These obituaries were found on the Internet, mainly from the Register-Herald. This page was revised for the last time on Sept. 13, 2000. More recent obituaries will be added to obituary page 4.
Rickey A. "Rick" Quesenberry, 38, of 3686 Mt. Union Rd., formerly of Daniels, died Monday, Sept. 11, 2000, at the Charleston Medical Center. Born Aug. 16, 1962, in Passaic, N.Y., he was the son of Gay Bragg Quesenberry of Daniels, and the late Forrest Quesenberry. Mr. Quesenberry was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and had attended Marshall University. He had been a Huntington resident for the past five years, and was a board member of Virginia Manufactured Housing Association. He enjoyed motorcycles, golfing and boating and was an avid outdoorsman. Other survivors include his wife of 16 years, Susan Pachuta Quesenberry; a son, Jacob Forrest Quesenberry at home; a daughter, Elizabeth Ann Quesenberry at home; two brothers, Randy Quesenberry and his wife, Debbie, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Ed Quesenberry and his wife, Natalie, of Beaver; nieces and nephews, Megan and Amber Quesenberry, Ammie Quesenberry, Luke, David, Sarah and Joshua Canterbury, and Hannah and Nicole Pachuta. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Rose and Quesenberry Shady Spring Chapel with Pastor Greg Mullis officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Joey Childers, Butch Smith, Rick White and Charlie Parkulo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scholarship Fund of Covenant School, 5800 U.S. 60, East Barboursville, WV 25504. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring.
Mildred Lee Pittman, 83, of Beaver, died Sunday, Sept. 3, 2000, in a local care facility after a long illness. Born June 6, 1917, at Sophia, she was the daughter of the late Ralph A. and Mae K. Rowles Minnick. Mrs. Pittman was a 1935 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and was dental assistant to the late Dr. Clement Peck. She was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Charles Minnick and by two sisters, Madoline Sessler and Virginia Ayers. Mrs. Pittman had been a resident of Beaver since 1950. Survivors include a husband, Earl V. Pittman of Beaver; a daughter, Patricia A. Day Hughes and her husband, Jimmy, of Bradley; a sister, Dorothy A. Mooney and her husband, Carl, of Beckley; a grandson, Michael Hughes and his wife, Ann, of Greenville, S.C.; a granddaughter, Caroline J. Shumate of Glade Springs; and three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Meagan and Ethan Hughes, all of Greenville, S.C. Services will be 2 p.m. today at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with Pastors Pat Haynes and Don Pfleger officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call one hour prior to services today at the funeral home. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Raleigh County Unit, 129 Main Street, Beckley, WV 25801. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
Billy Edwin Hill, Class of 1955 died on October 31, 1998. He was preprint coordinator for Florida Today in Melbourne, Florida. While in high school, Bill participated in track, basketball and football as team co-captain. His track record helped him to be inducted into the WWHS Hall of Fame. He attended Murray State College on a football/track scholarship and graduated from Mars hall University in 1959. Following college he became advertising director for Island Creek Coal Company in Logan, WV. He later joined the Columbia Gas System in Charleston as advertising director for the Charleston Group Companies. While in Charleston, he worked as a broadcaster for local basketball and football games. He also served as an adjunct professor at Charleston University, teaching courses in sales and advertising. In 1976 he moved to Melbourne, FL where he became a salesman and national sales manager for Florida Today. Bill was very involved with the American Advertising Federation. In Charleston, WV, he was president of the Charleston Ad Club and secretary of the Fifth District AAF. He was a founding member of the Space Coast Advertising Federation, where he served two terms as president and more recently treasurer. He served on the National AAF board of directors and was awarded the highest local honor - the Silver Medal Award. Survivors include his wife, Linda Wright Hill, '55 son Timothy Hill of Huntington, WV, daughter Debra Petty of South Point, OH sisters Ellen White of Barboursville, WV. and Jacque Hill Scites of Melbourne, FL brothers Joseph Hill of Columbia, SC and Denis Hill or Renton, WA and nine grandchildren.
James O. "Click" Bandy Jr., 57, of 117 11th St., Beckley, died Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2000, in Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley, following a short illness. Born Oct. 5, 1942, in Birmingham, Ala., he was the son of the late James Oliver Bandy Sr. and Josephine Jones Bandy. Mr. Bandy was employed in maintenance for the West Virginia Turnpike, worked at Meadow Gold Dairy for 22 years, was a member of Second Baptist Church, Beckley and was a member of the Classic Chassis Car Club. He was assistant coach at Woodrow Wilson High School in basketball, football, and soccer, and taught Karate for 20 years. He was preceded in death by a brother, Allen Russell. Survivors include his wife, Vera Schoolfield Bandy; three children, James O. Brandy III of Nashville, Tenn., Marc E. Bandy of Huntington, and Kimberly J. Bandy of Nashville, Tenn.; his stepmother, Esther Smith of Beckley; a brother, Charles L. Bandy and wife, Sylvia, of Atlanta, Ga.; three sisters, Bertha Lee Barron and husband, Jimmy, of Atlanta, Ga., Vera Pointers and Janice Russell Scott, both of Atlanta, Ga.; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Second Baptist Church, 700 F St., Beckley, with the Revs. Ronald Dyer, David Allen, Abner Wright, and Elder Luther Hairston officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Saturday and the family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley. Arrangements by Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.
