Edward E. Valentine
Edward Eugene “Boots” Valentine, 79, of Hurricane died January 19, 2002, following an extended illness.
Born May 8, 1922 in Roane County, he was the son of the late Virgil Victor and Martha Young Valentine.
A graduate of Spencer High School, he attended Morris Harvey College before joining Union Carbide Corp., from which he retired in 1981. He was a 50-year member of Moriah Lodge 38, AF&AM, Spencer. He attended Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church, Hurricane, where he was a Sunday school teacher and a member of numerous boards and committees for many years.
Surviving: wife of 50 years, Virginia Ann Morgan Valentine; daughters, Victoria “Vicki” Valentine of Hurricane and Martha A. “Marty” Valentine of Milton.
A memorial service was held at Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dan Hogan officiating. Interment
was in Eventide Cemetery, Spencer. Memorial donations may be made to Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church Building Fund. Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, was in charge of arrangements.
Martha L. Harem
Martha L. Motte Harem, 81, of Scott Depot, formerly of Winter Park, Florida, died January 18, 2002, in Putnam General Hospital.
Surviving: son, Verlus “Buck” Motte of Arkansas; daughter, Deborah “Dee” Motte Keefer of Scott Depot; sister, Edith Fox of San Antonio, Texas; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.
There was no service as her request was that her body be donated to Marshall University. Memorial donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society.
John Edward King
John Edward King, 39, of Oak Hill, formerly of Bancroft, died suddently on Friday, December 21, 2001, from injuries received in a motor vehicle accident.
Born December 7, 1962 in Tampa, Florida, he was the son of Joseph E. King and Ruth A. Higginbotham King.
John was a 1981 graduate of Poca High School. He attended Oak Hill Nazarene Church and was an area general mananger for Gino’s.
Surviving: wife, Sandra Kaye Epperly King of Oak Hill; daughters, Melissa Taylor of St. Albans and Haleigh Cooper of Yawkey; step-daughters, Stacha Taylor of St. Albans and Heather Cooper of Yawkey; step-son, Brent Prouse of St. Albans; parents, Joseph E. King and Ruth A. Higginbotham King of Bancroft; sister, Angela J. Arthur and brother-in-law, the Rev. James “Speedy” Arthur, of Bancroft.
Services were held Monday, December 24, 2001, at Dodd, Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville, with the Rev. Greg Hostutler and the Rev. Jerry Bush officiating. Final resting place is Huse Memorial Park, Fayetteville.
Bobby L. Phillips
Bobby L. Phillips, 59, of Eleanor died January 22, 2002, in Putnam General Hospital.
He was an 11-year resident of Eleanor, formerly of Bancroft. He was a dry wall finisher, a member of the NRA, an Army veteran, and attended Nitro Church of Christ.
Surviving: wife, Linda M. Hughes Phillips; daughters, Yvonne Phillips of Poca, Sonya and Tonya Phillips of Eleanor; step-daughters, Teresa Parker of Kannapolis, North Carolina and Joetta Wriston of Raleigh, North Carolina; brother, Jim Phillips of Bancroft; sisters, Betty Hayes of Cross Lanes, Joyce Patton of Poca, Dottie Tucker and Karen Davis, both of Nitro; three step-granddaughters; one step-grandson.
Service was held Friday, January 25, 2002, at Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens Chapel, Red House, with Brother Leroy Blevins officiating. Burial was in Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens. Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, was in charge of arrangements.
David H. Rigsby Sr.
David H. Rigsby Sr., of Leon died January 22, 2002, at home following a short illness.
He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean War.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William H. and Lilly M. Eads Rigsby; sister, Betty Arthur; and granddaughter, Hailey Rigsby.
Surviving: wife, Brenda Rigsby; daughters, Tara Jewell of Winfield, Betty Walker of Charleston, and Jacklyn Rigsby of Grove City, Ohio; son, David Rigsby Jr. of Leon; sisters, Joyce Myers of Sissonville, Caroline Rigsby of Ohio, Penny Rigsby and Dorothy Bush, both of Columbus, Ohio; brother, Bill Rigsby of Columbus; grandchildren, Melissa Jewell, Erik Jewell, Jonathan Walker, and Matthew Walker.
