Barbara Karson
Barbara Lusher Porter Karson, 54, of Hurricane, formerly of St. Albans, died January 12, 2002, in Thomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness.
She was a homemaker, a six-year resident of Hurricane, a 1965 graduate of St. Albans High School and attended West Virginia State College.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Everett “Pokey” Porter.
Surviving: husband, Russell A. Karson; mother, Mary R. Lusher of St. Albans; daughters, Rachel and Rebekah Karson, both of Hurricane; sister, Sue Lusher Ballard of Columbus, Ohio; brothers, Homer “Pat” Lusher of Redding, California and Harrison “Sam” Lusher of Kokomo, Indiana; several nieces and nephews.
Service was held Tuesday, January 15, 2002, at Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home, St. Albans, with the Rev. Gail Medley officiating. Burial was in Ridgelawn Memorial Park, Huntington. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Associatin, PO Box 12110, Charleston WV 25302.
Marie E. Knowles
Marie E. Knowles, 59, of Hurricane died January 12, 2002, after an eight-month battle with cancer.
Born June 3, 1942, in Pulaski, Virginia, she was the daughter of Eileen Kimbler of Columbia, South Carolina, and the late Carl Kimbler.
She was an RCNA at Arthur B. Hodges Center for 11 years.
Surviving: husband of 40 years, David R. Knowles; children, Debbie Handley and husband, Randy, of Hurricane, Robert Knowles and wife, Lori, of Wichita, Kansas, and David W. Knowles and wife, Tammie, of Columbia; sisters, Linda Hamlin, Bobby Wymer and Carol Johnston; brother, Butch Kimbler; 19 grandchildren.
Service was held Thursday, January 17, 2002, at Valley View Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel, Hurricane, with the Rev. James Robertson officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park.
Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, was in charge of arrangements.
Marjorie E. Linville
Marjorie E. Linville, 71, of Huntington, passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2002, at St. Mary’s Hospital. Funeral services were conducted Friday, January 11, 2002, at Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel, Barboursville, by the Rev. Kim Stone. Burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville. She was born March 29, 1930, in Wayne County, a daughter of the late Joe B. and Leila Adkins Morrison. She was preceded in death by her husband, D.D. Linville. She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and John VanHorn; two sons and daughters-in-law, Keith and Brenda Linville, and Kevin and Carla Linville, all of Huntington; four grandchildren, Kelly Swann, Susan Linville, Mary Kate and Jake VanHorn, and two great-grandchildren, Will and Eric Swann.
Rev. James Wesley “J.W.” Cooper
The Rev. James Wesley “J.W.” Cooper, 93, of Milton widower of Ada Nugen Cooper, died Monday, January 7, 2002 in Teays Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was a coal miner, carpenter, building contractor and pastor. Survivors include two sons, the Rev. Carl J. Cooper of Milton and W. Ezra Cooper of Hurricane; and one daughter, Lorene Rooper of Barboursville. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, January 10, 2002 at Heck Funeral Home, Milton; burial in Forest Memorial Park, Milton.
William Thomas Amos
William Thomas Amos, 66, of Barboursville gently went to be with the Lord Monday, January 7, 2002. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, January 10, 20O2, at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel by the Rev. Sue Jarrett. Burial in Ridgelawn Memorial Park. He was born June 27, 1935, at Peach Creek W.Va., a son of the late Charles and Dorothy Hodge Amos. He retired in 1997 after 41 years with CSX Transportation as a locomotive engineer. He was a member of UTU Local 1062 and a member of Pea Ridge United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Shirley Steele Amos; one daughter, Michelle Stallworth and her husband Gray of Kannapolis NC; one son William “Booter” Amos and his wife Penny of Winston-Salem, N.C.; three grandchildren, William Zachary Amos, Ashleigh Nicole Stallworth and Asa Thomas Stalworth; one brother, Charles F. Amos and his wife Chloe of Kenova; two sisters, Nancy Morse of Moundsville, W.Va., and Dottie Sue Collins and her husband Kenneth of Arkansas City, Kan.; and many nieces and nephews who all loved him dearly. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you do an act of kindness for someone or donate to your favorite charity.
Virgil L. Clagg
Virgil L. Clagg, 59, of Milton, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, January 9, 2002 at Heritage Center, Huntington. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, January 12, 2002 at Heck Funeral Home, Milton with Rev. Windell Shull officiating. Burial in Chestnut Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Glenwood, WV. he was born March 4, 1942, the son of the late Charles Everett and Vernie Susie Sheppard Blankinship Clagg. He is survived by 5 sisters: Elizabeth Caldwell of Lesage, Emma Lou Edmonds, Loretta Sue Carter, Patsy Kay Chapman all of Milton and Bobbie Jo Scarberry of Saint Albans; 4 brothers: Jim Clagg of Glenwood, Elmer, Wesley and Roger Dale Clagg all of Milton. Several nieces, nephews and friends. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements.