START, La. - Jefferson "Mutt" Eugene Baker, 57, formerly of Itmann, went to be with his Heavenly Father, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2000, at his home following a long battle with cancer (Multiple Myeloma), surrounded by his family and friends. Born Dec. 21, 1942, at Itmann, he was the son of Louise Caudill of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., and the late William Hubert Baker. Mr. Baker was a dedicated Navy retiree, where he was a Chief Storekeeper, and was a field expert, and having served 20 years before his retirement in 1979. He was also a decorated Vietnam veteran. His military decorations were numerous and included some prestigious awards. He was a miracle baby, being born at seven months, he spent most of his childhood in Beckley, where he was a 1960 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Jeff had a very strong faith in His Lord and Saviour. His faith remained true even throughout his illness. He was a devoted member and deacon of Start Baptist Church. After serving his Lord, his family and friends came next. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be missed by everyone. His hobbies included spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren, also woodworking and golfing. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Elinor Baker Sherman; his brother and best friend, Edward "Butch" Eisley; beloved grandmother, Mattie Elinor Durham. Other survivors include his high school sweetheart of 39 years, Carol Sue Rollyson; a son, Jack Ernest Baker; a daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Kevin Henry and daughter, Karen Baker; his grandchildren, Nicole Baker, Holli Henry, Kaleb Henry, Geoffrey Henry, and Mattie Carol Henry, all of Start, Misty Lunceford of Jacksonville, Fla.; his step-father, Bob Caudill of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Other survivors include his siblings, Brenda Kay Jones of Marion, N.C., Sue Ficklin of Atlantic Beach, Fla., William "Billy" Hubert Baker of Kingsport, Tenn., Guyanna Bollinger of Nebo, N.C., Bobbi Rae Rew of Ponte Vedra Beach, Pamela Garrity of Coldwater, Miss., Bobby "Junebug" Ray Caudill of Atlantic Beach, Fla., Guy Scott Caudill of Atlantic Beach, Fla.; and a dear aunt, Eloise Pierce of Beckley; a brother-in-law, Emmett Ray Rollyson of Beckley; and many numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Start Baptist Church, Start. Burial will follow in the Start Cemetery. Friends may call 4 to 9 p.m. today at the Brown Holley Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cross Roads Cancer Retreat, c/o Dr. Marshall Leary, P.O. Box 6137, Monroe, La. 71211-6173. Jeff's dream was to help Dr. Leary build his dream of "Camp Quality Retreat" in Louisiana, to be used as a refuge for cancer patients and their families. Pallbearers will be Michael B. Miller, Wade Temple, Bo Cowart, Quinn DelRioi, Ernie Haynes, Johnny Letlow, Delbert Crow and William "Hoppy" Sullivan. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of Start Baptist Church, Eddie Jones and Todd Fields. Arrangements by Brown Holley Funeral Home, Rayville, La.
BAY VILLAGE, Ohio - Hannah Hart, 67, formerly of Beckley, died Sunday, Aug. 27, 2000, after a long illness. Born Jan. 22, 1933, in Boone County, she was the daughter of the late Harvey and Martha Jane Dawson Frazier. Mrs. Hart was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, was a retired employee of AT&T, having worked there for 38 years. She was of the Christian faith and a member of the Calloway Heights Community Church. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Ethel and Alma and brothers, Earl, Harvey Jr., Arnold and Vernon. Survivors include her husband, Donald Hart of Bay Village, Ohio; two brothers, Curtis of Beckley, and Ralph and his wife, Janet, of Upland, Calif.; two sisters, Odessa Hurt and her husband, Ray Gene, of Hudson, Ohio, and Anna Frazier Webb of Beckley; and several nieces and nephews. The body has been cremated. There will be no visitation. Private memorial services will be held by immediate family members. Donations of sympathy may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation or American Heart Association. Arrangements by Zele Funeral Home, Cleveland, Ohio.
