Woodrow Wilson High School Alumni Page

Obituaries, Page 16

John Gray Pruett ('58) died on Sept. 9, 2006. More information is here.

Marjorie "Tag" Wriston File, 88, died Friday, Oct. 20, 2006, at her residence in Beckley following a long illness. Born Dec. 21, 1917, at her parents’ home on Neville Street in Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Robert Wriston and Minnie Davis Wriston. Mrs. File was a 1934 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, attended Science Hill Academy in Shelbyville, Ky., and was a 1939 graduate of Randolph- Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Va. She played and taught the violin in her youth and was recruited to play the violin by the West Virginia Symphony. After her marriage she was a homemaker dedicated to her family. Mrs. File enjoyed many family beach vacations in South Carolina and family picnics at Flat Top Lake. For many years she enjoyed a weekly bridge game with her friends and was a member of the Highland Garden Club. Always interested in local history, Mrs. File was proud to be a direct descendant of some of the earliest settlers of Raleigh County, including Pyrrhus McGinnis and Martha Jarrell Davis, who was forced out of her home (the Davis Cottages on Main Street in Beckley) during the Civil War by Union soldiers from Ohio, which included future U.S. Presidents Hayes and McKinley. Mrs. Davis sought refuge for herself and her children at Wildwood House while the Union soldiers used her home for a headquarters. Mrs. File’s grandfather, John Floyd Davis, served as sheriff, circuit clerk and county clerk of Raleigh County. Her father, Dr. Robert Wriston, practiced medicine in Beckley for more than 50 years, twice served as mayor of Beckley during the 1930s and 1940s and was a founder of Raleigh General Hospital. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. File worked briefly in Washington, D.C., for the Reconstruction Finance Corp. After her marriage, she moved back to Beckley and during World War II traveled to join her husband while he trained at naval stations on both coasts prior to his service overseas. Mrs. File was a member of United Methodist Temple and attended First Christian Church, Courthouse Square, Beckley, after her marriage. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Mary Alice Rizos and Martha Vane Wriston; a brother who died in infancy, Robert Wriston Jr.; and a nephew, Robert George Rizos. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, William H. File Jr., whom she married in West Palm Beach, Fla., on March 5, 1943, and their four children, Susan File Payne and husband, E.M. "Ned" Payne III, William Henry File III, Robert Norman File and wife, Ellen Lilly File, and John Lanier File and wife, Lee Dalton File; eight grandchildren, Dr. Jennifer Lanier Payne and husband, Dr. René Etcheberrigaray, John Tucker Payne and wife, Allison Blanchard Payne, William Henry File IV, Sarah Elizabeth File, Haley Broyles File, Lindsay Catherine File, Audrey Ashton File and Laura Ellen File; and three great-grandchildren, Amanda Davis Etcheberrigaray, Daniel Xavier Etcheberrigaray and Wallace Lanier Payne. She is also survived by a sister, June Wriston Moore of Fairborn, Ohio, and a niece, Martha Rizos Stafford of Pollock Pines, Calif. Mrs. File appreciated the care and concern of her caregivers, Sonya Ferris, Lisa Wrenn, Sandra Belcher, Eleesha Culver, Peggy Dawson, Shelvia Meadows, Shannon Aubill, Tammy Calvert, Angela Calvert and Carla Gibson, the staff at Raleigh General Hospital, Gentiva Health Services, Hospice of Southern West Virginia, Dr. Kelly Pittsenbarger, Dr. M.A. El-Harake, Dr. Touraj Farid, Dr. J.G. Karam, Dr. Scott Killmer and Dr. Carl Larson. Service will be 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at First Christian Church, Courthouse Square, Beckley, with the Rev. Don Snyder officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley, or one hour before service Sunday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, P.O. Box 5556, Beckley, W.Va. 25801; United Methodist Temple, 201 Templeview Drive, Beckley, W.Va. 25801; Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main St., Beckley, W.Va. 25801; or Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, W.Va. 25802. Online condolences may be sent to www.calfeefh.com. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Pastor Clarence E. Griffith, 81, of Daniels, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006, following a long illness. Born Nov. 10, 1924, at Sprague, he was the son of the late George Dewey Griffith and Gerna Dobbins Griffith. Pastor Griffith was licensed to preach the gospel by Shady Spring Baptist Church, and was ordained by Maxwell Baptist Church in Beckley, where he served as pastor for over 25 years. He was currently pastoring at Anthony Baptist Church near Lewisburg. Pastor Griffith was a 1942 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Upon his graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served in the 974th Engineer Maintenance Company in the European and Pacific Theaters of World War II. During his service he was in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and the Philippine Islands. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Pamela Brown; an infant great-granddaughter; a sister, Kathleen Morrison; two brothers, Harold and Bob Griffith; and a sister-in-law, Betty Callaway. Surviving are his wife of nearly 64 years, Emogene Callaway Griffith; daughters, Connie Ross and husband, Gordon, of Beaver and Sandra Sweeney and husband, Jim, of Ghent; sons, Clarence Griffith "Chuck" Jr. and wife, Darlene, of Manassas, Va., Harold Griffith and wife, Dianna, of Beckley and John Mark Griffith and friend, Jenny Stickler, of Shady Spring; 15 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four great-great- grandchildren; a brother, James Griffith of Baltimore, Md.; and a sister, Lousie Pack of Glen Morgan. Service will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Maxwell Hill Baptist Church, Beckley, with the Rev. Gordon Ross and the Rev. Ken Killen officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the church and one hour before service Saturday. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. You may register online at our guestbook at roseandquesenberry.net. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring.

MOUNT VERNON, Va. - Howard Ray Shrewsbury, 81, passed away Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor Leigh Shrewsbury. He was the son of the late Lonnie Shrewsbury and Fronie Farley. Howard was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Howard was a World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran. He was an all-state basketball player for Woodrow Wilson High School and a graduate of Beckley College. He was an active member of the Beaver Lions Club, worked at Miners Hospital and was a building contractor in Virginia and Florida. He was an avid golfer, fisherman, and loved to play his guitar sitting on the front porch. His life revolved around his family and grandchildren. He was so proud to be called Paw-Paw. He was the best father; most loving, kind and patient. He inspired each daughter to live independent, compassionate and honorable lives. He taught them to rise above life’s challenges with a humbled but strong spirit. Howard retired to South Amherst, Ohio, later to reside in White Oak. During a lengthy illness, Howard spent his last years at an assisted living facility in Mount Vernon while embraced by his loving family and friends. Those left to cherish his memory include four daughters, Cynthia Germana of Douglasville, Ga., Sandra Passera of Fredericksburg, Va., Caroline Kardaras of Manassas, Va., and Stephanie Young of Port Richey, Fla.; a stepdaughter, Janice Leigh of Beckley; a stepson, Douglas Leigh of Roanoke, Va.; 13 grandchildren; and a great- grandson. Service will be 3 p.m. Thursday at Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before service Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Shrewsbury Family Cemetery, Daniels. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society or Hospice. Condolences may be sent to our online guest book at roseandquesenberry.net. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.

Monica Lynn Braxton, 35, of 1303 F St. Beckley, died Monday, Oct. 9, 2006, at Northern Hospital, Surry County, N.C. Born Aug. 4, 1971, in Beckley, she was the daughter of Larry Gray of Beckley and Cora Lee Braxton. Monica was a former employee of New River Health Association. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Nathaniel and Willie Braxton. Survivors include a son, Jamar Christopher Braxton of Beckley; great-aunts, Roberta Richmond Scott of Beckley, Geneva Richmond Singleton of Beckley and Annie Mae Mickey of Detroit, Mich.; great-uncle, James A. Richmond Jr. and wife, Peggy, of Geneva, N.Y.; cousins, Audrey Cox, Bethel Scott and Darryl Scott of Beckley, Ronetta Pharms Ombui and husband, Samson, of Arlington, Texas, Carnel Van Mickey of Detroit, Tori Saun "Tosi" Wortham of Pittsburgh, Pa., Shelia Smith and husband, Jim, of Aurora, Colo., Paula Hill and husband, Dwayne, of Pittsburgh, Jim Richmond and wife, Judy, of Farmington, N.Y., Randy Richmond and wife, Tammy, of Geneva, N.Y., Michelle McFadden and husband, Ron, of Tampa, Fla., and Rhonda Richmond of Waynesburg, Pa.; close friend, Robert Simms of Beckley; and a host of other relatives and friends. Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor Chapel, Beckley, with Evangelist Regina Carter and the Rev. James Cox officiating. Friends may call one hour before service Saturday at the funeral parlor. Services entrusted to Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley. [WWHS Class of 1990]

Pege Pennington Snuffer died peacefully at home at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, 20006, surrounded by her family. She was a 1957 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She was the co-owner of Wesco Homes Inc., a life director with the state and local Homebuilders Associations and former state BUILD PAC chair. She was a professional kitchen designer, past president of the Curtain Callers and Beckley Art Group. She was also instrumental in setting up the Pine Haven Shelter for Homeless Women and Children, designing the family room and the kitchen, and doing artwork for the family room. Pege was preceded in death by her parents, Julius C. Pennington; mother, Viola Virginia Pennington Armstrong; and stepfather, Ira Armstrong. On Oct. 17, 2006, Ed and Peg would have celebrated 48 years of marriage. Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband, W. Edward Snuffer; three sons, Wes Snuffer of Columbus, Ohio, Rick Snuffer and wife, Lori, of Grandview and Eric Snuffer and wife, Regina, of Fayetteville. For the past 18 years, her life revolved around her grandchildren, Rhys and Moira Snuffer, David, Christopher and Nathan Snuffer, and Erica and Rachel Snuffer. Other survivors include a sister, Gaye Anne and husband, George C. Campbell, of Blair, S.C.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Service will be 8 p.m. today at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, with the opening prayer by the Rev. Richard N. Meadows of New Symrna Beach, Fla., followed by words of praise from her three sons. Friends may gather with the family 5:30 p.m. until time of service today at the funeral home. Because her life also revolved around her love for animals, at Pege’s request, in lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Raleigh County Humane Society at 325 Gray Flats Road, Beckley, WV 25801. Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.blueridgefuneralhome.com Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Jimmy Wayne Bowyer, 37, died Friday, Oct. 6, 2006, in Myrtle Beach. Born March 7, 1969, at Maple Fork, he was the son of Eugene Edward Bowyer Sr. of Beckley and the late Claudine Faye Ison Bowyer and he is the stepson of Jessie Bowyer of Beckley. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, a member of the Packs Branch Baptist Church and a former member of the MacDonald-Warren Lodge No. 103 AF and AM of Mount Hope. He was customer sales representative for an electrical company in Myrtle Beach. Other survivors include his children, Erick Bowyer and Alysa Bowyer, both of Oak Hill; two brothers, Eugene Bowyer Jr. and wife, Delores, of Huntington and David Alan Bowyer and wife, Patricia, of Beckley; three stepsisters, Margaret Hay and husband, Phillip, of Lebanon, Pa., Nancy Cummings and husband, Greg, of Vale, N.C., and Lisa Snavely and husband, Tom, of Lebanon, Pa.; and a stepbrother, James Brooks and wife, Carol, of Rock Hill, S.C. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope, with Pastor Sam Vance and Evangelist Dale Vance officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Greg McNeely, John Bryson, Ed Holstein, Bob Bowyer, George Tyree and James Withrow. Online condolences may be sent to our Web site at www.tyreefuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.

