Devanis K. Billups
Devanis K. Billups, 92, of Hurricane died March 17, 2001, in Putnam General Hospital.
She was a member and former Sunday school teacher at Trace Fork Missionary Baptist Church. She was the widow of the late Earnest Billups, a homemaker and a lifelong resident of the area.
Surviving: daughters, Verona Sowards of Hurricane, Gay Morrison of Orange City, Florida and Margaret Thomasson of Huntington; brothers, Ray Smith of Pt. Pleasant and Donnie Smith of Hurricane; grandchildren, Michael Beckett, Mary Katherin Sumner, Donna Beckett, Steve Hodges III, Roger Hodges, and Mary Margaret Thomasson.
Service was held March 20, 2001 at Trace Fork Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. David Sumner and Rev. Jim Landis officiat ing. Burial was in the church cemetery. Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, was in charge of arrangements.
Lillie Virginia Daly
Lillie Virginia Daly, 88, of Ona, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 15, 2001, in SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation, Hurricane. Funeral services were conducted Sunday, March 18, 2001, at Beulah Ann Missionary Baptist Church, Ona, with Pastor Paul Meadows officiating. Burial in Arthur Cemetery, Ona. She was born July 30, 1912, in Cabell County, W.Va., a daughter of the late Ira and Julia Dillie Gibson. She was also preceded in death by her husband, William A. Daly, who went to be with the Lord on October 25, 1999; and one brother, Earnie Gibson. Lillie was a homemaker and Baptist by faith. She was a member of Beulah Ann Missionary Baptist Church. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Julia Anna and Murrill Chapman of Ona, and Edna Mae and Joe Booten of Huntington; one brother, James Gibson of Delaware, Ohio; one sister, Verna Mae Sargent of Milton; four grandsons, Bruce Ivan and Peggy Chapman, Brent Andrew and Terri Chapman, Brian Vernon and Marquitte Chapman and James William and Susan Belcher; two step-grandchildren, Dr. James and Sherri Mears, and Joseph Edward and Leah Booten; two beloved great-granddaughters, Rebecca Jane Chapman and Rachel Elizabeth Belcher; five step-great-grandchildren, Amy and Ralph Collins, Amanda and David Clagg, Victoria Booten Kirby Booten and Sara Mears; four great-great-grandchildren Brandon Collins, Jacob Collins, Chelsa Clagg and Holly Clagg; and a host of family and friends. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements.
Reva Arlene Harbour Johnson
Mrs. Reva Arlene Harbour Johnson, of Ona, and formerly of Huntington and Salt Rock, W.Va., died Monday, March 12, 2001, in St. Mary’s Hospital as the result of an extended illness. She now rests with her precious parents, Curtis and Essie Harbour; her brothers, Russell, Charles, Jimmy and Bill; her sister-in-law, Ann Harbour; her niece, Emma Helen Stephens; and her son-in-law, Leonard Hand. She and her husband Robert were married for 65 years, and had four children. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children and their spouses, Robert and Ann Johnson, Dewey and Shirley Johnson, Sandra Hand and Delores and Roland Esque. She had 14 grandchildren, Cynthia Adam, Laura Inman, Tracy Johnson, Amy Smith, Richard Johnson, Danny Johnson, Beth Gillespie, David Johnson, Greg Johnson, Deborah Johnson, Arthur Hand, Katie Hand, Doug Esque and Crystal Welch and their spouses and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by the following brothers and sisters and their families: Mrs. Russell (Dorothy) Harbour, Frennis Harbour, Fern and Les Maynard, Mrs. Jimmie (Julie) Harbour Clark, Darrell Harbour, Mrs. Bill (Dessie) Harbour, Juanita and Jack Adkins, Ouida and Emerson Pearson, Winston and Reba Harbour, Edward and Rachel Harbour and Judy and Bob Loudermilk; and a very special friend Jeanne Scheid. She was blessed with 35 nieces and nephews, a host of friends too numerous to mention and wonderful and caring neighbors. Arlene attended Guyan Valley High School and graduated from Barboursville High School. She later graduated from Century College of Business, and her work career included various sales and office management positions.