LEXINGTON, S.C. - Walter E. Wilbur, 62, died Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999, at his home. Born March 17, 1937, in Glen White, he was the son of the late Paul E. and Mary A. Wilbur. Mr. Wilbur was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, and a U.S. Navy veteran. He had worked in the grocery business in Columbia, S.C. He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Wilbur of Kimball. Survivors include a son, Kevin Wages of Columbia; a stepson, Rhett Wages of Lexington; a daughter of Columbia; five brothers, Bill Wilbur of Beckley, Bob Wilbur of Columbia, Jim Wilbur of Irmo, S.C., Charles Wilbur of Columbia and Gene Wilbur of West Columbia, S.C.; two sisters, Elizabeth Dailey of Irmo and Jane McCoy of (incomplete)
John Robert Moore, 89, of Beckley, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2000, in a local hospital of natural causes. Born Jan. 31, 1911, in Fayette County, he was the son of the late William Edgar and Hattie Haws Moore. Mr. Moore was a retired bookkeeper for Slab Fork Coal Co. and a member of Beckley Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Woodrow Wilson High School Football Hall of Fame and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, James Kenna Moore, Edgar Erskine Moore and Harry Moore; and three sisters, Shelma Pettit, Esther Moore and Lorena Turner. Survivors include his wife, Kathryn Okes Moore; and a sister, Ethel Shrewsbury of Beckley. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum B, Beckley, with the Rev. Robin Debnam officiating. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum. Friends may call one hour before services Monday at the mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made to Beckley Presbyterian Church, 203 S. Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801 or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
Derek Lee Worley, 20, of Daniels, died Sunday, Aug. 13, 2000, in Charleston as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident. Born April 19, 1980, in Beckley, he was the son of Gary and Tammy Meador Worley of Daniels. Derek was last employed by Somar Telemarketing and had attended Greater Beckley Christian School and Woodrow Wilson High School. He attended Calvary Assembly of God. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Edith Meador. Other survivors include a brother, Jordan Worley at home; his paternal grandparents, Denny and Rosalie Worley of Daniels; his godparents, Jim and Teresa Hart of Daniels; and several aunts and uncles. Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Assembly of God, 319 Sunset Drive, Beckley, with Pastor John Jordan and the Rev. Dan Holstein officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the church and one hour before services Thursday. Friends and family members will serve as pallbearers, Sam Sanna, Jason Weeks, Joe Whittaker, Jason Barton, Daniel Worley and Timmy Boggs. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring.
Ora Stone Pilkington, 86, of Beckley, died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000, at Raleigh Center following a long illness. Born June 27, 1914, at Black Wolf, she was the daughter of the late Samuel David and Nannie Letha Hopkins Stone. Mrs. Pilkington was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1934, Beckley College, and National Business College, Roanoke, Va. She had been a bookkeeper all her life having worked for Duncan Catron Motors, Vecellio and Grogan and Ranger Fuel Corp., retiring from the Pittston Co. Post retirement, she was employed by Pavex Inc., Snyder Electric and Webb's Wholesale Florist until she was 80 years old and had to retire due to failing health. She was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Beckley, and a choir mother and member of the Woman's Guild for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Thomas "Bill" Pilkington, on April 29, 1964; a grandson, Samuel David Shrader, on Aug. 20, 1977; four brothers, Clyde, Joseph Jackson "Buddy," Frank Garland and Samuel "Sammy" Stone. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Survivors include two sons, Bill Pilkington and his wife, Debbie, of Ghent, Richard Pilkington and his wife, Stephenie, of Charlotte, N.C.; four daughters, Nancy Shrader and her husband, Dennis "Bub," of Beckley, Mary Arlena Haydon and her husband, Lacy, of Beckley, Judith Ann "Judy" Snuffer at home, Cheri Prince and her husband, Charles "Chuck," of Charlotte, N.C.; 12 grandchildren, Beth Pilkington of Springfield, Pa., Beckey Groover and husband, Bob, of Cochranton, Pa., Laurie Maiolo and husband, Tony, of Mount Morris, N.Y., Dennis Guy "Denny" Shrader II and his companion, Sonja, of Carrboro, N.C., Ryan Pilkington of Lexington, Ky., Alissa Pilkington of Ghent, Timothy "Tim" Shrader of Beckley, Leann Haydon of Beckley, Marc Pilkington of Ghent, Tyler Brent and Aaron Thomas Pilkington of Charlotte, N.C., and MaKayla Stone Prince of Charlotte, N.C.; four great-grandchildren, Justin David Shrader and Michael Anthony Maiolo II of Mount Morris, N.Y., James Robert and Devin Patrick Groover of Cochranton, Pa.; two sisters-in-law, Grace Stone of Sophia and Virginia Stone of Slab Fork; and her best friend of many years, Nannie Ballard Simmons of The Woodlands, Texas. Services will be 1 p.m. Sunday at St. Stephens Episcopal Church with the Rev. William J. Bozeman officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 200 Virginia St., Beckley. Grandsons and nephews will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
