The first eleven obituaries are of members of the Class of 1963.
City Policeman Slain. A Beckley policeman was shot to death shortly before midnight Monday [May 12, 1975]. His assailant then fled the scene in the officer's police cruiser. Dead on arrival at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital was Sgt. David [Lee] Lilly, 30. He was married and the father of one child. Police said Sgt. Lilly was shot in the upper right chest. Officers said the man, who abandoned his own car, which was registered to a Charleston address, was believed headed north on U. S. 21. Two young Beckley men said they were driving past the Town and Country Drive-In on W. Va. 3 when they saw Sgt. Lilly's patrol car parked behind another car. Sgt. Lilly was standing by the driver's window of the other car, they said, adding that both cars were facing south on W. Va. 3. Shortly after passing the scene, they heard a shot, returned to the scene and found Sgt. Lilly lying by the highway. The gunman fled in patrol car 406, a 1974 model blue Plymouth with two spotlights.
Peters Township, Pa. Mrs. Donna O'Neill Hafer, 38, formerly of Raleigh County, died Friday in a Pittsburgh hospital after a short illness. Born Sept. 14, 1945, in Spartanburg, she was a daughter of Martha O'Neill of Beckley and the late Jack O'Neill. Mrs. O'Neill was a medical technologist. Survivors include her husband, Charles A. Hafer III; a son, Phillip Obidginski and a daughter, Portland Obidginski, both at home; two brothers, Jack of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Phillip of Savannah, Ga. Services will be Monday at 10 a.m. at the Beinhauer Mortuary, 2630 W Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15216, with the Rev. James Hughes officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Gardens in Peters Township. Friends may call Saturday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Bluefield - Mrs. Jane Armstrong Elkins, 40, of 2100 Jefferson St., died Sunday in a Bluefield hospital after a long illness. Born May 14, 1945, at East Rainelle, she was a daughter of Elizabeth Arlene Painter Armstrong of Green Valley and the late Lewis Wilson Armstrong Jr. Mrs. Elkins was a substitute school teacher and a member of the Westminister Presbyterian Church of Bluefield. Other survivors include her husband, John Rush Elkins; two sons, Perry John Elkins of Washington Lee University and Gregory Lewis Elkins at home, and a brother, Lewis Gale Armstrong of Carmel, Ind. Services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m., at the Westminister Presbyterian Church with Dr. Roger Gulick officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. Friends may call today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mercer Funeral Home in Bluefield and at the church one hour prior to services. Members of Westminister Presbyterian Church Couples Class led by Brown Hoover will serve as pallbearers.
HONOLULU - Mrs. Pamela K. Harless Keating, 46, of 1314 Parks Rd., formerly of Lexington, Ky., died Sunday, Nov. 8, 1992, in Hawaii. Born March 24, 1946, at Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Paul M. and Louise Peyton Harless. Mrs. Harless attended the Cathedral of Christ The King, Lexington. Survivors include her husband, Col. A. J. "Skip" Keating; a son, Keith F. Keating of Honolulu; a daughter, Meghan E. Keating of Honolulu; and a sister, Paula Preston of Lexington. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Cathedral of Christ The King, Lexington, with the Rev. Kevin Cronin, OFN officiating. Burial will follow in Lexington Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Kerr Brothers, 463 E. Main St., Lexington, Ky. Donations of sympathy may be made to the Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington, Ky. 40504-3277. Arrangements by Kerr Brothers, Lexington, Ky.
HILLCREST HEIGHTS, Md. - Frank Marco Spinelli, 47, died 10:50 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, 1993, in a Washington, D. C hospital. The body is being returned to Rose and Quesenberry Funeral home, Beckley.
ALBANY, N. Y. - Dr. Frances M. Wilcox, 48, died Thursday, Oct. 21, 1993, in a Albany Hospice following a short illness. Born Aug. 22, 1945, at Beckley, she was the daughter of Basil and Ruth Wilcox of Parkway Street, Beckley. Dr. Wilcox was a 1962 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She received her BA from Concord College, her MA and Ph. D. from West Virginia University and did internship in Clinical Psychology at Hutchins Psychiatric Center in Syracuse, N. Y. where she was Associate Psychologist for three years. She was Assistant Professor of Psychology at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N. Y., was Director of Psychology at Central New York Psychiatric Center in Marcy, N. Y. and at the time of her death she was peer advisor for the American Psychmanagement Company and had a private practice of psychology in Albany. Survivors include her husband, Blair Maddy; two daughters, Emily Hoyer of Davis, Calif. and Molly Hoyer of Albany, and two brothers, Dwight Wilcox of Rockville, Md., and Kenneth Wilcox of Charleston. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at the McVeigh Funeral Home, Albany with Rev. Wendy Farno officiating. Friends may call form 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Donations of sympathy may be made to the National Breast Cancer Coalition. Arrangements by McVeigh Funeral Home, Albany, N. Y.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Benjamin Ernest "Benny" Watters, Jr., 51, formerly of Beckley, died Friday, May 31, 1996, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Born Dec. 11, 1944, at Beckley, he was the son of Jean Underwood Watters Taylor of Pinon Hills, Calif., and the late Benjamin Ernest Watters. Mr. Watters was a 1963 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, and was a Marine Corps veteran, serving in the Vietnam Conflict. He was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, W. J. and Artie Underwood of Beckley and John L. Watters of Beckley. Other survivors include his stepfather, Donnie L. Taylor of Pinon Hills, Calif.; a sister, Lorraine Koszis of California; a half sister, Elisa Watters of Beckley; his fiance, Lyn Campbell of Florida; a niece, Michelle Collins of Maine; and a nephew, Steven Koszis of California. Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. today at the VFW Hall in Hollywood, Fla. Local memorial services will be held at a later date. The body was cremated. Arrangements by Cremation Society of America.
Nancy Marie Slocum, a Linthicum resident for the past 23 years, died of cancer Jan. 23 [1996] at her home after a brief illness. She was 51. Mrs. Slocum was born in Beckley, W. Va. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Christian Church of Glen Burnie. She enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren. Mrs. Slocum is survived by her husband, Dempsey N. Slocum; one son, Kevin D. Slocum of Baltimore; two daughters, Dana M. Jones of Glen Burnie and Brandi L. Slocum of Linthicum; four brothers, Howard H. McClaugherty of Ellicott City, Larry D. McClaugherty of Pasadena and Billy R. and Randy McClaugherty, both from Beckley, W. Va.; three sisters, Reba Minor of Virginia, Mae Payne of Pasadena and Patty Wriston of Beckley; and six grandchildren. Funeral services were held yesterday at Stallings Funeral Home in Pasadena. Burial was in Meadowridge Memorial Park in Elkridge. Memorial contributions may be made to either the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 493, Severna Park, MD 21146; or Hospice of the Chesapeake, 8424 Veterans Highway, Millersville, MD 21108.
Katherine L. McIntosh, 50, of Bradley, died Thursday, Nov. 24, 1995 in a Beckley hospital following a long illness. Born Jan. 30, 1945, at Baltimore, she was the daughter of Roy Jones of Beckley and the late Nancy Armstrong Jones. Mrs. McIntosh was a homemaker and a member of Memorial Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Heather Milam. Other survivors include her husband, Charlie McIntosh; a daughter, Gina Milam and her husband, Eddie of Bolt; two sons, Scott McIntosh and his wife, Diana of Charlotte, N. C. and Rodney McIntosh and his wife, Denise of Mount Hope; a sister, Joyce Kosnoski of Charlotte, N. C.; a brother, Randolph Jones, "Sandy" of Lewisburg and five grandchildren. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Blue Ridge Funeral Home with Rev. Tim Roberts officiating. Burial will follow in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Mark Watts, David Hutchinson, Scott McIntosh, Rodney McIntosh, Eddie Milam, and Gerald Kosnoski. Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.
Harold Lee Hancock, 52, of Ghent, died 12:50 p.m. Thursday, July 16, 1998, in a Beckley VA hospital following a long illness. Born Oct. 22, 1945, at Skelton, he was the son of the late Harold Houston and Mary Piziak Hancock. Mr. Hancock was a retired security guard, a Ghent resident for the past seven years, a U. S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War and a former member of the Army National Guard and recipient of the Purple Heart. Survivors include his companion, Frankie L. Bragg of Ghent; a son, Lee Hancock of Big Spring, Texas; a daughter, Sonya Hancock of Big Spring, Texas; two brothers, Billy Hancock and his wife, Susan, and Jerry Hancock and his wife, Janet, all of Beckley; two grandchildren and many friends. Services will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Rose and Quesenberry Shady Spring Chapel with the Rev. Leo Lambert officiating. Burial will follow in Lane Cemetery, Flat Top. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Friends will serve as pallbearers. Military graveside rites will be conducted by Sophia VFW Post 4326. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
Susan Langhorne Lazenby Lewis, 53, of Ritter Drive, Daniels, was dead on arrival Sunday, July 19, 1998, at a Beckley hospital following an apparent heart attack. Born March 24, 1945, at Beckley, she was the daughter of Marie Gilmore Lazenby of the Glenwood Park Methodist Retirement Home, Princeton, and the late George William Lazenby Jr. Mrs. Lewis spent her childhood at Beckley, was a 1963 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and was formerly employed by Appalachian Power Company. She attended Beckley Junior College and graduated from Marshall University in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in home economics, where she was a member of Kappa Omicron Phi National Home Economics Honorary. She was a home economics teacher for the past 17 years at Shady Spring High School, where she was sponsor of the Future Homemakers of America, where she had several students place in national competition. She was also a member of the American Home Economics Association and an active member of the Beckley Presbyterian Church, where she was a former choir member and a Sunday school teacher. She had been a resident of Daniels since 1969. Survivors include her husband of 32 years, Charles Cameron Lewis; a son, Cam Lewis of Bluefield, and a daughter, Rachael Lewis, a student at Marshall University; a brother, George William Lazenby III M. D. and his wife, Ellen, of Bell Air, Fla.; a niece, Soosie Lazenby of Portland, Ore.; and a nephew, George William Lazenby IV of St. Petersburg, Fla. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Beckley Presbyterian Church, 203 S. Kanawha St., Beckley, with the Rev. Robin Debnam officiating. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the church and one hour before the services Wednesday at the church. Donations of sympathy may be made to the Beckley Presbyterian Church. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
The next five obituaries on this page are of members of the Class of 1962.