She was a lifelong member of the Methodist faith, and had been a member of Seventh Avenue United Methodist Church and its merging churches, now Faith United Methodist Church since 1949. She served on many committees throughout the years prior to her illness. Funeral services were held at Faith United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 15, 2001, with interment
immediately following at Enon Cemetery in Salt Rock, W.Va. Grandsons served as pallbearers. Johnson-Nichols Funeral Home, Wayne, was in charge of arrangements.
Elma Donahoe
Elma Donahoe, 99, of Huntington, died Sunday, March 11, 2001 in Heartland of Riverview, South Point, Ohio. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at Henson Mortuary, by the Rev. Henry Clay. Burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. She was born October 5, 1901, in Gallia County, Ohio, daughter of the late Thomas T. and Lennie Coleman Myers. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Hensie Donahoe; one sister, Retha Elkins; and two brothers, Raleigh and Howard Myers. She was a homemaker, and was a member of Davis-Bowen United Methodist Church, Hughes Branch Women’s Club, and the Barboursville Chapter #95 Order of Eastern Star where she was Past Worthy Matron and Past Grand Ruth. Survivors include nieces Jean Dunkle of Huntington, Frances Elkins of Ceredo, Lyndal Orser of Dublin, Ohio, Lois Silling of Barboursville, Betty Mae Douglas of Ashland, Ky., and Rhonda Rowland of Ardmore, Pa.; nephews Carl Elkins of Winnesboro, Texas, Kenneth Donahoe of Huntington, Harold Donahoe of Lakeland, Fla., Paul David Donahoe and Dwayne Bunn, both of Florida; and several nephews.
Shirley May Davis
Shirley May Davis, 82, of Milton passed away Sunday, March 11, 2001, at her residence. Funeral service were conducted Friday, March 16, 2001, at Heck Funeral Home, Milton, with the Rev. Keith Leap officiating. Burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville. She was born January 4, 1919, in Martha, W.Va, a daughter of the late Eugene and Essie France Dirton. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John W. Davis; a son, John Bill Davis; a brother, Freeman Dirton; and sisters, Pauline Chapman, Allene Fulton and Jean Williams. She was a cook for Milton Elementary. She was a member of the Milton United Methodist Church. She was active with the Milton Senior Citizens. She was also a member of the Midland Trail Farm Home Demonstration Club. She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and James Bell of Ona; one daughter-in-law, Sheryl Davis; three grandsons, Ron Jay Davis, Shawn Bell and Shane Bell and his wife Kim; six great-grandchildren, Ashley Bell, Terri Lynn Bell, Megan Wise, Ryan Wise, Greta Gillmeister and Greg Gillmeister; and her good buddy, Mark Wallace.
Kie Lawrence
Kie Lawrence, 50, of Milton, W.Va, died Monday, March 12, 2001, in Mariner Health Care, Huntington, W.Va. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at Milton Funeral Home by The Rev. Pete Davidson. Burial in Forest Memorial Park, Milton. He was formerly employed by Kerr Glass and a U.S. Army veteran. He was born April 1, 1950, to Kie Lawrence Jr. and Patricia Smarr Lawrence. Survivors include his mother, Patricia Smarr Lawrence of Huntington; his father, Kie Lawrence Jr. and wife, Lynn of South Point; one daughter, Summer Dawn and husband Bobby Lopez of Houston Texas; two grandchildren, Christian and Avery Lopez, both of Houston, Texas; and one sister, Lana Conner of Overland Park, Kan.
