, W.Va.
Elizabeth A. “Betty” Jones,
73, of Prosperity passed away Friday, May 7, 2010. Born October 31,
1936, in Kanawha County, she is the daughter of the late Howard and
Orpha Higginbotham.
Elizabeth enjoyed gospel music, TV and working crossword puzzles. She
is a 1954 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Elizabeth worked for
Beckley Manufacturing from 1954 – 1972.
In addition to her parents, Elizabeth is preceded in death by her
husband Kenneth R. Jones.
Those left to cherish her memory include her 2 sons, Kenneth R. Jones,
Jr., of Beckley and Jeffrey A. Jones of Beckley; daughter Kelli A. Ames
and husband John of Beckley; 5 grandsons, Joshua and Justin Jones,
Jesse Miller, Zachary and Nicholas Ames; great-granddaughter Maddison
Elise Jones; 3 sisters, Judy Lucas, Carolyn Jennings and Helen
Williams; and brother Douglas Higginbotham.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at the Sprague
Freewill Baptist Church with Pastor Freddie Lovell officiating. Burial
will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Joshua Jones, Justin Jones, Jesse Miller, John
Ames, Roger Ewing and Kevin Voiers.
Friends may gather with the family Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Blue
Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at
www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive,
Beckley, W.Va.
Ruby Iris Vann, 83, of
Atlanta, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Ruby was
born in Mullens, West Virginia. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High
School in Beckley, West Virginia. She attended the University of
Virginia Nursing School in Charlottesville, Virginia graduating with an
RN degree. She worked as a nurse at the VA Hospital in Beckley, West
Virginia prior to transferring to the VA Hospital in Atlanta. She later
attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham graduating with a
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) degree. She went to work
at the Emory University Department of Anesthesia where she stayed until
her retirement 38 years later. She was extremely proud of her
profession and especially loved working with the students and residents
in training. She was a member of Morningside Presbyterian Church and
loved to garden, flowers and reading. Ruby was preceded in death by her
parents; Otha and Mary Ellen Peters, brothers; Clifford Peters and
Dennis Peters, sister; Vivian Wyatt, husband Lt. Martin V. Pollock and
her beloved son Steven Vann. She is survived by her daughters; Kathy J.
Smith of Atlanta and Connie Bradford of Norcross, six grandchildren,
four great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends,
two cats, Yoda and Tux. The family of Mrs. Vann wishes to give a
special thank you to Dr. Stephen Clements, Lilibet Choate, NP and the
doctors and nurses of the 5E ICU at Emory University Hospital for their
wonderful care of Ruby. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, April
28th at 1:00 P.M. in the chapel of A. S. Turner & Sons with Rev.
Dr. R. Bruce Meyer officiating. Interment Floral Hills Memory Gardens.
Contributions may be made in her memory to the Atlanta Humane Society,
981 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, GA 30318. The family will receive friends
from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at A. S. Turner & Sons.
[WWHS Class of 1944; Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
CHARLESTON — Gregory T. Poole, 31, of Charleston, W.Va., died April 21, 2010. Born April 11, 1979, in Lanark, W.Va., he was the son of Joann Poole and the late Edmond L. Hannah. Mr. Poole was employed with HPS Company, Inc., in Charleston, W.Va. He was a 1997 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He was preceded in death by his father, Edmond L. Hannah, and a brother, Anthony C. Poole. Left to cherish his memories include his wife, Ebony Starr Poole, of Charleston, W.Va.; mother, Joann Poole, of Lanark, W.Va.; grandmother, Delores Hannah, of Stanaford, W.Va.; mother and father-in-law, Sherman and Desirrea Wilkerson, of Huntington, W.Va.; a daughter, Khyia M. Hopkins Poole, of Richmond, Va.; a sister, Charlene (Chris) Poole Rudder, of St. Albans, N.Y.; two stepsisters, Stephanie (Willie) Ellison and Tomeka Collins both of Beckley, W.Va.; two stepbrothers, Derric (Tonya) Hannah, of Winston Salem, N.C., and Shane Collins, of Beckley, W.Va.; brother-in-law, Jonathan Sturkey, of Huntington, W.Va.; two nephews, William S. Poole, of Ontario, Canada, and Matthew J. Ellison, of Beckley, W.Va.; two nieces, Morgan C. Rudder, of St. Albans, N.Y., and Dela´ Ja Sturkey of Huntington, W.Va.; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, extended family and friends. Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at the Heart of God Ministries, South Kanawha Street, Beckley, with Bishop Fred T. Simms and Pastor Debor Smoot officiating. Mr. Poole will be laid to rest at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. David Moore, John Moore, Aaron Hannah, Shane Collins, James Moore, and Timothy Hannah will be serving as pallbearers. Friends may gather with the family from 11 a.m. until time of the service Tuesday at the Heart of God Ministries. Online condolences and other information can be found by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhome.com. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is in charge of the arrangements.
Thomas Howard Keyser, 84, of Beckley, died Friday, April 16, 2010, at Raleigh General Hospital following a brief illness. Born August 18, 1925, in Beckley, he was the son of the late Albert Roy and Sada Smith Keyser. Tom was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, class of 1943, and graduated from Virginia Tech and Milwaukee School of Engineering. He served during World War II in the Marine Corps, Pacific Theater. He was the President of Maxwell and Keyser Plumbing and Heating in Beckley for 30 years. Survivors include his wife, Pamela Trent Keyser; one daughter, Sandra Keyser Carson, Jacksonville, Fla.; one son, John Trent Keyser, Beckley; and two grandsons, Dale Christopher Carson, Jacksonville, Fla., and Thomas Benjamin Carson, Los Angeles, Calif.; one sister, Mary Lou McShane and husband Bill of Glasgow, Ky.; nephews, Tom and Kenny McShane, and niece, Melanie McShane Carson. He is also survived by brothers-in-law Tod W. Trent and wife Irma, Uniontown, Pa., and Meredith O. Trent and wife Etheline, Beckley, niece Gale Kirby, and nephews Bruce, Meredith Lee and Kevin Trent. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, April 19, 2010, in the Beckley Presbyterian Church, 203 South Kanawha Street, with the Rev. Robin Debnam and Dr. William dePrater officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to service on Monday. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main St., Suite 203, Beckley, WV 25801, Beckley Presbyterian Church, 203 S. Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801, or The Humane Society of Raleigh County, P.O. Box 115, Beckley, WV 25802. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
On Saturday, April 10, 2010, our beloved Allen Richard Van Horne II of Stanaford Acres passed away at the Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital. The oldest of three children, “Rich,” as he was affectionately known by his family, was the son of the late Allen and Ferndale Shrieve Van Horne. Born on March 16, 1941, at Wheeling, he was 69 years of age. His younger brother, Ralph Jay Van Horne, preceded him in death. Mr. Van Horne grew up in St. Clairesville, Ohio, and Mullens where he attended Mullens High School, Woodrow Wilson High School and Davis & Elkins College. He excelled in sports. Recently retiring from the W.Va. Dept. of Mine Health Safety and Training in Oak Hill, he had worked for 25 years as a safety instructor. Serving numerous capacities in the mining industry, Allen had been an underground miner, federal mining inspector and mine rescue trainer for Westmoreland Coal Company. An avid sports enthusiast, he was a die-hard fan of the WVU Mountaineers. Left to cherish his memories are his family, his loving wife of 49 years, the former Shirley Heaberlin; he was the proud father of Katherine Lynn Van Horne of Centreville, Va.; the dear brother of Susan Van Horne Dunst and husband Tom of Unionville, Va.; “Rich” was very fond of Shirley’s family, the Heaberlins, Donald “Johnny” F. Heaberlin Jr. and his wife Karen of Lebanon, Ohio, Bill Heaberlin and his wife Debby of Huntington, Katy Heaberlin Southgate and her husband Paul of Remington, Va.; nephews, Russell Gross II of Richmond, Va., and Michael Heaberlin of Huntington; a brother-in-law, Gary Heaberlin, preceded him in death; a host of other relatives survive along with many friends and former co-workers. On Wednesday, April 14, at 11 a.m. we will remember the life of Allen Richard Van Horne at the Melton Mortuary Chapel. The Rev. David Trump will be officiating. Burial will follow in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens at Prosperity. The family will receive friends 6 to 9 p.m. today, Tuesday, at the mortuary, and one hour prior to the services on Wednesday. Pallbearers will be Rusty Gross, Mike Heaberlin, Keith Wagner, Jon Natz, Paul Brown, Charles Vannatter, Bill Tucker, Randy Smith, Jim Bennett, Phil Adkins and Terry Casto. The family suggests that donations of sympathy can be to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20004. Condolences may be sent to the family’s guestbook at www.meltonmortuary.com. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
RICHLANDS, Va. — James (Jim) Malin Shaffer, age 77, of Richlands, Va., passed away Friday, April 9, 2010, at his home following a brief illness. A native of Beckley, W.Va., he was the son of the late Robert L. and Anna Vipperman Shaffer. He was a retired U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and was a Bronze Star recipient. He retired from Ingersoll Rand in 1991 where he was superintendent of the Rebuild division. He was a member and Worthy Patron of the Richlands Eastern Star # 104, a member of the Richlands Masonic Lodge # 318 and the Knights Templar. He was a member of the American Legion and the Reynolds Ridge Community Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Kirby Shaffer; three brothers, Robert Shaffer, Jackie Shaffer and Teddy Shaffer; and one sister, June Shaffer Moore. Jim is survived by his wife Sandy (Sadie) Shaffer; Three daughters, Sandra Thornton and husband Eddie; Lela Acord and husband Buddy and Sheena Vandall and husband Bo all of Beckley, W.Va.; One stepdaughter, Lonica Deskins and husband Harold (Opie) of Bristol, Va.; One stepson, Shawn Cole and wife Martha of Reynolds Ridge, Va.; One brother, Jerry Shaffer and wife Maxine of Beckley, W.Va.; Eight Grandchildren: Gary Moten, John Martin, Greg Acord, James Acord, Nichole Ricottilli, Amber Ricottilli, Isaac Cole and Tyler Cole; 13 Great-grandchildren: A.J. Moten, Josh Moten, Jordan Moten, Kadence Martin, Blake Martin, Tyler Acord, Haley Acord, Kierra Acord, Jayden Acord, David Ricottilli, Archie Lilly, Gabriel Wood and Charlie Richmond. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, April 12, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, Va., with Pastor Paul David Crawford and Lonnie Perkins officiating. Burial will follow in the Fox Cemetery at Reynolds Ridge, Va. Pallbearers will be Family and Friends. Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by the Casey-Short V.F.W. Post 9640. The Family will receive friends at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff, Va., from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday with Masonic and Eastern Star services at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Reynolds Ridge Community Church, 1392 Reynolds Ridge Road, Bandy, VA 24602. Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.SingletonFuneralService.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Shaffer Family. [WWHS Class of 1951]
CARLSBAD, New Mexico — Lucie Caroline Yarbro, 67, a native of Beckley, passed away April 2, 2010 in Lakeview Christian Home, Carlsbad. Lucie Caroline (Withrow) Yarbro was born on August 18, 1942 in Beckley, to the late Carlos and Frances (Mathews) Withrow. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley in 1960. Lucie was a sales associate for more than 15 years for Wal-Mart. She loved traveling with her family before finally settling to retire in Loving with her husband, Bill Yarbro, who preceded her in death on April 20, 2008. She loved camping with her family in Durango, Colorado and was extremely proud of her daughters. Lucie was also extremely proud of being from West Virginia and made sure everyone knew she was from “hillbilly” country. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Yarbro; brother, Carl Withrow; niece, Beth Ann Withrow and nephew, Robert Withrow. She leaves behind her daughters: Laura and husband, Mark Bunn of Chino Valley, Ariz., Lesley Najera of Roswell, NM; two sisters, Mary Louise Hindle and husband, Roger of Shrewsberry, W.Va., Elinor Midkiff of Belle, W.Va. She will be greatly missed by her grandsons, Mason, Ethan, Keith, and Aidan. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Juvenile Diabetic Association, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com. A memorial of her life is scheduled for 10 a.m. today, Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel, 1001 North Canal Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220, 575-885-6363, with Chaplain Terry McKean officiating. Arrangements by Denton-Wood Funeral Home, Carlsbad.