MULLENS - Cecil E. Lacy, 86, of 100 Park Ave., died Friday, July 21, 2000, in a Beckley hospital following a long illness. Born Jan. 4, 1914, at Winding Gulf, he was the son of the late Neal and Edith Jividen Lacy. Mr. Lacy was a Woodrow Wilson High School graduate and a member of its Football Hall of Fame. He received a B.A. degree from West Virginia Institute of Technology, graduate education at Marshall University, an M.S. degree from West Virginia University, was a graduate of Yale University School of Alcohol Studies and had other post-graduate work at the University of Oklahoma. He received special training in management from the College of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn., special training in orthotics and prosthetics from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center. He also completed training at the Oregon College of Education-Communication and Counseling of the Deaf. He was past president of the West Virginia Chapter of National Rehabilitation Association, past president for two terms of the Wyoming County Association for Mental Health, past board member of the West Virginia Association for Mental Health and served on the Governor's Commission for Mental Health Planning. He was past president of the West Virginia Football Association, a past member of the Appalachian Regional Hospital Board, past president of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Association of Football Officials, and led the movement toward special legislation for the handicapped for special parking privileges and barrier-free construction. He was instrumental in initiating the organization of the Wyoming County Sheltered Workshop, in establishing Twin Falls State Park, led the movement for the construction of the Mullens Athletic Field, and established Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball programs in Mullens. He worked in the mining industry and was a former member of UMWA, taught and served as athletic coach at Glen White Junior High, Stoco High School and Mullens High School. He worked as a rehabilitation counselor, covering all of Wyoming and Raleigh counties. He was a longtime football and basketball official here in the state as well as nationally. His later years of employment were spent with the West Virginia State Division of Rehabilitation Services as a district supervisor. Mr. Lacy was a World War II Army veteran in the Italian Theater of Operations and received the Wyoming County Sports Great Honor from West Virginia Centennial Commission. Survivors include his wife, Charlotte Dooley Lacy; three daughters, Cecilia Thomas and her husband, John E. Thomas, of Charleston, Pamela Abner and her husband, Bill Abner, of Duluth, Ga., and Connie Lacy of Glen Allen, Va.; a brother, Jesse Lacy of Midway; seven grandchildren, Mark and Okey Hendrick, David and Kellie Robinson, Courtney and Caitlin Bates, and Erica Thomas. Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens, with the Rev. Adeeb Khalil officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Arrangements by Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens.
Gladys Mary Milam, 82, of Beckley died May 9, 2000, at home. She was a retired Raleigh County schoolteacher with 42 1/2 years' service. [She was a business teacher at WWHS.] She also taught at the Pentagon and served in the Civil Air Patrol. She was a member of Laurel Business and Professional Women's Club, Beckley, Delta Kappa Gamma sorority, the National Education Association, the West Virginia Education Association, and the American Association of University Women. She attended First Church of God, Beckley. Surviving: several nieces and nephews. Service will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Melton Mortuary, Beckley, with the Rev. Vondie Cook officiating. Entombment will be in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the mortuary. The family suggests memorial donations to the Citizens Scholarship Foundation of Beckley Inc., 210 Granville Ave., Beckley, WV 25802.
Larry Franklin Stover, 60, of Charlotte, N.C., formerly of Beckley, died Saturday, July 15, 2000, at the home of his friend Danny Moore of Beaver following a short illness of cancer. Born May 11, 1940, in Beckley, he was the son of the late H.R. and Ella Spencer Stover. Mr. Stover was a 1958 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and began employment with Raleigh-Wyoming Coal Co. at Glen Rogers in 1959. Mr. Stover was a former employee of the city of Beckley over a 15-year span. From 1960 to 1963, he was a radio operator and desk clerk for the Beckley Police Department. For the city of Beckley, he was a former secretary-manager of the Beckley Sanitary Board, recorder-treasurer of the city of Beckley, zoning officer, chief elections officer, custodian of pension funds, secretary of the Mechanical Trades Board, recreation board, Board of Public Works, and the Firemen's and Policemen's Civil Service Commissions. After leaving employment with the city of Beckley, Mr. Stover was vice president of finance with Gates Engineering Co. in Beckley for nearly 10 years. Following employment with Gates Engineering Co., Mr. Stover worked with the West Virginia Business Foundation in Charleston. Afterward, he served as manager of the Beckley Hotel for six and a half years. He was employed by Media Promotions Enterprises of Huntington, and was a former manager of Rebels and Redcoats in Huntington from 1996 to 1997. He was also a former employee of McDermott Funeral Home in Pittsburgh. Mr. Stover was presently employed by Sprint PCS in Charlotte, N.C. Mr. Stover was the Horseshow announcer at the Raleigh, N.C., State Fair for 25 years and the West Virginia State Fair for 25 years. He was the master of ceremony of the 1999 Equestrian World Olympic Games in Raleigh, N.C. He was the first non-North Carolinian to be inducted into the North Carolina Agricultural Hall of Fame. Mr. Stover had also served on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Raleigh, and had served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1964 to 1972. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Beckley, and was a former deacon of the Kenmar Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. He was a member of the Raleigh County Historical Society and the Beautification Society of Beckley. Survivors include two sons, Eric Hutchinson Stover of Charleston and Paul David Franklin Stover of Fairmont, and their mother, Mary Hutchinson Stover of Beckley. Memorial services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Beckley with Dr. David Carrico officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before services Tuesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802, in memory of Mr. Stover. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
DECATUR, Ga. - A memorial service for Sharon Riffe Hartley will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Crab Orchard Baptist Church. Mrs. Hartley, 51, died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 1999, in a Georgia hospital after battling breast cancer. 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 of Cameron, N.C.; a sister-in-law, Edith Jane Riffe of Beckley; and several nieces and nephews. The family requests that flowers be omitted.
