WOODROW WILSON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI PAGE

Obituaries, Page 20

On Thursday, May 8, 2008, Jienell Gilkerson Wall, of Jasper Drive, died at her home. She was 62 years of age. Born on March 12, 1946, in Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Homer Wilmer and Dotsie Gertrude Cole Riffe. Jienell was a 1964 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She attended Morris Harvey College and was a graduate of West Virginia Institute of Technology. Jienell retired from the Central Office of the Raleigh County Board of Education in June of 2007 after 39 years of service. An accomplished musician, she was of the Christian faith. Jienell is survived by her beloved husband, Hubert H. Hall. In keeping with her wishes, Jienell's services will be private. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at melton@wvdsl.net. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

RANDLETT, Okla. — Richard “Rick” Alan Williams Sr., 66, of Randlett, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at the VA Hospital in Oklahoma City, Okla., after a long illness. Born July 23, 1941 in Cirtsville, W.Va., he was the son of Arvilla J. Williams Roggan of Beckley, and the late Manuel Gonzalez and stepson of the late Francis J. Roggan. Rick lived in Cirtsville until he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1959. He joined the U.S. Army in 1961 and served four years for his country. An owner-operator truck driver for over 30 years, he was the owner of Williams Truck Leasing. He retired in 2007. Rick enjoyed classic cars, NASCAR and watching sports, as well as collecting coins and matchbooks. His beloved dogs preceded him in death – Sassy on April 16, 2008, and Cowboy on April 25, 2008. In addition to his mother, Rick is survived by his faithful companion of 13 years, Jody Hutchinson of Randlett, Okla., his first wife, Midge Sluss of Beckley; a son, Richard A. Williams, Jr. and wife, Danielle, of Clovis, New Mexico; one daughter, Alica J. Williams and husband, Eddie, of Beckley and three grandchildren, Nathan and Logan Williams of Beckley and Abigayle Williams of Clovis, New Mexico. Also surviving are several other family members in West Virginia and Ohio, as well as many loved ones and friends in Oklahoma. In accordance with his wishes, Rick was cremated. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church in Beckley with Dr. Bob Stoddard and the Rev. David Rumberg officiating. The WV Honor Guard will perform a military flag folding ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Heber Street, Beckley, WV 25801. Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com Information submitted by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.

David W. “Dusty” Smith, 54, of Beaver, departed this life for a better life in Heaven on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, following a long illness. He lived his childhood on College Avenue and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1971. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Juinell Hatcher Smith, and grandparents, Earl and Della Hatcher and Bill and Maggie Smith. Dusty played organized baseball through Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion, having played for Post 69 under Jack Turner. He was invited to several pro tryout camps, including the Reds and Pirates. Dusty was a true sports fan and outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and shooting archery in which he won several archery tournaments across the state. He looked forward to going to the hunting camp every year and hunting with his brother, Ralph, and friends, the Henton family and to all his many friends and acquaintances at Jimmie’s Place, where he was at home talking sports and shooting pool. He was a past member of UMWA District 29 and UFCW Local 400 where he was last employed by Kroger as a meat cutter before becoming disabled. Dusty fought a 20-year battle with cancer but never gave up. He always said thanks to the Good Lord and Duke University. Also, special thanks to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, Dr. Bandy Mullins and staff and Raleigh Regional Cancer Center. Survivors include his companion of 20 years, Cheryl Carter; brother, Ralph E. Smith and wife, Joyce; nieces, Barbie Salmons and husband, Terry, and Tish Smith; aunt, Judy Bennett; unclesm Steve Smith and wife, Rainelle, Spike Smith and wife, Phyllis, and Wendell Smith and wife, Rosey; and special sister-in-law, Mary Weaver. Online condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com Following Dusty’s wishes, his body will be cremated. There will be no service or visitation. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Donald C. Trent. Donald Trent (’49) was killed in action during the Korean War on or about Nov. 27, 1950. His remains were returned to the U. S. from North Korea in 2007. An article in the Register-Herald is here.