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Ronald Hampton Cimala, 41, formerly of Beckley, died Monday in a Los Angeles, Calif., medical center after a short illness. Born July 13, 1944, in Beckley, he was a son of Margie G. Cimala of Beckley and the late Emil F. Cimala. Mr. Cimala was a 1962 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Greenbrier Military School and Notre Dame Law School. He was an attorney with Myers-Sinovich and Cimala in Phoenix. Other survivors include his wife, Claudette Coleman Cimala; a son, Brian Cimala at home; three brothers, Derek Cimala of Somerset, Ky., Robert Cimala of Chicago, Ill., and Emil Cimala of Beckley, and a sister, Mary Ann Foster of Beckley. A High Funeral Mass will be conducted Thursday at St. Thomas The Apostle Parish in Phoenix. Friends may call Wednesday at the Whitney and Murphy Arcadia Funeral Home in Phoenix, Ariz. [From the Register-Herald Jan. 21, 1986]
C&P Residence Collections Center Manager Nikki Thurman died Thursday, March 16, in St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington, after a long illness. She was 44. Thurman had 26 years' company service. She began her C&P career in Beckley as an operator and later worked as a supervisor in the business offices in Beckley and Charleston and in training. For the past 10 years she served as manager of the residence service center (which became the residence collection center last year) in Huntington. She was an active member on the Board of Directors of Contact of Huntington, a member of the National Managers Association and the Telephone Pioneers. Surviving are a daughter, Kelli Lea of Pittsburgh; her mother, Jeannetta Williamson of Huntington; a sister, Mary Ann Mealey of Mount Vernon; and brothers, Michael Williamson of Chicago, Ill., Paul Williamson of Chesapeake, Oh., and C&P general clerk Patrick Williamson of Huntington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Contact of Huntington, P. O. Box 2963, Huntington, W. Va. 25729. [Year of death unknown]
George L. (Larry) Ballard, Jr., 46, of 212 Wickham Ave., Beckley, died Tuesday, Oct. 9, at his home, following a short illness. Born Jan. 26, 1944, at Beckley, he was the son of Nannie Lovell Ballard Simmons of Beckley and Melbourne, Fla. and the late George L. Ballard Sr. Mr. Ballard was an automotive parts salesman, was a member of the Beckley Elks Lodge, was of the Baptist faith and was a lifelong resident of Raleigh County. Other survivors include a brother, William Lewis Ballard of Charleston; a sister, Mrs. Glenn Allen (Martha) Otten of Houston, Texas, and four nieces and nephews. Services will be today at 11 a.m. at the Calfee Funeral Home Chapel in Beckley with the Rev. Holley Faulkner officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Park at Beckley. Friends called Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Calfee Funeral Home in Beckley. Pallbearers will be Alfred and Palmer Walker, George Sheets, Russell Parsons Jr., William Craig, Fred Mason, Clay Wilco and Cecil Sayre.
James "Ike" Randolph Bland, 47, of 104 Lambert Drive, Beckley, and Pinecrest Hospital, died Friday, Jan. 31, 1992, in a Beckley hospital, after a 27-year battle of multiple sclerosis. Born Dec. 29, 1944, in Charleston, he was the son of James P. and Betty Herrmann Bland of Lambert Drive, Beckley. Mr. Bland spent his childhood in Beckley, where he settled on Parkwood Drive. he was an Eagle Scout and was a member of the Beckley Presbyterian Church on South Kanawha Street. He was a 1962 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, a 1967 graduate of West Virginia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was a 1972 graduate of Morris Harvey College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and was the business office manager at the Southern West Virginia Clinic from 1966 to 1980. After his medical retirement, he was an independent computer programmer and had written numerous computer programs for the Beckley area. He had been a resident of Pinecrest Hospital for the past 4 years. Survivors include his son, Alex Randolph Bland, Granville Avenue, Beckley; a sister, Mrs. Stephen (Joyce) Bland Skakandy of Jupiter, Fla.; a brother, Rick Bland, 100 Bishop St., Beckley; and two nephews. Services will be 3 p.m. Monday at the Beckley Presbyterian Church, South Kanawha St., with Dr. Philip Leftwich and Rev. Sherwood McKay officiating. The body will be cremated. Friends may call today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Melton's Mortuary and one hour prior to services at the church. Pallbearers will be Vincent Miller, Carl Winters, Larry Bays, Larry White, Don Shanklin, and Doug Young. Donations of sympathy may be made to the Alex Bland Educational Trust Fund, c/o P. O. Box 961, Beckley, W. Va. 25801.
Jimmy Ray "Jim" Haga, 51, of Prosperity, died Monday, April 24, 1995, in a Beckley hospital, following a short illness. Born April 2, 1944, at Hico, he was the son of Katharine Hagerman Haga of Prosperity and the late Clyde Haga. Mr. Haga was a salesman for King Cole Chevrolet in Oak Hill, was a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Beckley and had been a 24-year resident of Prosperity. Other survivors include his wife Jane Witt Haga; a son, James Clyde Haga of Prosperity; a daughter, Barbara Jane Haga of Beckley, and two sisters, Sandra Kay Haga of Prosperity and Linda Midkiff of Prosperity. Services will be 8 p.m. today at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley. Committal services and burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Calfee Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Terry Massey, Lewis Sanson, Mike Hurd, William "Butch" Crews, Frank Hindson, Tommy Martin and Robert "Bob" Cook. Memorial contributions may be made to the Department of Natural Resources or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
Muriel Christine Bailey Dowdy, 77, began a new life in a better world Saturday, April 15, 2000, in a Beckley hospital following a long illness. Born Saturday, Nov. 4, 1922, in Mabscott, she was the daughter of the late Willis and Helen Bailey Talbert of Mabscott. Mrs. Dowdy attended Woodrow Wilson High School, where she met Clyde Dowdy, husband and devoted life companion, graduating in 1940. She attended college at the Baptist Institute in Philadelphia and Wake Forest College in North Carolina, where she married in the church on campus on Sept. 17, 1942. She was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Lou Daniels of Redford, Mich.; and a brother, Carlyn Lee Bailey of Beckley. Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Clyde; two daughters, Susan D. Daniels and her husband, William, of Beckley and Rebecca Phillips and her husband, Randall, of Vicksburg, Miss.; and a son, David Dowdy of Clyde Street, Beckley. All three children graduated from college and became teachers. Also surviving are two sisters, Lucinda and her husband, Robert Coburn, of Beckley and Bonnie and her husband, Conrad Bowles, of Melbourne, Fla.; grandchildren Mark, Jon and Christopher Wray, Courtney, Whitney and Brett Phillips; and three great-grandchildren. The transitional celebration will be handled 1 p.m. Monday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Revs. Bryce Phillips and Robert Luburn officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Rachel Guy Williams of Beckley died Monday, Dec. 7, 1998, in a Beckley hospital following a long illness. Born at Lanark, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin Morrell and Annie Warden Guy Sr. Mrs. Williams spent her childhood in Beckley and had been a resident of Crescent Road since 1947. She was a 1924 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and a graduate of Marshall University. Mrs. Williams spent the greater part of her life in the teaching profession, having last taught at Crescent Elementary School. She was a life member of the West Virginia Retired School Employees, and member of the Raleigh County Retired School Employees and the National Retired Teachers. She was also a member of the Friends of the Library, Charter member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority and the Raleigh County Historical Society. She was an active member of the First Christian Church, Court House Square. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dorvie "Bill" Williams, in December 1994; a sister, Maud Guy Hurt; and three brothers, Bill, Benjamin Jr. and George Guy. Survivors include a first cousin, Mildred Nadiak of Beckley; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Melton Mortuary Chapel with Chaplain Gray officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before the services Wednesday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be friends, family and members of the church. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
STAUNTON, Va. - Brian Mack Staples, 32, formerly of Beckley, died at his home Thursday, April 13, 2000, following an apparent heart attack. Born June 20, 1967, at Fort Bragg, N.C., he was the son of Sherron Pennington Staples Quesenberry of Daniels and the late Mack Staples. Mr. Staples was area manager for Enterprise Rental Cars encompassing Harrisonburg, Staunton, Charlottesville, Waynesboro and other parts of Virginia. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and earned a bachelor's of science degree from Concord College. Mr. Staples was a member of the Men's Bowling League in Staunton and golfed at various country clubs. Other survivors include his wife, Sharon Simpkins Staples; an infant daughter, Leighann Elizabeth Staples at home; a sister, René Lusk and her husband, John, of Franklin; his stepfather, Amos Quesenberry of Daniels; two stepbrothers, Michael and David Quesenberry of Beckley; and his paternal grandmother, Dorothy Staples of Bradley. Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with Pastor Edward Garten officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 4 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Chuck Turman, Doug Meade, Jason Dials, Josh Dials, Matt Lowery and Mark Ellenbogen. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