Graveside service was held Friday, January 25, 2002, at Craig Cemetery, Grimms Landing, with Rev. Randy Parsons officiating. Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, was in charge of arrangements.
Thelma Damron
Thelma Goodall Damron, 93, of Hurricane died January 25, 2002.
She was a member of the Church of God, East Bank.
Surviving: son, Ottis B. “Benny” and wife, Martha Goodall of Scott Depot; sister, Goldie Thompson of Chelyan; grandchildren, Tammy Rohaley, Joseph Goodall, Kimberly Hoffman and Scott Goodall; great-grandchildren, Kayla Rohaley, Zachary Hoffman and Cassidy Hoffman.
Service was held Monday, January 28, 2002, at Kanawha VBalley Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel, Glasgow. Burial followed in the memorial gardens. Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, was in charge of arrangements.
Elaine S. Sullivan
Elaine Sophie Sullivan, 74, of Hurricane died January 25, 2002, at SunBridge Nursing Home.
She was a Christian and member of Adda Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Esther Sullivan, and brother, Edgar C. Sullivan.
Surviving: sisters, Ruth Smith of St. Albans, Marion Call of Culloden, Marcelain Call of Hurricane, and Sherlain Schmidt of Plano, Texas; brothers, Eweual Sullivan of St. Albans, John Sullivan of Pottsboro, Texas, and Buford Sullivan of Rochester, Ohio; a host of friends and cargivers at SunBridge, whom she loved.
Service was held Monday, January 28, 2002, at First Baptist Church, Hurricane, with the Rev. Dr. Charles Hendricks and Jim McGehee officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane. Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, was in charge of arrangements.
S. Eretta T. Thornhill
S. Eretta Thomas Thornhill, 73, of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, formerly of Bancrost, died January 24, 2002, in Halifax Medical Center, Daytona Beach, Florida, after a short illness.
She was retired from bookkeeping and sales for Thorco Construction. She was a Protestant and a graduate of Sherman High School.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Thornhill.
Surviving: daughter, Joan Willard of Bancroft; sons, Glen Thornhill of Bancroft and Claude Thornhill of New Smyrna Beach; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
A private service was held Sunday, January 27, 2002, in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes, with Pastor Johnny Withrow and Pastor Cheryl Withrow officiating. Entombment was in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens. Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, was in charge of arrangements.
Thomas H. West
Thomas H. West of Bancroft, formerly of Charleston, died January 26, 2002, in Thomas Memorial Hospital.
He was a retired truck driver from Bell Lines Trucking and a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a Motor Machinists Mate Second Class and a Pearl Harbor survivor.
Surviving: wife, Mary Justine West; sister, Norma Lee Bonnett of Bancroft.
Service was held Tuesday, January 29, 2002, at Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel, Red House, with Pastor Jeff Arthur officiating. Burial followed in the memorial gardens. Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, was in charge of arrangements.
Ruby Jane Dolen Blake
Ruby Jane Dolen Blake, 74, of Ona, W.Va, went to be with her Lord on Friday, January 25, 2002, following a long illness. Funeral services were conducted Monday, January 28, 2002, at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel Barboursville, by Rev. Paul Ed Spence. Burial in Union Ridge Cemetery. She was born June 22, 1927, in Putnam County, a daughter of the late Blufford and Sarah Cardwell Dolen. She was a retired employee of Kerr Glass. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Russell Ray Blake in 1978; one sister, Mabel Adkins; four brothers, Harl, Jim, Basil and Richard Dolen. Survivors include four sons and their spouses, Blufford and Aricia Blake and Danny and Joyce “Jody” Blake, all of Ona, Mike and Marla Blake of Prichard and Ronald and Janice Blake of Huntington; one daughter and son-in-law, Dianna “Katie” and Garry “Bubba” Hodges of Hurricane; three sisters, Leola Bellomy of Huntington, Edythe Hale of California and Naomi Lear of Chesapeake, Ohio, and one brother, Rev. Joe Dolen of Barboursville. Also surviving are 10 loving grandchildren; two special great-granddaughters and three special caregivers, Ester Blake, Geraldine Adkins and Christy Harper. Many heartfelt thanks go to the staff of Hospice, Sue, Wanda, Brenda, Sally, Sharon, Judy, Melissa and Glen “Bruce”. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Hospice of Huntington.