Mary Lucy Lilly Snuffer, age 88, of Daniels, went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 2, 2010, at the Bowers Hospice House following a long illness. Mrs. Snuffer was born on July 26, 1921, in Beckley, and was the daughter of the late Noah and Bessie Thomas Lilly. Mrs. Snuffer was a lifelong resident of Beckley, and had made her home with her daughter at Daniels, for the past two years. Mary was a homemaker, and the loving mother of four children and nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in 1939, and was a former member of the Maxwell Hill Baptist Church at Maxwell Hill. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, May Warden, Maude Tucker, Merle Tingler; by brothers, Kyle Lilly, George Lilly, Alvin Lilly, and Landis Lilly; by her husband, Albert Snuffer; and by a daughter, Ella Mae Snuffer Cole. She is survived by one living sister, Betty Lilly Williams of Columbus, Ohio. Surviving are her children, Eugene Snuffer and his wife Linda of Orlando, Fla., Sandra Snuffer Farley and her husband Norman of Daniels, and Larry Snuffer of Beckley. Her grandchildren: Lena Miller, Mary Jo Burleson, Christy Meninger, all of Beckley, Janelle Snuffer Liska of Groveland, Fla., Denise Snuffer Ufer of Sorrento, Fla., Cathy Loveday of King, N.C., Rene Schafer of Mooresville, N.C., Duane Farley of Windsor Locks, Conn., and Eliza Snuffer Pudder of Beckley. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley, with Pastor Harmon Davis, the Rev. Andy Davis, and Mr. Eugene Snuffer officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today, Tuesday, at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be members of the family and friends. Online condolences may be sent to our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Southern WV, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802-1472. in memory of Mrs. Snuffer. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley.
Harry Dean Craghead, 62, of Mt. Tabor Road, Beckley, died Sunday evening, March 28, 2010, at Raleigh General Hospital following a sudden illness. Born March 18, 1948, in Mullens, he was the son of the late Paul J. Craghead and Clarica Robertson Craghead. Harry was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and had attended Beckley College. For more than 38 years, Harry worked as a plumber and pipefitter throughout West Virginia, and was a member of the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 625, Charleston. Harry was a very plain and simple person; he was devoted to his family, loved his grandchildren and enjoyed working on the farm and raising his animals. Harry was a member of the AF & AM Masonic Lodge #95 of Beckley. Those left to cherish his memory, his loving and caring wife of 38 years, Donna Faye Cochran Craghead of Beckley; three children and spouses, Traci Lynn and Larry Williams of Beckley, Christopher Todd and Thelma Craghead of Forest Hill, Paul Nicholas and Kim Craghead of Speedway; his pride and joy, his eight grandchildren, Meghan, Nathan and Larry Evan Williams, Todd and Abby Craghead, Haley, Alli and Carley Craghead; sister, Monica Long and husband Harold “Frosty” of Beckley. The family has honored Harry’s request; his body has been cremated. A service of celebration will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, April 1, 2010, from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Daniel Legg and Bill Parker speaking. Following the service of celebration, we will travel to the family farm at Speedway for a brief scattering service for his family and friends. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday from noon until the service hour. In honor of Harry’s life, memorial gifts can be made to the Shriner’s Hospital, 1900 Richmond Road, Lexington, KY 40502. Family and friends may express condolence via www.memorialfd.com. The Craghead Family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center, Athens Road, Princeton. [WWHS Class of 1967]
George Andrew Thornley, 67, of Beckley and Titusville, Fla., passed away Friday, March 26, 2010, at Bowers Hospice House following an extended illness. Born May 9, 1942, in Beckley, he was the son of the late Peter and Ethel Bodo Thornley. George was co-owner of Mallimar Truck Parts. A big part of George’s life was being the “CEO” of the Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1960 and spear-heading their scholarship fund drive. He loved antique cars and spending time with his grandchildren whom he dearly loved. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Besides his parents, George was preceded in death by an infant brother, Michael Thornley. Survivors include his wife, Sharon Mallamas Thornley, daughter, Elizabeth O’Donnell and husband Larry of Orlando, Fla., son Michael Thornley and daughter Kathryn Thornley both of West Palm Beach, Fla., grandsons: Nathan and Ryan O’Donnell, sister, Karen Crump and husband Andy of Beckley, nephew, Kenneth Glaize and wife Connie, and their son Austin, of Richmond, Va., and his aunt, Verna Bair of Marshalltown, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2010, in the Calfee Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bill Parker officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Classmates from the Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1960 will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be “George’s Harem” of ladies that assisted him in planning WWHS Class of 1960 reunions and scholarship drives. Online condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Woodrow Wilson Class of 1960 Scholarship Fund, C/O Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main St., Suite 203, Beckley, WV 25801, or to Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
Bessie Faye Greene Warden, 98, of Beckley passed away at the Bowers Hospice House, Prosperity, Friday, March 26, 2010, following a long illness. Born August 1, 1911, at Camp Creek, W.Va., she was the eldest child of the late Oscar and Stacy Basham Greene. Mrs. Warden spent her first sixteen years in Camp Creek, W.Va.; she was a homemaker, loved to crochet, was an avid gardener, and most of all loved spending time with her children and grandchildren; she was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, a member of the Memorial Baptist Church in Beckley and last attended the St. Mary’s Methodist Church with her friend and neighbor Helen Turner. She was preceded in death by her husband Homer R. Warden, her former husband Henry E. Peraldo, a great-grandchild: Amanda Russell, two brothers: Willard and Emmett Greene, five sisters: Lee Powell, Ann Bowman, Nellie Jones, Betty Roop, and Joyce Gunnoe. Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Henry Peraldo and wife Shirley of Altamonte Springs, Fla., Martha Hicks of Winter Park, Fla., Sharon Matherly and husband John of Beckley, and Homer A. Warden and wife Janet of Stanaford Road, one brother: John Greene of Miss., a stepsister: (Honey) Jane Popovich of Alexandria, Va., her precious grandchildren: Debbie Russell and husband Ron, Henry Peraldo, Arnold David Peraldo, Anita Tucker and husband Tom, Karen McKee and husband Dann, Ronda Hornbeck and husband John, Nina Gipson, John Mark Matherly, Brad Matherly, Robert Warden, and Alan Warden, ten great-grandchildren, one special neighbor and friend: Daryll Quesenberry of Beckley, her special pet Angel and a host of extended family and friends. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Pallbearers will be: grandsons and friend and neighbor, Charles Wilson. Friends may gather with the family from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 29, 2010, at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801. Online condolences may be sent to our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry, 1901 S. Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801.