Joan Maples Beckett. Joan died Monday morning, April 21, 2008, at the age of 75 at her home on South Kanawha Street, Beckley. She was born March 20, 1933, in Florence, Ind. Preceding her in death were her parents, Robert, Hallie and Evalene Maples; and her son, Ralph Robert Beckett. She is survived by her loving husband, Ralph L. Beckett; daughter, Rebecca Beckett Clay; and her grandchildren, Sydney and Tyler Clay. She is also survived by her brother, James W. Maples, as well as numerous cousins throughout the U.S. and China and many friends throughout the years. Her family roots were from Indiana, Tennessee and West Virginia. She spent her early childhood up and down the Ohio River on the steamboats her father navigated for the Corps of Engineers. Early elementary school years were in Cincinnati and when her mother died, she (age 10) and her brother (age 8) came to live with relatives in Beckley. She graduated from WWHS 1952 and attended nursing school at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. In September 1954 she married her high school sweetheart, Ralph Beckett, and moved to Durham, N.C., where he was attending Duke University. Their first child, Rebecca, was born in 1957 as she was graduating from Marshall University with a B.A. in art education and biology. She later received an M.A. in painting. The family moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where her second child, Ralph, was born. San Diego was the next stop on her journey where she taught in the public schools and attended San Diego State University. The move back to Beckley came in 1965 where they made the Maples family homeplace that her grandparents built in 1915 their new home. Joan began her 27-year career teaching art appreciation and biology at Beckley College (now Mountain State University). Ten thousand students passed through her classes, where she was passionate about conveying knowledge, observation and appreciation for art and architecture and the beauty of things right in front of our eyes every day. She enjoyed painting, and many of her works hang in businesses and homes. Her lifelong joy was her flowers. She devoted all her energy and focus to planning, purchasing and with the help of her gardening buddy, Kevin, planting her beloved plants. Her garden became her canvas in the latter years and she still was applying color to the landscape the day before she died. She belonged to the National Art Education Association, Beckley Woman’s Club, Delta Kappa Gamma Society and at one time the Beckley Art Group. She also was a member of Beckley Presbyterian Church. Joan required hemodialysis three times a week for 17 years due to a rare genetic abnormality of her kidneys. The Raleigh Dialysis Center, doctors and staff there were her extended family and friends. Joan’s gift was to always see the beauty that could be created with paint, flowers, textiles and just everyday items. She was a great listener and an inspiration to all who knew her. She dearly loved her family and friends. Her strong faith strengthens us as we know, “Better is one day in the King’s courts than thousands elsewhere.” We know that Joan is dancing with the King of Kings! Service will be 3 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley, with the Rev. Adrian Pratt and Pastor Tom Lilly officiating. Friends may call 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Donations of sympathy may be made to the WWHS Class of 1952, c/o the Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main St., Suite 203, Beckley, WV 25801, or to the charity of your choice. Pallbearers will be Kevin Meadows, Mike Rizzi, Michael Jenkins, Andy Klopp, George Underwood, Alex Walls and Ron Shrewsbury. Online guest book is available at www.calfeefh.com. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Mr. Filbert Wayne Pishner, 60, of 141 Pishner Drive, Harmony died March 31, 2008 at Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte. He was born in West Virginia on June 10, 1947 and was the son of the late Orlando Pishner and Hazel McCune, who survives. Mr. Pishner was a self employed land developer and was married to the former Esther McGuire who survives. In addition to his wife and mother he is survived by two sons: Filbert David Pishner and his wife Ruth of the Cool Springs Community, and Brian Wayne Pisher and his wife Laurie,of Harmony. Also surviving are two grandchildren: Buddy and Ashley Pishner. Services celebrating Filbert's life will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the Westmoreland Chapel of Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home. The Rev. Ken Hudson and the Rev. B. N. Black will officiate. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be: Sammy Reavis, Buddy Gaither, David Sells, Jack Moore, Travis Delp and Brad Delp. Full military honors will be accorded at the grave side by American Legion Post #65, Post #113 and Post #217, Harold Littlefield Chapter #68 of the DAV, Marine Corps League Detachment #1097 and VFW Post #2031. Condolences may be sent to the family on line. [WWHS ’66]

Jerry Wayne Bowles Jr., 37, of Stanaford, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 7, 2008. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Brandy Bowles; daughters, Brittany Nicole Bowles and Caitlyn Renee Bowles; and son, Brett Alan Bowles, all at home; father, Jerry Wayne “Sam” Bowles Sr. of Stanaford; mother, Annette Bowles of Ormond Beach, Fla.; sister, Melissa Bowles Bowen and husband, Jeff, of Palm Coast, Fla.; and nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and a host of friends. Born Oct. 3, 1970, in Beckley, Jerry enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was employed as a coal miner and was of the Baptist Faith. Jerry was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Lonnie and Mamie Bowles; and maternal grandparents, James G. and Macil Johnson. Service will be 2 p.m. today at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Pastor Robert Barley, Jerry Wayne’s uncle, officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may gather with the family 1 p.m. until time of service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www. blueridgefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley.