Russell Dale Childers
Russell Dale Childers, 69, of Garden City, Ga., passed away January 22, 2002, in Dearborn, Mich. Funeral services were conducted Sunday, January 27, 2002, at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel, Barboursville, by the Rev. Kenneth Nolan. Burial in Forest Memorial Park Milton. He was born February 8, 1932, in Huntington a son of the late Alfred and Lula Farley Childers. He was a retired Chaplain (Major) in the United States Army. He was a Vietnam veteran. He is survived by one son, Chad Childers of Dearborn, Mich.; one stepson, Justin Childers; and two brothers, Elwood Childers of Huntington and Everett Childers of Barboursville. Military graveside rites were conducted by VFW Post #9738, Huntington.
Gaythelle Louise Riley
Gaythelle Louise Riley, 65, of Lesage, wife of Davey Riley Sr., died Saturday, January 26, 2002 in St. Mary’s Hospital. Also surviving are her mother, Eva Esque Hibbard of Lesage; one son, Davey Riley Jr.; three daughters, Pamela Boyden of Beckley, Deborah Childers of Portland, Tenn., and Trina Kitchen of Huntington. Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 29, 2002 at Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel Barboursville; burial in Forest Memorial Park, Milton.
Franklin D. Taylor
Franklin D. Taylor, 68, of Culloden, W.Va., passed away Tuesday, January 22, 2002 at home. Funeral services were conducted Friday, January 25, 2002, at the Wallace Funeral Home, Milton, by the Rev. Maurice Pinkston and the Rev. T.J. Dubose. Burial in Forest Memorial Park, Milton. He was born January 24, 1933, in Memphis, Tenn., a son of the late Chester and Marjorie Horne Taylor. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Korean Conflict. He served as a volunteer policeman in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was retired from Amis Systems of Huntington and was well loved by fellow employees, including his special friend, Bill Morrell. He was also a member of the Milton Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Pinkston Taylor; three daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra and Bill Barto of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Rebecca and Angelo Sardo of Margate, Fla., and Stephanie and Tony Waugh of Milton; one brother and sister-in-law, Bobby and Betty Taylor of Collierville, Tenn.; nine grandchildren, Heidi Burns and her husband Eric, Luke Barto, Carly Barto, Timothy Barto, Ashley Nicole Sardo, Vincent Frank Sardo, Jeremy Waugh, Jenna Waugh and Jordan Waugh; his mother-in-law, Kathleen Pinkston; special uncle, Jessie Horn of Franklin Tenn.; special nephew, Andy Lambert of Milam, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephew as well as four brothers-in-law and their wives, and one sister-in-law. He is also survived by the Mrs. Robert (Alberdia) Wilson family of Parkersburg, W.Va., whom are loved and treasured as family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Hospice of Huntington, P.O. Box 464, Huntington, WV 25709. Military graveside services were conducted by the VFW #9738, Huntington.
Mildred Moulton Sharp
Mildred Moulton Sharp, 88, formerly of Barboursville died Monday, January 21, 2002, at the residence of her daughter in Worthington, Ky. Services were conducted Thursday, January 24, 2002, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Shawnee Drive, Huntington, with David Wiley officiating. Burial in Ridgelawn Memorial Park. She was born October 30, 1913, in Misco, Ohio, the daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth Bigrigg Moulton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Glen Sharp in 1991; a sister, Mary Konanz and two brothers, George and Robert Moulton. She was self-employed with a 5&10-cent Store at 14th Street West in Huntington and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Jackie Sharp of Barboursville, Louis and Emily Sharp of Huntington and Donald and Lois Sharp of St. Albans, W.Va.; one daughter, Linda Elkins of Worthington, KY.; one brother, James Moulton of Huntington; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 1538 Central Ave., Ashland, KY 41101. Henson Mortuary, Pea Ridge, was in charge of arrangements.