Betty Weatherford, 86, of Beckley, died Thursday, June 29, 2000, of natural causes at her residence. Born Jan. 10, 1914, in Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late John Marshall and Elizabeth Welsh Ferguson. Mrs. Weatherford attended Woodrow Wilson High School, Science Hill Preparatory School in Shelbyville, Ky., Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass., and Drexel University in Philadelphia. She was a retired legal secretary, member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, past president of the American Association of University Women and a past member of the Beckley Art Group. She was a member of Beckley Presbyterian Church, where she was a former elder, deacon and Sunday school teacher. Mrs. Weatherford did volunteer work for Hospice, the American Red Cross and the Wildwood House Museum. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sibbley Weatherford. Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Carey (Mary) Frothingham of Charleston. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Beckley Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Robin Debnam officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
MIDDLEWAY - John Matthew Quesenberry, 67, of Jefferson County, formerly of Sprague, died Monday, June 19, 2000, at his home. Born March 21, 1933, at Sprague, he was the son of the late Jess R. Quesenberry and Bessie E. Morris Quesenberry. Mr. Quesenberry graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and Beckley College, and served in the U.S. Navy. He retired from AT&T in 1995 after working more than 30 years. He was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Gay Quesenberry; a sister, Elaine Good Quesenberry; and a brother, Charles Good. Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Janet L. Brown Quesenberry; a daughter and son-in-law, Theresa and John Shirley, and granddaughter, Susan Shirley, all of Middleway. Other family members include a sister, Lula Belle Cuthbert of Coal City; a brother and sister-in-law, James and Jo Ellen Quesenberry of Lynchburg, Va.; a sister-in-law, Billie Louise Good of Daniels. In lieu of flowers and service, the family requested that friends and co-workers enjoy an evening out with loved ones in remembrance of him. Arrangements by Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Charles Town.
SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. - Billie Jean Williams, 73, of Simpsonville, formerly of Mabscott, W.Va., died June 19, 2000, at home after a long illness. She was a homemaker. Surviving: daughter, Karen Williams Stover of Simpsonville; sons, Dennis C. of Greer, Wes of Fombell, Pa.; brothers, Bob DeHart of Aiken, Clyde DeHart of Jackson, Ted DeHart of North Augusta, Glen DeHart of Greenville; four grandchildren; one great-grandson. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Melton Mortuary, Beckley, W.Va., with the Rev. Phillip Hamilton officiating. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. [WWHS Class of 1945]
Gerlanda V. "Jennie" Amato, 75, of Beckley, died Wednesday, June 21, 2000, after a sudden, short illness. Miss Amato was the devoted daughter of the late Salvatore "Sam" and Rosalia (Mrs. Sam) Amato of Pemberton, and was the cherished sister of the late Emanuel Amato, Guy Amato, Angeline Amato and Antoinette (nee Amato) Alaimo, and sister-in-law of the late James Alaimo, Kay Amato and Dr. Francis L. Edwards. She is survived by her beloved sisters, Dr. Theresa Amato Edwards and Catherine Amato of Beckley; her adoring nieces and nephews, Francis L. Edwards II and his wife, Carol, of Rockville, Md., Samuel Edwards and his wife, Charlotte, of Lutz, Fla., D.R. Edwards and her husband, Warren Browne, of Chicago, Samuel C. Amato and his wife, Patricia, of Baltimore, Joseph Amato and his wife, Diane Ferguson, of Ellicott City, Md., Mary Kathleen (nee Amato) Hall and her husband, Ken, of Winchester, Va., Harry Amato of Baltimore and Samuel T. Amato and his wife, Melanie, of Beckley; 17 great- and great-great nieces and nephews; and a large extended family. She is also survived by her many dear friends and colleagues and by her legions of students. Miss Amato was born July 20, 1924, in Pemberton. Upon graduation from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1942, she attended West Virginia University and earned her A.B. degree in physical science/social studies in 1946 and her M.A. degree in 1949. She began her 54-year teaching career at Stoco High School (1946-1957) and later taught for many years at Beckley Junior High School (1957-1967) and Park Junior High School (1967-1986). Upon her retirement from full-time teaching in 1986, she continued to teach on a substitute basis until the onset of her illness. In addition to her lifelong devotion to teaching, Miss Amato was active in numerous professional, social, civic and religious organizations. Among those organizations were the Xi Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (in which she held many leadership positions from 1972-2000), the Raleigh County Association of Retired School Employees (for which she served as president and treasurer), the West Virginia Association of Retired School Employees, the Education Alliance (for