Roger L. Abbott
Roger L. Abbott, 51, of Sissonville died Thursday, April 16, 1998, in CAMC, General Division, after a short illness.
He was a disabled construction worker and a graduate of Sissonville High School.
Surviving: daughters, Angel and Heather Abbott of Charleston; son, Todd of Charleston; sisters, Tammy Fisher of Kenna, Sandra Goff of York, S.C.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Long-Fisher Funeral Home, Pocatalico with the Rev. Harold Jones officiating. Burial will be in Huddleston & Abbott Cemetery, Kanawha Falls.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Edward H. Anderson
HICO -- Edward Hugh Anderson, 78, of Hico died Wednesday, April 15, 1998, in Hilltop Nursing Home, Oak Hill, after a long illness.
He was a retired coal miner and of the Pentecostal faith.
Surviving: wife, Emma Jean Anderson; daughters, Betty Martin of North Carolina, Delsa Dunlap of Jesse, Kathyrn Blackburn of Kermit, Geneva Hall of Lookout; sons, Buford Anderson of Victor, Edward Anderson Jr. of Gauley Bridge, Clinton Anderson of Virginia; sisters, Pearl Blankenship of Gauley Bridge, Mary Johnson of Powellton; stepdaughters, Karen Lilly of Tennessee, Roberta Legg of Victor, Lisa Anderson of North Carolina, Judy Hall and Kathy Fox of Lookout; stepson, Robert Fox Jr. of Hico; 22 grandchildren, seven stepgrandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren; one great-stepgrandchild.
Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Wallace-Wallace Funeral Home, Ansted, with the Rev. John Syner officiating. Burial will be in Nuttall Cemetery, Edmond.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Ira V. Atkinson
BECKLEY -- Ira Vernon Atkinson, 76, of Beckley died Wednesday, April 15, 1998, after a long illness.
He was a retired coal miner, having last worked for Westmoreland Coal Co., a member of the UMW and Mabscott Holiness Church.
Surviving: wife, Elzie Marie Smith Atkinson; son, Larry V. Atkinson of Punta Gorda, Fla.; daughter, Carla Renee Massey of Fayetteville; brother, Richard Atkinson of Beckley; three grandchildren.
Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Rose-Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley, with the Rev. Dennis Williams and the Rev. E.G. "Buzz" Keller officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Oak Grove.
Friends may call Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Louis E. Bellville
LEON -- Louis E. Bellville, 74, of Leon died Thursday, April 16, 1998, in Cabell Huntington Hospital.
He was a retired employee of Owens-Illinois Glass Co.
Surviving: nephew and caregiver, Harold Thomas of Leon; several brothers and sisters.
Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Crow-Hussell Funeral Home, Point Pleasant, with the Rev. Johnny Hayman officiating. Burial will be in Yauger Cemetery, Leon.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
James E. Bennett
MOUNT CARBON -- James Earl Bennett, 73, of Mount Carbon died Thursday, April 16, 1998, in Montgomery General Hospital.
He was a retired carpenter from Adena Development, Mount Carbon, a former miner from Central Appalachian Coal Co., Montgomery, an Army veteran of World War II, a member of the American Legion and Post 8742, VFW, Montgomery. He attended Bethel Church at Smithers.
Surviving: wife, Edna Mae Bennett; granddaughters, Deborah Lynn Griffith and Brigit Deanna Andrews of Smithers; great-granddaughter, Heather Marie Griffith of Smithers; great-grandson, Travis James Andrews of Smithers.
Service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at O'Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, with the Rev. Claude R. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Montgomery Memorial Park, London, with military graveside rites conducted by VFW Post 8366 of Gauley Bridge, Post 8742 of Montgomery and Post 7695 of Ansted.
Friends may call two hours prior to service at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Bethel Church, Box 864, Smithers, WV 25136.
Shirley A. Bess
COWEN -- Shirley A. Bess, 57, of Cowen died Thursday, April 16, 1998, at home after a long illness.
She was born in Weirton, was a beautician and a homemaker.
Surviving: sons, Danny of Cowen, Sam of Webster Springs; sisters, Roberta Eagle of Parkersburg, Vannie Eagle of Cleveland, Ohio; brothers, Rodney Eagle and Rollie Eagle of Parkersburg; three grandchildren.