Violet L. Murray
Violet L. Murray, 76, of Reed City, died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2002, at her home. She was born Feb. 7, 1925, in Milton, WV, to William J. and Nellie J. (Jenkins) Hensley. She attended schools in West Virginia and Michigan, graduating from Reed City High School in 1943. Violet also attended business school in Huntington, WV, and worked as a secretary at Reed City Hospital for a few years. She married David J. Murray on Jan. 11, 1948. She had served as a girl scout leader and later as a cub scout leader. Her main interest was in the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a life member of the Reed City Chapter No. 265 and an honorary member of the O.E.S. chapters in Baldwin and Scottville. She was also a member of the White Shrine in Cadillac and the Amarinth in Jackson. She was a member of the Grand Family of O.E.S. in Michigan in 1967 and also a life member of Grand Family.
She had a special hobby of baking pies and had made and sold hundreds of them to establish a scholarship fund for impaired children. She was a member of the Reed City United Methodist Church.
Violet is survived by her husband, David; two sons, David James II of Wyoming and William Keith of Grand Rapids; and one grandson, David of Cutlerville. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Azel and James as well as two in infancy; and three sisters, Pansy, Daisy and Jean. She is also survived by many young men, women and children who called her “mother” or “Cookie Grandma.”
One thing she always said to her children was: “If you forget everything I taught you, just remember the Golden Rule and you will be fine.”
Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 5th at the United Methodist Church with Rev. Rick Blunt officiating. There was an Eastern Star Memorial service at the McDowell Funeral Home. Burial in Woodland Cemetery. For those who wish, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Violet and David Murray scholarship fund for impaired children through the Masonic Lodge.
Winsett Templeton
Winsett Templeton, 86, of Charlotte, N.C., formerly of Barboursville W.Va., passed away Friday, January 18, 2002 at White Oak Manor, Charlotte. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, January 23, 2002, at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel by Ministers David Templeton and Bill Nida. Burial in Enon Cemetery. He was born December 29, 1915, in Cabell County, a son of the late Calvin and Dora Morrison Templeton. He was retired from Building Maintenance at Marshall University. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army, and was a member of New Hope Baptist Church, Charlotte. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen McKendree Templeton, and one brother, Stensett Templeton. He is survived by two daughters, Sandra Baumgardner and her husband Dan, and Dora Abernathy, both of Charlotte; one sister, Sareta Perry of Salt Rock; one brother, Cebrett Templeton of Elizabeth City, N.C.; two granddaughters, Amy Baumgardner and Felicia Lewis; and two great-grandchildren, Sara Anne Lewis and Matthew Lewis.
Lula G. Parsons
Lula G. Parsons, 97, of Poca died January 13, 2002, in Thomas Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Parsons was a retired schoolteacher, having taught in Putnam, Mason and Jackson counties. She was a member of Poca United Methodist Church, a 22-year volunteer with Thomas Memorial Hospital, and was a member of Forest Rose Rebekah Lodge 143, Poca, Poca CEOS Club, Poca Senior Citizens, and the Poca Library Committee. The new Poca library was dedicated to Mrs. Parsons.
She was preceded in death by her husband Clifford Ralph Parsons, son, John Frederick Parsons, and daughter, Novaine Parsons.
Surviving: sons, Fletcher Raloh Parsons of Poca and Stoner M. Parsons of Princeton; 19 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren.
Service was held Wednesday, January 16, 2002, at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with Pastor Delbert Hawley officiating. Burial was in Emma Chapel Cemetery, Liberty. Memorial donations may be made to Poca Library, c/o Rock Branch Community Bank, PO Box 219, Poca WV 25159.
Delbert K. Casto
Delbert K. Casto, 62, of Nitro, formerly of Winfield, died January 14, 2002, in Thomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness.