which she served on the Raleigh County Development Committee at the time of her death), the National Science Teachers Association, the National Education Association, the Woman's Club of Beckley (for which she served as treasurer), the Friends of the Library, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church (where she was a member of the Ladies of St. Francis and the choir, and served as Eucharistic minister, usher and organizer of ushers for Sunday Masses until her untimely illness). During her long and prosperous life, Miss Amato also loved to travel the country and the world, to spend time with her sisters, friends and colleagues, to lavish her nieces and nephews with love and guidance and to devote many hours each week to her church. One of her many proud achievements was helping to relocate the Pemberton Church to New River Park. The family wishes to thank all of Miss Amato's many dear friends, colleagues and extended family who called, visited, sent cards and best wishes, ran errands, did chores and prayed so hard during Miss Amato's sudden illness and upon her death. Your love and kindness will forever be remembered and appreciated. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley. A prayer service will be 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church. The celebrants will be the Rev. Samuel S. Sacus and the Rev. Mr. W. Donald Wise. Pallbearers will be her nephews and nephews-in-law, Samuel C. Amato, Joseph Amato, Francis Edwards II, Samuel Edwards, Harry Amato, Guy Amato, Samuel T. Amato, Ken Hall and Warren Browne. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. The family will be receiving visitors at 822 S. Kanawha St. Contributions in Miss Amato's memory may be made to St. Francis deSales Catholic Church, the church or the charity of the giver's choice, or to the Beckley Area Foundation, Woman's Club of Beckley Fund. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
Martha Isabelle Hill Wood, 65, formerly of Bradley, died Thursday, June 8, 2000, at her home in Alderson following a short illness. Born Feb. 22, 1935, in Hinton, she was the daughter of the late John and Eva Huffman Hill. Mrs. Wood was a homemaker, an avid gardener and enjoyed the outdoors and sewing. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, and Bluefield State College as a registered nurse. Mrs. Wood was an active member of Alderson Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Tri County Memorial VFW Post 6723, Alderson. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Bob Edge; a stepdaughter, Nancy Wood Canterbury; a brother, Robert Samuel Hill; and two sisters, Betty Joyce Hill and Ramona A. Hill. Survivors include her husband, Lacy H. Wood; a stepdaughter, Geri Dotson and her husband, Wayne, of Alderson; six brothers, Don Hill of Alderson, Bill Hill of Ballard, Dwayne Hill and his wife, Maria, of Ellicott City, Md., John Hill and Frank Hill and his wife, Jane, all of Baltimore, and Steve Hill and his wife, Betty, of Amisville, Va
John A. "Skeet" Brown, 49, of Mabscott [WWHS Class of 1968], died Sunday, May 28, 2000, at a Beckley hospital following a short illness. Born July 24, 1950, he was the son of Helen Brown and the late John A. Brown Jr. Mr. Brown was a Long Airdox employee with 25 years of service. He was preceded in death by a sister, Donna Jones. Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Teresa Brown; three sons, Jason Brown of Mabscott, Jeremy Brown of Fort Bragg, N.C., and Gregory Brown of Mabscott; two brothers, Bob Brown and his wife, Patti, of Cabell Heights and Julius Brown and his wife, Dana, of Crab Orchard; and nine nieces and 10 nephews. Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with Pastor Edward Garten officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Johnny Browning, Dean Mooney, Robert Handley, Ricky Scott, Robert Filipek and Harold Pack. Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.
Frieda M. Cadle, 78, of Brookwood Lane, Beckley, passed away Saturday, May 20, 2000, following a short illness. Born April 4, 1922, at Amigo, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Nellie Hoffman Rogers. Mrs. Cadle was a homemaker and the mother of four daughters. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and attended Sullins College in Bristol, Va. She was a member of Maxwell Hill Baptist Church, the Alpha Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and the Sarah Circle of the First United Methodist Church, and had served as a Girl Scout leader. Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Billy G. Cadle; four daughters, Barbara W. Thomas of Beckley, Linda K. Hamilton and her husband, Bob, of South Point, Ohio, Cynthia J. Jackson of Beckley, and Sherry E. Demyan and her husband, Greg, of Beckley. She is also survived and blessed with eight grandchildren, Salem Jackson Jr., Sabe Jackson and Nathan Jackson, all of Wheelersburg, Ohio, Natalie, Lindsey and Catherine Hamilton, all of South Point, Ohio, and Andrew and Lucas Demyan, both of Beckley. She will be sadly missed by her family. Following cremation, a memorial service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Kenneth Killen officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.