WEST LIBERTY, Ohio - Walter Otto Price Jr., 76, of West Liberty, formerly of Beckley, died Thursday morning, Oct. 5, 2006, in Green Hills Care Center after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born in Bristol, Va., on Oct. 27, 1929, the son of the late Walter Otto and Lula (Bell) Price Sr. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley College and retired from Beckley Newspaper Corp., where he worked for 37 years in the advertising department as an ad compositor. Otto resided in Beckley for 59 years and was an active member of Beckley Regular Baptist Church. In 1995, he moved to West Liberty and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Bellefontaine. Otto’s favorite pastimes were growing flowers and fishing, as well as spending time with his grandchildren, especially attending their sports activities. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 52 years, Mildred (McKinney) Price; daughter, Jenny Sue Moore of Garrett, Ind.; son and daughter-in- law, Steve and Robin Price of Bellefontaine, Ohio; five grandchildren, Michael Moore, Jeremy Price, Joseph Price, Gordon Price and Megan Moore; a great-grandson, Caleb Moore; two sisters, Joyce (Oby) Martin of Cross Lanes and Joan (Ralph) Guckiean of Cincinnati, Ohio; brother- in-law, Glyn (Mary) McKinney of South Windsor, Conn.; sister-in-law, Fern (Ed) Muse of Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews. A gathering of family and friends will be 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Littleton and Rue Funeral Home Highland Chapel, West Liberty. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Jeffrey Willetts officiating. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation or Green Hills Center. You may express condolences to the family at www.littletonandrue.com. Arrangements by Littleton and Rue Funeral Home, West Liberty.

Eunice Claire Haddad, 82, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Beckley, passed away Sept. 23, 2006, at home. Born Jan. 23, 1924, at Charleston, she was the daughter of Joseph and Amelia Haddad of Beckley. She was a retired schoolteacher for Raleigh County Schools where she taught business education at Woodrow Wilson High School and at Sophia High School for over 30 years. She received an M.A. in business education from Marshall University. She was a member of the United Methodist Temple of Beckley and enjoyed bridge, tennis and cooking. Survivors include one sister, Loretta Castro of Las Vegas, NV; three nephews, Jim Castro of Las Vegas, NV, John Castro of New York, NY, and David Haddad of Ormond Beach, FL; and one grandniece, Melissa Haddad of Ormond Beach, FL. Services will be 2:30 p.m. today, Oct. 2, 2006, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, with Rev. Darrell McNeely officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may gather with the family from 2 p.m. until time of the service today at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Beckley. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhome.com. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is in charge of the arrangements.

SCARBRO - Kimberly Ann (Porreca) Sims, 41, of Scarbro, died Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006, after a sudden illness. Born Oct. 13, 1964, in Monongahela, Pa., she was the daughter of Leo M. and Darlene Stephenson Porreca of Beckley. Mrs. Sims was a homemaker and loved to cook, garden, decorate her home and talk with family and friends. She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Robert and Elaine Stephenson, and paternal grandparents, Anthony and Rose Porreca. Survivors in addition to her parents, those left to cherish her memory include her son, Shawn Michael Sims and his wife, Kim, of Beckley, and her daughter, Krystle Elaine Cresce, also of Beckley; a brother, Mark Alan Porreca and his wife, Wendy, of Bowling Green, Ky.; special uncles and aunt, Don Porreca and his wife, Sherryn, of Grandview and Jack Stephenson and his wife, Cheryl, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Gena Squarcia and her husband, Paul, of Plymouth, Mass.; nieces, Jennifer Rose, Michelle Elaine and Kathryn Darlene Porreca; and cousins, Erin Leigh, Suzanne, Paul, Stephanie, Chris and Scott. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Mr. Don Wise and Sister Janice Rospert officiating. Burial will follow in St. Sebastian Cemetery, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, where a vigil prayer service will be held at 8:30 p.m. led by the Rev. Mr. Don Wise. Pallbearers will be Shawn Sims, Denis Gill, Don and Mark Porreca, Jack and Scott Stephenson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of her grandmother to Alzheimer’s Association, 1111 Lee St., E., Charleston, WV 25301 or St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 626 S. Oakwood Ave., Beckley, WV 25801. Online guest book is available at http://www.calfeefh.com/sitemaker/sites/calfee0/obit.cgi?user=ksims. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley. [WWHS Class of 1982]

Daphne Joyce Fink Lively, 71, of Crab Orchard (Green Valley), went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006, at Heartland of Beckley after a short battle with a brain tumor. Born May 23, 1935, in Affinity, she was the daughter of the late Mason and Laurene Mills Fink. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Austin Lively, on Feb. 8, 1993. Daphne was retired from the Raleigh County assessor’s office and was a faithful member of Hilltop Baptist Church. Daphne enjoyed singing in the choir and other church activities. Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Mark Alan Lively of Flat Top Lake; a family friend, Judy Bartels of Bluefield; two sisters, Marlene Johnston of Roanoke, Va., and Sue and husband, Marvin Lively, of Beckley; two sisters-in-law, Ladene Norris and her husband, Bill, of Crab Orchard and Loretta Trimble and her husband, Mike, of Simpsonville, S.C.; several nieces and nephews, including Pamela Norris, Carolyn Skiles and husband, Robert, Anthony Norris, Todd Norris and wife, Kristie, Rodney Lively and wife, Shea, Kendra Beth Lively, John Trimble and wife, Tricia, Paul Trimble and wife, Rebecca, Teresa Johnston and Stephen Johnston; and very dear friends, Mary Pennington, Dorothy Lilly and Kaleen Allen. Service will be noon Saturday, Sept. 23, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with Pastors Patrick Haynes and Wayne Holder officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Family members will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call 10 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhome. com. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to Hilltop Baptist Church Building Fund, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley. [WWHS Class of 1952]

Lyle Davis Richmond, 60, of Stanaford, died Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006, of a sudden illness. Born Jan. 27, 1946, in Raleigh County, he was the son of the late Paul Don and Mary Eleanor Davis Richmond. Mr. Richmond was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He was known by many for his work as a coach for youth football and for being a coach and umpire of Babe Ruth baseball. He was active with Little League baseball, YMCA basketball and was invited to umpire in the Babe Ruth World Series. Lyle was an avid motorcyclist and a fan of NASCAR and Pro Bull Riding. He was a member of the Beckley Moose Lodge and the Moose Legion. Lyle was the owner of J.C.’s Club and will be greatly missed by all his many wonderful friends, family, co-workers and customers. He was a lifelong resident of Stanaford. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Lyle D. Richmond II. Survivors include his daughter, Laura Lee Richmond Genter and her husband, Charles and granddaughter, Caroline "Charlie" of Kernersville, N.C. Mr. Richmond will be cremated. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Grace Baptist Church on Union Hall Road in Stanaford with Pastor Roger Harding officiating. Following the service a celebration of Lyle’s life will be held at J.C.’s. An online guest book is available at www.calfeefh.com. Honorary pallbearers will be Bradley Harper, Lowell "Squeak" Smith, Butch Smith, Sarge Maynard, Tony Pauletto, Joe Adkins, Richard Owens, John Maynard and Jack Bowman. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Southern WV, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley. [WWHS Class of 1963]

James Hawley, 51, of Crab Orchard, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006. Born Feb. 1, 1955, he was the son of Earl and Edith Hawley. James enjoyed go-kart racing, NASCAR and golfing. He was a 1973 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and attended Beckley College. James was the owner of Snap-On-Tools franchises in Southern West Virginia. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. James is preceded in death by his father, Earl. Those left to cherish his memory included his wife, Cheryl Hawley; son, James Hawley and wife, Christina, of Charleston; daughter, Andrea Radford and husband, Matt, of Beckley; sister, Sandy Jarrell and husband, Jeff, of Alabama; brother, John Hawley and wife, Debbie, of Wyoming; mother, Edith Hawley of Beckley; and a grandchild, James Christian Hawley of Charleston. Memorial service for the celebration of his life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Heber St., Beckley, with Dr. Robert Stoddard officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV, and the First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Heber St., Beckley, WV. Online condolences can be made to www.blueridgefuneralhome.com. Arrangements made by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.

Delmer Ray Worley, age 67, of Amelia, passed away on September 12, 2006. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann (Smith) Worley; son, Michael and wife Shannon of Amelia; brother, Dennis Worley of Beckley, WV; sisters Rita Settle and husband Norman of Powhatan, Va. and Drema Roach of Shady Springs, WV; three grandchildren, Hannah Beth, Shane Elias, and Lauren Virginia Worley of Amelia; and devoted sister in law and brother in law Sugar and Melvin Bostick of Grafton, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his son, Scott Raymond Worley. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm on Friday, September 15, 2006 at Hillsman Hix Funeral Home, 16409 Court Street, Amelia, with a memorial service to follow at 7p.m. Interment will be private. Contributions may be made to the Amelia Rescue Squad. [WWHS '58, from the Richmond Times-Dispatch]

Judy Ruth Blankenship, 55, of Beckley, died Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006, in a local hospital of natural causes. Born Jan. 9, 1951, at Logan, she was the daughter of Margarete Schimidt Smith of Beckley and the late Charles Smith. Judy grew up in the Mount Tabor area and was a 1969 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She was a homemaker and enjoyed fishing and camping. She loved animals and flowers. Besides her mother, those left to cherish her memory are two sons, Damian Blankenship and wife, Sarah, of Meadow Bridge and Jeremy Blankenship of Crab Orchard; a brother, Danny Smith and Debbie of Mabscott; significant other, Larry Runion of Beckley; a granddaughter, Hannah Blankenship; two nephews, Kevin and wife, Kelly, of Beckley and Rodney Smith of Beckley; and her dog, Moca. Judy will be sadly missed by her family and friends. Private burial for family members was Thursday, Sept. 21, at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Ann Louise Neelly. MULLINVILLE, Kansas. Ann Louise Neelly, 71, died Saturday, July 22, 2006, at South Wind Hospice House, Pratt, Kansas. She was born Nov. 3, 1934, at Beckley, West Virginia, to Samuel and Mabel (Wiseman) Harper. On January 6, 1956, she married Charles J. Neelly. He survives. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley in 1951 and attended Fort Hays State University, graduating in 1965. She was a retired teacher, having taught for over 25 years. She had taught at Geneseo, Partridge, Pretty Prairie and Mullinville.