Graveside service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Oddfellows Cemetery, Cowen, with the Rev. Cofer Cochran officiating.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Adams Funeral Home, Cowen.
Robert N. Braxton
Robert Nathaniel "Big Brack" Braxton, 85, of Charleston died Wednesday, April 15, 1998 in Morris Memorial Nursing Home, Milton, after a long illness.
He was a retired brick mason with 50 years of service, a 33rd Degree Mason, member of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons, Kanawha Success Lodge 32, Knights of Pythias, an Army veteran of World War II, a Shriner, member of Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church, a graduate of Garnet High School and former owner of Palmer Bar B Q Stand.
Surviving: daughters, Ramona Braxton-Samuels of Charleston, Macel Ann Braxton of Huntington; one stepgrandson.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery.
Friends may call one hour prior to service at the church. Scott Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Garnet Crawford
McDONOUGH, Ga. -- Garnet Crawford, 91, of McDonough, formerly of MacArthur, W.Va., died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Georgia.
She was a homemaker, charter member of Hollywood Baptist Church, MacArthur, and a member of Sharon Baptist Church, McDonough.
Surviving: daughter, Betty Davis of McDonough; sons, Arlen V. Crawford of Toledo, Ohio, Edward E. Crawford of MacArthur, Richard Crawford of Titusville, Fla.; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.
Services will be 3 p.m. Friday at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel of Faith, Beckley, with Lewis Tolbert officiating. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.
Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements.
Josephine L. Dorsey
Josephine L. "Barney" Dorsey, 72, of Belle, formerly of Ripley, died Thursday, April 16, 1998, at the home of her daughter after a long illness.
Surviving: son, Danny Dorsey of Nashville, Tenn.; daughters, Deborah Palmer of Belle, Eileen Likyns of Tad, Cathy Jordan of South Charleston, Jamie Hodges of Campbells Creek; brothers, Bill Barney of South Charleston, John and Paul Barney of Ripley; sister, Patsy Sharp of Ripley; one grandchild.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Fairplain Cemetery, Ripley, with the Rev. Richard Young officiating.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Parsons-Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley.
Charles G. Dunn
POINT PLEASANT -- Charles Gene Dunn, 72, of Point Pleasant died Wednesday, April 15, 1998 in Mason County after a short illness
He was a member of George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association Edgewater (Colo.) Lodge No. 159, was an Army veteran and was a retired railroad employee.
Surviving: wife, Betty Jane Jeffers Dunn; brothers, Clifford of Henderson, Kenneth of Charleston.
Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Mount Union United Methodist Church, Pliny, with the Rev. Fred McCallister officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Friends will be 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Wilcoxen Funeral Home, Point Pleasant, and one hour prior to service at the church.
Rachel K. Faber
HUNTINGTON -- Rachel Katherine Faber, 98, of Huntington died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, at home.
She attended Elizabeth College, Salem, Va., was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Buford Chapter DAR.
Surviving: nieces, Mary Catherine Remer of Hilton Head, S.C., Shirley Rawlins of South Charleston, Anna Steele of Statesville, N.C.
Service will be 2 p.m. Monday at St. Paul Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeffrey Wick and Pastor Charles Aurand officiating. Entombment will be in Woodmere Abbey of Remembrance, Huntington.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary, Huntington. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Foster Memorial Home, St. Paul Lutheran Church or a charity of choice.
Vivian Gautier
CRAB ORCHARD -- Vivian Coburn Gautier, 100, of Crab Orchard, died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in a Beckley hospital after a long illness.
She retired in 1979 from Raleigh General Hospital with more than 24 years of service and was a Christian.
Surviving: daughters, Gertrude G. Snyder of Beckley, Juanita Hall of Winston-Salem, N.C., Alberta Miller of Palm Bay, Fla.; sons, Burton A. Gautier of Midway, Otis D. Gautier of Crab Orchard; sisters, Trilby Clark of Roanoke, Va., Leorin Coburn of Pennsylvania; 14 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 32 great-great-grandchildren.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Melton Mortuary, Beckley, with the Rev. Jim Stanley and the Rev. Robert Doan officiating. Burial will be in Davis Cemetery, Mount Tabor Road, Beckley.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Ethel V. Gibson
GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- Ethel Virginia Gibson, 90, of Gulf Breeze, formerly of Beckley, W.Va., died Wednesday, April 15, 1998, in Gulf Breeze after a short illness.