SPRINGDALE, Ohio -- Patricia C. Callison, 66, formerly of Slab Fork, died Tuesday, March 16, 1999, in a Cincinnati, Ohio, hospital. Born Oct. 1, 1932, at Slab Fork, she was the daughter of the late Orion and Althea Callison Sr. Mrs. Callison was a 1950 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, and she received her Bachelor and Master degrees from the University of Cincinnati. She was a member of the Board of Directors of Glad House and a retired school counselor of the Princeton schools. Survivors include a brother, Orion Callison Jr. of Bristol, Tenn.; a niece, Melissa Paige Brooks of Richmond, Va.; a nephew, Orion Callison III of Miami Lakes, Fla.; two great-nieces; and a friend, Grace Rack of Cincinnati. Services will be 8 p.m. Friday at the Vorhis Funeral Home, 11365 Springfield Pike, Springdale, Ohio, with the Rev. Ron Simpson officiating. Graveside services and burial will follow 2 p.m. Saturday at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill. Friends may call 6:30 p.m. until time of the services Friday at the funeral home in Springdale, Ohio. Donations of sympathy may be made to the Glad House, 4721 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202. Arrangements by Vorhis Funeral Home, Springdale, Ohio.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- John Redden, 81, formerly of Beckley, died Friday, March 12, 1999, in a Falls Church, hospital following a short illness. Born Dec. 21, 1917, at Blue Jay, he was the son of the late Bernard and Laura Redden. Mr. Redden was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, and was a retired chief petty officer of the U.S. Navy. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, the mother of his children; and four brothers, Jim, Chester, Tiny, and Jackie, and two sisters, Betty and an infant sister. Survivors include his present wife, Vivian of Falls Church; a daughter, Ramona Pugh of Front Royal, Va.; a son, John C. Redden of Fairfax, Va.; two sisters, Edith Ewing of Lanark and Mary Reno of Arlington, Va.; a brother, Tommy Redden of Lanark; and two grandchildren. Services will be 11:30 a.m. Friday at Murphy's Funeral Home, Falls Church, Va. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. in Arlington Cemetery. Friends may call 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Arrangements by Murphy's Funeral Home, Falls Church.
PIPESTEM -- The Rev. John S. Atkinson, 71, of Knob Ridge Road, died Monday, April 14, 1999, at his home, with his family by his side. Born Dec. 5, 1927, at Beckley, he was the son of the late H.B. and Lillian Pearl Lilly Atkinson Sr. The Rev. Atkinson, a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, entered the U.S. Navy serving during World War II. After his service time, he entered Morris Harvey College in Charleston to receive a double degree in English and social studies. He was called into the ministries in 1953, having preached his first sermon in the early part of 1954 at the Cooks Chapel Baptist Church, Pipestem, where he was pastoring for the past 45 years, until his death. During the early part of his ministries, he served as a journeyman printer for Beckley Newspapers and later for BJW Printers in Beckley. He then became a social worker for West Virginia Department of Human services. He was a member of the Indian Creek Regular Baptist Association and was serving as its clerk. In 1977, he was instrumental in the formation of the Pipestem Christian Academy and had served as the administrator of the academy since its beginning. He was preceded in death by a sister, Faith Barker. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Betty Lou Corona Atkinson; a son, the Rev. Daniel P. Atkinson and wife, Barbara, of Springfield, Tenn.; three daughters, Cynthia Justus and husband, Phillip, of Houston, Texas, Kim Keaton and husband, Kennith, of Pipestem, and Catherine Matherly and husband, Mike, of Lerona; four sisters, Mary Barney of Beaver, Martha Muntz of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Hope Atkinson and Charity Fondale, both of Beckley; two brothers, Burean Atkinson of Smyrna Beach, Fla., and Gene Atkinson of Beaver; six grandchildren, Leslie, P.J. (Phillip), John Brent, Lori Beth, Erika Mari and Catherine Brooke; and one great-grandchild, Ryan. A celebration of life will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Cooks Chapel Baptist Church, Pipestem, with the Rev. Eugene Harmon, Dr. Ronald Neely and the Rev. Joe Bowling officiating. Burial will follow in the Knob Ridge Cemetery, Pipestem. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the church. Pallbearers will be Jerry Burton, Bill Ratliff, John Allen, Kevin Worley, Tom Worley, Alvin Shrewsbury, Ray Nichols and Keith Spangler. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to the Pipestem Christian Academy, P.O. Box 49, Pipestem, WV 25971. Arrangements by Memorial Funeral Directory, Athens Road, Princeton.
St. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Elsie May Zofer, 73, died Wednesday, March 10, 1999, at Flagler Hospital following a sudden illness. Born May 3, 1925, in Beckley, she was the daughter of the late William E. "Bill" Zofer and Maud Gilkeson Zofer. Ms. Zofer had been a resident of Florida since 1986. She received her elementary education in Stanaford, graduated as valedictorian and was a high honor student in the class of 1942 at Woodrow Wilson High School. After graduation she completed her education at the Berea College School of Nursing, Berea, Ky., and become a nurse. She enrolled at the University of Tennessee School of Anesthesia, becoming CRNA. While working as an anesthetist, she enrolled at the University of Kentucky, obtaining a B.S. degree in public health and hygiene. She retired from Samson Community Hospital in Glasgow, Ky. She owned several hundred acres of farmland in the Grayson County, Ky., area. She and her sister, Betty, moved to Clarkson. In 1986 she sold her real estate holdings and moved to St. Augustine and lived there until 1990. She then purchased property in Lake City, Fla., along with her sisters, Betty and Wilda, and brother-in-law, Mario, where they lived for seven years before returning to St. Augustine. Ms. Zofer was a member of the Kentucky Nurse Anesthetists Association, holding offices in both the state and national associations. She was also a member of the AARP and a member of the Board of Directors of the Fairview Condominium Association in St. Augustine Shores. She was of the Episcopal faith, was a member of St. James Episcopal in Lake City and attended Reconciliation Episcopal Church in St. Augustine. Survivors include her sisters, Betty Zofer and Wilda "Ruth" Patruno, and her brother-in-law, Mario Patruno, all of St. Augustine; and other relatives in the Stanaford and Beckley areas. Committal services were March 30, 1999, at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
MORGANTOWN - Kenneth O. Lilly, 91, died at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, 1999, in a Morgantown hospital following a long illness. Born June 26, 1907, in Beaver, he was the son of the late H. Cleve Lilly and Caroline Sullivan Lilly. Mr. Lilly graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and West Virginia University. He served for some time as a geologist for the state of West Virginia, and during the remainder of his career he was a professor with the West Virginia University School of Mines. He was a member of Drummond Chapel United Methodist Church, Morgantown. He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Raybeck Lilly; a sister, Marjorie Lilly Mason; three brothers, Carlton A. Lilly, Roger Merrill Lilly and Glendon Lilly; a sister-in-law, Essie S. Lilly; two brothers-in-law, Lawrence Mason and Leonard G. Sims; and a nephew, Wayne A. Lilly. Survivors include a daughter, Linda A. Lilly, administrative assistant for the Community Health Promotion Program of the West Virginia University School of Medicine; two sisters, Florence Lilly Sims of Beckley and Jeanette "Jean" Lilly of Beaver; two brothers, J. Victor Lilly of Charleston and the Rev. Rexford Lilly of Knoxville, Tenn.; a granddaughter, Megan E. Lilly of Beckley; four sisters-in-law, Aggie Lilly of Charleston, Mary S. Lilly of Knoxville, Edith H. Lilly of MacArthur and Hilda W. Lilly of Beaver; nine nephews, Roger Lilly, Ranny Mason, Mason Lilly, Mark Lilly, Michael E. Lilly, Robert S. Lilly, Rick Lilly, Randy Lilly and L.G. "Lenny" Sims II; and three nieces. Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday at United Methodist Temple, Beckley, with the Rev. Daniel B. Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 2 p.m. until time of services at the church. Pallbearers will be nephews and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to Drummond Chapel United Methodist Church, 479 VanVoorhis Road, Morgantown, WV 26505. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
Ruby Mae "Willie" Wilities, 87, of Beckley, died Thursday, April 15, 1999, at the home of her daughter following a long illness. Born Aug. 20, 1911, in Trap Hill, she was the daughter of the late Oley and Zula Davis Shumate. Mrs. Wilities spent her childhood in Beckley and was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and Mount Sinai Nursing School in Cleveland. She was a lifelong resident of Raleigh County, had resided on South Pike Street for many years and was a member of Mabscott United Methodist Church. Mrs. Wilities was a retired nurse, having worked for Dr. H.B. Wurst in Bradley for more than 23 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Wilities Jr., in 1943; and a sister, Reta Williams. Survivors include a daughter, Alice Ann Leeber and her husband, Lewis, of Beckley; two grandsons, James E. Willis III and John Alan Willis and his wife, Betsy, all of Charleston; two great-grandchildren, John Alan and Adele Willis; a niece, Patty Kingery of Roanoke, Va.; and a nephew, Buster L. Williams and his wife, Liz, of Beckley. Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Sterling Morgan officiating. Burial will follow in Calfee Cemetery, Beckley. Friends may call 11 a.m. until time of the services at the funeral home. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Glyndon W. "John" Sawyers Jr. died April 22, 1999, in a Fairfax, Va., hospital following a short illness. Mr. Sawyers was the son of the late G. W. "Jimmy" and Madeline Moodespaugh Sawyers of Cranberry. He and his wife had lived in the Washington metropolitan area since 1962 and resided in Falls Church, Va., since 1967. He was a 1958 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School before serving an apprenticeship in cabinet making and working for Giant Food Maintenance since the early 1970s. Mr. Sawyers was preceded in death by a brother, Conrad "Connie" Sawyers and a sister, Beverly Sawyers. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Lynda Oscar Sawyers; a son, J. Michael and his wife, Myra, of Haymarket, Va.; a daughter, Johanna M. Sawyers, of Falls Church, Va.; a niece Valinda Donovan; two sister-in-laws Vera Lockley of Winchester, Va. and Tina and her husband, Frank Rakes, of Beckley; a brother-in-law, Galen Oscar of Winchester, Va.; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many wonderful friends. The family received friends at DeMaine Springfield-Annadale Chapel, Backlick and Edsall Road, Springfield, Va. April 24. The funeral was conducted there April 25, with graveside services at Shenandoah Memorial Park, Winchester, Va.