Irven Jack Jones, 79, of Reservoir Road, Beckley, died Thursday, May 18, 2000, in a Charleston hospital following an automobile accident. Born Dec. 4, 1920, in Arno, Va., he was the son of the late Roy H. and Lola Gilbert Jones. Mr. Jones spent his childhood in Stanaford and attended Woodrow Wilson High School. He worked for Appalachian Power Co. for 24 years and retired from Eastern Associated Coal Corp. as a shop electrician in 1980. He had been a resident of Reservoir Road since 1993, having moved from Dawson, Greenbrier County. Mr. Jones attended First Baptist Church, Beckley, the Fellowship Sunday School Class and served on the Deacon Board. He was an avid dog lover. He was preceded in death by a sister, Cleo Jean Simmons. Survivors included his wife of 49 years, Frances Patterson Jones; a brother, Bill H. Jones and his wife, Lucy, of Englewood, Fla.; an aunt, Ann Morton of Appalachia, Va.; a sister-in-law, Wanda Lickliter of Beckley; a brother-in-law, Charles T. Patterson and his wife, Bette, of Beckley; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church, 422 Neville St., Beckley, with Dr. David Carrico and the Revs. Bob Matherly and James A. Hamrick officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at Melton Mortuary, Beckley, and one hour before services Monday at the church. Pallbearers will be David Lickliter, Randy Lickliter, Robert Rhodes, John Kirby, Dan Janutolo and Robert Coburn. Donations of sympathy may be made to First Baptist Church, 422 Neville St., Beckley, WV 25801. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Ruby D. Brammer, 81, of Beaver, died Friday, May 5, 2000, at Raleigh General Hospital following a short illness. Born June 26, 1918, at Long Bottom, she was the daughter of the late Fred H. and Bessie May Berry Plumley. Mrs. Brammer lived 62 years in Beaver. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1936, and attended business school in Charleston. She was a member of Beaver United Methodist Church and was a charter member of Shady Spring District Woman's Club, where she served as treasurer for 20 years. She also served as treasurer of West Virginia Lions Pin Trading Club. She was preceded in death by a sister, Nena Lilly of Columbus, Ohio; and two brothers, Carlos O. and Thomas F. Plumley of Beckley. Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Wetsel W. Brammer; a son, Wetsel Jerry Brammer and wife, Barbara, of Miami, Fla.; four grandchildren, Gerry Ann Smith and husband, Allen, of Fairfield, Calif., Derrick Brammer and wife, Christine, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Jay Brammer of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Jeffrey Brammer and wife, Stacey, of Columbus, Ga.; one brother, Russell Dale Plumley and wife, Pegi, of Columbus, Ohio; three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Virgil Cook officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Carl, Richard, Mike and O'Dell Plumley, and member of the Beaver Lions Club. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
Roland Lee Deering, 48, of Beckley, died Friday, May 5, 2000, at a Beckley hospital following a short illness. Born June 11, 1951, in Beckley, he was the son of Carrie Mae Jones Deering of Beckley and the late James Roland Deering Jr. Mr. Deering was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and Raleigh County Vocational-Technical School. He was formerly employed at Armco Steel Corp. as an apprentice electrician. He was preceded in death by a brother, James T. Deering; and a daughter, Charmone Deering. Survivors include his loving companion, Nancy Scott; a brother, Douglas Deering of Beckley; four sisters, Helen Mashburn of Fort Lee, N.J., Ola Hamilton and James Bly of Bronx, N.Y., Marion McClary of New York City and Diane Williams and husband, Lee, of Beckley; a sister-in-law, Pamela Deering of Cleveland; a daughter, Leigh Ann Deering; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Services will be 3 p.m. Monday at St. Matthew A.M.E. Church, 103 Mills Ave., Beckley, with the Rev. Abner Wright and Elder Luther Hairston officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before services Monday at the church. Arrangements by Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.