Charles Clinton Clark
Charles Clinton Clark, 62, of Lesage died Monday, March 12, 2001, in Pleasant Valley Hospital Point Pleasant. Graveside services were conducted Thursday, March 15, 2001, at Greenbottom Memorial Park by Pastor Robert Blake. He was born April 20, 1938, in Cabell County, a son of the late Donald Clark and Hazel Oldaker Clark Hesson. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He is survived by one brother, Donald Clark of Lesage; three half sisters, Helen Hesson of Lesage, Audrey Kwang of New Jersey and Rose McCaffery of Huntington; and one half brother, Preston Hesson of Lesage. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements.
Etta Marie Hickman
Etta Marie Hickman, 69, of Pliny, passed away, Monday, March 12, 2001 in St. Mary’s Hospital. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, March 15, 2001 at Mount Union Methodist Church with Rev. Charles Roush, Rev. Gary Hale, and Rev. Lester Errett officiating. Burial in the Mount Union Methodist Church Cemetery, Plantation Hill, Pliny. She was born October 20, 1931 a daughter of the late Edgar and Ina Wallace Martin. Etta was a member of the Mount Union Methodist Church. She was a seamstress for Corbin Ltd. She is survived by her husband, Harold Hickman; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Jo Ann and Sam Bird of Hurricane, Janet Frazier of Pliny, and Judy and Jim Warner of Chesterfield, Virginia; one son, James Hickman of Pliny; three brothers, Boyd Martin of Wilmington, North Carolina, Floyd Martin of Oregon, and Wilfred Martin of Las Vegas, Nevada; one sister, Irene McCall of Hopewell, Virginia; 6 grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 4 step-great-grandchildren. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements.
S. Myrtle Cook
S. Myrtle Cook, 99, of Hurricane, formerly of Clendenin, died March 6, 2001 in SunBridge Nursing Home after a short illness.
She was born at Amma, Roane County, and was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church, Clendenin, where she formerly was the secretary and a member of the Missionary Ladies Circle. She was a former employee of A.W. Cox Department Store, Clendenin.
Surviving: sister, Dorothy C. Fields, of St. Albans; several nieces and nephews.
Service was held Thursday, March 8, 2001, at Matics Funeral Home, Clendenin, with Dr. Robert Auclair officiating. Burial was in Clendenin Memorial Gardens.
Robert A. Webb
Robert A. Webb, 67, of Hurricane died March 2, 2001, at home after a long illness.
After retiring from Columbia Gas Transmission, he earned his real estate certificate and license. He was a 1951 graduate of Charleston High School and a former member of the Kanawha Beagle Club.
Surviving: son and daughter-in-law, Robert A. II and Karen Webb of Huntington; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Dewayne Means of St. Albans; mother, Ora Webb of St. Albans; sister, Rosalie Smith of St. Albans; brothers, James E. of Kenna and Bernard R. of Orlando, Florida; grandchildren, Kaycy, Ashley and Little Bill.
Service was held Thursday, March 8, 2001, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, with the Rev. Charles V. Williams officiating. Burial was in Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston.
Faye Stone Smolder
Faye Stone Smolder, 82, of Teays Valley, formerly of Dunbar, died March 6, 2001, in CAMC, Memorial Division.
She was a homemaker and a native of Putnam County.
Surviving: husband, Vincent Smolder; son, Michael Stone of Dunbar; daughter, Sue Earley of Teays Valley; stepsons, Charles Smolder of Kentuck and David Smolder of Charleston; stepdaughter, Pamela Hill of St. Albans; sister, Virginia Skiles of Dunbar; nine stepgrandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Service was held Friday, March 9, 2001, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, with the Rev. Delbert Hawley and Ronald Withrow officiating. Burial was in Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar.
Lewis H. Martin
Lewis Harding Martin, 80, of Robertsburg died March 7, 2001 in Pleasant Valley Hospital after a long illness.