Crystal Nicole Maxey, 14, of Crab Orchard, died Monday, June 14, 1999, in a Beckley hospital following a long illness. Born Oct. 23, 1984, in Beckley, she was the daughter of Terry C. Maxey of Beckley and Mary Bragg Maxey of Crab Orchard. Crystal was a student at Beckley-Stratton Junior High School and would have been a student at Woodrow Wilson High School in the fall of 1999. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Hobert and Opal Bragg; paternal great-grandfather, Dale Curtis Maxey; and an uncle, Dennis Simmons. Other survivors include a brother, Terry Travis Maxey, a half brother, Christopher Shively II and two sisters, Jessica L. Maxey and Natascha D. Maxey, all at home; paternal grandparents, Ted Maxey of Oak Hill and Carolyn Maxey of MacArthur; a great-grandmother, Fran Maxey; and a great-great-grandmother, Elizabeth Wood. Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Luther Bolon officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.
Miss Rena Pitotti, 78, of 99 Rider Drive, Beckley, died Sunday, July 11, 1999, in a Beckley care center following a short illness. Born June 23, 1921, at Glen White, she was the daughter of the late Guiseppe and Laura Giovanelli Pitotti. After graduation from Woodrow Wilson High School, she attended Concord College and taught at Marsh Fork High School. She went on to pursue a degree in nursing at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. She received her master's degree in nursing from Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich., worked at Johns Hopkins and then became supervisor of medical surgical nursing at North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill, N.C. In 1955 she accepted the position of head medical surgical nurse at BARH and finished her nursing career at VAMC in Beckley. Among her numerous contributions to nursing organizations throughout West Virginia were her service on many boards and committees and the beginning of the nursing program at West Virginia Institute of Technology in Montgomery, where she served as director of Allied Health. In her retirement she continued her activities at St. Francis de Sales parish, in the choir and as a member of the Ladies of St. Francis. She was also active at the Shepherd's Center and in the District 10 West Virginia Nursing Association. She was an avid bowler and bridge player and had been a resident of Beckley for the past 45 years. She was preceded in death by a sister, Josephine Pitotti Simmons, in 1998. Survivors include four sisters, Julia Pitotti Rufini of Walled Lake, Mich., Gina Pitotti Culicerto of Glen White, Ellen Pitotti Jumer of Rochester Hills, Mich., and Ida Pitotti of Beckley; a brother, Dario Pitotti and his wife, Helen, of Beckley; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral liturgy will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Beckley, with the Rev. Pericles F. Malacaman officiating. Rite of committal will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley, where a scripture service will be at 8:30 p.m., with the Rev. Mr. Don Wise officiating. Pallbearers will be nephews, Pete, David, Richard, John and Chris Culicerto and Thomas D. Pitotti. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to St. Francis de Sales Church, 624 S. Oakwood Ave., Beckley. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
SALEM, Ohio - George Preston Daniel III passed away suddenly Friday, July 31, 1999, at his home. Born Aug. 18, 1938, in Beckley, he was the son of the late Doff Daniel and Mrs. Doff Daniel. Mr. Daniel was a longtime resident of Salem and a well-known insurance executive, who graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School at Beckley and West Virginia Wesleyan. He was preceded in death by his wife Donna. Survivors include two sons, Mike and Mark Daniel; a daughter, Lou Ann; a sister, Joan D. Powell; and longtime Beckley residents Dr. Doff D. Daniel and Dr. John M. Daniel. A private family service has been scheduled.
Stephen Maurice Antwan "Pooh" Jordan, 18, of Beckley, died Sunday, Aug. 1, 1999. Born Nov. 17, 1980, in Beckley, he was the son of Mary Jordan and James Alexander. Stephen graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in June 1999. He enjoyed playing basketball, football and spending precious time with his nieces and nephews. Survivors include his loving mother, Mary Jordan and companion David Reynolds of Beckley; his father, James Alexander of Lebanon, Va.; three sisters, Evelyn Bradley and Marquita Jordan of Beckley and Audrey Wallington of Brillion, Wis.; a brother, William Jordan of Brillion; four aunts, Bertha Lee Russell of Beckley, Marketta Jeneen and her husband of Brillion, Barbara Pirtle of Atlanta and Mary Payne of Detroit; three uncles, James E. Bradley and his wife of Kingsville, Texas, Joseph Nickelson of New York and Samuel A. Cheatham of Jacksonville, N.C.; five nieces, one nephew five cousins who live in the home as sister and brothers, Lamont, Ricky, Derek, Courtney and Kenny Martin; and a host of great-aunts, cousins and friends. Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 142 Mool Ave., Beckley, with the Revs. Nelson B. Staples Jr., Ricky Staples and James Bradley officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 7 to 9 p.m. today at Durgan Funeral Home, Beckley. Arrangements by Durgan Funeral Home, Beckley.
CLIMAX SPRINGS, Mo. - James E. "Jim" Lawson, 60, formerly of Beckley, died Tuesday, Aug. 3, 1999, in a Kansas City, Mo., medical center. Born March 29, 1939, in Lanark, he was the son of the late Mayo and Carrie Roark Lawson. Mr. Lawson was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, then enlisted in the U.S. Army on Feb. 24, 1958. He served for three years and eight months, attained the rank of sergeant, and spent one tour of duty in Korea as part of the United Nations defense forces. He was discharged Oct. 4, 1961. He married Audrea Evans, making their home in Akron, Ohio, until moving to West Virginia where he became a regional supervisor for the Olen Mills Studios with 25 years of service. After the death of his wife, he moved to Climax Springs, where he started a photography business called Glamour Plus and served as president of the company. On April 11, 1998, he married Shelia Knox and they made their home in Climax Springs. In West Virginia, he was a member of the Moose Lodge and the Elks Lodge. He was preceded in death by a sister, Pat Girvin in 1993. Survivors include his wife, Shelia Knox Lawson; four sons, Davie Lawson of Climax Springs, James Lawson of Sacramento, Calif., Frank Evans of Beckley, and Dan Evans of Akron, Ohio; two daughters, Donna Lane of Roswell, New Mexico, and Debbie Miles of Beckley; 10 grandchildren; three brothers, Earl Lawson of Douglasville, Ga., the Rev. Davie Lawson of Jacksonville, Fla., and Nick Lawson of East Bend, N.C.; four sisters, Jacqueline Richmond, Ruby Bennett, and Jewel Lawson, all of Beckley, and Juanita Henrich of Elizabeth, Pa., his father-in-law, Gene Knox of Climax Springs, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Services were 11 a.m. Aug. 6, at the Reser Funeral Home, Warsaw, Mo., with the Rev. J.D. Parks and the Rev. Dave Lawson officiating. Burial followed in the Cable Ridge Cemetery near Edwards, Mo. Arrangements by Reser Funeral Home, 105 W. Main St., Warsaw, Mo.