Terri Lynn Smith, of Edgar Drive, Beckley, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006, after a short illness at the University of Virginia Hospital. She was 47 years of age. Born in Beckley on Oct. 25, 1958, she was the precious daughter of Paige Muovich of Cool Ridge and Billie Jo McConnell Muovich of Beckley. Terri Lynn was a 1976 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, a member of Oak Grove Christian Church and was employed by Beitler-McKee Optical of Pittsburgh, Pa. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, George and Flora Muovich; her maternal grandparents, Ira and Opal McConnell; and her father-in-law, Edgar John Smith. Those left to cherish her memory in addition to her parents are her loving husband, David Edgar Smith; two beloved sons, David Brandon Smith and Marilyn of Cool Ridge and Jordan Wesley Smith of Glen Daniel; and three granddaughters, Sydnee Paige Smith, Annistyn Lynn Smith and Bayleigh Matheny. She was the dear sister of Gary Muovich and his wife, Linda, and Cheryl Ann Muovich, all of Beckley, and a special aunt to a nephew, Tanner Paige "Scotter" Muovich. Terri is also survived by her husband’s family, her mother-in-law, Evelyn Smith; brothers and sister-in-law, Tommy and Michael Smith and Debbie Neal, all of Beckley; and many cherished friends, among them her best friend, Debbie Adams. Service will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Oak Grove Christian Church with Mr. Ken Overdorf officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, beside her beloved grandmother, Opal. Friends may call one hour before service Sunday. Pallbearers will be Michael, Tommy and Danny Smith, Scott Toler, Micah Sisk, Jeff Pack, Phillip Wood and J.D. Taraczkozy. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Carl Edward Grooms, 57, of 503 Stanley St., Beckley, died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006, at Charleston Area Medical Center, General Hospital, following a short illness. Born Nov. 3, 1948, at East Bank, he was the son of Mildred Grooms of Chesapeake and the late James Williams. Mr. Grooms was a music teacher (band director), having retired in June 2004. He was member and president of the Raleigh County Music Education. He was a graduate of Cedar Grove High School and West Virginia Institute of Technology. He was a member of Cedar Grove Elizabeth Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Grooms, on May 19, 2005; and a cousin, Dewayne Grooms. Besides his mother, other survivors include two children, Carl E. Grooms Jr. of Beckley and Traci L. Jones of Beckley; a brother, Donald E. "Poochie" Grooms of London, W.Va.; a special aunt, Gertrude Dabbs of Cedar Grove; a special uncle, George Grooms of Chesapeake; a special aunt, Eva Mae Jackson of Newport News, Va.; special friend, Calvin Smith of Beckley; and a host of other relatives and friends. Service will be noon Saturday at Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley, with the Rev. Phillip Copney and the Rev. Dick Kinney officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral parlor. Services entrusted to Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.

Richard L. Petry, 68, of Beckley, died Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006, at Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley, after a long period of illness. He worked as a salesman of office supplies until he became ill. He was born in Eccles on Dec. 1, 1937, and was the son of the late Eli and Francis Petry. He is survived by his friend, Carol Lee of Quanah, Texas; two nieces, Carolyn Sue Krepps of Fairmont and Sharlette Jean Smith of Comfort; and a nephew, Terry L. Petry of Perry, Ohio. Richard was a member of Memorial Baptist Church in Beckley, where he faithfully attended. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Stanaford Cemetery with Pastor Paul Blizard officiating. Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements. [WWHS '57]

Charles William Songer II, 79, claimed the promise of his eternal life on Aug. 24, 2006, after a long and courageous battle with multiple myeloma. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles William Songer Sr. and Lula Price Songer of Beckley, and is survived by his wife of 15 years, Chandana Poshakrisha (E) Songer of Spring Hill, Tenn. His surviving family includes a son, Charles "Bim" Songer III and daughter-in-law Ann of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and daughter, Donna Songer Elizandro of Mount Juliet, Tenn., the children of Charles and his former wife Elizabeth Grayson Songer of Donelson, Tenn. Other surviving family members include grandson, Marshall Lee Pittman of Mount Juliet; brother, James E. Songer and wife, Mary Jane Songer, of Beckley; sisters, Jean Sarrett of Beckley and Carolyn Austin of Hilton Head Island, S.C.; stepdaughters, Malissa Klangmoung Carter of Spring Hill and Rose Klangmoung Jennings of Clarksville, Tenn.; and numerous nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law. Charles graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and continued his education, earning a Bachelor of Business degree from Bowling Green Business University in Kentucky. He served his country in World War II in the U.S. Army, Military Police, receiving an honorable discharge in 1947. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Columbia, S.C., as well as the Lions Club and Rotary Club in Nashville. Memorial service was 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at Charles’ church home, Hillsboro Presbyterian Church in the Church Chapel. Committal service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Sunset Mausoleum, Beckley. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Yvonne R. Cooper Raymond (1961-2006) Yvonne Cooper Raymond, 44, passed away peacefully Monday, September 4, 2006, at her home. She was born November 26, 1961, in Beckley, West Virginia, to Constance Maxine Cooper and Dr. Harry Fred Cooper (deceased). She grew up in Beckley where she was graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1980. From there Yvonne earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Clemson in 1985. Yvonne worked for 18 months in the telemetry and neo- natal units at Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, WV, and 18 months in the neo-natal unit at Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC, before moving to Salt Lake City. She worked in the neo-natal unit at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake and while employed there she earned her Masters of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Utah as a Neonatal Nurse-Practioner. She also was employed by University Hospital's NICU. Yvonne married Richard S. Raymond on July, 21, 1990, in Beckley, WV. They made their home in Fruit Heights, Utah, where both children Madeline Cooper and Casey Robert were born. Step daughters Leah and Amy Raymond spent many holidays and vacations with Yvonne and Rick. Yvonne was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as a visiting teacher and the homemaking teacher. She loved spending time with her family and friends, cross-stitching, reading and working with babies. Yvonne is survived by her husband Rick, her daughter Madeline, her son Casey and step daughters Amy Raymond and Leah Raymond Patrucci and Duchess, the dog. She is also survived by her mother Connie Cooper, Beckley, WV, her brothers and their wives Conrad and Carol Cooper and Kim and Lillie Cooper, also from Beckley, WV, Melodie and Tom Martin, her sister and husband from Myrtle Beach, and numerous nieces and nephews. Yvonne was preceded in death by her father Dr. Harry Fred Cooper. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 6, 2006, at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, 170 North Mountain Road, Fruit Heights, Utah. Family and friends may call at the church Tuesday from 7 to 9 PM or Wednesday from 10:00 to 10:45 am prior to the service. Funeral Directors, Lindquist's Kaysville Mortuary, 400 North Main. Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery. Flowers can be sent to the church or donations in her memory to the following: Primary Children's Medical Center, NICU, 100 North Medical Drive, SLC, Utah 84113 University of Utah. NICU, 30 North 1900 East, SLC, Utah 84132 Huntsman Cancer Institute 2000 Circle of Hope Drive Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 e-mail condolences to the family at llm@lindquistmortuary.com

Ronnie R. Hughes, 73, of Beckley, died Monday, Aug. 21, 2006, after a short battle with brain cancer. Born Oct. 4, 1932, he was the son of the late John and Ethel Gill Hughes. Ronnie was retired from Beckley Newspapers with over 30 years of service. He served with the U.S. Air Force for a short period of time. He enjoyed bowling, playing the drums and attending his WWHS class reunions. "Papa Ray" was a loyal supporter of the activities of all of his grandchildren. Ronnie was a member of First United Methodist Church and was past president and an active member of the Pathfinders Sunday School Class. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Hughes. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Elkin Hughes; three sons, Ron Hughes and his wife, Sue, of St. Petersburg, Fla., Jim Hughes and his wife, Jami, of Beckley and Chris Hughes and his wife, Lorrie, of Martinsburg; stepchildren, Nancy Sotak and her husband, Dave, and Tommy Elkin, all of Beckley; grandchildren, Zach and Drew Hughes of St. Petersburg, Emily and Jacob Hughes of Beckley, Amber and Rhiannon Hughes of Martinsburg, Jeremy Sotak and his wife, Sarah, Caleb Sotak, Misty Pack and her husband, Aaron, Kimberly Sims and her husband, Shawn, Tara McDaniel and her husband, Travis, Ashley Williams and her husband, David, and Adam Sotak and his wife, Tara; great- grandchildren, Isiaah Evans, Alisa Boyce-James, Taylor and Collin McDaniel, Emily and Cole Williams, and Brandon Pearce, all of Beckley; a sister, Helen Dew and her husband, Raymond, of Palm Coast, Fla.; nephew, Dr. Douglas Dew and his wife, Erica, and their children, Dewey and Dylan; niece, Brenda Michaels and her husband, Chad, and their children, Phillip and Stuart; and two special aunts, Martha Calloway and Wanda Hughes, both of Beckley. Service will be 11 a.m. today at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley, with Dr. Bob Stoddard officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends called 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Family members will serve as pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Hughes’ memory to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802, or to Pathfinders Sunday Class of First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Heber St., Beckley, WV 25801. Online guest book is available at www.calfeefh.com. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

MCCANDLESS TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Aubrey David Pack, 66, died Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa. Born June 9, 1940, in Portsmouth, Ohio, he was the son of Margaret Hamby of Columbus, Ohio, and the late Aubrey Pack. Mr. Pack was a resident of McCandless Township for the past three and a half years; prior to that he lived in Pittsburgh. He was the county planning director for the Venango County Planning Commission. He served in the U.S. Army during peace time. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed gardening. Besides his mother, other survivors include his wife, Gail A. Myers; a daughter, Cindi Runion of Atlanta, Ga.; a son, Travis Todd Pack of Atlanta; a stepson, Brian M. Fee of Forest Hills, Pa.; a stepdaughter, Emily S. Fee of Peoria, Ill.; a sister, Norma Duncan of Fairfax, Va.; brothers, Lonnie Pack and wife, Maureen, of Columbus, Ohio, and Jerry Pack and wife, Erma, of Worthington, Ohio; a sister, Vicki Mayhew and husband, Larry, of Madison, Tenn.; a brother, Randy Pack of Houston, Texas; and several nieces and nephews. There will be no viewing. The family will receive friends 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Thomas M. Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, 930 Center Ave., Blawnox, Pa. Flowers are to be omitted, please. The family respectfully suggests memorial contributions to the American Lung Association, 11676 Perry Hwy., Wexford, PA 15090. Arrangements by Thomas M. Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, Blawnox. [WWHS Class of 1958]

James E. Sparks, 39, of Bradley, loving husband, father and stepfather, passed away Friday, Aug. 18, 2006. Born Feb. 19, 1967, in Lansing, Mich., he was the son of Thomas and Shirley Harmon Sparks of Prosperity. Mr. Sparks was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Open Bible Baptist Church in Beckley. He was a 1986 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, and was employed at Southern Regional Jail for the past 11 years. Before that, he was a manager of Leisure Lanes and Accu-Lanes. Mr. Sparks was preceded in death by an aunt, Jenny Chitwood Sparks; maternal grandfather, Robert Harmon; paternal grandmother, Irene Goins Miller; and paternal grandfather, James Sparks. Besides his parents, other survivors include his wife, Barbara Fox Sparks; a son, Alexander James Sparks; stepson, Branden Pittman; and stepdaughter, Jessica Pittman, all at home; a son, James "Sparky" Sparks at WVU Tech in Montgomery; daughter, Kaylin and her mother, Lisa Sparks, of Maple Fork; a sister, Barbara Sparks Kosnoski and her husband, Gerald, of Canfield, Ohio; maternal grandmother, Helen Harmon of Beckley; uncle, Roger Sparks and wife, Dawn, of Lansing, Mich.; an aunt, Martha Harmon Ford of Prosperity; cousins, Jennifer Dinkle of New York, Robert Sparks Jr. of Lansing, Mich., Tim Ford of Florence, S.C.; and two very special family members, Dayton and Mary Ann Canterbury of Maple Fork. Service will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with Dr. Gene England officiating. Burial will follow in Williams Cemetery, Maple Fork. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Staff members of Southern Regional Jail will serve as pallbearers. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at roseandquesenberry@charterinternet.com. He will be deeply and sadly missed. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.