He was a U.S. Army veteran with the 3rd Ranger Battalion serving in the European campaign for nearly five years. He was awarded the EAME theater service medal with four bronze stars, the American Defense Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal and the Distinguished Unit Badge. He was wounded in action in Italy and, after being honorably discharged after World War II, he worked for Owens-Illinois Bottling Plant in Kanawha City and in Alton, Illinois, for 20 years. In 1966, he started driving a school bus for Putnam County Schools until his retirement in 1985. He attended Robertsburg Community Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Aleatha Madge Legg Martin, three brothers and one sister.
Surviving: son, Charles Martin of Robertsburg; grandchildren, Michelle Wilnot and Tammy Burdette; great-grandchildren, Daniel and Ian Burdette; aunt, Pearl Taylor of Belva; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Service was held Saturday, March 10, 2001 at Robertsburg Community Church with Pastor Randy Parsons and Pastor Joey Jeffers officiating. Burial with military graveside rites conducted by the Hurricane VFW was in Buffalo Memorial Park. Raynes Funeral home, Buffalo, was in charge of arrangements.
John D. Lanham
John D. Lanham, 58, of Poca died March 8, 2001, in Thomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness.
He was former owner of J.D. Lanham Produce and Johns Salvage; former co-owner of Town and Country Construction; former heavy equipment operator; a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Surviving: sisters, Ruth Willard-Hannerman of St. Albans and Judy Tackett of Frogs Creek brothers, Richard A. “Gus” Lanham and Darrel E. Lanham, both of Poca.
Service was held Monday, March 12, 2001, at Gatens Funeral Home Chapel, Poca, with Elder William C. Edens officiating. Burial was in Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens, Red House.
Ralph Lee Wolford
Ralph Lee Wolford, 87, of Hurricane died March 2, 2001.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian “Daisy” Belcher Wolford of Charleston, and parents, Fred and Stella Wolford of Lieberty.
Surviving: sons, William of Tutusville, Florida, Gerald “Bo” of Amma, and Donald of Bluefield; daughters, Jacqueline Sahley and Joanne “Jodie” Allen of St. Lauderdale, Florida, and Debra Johnson of Seattle, Washington; sisters, Mable Landers of Bancroft, Helen Shamblin of Red House, Opal Bailey of Melbourne, Florida, Nadine Harrison of Liberty, and Betty Miller of Hurricane; brothers, Clifford of Melbourne and Jimmy of Ripley.
“Daddy, ‘Rest in Peace.’ You held our hands for a little while, but you will hold our hearts forever.”
Obituaries in the March 8, 2001
issues of The Putnam Democrat and Cabell Record
Ernest McCallister
Ernest “Ernie” McCallister, 34, of New Albany, Indiana died at the University of Louisville, Kentucky on Friday, February 23, 2001, after being shot in New Albany.
He was born and raised in Hurricane, where he attended school.
Surviving: wife, Tina Meadows McCallister; daughters, Miamy Dawn and Christina Rebecca at home; son, Jeremy Daniel at home; parents, Sarah “Janie” and Willard “Bill” McCallister of Hurricane; sisters, Carla Wright, Tammy and Angela, all of Hurricane; brothers, Charles and Billy of Hurricane, and Gary of St. Albans.
Funeral service was held Tuesday, February 27, 2001, at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, with the Rev. Roger Ross officiating. Burial was in Mount Vernon Cemetery.
Audra A. Groff
Audra A. Groff, 81, of Scott Depot ded February 27, 2001, in Putnam General Hospital after a short illness.
She was owner and operator of Groff Upholstery, Scott Depot, a member of Winfield Church of Christ and a 61-year resident of Scott Depot.
Surviving: husband, Clayton Groff; daughters, Sharon White of Hurricane and Judith Romano of Huricane; sons, David Groff of Scott Depot, Daniel and Richard Groff, both of Hurricane, and Keith Groff of Poca; sister, Norma Williams of Louisville, Kentucky; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Service was held Thursday, March 1, 2001, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, with minister George Erwin officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