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. - Charles Lewis Gates, 60, passed away, Monday, April 7, 2008, at his home. Mr. Gates was born July 2, 1947, in Raleigh County, W.Va., the son of Howard and Gertrude Gates. He had resided in Blountville for the past 22 years. He was employed as a biosolids coordinator for the state of Virginia for 18½ years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Shirley Sims and Linda Oppman. Survivors include his sons, Michael Gates and his wife Patricia of Acworth, Ga., and Stephen Gates and his wife Brandie of Augusta, Ga.; grandsons, Scott Gates and Lucas Gates; one brother, Bill Gates of Florida; the mother of his children, Juanita Gates, Athens, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 11, 2008, from 5 to 7 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home, with services at 7 p.m. Pastor Mike Stout will officiate. Graveside services will be at Bellview Memorial in Augusta. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Israel Gospel Ministries, P.O. Box 908, Bellmaur, NJ 08099, or by visiting www.foi.org. You may sign the guest register book by visiting www.mem.com. East Lawn Funeral Home, your Dignity Memorial provider, is serving the Gates family [WWHS ’65]

On Monday, April 7, 2008, Jeannette Williams Bruder, of Beckley, passed away in a Beckley hospital. She was in her 89th year. Born Jeannette Elaine Williams on Sept. 21, 1918, at Talcott, she was the only child of the late John R. and Peggy Mae Lowe Williams. Jeannette spent her childhood in Beckley on Central Avenue, and was a 1939 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Jeannette entered the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, serving as a funeral officer in graves registration. A resident of Malden, Mass., for 34 years, she attended American Legion College Institute in Malden, where she served as the hospital chairman for 18 years at the VA hospital. While living in Malden she was a member of First Baptist Church. In 1983 she returned to Beckley to be near her mother. Jeannette became a volunteer at the Beckley VA Medical Center where she served until the age of 84. Logging 6,500 hours, she took care of the Communion services at the Veterans Chapel. Jeannette Bruder will be remembered for her tireless dedication to the veterans of this area. A recipient of the Chapel Award, she was inducted in the Veterans Administration Hall of Fame. When we remember Jeannette Bruder we will recall the words “Duty, Honor and Country.” A devoted member of First Christian Church, Courthouse Square, she was a member of the Covenant Sunday School Class, Circle No. One and sang in the choir. Jeannette was the beloved mother of Rhonda Elizabeth Bruder of Malden and Richard Albert Bruder and his wife, Marianne; and the dear grandmother of John A. Bruder, all of Everett, Mass.; the fond niece of Mable Curry of St. Albans; and several cousins also survive. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Don Snyder officiating. Jeannette will be laid to rest beside her mother in the Lowe family plot at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 11:30 a.m. until time of service Saturday. Military rites will be conducted by Oak Hill Post 3110 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars at the gravesite. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at melton@wvdsl.net. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

ABINGDON, Va. — Mrs. Ruth W. Riffe, 79, died Monday, Febr. 18, 2008, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was a native of Princeton, the daughter of the late Hobert and Estelle Spencer Wood. She graduated salutatorian from Big Creek High School in War in 1946. She spent most of her life in and around the Princeton area prior to moving to Abingdon in 1995. She retired as manager of admissions at Concord University. She was a member of Abingdon United Methodist Church and was a member of the Eastern Star in Beck-ley. Mrs. Riffe was an avid reader and loved raising her family. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, James H. Riffe; two sons, Tom Riffe of Abingdon and Paul Riffe and wife, Kathi, of Greensboro, N.C.; a daughter, Rebecca Riffe of Abingdon; and two grandchildren, Eric Riffe of Lynchburg, Va., and Nancy Riffe of Tuscaloosa, Ala. Graveside service will be 1 p.m. today at Monte Vista Park Cemetery, Princeton, with the Rev. Walter Weikel and the Rev. Nicole Hill officiating. The family received friends 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Riffe. [Ruth’s husband Jim (WWHS ’45) reports that Ruth lived in Beckley three different times and that she attended Lincoln Elementary School and Beckley Junior High School.]