Providenzia Zena Amato Sansom, 71, of Huntington, formerly of Wayne, WV, passed away Friday, July 28, 2006, at Hospice House of Huntington after a brief battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 31, 2006, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Wayne, of which she was a founding member, by Father Julian Marneni, pastor of the church. Burial will follow at the Crockett Cemetery near Wayne. She was born February 5, 1935, in Ury, WV, a daughter of Antoinetta Amato of Mac Arthur and the late Guiseppe "Joe" Amato. She was a retired teacher for the Wayne County Board of Education. Her husband, Rollen Glen Sansom, and a sister, Madeline Ledahawsky, also preceded her in death. Survivors include three daughters, Mary Sansom of Cross Lanes, WV, Ruth Smith and husband, Tim of Huntington and Catherine Harold and husband, David of Lavalette; three grandchildren, Kane Smith, Zoe Harold and Zara Harold; four sisters, Jewell Dheel and husband, Frank of Sophia, WV, Rosemary Chase and husband, Ralph of Lake Milton, Ohio, Teresa Chase Bujak and husband, Chuck of Westland, Mich., and Carol Aaron and husband, Thomas of Sutton, WV; three brothers, Emanuel Amato of Beckley and Sam Amato of Mac Arthur and Patsy Amato and wife, Dorothy of Taylor, Mich.; a great-aunt, Nellie Amato; a sister-in-law, Eliza Adkins and a brother-in-law, Denvil Sansom. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers or food, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of Huntington, P.O. Box 464, Huntington, WV 25709. [WWHS Clas of 1953]

Betty Sue Fitzpatrick French, 84, of Mercer Street, Beckley, died Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006, in a Beckley hospital following a four-month illness. Betty was the ninth child of 11 children, born on Fitzpatrick Farm in MacArthur on Dec. 12, 1921, to John and Ada Belle Price Fitzpatrick. Betty spent her childhood on the Fitzpatrick farm and was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She was a member of Crab Orchard Baptist Church and was a member of the Keenagers Group at the church. Betty loved to make quilts, garden and sew; she was a resident of Mercer Street since 1961, coming from MacArthur. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren G. French, in 1995; an infant son, John David French, in 1942; her siblings, Willie Fitzpatrick, Clyde Fitzpatrick, in 1983, Alma Spence, in 1992, Jim Fitzpatrick, in 1965, John Fitzpatrick, in 1989, Claude Fitzpatrick, in 1994, and Annie Scurlock, in 1993. Survivors include a daughter, Jeannie Darnell and her husband, Tom, of Fitzpatrick Farm, MacArthur; two sons, Warren G. French Jr. and wife, Hilda, of Rockingham, N.C., and James Patrick French and wife, Robin, of Carolina Beach, N.C.; five grandchildren, Timothy Darnell and wife, Patricia, Tommy Darnell, Shane French, Warren G. French III and Tracy French; and her great-grandchildren, Princess Caroline Darnell and Emily, Erica and Charlotte French. Two sisters, Mary Meek of Crab Orchard and Vernie Naomi Miller of MacArthur, a sister-in-law, Wilma Fitzpatrick of MacArthur, and several nieces and nephews also survive. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Phil Shields officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements By Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

PETERSTOWN - Thelma Keatley Lawson, 90, most recently residing in Fairfax, Virginia, near her daughter and son-in-law, passed away Monday, August 7, 2006, at a Fairfax Virginia Care Center. She was born March 16, 1916, in Neponset (near Bozoo), W.Va., and was the daughter of the late George and Fanny Smith Keatley. Prior to moving to Fairfax, Va., she was a longstanding member of the Peterstown United Methodist Church, the Woman’s Circle as well as the local Garden Club. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, and was a 1935 graduate of Concord College, Athens, W.Va. After college she taught school for several years. She then moved to the Beckley area and worked in the office at a local coal mine; she and her husband moved to Peterstown and there she joined the U.S. Postal Service in Rich Creek, Va., where she retired having completed over 25 years service. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Russell C. Lawson, in October 1972, along with three sisters, Rose Mann, Pauline Holloway and Louella Wills. Surviving are a daughter, Sarahnell "Sarah" Lawson Laible and husband, Myron, of Herndon, Va.; three grandchildren, Amy Brent of Centreville, Va., Jonathan Laible of Ashburn, Va., and Matthew Laible of Sterling, Va.; a great-grandson, Benjamin Brent of Centreville, Va.; along with numerous nieces, nephews and other family; Starlene Bragg and husband Joe of Princeton, W.Va., and Joyce Reid and husband John of Williamsburg, Va. Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, August 12, 2006, at Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel in Peterstown, with Rev. Melissa Shortridge officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens at Princeton. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Peterstown United Methodist Church, Rt. 1 Box 626C, Peterstown. Online guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the Lawson family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com. Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Inc., Peterstown, W.Va.

Frank Wesley Pisegna, 72, of Malden, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 26, 2006 at CAMC Memorial Hospital after a long illness. Frank was born in Hot Coal on April 17, 1934. He was retired from the WV Department of Education, Administration of School Finances, Director of Civil Defense, Coordinator-Disaster for the state of WV and U.S. Office of Education and HUD for South East; attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley and graduated from Morris Harvey College, Charleston, and the Beckley College. Frank was a member and past Master of Salina Lodge # 27 AF & AM; a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies and was past local Chairman of the DeMolay. He was also involved in various other community and public organizations. He was preceded in death by his first son, Donald Lee Pisegna, and his parents, Frank and Bessie Pisegna of Beckley. He was a member of the Main Street Church of God, now known as the Southridge Church of God. Surviving are his wife, Janetta Cole Pisegna; daughter, Beverly Fulmer and her husband, Richard, of St. Albans; son, Frank W. Pisegna II of Malden; grandchildren, Erin and Lauren Fulmer and Frank W. Pisegna III. A private family service was held 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley, with the Rev. David Bowen officiating. The burial followed the service with Masonic rites. Arrangements by Stevens & Grass Funeral Home, 4203 Salines Drive, Malden, WV.

James Andrew Starr, 55, passed away on July 14, 2006, from a long illness. He was born on September 24, 1950, to Virginia Dare Walker and Howard A. Starr. Jim graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1970. After high school he served four years in the Air Force; after his return from service, he worked for the Southern Railroad in Alexandria, Va. Later, he was a construction worker in Orlando, Fla. He is survived by his son, Jimmy Starr of Rockland, MA; father and stepmother, Howard and Henrietta Starr of Palm Bay, Fla.; sister, Marsha Starr of Hamlin, WV; stepbrother, Clinton Pennington of Palm Bay, Fla.; stepsister, Cheryl Pennington and Nila Porter of Mabscott, Charlotte Helmick of Azle, Texas, and Robin Hendershot of Orlando, Fla.; aunt, Charlotte Lilly of Beckley; and special cousins, Rhonda Allard and her daughters, Jennifer and Rachel of Orlando, Fla.; during his illness, Jim lived for several years with Rhonda and her daughters. No services are planned at this time.

On Sunday, July 16, 2006, William J. Hutchison went to see his Lord and Savior at the University of Virginia Medical Center following an illness of 3 months. He was 79 years of age. Born William Joseph Hutchison at Clifton Forge, Virginia on March 25, 1927, he was the son of the late Joseph Maxwell and Myoma "Mickey" Campbell Hutchison. William spent his childhood in Beckley, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School. After high school, he entered the US Coast Guard during WWII, enlisting as an apprenticed seaman. He was a recipient of the American Theatre Campaign Ribbon and the WWII Victory Medal. Later he would serve in the US Marine Corps entering in 1950, serving during the Korean Conflict, where he was a recipient of the UN Service Ribbon, Korean Service Ribbon and the Good Conduct Ribbon. After his stints in service, he was employed by Beckley Newspapers for a number of years. Mr. Hutchison then began a career in the banking industry with Raleigh County National Bank, retiring from Beckley National Bank (CHASE) as a trust officer. He had 25 years in the industry. A devoted member of the Piney View Bible Church, he was very active in church affairs, having been a trustee, Sunday school teacher and superintendent. He had also been a song leader for the church. When he had time he enjoyed hunting. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his little granddaughter, Haley Brianne Hutchison and a brother Howard Lee Hutchison. He was the loving husband of Joan Pfadt Hutchison for 52 years; the beloved father of Joanna Bryant and her husband Dan of Bradley; Kim Beckett and her husband Joey of Shady Spring; and Michelle Lucas and her husband Jeff of Beckley; the dear grandfather of 11 grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Kendra Davis and her husband James of Arizona and 2 special nephews, Gregory and Steven Hutchison. Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Melton Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Cecil Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens at Prosperity. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the mortuary and one hour prior to services on Thursday. Pallbearers will be: Greg and Steve Hutchison, Mark Arthur, Doug Patton, Bill Basham, Roger Taylor, Denvil Blake and Harold Arthur. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

FOREST PARK, Ga. - Nathan J. Penn, 51, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 9, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio. He was born Dec. 11, 1954, at Tams, WV, he was the son of Effie Harris and the late Earl Penn. Mr. Penn was a loving and devoted father that was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. Mr. Penn was a truck driver for ABF for 19 years. He was a former coal miner for Maple Meadows Mining Company in West Virginia. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, WV, and went on to attend college. He was preceded in death by a sister, Cassandra Harris and a brother, William Harris. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 26 years, Cecelia (Yvette) Penn. In addition to his wife, he leaves to cherish his memories six children, John Swain of Beckley, Kimberly Fowlkes and husband, Harold of Beckley, Nathan Stroud and wife, Michelle of Dahlgren, Va., Tia Glass and husband, Ernest Jr. of Rex, Ga., Natalie Penn of Forest Park, Ga., and William (Bill) Penn of Forest Park, Ga.; brothers, Charles Penn of Maplewood, NJ., Earl Penn Jr. of Baltimore, Md., William Penn of Sommerville; sisters, Earlene Moss of Glen White, Brenda Dykes of Staunton, Va., Linda Penn of Staunton, Va., and Lisa Moten of Beckley. Nathan is best remembered by his charismatic personality, spirited demeanor and passionate approach towards life. Everyone who was blessed to know Nathan knew that among his presence they could expect a good laugh coupled with intriguing conversation and an intense yet friendly, historical debate. Though Nathan will be greatly missed, his memory shall live on forever and his spirit shall continue to shine with the sun. Services were held 1 p.m. Saturday, July 156, 2006, at New Bread of Life Christian Center, 3382 Jodeco Rd., McDonough, Ga., with Pastor Albert Baker officiating. Burial followed in Forest Hills Cemetery, Forest Park, a. Cousins and friends of the family served as flower ladies. Honorary pallbearers were Luther Pearson and Mark Pearson. Pallbearers were Lee Callahan, Alvin Ham, David Martin, Jack Castlebury, Tony Lefibere, and Tommy Powell.