Jason Brent Wright, 19, of Pleasant Hills, Beckley, died Monday, Aug. 9, 1999, near Statesville, N.C. Born Oct. 3, 1979, in Beckley, he was the son of Arthur Alvin and Terry Wilson Wright. Jason spent his childhood at Pleasant Hills. He graduated with the Class of 1998 at Woodrow Wilson High School, and was No. 66 on the Flying Eagles football team. He lettered all three years at Woodrow Wilson and also all three years for the Park Junior High School Road Runners football team. He also lettered in wrestling. He was a member of Mabscott Christian Baptist Church, and in his leisure time he enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was formerly employed by Total Image Automotive Detailing and most recently was employed as an electrician's assistant for Overcast Electrical Co., Mooresville, N.C. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Samuel Wright; and his maternal grandparents, Thomas and Vernon Wilson. Other survivors include two brothers, Kirt Wright and his wife, Donna, of Eccles and Alvin Wright and his wife, Penny, of Daniels; three nephews and a niece, Joseph and Bonnie Wright and Justin and Zachary Wright; his paternal grandmother, Gladys Mewbourne and her husband, G.G., of Beckley; a great-aunt, Jeanne Mitchell, of Crab Orchard; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley, with the Rev. Harman Davis officiating. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at Melton Mortuary Chapel. Those wishing to attend the graveside services are asked to meet at the cemetery by 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Dino Zaferatos, Stevin Bland, Frankie Fitzwater, Matt Stafford, Phillip Thomas Wilson and Clinton Showalter will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Hylton, Mike Franklin, Jeremy Chapman, Matt Smith, Ricky Chapman, Dave Green, Chris Duff, Willie Upshaw and Willie Chapman. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
DECATUR, Ga. - Sharon Riffe Hartley, 51, formerly of Crab Orchard, died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 1999, in a Georgia hospital following a long illness. Born Sept. 19, 1947, in Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Willard P. and Ethel Henderson Riffe Sr. Mrs. Hartley spent her childhood in Crab Orchard and was a 1965 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She was a practical nurse in Georgia and a member of Crab Orchard Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a brother, Willard P. Riffe Jr. Survivors include a brother, Gene Riffe and his wife, Helen, of Crab Orchard; a sister, Shirley Brumfield and her husband, Darrell G., of Cameron, N.C.; a sister-in-law, Edith Jane Riffe of Beckley; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Information submitted by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
SPOKANE, Wash. - George W. Springer Jr., 64, formerly of Beckley, died Friday, Aug. 20, 1999, in Spokane. Born Feb. 14, 1935, in West Springfield, Mass., he was the son of the late George W. Springer Sr. and Dorothea Raftery Springer. His father was sports editor of The Raleigh Register for many years. Mr. Springer grew up in Beckley. He was a 1952 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, where he served as statistician and manager of the 1951-52 football teams. He was editor of the school newspaper, The Eagle Dispatch, and an avid member of the chess club. Mr. Springer retired as a master sergeant from the Air Force, then moved to Spokane in 1977 and began working as a computer programmer for School District 81. He was active with Meals of Wheels and the exchange program. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Ione S. Springer, his maternal grandparents, Fred and Alice Raftery; an aunt, Emma Chevalier; and a brother-in-law, John Earl Miller. Survivors include his wife, Renie Springer; a son, Shaun Springer of Vancouver, British Columbia; four daughters, Debra Green and Tara Springer, both of Spokane, and Yuko Shiroyama and Taka Kidokoro, both of Japan; a brother, Thomas King of Southgate, Mich.; two sisters, Anne S. Miller of Beckley and Kathy Smith of Columbus, Ohio; a grandson, Nicholas George Springer; a cousin, Jack Chevalier of Turnersville, N.J.; three nieces, Jennifer M. Bailey of East Bend, N.C., Susan M. Toler of Christiansburg, Va., and Kit Judge-Hawkins of Silver Spring, Md.; and two nephews, John E. Miller Jr. of Beckley and Jay Judge of Baltimore. Funeral Mass was celebrated Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Spokane. Burial followed at St. Joseph Cemetery. Arrangements by Hennessey Valley Funeral Home, 1315 N. Pines Road, Spokane.
HUNTINGTON - Georgia E. Thurbon Overby, 75, passed away, Sunday, Sept. 5, 1999, in a Huntington hospital. Born Oct. 11, 1923, in Slab Fork, she was the daughter of the late George William and Cora Cobb Johnson Thurbon. Mrs. Overby was a retired employee of the Coca Cola Bottling Co. of Huntington. She was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served during World War II. She was a 1941 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School of Beckley and a 1951 graduate of Marshall University. She was a member of DAV Chapter 2 of Huntington where she was a volunteer driver for veterans, American Legion Post 16 of Huntington, Howard P. Hall VFW Post 1064 of Huntington, Veterans for Civic Improvement, Marine Corps League and the Waves. She was also a member of the Tri-State Amateur Radio Association and a lifetime member of the Moose Lodge. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Owen Overby; and two brothers, Woodrow Johnson and Franklin Thurbon. Survivors include two sons, George William Overby and his wife, Debbie Brown, of Atlanta and Jimmy L. Overby of Huntington; a daughter, Ruth Ann Overby Lynch and her husband, Mike Lynch, of Vienna; a grandson, Andy Lynch of Vienna; two brothers, William Thurbon and his wife, Louise, of Florida and G.W. Thurbon and his wife, Shirley Mitchem, of Crab Orchard; two sisters, Almeta Collins of Portsmouth, Va., and Nancy Pat and her husband, Don Carpenter, of Statesville, N.C. Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Reger Funeral Chapel, Huntington, with the Rev. Dr. James Sturm officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery, Huntington. Military graveside rites will be performed by VFW Post 1064. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at Reger Funeral Home, 1242 Adams Ave., Huntington. Carl Aikin, Rush Williams, Ralph Honaker, Walter Felty, Jerry Johnson and special friend Jerry will serve as honorary pallbearers. Arrangements by Reger Funeral Home, Huntington.
The Rev. Michael Thomas Robertson, 54, of 224 Joseph St., Beckley, died at 10:54 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999, at his home. Born June 13, 1945, in Mabscott, he was the son of Ralph Thomas Robertson and Mildred Louise Aldridge Robertson of Beckley. The Rev. Robertson was a former social studies teacher in Michigan City, Ind. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He received his B.S. degree from Anderson University, Anderson, Ind., his master's degree from Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., and his doctorate from The School of Theology at Anderson University. Survivors include a son, Ralph Thomas Robertson Jr. of South Bend, Ind.; a daughter, Ida Florence Louise Robertson of South Bend; a brother, John Robertson and his wife, Carol, of Erie, Pa.; two sisters, Donna Richmond of Surveyor and Mickie Seletyn and her husband, Samuel, of Cumberland, Md.; and one grandchild. Memorial services will be 1 p.m. today at First Church of God, Beckley, with the Rev. Vondie Cook officiating. There will be no visitation. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
GLENVILLE - Jesse R. Lilly, 76, formerly of Beckley, died Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999, at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital. Born in Beckley, he was the son of Gustava Davis Lilly and the late Jesse R. Lilly Sr. Mr. Lilly graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, Glenville State College and West Virginia University. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Mr. Lilly was a coach and teacher at Elkview High School from 1948 to 1961. He was employed at Glenville State College from 1961 to 1988, where he served as coach, instructor and athletic director. He coached the men's basketball team at Glenville State College for 20 years and was named West Virginia College Coach of the Year in 1972. He was a member of Glenville Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon, an elder and a trustee. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge of Clendenin. He was preceded in death by a brother, James G. Lilly. Survivors include his wife, Anne Withers Lilly; three sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Thomas S. and Susan Lilly of Berkeley Springs, John R. and Susan Lilly of Glenville and William W. and Jennifer Lilly of Radford, Va.; three grandchildren, Jacob R. Lilly, Abby Q. Lilly and Maggie B. Lilly, all of Glenville; a sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Albert Bennett of Beckley; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack and Ethel Lilly and Bill and Carol Lilly, all of Beckley, and Gene and Amanda Lilly of Staunton, Va.; and a sister-in-law, Lou Lilly of Oak Hill. Services will be 2 p.m. today at Ellyson Funeral Home, Glenville, with the Revs. David Krum and Al Billips officiating. Friends called Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jesse Lilly Scholarship Fund, c/o Glenville State College Foundation, 200 High St., Glenville, WV 26351. Arrangements by Ellyson Funeral Home, Glenville.