MARTINSBURG — William Baxter Chaffin, 54, of Martinsburg, died Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at City Hospital. Born January 1, 1956, in Beckley, he was the son of Patricia Rutherford Chaffin Steele of Beckley and the late Howard O. “Bill” Chaffin. He was a social worker with the NYAP. Mr. Chaffin was of the Catholic faith. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, M. Susan Chaffin; two sons, William Joshua Chaffin, of Martinsburg, and Daniel J. Chaffin and fiancé, Sara J. Knisely, of Metairie, La.; sister, Vanessa Covington and husband, Chip, of Beckley and niece, Beth Covington. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Brown Funeral Home’s South Berkeley Chapel Inwood. Services and interment will be private. Online condolences may be offered at www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com Arrangements by Brown Funeral Home, P.O. Box 821, Martinsburg, WV 25402. [WWHS Class of 1974]
Joyce Marie Akers, age 76, of Beckley, died Friday, March 20, 2010, at Raleigh General Hospital following a short illness. Born April 1, 1933, at Twin Branch, she was the daughter of the late Claude Frank Akers and Willie Marie Cochran Akers. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1951 as salutatorian of her class. She then attended Beckley College, Concord College, and graduated from Morris Harvey College with her Bachelor’s degree. She graduated with her Master’s degree in counseling from West Virginia University. She began working during high school as a secretary at Merchants Adjustment Service and continued to work there as office manager for nearly 20 years. While working, Joyce pursued her college education and was eventually employed by Raleigh County School Board as an adult education instructor and administrator. She then worked as a mental health counselor at FMRS and BARH. She retired from Brevard County School Board in Florida where she worked as an administrator. Joyce was an active member of United Methodist Temple in Beckley. Joyce was preceded in death by two brothers, Billy and Ronnie Akers. She is survived by her twin brother and his wife, Jack and Ester Akers of Daniels; Freda Akers, sister-in-law, of Beckley; her two sons: Gary A. Williams and his wife, Cindy Ringel-Williams, and Kevin L. Williams; her grandchildren: Kelsey, Dalton and Blaire Williams; her great-grandson, Landon Williams. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Temple in Beckley. A reception for family and friends will follow in the church hall.
Mary Dee Littlejohn, 70, of Beckley, died peacefully surrounded by family and friends at the Bowers Hospice House Sunday afternoon, March 21, 2010. Born in 1939, at Powellton, W.Va., she is the daughter of Reba Oxley Elkins and the late Virgil Elkins. Ms. Littlejohn is a 1957 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, attended Perry Memorial Methodist Church, and retired from the Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital. Ms. Littlejohn is survived by her mother Reba Elkins of Beckley; son Todd (Aimee) Littlejohn of Orlando, Fla.; sisters, Karen (Don) Schneider of Bella Vista, Ark., Brenda (Autrey) Ritch of Beckley, brother Greg Elkins of Raleigh, N.C., granddaughters, Molly, Madeline, and Macey Littlejohn of Orlando, Fla., nieces and nephews, close friend Jo Biggs, constant companion Sophie, and numerous aunts, uncles, and friends. Ms. Littlejohn is preceded in death by her father, Virgil Elkins, maternal grandparents, Wyatt V. and Mattie Oxley, and paternal grandparents, Silas and Leoma Elkins. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801. A memorial service celebrating the life of Mary Dee Littlejohn will be held at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley, on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at 1 p.m. with Rev. Eric Milam officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the services. Online condolences may be sent to our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net. Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley.
MOUNT AIRY, N.C. — Nancy Marie (Moore) McKnight, 61, of 2805 Asbury Road, Mount Airy, and lifelong resident of Mount Hope, W.Va., passed away March 21, 2010, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Born August 24, 1948, in Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Hazel Marie (Evans) Moore and the late William Paul Moore. She was a 1967 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Nancy was a wonderful and loving wife and mother. She loved spending time with her family and always enjoyed music. She spent most of her life as a homemaker and also spent several years working in Retail Merchandising. Those left to cherish her loving memory include her husband, Larry D. McKnight, of Mount Airy; a son, David McKnight of Mount Hope, a daughter, Debbie (McKnight) Russell and husband, Simon Russell, of Mount Airy; four grandchildren, Thomas Russell of Mount Airy, Andrew McKnight of New Bedford, Mass., and Eric and Makayla Anderson of Winston-Salem, N.C.; two brothers, Bill Moore and Calvin Moore of Mount Hope, and a sister, Ann Toney of Beckley, plus a host of nieces and nephews that she loved very much. She also leaves numerous extended family members and a host of friends. The family will not have a memorial service at this time. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Hugh Chatham Nursing Center in Elkin, North Carolina, for the special care that they gave to Nancy. Condolences may be sent to 2805 Asbury Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030. Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Nancy McKnight to The Alzheimer’s Foundation, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17 Chicago, IL 60601-7633.
Joan Ashworth, age 71, of Beckley, died on Monday, March 15, 2010, at her home. Born on February 6, 1939, in Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Robert J. Ashworth and Virgin-ia Hill Ashworth. Joan was a former teacher and was a homemaker. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and West Virginia University, with a degree in education. She was a member of the Alpha Phi at West Virginia University. Joan was a member of the Beckley Presbyterian Church in Beckley. She was a member of the Beckley Art Group, and the Beckley Woman’s Club. Surviving are her children: Virginia Rose Blosser and her husband Gilbert of Beckley; Karen Ann Greer of Beckley; a sister, Nancy Sanderbeck and her husband Jack of Concord, N.C.; four grandchildren: Christopher Scott Hill of Beckley; Jennifer Ann Greer of Beckley; Matthew Wayne Blosser and his wife Kacie of Beaver; Ashley Rose Scott and her husband Gary Lee Scott II of Clarksville, Tenn.; one great-grandchild, Ethan Scott Hill of Beckley. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 20, 2010, at the Beckley Presbyterian Church with Dr. William A. dePrater officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley. Friends may call from noon until service time on Saturday. Pallbearers will be Jerry Bays, Howard Mays, Frank Meadows, Ralph Prince, Fred Quesenberry, and Robert Young. Online condolences may be sent to our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry. net. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Beckley Presbyterian Church, 203 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, West Virginia, or to the Beckley Area Foundation, Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1957 Scholarship Fund, 129 Main Street, Suite 203, Beckley. Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley. [WWHS Class of 1957]
On Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at his home on Fairview Avenue, our most cherished Jimmie Pat Swift II passed away following a long illness with lung cancer. He was 56 years of age. Born October 28, 1953, Jimmie Pat was the first of two children born to the late Jimmie Pat and Audrey Plummer Swift. His paternal grandparents, John and Carrie Swift, and his maternal grandparents, Albert and Hattie Bailey Plummer, also preceded Jimmie in death. Jimmie spent his childhood on Maxwell Hill. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1972, and West Virginia University. He was a paper carrier for Beckley Newspapers for over 20 years. His co-workers at Beckley Newspapers are honored to carry his casket. Jimmie Pat Swift was a very friendly person who never met a stranger. He loved to ride his Harley and was of the Christian faith. Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife, Sandra Wilson Swift; he was the father of three daughters, Megan and Lindsey, who live in Ohio, and Stephanie, who preceded him in death; he was the dear brother of Rebecca Wills and her husband Dwayne of Ellison Ridge; the fond uncle of Holly Jackson and Amber Yost; the sweet grandfather of Morgan and Austin; the special nephew of Carol Plummer; Jimmie was blessed to have a close relationship with his wife’s family; his father-in-law, the Rev. W.W. Lusk who has passed away, and his mother-in-law, Rev. Delpha Jeffries Lusk of Shady Spring; along with Sandra’s children who thought very highly of Jimmie. They are Robert Wilson and his wife Teresa, Jeff Workman and his wife Sherry, Brian Workman and his wife Corey, Eric Honaker and his wife Connie, Kristi Plumley and her husband Ray, and Kevin Honaker and his wife Susan; Jimmie was the doting Pa Paw to Sandra’s seven grandchildren; he is also survived by his loyal canine companion, Alfie. This Saturday, the first of Spring, March 20th, at 1 p.m. we will remember Jimmie’s life with a service at the Melton Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. James Hale officiating. Jimmie will then be laid to rest beside his parents at the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens at Prosperity. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. today, Friday, and one hour prior to the services on Saturday. And so now we must say goodbye to our dear Jimmie Pat. “We loved you but God loves you best.” Condolences may be sent to the family’s guestbook at www.meltonmortuary.com. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Loletia “Letha” M. Bayne Morris, 52, of Beckley, died Wednesday, March 10, 2010, due to an unexpected illness. A precious saint of our Lord Jesus Christ who went to be with him. Loletia was born April 2, 1957, in Beckley. The daughter of Chauncey Bayne and the late Roberta A. Pannell Bayne. Mrs. Morris was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and West Virginia State College. Letha enjoyed talking to family, friends and anyone she came in contact about the Bible. She loved writing poems. Her work was published in the National Library of Poems. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Kelly and Florida Pannell; Robert and Cora Bayne; mother, Roberta Bayne; two brothers, Chauncey (Dewey) Bayne Jr. and Jeffrey (Jeff) Logwood. Survivors include six sisters, Germaine Bayne of Beckley, Coretta Penn of Dayton, Ohio, Danita Bayne (E.J. fiancé) of Dayton, Ohio, Stephanie (Kelvin) Smith of Beckley, Cheryl (Jim) Donovan of Liberty, Ky., Monica Bayne of Columbus, Ohio; a brother, Donald (Robin) Oakley of Maybeury, W.Va.; a sister-in-law, Andrea Logwood of Beckley. Letha also leaves behind a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Services will be 12 noon on Saturday, March 20, 2010, at Second Baptist Church, 700 “F” St., Beckley, with the Rev. Rudolph Poindexter officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity. All family members are asked to meet at Durgan Funeral Services at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2010, for departure to the church. Friends may call one hour (11 a.m.) prior to the service at Second Baptist Church. Online condolences may be sent at www.ajdurganfh6 @verizon.net. Services provided by Durgan Funeral Service, Beckley.
Julia Kay (Lilly) Robertson, a member of the WWHS Class of 1964, died on July 15, 2005. Her obituary is in the Class of 1964 section here.