Alvin G. Chambers, 72, of Beckley, died in a local hospital Wednesday, July 12, 2006, following a short illness. Born Aug. 15, 1933, at Colcord, he was the son of Venis Sloan Chambers of Beckley, and the late George B. Chambers. Mr. Chambers was of the Protestant faith and, upon graduation from high school, entered Beckley College for 1 1/2 years. He entered military service and served with the U.S. Army for two years, serving in Okinawa and was a member of the Army Security Agency (SAS). After his military service he entered Marshall College and graduated with a B.A. degree in 1959. He then joined his father at Ashland Oil and continued to work in the oil bulk plant business until the present, last working on Saturday, July 8. He was the general manger of Chambers Oil Company. He was a lifelong resident of Beckley. Mr. Chambers was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Dean Chambers. Survivors in addition to his mother include his wife, Nancy Angle Chambers of Beckley; his son, Paul Alan Chambers of Beckley; two sisters, Betty Mays and her husband, Harold, of Beckley, and Linda MacAninch of Bloomington, Ill.; mother-in-law, Gladys Angle of Erin, Tenn.; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with Pastor Doug Holley and Pastor Harman Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Marty Hart, Frank Dameron, Clifford Eades, Thomas Trent, Mike Mays and Bob Elkins. Online condolences and guest book are available at www.calfeefh.com. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley. [WWHS Class of 1951]

Wanna Fae Ferguson of Piney Ave., Beckley, formerly of Mabscott, died Sunday, July 9, 2006, at her home following a long illness. She was 69 years of age. Born March 30, 1937, at Lego, she was the daughter of the late Otto and Mary Kitchen Ferguson. Wanna spent her childhood on South Hill Street in Mabscott and was a 1955 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She worked for many years for the Social Security Administration. She was a volunteer at the Women’s Resource Center in Beckley and after retirement worked as a home health worker. She was an avid reader. She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Elizabeth Dietterle and two brothers, Homer R. and Carl D. Ferguson. She was the loving mother of daughter, Edwina Warren of Timberlake, N.C.; beloved grandmother of Travis, Thomas and Ethan; the dear sister of Anna Ruth Bondra of Brecksville, Ohio, Norma D. Dudas of Las Vegas and Betty Arbaugh of Mabscott; Thomas C. Ferguson of Princeton, Hugh G. Ferguson of Minnapolis, Minn., Otto N. Ferguson of Hampton, Va. and Jackie W. Ferguson of Haysville, Kan.; numerous nephews and nieces also survive as well as a dear friend Gene Gravely of Beckley. A celebration of her life will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the Mabscott United Methodist Church with the Rev. Michael Ludle officiating. The family will received friends one hour prior to the services. Donations of sympathy may be made to the Womens Resource Center, P.O. Box 1476, Beckley, WV 25802. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Robert Alan Webb, 44, of Beckley, died Tuesday, July 4, 2006. Born July 1, 1962, at Beckley, he was the son of Francis Andrews Webb of Mabscott, and the late Grover Wayne Webb. Robert was a 1980 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He was owner/operator of R.A.W. Concrete Finishing. He was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Father John Halpin Council 5657 Knights of Columbus and the Pinch Creek Trout Association. Robert was a unique individual. Everyone that came in contact with him felt his kindness and helpfulness shining through. From his involvement in the church parish festival, his work involved in "Make A Difference Day," chaperoning during youth field trips to shoveling snow on church grounds, Rob was an extremely active member in his church and loved his church family dearly. An avid outdoorsman, Rob enjoyed hunting, ATV riding, and fishing on the water’s edge at Glade Creek. Those who knew Rob best, knew that his main passion was spending time with his family, especially his two young girls. Besides his mother, he is survived by his wife, Mary Kathryn Voloski-Webb; daughters, Amanda Brooke Webb and Samantha Dawn Webb, both at home; brothers, Stephen Webb of Charleston, and David Webb of Mabscott; a sister, Melissa Webb of Beckley; a niece, Brandi Flannery; and two nephews, Michael Flannery and Dakota Jones. A funeral liturgy will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 8, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with the Rev. John McGinnity officiating. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley, where a scripture prayer service will be held at 8 p.m. led by the Rev. Mr. Don Wise. Following Robert’s wishes he will be cremated after the service. Pallbearers will be Chris Hatfield, Kevin Bowling, Thurston Connard, Melissa Webb, Brian Jones and David Webb. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Amanda and Samantha Webb Trust Fund, c/o Star Credit Union, 3871 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, WV 25801. An online guest book is available at www.calfeefh.com. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Teresa Yvonne Helmbright, 46, of East Bank passed away March 12, 2004. Born on Aug. 9, 1957, in Charleston, she was the daughter of Jewel "Sally" Yvonne Stover Scarbro of White Oak and Billy Jack Lawrence and wife, Leslie, of Athens, Ohio. Mrs. Helmbright was a homemaker. She loved gardening and flowers. She devoted her life to being a dedicated wife, mother, sister, daughter, nana and friend. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Don Scarbro. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband, Kenneth Helmbright; a daughter, Heather Diegert and husband, Raymond, East Bank; two sons, B.J. Helmbright and friend, Jessie of East Bank and Austin Helmbright at home; siblings, Dwayne Lawrence and wife, Pam of Beckley, W.Va., Donna Walker and husband, Jessie, of Shady Spring, W.Va., Terri Gunter and husband, Donnie of White Oak, W.Va., and Ryan Lawrence of Athens, Ohio; sister-in-law, Sallie Helmbright of East Bank; brother-in-law, Robbie Helmbright of Nemocolay, Pa.; grandchildren, Destini and Chelsea Diegert of East Bank; and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and friends. Service will be 1 p.m. Monday, March 15, 2004, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley with the Rev. Jerry Lawrence and the Rev. Loretta Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in Burrels Branch Cemetery, Clear Creek. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Donnie Gunter, Jessie Walker, Robbie Helmbright, Doff Kincaid, Elbert Stover, Ryan Lawrence, Charlie Golch, Will Lawrence and B.J. Helmbright. Arrangements are by Blue Ridge. [WWHS Class of 1975]

MALDEN - Frank W. Pisegna, 72, of Malden, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 26, 2006, at Charleston Area Medical Center, Memorial Hospital, after a long illness. Frank was born in Beckley on Aug. 17, 1934. He was a retired from the West Virginia Department of Education, Administration of School Finances, director of civil cefense, coordinator — disaster for the state of West Virginia and U.S. Office of Education and HUD for the Southeast; attended Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, and graduated from the former Morris Harvey College, Charleston. Frank was a member and past Master of Salina Lodge No. 27 AF & AM; a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies and was the past local chairman of the De Molay. He was also involved in various other community and public organizations. He was a member of the former Main Street Church of God, now known as Southridge Church of God. Surviving is his wife, Janetta Cole Pisegna; daughter, Beverly Fulmer of St. Albans; son, Frank W. Pisegna II of Malden; and grandchildren, Erin and Lauren Fulmer and Frank W. Pisegna III. Private family service will be 2 p.m. today at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, with the Rev. David Bowen officiating. Burial will follow with Masonic rites. There will be no visitation. The online guest book may be accessed at www.stevensandgrass. com. Arrangements by Stevens and Grass Funeral Home, Malden.

Bessie Tolbert Comer passed away Monday June 19, 2006, of a short illness. She was the daughter of William H. Tolbert and Lilly Mann Tolbert. Bessie was a member of the Little Vine Baptist Church in Beaver and a 1929 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She was preceded in death by her husband, Grover M. Comer, and three stepsons, Thomas L. Comer, Lawrence G. Comer and Grover M. Comer, Jr. She is also preceded in death by a brother, Richard Lee Tolbert; a sister, Pearl Tolbert; and nephew, Jack Tolbert. Those left to cherish her memory include her nephews, Cecil "Buck" Tolbert and Harold "Dean" Tolbert; and several grandchildren. Service will be held noon Wednesday, June 21, 2006, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home with the Norville Mann officiating. Family and friends may gather with the family one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Online condolences can be made at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, WV.