Elmer "Cotton" Korman, 70, of West Hedrick Street, Beckley, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, in a Beckley hospital following a short illness. Born Nov. 3, 1928, in Filbert, he was the son of the late Mack and Anna Lowatchie Korman. Mr. Korman spent his childhood in Stanaford and was a 1947 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in Korea and received the Purple Heart. He was a 1958 graduate of West Virginia University School of Pharmacy. He began his career at Big 4 Drug in Hinton, then working at Colony Drug and Eppys. After semi-retirement he continued to work for Krogers, Big 4 and Rite-Aid. He was of the Christian faith and had lived on West Hendrick Street since 1961. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael David Korman and a brother, Frank Korman. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Julia Alice Wray Korman; a daughter, Mary Korman Gragan and her husband, David, of Austin, Texas; a son, Mark Korman and his wife, Carma, of Alderson; two grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth and Julia Ann Gragan; a sister, Margaret Julio of Shelbytownship, Mich.; two brothers, Albert Korman of Apache Junction, Ariz. and Mack Korman Jr. of Santa Rossa, Calif.; a brother-in-law, Dr. E.B. Wray of Beckley; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Gray of Richmond, Va. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Melton Mortuary Chapel with the Revs. William J. Bozeman and Daniel Johnspon officiating. Burial will follow in St. Stephens Columbarium, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before the services Friday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. - Alma Lillian Payne Phillips, formerly of Beckley, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999. Born March 26, 1942, Mrs. Phillips was the daughter of the late Charles Henry and Rose Payne and the granddaughter of the late Edward Malcolm Sr. and Alma Payne. Mrs. Phillips was raised by her grandmother, Alma Payne. She spent her childhood in Beckley and was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in the class of 1960. She attended Concord College and was an author of two novels, including Eagle and Amber, as well as numerous works of poetry. She was politically active in World causes and was a serious environmentalist, supporting protection of the Earth. Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Roger Joseph Phillips of Cape Coral; a son, Gregory Seth Phillips of Tampa; a daughter, Leslie Catherine Phillips Barger, and a granddaughter, Virginia Bryce Barger, both of Roanoke, Va.; and her first cousins, E.M. Payne III and his wife, Susan, Phillip W. Payne and his wife, Nancy, and John Payne Scherer and his wife, Sharon, all of Beckley, and E.L. Scherer of Belle. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday in Cape Coral, Fla. The body will be cremated.
RAND - Dewey Webb, 48, formerly of Beckley, died Sunday, Nov. 7, 1999, in a Charleston medical center following a short illness. Born June 28, 1951, in Montgomery, he was the sixth of 10 children of the late John Webb and Dolly Webb Cross. Mr. Webb graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1969 and West Virginia Institute of Technology in 1977 with a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree. He also received a degree from West Virginia State College Graduate Study where he majored in music. He was employed by West Brook Health Services of Ripley as a social worker, therapist and a certified addiction counselor. He also worked for Shawnee Hills Mental Health as a consultant. He was an actively involved in numerous theater productions in the Charleston area. He had roles with the Light Opera Guild, and was also a member of the board. Mr. Webb was a tenor with the Charleston Area Community West Virginia Symphony Choir and traveled with the Community Players of Charleston. He was preceded in death by his father, John Webb; and a brother, Emmanuel Madison. Survivors include two sons, Ian Matthew Webb and Colen Mckensie Webb, and their mother, Dawn Webb, all of Charleston; his mother, Dolly Webb Cross of Beckley; five sisters, Barbara Fowlkes of Atlanta, Sue Webb Hoston of Beckley, Vickie Webb and Diane Webb, both of Fort Worth, Texas, and Virginia Gibbs of Dayton, Ohio; three brothers, John Webb Jr. and Larry Webb of Beckley, and Harry Webb of Paso Robles, Calif., and a host of relatives, nieces and nephews. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Levi Missionary Baptist Church, Rand, with the Revs. Ben Merchant and Thomas Steelman officiating. Burial will follow 11 a.m. Saturday at Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call noon until time of services Friday at the church. Arrangements by Durgan Funeral Home, Beckley.
James Lewis "Lukie" Woodson, 44, of 245 Antonio Ave., Beckley, died at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, 1999, at a Beckley hospital. Born Oct. 26, 1955, in Oak Hill, he was the son of John Ellis "June" Woodson of New York and Franzetta Pryor Woodson of Beckley. Mr. Woodson was a draftsman, a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church and a vocal artist. He played semi-pro football with West Virginia Rockets, was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and Center College in Charleston. He was preceded in death by a son, Shawn Brown; a brother, John Ellis Woodson III; his grandfather, John Ellis Woodson Sr.; his grandparents, the Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Pryor; and an uncle, Fred Pryor. Other survivors include a brother, John "Pedie" Woodson of Beckley; a sister, Elaine Lang and her husband, Larry, of Atlanta; his paternal grandmother, Caudie Moore of New York; a special friend, Katrina Cook of Beckley; nephews, Danell Lewis and Marcus Manns; nieces, LaResha Lang, Eleena Lang and Titiana Jackson; five aunts, Virginia Jefferson, Dreama Minor, Doretha Banks, Cynthia Haynes and Odessa Berkley; three uncles, the Rev. David Pryor, Glenn Pryor and Charles Pryor; a host of cousins and relatives; a great uncle; two great aunts; and friends. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Outreach For Christ Christian Center, 416 G St., Beckley, with the Revs. David Pryor and Thomas Steelman, Bishop Fred T. Simms and the Rev. Nelson Staples officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before services Saturday at the church. Arrangements by Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley
Lenore Stella Farley McPherson, 83, of Midway, died Saturday, Nov. 27, 1999, in a Beckley hospital following a sudden illness. Born Dec. 9, 1915, at Farley Hill, she was the daughter of the late Oliver O. Farley and Ethel M. Lilly Farley. Mrs. McPherson's religious belief was that of the Primitive Baptist faith. She was a resident of Midway for 74 years. She earned an associate degree in accounting from the former Beckley College, and was employed by the Raleigh County Board of Education as the finance secretary at Woodrow Wilson High School until 1971. She then worked in the business office of Rural Acres Clinic and retired as associate comptroller of Human Touch Inc. Before her retirement, she was very active in community and civic affairs having served as president of the Gulf Woman's Club. She had served since 1955 as the secretary of the Farley Reunion. She was preceded in death by her husband, William D. McPherson Sr.; two sons, William D. McPherson Jr. and Bobby R. McPherson; an infant daughter, Nancy Pat McPherson; and a sister, Belva McVey. Survivors include a brother, Samuel G. Farley and wife, Dorothy, of Mullens; a daughter-in-law, Ann McPherson of Beckley; five grandchildren, Kim Elaine Johnson and husband, Raymond, of Beckley, Michelle Rae Lester and husband, James, of Beckley, Shane McPherson, Stefanie Dawn McPherson, and Christy Renee White of Beckley; and three great-grandchildren, Pvt. First Class Derrick Michael Tyree of Parris Island, S.C., Justin Keith Tyree and Zane Allen Lester of Beckley; several nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends. Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia, with Elder Ernest Cadle and Elder Dale Mills officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia.
Lucy Elizabeth Moles, 90, of 203 Murray St., Beckley, died 7:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999, in Lincoln Medical Center in Lincolnton, N.C., following a long illness. Born Sept. 1, 1909, at Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Charles Clifford Callaway and Ida Witt Callaway. Mrs. Moles was a homemaker and a former stenographer. She was a 1928 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and also a 1929 graduate of Mountain State Business College. She was a member of St. Mary's United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women, where she was a former president, circle leader and district officer. Mrs. Moles was a member of the Beckley Women's Club and had been a resident of Beckley most of her life, having made her home in Elkins for the past year and a half. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther T. Moles, in 1975; a son, Gary "Eddie" Moles; a grandson, John Franklin Meredith; four brothers, Otis L. Callaway, B.C. "Cotton" Callaway, Howard H. Callaway and Charles C. Callaway; and three sisters, Thelma Elam, Gladys Mann and Beulah Callaway. Survivors include a daughter, Myrna Meredith of Elkins, with whom she made her home; a granddaughter, Victoria Elizabeth Meredith of Lincolnton, N.C.; a sister-in-law, Martha Callaway of Beckley; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel with Pastor Jim Reed officiating. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Men of St. Mary's United Methodist Church will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
BUCKNER, Mo. - Elizabeth Linsky Barnhouse, 75, formerly of Cranberry and Fayetteville, died Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999, at her home following a long illness. Born Feb. 11, 1924, in McKeesport, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Elizabeth Linsky and stepdaughter of the late John Linsky. Mrs. Barnhouse was a retired registered nurse, a 1942 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and a 1946 graduate of Laird Memorial Hospital in Montgomery. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, George Barnhouse, on Jan. 4, 1998. Survivors include a son, Gordon; three daughters, Denise, Debbie and Diana, all of Kansas City, Mo.; a halfbrother, Jack Linsky of MacArthur; eight halfsisters, Elveria Faw of Prosperity, Margaret Kosco of Brookfield, Wis., Joann Warden of Crab Orchard, Helen Riffe of Daniels, Nancy Lamb of Atlanta, Jane Adkins of Daniels, Janet Hodges of Daniels and Arlene Lyons of Franklin Square, N.Y.; an aunt, Mary Fornatoro of Flushing, N.Y.; and several nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services were Monday at Mount Mariah Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Mount Mariah Cemetery, Kansas City, Mo. Arrangements by Mt. Mariah Funeral Home, Kansas City.