Melton Mortuary, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements.
John L. Gillispie
John Lewis "Junior" Gillispie, 75, of Alum Creek died Thursday, April 16, 1998, in Americare Dunbar Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a long illness.
He was a member of Briar Creek Baptist Church, a retired forklift operator from Industrial Warehouse and an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving: wife, Margaret Gillispie; daughters, Claudia Parsons and Darlene Payne of Alum Creek, Carol Jean Banks of Charleston, Diana Spurlock of Cross Lanes; son, Curtis Gillispie of Alum Creek; stepson, Michael Gibson of Alum Creek; brother, Harold Gillispie of Alum Creek; 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with the Rev. Tommy Roberts officiating. Entombment will be in Graceland Memorial Park Mausoleum, South Charleston.
Friends may call from 6 to 8:30 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Lee R. Gunnoe
Lee Roy Gunnoe, 76, of Charleston died Wednesday, April 15, 1998, in Charleston Area Medical Center after a short illness.
He retired from Libby-Owens-Ford Glass Plant, was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific Theatre, and was a member of South Park Presbyterian Church.
Surviving: wife, Betty Gunnoe; daughters, Carol Howie of Charlotte, N.C., Barbara Barnard of Kenna, Trina Gunnoe of Charleston; sisters, Irene Morris of St. Albans, Mary Jane Burdette of Ft. McCoy, Fla.; brother, Curtis of Charleston; four grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at South Park Presbyterian Church. The family suggests memorial contributions to South Park Presbyterian Church, 941 South Park Road, Charleston, WV 25304.
Ronzel J. Harris
MOUNT ZION -- Ronzel Joe "Ronnie" Harris, 56, of Barnes Run Community, Mount Zion, died Wednesday, April 15, 1998, at home of an apparent heart attack.
He was a native of Calhoun County, a former mayor of Grantsville, member of the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department, Grantsville Lions Club and Mount Olive United Methodist Church of Hur. He was a former employee of B.F. Goodrich Corp., the Kellwood Co. and was employed by Henkels and McCoy.
Surviving: wife, Dottie Stull Harris; daughter, Angelia Kay Slider of Mount Zion; mother, Sarah Harris of Grantsville; brothers, Donald Ray and Eddie of Grantsville, Harley Gail of Big Bend, Clyde of North Carolina, Bernard of Mount Zion; sisters, Carol Wine of Mount Zion, Bonnie Lemley of Grantsville; two grandsons; one stepgrandson.
Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Stump Funeral Home, Grantsville, with the Rev. Glendon McKee and the Rev. Brad McBee officiating. Burial will be in Carpenter Cemetery, Hur.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Sharon L. Leighton
Sharon L. Leighton, 49, of Clendenin, died Monday, April 13, 1998, in National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Md., after a long illness.
She was a 16-year resident of Clendenin, an employee of Neurological Associates, a former supervisor for SVI Laboratory Services and a Christian.
Surviving: husband, Robert D. Leighton; daughter, Vanessa R. Davis of West Carrollton, Ohio; stepdaughter, Lana M. McCormick of Nitro; stepsons, Robert L. Leighton of Buffalo, Craig E. of St. Albans; parents, Naomi Craigo of Black Betsy; sister, Luanna G. Higginbotham of Nitro; brothers, Dencil Craigo of Poca, Dale Craigo of St. Albans, Oshel Craigo of Winfield; three grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with the Rev. John McCoy and Shannon Craigo-Snell officiating. Burial will be in Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens, Red House.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 2428 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25311.
Norwood Lester
LAKE -- Norwood "Woodie" Lester, 78, of Lake, Logan County, died Thursday, April 16, 1998, in Valley Health Village, South Charleston.
He was a self-employed carpenter, former commander of VFW Post 3668 at Lake, a World War II veteran of the 101st Airborne Division, serving on D-Day in Normandy and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
Surviving: daughters, Wilma Avsec of Richmond, Va., Annetta Sue Bonham of Sissonville, Beverly Jane Jenkins of Alum Creek; brothers, Charles Lester of Hewett, Dillard Lester of Medina, Ohio; sisters, Hazel Nichols of Hewett, Della Wallen of Ripley; four grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Stevens Funeral Home, Madison, with Earl Akers officiating. Burial will be in Nelson Cemetery, Lake, with military graveside rites.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association or Kanawha Hospice in Dunbar.