Nora E. Gardetto, 80, of Beckley, died Thursday, June 15, 2006, at her residence after a long illness. Born May 25, 1926, at Piedicavallo, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Alphonso and Mary B. Peraldo Janutolo. Mrs. Gardetto was a 1945 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She was a former employee of E.M. Payne Co. in Beckley and retired from the business office at Beckley Hospital after 17 years of service. She was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and a member of the Ladies of St. Francis for many years. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bernard A. Gardetto, on June 16, 1964; a brother, Al Janutolo; two sisters, Eula Payne and Ebe Waugh; and was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Mrs. Gardetto had been a full-time resident of Raleigh County since 1964. Those left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Marie Francisco of Beaver and Susan Brammer and her husband, Eddie, also of Beaver; four grandchildren, Kelli and Susan of Beckley, and Chelsea and Christopher of Beaver; two great-grandchildren, Cierra and Jaylen of Beckley; special friend and cousin, Carla Zeto of Beaver; many friends, special neighbors and loving caregivers, Wanda Jones, Velda Fleshman, Billy Shrewsbury and Sherene Morris. Funeral liturgy will be 11 a.m. Monday at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Beckley, with the Rev. Samuel S. Sacus as celebrant. Rite of committal will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum A, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley, where a Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m., led by the Rev. Mr. Don Wise. Pallbearers will be Phillip Zeto, Mike Zeto, Phil Zeto, Billy Shrewsbury, Harry Evans and Mike Kosco. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Gardetto to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 626 S. Oakwood Ave., Beckley, WV 25801, or Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802. Online condolences and a guest book are available at www.calfeefuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Howard Wendell Brown, 81, of Daniels, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, June 6, 2006, in the loving company of his wife, sister, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. He was born at Daniels June 25, 1924, to the late Harry W. Brown and Sallie Covey Brown, and was a lifelong resident of West Virginia. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener. Howard was a 1941 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley. He also attended Beckley College and West Virginia University. He retired from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Green Bank, WV, after a distinguished career in telescope operations and in the design and integration of highly advanced cryogenic technology for radio astronomical receivers. He was highly skilled in construction, mechanical, automotive, electronic, and a variety of other technical endeavors. After retirement from NRAO, he served as a consultant in the cryogenics industry. Prior employers included the United States Bureau of Mines in Morgantown, the C&O Railroad, and Appalachian Power Company. Howard also served as a radio transmission engineer at AM broadcast stations in Beckley and in Morgantown, and was an accomplished television and radio repair technician. Howard is survived by his loving wife, Leona Gwinn Brown of Daniels. Howard and Leona were married when both were 18 years old, and their union was blessed in both longevity and love. Other survivors include Howard’s sisters, Ruth Adkins and Phyllis Brown, both of Daniels; son and daughter-in-law, Thomas Howard and Donna Lynn Brown of Winston-Salem, N.C.; daughter and son-in-law, Belinda (Connie) and Doug Miller of Griffithsville; daughter, Glenna Black; and six grandchildren. During the second World War, Mr. Brown was a Private First Class in combat with the U.S. Army’s 97th Infantry Division in Europe during 1945, and served with the same division in the occupation of Japan until the demobilization of his unit in the spring of 1946. His service was courageous and distinguished, but he lived the rest of his life with an outspoken hatred for war. History has shown that many thousands of his wartime comrades will never grow old, and current statistics would indicate that hundreds of those who remain joined him in death this week. It is unlikely that the free world will ever be able to repay their service to their nation, to freedom, and to mankind. The family asks that there be no flowers, all memorials to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25801. Memorial services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2006 at the Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home Shady Spring Chapel with the Rev. Don Synder officiating. There will be no night visitation. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at roseandquesenberry@charterinternet.com. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring.

On Thursday, the first day of June 2006, Helen Shrodo Barone passed away in a Beckley hospital following a long illness. She was in her 82nd year. Christened Helen Virginia Shrodo, she was the youngest of four children born to the late Joseph and Steffie Calka Shrodo. Helen was born April 4, 1924. A lifelong and devoted member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Helen spent her childhood at Stanaford. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She and her beloved husband, the late John Anthony Barone, were residents of City Avenue for a number of years. They later moved to Witherspoon Street where they resided for 38 years. In 1998, after the death of her beloved Johnny on Aug. 11, 1997, Helen decided to make her home with her sister, Josie Kozar, at Lanark. The past years have been a special time for these two sisters. In her leisure time, Helen enjoyed bowling. In addition to her parents and her husband, Helen was preceded in death by a brother, Stanley Joseph Shrodo, in 1975; and three nephews, Paul, John and Andy Kozar. In addition to her sister Josie, she is survived by a dear sister, Julia Hutman and her husband, Mike, of Trenton, N.J.; and a sister-in-law, Anna Barone. Helen was a loving aunt to several nieces and nephews, among them a special niece, Catherine Toney of Beckley. Funeral liturgy will be 11 a.m. Monday at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Beckley, with Father Perry Malacaman as celebrant. Rite of committal will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, where a vigil prayer service will be conducted at 8 p.m. by Deacon Donald Wise. Pallbearers will be Mike Kozar, Marshall White, Stanley and Paul Shrodo, and Frank and John Hutman. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Lois Sandford McMillen, 73, of Lewisburg, formally of Clendenin, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2006, after a long illness. Mrs. McMillen was born in Prenter, WV and was a 1949 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, WV. She graduated from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and was retired from Kanawha County Public Schools where she served as choral director at Clendenin Jr. High for over 25 years. Lois played trumpet in the Charleston Light Opera Guild’s pit orchestra and served as choir director at the Clendenin Advent Christian Church. Since retiring, Lois has resided in Greenbrier County, WV where she was a substitute teacher at Eastern Greenbrier Junior High. As a member of Clifton Presbyterian Church in Maxwelton, she served as an Elder, choir and hand bell director and volunteer. She prepared food for Gwen’s Meals and played piano at local nursing homes. Mrs. McMillen was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Sanford and is survived by her 5 children, Barbara Wygal Lutz of Lewisburg, Tom Wygal of Big Chimney, Carol Kiser of Elkview, Ruth Wygal of Centreville, Va., Don Wygal of Ft. Worth, Texas, Sister-in-law Katherine Sanford of Illinois, daughter-in-law Patty Wygal, son-in-law, Joseph Lutz, 5 grandchildren and two nieces. The family expresses its deep gratitude to the medical and nursing staff of CAMC’s general hospital, 5th floor south for their compassionate and professional care of Mrs. McMillen. In addition, the visits, prayers and gifts from her friends from Charleston and Lewisburg have been a comfort and blessing to her and her family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clifton Presbyterian Church, Rt. 219 N., Maxwelton, WV, 24957 or to Clendenin Advent Christian Church, PO Box 482, Clendenin, WV, 25045.

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Miriam Byrd Brown, age 82, passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2006. She was born on Sept. 11, 1923, the daughter of the late Vaughan and Annie Wheeler Byrd. Remembered is her husband Ollie William Brown of Beckley, W.Va., who preceded her in death. Miriam was raised in Holly Springs, N.C., and was a graduate of Morris Harvey College in Charleston, WV. She was a caring and talented teacher, and taught at Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, later moving to Wilmington, where she taught English, Speech, Drama and Debate at New Hanover High School for many years until her retirement. She had been a member of Beckley Presbyterian Church, where she was remembered for her beautiful soprano voice. She is survived by her son, William Brown of Chicago, IL; two sisters, Jean Kerr, and Marian Wise both of Wilmington; a special brother-in-law, Horace Pierce of Beckley, W.Va., and many nieces and nephews. A time of visitation for family and friends will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel in Wilmington, N.C. A funeral ceremony will be 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2006, at Holly Springs Baptist Church in Holly Springs, NC. Burial will be in the Holly Springs Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary. com Arrangements by Andrews Mortuary, Wilmington, N.C.

Farris Edward Rahall, 90, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (May 24, 2006) at St. Anthony’s Hospital. Born in Beckley, West Virginia, his family first came to St. Petersburg in 1929 and maintained a winter residence. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, WV in 1935 and Carnegie Mellon University - Industrial Engineer- in 1939. During WWII, he worked for GM on design of the B-29 Fuselage section. The day the war ended he hired attorneys and engineers to file FCC radio applications for six cities. In 1947, he and his brothers started three radio stations: WWNR in Beckley, WKAP in Allentown, PA, and WNAR in Norristown, PA. Rahall Broadcasting purchased the WTSP radio station in St. Petersburg in 1956 from Mr. Nelson Poynter, owner of the St. Petersburg Times, and changed the call letters to WLCY in 1959. The Rahalls fought a long legal battle for television channel 10. They finally won in the court of appeals against Nelson Pointer.The Rahalls subsequently started WLCY-TV in 1965 . Later stations, WFBM AM-FM in Indianapolis were purchased. Radio Station WQTY was purchased in 1962 by the Rahalls and was donated to Jones College of Jacksonville, FL in 1964. In 1968 Rahall Communications Corporation became a public company and he was elected Chairman of the Executive Committee, Vice President and Treasurer. Broadcast operations were in Florida, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio and New Hampshire. After Rahall communications was sold to Gulf Broadcasting in 1978, Farris became a consultant to Gulf United Corporation, the company who bought Rahall Communications. He spent most of the last 25 years investing in land, stocks and starting small companies. Farris established the Rahall Family Sports complex at Shorecrest Preparatory School which was dedicated in 1985 and later rededicated in 2002. The RAHALL COMMUNICATION PROGRAM was established at Eckerd College in 1997. Its purpose is to help students develop effective oral communication skills; teach the fundamental principles of fair, responsible and ethical journalism; and provide practical experience through internships. In addition to offering courses in media ethics, the Rahall Professor of Communication works closely with faculty across the curriculum to provide opportunities for students to develop their speaking skills and with a variety of media firms in the Tampa Bay area to place students on internships in the communication industry. He was very proud of his Lebanese heritage and was able to visit his fathers village of Kefier, Lebanon. His father immigrated to America in 1903 and penniless he became a peddler and later a successful land and property owner. Farris was a very strict man, but had a heart of gold towards helping his fellow man. A trait he obtained from his father and through the depression years. He was a Presbyterian and belongs to the First Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg. He was a devout Christian who tried to teach that nothing can be done without the power of the lord. He loved the 10 commandments, Lord’s Prayer, and the Apostle’s creed. He was a life member and baptized in the Antiochian Orthodox Church. He loved to go to the Tampa Bay symphony Orchestra and also liked Big Band and New Orleans Jazz Music. He loved to read publications and to forward interesting articles to his family and friends. He loved math and would help his son or grandchildren anytime he saw the opportunity. He was a very goal oriented person who required results form himself or co-workers.. He also stressed the importance of learning about business in college because what ever your career choice a person would have to be able to control their finances. In his spare time he enjoyed golfing,gardening, fishing, hunting and especially spoiling his grandchildren. In 1954, he was appointed by the Secretary of Defense, Charles Wilson, to the Defense Department of Orientation Conference and retired in 1984. He was a member of the National Committee of Foreign Relations Council, the St. Petersburg Rotary Club, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, the Masons - awarded 50 year membership pin, and Consistory, Shrine - awarded 50 year membership pin, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, the Vinoy Country Club, the Who’s Who in World Business & Finance, member of Tampa Bay Area Committee on U.S. Foreign Relations Council, and the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts. He was a former member of the Longboat Key Country Club - Sarasota, Feather Sound Country Club, St. Petersburg, United States Chamber of Commerce, and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce. He was the only broadcaster to receive the Alfred P. Sloan National Safety Award - 1952. He was Director of the Salvation Army, St. Petersburg from 1968 to the present. He was a former member of the Florida State Advisory Council on Vocational & Technical Education., the Florida State Council, Right to Read, and former Board member of the Small Business Administration, Washington, DC, 1956-1960. Formerly, he was Director of St. Petersburg Junior Achievement, Hoover Commission - Eastern PA, National Director of Hoover Commission for U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, Director Pennsylvania Junior Chamber of Commerce, Director Red Cross, Philadelphia, PA, Organizer and Director United Fund, Norristown, PA - 1948, Director YMCA, St. Petersburg, Florida Co- Chairman Finance Committee for Reagan for President - 1980. He served on the National Committee of United Nations Day - 1984. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Victoria B.; a son, F. Jeffrey Rahall, St. Petersburg; a brother, Sam G. Rahall, St. Petersburg; a sister, Julienne Newey, Jacksonville, FL; three granddaughters: Victoria, Tampa; and Cary and Alexandria both of St. Petersburg; seven nephews, including Congressman Nick Joe Rahall from West Virginia; and five nieces. Anderson-McQueen Funeral & Cremation Centers-NE St. Petersburg

LEWISBURG - Lois S. McMillen, 73, of Lewisburg, formerly of Clendenin, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2006, after a long illness. Mrs. McMillen was born in Prenter and was a 1949 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley. She graduated from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and was retired from Kanawha County public schools where she served as choral director at Clendenin Junior High for over 25 years. Lois played trumpet in the Charleston Light Opera Guild’s pit orchestra and served as choir director at Clendenin Advent Christian Church. Since retiring, Lois has resided in Greenbrier County, where she was a substitute teacher at Eastern Greenbrier Junior High. As a member of Clifton Presbyterian Church in Maxwelton, she served as an elder, choir and hand-bell director and volunteer. She prepared food for Gwen’s Meals and played piano at local nursing homes. Mrs. McMillen was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Sanford. She is survived by her five children, Barbara Wygal Lutz of Lewisburg, Tom Wygal of Big Chimney, Carol Kiser of Elkview, Ruth Wygal of Centreville, Va., and Don Wygal of Fort Worth, Texas; sister-in-law, Katherine Sanford of Illinois; daughter-in-law, Patty Wygal; son-in-law, Joseph Lutz; five grandchildren; and two nieces. The family expresses its deep gratitude to the medical and nursing staff of Charleston Area Medical Center, General Hospital, fifth-floor south, for their compassionate and professional care of Mrs. McMillen. In addition, the visits, prayers and gifts from her friends from Charleston and Lewisburg have been a comfort and blessing to her and her family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clifton Presbyterian Church, Route 219 North, Maxwelton, WV 24957, or to Clendenin Advent Christian Church, P.O. Box 482, Clendenin, WV 25045. Memorial service will be held at a later date.

SALEM, Va. - Myrna Welsh Larrick, 68, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, May 18, 2006. She is the daughter of John M. Welsh Sr. and Violet N. Calfee Welsh. Myrna is retired from Gentry, Lock, Rakes and Moore Lawfirm and was devoted to her friends and family. She was also a member of the Raleigh Baptist Church. Myrna was preceded in death by her father, John Welsh Sr. Those left to cherish her memory include husband Richard Larrick; mother Violet Welsh; brothers John Welsh and wife Janice of Crawley, West Virginia; Bill Welsh and wife Barbara of Daniels, West Virginia; stepchildren Lynn Devier of Lexington, Kentucky, and Steve Larrick of Powhatan, Virginia; six grandchildren; niece Laura Welsh Branch and niece Catherine Welsh Aceto; nephew Stuart Welsh and sister-in-law JoAnn Rule. Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2006 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home with Rev. Clevie Allen and Rev. Ralph Calfee officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Pallbearers will be members of the family and friends. Online condolences can be made at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com. Arrangements made by Blue Ridge Funeral Home.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Charles Dwight McGraw Sr. passed away in Virginia Beach on Monday, May 8, 2006. He was 75. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth Howard McGraw; a brother, John McGraw of Louisville, Ky.; daughters, Colleen M. Hagy (Doug) of Virginia Beach and Linda A. Parr (Jim) of Portsmouth, Va.; sons, C. Dwight McGraw Jr. (Lou Ann) of Virginia Beach and Howard David McGraw (Kerry) of Roanoke, Va.; grandsons, Robert J. Parr III, C. Dwight McGraw III and Clifford C. Hagy of Virginia Beach; grandson, Jacob I. Parr of Portsmouth; granddaughter, Riley Q. McGraw of Roanoke; niece and nephew, Lyn Madison and Patrick McGraw of Lexington, Ky.; and niece and nephew, Amy Good and Dennis McGraw of Louisville, Ky. Born Jan. 29, 1931, in Asheville, N.C., he was the second son of the late Herbert Dwight "Doc" McGraw and Edna Akers McGraw of Beckley. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley and Ohio Northern University. He was a fan of Virginia Tech football. Memorial service will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Sentara Home Care Services Hospice Program. Condolences can be registered at www.parrfuneralhome.com. Parr Funeral Home is serving the family.

RICHMOND, Va. - Mary Belle Polley Hale, 82, widow of Clyde Franklin Hale, died Friday, May 5, 2006, in Henrico Doctors Hospital in Richmond. She formerly resided in Fort Myers, Fla., and Beckley. She was born Nov. 4, 1923, in Beckley, the daughter of Emma Katherine Polley and John Gordon Polley. She attended Lindenwood College, St. Charles, Mo., and graduated from West Virginia University. She is survived by daughters, Frances Hale Twigg and husband, James Twigg, of Richmond and Polley Hale Cunningham and husband, William Cunningham, of Huntington; grandchildren, Kathleen Twigg of Richmond, Katherine Cunningham of Mountain View, Calif., and Richard Cunningham and wife, Emily, of Washington, D.C. Service will be 3 p.m. today at Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church, 7000 Park Ave., Richmond,with the Rev. Dr. Fred Rose officiating. The family will receive friends after the service. Interment will be at St. Paul Presbyterian Church, Morristown, Tenn. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Paul Presbyterian Church or the Salvation Army.

Tony Bava of Richlands, Va., formerly of Gunter Road, Beckley, died Sunday, April 30, 2006, in Clinchville, Va. Medical Center. He was 84 years of age. The son of Italian immigrants, Tony was one of nine children born to Joseph and Catherine Costanzo Bava. He was born on Jan. 27, 1922, in New Kingston, Pa. Tony spent his childhood at Glen White coming there from New Kingston at the age of 6. A resident of the Mt. Tabor community since 1956, he was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1943. A veteran of World War II, Tony served under General George Patton. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Ribbon. Ton was a retired inspector with WV Department of Highways with 21 years of service. A member of the Crab Orchard Baptist Church, he was a member of the Friendship Sunday School Class. An avid WVU fan, Tony was a member of the Crab Orchard-MacArthur Lions Club. He had been a resident of Richlands the past five years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five sisters, Clara Dwiggins, Angie Sanders, Francis Caruso, Anna Pannell and Lena Stiner; and three brothers, Sam Pilliteri, John and Charles Bava. Survivors include his beloved wife, Mary Ann Davis Bava, he was the loving father of Karen Hudson and her husband, Richard, of Richlands, and Joseph Bava and his wife, Diane, of Lady Lake, Fla.; and the dear grandfather of Sara and Emily Hudson and Ashley Adams and Jessica Bava. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Melton Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. David Brannock officiating. Burial will follow in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens at Beckley. Military rites will be conducted by the Oak Hill Post 3110 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Friends may call one hour before the service Wednesday at the funeral chapel. Pallbearers will be nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Crab Orchard-MacArthur Lions Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mountain Kids, Inc., 200 East Riverside Dr., North Tazewell, Va. 24630. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Ronald B. Gunter, 78, of Dry Hill Road, Beckley departed from this life Sunday April 30, 2006, at Heartland of Beckley following a long illness with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was born Sept. 5, 1927, in Beckley. He was a 1946 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He was the owner of Gunter Electric Company in Beckley, R.B. Gunter Machinery and Gunter Holdings. He was a member of Bluestone Baptist Church at Jumping Branch. He was a former member of the Dry Hill Kiwanis Club, the Beckley Historical Society, the Beckley Gun Club, Beckley Ski Club and Leisure Lanes Bowling League. His special hobby was farming at his Streeter & Sandstone farms, starting at an early age with his father. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie O. & Maude Gunter. Also preceded by one sister and brother-in-law, Ardis and Homer Lively, and one brother and sister-in-law, Nolan and Charlotte Gunter. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Allenbaugh Gunter; two sons, Ronald K. Gunter and wife, Judy, of Beckley, and Daniel K. Gunter and wife, Carolyn, of Maple Fork; granddaughter, Valerie Goodson and husband, Gregory, of Daniels and a grandson, Keith Gunter and wife, Amber, of Princewick; two great-grandchildren, Faith and Luke Gunter of Princewick; two brothers, Lonnie Gunter Jr. and wife, Norma, of Shady Spring, Michael Gunter and wife, Joy, of Beckley; two sisters, Jean Young of Beckley and Ann Comet of Madisonville, Ky.; two brothers-in-law, Robert Allenbaugh and wife, Lucy, of Birmingham, AL and Russell Allenbaugh of Los Angeles, Calif.; one sister-in-law, Anna Fisher and husband, John, of Pensacola, Fla. Pivont Funeral Home in Hinton will officiate cremation and a private memorial service will he held at his home, conducted by the Rev. William Fox. Interment will be in the Gunter Cemetery at Sandstone at a later date. Memorial contributions in Ronald’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association for their research programs. Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton.

Thomas Earl Phillips, who was born in Spring Hill on April 18, 1929, passed away Wednesday, April 19, 2006. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Ira Howard and Jessie Oliver Phillips; a brother, Howard Lee Phillips; and an infant son, Timothy Earl Phillips. Surviving are his devoted wife of 50 years, Peggy McDaniel Phillips; his sons, James Howard Phillips and wife, Lisa, of Roanoke, Va., and Gregory Ray Phillips and wife, Jacquie, of Jacksonville, Fla.; his three dearly loved grandchildren, Timothy, Megan and Chase; his sister, Betty Phillips Lilly, and her children, Joellen "Jodi" Lawson Worley, Phillip Lawson and Jennifer Lawson Pennington, all of Beckley; a sister- in-law, Penny Pack Phillips of Morgantown; several loved nieces and nephews; and many dear friends and neighbors. Tom was a 1947 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, U.S. Army veteran, a graduate of Morris Harvey College (University of Charleston) and retired from Southern States after 34 years. He was a longtime member of Covenant Presbyterian Church where he truly enjoyed the Chancellor Choir. The family will receive friends 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. today at Oakey South Chapel, Roanoke. Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Co-pastors Bob and Dusty Fielder will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, Tom’s wishes were that donations be made to any of the following: Presbyterian Community Center, 1228 Jamison Ave., S.E., Roanoke, VA 24018; Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 1831 Deyerle Road, Roanoke, VA 24018; or the Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 11525, Roanoke, VA 24022. Arrangements by Oakey South Chapel, Roanoke.