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Michelle Leigh Hutchens, 35, formerly of Beckley, died Thursday, March 27, 2008, at her residence of natural causes. Born July 21, 1972, she was the daughter of Jeanette Hutchens of Beckley and David Hutchens of Ballengee. Michelle was a 1990 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She was a 1994 Summa Cum Laude graduate of Marshall University with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration/Accounting and received her Master’s in Accounting from Florida State University in 1996. Michelle was employed by Signature Moulding in San Antonio. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Vaden R. and Ernestine Meadows Tabor and Melvin E. and Ethel Covey Hutchens. Besides her parents she is survived by her sisters: Trisha Yonekura and her husband Jim of Chiba, Japan, Amanda Worthington and her husband Andrew of Beckley; nephew, Bailey, and niece, Sophie Yonekura; companion: Bill Seaton of San Antonio, Texas; special friend: Thomas Humbert of Connecticut. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 3, 2008, in the Calfee Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Sam Groves officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Ballengee, W.Va. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Pallbearers will be J.D. Tilghman, Andrew Worthington, Eric Tabor, Robbie Tabor, Patrick Harris, Matthew Tabor. Online condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com. The family requests donations be made to the Women’s Resource Center, P.O. Box 1476, Beckley, WV 25802. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Robert Bruce Harvit, formerly of Beckley and Williamson, passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at the age of 70 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami, where he resided. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ann and Edward Harvit of Beckley, and a brother, Harold Harvit of Williamson. Bob was born in Beckley and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, where he was a member of the Flying Eagle football team. Bob began his illustrious broadcasting career while he was still in high school, working as an announcer at WWNR in Beckley. After attending West Virginia University, Bob returned to WWNR to resume his career in broadcasting as an announcer and a sales manager. In 1966, Bob became the owner of WBTH in Williamson. He eventually expanded that facility, formed Harvit Broadcasting and owned several stations in West Virginia (White Sulphur Springs, Montgomery and Fairmont), as well as Kentucky and Indiana. Bob was very active in the Williamson community. During the Tug River flood in 1977, Bob kept WBTH on the air and served as the focal point for emergency information. He served on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Broadcasters Association and was twice elected as the board’s president. In 1977, Bob earned the association’s Mel Burka Distinguished Broadcaster Award, which recognizes the organization’s most outstanding broadcaster. In 2007, Bob was inducted into the West Virginia Broadcasters Hall of Fame. After contracting multiple sclerosis, Bob was forced to decrease his broadcasting activities. He eventually sold his radio stations and moved to Miami Beach, although his love for West Virginia remained strong, and he returned to his home state as frequently as he could. Bob will be remembered as a dedicated businessman and loving family member who inspired those who knew him with his courage, ceaseless zest for life and grand sense of humor. Bob’s survivors include his wife, Wilda Harvit; daughter and son-in-law, Kathe and Peirce Whitt of Williamson; sister and brother-in-law, Rita and Nemo Nearman of Charleston; nephew, Bill Harvit and his wife, Pam, of Charleston; niece, Lynn Kuhn and her husband, Don, of Charlotte, N.C.; sister-in-law, Gloria Harvit of Charlotte; nephew, Merrill Nearman and his wife, Sandy, of Boca Raton, Fla.; niece, Polly Nearman Greene of Baltimore, Md.; and nephew, Henry Nearman and his wife, Tammy, of Charleston. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to local humane societies in tribute to Bob’s strong lifelong love for animals, to a hospice organization or to any charity in Bob’s honor. A memorial/celebration of Bob’s life will be announced later. [WWHS ’55]

Margaret F. Alderson, 84, of Fredericksburg departed to be with her Lord and Savior Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008. Mrs. Alderson was valedictorian of her graduating class of 1942 at Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, W.Va. She served an apprenticeship at the Beckley Post-Herald and was line typesetter at the Washington Post. Before and after retirement, she was a very active church member and taught Sunday school at First Christian Church in Alexandria and Bible classes at First Christian Church in Fredericksburg. His survivors include a brother, John Foster, of Arlington; a son, Alan Alderson of Alexandria; a daughter, April Lavoie, and her husband, Germain C., of Woodbridge; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was recently preceded in death by her husband, Gail H. Alderson; and a son, Stephen G. Alderson. A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 28, at First Christian Church with the Rev. Gary Staddan officiating. Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. in Mount Comfort Cemetery, Alexandria. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. Online guest book at covenantfuneralservice.com. [Winchester (Virginia) Free-Lance Star]

Iline Blevins Collins, age 86, of Crab Orchard, passed away Sunday, March 23, 2008. Born Aug. 30, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Howard Boston and Easter Pearl Adkins Blevins. Iline enjoyed sewing, quilting, working in the garden, baking, and loved spending time with family and friends. She and her sister Arla Garten played music on WJLS; played with Little Jimmy Dickens, Homer Bennett, and The Mockingbirds. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband James Collins. Those left to cherish her memory include two sons, Howard “Ziggy” Ray Collins of Springfield, Va., and James “Butch” Collins of Crab Orchard; one daughter, Sandra Kay Meador and husband Thomas Lee of Mechanicsville, Md.; one sister, Anna Arla Garten of Cabell Heights; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. The family would like to give special thanks to her caregiver, Ena Morgan. Services will be held Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Rev. Darrell McNeely officiating. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, W.Va., is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Holiday Larrick, 92, formerly of Beckley, W.Va., died March 21, 2008, at her home, in Scott Depot, W.Va., after a long illness. She was born on July 3, 1915, in Edmond, W.Va., and was the daughter of the late Daniel Fredrick and Nettie Mae Ashley Holiday. She was a 1934 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She was a longtime member of the United Methodist Temple in Beckley and was an active member of the United Methodist Women. Mary was a former member of the Beckley Garden Club and a lifetime member of the Black Diamond Girl Scouts Council to which she devoted a large part of her life. Mary was a wonderful person and had a lively spirit and a great sense of humor. She was committed to her family and her faith. She was a friend to all she met and will be sadly missed. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Michael Larrick; sister, Mildred Rebecca Roles of Beckley; and her brothers, John Ashley Holiday of Charles Town, W.Va., and Daniel Duval Holiday of Melbourne, Fla. Surviving are her loving husband of 70 years, James Sydney Larrick; her daughter, Betsey Larrick Eads; son-in-law, Terry R. Eads, all of Scott Depot; her sisters, Parrthenia Glover of Beckley, Edith Stover of Williamsport, Md., and Evelyn Lynch of Disputanta, Va.; grandchildren, Brian Eads and his wife Rebecca, Krista Eads and Ashley Eads; great-grandchildren, Seth Eads and Hayden Eads; and nieces and nephews that greatly admired her. Services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2008, in the Calfee Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Daniel B. Johnson and Rev. Martin Hallett officiating. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley. Her family and friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Terry Eads, Brian Eads, Walter Wiant, Dan Doman, Bob Loudermilk, Ross Hutchens, and Judge Berkley Lilly. Flowers are appreciated, but the family requests that donations be made either to Alzheimer Association or to the United Methodist Temple, 210 Temple View Drive, Beckley, WV 25801. Online condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

MCLEAN, Va. — Frederick V. Lilly II, 67, passed away at Virginia Hospital Center of complications following a long-term illness. He was born in Beckley, the oldest child of the late Dr. Vivan and Lena Lilly. He graduated from East Tennessee State University with a master’s degree and maintained strong ties to his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Following five years of government service in South Vietnam, he moved to McLean in 1972 where he founded Lilly Homes Inc., a high-end custom home construction company. He and his wife, Jacqui, raised their two children, Trip and Tricia, in the area and were actively involved with The Potomac School and McLean youth programs. He is survived by his wife, Jacquelyn Reeke Lilly; a son, Frederick V Lilly III of New York City; a daughter, Tricia A Lilly of Arlington, Va.; a brother, Dr. Eric V Lilly of Greensboro, N.C.; and a sister, Mrs. Sandra Fitzmaurice of Santa Fe, N.M. He was pre-deceased by a brother, Thomas Lilly. Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 400 Green St., Alexandria, Va. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. [WWHS ’58]

Mary “Bootie” Brown, 80, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2008, at Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick, Ga. A native of Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Charles Martin and Margaret Cooper Martin. She lived in Beckley for 25 years where she was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She lived in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., for 51 years where she was employed with the Duval County Board of Elections as a poll worker. She was a member of the Garden Club of Jacksonville Beach Beefeaters Society and the Faternal Order of Police Ladies Auxiliary. She was a founding member of First Christian Church of Neptune Beach, Fla. She had been a resident of St. Simons Island, Ga., for the past five years. Survivors include her niece, Jane Marcum of Dunedin, Fla.; two sons, Daniel Martin Brown of Seaside, Ore., and Bruce Paul Brown of St. Simons Island, Ga.; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. Her sister, Betty Marcum, preceded her in death. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at First Christian Church, 225 Ocean Front Drive, Neptune Beach, Fla. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children Hospital, 12502 Pine Drive, Tampa, Fla. 33612. Arrangements entrusted to Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home and Oglethorpe Crematorium, Brunswick, Ga.