Connor C. Lyons
POINT PLEASANT -- Connor Christopher Lyons, son of Chris John and Cheryl Harris Lyons of Point Pleasant, was stillborn Wednesday, April 15, 1998, in Pleasant Valley Hospital, Point Pleasant.
Also surviving: maternal grandparents, Connie and William Cash of Leon; paternal grandparents, Darlene and Rocky Bonecutter of Point Pleasant, Nessa and John Lyons of Point Pleasant; paternal great-grandmother, Ruby Newell of Point Pleasant; maternal great-grandmothers, Chrystal Cash of Leon, Irene Mills of Beckley.
Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at New Lone Oak Cemetery, Point Pleasant, with the Rev. Keith Thomas officiating. Deal-Brown Funeral Home, Point Pleasant, is in charge of arrangements.
Samuel E. McCleese
Samuel Edward McCleese, 14-month-old son of Jennifer and Duke McCleese of Hernshaw, died Wednesday, April 15, 1998, en route to Women and Children's Hospital after a short illness, said a spokesman with the state medical examiner's office.
Also surviving: grandparents, Eddie and Rita Selbe and Paul and June McCleese of Hernshaw.
Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet, with the Rev. Farley McCormick officiating. Burial will follow in Marmet Cemetery.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Ruth E. McCoy
PARKERSBURG -- Ruth E. McCoy, 65, of Parkersburg died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Charleston Area Medical Center.
She was a retired secretary, homemaker and member of Liberty Street Church of God.
Surviving: husband, Haze McCoy; daughter, Debra Hathaway of Fort Mill, N.C.; sons, David McCoy of Silver Spring, Md., Bruce McCoy of Parkersburg; father, Gaylord Miller of Fayetteville; sisters, Corrine Brightwell of Newark, Del., Faye Andreassen of San Jose, Calif.; brother, Larry Miller of Kimberly; four grandchildren.
Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Leavitt Funeral Home, Parkersburg, with the Rev. Brian Harrell officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memory Gardens.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association.
Emma M. Miller
PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Emma May Miller, 94, of Phoenix, formerly of Charleston, W.Va., died Sunday, April 12, 1998, in Phoenix.
She was a retired nurse.
Surviving: daughter, Martha Ellen Zegeer of Phoenix; sisters, Luda Sowards of Hamlin, W.Va., Roxie Smith of Griffithsville, W.Va., Obeda "Bee" Adkins of Parkersburg, W.Va.; brother, James Miller of Hamlin; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren.
Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin, with the Rev. J.W. Burch officiating. Burial will be in Allen Cemetery, Madison, W.Va.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Carl N. Morris
STONY BOTTOM -- Carl N. "Grump" Morris, 62, of Stony Bottom died Tuesday,April 14, 1998, at home after a long illness.
He was born in Parkersburg, retired from the Dupont Washington Works with 33 years of service, was a member of the First Baptist Church of Huntersville and a Marine Corps veteran.
Surviving: wife, Peggy Buchanan Morris; sons, Dana and Jay of Parkersburg; daughter, Susan McNear of Parkersburg; stepson, Brian Grogan of Parkersburg; stepdaughter, Deborah Garrett of Dover, Ohio; brothers, Wayne Morris of Maxton, N.C., Clair Morris of Wilkesboro, N.C.; six grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Pine Grove Church of the Brethren, Arbovale, with the Rev. Wayne Morris and Rev. David Rittenhouse officiating. Burial will be in Stony Bottom Cemetery, Stony Bottom, with military graveside rites.
Friends may call from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Ronald McDonald House in Roanoke, Va., in memory of Morris.
Elmer Morris
WILKINSON -- Elmer Morris, 82, of Wilkinson died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Logan General Hospital after a short illness.
He was a retired coal miner from Oma Mining, a member of the UMW and a Baptist.
Surviving: sons, Jimmy Morris of Gaffney, S.C., Paul Morris of Cleveland, Ohio,; daughter, Phyllis Abbott of Rocky River, Ohio; sister, Hester Blankenship of Florida; brothers, Elmer Morris and Ardy Morris of Columbus, Ohio; several nieces and nephews.
Service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Collins-Slater Funeral Home, Switzer, with the Rev. Cecil Spry officiating. Burial will be in Highland Memory Garden.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.