Our beloved Jerry Randall Cook, 69, of Canterbury Drive, Shady Spring, passed away suddenly Sunday, April 23, 2006, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Born in Wyoming County on July 11, 1936, he was the son of the late Fred P. Cook of Oceana, the late Ona Cook Lewis Kirby of Beckley, and stepmother, Bethel Cook Angles of Oceana. In addition to his parents, Rev. Cook was preceded in death by his infant grandson, Casey Peeler, and a brother, Perry Cook, who also died April 23 in 2005. Rev. Cook was pastor of Bradley Presbyterian Church and Mount Hope Presbyterian Church. Education included the WWHS class of 1955 and Morris Harvey College (University of Charleston) where he excelled in the football and wrestling programs. He graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Ga., where he received his Master’s of Divinity. He was ordained on Sept. 27, 1964, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. In his early ministry, he served as pastor of several churches throughout the South before returning to West Virginia. He worked extensively in family counseling and addiction recovery programs. He retired from West Virginia State Department of Rehabilitation Services and became pastor of the Bradley and Mount Hope Presbyterian Churches. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Joyce; daughters, Angela Peeler and husband, Jeff, of Cherryville, N.C., and Shelley Cook of Las Vegas, Nev.; and grandchildren, Jason, Amber and Josh of Cherryville. Jerry’s family also includes his stepchildren, Jennifer Cropp and husband, Randy, of West Palm Beach, Fla., Karen Davis and husband, Scott, of Seattle, Wash., Travis Eye and wife, Anne Marie, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and grandchildren, Christian of West Palm Beach, Emma of Seattle, Reagan of Cincinnati; and a special friend, Charlie Eye of Daniels. Brothers include C. Joe Cook and wife, Rexanna Noble, of Daniels, Mike Cook of Beckley and Frank Kirby of Stafford, Va. Sisters include Barbara Halstead and husband, Robert, of Daniels, Ruth Dowell and husband, Roy, of Mountain City, Tenn., Joan Pack and husband, Danny, of Dumfries, Va., Jean Lester and husband, Parker, of Ivanhoe, Va., Juanita Barber and husband, Roy, of Lewisburg; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Helen (Perry) Cook of Churchville, Va.; and several nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. today at Mount Hope Presbyterian Church. Service will follow at 11 a.m. Friday, April 28, at the church with the Rev. Malcolm Brownlee and the Rev. Roy Dowell officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be utilized for the outreach programs of the Bradley and Mount Hope Presbyterian Churches. Contributions may be mailed to Mount Hope Presbyterian Church, 412 Main St., Mount Hope, WV 25880. Online condolences may be sent to www.tyreefuneraJhome.com Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.

Mary E. Heaton, 69, Martinsville, died at 9:45 a.m. at her residence. The daughter of the late Richard And Theresa (Molnar) Szalay, she was born Oct. 20, 1936, in Winding Gulf, W.Va. Her husband, Billy M. Heaton, whom she married Oct. 6, 1961, survives in Martinsville. Heaton was a homemaker. She was a member of Highland Creek Baptist Church in Martinsville, where she taught Sunday school and Bible study for a number of years. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, W.Va., and loved both her family, church, woods, sunshine and flowers. She was also a big fan of her grandchildren’s sports. Other survivors include a son, David Heaton, Indianapolis; two daughters, Lisa Welsh, Anderson, and Diane Wood, Martinsville; two brothers, Paul Szalay, Monrovia, and Robert Szalay, Greenfield; sister, Joann McCloy, Michigan, and four grandchildren, Nathaniel, Amy, Phoebe and Abby Wood. A brother, Albert Szalay, and two sisters, Erma Szalay and Irene Allen, also preceded her in death. The service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2006, at Neal & Summers Mortuary in Martinsville. The Rev. Bob Walters will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Hall. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until time of the service Tuesday at the mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Highland Creek Baptist Church, 1520 Ind. 42, Martinsville, IN 46151. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.nealandsummers.com [Spencer Evening World, Spencer, Indiana, Feb. 2006]

Clay W. Walker of Beaver, died at his home, Cris Lane, Beaver, Friday, April 21, 2006, of cancer. Born June 17, 1947, at Madison, he was the son of Clay L. Walker of Parkersburg, and the late Doris Long Walker of Parkersburg. Survivors include his father, Clay L. Walker of Parkersburg, his loving companion, Freda Sisk of Beaver; two daughters, Kim Bowman and Mike of Columbia, S.C., and Kelly Marshall and Shawn of Union; a son, Brett of New Jersey; seven grandchildren, Chip, Chad, and Katibeth of Columbia, S.C., Daniel, Molly, Tori, and Megan Marshall of Union, and his faithful dog, Bogie. Clay graduated from Woodrow Wilson Class of 65 and attended Concord College. He worked many years for Baker Huges selling mining supplies. He was a faithful member and secretary for the Elks Lodge in Beckley and the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Mabscott. He was an avid golfer and spent many days playing golf with his friends. His body was donated to West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg. A celebration of his life will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 27, 2006, at the Elks Lodge on Heber St. in Beckley. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Clay Walker to Hospice of Beckley, Fraternal Order of Eagles in Mabscott or the Elks Lodge in Beckley.

Russell "Rusty" Wayne Snyder of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, formerly of Maxwell Hill, passed away at his home in Myrtle Beach on Friday, April 22, 2006 of natural causes. He was 40 years of age. Born on October 28, 1965 in Beckley, he was the son of Ellen Hodges Thompson of Beckley and the late James Randall (Randy) Snyder. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Randall Snyder, his grandparents, Charlie and Hazel Hodges and Ferrell and Pauline Snyder, and a stepbrother, Kevin Thompson. Rusty was a 1983 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley and he attended West Virginia University. He was a graduate of National Institute of Technology at Cross Lanes. He had lived in Myrtle Beach for the past ten years, where he was vice president of “America at a Glance,” a computer networking firm. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his stepfather, Charles Thompson of Beckley; a brother, Dr. Richard Snyder of Myrtle Beach; a stepsister, Helen Canterbury and her husband Tom of Salem, Va.; an aunt, Drema Bias Evans and her husband Sam, and his uncle Eddie Hodges and wife Debbie, all of Beckley. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Melton Mortuary Chapel at 1200 Harper Road, Beckley, WV, with Mr. Kenneth Overdorf officiating. Burial will follow in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens at Prosperity. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today, and one hour prior to the services on Tuesday. Pallbearers will be Curtis and Brad Bias, Mikey Dillon, Dennis Voiers, Eddie Williams and Al Jones. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Mary “Ann” Gravley, born Oct. 19, 1937, at Man, died at 12:50 a.m. Friday, April 21, 2006, at Raleigh General Hospital of a heart attack. She went to meet her reward surrounded by her loving husband, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many loving friends and relatives. She was a homemaker and was the owner of Gravley’s Greenhouse for many years. She was an active member of Spoken Word Tabernacle at Beaver for the last 41 years. She loved to garden, sew, quilt and raise beautiful flowers. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her father, William “Arthur” Lehman; a sister, Linda Sue Lehman; and a great-grandson, Andrew Mark Gravley. She is survived by her mother, Blanche Lehman, of Beckley; her husband of 50 years, Charles “Bert” Gravley of Old Eccles Road; three children, Patricia Gravley, William “Bill” Gravley and David “Bert” Gravley and his wife, Lisa, all of Beckley; nine grandchildren, Michael Gravley and his wife, Charissa, of Johnson City, Tenn., Celestial Wiggins and her husband, Sean, of Johnson City, Daniel Gravley and his wife, Joanna, of Daniels, Matthew Gravley of Beckley, Amanda Gravley of Ripley and Kristin, Kayla, Emily and Rachael Gravley, all of Beckley; two great-granddaughters, Olivia and Kate Gravley of Johnson City; five brothers, Gene Lehman and his wife, Janet, of Shady Spring, Orville Lehman and his wife, Nelda, of Beckley, Jerry Lehman of Terre Haute, Ind., Douglas Lehman and his wife, Rita, of Hollywood, Ala., and Kenny Lehman and his wife, Candi, of Durbin; five sisters, Audra Mastroppolito of Sophia, Virginia Lilly and her husband, Charles, of Peoples, Ohio, Evonne Stanley of Beckley, Kathy Seaman and her husband, Chester, of Charleston, S.C., and Nancy Stanley and her husband, Warner, of Prosperity; nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, April 24, at Spoken Word Tabernacle, Scott Ridge Road, Beaver, with the Rev. Roy Shrewsbury officiating. Burial will follow in Canaday Cemetery, Glen View. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the tabernacle. Grandsons and friends will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Steven K. Lafon, 50, of Knoxville, Tenn., died Monday, April 17, 2006, at his home following a short illness. Born Feb. 1, 1956, in Beckley, he was the son of the late Delila Waddell Lafon and the late Garland E. Lafon. Steven was a 1974 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and was a 1978 graduate of Marshall University. He was retired as a vice president of Conoco in Houston, Texas, and was recently employed by Wells Fargo in Beckley. Survivors include a daughter, Leslie Ann Lafon, and a son, Steven K. Lafon II, of Houston; two sisters, Linda Brian and her husband, David, of Dallas, Texas, and Phyllis Winnett and her husband, Dan, of Memphis, Tenn.; a brother, Larry E. Lafon of Knoxville; nephews, Bryan Hopkins and his wife, Sherry, Joel Lafon, Andrew Brian, and his great-nephew, Holden Hopkins; and his nieces, Paige and Hallie Lafon and Kristin Brian. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Craig Stevens and the Rev. Mark Schrade officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 1 p.m. until time of service Friday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Jeff Almond, Larry Misiti, Ed Ford, Ox Thompson, Evan Thurman, Jerry McKinney and Rocky McKinney. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

KING - Richard Wayne McPherson, 48, [WWHS '76] died Thursday, April 13, 2006. He was born Nov. 10, 1957, in Beckley, W. Va. Surviving are a daughter, Kenzie McPherson, of King; a son, Brandon McPherson, and wife Tyrel of Abingdon, Va.; his parents, S.K. and Mary Helen McPherson of King; and two sisters, Rhonda McPherson Duggins and husband Dwight of King and their son, Cody, and Reva McPherson Halloran and husband Tim of Huntington, W.Va., and their children, Hannah and Cameron. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at Trinity United Methodist Church in King, with the Rev. Lisa Wishon and the Rev. Tim Halloran officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 this evening, April 14, at the church. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 725 W. Dalton Road, King, NC 27021. [Winston-Salem Journal]

Leonard Robert Davis, 46, of 121 Beckwood Drive, Beckley, died Friday, April 7, 2006, at Appalachian Regional Hospital, Beckley, following a short illness. Born Sept. 16, 1959, at Tams, he was a son of Aline Ross Ward (Carl) of Glen White and the late Leonard Davis. Mr. Davis was a custodian for Stratton Elementary School, Beckley. He was a Woodrow Wilson High School graduate. He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Oscar and Mary Davis; and maternal grandparents, Thomas and Gracie Ross. Besides his mother, survivors include two sons, Bryan L. Davis and Brandon T. Davis, both of Beckley; two grandchildren who were the love of his life, Asia Davis and Landon Scott Davis; brothers and sisters, Carl R. Ward II of Glen White, Thomas A. Ward (Lisa) of Waco, Texas, Ronald Ward (Angela) of Handley, Mary Alice Heath (Linwood) of Seaside, Calif., Sonja Applewhite (Art) of Kerriville, Texas, and Xavier Goodall (Maurice) of Richmond, Va.; companion, Barbara Walters of Beckley; stepmother, Phoebe L. Davis of Beckley; stepbrothers and sisters, Tommy Saunders, Marlene Saunders, Jackie Saunders and Carl Saunders; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at Winding Gulf Baptist Music Center, Glen White, with Evangelist Delores Chambers officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before service Saturday at the music center. Services entrusted to Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.