TRAVELERS REST, S.C. — Barry G. “Bear” Heron, 53, of 235 Stamey Valley Road, passed away Saturday, February 27, 2010. Born June 25, 1956, at Beckley, he was a son of Margaret Brown Heron of Beckley, and the late Roy Heron. Mr. Heron worked for Fluor Daniel for 28 years and had owned Little Lake RV Park for the past five years. Surviving in addition to his mother is his wife, Sue A. Dona Heron of the home; a sister, Kay Smith and husband Jim of Charlotte, N.C.; a nephew, Scotty Smith and wife Kimberly; a great nephew, Shane Smith, a great niece Elianna Smith and a cousin Beverly Bazzie. Graveside services will be held at 12 noon Saturday at The Heron Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Friday evening at The Howze Mortuary, Travelers Rest. Friends may call on the family at the residence. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.thehowzemortuary.com The Howze Mortuary, Travelers Rest is in charge of arrangements. [WWHS Class of 1974]
Gary Wayne Dorsey, 58, of Daniels, W.Va., went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 11, 2010, in a Beckley hospital following a sudden illness. Born March 21, 1951, in Beckley, W.Va., he was the cherished son of Fred and Etheline Pate Dorsey of Daniels, W.Va. Gary was a doting father to his two children, a loving son to his parents and a cherished sibling to his sister. He was an avid outdoorsman, loving to hunt, fish, garden and work in wood crafting. He was a member of the young Thundering Herd Marshall University Football Team in 1970, he was inducted in the Woodrow Wilson High School’s Football Hall of Fame in 1991, attended the Crow Missionary Baptist Church, and had worked as a heavy equipment operator. Gary is now with his two loving brothers, Freddy Lee and Mark Stephen Dorsey who preceded him in death. Also preceding him were his maternal grandparents, John and Ethel Pate, and paternal grandparents, Ralph and Ada Belle Dorsey. Those left to cherish his memory other than his parents, Fred and Etheline Dorsey, are his son, Chris Fotos and his wife, Susan Fotos, of Bentleyville, Pa.; a daughter, Chelsea Ann Dorsey of Beckley; a sister, Melodie Lynn Spencer and her husband Timothy of Grandview, and their son Scott Harris of Grandview, and a daughter, Jessica Severino and her husband Joey, and the twins, Marca and Myra of Beckley. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Chapel in Beckley with Pastor Dennis Burks officiating. Entombment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum in Beckley, W.Va. Family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday. It was Gary’s wishes to be an organ donor. Online condolences may be sent to our guest book at www.roseandquesenberry.net. Pallbearers will be Scott Harris, Donald Chambers, Johnny Lee Pate, Richard Pate, Daniel Foley, Chris Foley and Jay Pate. Honorary Pallbearers will be Charles Hicks, David McCallister, Sam McCallister, Glen O’Neil and Ronnie Johnson. [WWHS Class of 1969]
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” Brenda Spain Hancock, formerly of Beckley, born May 1, 1951, passed away quietly March 6, 2010, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke, Va. Family and friends were at her bedside for the final goodbye. Brenda was a kind person who loved family, reading, and good soul music. She was a 1970 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, attended Fairmont State College, and worked in retail sales for over 20 years, mostly at J.C. Penney. Brenda was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Hancock; father, Anderson Spain; uncles, James and Charles Spain, and grandparents, Essex and Leola Spain, who raised her. Left to cherish her memory are: sons, Michael and Essex “Chris” Spain of Beckley; daughter, Azure Spain of Beckley; sister, Diane (Raymond) Cook of Beckley; aunt, Francis Spain of Nashville, Tenn.; grandchildren, Kadijah, Chanté, Isabella, Michael Jr., and special friend, Anthony Harbison: other family and friends. Funeral services will be 12 noon Thursday, March 11, 2010, at the Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor Chapel, 748 S. Fayette Street, Beckley, with Elder Ricardo Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call one hour prior to the services at the funeral parlor. Condolences may be e-mailed to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com. Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.
Sharon Lee Turner, age 62, of Beckley, passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2010, at the Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital after health complications. Sharon was born on September 30, 1947, in Beckley, West Virginia; she was the daughter of the late Helen McCallister Turner. She was a 1965 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, and a 1970 graduate of West Virginia University. Sharon retired from Nationwide Insurance Company out of Columbus, Ohio, and was a member of the St. Mary’s United Methodist Church in Beckley, W.Va. Sharon was preceded in death by her mother, Helen Irene Turner, in February 2010. She is survived by 2 aunts, Jane L. McCallister of Columbus, Ohio, and Jan McCallister of Worthington, Ohio; 3 cousins, Gil McCallister and his wife Julie of Richmond, Virginia; Van McCallister and his wife Candy, of Terlton, Oklahoma; Wynn McCallister and his wife Conway of Hertford, North Carolina. Committal services will be held at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel of Peace on Monday, March 8, 2010, at 10 a.m. with Dr. Sharon Miller officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will follow at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Raleigh County Humane Society. Online condolences may be sent to our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley.
This past Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, Gregory Rodgers of the McLean Addition, Beckley died suddenly. He was 50 years of age. Greg, as he was affectionately known all his life, was born Gregory Scott Rodgers on June 18, 1959, in Beckley, he was the son of the late Basom and Ann Richmond Rodgers. Greg spent his childhood on George Street and Northwestern Ave. He grew up in the Memorial Baptist Church and was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1977. In his younger days, he loved to ride a motorcycle. A heavy equipment operator, he was the owner of GSR Enterprises. The last 15 years, Greg has attended Oak Christian Church, becoming a member in 2005. He loved to worship the Lord in this place. At the end of the day, Greg’s life was his children, Emily and Shane. He lived to love them, and now he will be their guardian angel. In addition to his children he is survived by their mother, his close friend, Sandy Weeks Rodgers; he was the dear brother of Terri Thompson and her husband Doug of Atlanta, Ga.; the fond uncle of their daughter Kenzie; his children’s maternal grandparents, Albert and Janet Weeks, who thought of Greg as a son; several aunts, uncles, and cousins survive; as well as his church family, and many good friends. On Thursday afternoon Greg will be taken to Oak Grove Christian Church where he will be honored and remembered in a service at 8 p.m. Pastor Joe Schmidt will be officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until the hour of the service. On Friday morning at 11 a.m., Greg will be laid to rest in the church cemetery, a peaceful place, close to where he worshiped the Lord. Those wishing to attend the graveside services are asked to meet at the church by 10:30 a.m. on Friday morning. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meltonmortuary.com Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc, Beckley. [WWHS Class of 1977]
CELINA, Tenn. — Mary Ann Griffith Evans of Celina, formerly of Beckley, entered a new life February 28, 2010 after a sudden illness. Born November 1, 1956 in Beckley, she was the daughter of Julia Cheek Griffith of Waxhaw, N.C. and the late James Griffith. A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and Concord College, Mary Ann was a former teacher for the Raleigh County Board of Education and currently in Clay County, Tenn. While a resident of Beckley she and her family were members of Christian Chapel Church where she was director of music. Mary Ann taught piano, enjoyed singing and being a witness for her Lord and Savior. She attended First Baptist Church in Celina. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her father, James Griffith. She is survived by her husband, Mark Evans; daughter, Alesa-Van Snuffer of Lutz, Fa.; son, Patrick Snuffer of Beckley; daughter, Kaitlyn Snuffer of Celina; brother, James Griffith and wife Cynthia of Beckley; sister, Lesa Mueller and husband Craig of Waxhaw, N.C.; grandson, Michael Simmerman of Lutz, Fla.; mother, Julia Griffith; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A celebration of her life will follow with Pastor Chester Cochran and Pastor Doug Walls. Her resting place will be in Sunset Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Patrick and Chester Snuffer, James Griffith, Charles T. Griffith, Craig Mueller and Charlie Gillian. The family will receive friends at the home of James Griffith, 1014 Maxwell Hill Rd., Beckley. On line condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley. [WWHS Class of 1974]
Silea Amelia Luchini, 90, of Beckley, died Tuesday, February 23, 2010, in her home. She was born May 7, 1919, in Dogna, Italy. She was the daughter of the late Severino and Margaret Bosia Cappellari. She came to West Virginia because her father built roads throughout West Virginia. Silea graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1937. She studied in Europe and attended West Virginia University and Saint Mary’s of the Springs in Ohio and majored in French. She taught French and Spanish at several local high schools. She married Joseph S. Luchini on December 27, 1946 and lived in Beckley. She was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by six children, Catherine Gerson of Boston, Mass., Joseph Luchini of Clifton, Va., Dr. Phillip Luchini of Banford, Conn., Dr. Michael Luchini of Branford, Conn., Maria Perfetto of Charlotte, N.C., and Margaret Nicholas of Birmingham, Ala.; 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was an amazing woman, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother that left the world quietly in her sleep. She was 90 years old and still looking forward to the next West Virginia game, to see her garden bloom in the Spring, to the next occasion when she would see her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a great lover of animals and was sharing her home happily with four dogs, a cat, and a pond full of gold fish. She was a homemaker beyond compare. She made clothes, knit sweaters, cut up fabric to make rugs, and always had something delicious coming out of the oven. She tended a vegetable garden, orchard and flower garden which were regular features in the local newspaper. She took up tennis in mid-life and played into her early 70’s. Most of all she was a proud mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will be loved and missed forever by all of her family and friends. The funeral liturgy will be conducted by Father Joshua Stevens at 10 a.m, Friday, February 26, 2010, at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church. A rite of committal will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today, Thursday, February 25, 2010, at Calfee Funeral Home, 800 South Oakwood Avenue, Beckley, where a prayer service will be conducted at 8 p.m. by the Rev. Mr. Don Wise. Pallbearers will be Michael Gerson, Jack Luchini, Joseph Luchini, Patrick Luchini, Jack Nicholas, David Perfetto, Phillip Perfetto, Robert Perfetto, and honorary pallbearer Michael Luchini. Online condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com The family requests memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice or to the Humane Society of Raleigh County. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
SLINGERLANDS, N.Y. — Florence Ellen Henkle Freeman, daughter of William Reid Henkle and Beaulah Henkle, was born in Beckley on Oct. 24, 1941, and passed at Albany Medical Center, Albany, N.Y., on Feb. 13, 2010. Flo was a 1963 graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Science, and a member of Alpha Delta Pi, YWCA, and Mountain Lair. Flo is survived by her husband of 46 years Tom, sons Mark and wife Marie of Mentor, Ohio, and their children Sarah, Andrew and Ellen; Kevin and wife Shannon of Chestnut Hill, Mass., and their children Mary and Lillian. Tom and Flo lived in Spartan Village at Michigan State University from 1963 to 1968 and in Okemos, Mich., from 1970 to 1980, returning to MSU following Tom’s Army service in the Pentagon. They moved to Slingerlands, N.Y., in August of 1980, as part of the MSU family that joined SUNY System Administration. Flo loved gardening, travel and the arts, supporting the Albany Symphony, Capitol Repertory Theatre, SPAC, Tanglewood, Berkshire Theatre, Shakespeare and Company, and the Shaw Festival. She was a consummate teacher and engaging conversationalist, who valued community. Flo made life more enjoyable for the communities of which she was a part. She actively organized events, creating a friendly environment that drew people into discussion by her introductions and questions. There never was a social gathering with Flo where people remained strangers. She taught middle school English and Science at Portland Michigan from 1963 to 1968, also served as a theater director and cheerleading coach, while pursuing a master’s degree at MSU. She also taught as a staff member of the Albany ARC from 1990 to 1999, where she developed a program for developmentally disabled clients to enter the workforce. A lifetime active church member, Flo was a member of the First Christian Church of Beckley, W.Va., the People’s Church of East Lansing, Mich., and Slingerlands United Methodist Church. Since 1989, as a member of the Delmar Reformed Church, she served as a choir member, elder, vice chair of Consistory, Sunday school teacher, member of the building committee as well as the search committee that brought the current senior pastor to Delmar Reformed Church. She was a founding member of the Friendship Singers, a Cub Scout Den Mother, PTA member, and part of the Principal search committee for Bethlehem Central High School. In her neighborhoods, at various times, she was homeowners association president, and initiated and organized events from neighborhood parades and puppet shows for children, to baby sitting groups, clothes exchange clubs, neighborhood picnics, and spring cleanup campaigns. Through her service to community she has left lasting legacies and will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and neighbors. Services are planned at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 23, at the Delmar Reformed Church with a reception to follow. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers contributions in Florence’s name can be made to the West Virginia University Alumni Association- Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund, Fund number 3V629, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507-1650, or the Delmar Reformed Church Endowment Fund, 386 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054. Arrangements by Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054, 518-439-2715. [WWHS Class of 1959]
CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. — Ronald Derrick Lawrence Sr., 39, Capitol Heights, formerly of Beckley, was called by our Lord and Savior on Friday, February 13, 2010. He was born in Beckley, on April 21, 1970, to the late Reginald and Sandra Rhodes. He was happily married to Neika A. Lawrence and they shared a loving union for 10 years. Ronald was educated in the Raleigh County School System, he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1988 and attended West Virginia State College. Ron came to know the Lord at an early age and was baptized at New Hope Baptist Church. Most recently, he became a member at Reid Temple A.M.E in Glendale, Md. and was very active in the Master’s Touch Ministry and served in the Security Ministry as well. Ron’s passion was to study God’s word and to minister to others. He enjoyed mentoring youth and offering his life’s experiences to encourage others. He was a very business savvy and was employed in various capacities including a UPS driver and supervisor, a certified Credit Counselor, a Mortgage Loan Officer and most recently, a Disaster Relief Specialist with FEMA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his aunts Robin Wilson and Mary Robertson-Bruce. Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Neika A. Lawrence; daughters, Janae and Brandy Lawrence of Beckley; sons, Malik Brooks and Ronald D. Lawrence Jr. (“Buddy”) of Capitol Heights; mother-in-law, Ada Adderley, Philadelphia, Pa.; grandmother, Newassa Rhodes of Beckley; a sister, Angela Roach (Troy) of Laurel, Md. and niece Ashleigh. He gained through marriage, two sisters, three brothers, four nieces, and two nephews; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday, February 22, 2009 at Reid Temple AME Church, 11400 Glenn Dale Blvd, Glenn Dale, MD 20769. Friends may visit one hour prior to the services. Funeral arrangements entrusted to J. B. Jenkins Funeral Home, 7474 Landover Rd., Landover, MD 20785. Submitted by Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.
Vickie Lynn Logan Higginbotham, age 60 of Piney View, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 at the Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital following a sudden illness. Born on December 5, 1949 at Beckley, she was the daughter of James H. Logan of Piney View, and the late Uldine Flint Logan. Mrs. Higginbotham was a homemaker, and was of the Baptist faith. She had made Piney View her home most of her life. She was a former member of the Boyd County Homemaker’s Association for 12 years in Ashland, Ky. Mrs. Higginbotham was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, and had earned an Associates Degree from Beckley College in Business Administration. Mrs. Higginbotham enjoyed cooking and sewing in her spare time. She especially enjoyed collecting cookbooks. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by a brother, Stanley Logan, and by a sister, Kathy Jones. Surviving are her husband of nearly 40 years, Clark Higginbotham, at home; a son, Brian Higginbotham of Ashland, Ky.; a sister, Karen Wamsley and her husband Tim of Lynchburg, Va., and their son, Logan, and several other nieces and nephews, including special nieces Melissa Farrish, and Christy Majors A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley, with Pastor Cecil Smith officiating. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, in memory of Mrs. Higginbotham. Online condolences may be sent to our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley.
Doris Ann Barker, 83, of Beckley passed away Sunday, February 14, 2010, at Raleigh General Hospital. Born May 5, 1926, at Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Franklin and Pearl Griffith Barker. She worked in her father’s jewelry store F.A. Barker Jewelry as a sales clerk and later retired from Westmoreland Coal Company where she was a bookkeeper. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Beckley, involved in the I’ll Bee at Appalachian Regional Hospital, senior friends at Raleigh General Hospital, a 55-year member of Beta Sigma Phi, a member of Alpha Master Chapter and a Roster since 1954. Other than her parents she was preceded in death by one brother, Don G. Barker. Those left to cherish her memory include one brother, John A. Barker and wife Mary of Lakeland, Fla.; one sister-in-law, Gloria Barker of Deland, Fla.; one niece, Debi Carns; five nephews, Don Barker Jr., Frank Barker, Bob Barker, John Barker Jr., and Jeffrey Barker; her caretaker, Martha Treadway, close friend Phyllis Jackson, her neighbor Margie Williams and a host of extended family and friends. There will be no services at this time; entombment will take place at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Online condolences may be sent to our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry, 1901 S. Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801. [WWHS Class of 1944]
On Saturday, February 6th, 2010, our beloved, Emma Marczinko Swatzyna, formerly of Ball Street, Beckley, died in Roanoke Memorial Hospital following a short illness. She was 78 years of age. Born Mary Emma Marczinko on May 11, 1931, at Tams, Emma, as she was affectionately known all her life, was one of five children born to the late Joe and Helen Zemenscik Marczinko. Her sister, Janie, and brother, Frank, preceded her in death. Emma was employed by Beckley Hospital as a unit secretary and as a secretary for the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department. She was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. On July 15, 1950, Emma married Rudy Swatzyna. They were the proud parents of a daughter, Ruth Nerenberg and her husband, Michael, of Pueblo, Colo., Rudy of Lindside, Randy of Roanoke, and Rex and his wife Lisa of Charleston, S.C. Rudy Swatzyna died on October 7, 2001. Left to cherish their memory are eight grandchildren, Julia Nerenberg Gonzalez, Seth Nerenberg, Rudolph (Buck) Swatzyna, Andrew Swatzyna, Luke Swatzyna, Laura Swatzyna, Kelsey Swatzyna, and Victor Swatzyna. Emma is the dear sister of Helen Swatzyna and Irene Bracken; the fond sister-in-law and dear friend of Jean Swatzyna; her brothers-in-law, Ronald, Roman, and Raymond Swatzyna, also survive. The Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated today (Monday) at 11 a.m. at the Melton Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Mr. Donald Wise as celebrant. The Rite of Committal will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Sunset Memorial Park, where Emma will be laid to rest beside her beloved Rudy. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meltonmortuary.com. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc., Beckley, W.Va. [WWHS Class of 1949]
Patrick Arnold Lovell Sr., 81, of Beckley, passed away at home on February 10, 2010. Born July 5, 1928, he was the son of the late Harry N. and Nona Elva Milem Lovell. Mr. Lovell was a U.S. Marine Veteran, the former owner/operator of Lovell Trucking Inc. and Black Mountain State Ltd. He was a former licensed private pilot and former member of the New River Flying Club. He was a life-long avid model railroad collector and hobbyist. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Norma Jean Willis Lovell of Beckley; daughter and son-in-law, Pamella A. and Larry Kincaid of Danville, Va.; son and daughter-in-law, Patrick A. II and Joyce of Beckley; granddaughter, Crystal Lovell of Beckley, and an expected great-grandson; and grandson, Patrick F. Lovell of Daniels; stepgranddaughter, Stephanie Baldwin and stepgreat-grandchildren, Alexis and Chandler Jones of Lewisburg; brothers, Charles N. and wife, Maureen, of Cumming, Ga., William C. and wife, Janet, of Grandy, N.C.; sister-in-law, JoAnn Lovell of Beckley; six nieces, five nephews, 15 grandnieces and nephews, and numerous other family members and friends. In addition to his parents, Mr. Lovell was preceded in death by two brothers, James N. and Harry Lovell. Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, February 14, 2010, in the Calfee Funeral Home Chapel with Ray Clendenin officiating. The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. until service time on Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Milem Cemetery on Posey Saxton Road. Pallbearers will be Jeff Griffith, Kenny Christian, Kenny Newsum, Bill Anderson, Jody Holley, Tony Critchley, Junior Loudermilk, and David French. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Wiseman, Larry Holly, and Dale Bennett. Online condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com. Arrangements made by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley. [WWHS Class of 1946]
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sue Ann Mason Chapman, 64, formerly of Beckley died Friday, February 5, 2010, in a Camp Hill, Pa. following a short illness. Born on Christmas Day, 1945, in Beckley she was the daughter of H. Wayne Mason and Juanita McMillion, both of Beckley. She was preceded in death by her brother, Paul Mason; step-mother, Vivian Mason and step-father, Emory McMillion. Sue was a 1963 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and a 1970 graduate of Beckley College with an Associate Degree in Business Administration. She was employed by Mason and Company and by the Raleigh County Board of Education while in Beckley. In 1984 she and her husband moved to Mechanicsburg and then to Perrysburg, Ohio in 2001 and back to Mechanicsburg in 2007. She was very active in churches throughout the years. She was a member of the United Methodist Temple in Beckley, First United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg and the First United Methodist Church in Bowling Green, Ohio. In Mechanicsburg she was a prayer warrior for the Prayer Team, Sunday School Teacher, teacher for the Wonderful Wednesday program, as well as once serving as the Church Secretary. While in Bowling Green she established the Sunshine Sunday School Class for mentally challenged adults. She was also very active in her community. She volunteered most recently at the Daren Shelter in Mechanicsburg. In Ohio she volunteered at the Pregnancy Center in Bowling Green, The American Red Cross and St. Luke’s Hospital in Maumee, Ohio. She was a past member of the Upper Allen Women’s Club. Survivors, in addition to her parents, include her husband of 37 years, Bill Chapman; children: Scott Chapman of Indialantic, Fla., Becky Walker (Kent) of Beckley, John Chapman of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and Destiny Mason at home; a grandson, Andy Walker. Also surviving are her step-mother Betsy Mason of Beckley; sisters, Jeanie Cochran (Roger) of Frederick, Md., and Linda Mitchem (Roger) of Beckley and by many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, February 11 in the Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, Beckley. Friends may call 11 a.m. until time of the service on Thursday. The family request that donations of sympathy be made to First United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Condolences may be mailed to the family at melton@wvdsl.net Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
OAK HILL — James A. Tincher, 63, of Oak Hill, our beloved husband, father, granddad, brother, uncle, and friend, departed this life on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at Appalachian Regional Hospital. The complete obituary is in the Class of 1964 section here.