Lewis I. Canterbury Jr., 81, of Crab Orchard, passed away suddenly at home on Monday, March 17, 2008, of natural causes. He was born of Lewis I. And Hattie Snuffer Canterbury at Killarney on Dec. 20, 1926. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Vera Lee Canterbury; his brother, Mack Canterbury; and his sisters, Irene O’Shinski, Wanda Whitt, Geneva Walker and Maxine Cormack. He is survived by his son, Lewis Michael Canterbury; daughters, Cathy Birchfield (Marshall), Vicki Kiser (Meryl) and Karen Kershner (Tim); grandchildren, April Stone, Kelli Banerjee, Becky Birchfield, Nicole Moye and Shannon Kiser; and great-grandchildren, Blake Stone, Brooke Stone and Braeden Banerjee. Junior was known in his community for his beautiful gardens, his relentless pursuit of hunting and fishing, and his willingness to help anyone in need. His passion for life was an inspiration, and he often entertained those around him with his wonderful stories of hunting and fishing trips in days gone by, and of his military experiences. He was an Army infantry veteran serving in Japan during WW II. He was proud of his 30-year career as a coal miner, having last worked at the Eccles No. 6 mine for Westmoreland Coal Co. He attended Stoco and Woodrow Wilson High Schools. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley, with funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 20, at the funeral home. Military rites and burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Officiating will be Pastor Duane Pease of Glen View Independent Baptist Church. His son, sons-in-law and other family members will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations of sympathy be made to Glen View Independent Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1101, Crab Orchard, WV 25827. Online condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Elva Ann O’Neal. CRESTVIEW — Ann O’Neal, age 73, of Crestview, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2008, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. She was born in Glen White, W.Va., on Nov. 6, 1934, and moved here in 1994 from Japan. Mrs. O’Neal was a member of First Baptist Church of Crestview and a proud member of the Ladies Class #7. Her parents, two brothers, and three sisters preceded her in death. Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Frank O’Neal; son, Frank O’Neal Jr. and June of Manteno, Ill.; daughters, Kathi Smith and Ken of Dalton, Ga., Cyndi Kidd and Donald of Lexington, S.C., and Gail Morris and Matthew of Portage, Ind.; brothers, Grover St. Clair and Betty of Beckley, W.Va., and Harry St. Clair and Carol of Vinton, Va.; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at 2 p.m., at First Baptist Church of Crestview, with a visitation beginning at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ann’s memory to the First Baptist Church Building Fund or Youth for Christ. Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. [WWHS ’52]

Texas “Ruby” Bennett, 63, of White Oak, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, at her home following a sudden illness. Born April 6, 1944, at Lanark, she was the daughter of the late Mayo Lawson and Carrie Roark Lawson. She was a homemaker and a member of Bradley Church of God. Mrs. Bennett was preceded in death by her sister, Patricia Lawson Girvin, and a brother, James Lawson. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Frank “Tommy” Bennett; three daughters, Teresa Meadows and her husband, James, of Bradley, Nancy Lovell and her husband, Jackie, of Beckley and Nicki Dawn Chapman of Oak Hill; a son, Thomas Bennett and his wife, Tina, of Beckley; three sisters, Jackie Richmond of Beckley and her three children, Juanita Henrich and her husband, Fenn, of Pennsylvania and their daughter and Jewel Lawson of Beckley; three brothers, Earl Lawson and his wife, Patti, of Georgia and their four children, David Lawson and his wife, Brenda, of Florida and their six children and Nick Lawson and his wife, Vickie, of Cyclone and their two children; two granddaughters, Kandis Pugh and Alexandra Meadows; three grandsons, Michael Bennett and his wife, Megan, Chris Chapman and John Chapman; a great-grandson, Skyler Bennett; and several nieces and nephews, all of whom will greatly miss her. Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Brian White officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 11 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Gary Bowman, Keith Miller, Frank Evans, John Graham and Richard Carlilie. Honorary pallbearers will be Derik Justus, Howard Harmon, Andrew Tilley and Dale Ratcliff. Online condolences may be sent to our guest book at www.roseandquesenberry.net. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley. [WWHS ’62]