Darrell Thomas Moore went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Dec. 6, 1999. He was a lifetime resident of Raleigh County and attended Oak Grove Christian Church his entire life. He was baptized on Feb. 26, 1960, at a frozen pond in Oak Grove. He was an ordained deacon, Sunday school teacher and superintendent, and served two partial years as a lay minister at Community Christian Church in Hinton. He loved to teach and preach encouragement as taught in the Bible by Jesus and his Disciples. He performed many skits and was well known as Brother Leroy. Mr. Moore graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1969, Beckley College in 1971 and Morris Harvey College in 1973. He worked his entire career in the health care industry, 16 years as a counselor and social worker at Appalachian OH-9 and for the past 11 years as a social worker and then administrative assistant at BARH Home Health Agency. He served the YMCA as a volunteer soccer coach for the past 15 years. In 1993 he was recruited by Tom Cushman to co-coach the first all-girl soccer team in Raleigh County, and he coached all-girls teams up through the fall 1999 season. He was a beloved coach and encourager for the many kids he so loved and was fortunate to coach. Coaching, serving Jesus and loving his family were his passions. He married his high school sweetheart, Jeanie Dunbar, in 1973. He was a generous, devoted and loving husband and father of two children. He adored his family and was blessed with many nieces and nephews who knew him as Uncle D. Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Jeanie Dunbar Moore; a son, Scott Moore of Beckley; a daughter, Bethany Moore of Beckley; his mother, Mary Moore of Beckley; father and stepmother, Alonzo and Betty Moore of Coal City; his brother, Randall Moore and his wife, Karen, of Beckley; a sister, Bonnie Martin of Clemson, S.C.; two nieces, Angie and Christy; seven nephews, J.W., James, Andrew, Aaron, Jason, Noah and Jonah; and Godchild, Alexa. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Oak Grove Christian Church led by Kenneth Overdorf and Rick Burdette. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley. Pallbearers will be James Paul Tolbert, Dave George, J.W. Dunbar, James Robinson, Larry Burdette and Danny Burdette. Memorial contributions may be made to the new Beckley-Raleigh County YMCA Soccer Complex, 121 E. Main St., Beckley, WV 25801. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
Mark Weston Smith, 39, of "Crestwood," Beckley, died Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999, at a local hospital. Born Sept. 20, 1960, at Beckley, he was the son of former Gov. Hulett C. Smith and the late Mary Alice Tieche Smith. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Hulett C. Smith Jr. and an infant brother. Mark, a lifelong resident of Beckley, was a member of the Beckley Presbyterian Church. A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, West Virginia University and the Outward Bound program, he was a local business owner and a licensed securities, real estate and insurance agent. His family includes his father, Hulett C. Smith and Mrs. Nancy Pat Lewis-Smith; a brother, Paul Luther Smith and his wife, Patti, of Beckley; sisters, Carolyn Sheets and her husband, George, of Columbus, Ohio, Suzaine Wilcott and her husband, Randolph, of Phoenix, Ariz., Christie Merritt and her husband, C.W., of Madison, Ga., Langhorne Lewis Abrams and her husband, David, of Beckley, Mary Charles Lewis-Sutphin, and her husband, Ken, of Raleigh, N.C., Nancy Lewis Haley of Flat Top Lake; eight nephews, Paul III, Charles, John, Tobias, Seth, Charles III, Chance and Nicholas; 10 nieces, Tieche, Carlson, Larkin, Taylor, Sarah, Rachel, Mary Kemple, Rebecca, Ann and Kate; and one great-niece, Ansley. Private services will be 1 p.m. today at the family home at Crestwood, with the Rev. Robin Debnam of the Beckley Presbyterian Church officiating. Entombment will follow in the family mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Park. There will be no visitation. Pallbearers will be Scott McCulloch, Albert M. Tieche Jr., Gary Fairchild, Calvert Trent, Charles Turner, Kevin Morris, David Tieche, Albert U. Tieche and Mark Holliday. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Mark Weston Smith Scholarship Fund, c/o Beckley Area Foundation. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
BOWIE, Md. - Betty Jo Hedrick Walsh, 76, of Bowie, Md., formerly of Beckley and Mabscott, died Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999, at her home following a sudden illness. Born Feb. 23, 1923, at Mabscott, she was the daughter of the late George Eldredge and Thelma Melton Hedrick. Mrs. Walsh spent her childhood at Mabscott, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School class of 1941. She received an associate's degree in business from Beckley College. She was formerly employed at Raleigh Grocery, Pure Oil Co. and Greenbrier Dairy. While living in Mabscott and Beckley she was a member of First Baptist Church, Neville Street, Beckley. A resident of the Maryland area for over 40 years, she attended the Saint Pius X Catholic Church in Bowie. Mrs. Walsh had a great fondness for Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Ocean City, Md. She was preceded in death by a sister, Susan Elizabeth Hedrick; and two uncles, Perry and Henry E. "Buster" Melton. Survivors include her husband, Larry Walsh; a son, John Daniel Doud of Silver Spring, Md.; a daughter, Janet Blaylock and her husband James of Walkersville, Md.; a granddaughter, Kathleen Dilley and her husband Bryan and their children Cole and Rebekah Dilley; two brothers, Gene K. Hedrick of Mabscott and James Hedrick and his wife Vi of Eighty Four, Pa. She was the stepmother of Gregory, Patricia, and Frank Walsh, Theresa McGregor, and Mary McKaig. A celebration of her life will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Robert E. Evans Funeral Home, 16000 Annapolis Road, Bowie. Donations of sympathy may be made to the Saint Vincent De Paul Society, c/o Saint Pius X Catholic Church, 14720 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD 20715.
Wilbur Burl Alderman, 85, of 107 Frontier St., Beckley, died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2000, in a local hospital of natural causes. Born Dec. 18, 1914, in Raleigh County, he was the son of the late Nathaniel Burl and Josephine Sutphin Alderman. Mr. Alderman was a 1938 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, where he played football and worked with his father at Alderman's Blacksmith Shop for many years on South Oakwood Avenue in Beckley. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the infantry as a sergeant in the European theater. He was working as a Greyhound bus driver when he was conscripted to serve his country for one year, but the attack on Pearl Harbor extended his time to four years and eight months. He returned to the states the day of the Japanese surrender, Aug. 16, 1945. He was preceded in death by five sisters, Bernice Alderman, Mabel Rutherford, Thelma Wills, Agnes Stemple and Wanda Griffith. Survivors include two sisters, Edna Haid of Fredericksburg, Va., and Pauline Alderman of 105 Frontier St., Beckley. At Mr. Alderman's request, his body was donated to the Gift Registry at West Virginia University Medical Center. Information submitted by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Jim R. Turner, 68, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000, at his home. Born Aug. 18, 1931, in Lynch, Ky., he was the son of the late Eugene Turner and Blanche Fortner Turner. Mr. Turner was a buyer with 34 years of service for G.C. Murphy Co., and also procurement specialist for Goodwill Industries in Pittsburgh. He was a member of Greenock United Methodist Church, where he was a former Sunday school teacher and superintendent, served on the council on ministries, and was stewardship chairman. Mr. Turner was involved in Greenock Little League and Elizabeth Forward Booster Club. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and served as president of the High School Reunion Committee. He attended and played football for West Virginia Institute of Technology. He was a Korean Conflict veteran, serving with the U.S. Army Medical Corps, with the rank of corporal. Survivors include his wife, Mildred McClure Turner; two sons, Jim R. Turner II of Mercer, Pa., and David E. Turner of Beckley; a daughter, Mary Kay Potochny of Greenock, Pa.; five grandchildren; and three brothers, Bill Turner, Bob Turner, and Jack Turner, all of Beckley. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Hunter Funeral Home, 1600 Coursin St., McKeesport, Pa., with the Revs. David Lake and David Morse officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Cemetery in Pennsylvania. Friends may call 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Arrangements by Hunter Funeral Home, McKeesport, Pa.
Bonnie A. Kidd, 68, of Hill Street, Beckley, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000, at her home following a long illness. Born March 8, 1931, at Wills Branch, she was the daughter of the late John E. and Myrtle Dotson Kidd. Miss Kidd was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and attended Beckley College. Her working career began at Sterling Smokeless Coal at Whitby and she retired from Beckley National Bank with 39 years of service, and held various positions. A born again Christian and 50-year member of First Church of Nazarene on Johnstown Road, Miss Kidd served in many positions in the church and was awarded the Distinguish Service Award through the local Nazarene World Missionary Society. She was preceded in death by a brother, Franklin Kidd. Survivors include two brothers, Buren Kidd and his wife, Betty, and Raymond Kidd and his wife, Ann, all of Beckley; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at First Church of Nazarene on Johnstown Road with Pastor Brian Pope officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Melton Mortuary, Beckley. Pallbearers will be men of the church. Donations of sympathy may be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802-1472. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Edwin Glynn Cook, 73, of Patteson Street, Prosperity, died Wednesday, March 15, 2000, in a Beckley hospital following a long illness. Born Sept. 26, 1926, in Mabscott, he was the son of the late Andrew Rufus and Ila Warden Cook. Mr. Cook spent his childhood in Mabscott and Stanaford. He was a 1944 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and attended West Virginia University, where he played football. He entered the U.S. Army in January 1945 and was discharged in December 1946 with the rank of staff sergeant, serving as a provost sergeant. While he was in the service he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and was a prisoner of war at Luzon. Following his service he graduated from Marshall University with a degree in zoology. He worked for many years in surface mine reclamation for Mountaineer Inc. and enjoyed working all his life. Mr. Cook had been a resident of Prosperity for the past 35 years and was a member of United Methodist Temple, Beckley, and American Legion Post No. 32. He was preceded in death by an infant brother. Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Mary Yeager Cook; a son, Andrew Kevin Cook and his wife, Beverly, of Gastonia, N.C.; a daughter, Pamela Cook of Beckley; two grandsons, Christopher Kevin and Andrew Glynn Cook; and a brother, Raben H. Cook and his wife, Ava Lee, of Ormond Beach, Fla. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Revs. Dan Johnson, Marcy Taylor and Ellen File officiating. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum, Building A, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be family members and friends, and honorary pallbearer will be James Woolwine. Donations of sympathy may be made to United Methodist Temple, 3971 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, WV 25801 or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 111 Hale St., Charleston, WV 25301. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
WINTERSVILLE, Ohio - Alice Lillian Treadway Carpenter, 71, formerly of Beckley, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000, at Trinity West Hospital, Steubenville, Ohio. Born March 19, 1928, in Skelton, she was the daughter of the late Clinton Bryant and Nettie Mae Honaker Treadway of Maxwell Hill. Mrs. Carpenter attended Skelton Elementary School, Beckley Junior High School and Woodrow Wilson High School of Beckley. She was a member of Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Survivors include her husband, Benzil H. Carpenter; a son, Michael E. Treadway, a grandson, Michael Treadway, and three great-grandsons, all of Milford, Mich.; 11 brothers and sisters, Annabel Hagans of Gallipolis, Ohio, Estelle Viola Ayers of St. Albans, Jack Aeron Treadway of Mount Hope, Clinton Bryant Treadway Jr. of Crab Orchard, Betty Jo Williams of Barberton, Ohio, Joyce Juanita Chiras of Woodbridge, Va., Franklin Eugene Treadway of Barberton, Charles Ross Treadway of Doylestown, Ohio, Howard Albert Treadway of Matthews, N.C., Judith Ann Scites of Powhaton, Va.; and Leitha Susan Warner Woodbridge. Donations of sympathy may be made to Mr. B.H. Carpenter, RD No. 2, Ward Drive, Wintersville, OH 43952.
NEW YORK - Daniel Keith Kincaid, 37, of New York, formerly of Beckley, W.Va., died Oct. 21, 1998, at home after a short illness. He was a Protestant, a self-employed recording engineer, a teacher at the Rochester School of Music, a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, and West Virginia University. Surviving: parents, Kyle and Drema Lyons Kincaid of Beckley; sister, Debra O'Neal of Beckley; nephews, Jeremy Fitch and Will O'Neal, both of Beckley. Graveside service will be 1 p.m. Friday in Kincaid Cemetery, Kincaid, W.Va., with the Rev. Harold Moore and Pastor Dorothy Osborne officiating. Friends may call after the service at Scarbro (W.Va.) United Methodist Church. Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, W.Va., is in charge of arrangements.
WINTERSVILLE, Ohio - Alice Lillian Treadway Carpenter, 71, formerly of Beckley, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000, at Trinity West Hospital, Steubenville, Ohio. Born March 19, 1928, in Skelton, she was the daughter of the late Clinton Bryant and Nettie Mae Honaker Treadway of Maxwell Hill. Mrs. Carpenter attended Skelton Elementary School, Beckley Junior High School and Woodrow Wilson High School of Beckley. She was a member of Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Survivors include her husband, Benzil H. Carpenter; a son, Michael E. Treadway, a grandson, Michael Treadway, and three great-grandsons, all of Milford, Mich.; 11 brothers and sisters, Annabel Hagans of Gallipolis, Ohio, Estelle Viola Ayers of St. Albans, Jack Aeron Treadway of Mount Hope, Clinton Bryant Treadway Jr. of Crab Orchard, Betty Jo Williams of Barberton, Ohio, Joyce Juanita Chiras of Woodbridge, Va., Franklin Eugene Treadway of Barberton, Charles Ross Treadway of Doylestown, Ohio, Howard Albert Treadway of Matthews, N.C., Judith Ann Scites of Powhaton, Va.; and Leitha Susan Warner Woodbridge. Donations of sympathy may be made to Mr. B.H. Carpenter, RD No. 2, Ward Drive, Wintersville, OH 43952.
From the Charleston Daily Mail, April 21, 1994: C. G. Peregoy, a Raleigh County educator whose students included a former governor, an astronaut and a congressman, has died. Peregoy, 93, of Charleston and formerly of Beckley, died Wednesday in a Charleston nursing home. Peregoy gave nearly 50 years of his life to education in Raleigh County, including 33 years as principal of Woodrow Wilson High School. "He made a tremendous contribution to Beckley in education and community leadership," said former Gov. Hulett C. Smith, who graduated from Woodrow Wilson in 1934, Peregoy's first year as principal. "He ran a disciplined but very fair school." During Peregoy's tenure, more than 11,000 students graduated from Woodrow Wilson. In addition to Smith, many other graduates enjoyed distinguished careers, including Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., actor Chris Sarandon and former astronaut Jon McBride. Peregoy was a graduate of Morris Harvey College, Washington College and West Virginia University. He was a life member of West Virginia Education Association, National Education Association, served as president of Raleigh County Education Association, New River Valley Round Table and West Virginia High School Principals Association. He was a member and chairman of educational committees on the county, state and nationals levels, including North Central Association of Secondary Schools and College and The White House Conference on Education in 1955. He was teacher of the year in southern West Virginia in 1960. He was chairman of Raleigh County Chapter of the American Red Cross. He was a member of Beckley Recreation Board, Beckley Chamber of Commerce, charter member of Beckley Lions Club, Masons, Shriners and the Commandry. He was a member of the Moose and Elk lodges and First United Methodist Church, Beckley, where he served at a Sunday school teacher. He was a member of the board of directors for Union Protestant Hospital, Clarksburg, and Beckley Child Care Center. Surviving: wife, Juanita Ethel Meadows Peregoy; daughters, Martha Jean Nickles of Huntington, N.Y., Phyllis Aline Payne of Charleston; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, Beckley, with the Rev. Frederic W. Villinger officiating. Entombment will be in Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum B, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley and one hour prior to service at the church.
FAIRFIELD, Ohio - Elizabeth Williams Junk, 78, formerly of Beckley, died Sunday, March 26, 2000, in a Fairfield hospital following a short illness. Born Jan. 2, 1921, in Beckley, she was the daughter of Iva Cook Williams of Reservoir Road, Beckley, and the late Leslie "Jack" Hubert Williams. Mrs. Junk spent her childhood in Beckley and was a 1938 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and had been a resident of Cincinnati since 1953. She was preceded in death by a brother, Leslie H. Williams Jr.; and a niece, Nancy Zacher. Other survivors include a son, Robert Leslie "Mike" Junk and his wife, Paula, of Birmingham, Ala.; three grandchildren, Bobby Junk and his wife, Dawn, of Joplin, Mo., Michelle Junk Underwood and her husband, Brent, of Dallas and Mark Junk and his wife, Charisse, of Cincinnati; five great-grandchildren, Michael, Cami, Addison, Elizabeth and Cole; a sister-in-law, Marie Williams of Morgantown; two nieces, Suzanne Williams and Janet Antonini; a nephew, Clinton Williams; and numerous cousins. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with Dr. Gregory Hayes officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Terry Williams, Carlton Cook, Bicknell Cook, Carrington Lewis, Bobby Junk and Mark Junk. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Laura Bays Rossmeyer, 63, of Beckley, died Sunday, March 26, 2000, in Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, Tenn., following a long illness. Born Sept. 10, 1936, in Charleston, she was the daughter of the late I. Wilbur and Hetty Bays. Mrs. Rossmeyer was a 1954 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and a 1958 graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College. She was a retired teacher in Raleigh County, last teaching at Shady Spring Junior High School. She was a member of United Methodist Temple, serving on the Outreach Committee. She was a 30-year member of the Board of Directors of the City Housing Authority of Beckley, most recently serving as vice chairperson. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Housing Association of Housing Agencies, the National Commissioner Committee of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Organization and Delta Kappa Gamma, and a former member of the Woman's Club of Beckley, where she was Junior of the Year in 1972. She also served on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Association of Mental Health. She was a past president of the Raleigh County Education Association. She was preceded in death by a sister, Loretta Eileen Bays. Survivors include two daughters, Dr. Lisa Wade and her husband, Martin, of Memphis and Lori Cobb and her husband, Dr. W.W. Cobb, of Huntsville, Ala.; three grandchildren, Marshall Sommers Wade, Meredith Bays Wade and Wesley Christian Cobb; a sister, Linda Bays Cooper and her husband, T. Richard, of Ghent; a niece, Laura Elizabeth Cooper; and a nephew, Thomas Richard Cooper III. Memorial services will be noon Friday at United Methodist Temple, Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley. Friends may call 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to the Bays Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund at Southern College of Optometry, 1245 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 or the Educational Trust Fund of United Methodist Temple, 3871 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, WV 25801.