William Lloyd "Bill" Bower, 82, of Carriage Drive, Beckley, died Saturday, May 6, 2000, at his home following a short illness. Born Dec. 7, 1917 in Mabscott, he was the son of the later Eric and Vaulda Loflin Bower. Mr. Bower spent his childhood in Mabscott, was a 1937 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and attended Bluefield State College. He entered the armed forces during World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps as a tail gunner. He returned to Beckley and began a career with Beckley Machine. He helped found Universal Corp., where he was a salesman and vice president for 45 years, retiring in 1987. He was also past president of Sell-Lease Corp. He was a member of Beckley Presbyterian Church and Black Knight Country Club for 31 years, where he was past vice president. He was an avid golfer. He was the mayor of Mabscott in the early 1950s. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lee Vest Bower; and two brothers, Robert Ray "Bobby" Bower, who died in the Iwo Jima invasion, and Joe Bower. Survivors include a son, Bob Bower and his wife, Margot, of Beckley and their son, Bobby Bower, of Lansing; a sister-in-law, Mary Bower, and her daughters, Nancy Hall and Linda Ramsey, all of Beckley; a brother-in-law, Tom Vest and his wife, Betty, of Clearwater, Fla.; and a sister-in-law, Sarah Vest of Madison, Ind. Services will be 3 p.m. Monday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may call one hour before services Monday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Randy Snuffer, Coe Allen, Lonnie Moore, Bill Dozier and Milt Honts. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
SALEM, Va. - McRay Banks "Mac" Riley, 62, died Friday, May 5, 2000, in a Salem care home following a long illness. Born Nov. 6, 1938, in Beckley, he was the son of Henry Riley of Beckley and the late Virginia Reed Riley. Mr. Riley spent his childhood in Beckley and attended Woodrow Wilson High School. He entered the U.S. Air Force, serving for more than 22 years. While in the Air Force he served two tours of duty in Alaska. Mr. Riley retired in 1978 and, shortly after, settled in Salem. He was preceded in death by a brother, Archie Riley. Survivors include his wife, Bernice Mae Walker Riley, whom he married Feb. 27, 1961; two daughters, Linda Vaden and her husband, Louis, of Gretiva, Va., and Johnna Sanson and her husband, Rocky, of Christiansburg, Va.; three grandchildren, Derrick, Addison and Sydney; and two brothers, Larry Riley of Appleton, Wis., and Nick Riley of Beckley. Services will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. James Lawson officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Military services will be conducted by the Oak Hill VFW Post 3110. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Miss Thelma Ruth Meador, 73, of Queen St., died at a Beckley hospital on Thursday, April 20, 2000, following a 26 year battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born Jan. 9, 1927, at Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Mack M. and Thelma Dunkley Meador. Miss Meador was a Woodrow Wilson High School graduate. She graduated from Concord College and West Virginia University with a masters degree and 30 hours of post graduate work. She taught school at Mount View Junior High School, Beckley Junior High School, Mabscott Elementary and retiring from Institute Elementary in 1977 due to ill health. Miss Meador was a member of the West Virginia Education Association, the Retired Teachers Organization and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was an active member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Courthouse Square, where she was a member of the CAF Sunday School class and Groups 6 & 9 and the CWF of the church. Survivors include her sister and caregiver, Frances Meador at home; a brother, Robert Meador and his wife, Jeanette, of Wheeling; five nieces and nephews and their spouses and a great niece and four great nephews. A memorial service will be noon Saturday at the First Christian Church, Courthouse Square, with the Rev. Russell Smith and Edwin Shriver officiating. Donations of sympathy may be made to the First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1305, Beckley, WV 25802 or Parkinson Research, Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 394, Charlottesville, Va. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Patricia Lynn George Nasby, 40, of Maryland Avenue, Beckley, died Monday, May 1, 2000, at her home. Born June 24, 1959, in Beckley, she was the daughter of Lawrence Michael "Larry" George of Beckley and Patricia "Pat" Weeks George of Beckley. Mrs. Nasby was a lifelong resident of Beckley and a 1976 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. She attended Marshall University and was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church. She enjoyed horseback riding and was an avid animal lover. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, George and Adele George; and her maternal grandfather, Russell Weeks. Other survivors include a son, Casey Robert Nasby of Beckley; a daughter, Courtney Lynn Nasby of Beckley; a sister, Beverly George Mamone and her husband, Tony, of Beckley; a nephew, Michael Anthony Culicerto and his wife, Angela, of Beckley; a niece, Talia Michelle Mamone of Beckley; her maternal grandmother, Jeannette Weeks of Beckley; her stepmother, Carole Warren George of Beckley, and her children, Danny Warren of Beckley, Lynn Warren of Studio City, Calif., and Danette Castillo of Margate, Fla. She is also survived by the father of her children, Robert Nasby, and his parents, Bob and Edna Nasby, all of Beckley. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 200 Virginia St., Beckley, with the Revs. Bill Bozman and Howard Backus, Dr. David Carrico and Father Michael Tassos officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley. Pallbearers will be Tony Culicerto, Al Wiggins, Russell Weeks, Tom Weeks, Russell Weeks Jr. and Danny Warren. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
WONDERLAND - Helen Johnson Surface, 68, died Monday, April 24, 2000, at a Beckley hospital following a long illness. Born May 11, 1932, in Cunard, she was the daughter of the late John Lewis Johnson Sr. and Mae Belle Sexton Johnson. Mrs. Surface was a retired supervisor for the State of West Virginia Department of Welfare with 32 years of service. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and Morris Harvey College. She was also a member of Gatewood Church of God. She was preceded in death by a brother, John Lewis Johnson Jr.; and a sister, Margaret Anne Morrison. Survivors include her husband, Lake Surface; a brother, Charles Douglas Johnson of North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home Chapel, Fayetteville, with the Revs. Morris Nutter and Jackie Pittman officiating. Burial will follow in Huse Memorial Park, Fayetteville. Friends may call 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville.