Woodrow Wilson High School Alumni Page

Obituaries, Page 14

Carter "Rudy" Dexter Wicks, 16, of 229 Mills Ave., Beckley, died Monday, Aug. 15, 2005, at Raleigh General Hospital. Born Feb. 17, 1989, in Beckley, he was the son of John F. Wicks Jr. of Beckley and Mary E. Dexter of Beckley. Rudy was a student at Woodrow Wilson High School and a member of Central Baptist Church. He was a member of the NAACP Youth Branch, avid participant of and fan of football, baseball, golf, soccer, track, wrestling, piano and attended Afro American Art Heritage Academy. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, James Dexter; maternal grandmother, Frances Henderson; paternal grandfather, John F. Wicks Sr.; and maternal grandmother, Mary Wilson. Survivors include three brothers, John F. Wicks III of Washington, D.C., Edward J.D. Wicks of Los Angeles, Calif., and William R.D. Wicks of Charlotte, N.C.; sister-in-law, Helena B. Wicks, a niece, Francesca Wicks, and a nephew, Sean Wicks, all of Washington. His extended siblings are Michael Gosnell, Kristen Wilson, "Little" Mary Gosnell, Brittany White, Maya White, Shawn Garland, Paul Glen, Randy Glen, Whitney Brown and Areal Payne; and his paternal grandmother, Virginia Wicks. Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Central Baptist Church, Brooks and G streets, Beckley, with the Rev. Robert I. Brown and the Rev. Charles Gore officiating. Friends may call one hour before service Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to East Beckley Wildcats football team. Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.

James R. Bennett, [WWHS '56] 67, of Beckley, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005, after a long and courageous battle with numerous cancers as a result of a kidney transplant in 1987. James was the 7th renal transplant done at CAMC in Charleston. James was born Dec. 5, 1937, in Lanark. He was the son of the late Paul J. Bennett and Thelma Bairs Bennett of Glen Jean. James was a loving husband and devoted father to his family and friends. He enjoyed hunting, gardening and restoring cars. James attended Mount View Church of God. He was a retired construction worker. He served his country in the United States Army. Other than his father, James was preceded in death by two sisters, Florence Jones and Bonnie Linville. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 43 years, Emogene "Jean" Bennett; a daughter, Angela Turner and husband, Jonathan, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; a son, Gregory J. Bennett and wife, Lisa, of Piney View; five grandchildren, Lakyn Turner, Emily Turner and Brandon Turner, all of Chapel Hill, and Cody Bennett and Chase Bennett of Piney View; six brothers and sisters, Margaret Wheeler of Tennessee, Pauline McGregor of St. Paul, Minn., Sue Bougard of Glen Jean, Becky Farley of Cool Ridge, Lloyd Bennett and wife, Joyce, of Jumping Branch and Ina Hill of Oak Hill; nieces and nephews, Kenny Lambert, Sherry Lambert, Brad Lambert, Leslie Lambert, Gary Altice, Phillip Altice, Kevin Altice, William Paul Bennett, Kathy Bennett, John Ames, Christy Tedder, Jerry Wayne Burgess, Jason Burgess, Samantha Farley, Matt Farley and Mandy; and special friends, David Williams, Walt Huyck, Mike Harris and the Rev. George Bostic. Service will be 6 p.m. Friday at Mount View Church of God, Hilltop, with Rev. R. Bloomfield and the Rev. Randall Brickey officiating. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is serving the family.

MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. -- Jackie Lee Tyree, 63, formerly of Beckley, Mullens and Elkins, passed away Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005, following a long-term illness. Jackie was born Aug. 5, 1942, at Maple Fork, the son of the late Tennis Alvin Tyree and Margie Zenith Lafferty Tyree of Beckley. Jackie graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley. He was a former West Virginia state president of Babe Ruth baseball. He was a 36-year employee of C&P Telephone Co. Jackie served his country in the United States Army from 1960 until 1963. Other than his father, Tennis Alvin Tyree, Jackie was preceded in death by two infant brothers, Teddy and Dale Tyree. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Nancy Tyree; two sons, Jeffrey Scott Tyree and wife, Evonka, of Mount Holly and Christopher Matthew Tyree and wife, Julie, of Parkersburg; a daughter, Kelli Lynne Tilston and husband, Mike, of Katy, Texas; his mother, Margie Zenith Tyree of Beckley; a brother, William Reid Tyree and wife, Ellen, of Rockville, Md.; grandchildren, Evianna Tyree of Mount Holly, Anna Tyree of Parkersburg, and Justin Campbell, Alex Tilston and Nichole Tilston, all of Katy. Service will be noon Friday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, with Rev. Harmon Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Family and friends will be serving as pallbearers. Friends may gather with the family 11 a.m. until time of service Friday at the funeral home. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, is serving the family.

By the grace of God, Howard "Sonny" Campbell departed this life on Monday, Aug. 15, 2005, after a short illness. Born Sept. 14, 1940, in Beckley, he was the son of Kathelyne Blake of Beckley and the late Bernard Campbell. Sonny attended Mount Tabor Christian School and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, class of 1958. He was a former resident of Daniels and worked 20 years as an electrical field supervisor for BLC Construction Co. of Virginia Beach, Va. He had made his home in Forest Hill for the past year. He was a member of Beckley Masonic Lodge No. 95 AF and AM. Sonny was preceded in death by his loving daughter, Sherri Campbell Burnett; a brother, Bob Williams; stepfather, Harold Blake; and a dear aunt, Margie Williams. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his loving wife of 46 years, Shirley Angle Campbell; a daughter, Diane Mays of Cool Ridge; a son, John Campbell of Hinton; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Charles "Chuck" Blake and wife, Sue, and sister, Pam Bailey and husband, Gary, all of Beckley; two stepsisters, Barbara Currier and Beatrice Farley, and a stepbrother, Pete Blake and wife, Joann. Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Bill Jenkins officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery, Red Sulphur Springs. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Eddie Cochran, Danny Birchfield, Donnie Caldwell, Jim Blake, Ronnie Ward and Aaron Mays, along with honorary pallbearers of David Crum and Don Davis. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Mona M. McGrew, age 73, [WWHS '51] of Alliance, died at her home at 5:10 p.m. Tuesday, August 9, 2005. She was born February 6, 1933 in Beckley, West Virginia to Orville R. and Edith A. (Stephens) Phillips. Mrs. McGrew graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley. After graduating from high school, she moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the F.B.I. She later worked as a bookkeeper for the Alliance YMCA for 17 years and for the Alliance Chamber of Commerce for more than three years. She was a member of First United Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of the Carnation Festival Board, and served as treasurer for five years. She was a member of the Alliance Association of Secretaries, Alliance Elks Ladies Auxiliary of the BPOE # 467, where she served as Secretary and Past President. Mona also enjoyed bowling and crafts. She is survived by her husband, Frank Robert "Bob" McGrew, whom she married Nov. 6, 1961; one son, Michael R. McGrew of North Canton; one daughter, Micci L. Stansbury, of Louisville, Kentucky; two granddaughters; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary E. Stoll of Massillon, and Margaret R. Dentler of Virginia; and one brother, Lewis F. (Sharon) Phillips of Canton. Mona was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Robert Jay McGrew, who died March 10, 1972; and two brothers, Carl E. Phillips and Kelly R. Phillips. Her warm smile will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home with Pastor K.O. Noonoo officiating. Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Friday. An Elks Auxiliary Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Interment will be in Fairmount Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alliance Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, 885 S. Sawburg, Alliance, Ohio 44601, Camp LiMRod of First United Presbyterian Church, 425 E. Market St. Alliance, Ohio 44601, or the charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, Alliance, Ohio. Friends may register online at: www.ctcfuneral.com. [From the Canton Repository]

Phyllis Geraldine Wheeler Miles, 85, of Hilltop Center, passed away Monday, Aug. 15, 2005, at Plateau Medical Center following a short illness. Born Nov. 7, 1919, at Princeton, she was the daughter of the late William and Nina "Susie Mitchell" Wheeler. Geraldine was a loving mother, grandmother and sister who was dedicated to her family. She was a 1937 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Temple and was active in Circle 5 and other church activities. In her early career, she worked at Raleigh General Hospital and Medical Associates. The majority of her working life was spent at Beckley Cut Flower, owned by her good friends the late Betty and John Schulte. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, J.W. "Bill" Miles; her sister, Dorcas Larrick of Oak Hill; her stepfather, Fred Mitchell; and stepsister, Phyllis Carpenter. She is survived by two children, Randy Miles of Greensboro, N.C. and Sherry Cushman and her husband, Tom, of Beckley. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Jennifer Miles of Charlotte, N.C., Miles Cushman of Beckley, Camille Cushman of Raleigh, N.C., and Katelyn Cushman of Huntington; brother-in-law, Gene Larrick of Oak Hill and nephews, Greg and Tim Larrick. She is also survived by cousins, Doris Daniel, Helen Easter, Kendall and Mae Wheeler and Gene Carpenter, along with may nieces and nephews. A celebration of her life will be 12 noon Thursday at the United Methodist Temple with the Revs. Dan Johnson and Mona Jackson officiating. A visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Temple, 201 Templeview Dr., Beckley, WV 25801 or to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802. Pallbearers will be Todd Cushman, Faun Cushman, Greg Larrick, Tim Larrick, Jack Schroder and J.B. Frier. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

On Thursday, Aug. 11, 2005 after a long and good life, Cecil Carrington Lewis Sr. died at his home in Shady Spring. He was in his 87th year. Born at Alderson on May 30, 1918 he was the son of the late George Ray and Lillie Ora Jane Flint Lewis. Carrington spent his childhood at Alderson and Sprague. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson School, Class of 1938, where he played the saxophone in the band. A lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church on South Heber Street, he witnessed the laying of the corner stone of the church as a young man. A member of the church choir, he had been active in his church until his health began to decline. In his early years, he had managed the shoe department at Rahalls and worked at Noble Shoe Store. He then began a career with H&M Shoes at the corner of Neville and Heber streets, where he started as assistant manager, eventually becoming part owner, retiring in 1981. Carrington was the last charter member of the Shady Spring Ruritan Club. This past December he was awarded the Tom Downing Fellow Award, a national Ruritan honor which awarded a local student with a scholarship in his name. He was a past member of the Raleigh County Parks' Board for Little Beaver Park. In his leisure time he enjoyed golf and hunting. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Cecil Carrington Lewis Jr., in 1965; a grandson, David Norton Lewis Jr., in 1980; brothers, Otho and Ronda Lewis; a sister, Irma Rae Lowe; and his father and mother-in-law, Elmer N. and Lovina Blair Creger. He is the beloved husband of 64 years to Norma Cathern Creger Lewis and the dear father of David Norton Lewis Sr. and his wife, Connie, of Shady Spring. He is survived by a sister, Wanda Elkins of Beckley; a brother, Forrest Elmo Lewis and wife, Jerry, of Charleston; a sister-in-law, Martha Gunter and husband, Burton, of Beaver; and a brother-in-law, James H. Creger and wife, Alma, of Staunton, Va.; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at the Melton Mortuary Chapel, with the Rev. Dr. Raymond Rowe and the Rev. Susan Rector officiating. Burial will follow in the Lewis family plot at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley. Friends may call one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers. Donations of sympathy can be made to First United Methodist Church, 216 S. Heber St., Beckley, WV 25801, or Hospice of Southern West Virginia, PO Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary Inc., Beckley.

PROCTORVILLE, Ohio -- Richard "Dick" McKinley Ashworth, 63, [WWHS '60] went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005. A celebration of his life will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Kenova, of which he was a member, with the Rev. Tom Sharp, the Rev. Rob Jones, the Rev. Steve Wills and the Rev. Michael Branson officiating. A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ashworth-McKinney Cemetery at Ghent. He was born June 19, 1942 at Welch, a son of Eloise West Ashworth of Ft. Myers, Fla., and the late Ezra McKinley Ashworth. Upon graduating from WVU in 1965, Dick worked for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Richmond, Va. In 1970, he moved his family to Beckley, where he went into the family-owned business, Ashworth's True Value Hardware Store and Ashworth's Suzuki and Harley Davidson Shop. He also worked several years as sales manager with Dr Pepper in Beckley. Music had always played an important role in his life. As a young man he played and recorded with the "Teen Tones" from Beckley. After serving a year as interim music director at Memorial Baptist Church in Beckley, he was called to a part-time position as music and youth director at First Baptist Church in Hinton. In 1986 Dick was called as a full-time Minister of Music and Youth and Senior Adults at First Baptist Church in Kenova. He was involved with the Youth for Christ program. Some of his favorite times were taking his teens on Mission Tours to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and planning and driving his Senior Adults and Saint's Alive Choir to many venues of service. Throughout his life and especially in his last year, he would always say "Because God is so amazing, I am so blessed!" In addition to his mother, Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Shea Lee Davis Ashworth; two sons and their wives, Richard M. Ashworth Jr. and Rebecca A. Ashworth, Christopher D. Ashworth and Melissa K. Ashworth; a very special grandson, Nathan Ashworth; a sister and brother-in-law, Lila and K. "Buzz" McCormack of Beckley; two brothers-in-law and their wives, H. Cole Davis and Jeannie of Tucson, Ariz., and D. Edward Davis and Linda of Morgantown; nephews, Evan, Ryan and Coleman Davis, and David and Matthew McCormack, and a niece, Shea Lively; and one very special friend, Dave McComas. Dick wanted to thank Dr. Gerrit Kimmey and his caring staff. His "loving angels" the nurses on the 6th Floor Oncology Unit at St. Mary's Medical Center, who gave him excellent care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Kenova, P.O. Box 475, Kenova, WV 25530-0475. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12 at the First Baptist Church of Kenova, located at 12th and Poplar streets. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is in charge of arrangements.

George Theodore "Ted" Starr Jr., 59, of Johnstown Road, Beckley, died Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005, in a Beckley hospital following a short illness. He was born on July 1, 1946, at Beckley, the son of Onida Munsey Starr of Beckley, and the late George T. Starr Sr. Survivors include his children: Ted Starr Jr. of Tennessee, Shannon Starr of Oregon, Jamie Cole of Florida, Stacie Lacy and Sally Massey, both of Beckley; his grandchildren, Ashley, Amber, Amanda, Jonathan, Kourtney, Shelby, Ainsley, Sebstian, Jamie Michelle, Zachary, Carlie and Travis and by a sister, Donna Elkins of Beckley. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before the service Thursday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Cheryl Lynn Harrah, 28, of 133 Kent Ave., Beckley, died Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003, at Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley, following a sudden illness. Born Nov. 17, 1974, in Amherst, Ohio, she was the daughter of Richard and Veronica Lynch Harrah of Beckley. Cheryl was a 1993 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She was a senior student at Mountain State Univerisity, majoring in social studies. She was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Beckley. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Charles Edward Lynch II; maternal stepgrandfather, Larry Gene Plumley; and her companion, Jon Harding. Survivors include her children, Andrew Harrah and Skyler Harrah, both at home; a brother, Richard Harrah II of Beckley; a sister, Shannon Halliwell and husband, John, of Prosperity (a neice Katelyn Halliwell); maternal grandmother Margaret Plumley of Beckley; and paternal grandparents, Billy Harrah of Beaver and Norma Raines of Crab Orchard. Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Pericles Malacaman officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, where a Christian prayer service will be held at 8:30 p.m. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.

TALCOTT - Lino Silvio DeMarchi, Sr., 59, of Talcott, died Friday, July 22, 2005, of a prolonged illness in the Summers County Appalachian Regional Hospital. Lino was born in Thornhill. As a child, he moved with his parents to Beckley, where he was a member of the St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church. He attended Lincoln Elementary and Beckley Junior High Schools. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School, where he was a baseball player and a record setting shot putter. After high school, he attended the Charleston Barber College. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the 492nd Replacement Detachment in the U.S. Army Reserves. He worked as a barber, a coal miner for the Roland Mine with the Consolidated Coal Company, a guard at the West Virginia Penitentiary, a Deputy for the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office, and a Weight Enforcement Supervisor for the West Virginia Department of Transportation. Lino was a Master Mason of the Beckley Masonic Lodge, #95, A.F.&A.M., the Beni Kedem Shrine of Beckley, Past President of the Beckley Shrine Club, a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Black Diamond Lodge #81. His extensive interest in politics led him to contribute his time and efforts to many local, state, and national political campaigns. An enthusiastic athlete, he played baseball and league softball throughout his life. He was a friend to everyone, a gifted storyteller, and an avid prankster. His parents, Pietro Leandro and Maria Pietrantozzi DeMarchi of Beckley; a son, Daniel Leandro DeMarchi of Talcott, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Jane Mize DeMarchi of Talcott; a son, Lino, Jr., and his wife Robin of Charleston; a daughter, Gina Taylor and her husband Matt of Sandyville; one grandson, Jonathan Carter Taylor of Sandyville; an uncle, Dandelo Pietrantozzi and his wife Elizabeth of Beckley; and a sister, Virginia Shumate and her husband George of Bluefield, Va. Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 1 p.m. at Melton Mortuary Chapel with Father Sammy Sacus officiating. Rite of Committal will follow in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Prosperity. Beckley Lodge #95 will conduct the Masonic graveside rite. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Leeber, Dennis Blair, Roger Wynes, Jo Vallina, Keith Jeffries, William "Moon" Mullins, Nick J. Rahall, and Steve "Dusty" Trail. Friends may call from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Eileen Margherita Thurman Meadows, 84, passed away Saturday, July 16, 2005, at Raleigh Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a short illness. Born in Beckley on Sept. 16, 1920, Mrs. Meadows was the daughter of the late T. Noel Thurman and Hattie A. Stover Thurman of Dry Hill Road. Her husband preceded her in death on June 11, 1968. Also preceding her in death were a sister, June Thurman (Charles) Taylor; a brother, Theodore (Teddy) Thurman; mother-in-law, Fleda Hughes Meadows Hawks; sisters-in-law, Lydia Meadows Bauguess and Ann Meadows Gambill Massey. She is survived by her children, Frank Meadows and wife, Colette, of Flat Top Lake, Ghent; daughter, Pat Holman and husband, Larry, of Marion, Ohio; daughter, Margaret Skaggs and husband, Mark, of Fayette-ville, N.C.; a daughter, Glenna Priddy and husband, Max, of Crab Orchard. In addition to her children, Mrs. Meadows is also survived by her sisters, Patty Ann Thurman Roskiewicz of Latham, N.Y., Janet Thurman Netherland Brown of Rogersville, Tenn.; nine grandchildren, Steven Meadows of Cleveland, Ohio, Scott Meadows and wife, Stephanie, of Charlotte, N.C., Eric Holman and wife, Tamara, of Marion, Ohio, Matt Holman of Marion, Ohio; Andrea Bonvillain and husband, Ed, of Springfield, Ohio, Shelly Smith of Fayetteville, N.C., Alan Skaggs and wife, Arlene, of Chester, Va., Shea Loewan and husband, Jeff, of Bakersfield, Calif., Lisa Dykes and husband, Keith, of Macon, Ga.; and eight great-grandchildren. Eileen was a 1937 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She attended Calloway Heights Community Church, First Assembly of God and was a member of the Prosperity First Baptist Church of Prosperity. She served as a Sunday school teacher and helped with Bible school. Eileen was a homemaker for many years before going to work in the Town District Magistrate's office. Later she worked for the United Mine Workers, District 29 until her retirement in 1979. Friends may gather with the family from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Services will be 3 p.m. Tuesday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, with the Rev. Gary Walker and Pastor John K. Jordan officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Grandsons, Steve and Scott Meadows, Eric and Matt Holman, Allan Skaggs and Keith Dykes will be serving as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Prosperity First Baptist Church. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is serving the family.

LUTHERVILLE, Md. -- Julius K. Caldwell, formerly of Beckley, died on Wednesday, July 13, 2005. He was 72. He was the beloved husband of Georgann S. Caldwell, devoted father of Cynthia Caldwell and Mac Caldwell; dear son of Verona Smith; cherished grandfather of Melissa Borsetti, James Rawle, Jacob Caldwell, Jennifer Caldwell, and Allison Caldwell; and loving brother of Linda Arnie. Friends may call at the family-owned Peaceful Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Center, 2325 York Road, Timonium, Md., on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 18, 2005. Interment will be in the Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Assoc., P.O. Box 17025, Baltimore, MD 21297-0191. Arrangements by Peaceful Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Center, Timonium, Md. 21093.

Raymond R. Lamb, 77, of Beckley, died Saturday, July 9, 2005, at his residence. Born July 18, 1927, at Cranberry, he was the son of the late Carl R. and Mamie Burgess Lamb. Mr. Lamb was a purchasing agent, having worked for Ingersoll-Rand and retired from Mamco in Beckley. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, attended Concord College and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He was a member of the New River Jazz Ensemble and the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association and a member of Phi Delta Pi Fraternity. Mr. Lamb was a member of St. Francis deSales Catholic Church, a veteran, having served with the U.S. Navy during World War II, and a resident of Raleigh County most of his entire life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Dunkley Lamb; and a brother, Charles Lamb. Survivors include his son, Mike Lamb of Rock Hill, S.C.; his daughter, Mary Pat Cummings and her husband, Kerry, of Tega Cay, S.C.; his two grandchildren, Shea Lamb of Belmont, N.C., and Casey Cummings of Tega Cay, S.C. In honoring Mr. Lamb's wishes, he will be cremated and a memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church with the Rev. Perry Malacaman officiating. Mr. Lamb's cremains will be interred privately by family members. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Raymond Lamb's memory to St. Francis deSales Catholic Church, 626 South Oakwood Ave., Beckley, WV 25801. Online condolences may be e-mailed to calfeefuneralhome@yahoo.com. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Staff Sergeant Jeremy Alexander Brown, 26, of Mabscott, passed away Sunday, July 3, 2005, due to injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident while serving with the U.S. Army in Mosul, Iraq. Staff Sgt. Brown was born Nov. 10, 1978, in Beckley. He was the son of Teresa Lynn Scott Brown of Mabscott and the late John Alexander Brown. Staff Sgt. Brown was a 1997 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Staff Sergeant Brown entered the U.S. Army in 1996. He served at Fort Hauchuca Arizona, with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., an assignment in Korea, a tour in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky., and deployed back in Iraq in March of 2005 with the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment out of Fort Carson, Colo. Staff Sgt. Brown's awards include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Ribbon, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, two Army Overseas Service Ribbons, Army Combat Action Badge, Master Parachute Badge, Air Assault Badge, and an Expert Marksman Badge. Staff Sergeant Brown was preceded in death by his father, John A. "Skeet" Brown; his paternal grandparents, Helen Choka Brown and John Alexander Brown Jr. Other than his mother, those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Rosemary Brown of West Orange, N.J.; a son, Seth Alexander Brown of Winchester, Ohio; two brothers, twin brother, Jason Brown of Mabscott and Greg Brown of Mabscott; maternal grandparents, Bill and June Scott of Grandview; and a host of extended family members and friends. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Dr., Beckley, with Pastor Bobby Meadows officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. The U.S. Army Honor Guard will provide Military Graveside Rites. Friends may gather with the family from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Dr., Beckley is serving the family.

Evelyn Marie Helmondollar, 63, [WWHS '60] of Beckley, went to live with Jesus on Tuesday, June 28, 2005; she had just taken communion with her sisters in Christ and they had a holy ghost experience. She was happy and ready to meet the Lord. Born March 23, 1942, at Beckley, she was the daughter of Susie Martin Cumbo of Beckley, and the late Sam Cumbo. Mrs. Helmondollar worked at Hills Department Store for over 20 years. She was a member of the North Sandbranch Worship Center. She was preceded in death by a great nephew, Joey Cassola. Other survivors besides her mother include her two sons, Terry Sodosky and wife, Pam ,of Beckley, and Richard Helmondollar and wife, Brandy, of Crab Orchard; two brothers, Sam Cumbo Jr. and wife, Kate, of Louisiana and Tony Cumbo of Beckley; a sister, Nellie Puskas and husband, Louis, of Beckley; grandchildren, Chris and Ashley Sodosky; nieces, Sandra K. Elmore and Porsche Cassola; and a great nephew, Zachary Elmore. She was referred to as "Maw Maw" Evelyn by several children. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel with Pastor Ken Souder and the Rev. Lee Dunbar officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before the service on Friday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Lee Dunbar, Kenny Toney, Jared Souder, James Young, Gary McGuire and Fred Elmore. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at roseandquesenberry@charterinternet.com. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry, Beckley.

Denny Ray Skiles, 68, [WWHS '55] of Lester, died Monday, June 13, 2005, in a local hospital after an extensive illness. Born May 5, 1937, at Stotesbury, he was the son of the late James Morgan and Cora Lee Ledford Skiles. Mr. Skiles was a retired industrial tax appraiser for the West Virginia State Tax Department, retiring with 32 years of service. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley College and Morris Harvey College where he excelled at basketball at all three institutions. He was a lifelong resident of Raleigh County. Mr. Skiles was preceded in death by two sisters, Minnie Lee Cox and Margaret Smarrt; and three brothers, Robert, Jimmy and "Brother" Skiles. Survivors include his wife, Beverly Snuffer Skiles; four daughters, Cindi Reeves and her husband, Jeremy, of Beckley, Wendi Birchfield of Beckley and boyfriend, Jason Shumate, of Maxwell Hill, Karen Skiles of Lester and Denise Darlene Skiles of South Carolina; a son, Denny Ray Skiles Jr. of South Carolina; two brothers, Gene Skiles and his wife, Vera, of Bradley and Bill Skiles and his wife, Helen, of Chattanooga, Tenn.; a sister, Betty Jo McVey of Crab Orchard; four grandchildren, Andrew Thomas, Alexis, Lena and Gina; several nieces and nephews and a great deal of friends. Service will be noon Thursday at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Melvin Jamison officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before service Thursday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Johnny Crouch, Pat Crouch, Herbie Crouch, Jeremy Reeves, Jason Shumate and Andy Bailey. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

James Curtis "J.C." Francisco, 65, of Beckley, died Monday, June 13, 2005, in a Charleston hospital after a short illness. Born March 17, 1940, at Beckley, he was the son of the late Charles Filmore and Lila Gunnoe Francisco. Mr. Francisco was a former food service representative for Kraft Food and a former area manager for Valley Poultry Farms. Most recently, he retired as owner of J.C.'s Club in Beckley. He was a member of the Beckley Moose Lodge No. 1606. He was preceded in death by a brother, Herb Francisco; and a sister, Gloria Washburn. He is survived by his wife, Charlene Hesse Francisco; a son, Curtis Francisco and his wife, Zakiyyah, of Silver Spring, Md.; stepson, Scott Brown and his wife, Jennifer, of Beckley; his former wife, Betty Francisco of Beckley; stepdaughter, Vicky Underwood and her husband, David, of Beckley; stepson, Danny McGrady and his wife, Karen, of Beckley; brother, Bob Francisco and his wife, Sue, of Beaver; grandchildren, Chase Brown, Noelle Brown, Taffy Underwood, Allison Underwood and Kelli McGrady. He is also survived by his many friends and classmates of Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1958 whom he loved dearly. Following J.C.'s wishes, his body has been cremated and there will be no service. His friends are invited to gather at 6 p.m. Wednesday at J.C.'s Club to raise a glass just one more time in celebration of J.C.'s life. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

John Mark Amick, 46, of Beckley, died Tuesday, June 7, at home after a long and courageous battle against cancer. Born August 27, 1958, in Beckley, he was the son of Virginia Osborne Amick of Beckley and the late James "Jimmy" Amick. A devoted and beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend, Mark inspired all who loved him by the way he challenged his final illness. Mark was an employee of the U.S. Postal Service in Beckley and previously worked as a welder at the U.S. Naval Shipyards in Norfolk, Va. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and attended West Virginia University. An avid fisherman, golfer, and special friend of animals, he was a member of Cornerstone Freewill Baptist Church, the Loyal Order of Moose Beckley Lodge 1606 and the Eagles Club. In addition to his mother, Mark is survived by his wife, Alexandria Arnold Amick; a daughter, Britney D. Smith, and her husband, Charles "Chuck" Smith, of Beckley; a son, Zachary Thomas Amick, at home; and a granddaughter, Taylor Nicole Smith. He also is survived by a brother, J. Thomas "Tom" Amick, and his wife, Ellen-Joan "Jaye" Amick, of Holden, Mass.; a sister, Nancy L. Riffee, her husband, Larry John Riffee, and their daughter, Ashley Renee Riffee, of Forest, Va.; and a host of loving friends. The service will be Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Freewill Baptist Church in Crab Orchard with the Rev. Roger Tolliver officiating. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.

Gene Elizabeth Mann Neil, 81, of Beckley, died Monday, May 16, 2005, at her home following a long illness. Born June 11, 1923, at Athens, she was the daughter of the late Fletcher Wills and Hope Agnes Smith Mann. Mrs. Neil was a graduate of West Virginia University in 1945 with a B.S. degree in home economics. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, Research Bureau for Retail Training, in 1946 with a M.Litt. degree. She was an instructor at Michigan State University for two years and then taught at MacKenzie High School in Detroit while her husband attended dental school. After moving back to Beckley in 1955, Mrs. Neil was a teacher at the Raleigh County Vocational School and later at Park Junior High School and was the owner of the Collector's Room, in conjunction with White House Interiors. Mrs. Neil was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church where she sang in the choir and was a member of the ECW. She was a past president of the West Virginia Dental Auxiliary and the West Virginia Woman's Club, a member of Phymosia Garden Club and a monthly book club. She was preceded in death by her brother, Jack A. Mann. Survivors include her husband of 54 years, D. Edward Neil; a daughter, Mavis Gene McCollam and her husband, Ronald, of Beckley; a son, Mark Morse Neil and his wife, Teresa, of Beckley; a grandson, Ronald M. McCollam II of Boston; granddaughters, Mavis Elizabeth McCollam and Mackenzie Adams Neil, both of Beckley, and Tammy Ann McCollam Romage and her husband, Daniel, of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; a sister, Mavis Andree Reeves and her husband, Benjamin, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews. Following her wishes, Mrs. Neil has been cremated. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Beckley, with Father Eric Miller officiating. Friends may visit with the family 5 to 8 p.m. today at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations of sympathy be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802, or to St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 200 Virginia St., Beckley, WV 25801. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

The Lord called Joyce Ellen Skinner Dean home to be with him on Saturday, May 21, 2005. A resident of Crab Orchard, she was 42 years of age. Born on April 6, 1963, in Chardon, Ohio, she was the daughter of Ray Norman Skinner of Madison, Ohio and Ellen Schwerthofer Allmon and her husband, Robert of Crab Orchard. At age nine, Joyce moved to MacArthur with her family. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Joyce worked at the Beckley Sam's Club as a director of operations personal assistant. She also worked at Captain D's on Ei-senhower Drive and was a former employee of Long John Silvers as an assistant manager for over 20 years. Joyce was preceded in death by two sons, Dustin Ray Snuffer and Anthony Tyler Dean. In addition to her parents and stepfather, those left to cherish her loving memory include her two sons, Cody Ray Dean and Matthew Ryan Dean, both at home; her fianc/, Harold Word and a brother, Harold Skinner, both of Beckley. Joyce was loved and cherished by all who met her and brought a smile to everyone's face and joy to everyone's heart. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Melton Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. L.C. Calhoun officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the mortuary. Pallbearers will be Joyce's co-workers. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

BRUNSWICK, Maine - Mary F. Frothingham, 92, a longtime resident of Charleston, died May 13, 2005, at Maine Medical Center. Born in Latrobe, Pa., on Dec. 14, 1912, she was the daughter of the late John Marshall Ferguson and Elizabeth Welsh Ferguson. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley and graduated from Wellesley College in 1934 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a minor in music. She raised three sons and taught mathematics for 16 years in the Charleston school system. This included pioneering the teaching of calculus and advanced math at Charleston High School and George Washington High School. Mary will be long remembered by her family for her artistry in knitting, crochet, needlepoint and cross-stitch. She was also an accomplished amateur photographer and a loving and caring grandmother in whom all secrets were confided. She was a longtime member of St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Charleston and a member of the Grandparents Club of South Hills. Mary was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Carey Frothingham, who died April 27, 2002. She was also predeceased by a sister, Betty Weatherford of Beckley, and a son, Marshall Buxton Frothingham, formerly of New York City. Mary moved to Maine in May 2002 where she resided at the Freeport Nursing Home and most recently at Ledgeview Assisted Living in Cumberland-Foreside. Mary is survived by two sons, John Carey Frothingham of Brunswick and George Richmond Frothingham of Bethlehem, Pa.; four granddaughters, Mhari Elizabeth Sandoval of Brooklyn, N.Y., Julia Christina Frothingham of Portland, Maine, Jane Catherine Frothingham of Canton, Ga., and Mary Ellen Frothingham of Moab, Utah; and a grandson, Pvt. Stephen Patrick Frothingham, U.S. Air Force, of Oakland, Calif., currently deployed to Kuwait. Memorial service will be 9 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Charleston, with the Rev. William Carl Thomas officiating. Burial of ashes will follow in the family plot in St. Matthews cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 36 Norwood Road, Charleston, WV 25314. Arrangements are by Brackett Funeral Home, Brunswick.

Peggy DeHart, 66, [WWHS '56] passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2005, at the William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay, FL. Peggy was born in Raleigh County, West Virginia. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, James DeHart of Melbourne; daughter, Pamela (Roger) Baxter of Melbourne; son, Curtis DeHart of Melbourne; two granddaughters, Jennifer and Sheree Baxter; sisters, Judith Thornquest of Melbourne, Sara (Jack) Williams of Beckley, WV and Sherry Shockney of Beckley; and four brothers, Emory, John, Donald (Karol) and Paul (Linda) Thornquest, all of Beckley, WV. She was beloved by one very special niece, Candy Miller and many other nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 28th, at Florida Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will be at Florida Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to William Childs Hospice House, 381 Medplex Parkway, Palm Bay, FL 32907. Florida Memorial Funeral Home in Rockledge is in charge of arrangements. [Florida Today]

Norma Rogers, of Chestnut St., Mabscott, died Saturday, April 14, 2005, in a Beckley hospital following a long illness. She was 70 years of age. Born Norma Lee McMillion on March 21, 1935, at Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Rufus and Marie Collins McMillion. Norma spent her entire life on Chestnut Street. She had attended Woodrow Wilson High School and was a member of the Bible Baptist Church at MacArthur. Norma's life centered around her family. She was a devoted grandmother and had a kind and gentle spirit. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Russell on Dec. 14, 1996. She was the loving mother of Sherry Leigh Rogers of Mabscott and Michael Wayne Rogers of San Diego, Calif., and Eric Rogers of Beckley; her two grandsons, Luke Austin and Matthew Logan Rogers; a brother, Victor McMillion and his wife, Loretta, of Beckley; a sister-in-law, Pearl Rogers of Mabscott; and four nieces, Vickie Wooten, Wendy Wills, Kim Boblett and Kristie Wright. Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Wayne Holder officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the mortuary. Men of the church will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

MARIETTA, Ohio -- John Tuterway "Tut" Peery, 70, of Marietta, passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2005, at OSU Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. John was born May 25, 1934, in Beckley, the son of the late Patterson and Goldie Peery. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley and Concord College in West Virginia. John retired from Marietta City Schools and Marietta Memorial Hospital. He was an accomplished wood carver and enjoyed bluegrass music. He was active in his community, volunteering for several organizations. He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Ines Marshall Peery; his children, Doug (Maggie) of North Carolina, Dan of Columbus, John Sandford of Marietta, Peggy Becker of Lowell and Scott (Libby) Sandford of Caldwell; two brothers, Pat (Patty) and Bill (Terry); two sisters, Mary (Vern) and Jean (Chuck); grandchildren, Katie, Michael, Zach, Russell, Jack, and Jeremy; and three great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Saturday at Open Door Baptist Church, 301 Franklin St., Marietta, with the Rev. Keith Kapple officiating. Memorials may be made at Strecker Cancer Center. Online condolences may be sent to johnpeery@charter.net.

Alice Williams, 57, of Crab Orchard, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, May 1, 2005, in a Charleston hospital following a sudden stroke. Born Alice Faye Gillespie on July 9, 1947, at Crab Orchard, she was the daughter of the late Forest and Freda Carte Gillespie. Alice was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1965, and had attended Nashville Freewill Bible College. A homemaker, she was a member of Bethel Freewill Baptist Church where she was active in the Women's Auxiliary. Survivors include her beloved husband, Clarence J. Williams; a stepdaughter, Paulette Whitlow and her husband, Michael, of Beckley; a sister, Kay Pegram and her husband, Michael, of Beckley; two brothers, David Gillespie and his wife, Tammy, of Beckley and Darrell Gillespie and his wife, Delilah, of Crab Orchard; and several nieces, nephews, great-nephews and a great-niece; and a large extended family and many friends. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Bill Calhoun officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the mortuary. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers. Donations of sympathy can be made to Gideons International, Beckley Camp, c/o A. Keith Walker, 517 Orchard Ave., Beckley, WV 25801, to spread the word of God throughout the world. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Patrick H. Johns, age 70 [WWHS '52], of Casselberry, passed away Monday, April 25, 2005, Born in Rhodell, WV, he moved to Central Florida from Ft. Lee, VA in 1981. Mr. Johns was a retired Lt. Colonel in the United States Army and a Vietnam Veteran. After retiring from the Army, he enjoyed a second career as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. Mr. Johns was a member of the Church of the New Covenant, Winter Springs, as well as the Order of St. Luke and the Presidential Prayer Team for President George W. Bush. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Alice; mother, Margaret Schmaucher; son, Patrick H. Johns II; daughter, Cynthia Johns; his brother, Clarence Johns; sister, Medie Vogl; and his grandchildren, John and Emily. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Medie Fleshman. Funeral services for Mr. Johns will be held at 10AM on Friday, April 29, 2005 at the Church of the New Covenant with Father Carl Buffington officiating. Interment will follow at 2PM at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Visitation for friends will be held from 6-8PM on Thursday, April 28, 2005 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Youth Missions of Church of the New Covenant. Services are entrusted to COLLISON FAMILY FUNERAL HOMES CREMATORY, HOWELL BRANCH CHAPEL, 3806 Howell Branch Rd, Winter Park. Telephone 407-678-4500. Published in the Orlando Sentinel on 4/27/2005.

ST. ALBANS -- Ronald "Ron" Meadows, 55, of St. Albans, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2005. He was the owner of West Virginia Floor Services where he was known as "Mr. Sandman." He was a former manager at various Murphy's/Ames stores and was a former district manager for 7-Eleven. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, in 1969 and attended West Virginia State College after a tour of duty in Vietnam with the U.S. Army. Ron loved to sing, hunt and fish and was an avid baseball fan and history buff. He was born in Beckley on Oct. 12, 1949, and was the son of the late Hershel and Lorena Meadows. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Leon Summer. He is survived by his wife, Patricia A. Meadows; children, Stephanie Dawn Meadows of Mebane, N.C., Sean Meadows of Chapmanville and Julie Ann Meadows Ray of St. Albans; brothers, Thomas and Glen E. Meadows, both of Baltimore, Md., and Donald Meadows of St. Albans; sisters, JoAnn Dunn and Sarah Leonard, both of Baltimore; and grandchildren, Caleb and Nathan McDonald, Tate Kidd, Hali and Josi Meadows. Ron will be best remembered for his love, dedication and commitment to his family and many friends. Service will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home, 110 B St., St. Albans, with Pastor Jamie Wright officiating. Burial will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. There will be a gathering of family and friends 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home, St. Albans.

James Boyd Richmond Sr., 85, of Stanaford, died Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at his home following lung cancer. Born Nov. 19, 1919, in Raleigh County, he was the son of the late John Richmond and Nettie Ann Warden Richmond. Mr. Richmond was retired after 35 years of service to Appalachian Power Co. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and attended Beckley College. He served in the U.S. Army from June 1943 through December 1945 as a mechanic in the 3rd Armored Division. He was in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received a Good Conduct Medal, European, African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, and World War II Victory Ribbon. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Hunter, John, Edward, Robert, Roy and Paul. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Asuncion Marquis Richmond; a son, James B. Richmond II and wife, Suk Cha "Annie," of Stanaford; a daughter, Rosemary Carter and husband, Franklin, of Beckley; grandson, Brian Moran and wife, Michelle; two great-grandsons, Chaz and Cameron; and two sisters, Mae Meadows of Stanaford, currently residing in Oak Hill, and Garnet Scarbrough of Piney View, currently residing in New York. Service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Roger Harding officiating and music by Doris Pishner. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Josh Scott, Rick Fisher, Robert Foley, Paul Pishner and other family and friends. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at roseandquesenberry@charterinternet.com. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.

Sam Pilliteri, 89, of Crab Orchard, died Sunday, April 24, 2005, at his residence. Born June 15, 1915, in Kaylor, Pa., he was the son of the late Charles and Catherine Pilliteri Bava. Mr. Pilliteri was a 1934 honor graduate of WWHS and was a mine foreman, having started with Affinity Mining and retiring from Maben Energy. After his retirement from his mining career, he started a lawn mower repair service in the garage of his home. Mr. Pilliteri took great pride in the fact that he had lived in the same house in Crab Orchard for more than 66 years. . He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gay Pilliteri; his second wife, Margaret Fink Pilliteri; a son, James "Jimmie Joe" Pilliteri; three sisters, Frances Caruso and Anna Pannell, both of MacArthur and Lena Steiner of Micco, Fla.; two half brothers, John and Charles Bava; and two half sisters, Clara Dwiggins of Beckley and Angie Sanders of Dayton, Ohio. Survivors include his son, Charles:"Cap" Pilliteri and wife, Madrena of Huntsville, Ala.; and a half brother, Tony Bava of Richlands, Va. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces and special neighbors, Butch and Junior Harper. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Calfee Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Phil Shields officiating, and an eulogy given by Ray Yates. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call two hours prior to the service Wednesday at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel. Pallbearers will be Ray Yates, Jason Pilliteri and nephews. Tony Bava will serve as an honorary pallbearer. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Sam Pilliteri to Hospice of Southern WV, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802-1472. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Dewayne Gambrell, 48, of Crab Orchard, died Monday, April 25, 2005, at Raleigh General Hospital following a short illness. Born May 15, 1956, in Pineville, Ky., he was the son of Ruby Warren Gambrell of Glen White and the late Thomas Gambrell. Mr. Gambrell was a disabled coal miner, having last worked for Southern Gold Mining. He was a minister and served as assistant pastor of Shady Spring Pentecostal Church, where he was a member. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and serving in church. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Survivors include his wife, Delores Ann Foley Gambrell; two sons, Jeremy Gambrell of Crab Orchard and Christopher Gambrell of Crab Orchard; a daughter, Andrea Gambrell of Crab Orchard; a brother, Britten Gambrell and wife, Becky, of Del Rio, Texas. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel with Pastor Ernestine Martin and the Rev. Paul Chapman officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at roseandquesenberry@charterinternet.com.

WEST BROOKFIELD, Mass. -- Margaret Ann Meador Brown, 75, of Wigwam Road, formerly of Georgetown, S.C., died Saturday, April 16, 2005, in Mary Lane Hospital in Ware, Mass., after a long illness. She leaves one son, Dr. James Patrick Brown and his wife, Carol, of Craigsville; a daughter, Dr. LouAnn Custer and her husband, Dr. Edward E. Custer, and their sons, Taylor and Patrick, all of West Brookfield; a sister, Sara L. Meador of Beckley; and a sister-in-law, Helen Blalock of Fredericksburg, Va. She was born in Beckley on Aug. 18, 1929, to Dewey Hobson and Mary Margaret Stafford Meador. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley in 1947 and from Charleston General Hospital School of Nursing in Charleston in 1950. Mrs. Brown worked as a registered nurse at Charleston General Hospital for one year and then returned to Beckley where she worked at Raleigh General Hospital for one year before her marriage. She continued her nursing career at her former husband's medical office in Craigsville for 30 years and then moved to Georgetown, S.C., where she worked at Georgetown Memorial Hospital for 12 years before retiring in 1994. She was also a volunteer at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and was of the Methodist faith. Service will be held privately. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the People for Animals League, 32 A Young Road, Charleston, MA 01507. Arrangements by Varnum Funeral Home, West Brookfield.

Donna R. Brown, 62, of Beckley, passed away Friday, April 15, 2005. Donna was born Oct. 8, 1942, at Stanaford, the daughter of the late James and Susie Ewing Campbell. Donna was a member of the Calloway Heights Baptist Church, a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and attended Beckley College. Donna was an employee of Grady Whitlock for over 40 years. She provided food and other necessities to the Pine Haven Homeless Shelter on a regular basis. She was an outstanding cook and shared her "goodies" with many local banks and other community leaders. She adored her grandchildren and was an inspiration to everyone who knew her. Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 42 years, Bob Brown; one daughter, Kelly Dyke and husband, Michael, of Beckley; one son, Gary Brown of Hickory, N.C.; three grandchildren, Lauren, Katelyn and Madison Dyke, all of Beckley; two sisters, Kim Campbell of Stanaford and Carolyn Richardson of Beckley; one brother, Gary Campbell of Buford, Ga.; several nieces and nephews; and many, many friends. Service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with the Rev. Bill Parker officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Bones Baker, Billy Morgan, Kent Keyser, Jimmy Dale Pachuta, Larry Reed, Justin Brown, Tom Evans and Bill Hurd will be serving as pallbearers. Buck Hagy, Bill Brown, Jamie Campbell and Michael Dyke will be serving as honorary pallbearers. Friends may gather with the family from 6 until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Donations may be made in Donna's memory to the Calloway Heights Baptist Church in Beckley. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley is servng the Brown Family.

Archie "Buster" Lambert III, 30, passed away Thursday, April 14, 2005. Archie was born Aug. 28, 1974, in Beckley. He was the son of the late Archie Augustus Lambert Jr. and Regina Gail Weis Lambert of Terry. Archie collected baseball cards and he loved pets. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and attended Terry Christian Church. Other than his father, Archie was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Arthur and Madeline Weis; and his paternal grandparents, Archie and Minnie Lambert. Those left to cherish his memory other than his mother are his loving half brother, Anthony Bragg; half sister, Sara Bragg; and aunts, uncles and numerous extended family members and friends. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Evangelist Drema Robertson officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may gather with the family 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, is serving the Lambert family.

Bennie Brown [WWHS '52] entered into eternal rest on the morning of April 13, 2005, Petty Officer 2nd Class Bennie Joe Brown, USN (Retired), widower of Kate Dixon Brown. Residence, Moncks Corner, South Carolina. The relatives and friends are invited to attend his Memorial Services in St. James United Methodist Church, Goose Creek, SC, Friday morning, April 15, 2005 at ten o'clock. Burial will be private. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., GREENRIDGE ROAD CHAPEL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 5900 Core Road, Suite 504, North Charleston, SC 29406. Mr. Brown was born September 19, 1934 in Beckley, West Virginia, the son of Howard and Virgie Elmore Brown. Mr. Brown was a member of St. James United Methodist Church. He was a retired United States Navy Veteran with 22 years of service to his country; a former security officer at K-Mart, Rivers Avenue and was a bailiff with the Charleston County Courthouse Clerk of Court. Surviving are his sister, Hattie B. Danley and husband Sonny of Levittown, PA; two nieces, Cheryl Danley and Karen Dakin both of Pennsylvania; three stepsons; five step-grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths. [Charleston Post & Courier]

Lise Ann Peck, 40, of Orchard Avenue, Beckley, died Monday, April 11, 2005, in a Charleston hospital following a short illness. She was born March 13, 1965, to Janet Meadows Peck of Orchard Avenue and the late Dr. Oliver Linville Peck. Lise spent her childhood on Orchard Avenue. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1983, and Concord University with a degree in elementary education. She taught at Stratton Elementary and St. Francis de Sales School in Beckley. She was a professional painter. Lise will be remembered for her free spirit. She loved gardening, horses and crows. She had many friends who loved her. Lise enjoyed spending time with her family and her animals. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Dr. Clemmer M. and Pauline Lilly Peck; and her maternal grandfathers, James Harding Meadows and Gordon "Buddy" Harless. Survivors in addition to her mother, Janet, are her beloved daughter, Jessica Linville Peck; a sister, Caroline Roebuck and husband, John Michael, of Roanoke; brothers, Christiaan and Brett Peck, both of Beckley; maternal grandmother, Virginia Griffith Meadows Harless of Shady Spring; a niece, Kelly Roebuck; and nephews, Justin and Jacob Peck. In keeping with her wishes, Lise will be cremated. There will be no formal service. The family will receive friends 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Melton Mortuary, Beckley. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Richard L. Lilly, USMC (Retired). Born August 25, 1934; died April 12, 2005. Richard is preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara A. Nary Lilly; and father, William Floyd Lilly. He is survived by his wife, Alana L. Lilly; his mother, Flossie P. Gross; and sisters, Brenda of Colorado, Sandra of Mexico and Diane of Washington state; two sons, James Randall Lilly of Texas and Thomas Michael Maynard of Jacksonville; daughter, Pamela Carol Lilly of Jacksonville; stepdaughter, Tessa Morgan of Tennessee; granddaughter, Victoria Maynard; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren as well as many loving and devoted friends; and Connie Lilly Baker. Richard Lilly joined the U.S. Marine Corps 25 August 1951 after attending Beckley High School, Beckley, W.Va. Cpl. Lilly served in Korea with 5th Marines Jan 1953 to Jun 1954 as a radio operator. Sgt. Lilly was assigned to 10th Marines, 2ndMarDiv, Camp Lejeune for 18 months until May 1955, when he was sent to Inspector-Instructor Staff, Evansville, Ind., where he was promoted to staff sergeant. SSgt. Lilly was the NCOIC for Toys for Tots and assisted with March of Dimes campaign as well as several other types of community services. After attending the Radio Chiefs Course in San Diego, SSgt. Lilly returned to Camp Lejeune assigned to 3rdBn, 8thMar, HQ 2dMarDiv and 6th Mar. In August 1960, he went to recruiters school. While assigned as the NCOIC at MC Recruiting Substation in Pikeville, Ky., SSgt. Lilly was Recruiter of the Year 1962 for 5th Marine Corps District. He did three tours in Okinawa; Nov 62 to Nov 63; 1967-68 and Aug 1973-1974. MSgt. Lilly served in Vietnam as a communications chief in 1968-1969. He was promoted to master gunnery sergeant in 1970 in San Diego, Calif. while attending the Communications Chief Course. He returned to Camp Lejeune and was the regimental and division communications chief with 8th Marine; HQ 2ndMarDiv and HQ ForTrps/2ndFSSG until he retired in 1977 after 25 years, 8 months and 26 days of exemplary service. During his time in service MGySgt. Lilly received the following: Navy and Marine Corps. Commendation Medal V, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal nine awards, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, United Nations Medals, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and Frame, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. Richard settled in Jacksonville, N.C. after retirement, he worked as a courier for First Citizens Bank then for UPS while building a real estate business. He has been a wonderful asset to the community, often donating time and money to many charities as well as books and other needed items to local schools. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16 at Jones Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Robert Hall and Steve Pross. Entombment will follow at Onslow Memorial Park. To those of us who have had the honor and privilege of being a part of Richard Lilly's life, we shall miss this dear man more than he could ever imagine. Go rest high on that mountain Richard, Go with God! While the family will greatly appreciate flowers, they would like to ask you consider carrying on Richard's desires to help the community by donating to either the Richard L. Lilly Scholarship for the Survivors of Cancer Patients or to the Onslow County/Jacksonville Special Olympics. Thank you and God Bless! Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 15 at Jones Funeral Home in Jacksonville. [The Daily News, Jacksonville, N. C.]

Jason Eric Metrick, 28, of Beckley, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2005. Born Feb. 17, 1977 in Beckley, he was the son of Eric E. Metrick and Susie A. Jones Metrick of Beckley. Jason was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Jason loved to hunt, fish and work on cars. He was an equipment operator for Dakota Mining. Jason attended the Beckley First Church of the Nazarene. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Oscar M. and Daisy M. Jones; paternal grandparents, T.L. and Helen F. Metrick. Other than his parents, those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Darlene Ellis Metrick; one sister, Cindy O'Dell and husband, Brian, of Beckley; two nephews, Greg Metrick and Andy O'Dell; and one niece, Sarah Metrick. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, with the Rev. Richard Wagoner and the Rev. John Pritchard officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Jason's cousins will serve as pallbearers. Friends may gather with the family from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, is serving the Metrick family.

Marie Catherine Kincaid, 82, of Beckley, died Friday, April 8, 2005, peacefully at her home, surrounded by her children, after a courageous battle with cancer. Marie was born Oct. 7, 1922, at Stanaford, the daughter of the late Lonnie Edgar Grear and the late Annie Garnet Oliver Grear. Marie was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School; she worked as a secretary for UMWA District 50 for 20 years, and worked at and retired from Beckley Radiology Associates. Marie attended Wesleyan Chapel of Johnstown Road, Beckley. She was a member of the Skelton Trio, and the Gospel Sounds for 57 years. Other than her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Houston Kincaid; a grandson, Steven Williams; two brothers, Jack and Lonnie Grear; and two sisters, Jewell Bika and Anna Laura Callahan. Those left to cherish her memory are her loving children, Robert H. Kincaid Jr. and wife, Janet, of Beckley, Mark A. Kincaid and wife, Laura, of Nitro, Janice Trump and husband, Frank, of Lovettsville, Va., Sherry Williams and husband, Randy, of Skelton and Tammy Trent and husband, Keith, of Crab Orchard; a brother, John David Grear and wife, Delores, of Sophia; a sister-in-law, Jo Ann Grear of Daniels; six grandchildren, Rocky Gilkerson, Jeffrey Trump, Brian Trump, Michael Kincaid, Shelia Williams O'Dell and Stephanie Trump Rish; three great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; special friends, Tracy Winders, Louise Ellis and Pat Gwinn; a host of friends and neighbors; and her special cat, Callie. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with the Rev. Alan Gallimore and the Rev. Lonnie Grear officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Craig Atkins, Lonnie Grear, Tracy Winders, Billy Grear, Lonnie Callahan and Raymond Callahan will be serving as pallbearers. Grandsons will be serving as honorary pallbearers. Friends may gather with the family 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25801-1472. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is serving the Kincaid family.

Judith Ann "Judy" Mullens, 51, of 123 Williams St., Beckley, died Monday, April 4, 2005, at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital following a long illness. Born on April 21, 1953, in Beckley, she was the daughter of the late William Thomas Jr. and Ora Stone Pilkington. Judy was a homemaker and spent most of her life in Beckley. She attended Woodrow Wilson High School and West Virginia University in Morgantown. She was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Beckley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Ray Mullens, on March 1, 2005; her grandparents, William Thomas Sr. and Madge Arlene Wood Pilkington, and Samuel David and Nannie Letha Hopkins Stone; and a nephew, Samuel David Shrader. She is survived by her biological children, Rich Pilkington and sons, Tyler and Aaron, of Waxhaw, N.C., Cheri Prince and husband, Chuck, and daughters, MaKayla and Emilee, of Charlotte, N.C., Timmy Shrader of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Leann Rettell, a first-year medical student at WVSOM and husband, Ryan, of Lewisburg. She is also survived by a brother, Bill Pilkington and wife, Debbie, of Cool Ridge; two sisters, Nancy Shrader and husband, Bub, and Arlena Haydon and husband, Lacy, of Beckley; her nieces, Beth Pilkington of Clifton Heights, Pa., Beckey Groover and husband, Bob, of Cochranton, Pa., Laurie Maiolo and husband, Tony, of Beckley and Alissa Pilkington of Mount Hope; her nephews, Ryan Pilkington of Cool Ridge, Marc Pilkington, a student at Concord University, and Denny Shrader of Beckley; her stepdaughter, Tavyia Rae Mullens Perez of Fort Myers, Fla.; two stepsons, Thomas Ray Mullens II of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and T. Dwight Lafferty, a student at Concord University; and six stepgrandchildren. She will be missed by her best friend, Frances "Tuffy" Forren; special friends, Ralph and Bonnie Allen; and her beloved dog, T.J. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley. Memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 200 Virginia St., Beckley, WV 25801, in memory of Judy. In honoring Judy's wishes, she will be be cremated and her ashes will be scattered with her husband in the Gulf of Mexico. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Michael Eric McQuillen, 34, of Daniels, died at 3:40 a.m. Thursday, March 24, 2005, at Charleston Area Medical Center, General Division, following a short illness. Born Nov. 5, 1970, in Beckley, he was the son of Michael J. and Linda Yost McQuillen of Daniels. Eric was a former employee of the Southern West Virginia Clinic as a laboratory technician. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and a graduate of Beckley College with an associate degree in medical laboratory technology. He was a member of West Raleigh Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Hugh and Virginia McQuillen; and his great-grandparents, Elsie and George Mays. Survivors include his wife, Paige Parrish McQuillen; a sister, Kim Moles and husband, Ray, of Daniels; a niece, Lindsay Moles; maternal grandparents, Arnold and Vivian Yost of Raleigh; his father and mother-in-law, Gary and Becky Parrish of Beckley; brother-in-law, Kris Parrish of Beckley; and his best friend and cousin, Thomas Treadway of Hinton. Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Cleve Allen officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Thomas Treadway, Chris Treadway, Bo, Jeff and John Yost, and Kris Parrish. Honorary pallbearer will be Robert Treadway.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Olga Ottoson Bliss Roberts, 87, of 842 Granville Drive, died Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Born April 29, 1917, in Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Olaf and Effa Clay Ottoson of Beckley. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1936, and Charleston Business College. She worked for Greyhound Bus Lines in Charleston from 1941-1969. Preceding her in death were her parents; her grandparents, Leftwich and Paulina Daniel Clay of Eccles; and her sister, Joann Ottoson of Palm Bay, Fla. She is survived by her husband, Gray Roberts; a son, Edward Bliss and wife, Evelyn, of Winston-Salem; a brother, Thomas Clay of Melbourne, Fla.; two granddaughters, Peggy Sue Reed and husband, Brian, and Joan Saunders and husband, Jeff; and three great-grandchildren. Service was 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Forsyth Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel, Winston-Salem. The family received friends 1:30 p.m. until time of service Saturday at the mausoleum chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hospice, 1100-C S. Stratford Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or Meals on Wheels, 502 N. Broad St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Arrangements by Vogler & Sons Funeral Home, Winston-Salem.

Darell Edward Foley, 47, of Stanaford, died Thursday, March 17, 2005, at Appalachian Regional Hospital following a short illness. Born Aug. 13, 1957, he was the son of Aileen Murray Foley of Stanaford and the late Emmett Foley. Mr. Foley attended Woodrow Wilson High School and Beckley College. He was a former employee of Blythe Industries in North Carolina and E and B Construction of Beckley. Darell enjoyed being outdoors. He liked to hunt and fish, and in the earlier days, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle. He was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Foley. Besides his mother, survivors include Deborah Lester of Beckley; a son, Keith Foley of Stanaford; a brother, Robert Foley of Stanaford; a sister, Brenda Ward and husband, Arbie, of Shady Spring; a niece, April McCallister and husband, Samuel, of Cool Ridge; and a nephew, Daniel Ward of Shady Spring. Service will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with Pastor Lyle Zickafoose officiating. Burial will follow in Mount View Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before service Sunday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be James "Buster" Bragg, Jerry Lee Cheselka, Robert Kincaid, Josh Scott, Estil McComas Jr. and Jerry Richmond. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at roseandquesenberry@charterinternet.com. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.

Larry W. Persinger, 61, of Rangely died March 6, 2005, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. Lawrence Wayman Persinger was born Nov. 24, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pa. He was graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and following graduation entered the United States Army where he was noted as an expert rifleman. Following his discharge he served with the Army National Guard Reserve and was active in the reserves in Craig, Colo. Following his graduation he worked in the coal mines in West Virginia until moving to Colorado to work in the Deserado Coal Mine. He worked for Blue Mountain Energy until an accident forced his early retirement. On April 3, 1999, he was united in marriage to Barbara Hawkins at the Bible Baptist Church in Rangely. Larry was a devoted member of the Bible Baptist Church and openly and honestly shared his faith. He was a voracious reader and loved science fiction and political science. He enjoyed being outside hunting and fishing and collected many guns throughout the years. Those who survive include his wife, Barbara, one son, John Paul Persinger of Triangle, Va., one step-son, Aaron Hawkins of Paradise, Calif.; his aunt, Estella (Gordon) Flynn of North Ridgeville, Ohio; his mother and father-in-law, Cleo and Yvonne Richard of Chico, Calif. and numerous other in-law family members, including Rita and Ed Bird and their family Darci and Levi Roach, Joe and Chris Bird and Duane and Kathy Bird. Larry is preceded in death by one son, Larry, Jr. and his parents, Orville Jackson and Victoria Mae (Smith) Persinger. Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 16 from the Bible Baptist Church in Rangely. Interment with military honors was made in the Rangely Cemetery. Friends may make memorial contributions to the Larry Persinger Memorial Fund through Rangely Mortuary, PO Box 351 in Rangely which was entrusted with the arrangements. [From the Rio Blanco Herald Times, Meeker, Colorado]

ROANOKE, Va. -- Jadonna Ross Bandy, 48, (WWHS '74) passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2005. She was born Aug. 1, 1956 in Beckley, W.Va., to the late Alexander and Ruth Ross. She was employed by Lewis-Gale Hospital as an LPN. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Linda K. Ross. Survivors include two sons, Marc and James Bandy, III; one daughter, Kesha Bandy of New York City; grandchildren, James Bandy, IV, and Aries Rashed; many cousins, among them are devoted cousins, Barbara (William) Edmonds and Vanessa Woodson of Beckley, W.Va.; aunts, Tansy Smith and Beatrice Pannell; other relatives and friends. A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Monday, March 7, 2005, at Garden of Prayer No. 7, with Dr. Shadrach Brown officiating. Interment will follow in Old Dominion Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral hour. Friends may call at Serenity, Sunday, 2 to 8 p.m. for viewing. Arrangements by Serenity Funeral Home.

OAK HILL -- Frank P. Shumate, 73, of Oak Hill, passed away Friday, March 4, 2005, at the Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill, following a short illness. Born Feb. 3, 1932 in Beckley, he was the son of the late Clyde E. and Lottie Ellen Deck Shumate. Mr. Shumate was the former owner of Rosemont Floral in Oak Hill. He was a member of the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Oak Hill, was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, and attended WVU. He was preceded in death by his brothers, John W., Herbert E., Virgil D., and Edward Shumate; and sisters, Ella Johnston, Janet Green, and Hila Elizabeth Stover. Survivors include his nieces and nephews. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Tyree Funeral Home Chapel in Oak Hill, with Father Stan Holmes officiating. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park. Friends may call today from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.tyreefuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home of Oak Hill.

ROANOKE, Va. -- Charles M. Radford, 79, of Roanoke, Va., passed away Wednesday, March 2, 2005. Charles was born Feb. 21, 1926, at Piney View. He was the son of the late Harry Stephen Radford and the late Sarah Frances Martin Radford. Charles loved hunting and collecting knives. He was a 1944 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley. He was a retired construction worker and he worked for Ford Motor Company in Cleveland, Ohio, and worked in the timber industry. Charles proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. Other than his parents, Charles was preceded in death by four sisters, Barbara Spears, Anna Marie Flowers, Edna Snyder, and Mary Nichols. Those left to cherish his memory are a sister, Charlotte Horne of Florida; two brothers, Okey Radford of Virginia and Ray Radford of West Virginia; four nieces, Kathy Ray, Michele Reyes, Diane Gathercole, and Robin Miller; and four nephews, Stephen Spears, Edward Horne, Stanley Horne, and Donald Radford. Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home with the Rev. Darrell McNeely officiating. Entombment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Beckley. Friends may gather with the family from 1 p.m. until time of the service Sunday at the funeral home. Arrangements entrusted to Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley.

PROSPERITY -- Alfred Lee Landers, 63, of Prosperity, formerly of Parrish, Ala., went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 3, 2005. Alfred was born June 27, 1941, at Beckley, the son of the late Lionel A. Landers and Mary Irene Price Landers. Mr. Landers was a 1959 graduate of Wood-row Wilson High School and attended West Virginia University. Alfred was a mine foreman for 29 years and a member of the Mine Rescue Team for New River Coal. He was also a truck driver for Arrow Trucking and was retired from Georgia Pacific and was an avid horseman. Those left to cherish his memory are three daughters, Judith G. McCoy of Prosperity, Elizabeth Laws of Mount Hope and Teresa L. Mason of Beckley; three stepsons, Timmy Goff, Steve Workman of North Carolina and Walter Workman of Cedar Grove; a stepdaughter, Tammy Balser of Shrewsbury; four grandchildren, Justin Laws, Megan McCoy, Chloe McCoy and Rachael McCoy; and seven stepgrandchildren. Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Gary Tucker officiating. Burial will follow in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Family will serve as pallbearers. Friends may gather with the family one hour before the service at the funeral home. Arrangements entrusted to Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.

Thomas Ray Mullens, 56, of Beckley, died Thursday, March 1, 2005, at a Beckley hospital following a long illness. Born on June 29, 1948, in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of Gloria Mullens Huffman of Beckley. Mr. Mullens spent his childhood and was a lifelong resident of Beckley. He was a 1966 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and attended Beckley College and Marshall University. He was a high-rise construction worker and has been a resident of Williams Street since 2002 and attended the First Christian Church and was a member of the VFW. Thomas was a U.S. Army veteran, who volunteered to serve in the Vietnam War where he was wounded. He was the "Soldier of the Month" and was awarded the Bronze Soldier Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He is survived by his wife, Judith Ann Pilkington Mullens; a daughter, Tavyia Rae Mullens Perez of Fort Myers, Fla.; two sons, Thomas Ray Mullens II of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and T. Dwight Lafferty, a student at Concord College; six grandchildren, Christian, Devyn, Alex, Mildred, Isabelle and Brenden. And he will be missed by his beloved dog, T.J. known as Rat Dog Mullens. Services will be conducted from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley. In honoring Thomas's wishes he will be cremated and his ashes will be scattered in the Gulf of Mexico. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Charles Lewis Jones. The old saying, "Once a Marine, always a Marine," described the life of Charlie Jones. Mr. Jones, who dropped out of high school to fight for his country during World War II, also served in Korea and Vietnam. Charles Lewis Jones, of Hampton, died of cancer on Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, in UPMC Passavant, McCandless. He was 77. "The Marines were Charlie's life," said his wife, Mildred. "In fact, he was ready to go back to Vietnam for another tour of duty when I convinced him that he had served his country well and it was time to retire. By then we had been married and had three children. "Charlie was a talented man. When he wasn't in combat, the Marines gave him a number of assignments, such as working with the engineers on building air strips for Marine fighter planes." Born in Glade Springs, Va., and raised in Beckley, W.Va., Mr. Jones was one of eight children of John Lee and Lula Watson Jones. His father was a miner. In 1944, Mr. Jones dropped out of Beckley High School to join the Marines and participate in the final assault on the Japanese-held islands prior to the war's end. After he retired from the Marines in 1968, the Jones family moved to Pittsburgh, where Mrs. Jones' home town. Mr. Jones went to work as a salesman in the carpet department at Sears when it was located in the Allegheny Center Mall on the North Side, his wife said. He spent 22 years at Sears and retired in 1990. Mrs. Jones said her husband received his GED (general equivalency diploma ) while serving with the Marines. "We home-schooled our grandchildren," she said. "Charlie taught them history and science. "Charlie also became very much involved with the Latin Mass Community at St. Boniface Church on East Street. He faithfully attended Mass and was a greeter for the Sunday services." His family said Mr. Jones was reluctant to talk about his combat experience. "Dad had seen the horrors of combat," said his son, Paul. "And like many men who saw combat, he seldom talked about it. "When he talked about the years he spent in the Marines, he'd describe the good times and the camaraderie with the men he served with." Mr. Jones is survived by his wife, Mildred A. Weber Jones; two daughters, Donna Marie Moore and her husband, David, of West Deer, and Theresa A. Osbourn and her husband, Paul, of Texas; two sons, Mark P. Jones and his wife, Karen, of Moon, and Paul A. Jones, of Forest Hills; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Anna Morris and Patricia Jones, both of Richland. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Herbert R. King Jr. Funeral Home Inc., 2841 Woodland Circle, Hampton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Boniface Church, Holy Wisdom Parish, North Side. Interment with military honors will follow in Holy Savior Cemetery, Richland. [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, March 2, 2005]

Kathleen Summers Wicker, 83, of Beckley and Hollywood, Fla., died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, at her Beckley residence. Born Dec. 15, 1921, in Montgomery, she was the daughter of the late Silas H. and Easter Bolen Summers. Mrs. Wicker was a retired secretary for Empire Machinery and a homemaker. She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church and attended First Christian Church in Hollywood. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Mrs. Wicker was a member of Bethlehem Chapter No. 71, OES. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Roy C. Fairchild; and her second husband, Okey M. Wicker. She is survived by various cousins, nieces and nephews. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Paul Blizard officiating. Burial will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before service Thursday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Howard Vest, George Whittaker, Ernie Conner, Randy McGuire, Dick Mahoney and Mark Mahoney. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802-1472. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Deana Jean Brewster McDaniel, age 63, died on February 20, 2005, in Washington, DC, from complications following an extended treatment for cancer. Mrs. McDaniel was a native of Crab Orchard, WV. She came to Washington in 1959 following graduation from Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, WV. She went to work for the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1960 she moved to Los Angeles, CA until returning to Washington in 1963 to a position with the Coast Guard. She worked for the government until retiring from the Federal Transit Administration in 1997. She worked for U.S. Facilities until retiring from that position in 2002. In 1970 she married Dale McDaniel who survives her. Also surviving are five siblings, David Brewster, Fincastle KY, Roland Brewster, Riverdale, MD, Janet Brewster, Alexandria, VA, Dennis Brewster, Beckley, WV and Nancy Martin, Crab Orchard, WV. A memorial service will be held at the Luther Place Memorial Church, 1226 Vermont Ave. at N Street N.W., on Sunday, March 6, 2005 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Luther Place Memorial Church, Washington, DC 20005. [Obituary and photo from the Washington Post]

MAPLE FORK - Carlo Peraldo, 69, of Maple Fork, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, at a local hospital after a short illness. Born Nov. 26, 1935, at Iaeger, he was the son of the late Plinio and Lina Peraldo. Mr. Peraldo began his construction career in 1947 with his father in Peraldo Construction. He worked on the bridge at Pax and on the first bridge on the original West Virginia Turnpike. In addition to his father's company, he also worked for different construction companies, including Wallace Construction and Vecellio & Grogan. He worked throughout the state of West Virginia and was a member of Steel Workers LU 14614. Mr. Peraldo was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Army from 1959-1962. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, David Warden, in 1979. Survivors include his wife, Charlotte Szuck Peraldo; two daughters, Gianna Da Re and husband, Dr. Massimo Da Re, and their son, Marco, of Pondenone, Italy, and Carleen Calcaterra and her husband, Craig, and their daughter, Anna Lina, of Columbus, Ohio; a son, Dannie Warden and wife, Alice, and their son, Steven Warden, and daughter, Pam Grudenski, of Fayetteville; a sister, Sister Sandra Peraldo, SSJ, of Parkersburg; a brother, Robert Peraldo and his wife, Pamela, of Crab Orchard; a great-grandson, Steve and Becky Webb and their son, Brody, of Dothan; a niece, Bonnie Coffman and husband, Dennis, of Mount Hope; and a nephew, Robert Eugene Peraldo and his wife, Stephanie, of Beckley. Funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 3 p.m. Monday at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Beckley, with Rev. Samuel S. Sacus and Rev. Rodger Hughes as concelebrants. Rite of committal will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley, where a vigil prayer service will be held at 8 p.m., led by Rev. Mr. Don Wise. Pallbearers will be Dannie Warden, Claudio E. Yon, Daniel Yon, Dennis Coffman, Steven Warden and Robert Eugene Peraldo. Craig Calcaterra will serve as honorary pallbearer. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Charles E. Spade, of 117 Randolph Drive, Daniels, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005, at SunBridge Pine Lodge following a long illness. Born March 20, 1920, he was the son of the late Charles E. and Minnie Walk Spade Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Pauline McGinnis, Nellie Cameron and Ruth A. Lewis; a niece, Pat Lewis Ameling; and by his faithful canine companion, Rusty. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Mr. Spade was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. As a young man he worked in the family business, Spade Transfer and later Spade Furniture. After returning from the Navy he owned and named Rosemont Floral in Oak Hill. After selling the floral shop, he joined the Military Sea Transport Service as financial officer traveling the world for the next 20 years. After retiring he returned to the area making his home in Daniels. Survivors include a special niece, Benita Jo Biggs of Beaver; great-nieces, Beni Holley and her husband, Bob, of Beaver and Donna Rogers and her husband, Bill, of Big Stone Gap, Va.; great-nephews, Benson, Charles and Eric Ameling of Indiana; and several great-great-nieces and nephews. A special thank you to the Greystone Inn for making his life pleasant for two and a half years and to Pine Lodge for the excellent care in his final days. Service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Randy Warden officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before service Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Charles Spade to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

ALAMO, Calif. -- Rodney J. Miller passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, at the age of 61. He was the loving husband of Zenny Miller for 22 wonderful years. Of all of his significant accomplishments in life, Rod's proudest accomplishment was his children. He dedicated his life and love to Tiffany Rogers of Denver, Colo., Tara McKinney of Cambridge, England, Tryn of Montara, Calif., and Madison, Brent and Chase of Alamo. Rod was also given the precious gift of four marvelous grandchildren, Cole 7, Aidan 5, Emma 3, and Ian 1. Originally from Beckley, he was an exceptional student athlete who took his talents and skills to the University of Arizona where he earned a baccalaureate degree in business administration and later to Indiana University where he was awarded an MBA in finance. His global academic interests also led to the receipt of a fellowship in Mandarin Chinese. Professionally, Rod served as senior vice president at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter where he worked for 39 years. He joined the firm at the age of 22 and was the youngest broker ever hired by Dean Witter. Later he earned Directory of Exceptional Stockbroker status and was featured by Money Magazine as an All-Pro Stockbroker in their October 1996 edition. Spiritually, Rod was a valued member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rod demonstrated his commitment to attaining his personal potential by internationally representing the U.S. in distance running in the Philippines, running long-distance events ranging from 50 to 100 miles in length, participating in national bodybuilding competitions and serving multiple times as a judge for the Mr. Universe bodybuilding world championship. Rod was an inspiration to everyone he met and enjoyed helping others achieve their full potential by assisting young athletes and volunteering as a strength and conditioning coach for his sons' Scorpions lacrosse team who won the 2004 Northern California championship. Rod will always be loved and missed by his family and the many people whose lives he touched and inspired. Arrangements by Oak Park Hill Chapel, Walnut Creek, Calif.

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Ruth Wells-Howlett, [WWHS '86] 37, of Greenville, S.C., formerly of Beckley, died Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2004, in Greenville, S.C. Born in Beckley on Aug. 20, 1967, she was the daughter of Louise Miller Lewis of Columbia, S.C. Ms. Howlett was employed by Recall in Greenville, S.C., and was a former business analyst with Colonial Life and Carolina Care Plan. Survivors include a daughter, Brittany Howlett of Lexington, S.C.; brothers, James Wells of Gastonia, N.C., and Bryan Wells of Chapmanville; half sisters, Kim Wells of Logan and Amy Wells of Montgomery; paternal grandmother, Ruby Wells of Chapmanville; and maternal grandmother, Maxine Miller of Bradley. Graveside rites and burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley with the Rev. Jimmy Mitchell officiating. There will be no visitation. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.

EDGEWATER, Fla. -- Gertrude Lynn Davis Burdiss, 83, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005. Mrs. Burdiss, formerly of Mullens, was born in Clendenin, the daughter of the late Adra Lloyd Davis and Zuleima Walton Davis. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Charles William "Bill" Burdiss, who died in January 2003; and her son, Thomas Lee "Tommy" Burdiss, who died in May 1985. She is survived by her sister, Virginia L. Vines of Winston-Salem, N.C.; her brother, Dr. Robert S. Davis of Harlan, Ky.; her daughter, Carol Burdiss Miller and her husband, Gene, of Edgewater; and her sons, Michael Patrick Burdiss and his wife, Patricia, of Mullens and John William Burdiss and his wife, Cela Burge, of Cape Charles, Va. Also left to cherish her memory are nine grandchildren, Susan Renzulli, Eddie Miller, Deedra Burdiss Jones Funk, Jeff Burdiss, Missy Burdiss Harles, LeAnne Burdiss Reynolds, Holly Burdiss, Billy Burdiss and Nora Burge; 17 great-grandchildren, Joey Renzulli, Jason Schubert, Bonnie Goodrich, Angel Goodrich, Jeremy Jones, Jarrod Jones, Julie Jones, Kyle Funk, Callie Jo Burdiss, Dillon Burdiss, Heath Burdiss, Kaleb Goad, Megan Goad, Grace Reynolds, Jack Reynolds, Ale Burdiss; and a great-great-grandchild, Carter Schubert. She was a resident of Mullens for 55 years where she retired after working in the business office of Wyoming General Hospital, Mullens, for 20 years. She previously worked for many years at Brown's Paint Store in Mullens with her parents. She graduated in 1939 from Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Mullens for 53 years and was a member of Coronado Community Methodist Church in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. She enjoyed taking care of family and friends and was one of God's Angels on earth. She was the matriarch of a loving, Christian family who will never stop suffering her passing. Gertrude, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, was never idle, continuously performing acts of comfort and generosity for her family, neighbors and friends. She will be sorely missed, especially by her sister and brother, along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. The Rev. Doug Mills will conduct service at Mullens United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. today. Visitation will be one hour before service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Gertrude's memory to Mullens United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 245, Mullens, WV 25882. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens.

Norma "Suzy" Bruce (Pritt) Phillips peacefully passed from this life to one of eternal joy on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005, at Broadmore Assisted Living in Hurricane. She was 67. Born Norma Tazewell Bruce in Newport News, Va., on Aug. 22, 1937, she was the second child and only daughter of Norma Tate Bruce and Robert Tazewell Bruce. Her family relocated to West Virginia when she was 11, and her mother later was remarried to William Glenn Winchell. Her mother and stepfather raised her with love in a Christian home. Norma graduated near the top of her class at Beckley's Woodrow Wilson High School in 1955. She attended Lynchburg College in Virginia and transferred to West Virginia University where she earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a music minor in January 1960. She married Jackie Lee Pritt of Charleston in June 1959. Their children, Margaret Ann and William Lee "Bill," were born in Morgantown in May 1960 and November 1962, respectively. Following Jack's death in 1970, Norma devoted her life to caring and providing for their children. Norma retired following 27 years of service to West Virginia public schools, where she taught first-third grade in Preston, Monongalia, and Putnam counties. She was a member of Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church in Hurricane for more than 30 years. In addition to Jack, she was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather, and her daughter. Mourning her loss are a son, William "Bill," daughter-in-law, Dreama, grandson, Jack, and granddaughters, Grace and Julia Pritt of Hurricane; granddaughter, Sharon Walker, and grandson, Paul Walker, and their family of Portsmouth, N.H. She is also survived by a brother, Robert T. Bruce, and a sister-in-law, Nancy Bruce of Aspen, Colo., nephew, Robert M. Bruce and great-nephew, Christopher Bruce of Greencastle, Ind.; niece, Rebecca Bruce Dib, and great-nieces, Isabell and Danielle Dib of Brooklyn, N.Y.; nephew, Timothy Bruce, and great-niece, Molly Bruce of Bethel, Maine; aunt, Evelyn Bruce Snead of Clifton Forge, Va.; and her ex-husband, Harry Phillips of Cleveland, Ohio. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Chapman Funeral Home, 3941 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Pastor Michael Lewis of Hope Christian Center officiating. She will be interred at Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Arts in Action, 2658 Main St., Hurricane, WV 25526 (www.artsinaction.info), or the West Virginia Division of National Multiple Sclerosis Society, No. 2 Players Club Drive, Suite 104, Charleston, WV 25311 (www.nationalmssociety.org/wvu). Arrangements by Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane.

WESTON -- J. W. McNeish, [WWHS '66] 56, of 228 Right Freemans Creek Rd., died 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, 2005, at United Hospital Center following a brief illness. He was the son of Allean B. McNeish, who survives in Beckley, and the late James Steele McNeish. On Jan. 25, 1969, he married the former Sylvia Comer, who survives. Survivors also include a son, James William (Jay) McNeish and wife, Kelley Reese McNeish, of Weston; a grandson, Jackson Steele McNeish; a sister, Sue Stafford of Fayetteville; and a brother, John Wayne McNeish of Henderson, Ky. J. W. was retired from the Lewis County Board of Education in June of 2004, after teaching driver education for 34 years at Lewis County High School. During his tenure at LCHS he coached football, girls and boys basketball, baseball, wrestling and track. He enjoyed sports, fishing and the pleasures of wildlife. He was a member of the National Education Association, W.Va. Education Association and the Lewis County Association of Retired School Employees. In December 2002, he was inducted into the Woodrow Wilson Basketball Hall of Fame. A gathering of family and friends will be from 6 to 7 p.m. today at the Boyle Funeral Home, 322 Main Ave., Weston. A celebration of the life of J.W. McNeish will be 7 p.m. today at the funeral home with the Rev. Russell Furr officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the People's Hospice, P.O. Box 1680, Clarksburg, WV 26302. Arrangements by Boyle Funeral Home, Weston (304) 269-2720.

Robert E. Mckinney Jr. (WWHS '67) passed away on September 17, 2004. Bob Jr., as he was called, finished his eleventh year at Woodrow Wilson High School and moved to Madisonville, Ky., with his father, Robert E. Mckinney, Sr. (WWHS '42), his mother, Thelma Davidson Mckinney (WWHS '46), and his sister Wanda Mckinney Powers (WWHS '65). Robert E. McKinney was a Vietnam war veteran. He was the father of three boys: Brian, a city policeman on the police force in Madisonville, Ky., Bennet, presently serving with Air Force now at a base in Omaha, Neb., and Brent, working for the Messenger newspaper in Madisonville, Ky.

Ione Yvonne Parker Stone, 75, of Stanaford Road, Beckley, died Friday, Jan. 21, 2005, at her residence. Born Sept. 17, 1929, at Stanaford Coal Camp, she was the daughter of the late Burton and Lena Maddox Parker. Mrs. Stone attended Southern High School in Baltimore, Md., during World War II, Woodrow Wilson High School and Beckley College. She was office manager for 23 years, retiring in 1995, having worked for Greenbrier, Meadow Gold and Borden Dairies and Mountain International. She was an avid bowler for 50 years in the Beckley area, including the Women's Major League. She was a lifelong resident of the Beckley area. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Billy Vira and Jack Phillips. Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Dennis Stone; her daughter, Lynda Brown and husband, Gary, of Chesapeake; two granddaughters, Sarah Brown of Atlanta, Ga., and Paige Brown of Charleston; two sisters, Dalores "Dolly" Vira of Beckley and Lorna Phillips of Princeton; a niece, Cheryl McKisic and husband, Roy, of Charleston; a great-niece, Andrea Harvey of Charleston; and a nephew, Dwayne Phillips of Van Alstyne, Texas. Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Mausoleum A, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Curtis Thomas and Bobby Brown. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Vivian "Frances" Ballengee, [WWHS '56] 66, of Charlottesville, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2004. Born in Hinton, W.Va., Ms. Ballengee was the daughter of the late Lewis Ballengee and Mary Woodrum Ballengee. She is survived by three daughters, Connie George, and her husband Michael, Mary Clements, and Linda Toney, and her husband, Chip; two brothers, Ned Ballengee, and his wife, Virginia, and David Ballengee; five grandchildren, Christine George, Stephanie George, Ray Clements, Danielle Toney, and Zachary Toney. She is also survived by her ex-husband, Clyde Cooper, Jr. Ms. Ballengee was a long-time member of Mount View Baptist Church, and was a member of the Senior Center and the Senior Center Book Club. During her life, she served as an administrative assistant in an educational capacity, as well as a retail clerk. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005, at Mount View Baptist Church, with Dr. Joel Jenkins officiating. Burial will follow at Monticello Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 3 to 4 Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005 , at Teague Funeral Home.

FREMONT, Mich. -- Mary Carol Farabaugh, 69, passed away Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005, at her home in Fremont. Mary Carol was born Dec. 10, 1935, in Huntington, W.Va., to Kenneth G. and Lura (Fish) Libs and married Richard Farabaugh on Aug. 5, 1961, in Benton Harbor. She attended high school in Beckley, and graduated from Nazareth College in Kalamazoo with a B.A. in home economics. She later moved to Muskegon and taught home economics at Muskegon Catholic Central High School from 1957 until 1961. She moved to Fremont in 1972 and worked at Gerber Products Company in the Analytical Lab from 1977 until her retirement in 1992. Mary Carol was an active member of All Saints Catholic Church in Fremont. Survivors include her husband, Honorable Richard Farabaugh of Fremont; her daughters, Leah A. (Ralf) Gokert of Delray Beach, Fla., Mary Pat (James) Cooper of Carmel, Ind., Amy E. (Patrick) Whitley of Fishers, Ind.; her grandchildren, Rachel and Nicholas Cooper, Ryan and Jackson Whitley; her sister, Joan (Stanley) Kaczocha of Rochester Hills, Mich.; her brothers, David (Linda) Libs of Buchanan, Mich., John (Shirley) Libs of Greenville, S.C.; nieces, Darcy Jones, Kristen Jackson; nephews, Brian Libs, Michael Kaczocha, Kevin Kaczocha, Robert Libs and Mark Libs; several brothers and sisters-in-laws; and many special friends. She was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Connie Libs. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Crandell Funeral Home, Fremont Chapel, where a Rosary service will be 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at All Saints Catholic Church in Fremont. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Catholic Church Building Fund, Hospice of Michigan, Oncology Department at Gerber Memorial Health Services. Online condolences may be sent to www.crandellfh.com. 231-924-0800 or 1-888-464-7837. Arrangements by Crandell-Fremont, 7193 W. 48th St., Fremont, Mich.