He was a retired laborer and a six-year resident of Nitro. He was a native of Plymouth and a member of Maranatha Fellowship, St. Albans. He was a member of Nitro Masonic Lodge 170 AF&AM.
Surviving: wife, Judy Casto of Nitro; son, Kenny Casto of Nitro; brothers, Marshall “Chewey” Casto of Hometown and Earl Casto of Bancroft; sister, Connie Campbell of Angola, Indiana; grandchildren, Brandon, Crystal, Krenda, Josh and Jamie; three great-grandchildren; aunts, Ernestine Hedrick of Nitro and Wanda Farmer of Scott Depot.
Service was held Thursday, January 17, 2002, at Cooke Funeral Home, Nitro, with the Rev. James Wright officiating. Burial was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans, with Masonic graveside rites by Nitro Masonic Lodge 170 AF&AM.
Jackie L. Whittington
Jackie L. Whittington, 70, of Buffalo died January 14, 2002, in Putnam General Hospital following a long illness.
He was a lifelong resident of Buffalo, a retired millwright from American Viscose and Kaiser Aluminum with 36 years of service and was a member of Buffalo United Methosdist Church. He was past master of Kanawha Lodge 36 AF&AM and a member of OES Chapter 150, Buffalo, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department for 43 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Corina Smith Whittington, and brother, Raymond Whittington.
Surviving: sons, Otis “Jimmy” Whittington of Buffalo and Nyle Whittington of Eleanor; brother, William “Bill” Whittington of Buffalo; longtime companion, Betty Jean Null of Buffalo; grandchildren, James Lee Whittington, Justin Scott Whittington, Brittney Noel Whittington, and Nicholas Lee Whittington.
Service was held Friday, January 18, 2002, at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with the Rev. Jay Parks and the Rev. Wayne Burch officiating. Burial was in Buffalo Memorial Park.
Hershell C. Bailey
Hershell Cleo Bailey, 69, of Hometown died Jnauary 16, 2002, at home after a long battle with cancer.
He was a retired Army veteran of 20 years, a former employee of American Viscose and Ray Resources of Culloden. He was a member of Teays Valley Baptist Church.
Surviving: wife, Friedericke Bailey; sons, Gearry Bailey and his wife Melissa of Winfield and Jerry Bailey of Charlotte, North Carolina; daughter, Renate Bernges of Germany; grandson, Caleb Bailey of Winfield; granddaughters, Kayla Bailey of Winfield and Petra Gamret of Germany; great-granddaughter, Gabi Gamret of Germany; sister, Sadie Bonnett of Nitro; half sister, Bessie Lovern of Charleston; step-sisters, Toots Bridgeman of Huntington, Della Christian of South Point, Ohio, and Ethel Anderson of Colorado; brothers, Shelby Bailey of Paden City and Herndon Bailey of Ripley.
Service was held Friday, January 18, 2002, at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with Pastor John Smith officiating. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Red House.
Special thanks to caregivers, Patricia “Sissy” Parsons, Gail Henderson and Kanawha Hospice.
Marta C. Whittington
Marta Christian Whittington, 53, of Buffalo died January 10, 2002, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Huntington, after a short illness.
A memorial service was held Saturday, January 19, 2002, at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo.
James F. Wilcox
James F. “Frank” Wilcox, 73, of Hurricane died Thursday, January 17, 2002, in SunBridge of Putnam Nursing Home, Hurricane, after a long illness.
He was a retired track maintenance laborer from CSX with 44 years of service. He was a native of Cabin Creek and a former resident of St. Albans.
Surviving: wife of 24 years, Nancy Wilcox; son, Daniel F. Wilcox of Hurricane; brother, John Wilcox of North Tonawanda, New York; sisters, Bonnie Tegge of Sarasota, Florida and Sylvia Hinzman of St. Albans.
A memorial service was held Saturday, January 19, 2002, at Cooke Funeral Home Chapel, Nitro, with John E. Roncaglione conducting the service.