This past Saturday, February 6th, 2010, our beloved Margie White passed away at the Raleigh General Hospital. She was in her 84th year. Born Margie Mae Martin on May 31, 1925, at Raleigh, she was the 2nd of six children born to the late Dewey Basil and Fannie Ethel Farmer Martin. Her sister, Wilda Allen, and brothers, Albert William and Dewey Basil Martin Jr., preceded her in death. Margie spent her childhood at Raleigh. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. A longtime resident of Mankin Avenue, she was a member of the Beckley Regular Baptist Church. She has resided at the Villages of Greystone in Beaver for the past three years. Margie was a retired officer of the Bank of Raleigh (City National Bank). In her earlier years, she was an avid bowler. Margie was married to Richard Dolph White, who preceded her in death on December 2, 1998. To this union was born their son Rick, who survives her along with his wife Charlotte of Roanoke, Virginia; she is the dear sister of Fay Fain of Sprague and Janice Williams of Johnson City, Tennessee. She is also survived by special friends Ed and Eliene Kessinger. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Melton Mortuary Chapel. Margie will then be laid to rest beside her beloved Richard at the Highlawn Memorial Park in Oak Hill. The family will receive friends today (Monday) from 6 to 8 p.m. at the mortuary and one hour prior to the services on Tuesday. And so at the end of the day we remember Margie White, who was sweet in spirit, a blessed mother, sister and friend to many people. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meltonmortuary.com. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc., Beckley, W.Va.
Mary Elizabeth Schwartzenberg, 86, of MacArthur, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Wednesday, February 4, 2010. Born August 24, 1923, at Cannelton, she was the daughter of the late Johnson and Josie Fisher Lawrence. Mary was a 1942 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School; she was a member and trustee of her beloved church Hollywood Missionary Baptist Church at MacArthur W.Va. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband who was killed in France in 1944, Walter Edward James, and her second husband, Henry Hewitt, on October 15, 1977, and her third husband, Wade Schwartzenberg, who passed away on August 25, 1996. Those left to cherish her memory include a son, Walter “Eddie” James Jr., and his friend Lydia Brown of Warrenton, Va.; a grandson, Shane James, a cousin, Rev. Calvin Perry and his wife Avenelle of Huntington; and special friends and caregivers Alma and David Pack. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 8, 2010, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Rev. Calvin Perry officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may gather with the family Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is in charge of the services.
Theresa Biggs Resler. This obituary is grouped with others from the Class of 1964 here.
On this Monday, February, 1, 2010, our brother, uncle and good friend Lugene Buchanan passed away peacefully at his home in Stanaford Acres. He was in his 79th year. Born Garland Lugene Buchanan on August 1, 1930, in Beckley, he was the youngest of three sons born to the late Garland Campbell and Olga McCall Buchanan. Lugene, as he was affectionately known all his life, spent his childhood on Lee Street. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1948. He attended Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa., where he received a degree in mechanical engineering. For many years, Lugene lived in Grapevine, Texas, and Melbourne, Florida. He worked for NASA. In Texas he met his beloved wife, the late Betty Reynolds, who preceded him in death in 1989. In 1975, Lugene returned to Beckley where he entered the family business, the Buchanan Corporation. He served as secretary and treasurer of the company. Lugene loved to hunt and was deeply involved with the Buchanan family wild game farm, Pine Acres at Hillsboro in Pocahontas County. In later years he has attended early services at the United Methodist Temple with his good friend, Betty Foster Jarrell, who survives him. Left to cherish his memories are his family, brothers, William (Bill) Buchanan and Lewis C. Buchanan and his wife, Joyce, all of Beckley; nieces, Anna Bell Rener and her husband Sam, Marilyn Guffy and her husband Joe, Sherry Via and her husband, Roger; he was the dear great-uncle of several nephews and nieces. Lugene was preceded in death by his nephew, Larry Buchanan, and his sister-in-law, Violet Earl Buchanan; Larry’s widow, Carolyn Buchanan Garten, also survives, as well as many friends, neighbors, classmates and his ever loyal canine companion, Muffin. At the end of the day when we remember Lugene Buchanan we recall a bright, articulate man, a man who loved to read, a quiet giver, a man who loved animals and the outdoors. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 3rd, at the Melton Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Chuck Pullins officiating. Lugene will then be laid to rest beside his beloved wife Betty at the Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley. The family will receive friends from noon until the hour of the service on Wednesday. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family suggest donations of sympathy can be made to a the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meltonmortuary.com. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc., Beckley.
John O. “Buster” Smith died peacefully on January 12, 2010, at the Villages of Greystone in Beaver, W.Va. The youngest and last of seven children, Buster was born on March 22, 1920, to Mr. and Mrs. John W. Smith. His father was a prominent coal mine owner in Beckley, W.Va. Growing up in Beckley, Buster graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School where he was an all-star athlete lettering in three sports. He was All-State in football in 1939, and was inducted into WWHS Hall of Fame. Buster attended Virginia Tech on a football scholarship. While in college and with World War II in full swing, Buster married his childhood sweetheart, Ann Burwell Ware, on February 20, 1942. After graduating with a B.S. degree and becoming a 2nd Lieutenant, he entered the Army and was sent overseas. He was stationed in Naples, Italy, where he readied troops for combat. In 1945 Captain Smith returned to Beckley and happily reverted to civilian life. While in Beckley, he started a sporting goods store, the Sports Center, established Little League Baseball in Beckley, and started his family. The Smiths left Beckley in 1953 for Richmond, Va. Buster went to work for the Voit Rubber Company. After a promotion in 1962, they relocated to Atlanta, Ga. Buster continued to live in Atlanta after he lost his beloved wife Ann in 1968. His daughter, son-in-law and grandsons lived there also. Buster was introduced to Mariel Woodell West in 1971 by his niece, JoLee Daniels of Beckley. Buster and Mariel were happily married in June of 1972 in Beckley but remained in Atlanta until 1977. Littleton, Colorado, became their new home when Buster changed jobs. They enjoyed the beauty of Colorado for many years until they retired to Roanoke, Va. Friends, golf, Elderhostels and church kept them busy. When it was time to give up driving, the Smiths moved to the Villages at Greystone in Beaver, W.Va. John O. “Buster” Smith is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Mariel Smith, his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Lee R. Cullom of Atlanta, Ga., his stepson and wife, Mr. and Mrs. John F. West of West Palm Beach, Florida, his two grandsons and their wives, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Cullom of Washington, D.C., and Mr. and Mr. and Mrs. Lee H. Cullom of Atlanta, Ga., and great-grandchildren Marguerite and Lee Cullom of Washington, D.C., and Jacob, Ryan, Luke, Laine, Mary Clare and Sara Cullom of Atlanta, plus many beloved nieces, nephews, and favorite sister-in-law Mrs. Latane Ware of Chapel Hill, N.C. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 6th, 2010, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church on Heber St. in Beckley, W.Va., with Dr. Bob Stoddard and Rev. Brent Williams officiating. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make any contributions to Colonial Presbyterian Church, 3550 Poplar Drive, Roanoke, VA 24018. Online condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley. [WWHS Class of 1939]
COCOA BEACH — Edith Curtis Kaucher, 86, died Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at the Florida Hospital Hospice Care (Oceanside Center) in Ormond Beach. Edith was a Medical Technologist and managed the Laboratory for a group of doctors in Cocoa Beach. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the V.F.W. #10148. Edith was also a charter member of the First Christian Church of Cocoa Beach. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred W. Kaucher; her parents, Marion O. and Clara C. Peters; one sister, June Harper. Survivors include two sisters, Carol Nutter of Charleston, WV and Shirley Tabor of Dayton, OH; two brothers, Ernie Peters of Cape Canaveral, FL and Eddie Peters of Ormond Beach, FL. At Edith’s request all funeral arrangements are private and are being managed by Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home in Cocoa Beach. [WWHS Class of 1940]
On Thursday, January 14, 2010, our beloved Michael “Mike” Simmons of Old Eccles Road, Beckley died at his home following a sudden illness. He was 48 years of age. Born Michael Bruce Simmons on November 28, 1961, at Beckley, “Mike” as he was affectionately know all his life, was the second of four children born to Norma Jean Cassity Simmons and the late Dennis Irvin Simmons. Mike grew up on Spruce Street in Mabscott. He was a 1980 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. In addition to his father he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Irvin and Sada Simmons of MacArthur; maternal grandparents, and James and Daisy Cassity and an aunt Carolyn Maxey, all of Mabscott. At the end of the day when we remember our Mike, his family recalls an individual who loved spending time with his family. He had a large circle of friends that he cared deeply for. He loved being outdoors, fishing, and racing and had a great love for animals. He loved to laugh. In addition to his precious mother, Norma, Mike leaves to cherish his memory his brothers and sister who will miss him deeply, Rusty Simmons and his wife Arlene of Indian Mills, Brian Simmons and his companion Janet of Mabscott and Jeanie Cole and her fiancé Jackie Goins of Beckley; his nieces whom he adored, Madison Cole and Haley Simmons; his cousin and best friend, Billy Lester of Mabscott; a large extended family and many friends. Services will be 6 p.m. Friday, January 29 at the Melton Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Phil Farrington officiating. The family will receive friend from 5 p.m. until the hour of the services. Flowers are a wonderful gesture but during these difficult times any monetary gifts made to the Melton Mortuary to help defray the funeral expenses is greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meltonmortuary.com Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc, Beckley.
John N. Meadows, 69, of Beckley, passed away January 20, 2010, at his home. Born February 28, 1940, in Beckley, he was the son of Basile and Mary Harvey Meadows. Mr. Meadows was a 1958 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School; he attended Columbia Technical College where he obtained his degree in Architectural Drafting. He then joined his father and grandfather in the construction field. John was responsible for the first shopping center in Beckley; until the late 1990’s, John and his sons continued building in Southern West Virginia. John was a Beckley Jaycee for 15 years, during this time he was drawn to community service and never lost the love for community. The Jaycees honored him with the JCI Senator’s Award. His other hobbies included Street Rods, Drag Racing, and NASCAR. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Patricia Kidd Meadows, whom he married January 22, 1960; two sons, John Meadows and wife, Robin of Princewick, and David of Woodstock, Ga.; a daughter, Melissa Smith and husband, Lloyd of Rosewell, Ga.; three grandchildren, Nicholas and Claire Smith and Jason Sell; one brother, Steven Meadows and wife, Linda of Lynchburg, Va.; and his pets, ’Moochie’ and ’Taz.’ John has donated his body to the Human Gift Registry of West Virginia University. In keeping with John’s wishes there will be no services. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Gift Registry of West Virginia in Morgantown, Hospice of Southern West Virginia, or the Raleigh County Humane Society. Submitted by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley.
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. Lois E. Crook Freshour, 85, of Hartman Lane, Greeneville, died Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at her home after a long illness. Born Nov. 15, 1924, in Crab Orchard, she was the daughter of the late Oscar W. and Lenna Willis Farley. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward Crook of Jumping Branch, and her husband of 30 years, Maynard E. Freshour of Greeneville; a brother, James R. Farley and a sister, Kathern Brooks. She was a homemaker and was a member of the Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church at Sunnyside as long as her health permitted. She was a member of the Ladies Aid and helped with many church functions as her health would permit. Lois was past State Commander of the Women’s Auxillary Disabled American Veterans Association, and was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Survivors include a sister, Janet Zutaut of Crab Orchard; two sons, James Crook and his wife and special caregiver, Essie, of Hartman Lane, and John Crook and wife, Linda, of Limestone, Tenn.; three grandsons: Edward C. Crook of Shady Spring, J.W. Crook of Telford, Tenn., and Shawn Crook of Telford; several nieces and nephews, and a special friend, Nancy Ealey. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, January 24, 2010, at Kiser-Rose Hill Chapel, 125 Idletime Dr., Greeneville, with the Pastor Martha Beamer officiating. Burial will follow in GreeneLawn Memory Gardens, Greeneville, Tenn. Pallbearers will be Jackie ’Buddy’ Wilson, Jon Crook, Shawn Crook, Bobby Zutaut, Allen Rogers. Honorary pallbearers will be nurses and staff of Laughlin Health Care and Johnson City Medical Center Hospice and the members of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, Greeneville. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm today, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.KiserRoseHill.com Arrangements by Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home, Greeneville.
Evelyn Wanda Waddell Gilkeson, 88, of Grandview, died Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at Bowers Hospice House, Cranberry. She was born August 17, 1921, at Marytown, McDowell County, W.Va., the daughter of the late Roscoe Charles and Germaine Aimee Periard Waddell. She grew up in Sprague, Raleigh County, W.Va., and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1940. She was a 50-year resident of Grandview and a faithful member of Grandview Christian Church. Evelyn was a special person who sincerely saw the good in people. She was always able to listen and lend a hand without judging others. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister and friend who always put her home and family first. She was an expert seamstress and quilter, and was known for her baking. She enjoyed traveling and especially looked forward to a vacation every year with three generations of her family. As a young woman, she worked at the Sprague and Mabscott Company Stores, and was later employed by W.T. Grants and the Piece Goods Stores in Beckley. Other than her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Bernard Isaac Gilkeson Sr., and two brothers, Robert Charles and J. Stanley Waddell. Those left to cherish her memory include three daughters: Ellen Kaye Warden and husband Danny of Bristol, Tenn., Evelyn Raye King of Gap, Braxton County, W.Va., and Leslie Elaine Warden and husband Larry of Rural Retreat, Va.; two sons: Robert Ervin of Grandview, with whom she made her home, and Bernard Isaac and wife Lynda of Cross Lanes, W.Va.; a brother: Richard Earl Waddell and wife Denise of North Sioux City, S.D.; two sisters: Ethel Yvette Walney of Ocala, Fla., and Joan Ellen Hite of Concord, N.C.; nine grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 22, 2010, at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, 1901 S. Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801 with the Pastor Oscar Schwitzerlette and Pastor Terry Newton officiating. Burial will follow in the Grandview Cemetery, Grandview. Friends may gather with the family one hour prior at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be the men from the Grandview Christian Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Dr. Beckley, WV 25801. Online condolences may be sent to our guest book at www.roseandquesenberry.net Rose and Quesenberry, 1901 S. Kanawha St., Beckley, is in charge of the arrangements.
Donald Ray Lilly Sr, 76, died Monday, January 18, 2010, at the River Garden Hebrew Home in Jacksonville, Fla., following a long illness. He leaves his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Phyllis Marie (Deal) Lilly; two sons, Donald R. Lilly Jr. and his wife Karen of Roanoke, Va. and Randall L. Lilly and his wife Bonnie of Orlando, Fla.; three daughters, Tina S. Dunne, Tana K. Still and her husband Scott, and Donna M. Orange, all of Jacksonville, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and his sister Nelva Lorene Wilcox of Shady Spring, and cousins, nephews, nieces and many other relatives. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Oliver Victor Lilly Jr., Clarence Earl Lilly, Sterling Lilly and one sister, Josephine Lilly Crawford. Donald was born in Philips, W.Va., to the late Oliver Lilly Sr. and Sue Bowling Lilly and later moved as a child with his family to Crab Orchard, W.Va. and lived there until he went to the military. Don’s military and business careers took his family to many parts of the country with his last three homes in Bridgeport, W.Va., Roanoke, Va. and Jacksonville, Fla. He always had great affection and pride for his home state of West Virginia and will be laid to rest among the beautiful West Virginia hills. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1951. While there he was the Vice President of his senior class and played sports. He joined the U.S. Air Force, and was a Sergeant with a successful 10 year career as a weather forecaster. After serving with the Air Force, Mr. Lilly had the opportunity to join the Graybar Electric Company. In 1972 he began his career with The Mutual of Omaha Companies where he was very successful first in insurance sales and then as a General Manager in Roanoke, Va. and in Jacksonville, Fla. Mr. Lilly was known for his work ethic, high personal standards, and great empathy for his associates. He took great pride in his business and truly relished helping others achieve success. Over the years, his insurance expertise and reputation led him to be honored with many awards from The Mutual of Omaha Companies. Mr. Lilly’s main focus in life was taking care of his wife and family. He was a devout Christian and often served in many capacities at their churches throughout his life. He was ordained as a deacon in the Baptist faith. He loved the outdoors and spent most of his recreation time hunting or fishing with his family. Family and friends may call at the Calfee Funeral Home, 800 S. Oakwood Avenue, Beckley, on Friday, January 22nd from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 23, at Crab Orchard Baptist Church. Reverend Bobby McFalls, a dear family friend will officiate. Interment will be in the Calfee Cemetery at Mt. Tabor. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.calfeefh.com Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
YORKTOWN, Va. — Donald Ruddle “Rudd” Mahoney, 70, of Yorktown passed away Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center after a long battle with Dementia. Rudd graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, West Virginia, in 1957, where he was inducted into the Woodrow Wilson High School Football Hall of Fame. Following high school Rudd attended one year at Columbia Prep School in Washington, D.C. Then he joined the Air Force in 1958 and served 23 years active duty and 23 years as a Civil Servant, supporting the Warfighter effort in the area of communications radar maintenance. Rudd received the Airman’s Medal for Valor in 1976 when he and his sons rescued two teens from a car submerged under water. He was preceded in death by his father, Irvin Mahoney of Beckley, West Virginia. His mother, Reva Mahoney, resides in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Rudd is survived by his wife, Stella Margaret “Peggy” Phlegar Mahoney, and his sons, Gary Mahoney and his wife Karina Melitonyan, Kirk Mahoney, and Tim Mahoney and his wife Brenda, and his daughters Robin Zivadinovic and her husband Nemanja, and Melisa Chamberlain and her husband Jon; all of whom reside in the local area. He is also survived by his grandchildren Julian and Mackenzie Lawson, Sean, Evan and Erin Mahoney, Ariel, Emily and Julia Mahoney, and Quinton and Katie Jones. Rudd has two brothers, Dennis Mahoney and his wife Joanne of Prescott, Arizona, and Allen Mahoney and his wife Mary of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
On Monday, January 11, 2010, our beloved Robert “Bobby” Lowe of Garfield Street, Beckley, passed away. He was 48 years of age. Born Robert Paul Lowe on January 6, 1962, at Beckley, he was the youngest of five children born to the late Robert Hampton and Leona Virginia Pendry Lowe. His infant brothers, Michael Hampton and David Randall Lowe, preceded him in death. Bobby, as he was affectionately known all his life, was a lifelong resident of Garfield Street. He grew up attending the United Methodist Temple with his parents and sisters. A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1980, he studied to be a master electrician and has been employed by the Raleigh County Board of Education since 1984. He loved to hunt and fish. When anyone was around Bobby Lowe for any length of time, you always heard three words, “Jenny, Danielle and Jared.” He loved his wife and children and his conversations would always come around to them. Bobby Lowe had a good heart. If you ever needed help on something at your home, he was the person you called. He didn’t let you down. He had a soft spot for the elderly people in this community who could always count on him. At the end of the day we realize that all of us have our struggles and our dark times. For Bobby Lowe those times are over. Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God that passeth all understanding…” Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 23 years, Jennifer Leigh Lowe. He was the PROUD father of Leah Danielle Lowe, a senior at West Virginia University, and Robert Jared Lowe, a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School; the fond brother of Elizabeth Sharon Lowe Browning and her husband Ronald and Kathryn Lynn Lowe Sparks and her husband Michael, all of Beckley; the uncle of several nieces and nephews; Jenny’s family, Leta Lester and her husband Raymond of Gilbert, Glenda “Butch” Cline and her husband Jerry of Baisden, DeWayne Cline and his wife Mavis and Christine Cline all of Gilbert. Bobby was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Nancy and Leck Cline, and a brother-in-law, Robert Cline. Countless friends and co-workers also survive. Funeral services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Melton Mortuary Chapel with the Revs. Craig Stevens and DeWayne Cline officiating. The family will receive friends from noon until the hour of the services. In keeping with his wishes Bobby will be cremated following his services. His ashes will be interred in his parents’ graves at Forest Hill. “So Go Rest High On That Mountain,” where your parents sleep, Bobby Lowe, and remember, “That you are loved.” Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meltonmortuary.com. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc., Beckley, W.Va.
NEW MARTINSVILLE — Mary Riffe Crawford, 81, of Duerr Street, New Martinsville, W.Va., died Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at the Woodsfield Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Woodsfield, Ohio. She was born March 21, 1928, in Beckley. Mary was a retired special education teacher of Wetzel County Schools. She also taught school in Cleveland, Ohio, Euclid, Ohio, and Santa Anna, Calif., as well as teaching in a one-room school in Fayette County. She was a member of the New Martinsville United Methodist Church; United Methodist Women, where she had served as President; and the Retired Teachers Association. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Pansy Humphreys Riffe. Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Charles J. Crawford; two sons, Edward N. (Diane) Crawford of New Market, Md. and Charles D. (Stephanie) Crawford of Piedmont, S.C.; a daughter, Catherine E. Crawford of Beckley; three brothers, Harold Riffe Jr. of Winston-Salem, N.C., James Riffe of Abingdon, Va. and Rev. David Riffe of Winston-Salem, N.C.; six grandchildren, Amy Crawford, Timothy Crawford, Andrew Crawford, Kari Crawford, Whitney Crawford and Ashley Crawford. Family will receive friends on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Grisell Funeral Home & Crematory, 751 Third Street, New Martinsville, W.Va. Funeral services will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m. at New Martinsville United Methodist Church, 10 Howard Jeffers Drive, New Martinsville, with Pastor Paul Mateer officiating. Interment in Northview Cemetery, New Martinsville, W.Va. Memorial contributions may be made to New Martinsville United Methodist Church, 10 Howard Jeffers Drive, New Martinsville, WV 26155. Sympathy expressions at grisellfuneralhomes.com. [WWHS Class of 1946]
Natalie Jo Smith, 17, of Northwestern Avenue, Beckley, received her eternal reward Thursday, January 7, 2010. She is celebrating with Her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and is dancing in the streets of heaven. She was born June 15, 1992, in Beckley and was a life-long resident of Beckley. Natalie was our gift and was daddy and mommy’s baby girl. She was a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School and was a member of the Flying Eagles track team and had participated in the history and Bible clubs. She also assisted in the guidance counselors’ offices. Natalie was a member of the Oak Hill Church of the Nazarene, Oak Hill, W.Va., and was a member of the youth group, drama team and helped with wee worship. She was a part-time sales clerk at American Eagle in the Crossroads Mall. Natalie had been accepted to Mount Vernon Nazarene University and was interested in a nursing career. She was preparing for a mission trip to Peru with Extreme Ministries in June. Natalie Jo was full of love, joy and happiness and enjoyed being with her family and friends. She loved to joke, pick and have a good time; she was always ready to receive a jab in return. She will be greatly missed. Natalie’s parents are Robert “Doug” and Jody Lynn Smith of Beckley and Florida. Her siblings are Rachel Annette (Chad) Kuhn of Centerburg, Ohio, and her triplet brothers. Lowell “Eric” (Crystal) Smith, Charleston, W.Va., Michael Douglas (Santana) Smith, Roanoke, Va., and Matthew Brian (Jaime) Smith, Fayetteville, W.Va. She had four nephews: Ryan Douglas, Joel Minor and Miles Eric Kuhn of Centerburg and Ashton Brian of Fayetteville. She loved spending time with these guys and every time they were together it was time for fun and practical jokes. Her maternal grandparents are Thomas (Pap) and Kathryn Maley of Mount Morris, Pa., and paternal grandfather is Robert M. Smith (Pappy) of Waynesburg, Pa. She was preceded in death by her grandmothers Joanna Mae Maley, Shirley Jean Smith and her granny Glenda Rae Smith. She has several aunts, uncles and cousins who all loved her dearly. Family and friends will be received today at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, between 5 and 9 p.m. A service honoring Natalie will be held Monday at Oak Hill Church of the Nazarene, Oak Hill, at 11 a.m. followed by service in the chapel at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, W.Va. Services will be conducted by Rev. Jerry Bush. Colton Hughart, Jeff Smith, Frank Romage, Jared Whisman, Tom Fast, Tim Knoska will be serving as pallbearers. A scholarship has been set up in Natalie’s honor. To contribute, make checks payable to the “Natalie Smith Scholarship Fund” and send to City National Bank, One Park Avenue, Beckley, WV 25801. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhome.com. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is in charge of the arrangements.
On Sunday, January 3rd, 2010, Mildred Robertson went to meet the Lord. She passed quietly and comfortably after a full life and a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease. She will be sadly missed by all whose lives she touched. Born in McAlpin, W.Va. on Oct. 24th 1925 to her parents, Everette and Nellie Aldridge. “Millie” graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1944. Mildred met and married CPL. Ralph Thomas Robertson her senior year, and started a large and loving family. Mildred was one of those people who brought joy to all who surrounded her. She could concoct a culinary masterpiece from leftovers in the fridge, entertain a child all day with an empty butter dish, and teach you right from wrong with just a look. Over the years Mildred wore many hats. She was a homemaker first, but was also employed at G.C. Murphy, and as a part time housekeeper for friends and family and no matter how hard or long she toiled, her infectious smile and caring demeanor won her the love of all she encountered. Mildred’s faith was a prominent aspect in her life. She was a long standing member of the Cross Point Church of God. During which time, she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and was President of the “Women of the Church of God group.” Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband, a son (Michael Thomas Robertson), and a beloved granddaughter (Pamela Kay Robertson.) She is survived by her children; John Robertson of Erie, Pa. , Donna Richmond of Piney View, and daughter, Mickie and husband Samuel Seletyn of Cumberland, Md.; her brothers and sisters, Ruby Jones of Rock Hill, S.C., Velva Adkins of Talbot Tenn., Jane and husband Bill Wright of Beckley, Dean and husband Russell Floyd of Mabscott, Frank and wife Margaret Aldridge of Tupelo W.Va., Ernie Aldridge of Morristown, Tenn. and Carolyn Watson of Mount Holly, N.C., seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. As angels fall, so may they rise. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. today, Thursday, January 7, 2010 at Cross Point Church of God, 110 Crescent Rd, Beckley with Pastor Vondie L. Cook II officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call one hour prior to the services today at the Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family requests memorial contributions be made to WCG of Cross Point Church of God, 110 Crescent Road, Beckley, WV 25801. On line condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.