Mildred O’Daniel Parker
Mildred O’Daniel Parker, 83, of Milton WV, passed away Tuesday, January 1, 2002, at St. Mary’s Hospital. Funeral service were conducted Friday, January 4, 2002 at Chapman’s Mortuary, Huntington, the Rev. Keith Leap. Burial in Spring Hill Cemetery. Mildred was born on January 22, 1918, in Fallsburg Ky, a daughter of the late David and Rosa Moore O’Daniel. Mildred graduated from Berea Academy in 1940, and was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Woman’s Army Corp. She was employed by Owens Illinois Glass Co., until leaving to become a full-time homemaker. She was a member of Milton United Methodist Church. Mildred was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Eusebus Thomas Parker Jr. and her brother, Dan O’Daniel. She is survived by her son, Dan Michael Parker of Milton, W.Va.; her sister, Edna Collinsworth of Melbourne, Fla.; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Mildred Parker was an honorable and caring person, a true Christian who always sought to find the good in people. For this, she will be remembered by those who loved her and valued her friendship. She will be missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Huntington City Mission or the Salvation Army.
Verna Fincham
Verna Fincham, 77, of Milton, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 1, 2002, in St. Mary’s Hospital. Memorial services was held Friday, January 4, 2002, at Heck Funeral Home, Milton, with Pastor John Duncan and Dr. David Ayers officiating. She was born May 17, 1924, in Cabell County, W.Va., a daughter of the late John and Pearl Cummings Lewis. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Joseph “Joe” Fincham; three brothers, James, Roy and John “Bud” Lewis; and two sisters, Georgia Black and Ginath Greathouse. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Lola Fincham of Lesage; one sister, Betty Leadmon of Milton; three grandchildren, Melissa Dean, Lelia Covert and Joe Michael Fincham II; one great-grandson Jackson Armstrong; two step-grandsons, Jackie and Jason McComas; and special friend and sister-in-law, Gracie Lewis.
Lestie B. Adkins
Lestie B. Adkins, 64, of Huntington, passed away January 2, 2002, at St. Marys Hospital. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, January 5, 20O2 at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel. Burial in Adkins Cemetery. She was born September 17, 1938, in Wayne County, a daughter of the late Richard and Vera Adkins. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Cherry Lynn Adkins, and four brothers, Dallas, Albert, Lee and Desmond Bartram. She is survived by one brother, Homer Bartram of Huntington; one granddaughter, Lestie Lynn Adkins of Huntington; nieces, nephews, a special family for a short time Eddy Estep, and a beloved pet, Gizmo, her best friend and companion.
James Earl “Jim” Parsons
James Earl “Jim” Parsons, 75, of Barboursville, husband of Gladys Craigo Parsons, died Saturday, December 29, 2001 in St. Mary’s Hospital. Also surviving is one son, Stephen James Parsons of Barboursville. Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 2, 2002 at Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel Barboursville; burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens.
Selma Faye McComas
Selma Faye McComas, 73, of Salt Rock W.Va., died Friday, December 28, 2001, at The Inn at Wyngate, Barboursville. Funeral service were held Monday, December 31, 2001, at Henson Mortuary with Rev. Ed Hood and Rev. Cass Hutchinson officiating. Burial in Enon Cemetery. Selma was born July 11, 1928, in Cabell County, daughter of the late Lonnie and Myra Brown Bledsoe. She graduated with the first licensed practical nurse class of St. Mary’s Hospital and was a retired LPN from Cabell Huntington Hospital. She was also a member of Enon Baptist Church and Eastern Star Lodge #704, West Hamlin. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Raymond “Red” L. McComas. Survivors include two brothers, Melvin Bledsoe of Barboursville and Leon Bledsoe of Milton; one sister, Jeweldine Johnson of Milton; Aunt Emmalene Brown of Milton; and several nieces and nephews.
James Earl “Jim” Parsons
James Earl “Jim” Parsons, 75, of Barboursville, passed away Saturday, December 29, 2001, at St. Mary’s Hospital. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, January 2, 2002, at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel, Barboursville, by Dr. Jerry Warren. Burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. He was born July 16, 1926, in Columbus, Ohio, a son of the late Earl A. and Ola Smith Parsons. He was a retired employee of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II, a member of the American Legion Post #177, Barboursville, a member of the VFW #1064 a member of the Silver Haired Legislature and a member of the Barboursville Fire Department where he was an E.M.T. and a paramedic. He was preceded in death by one sister, Joann Bender. He is survived by his wife, Gladys Craigo Parsons; one son, Stephen James Parsons of Barboursville; five grandchildren, Tammy Cooper, Melissa Ward, Scott Parsons, Alyshia Parsons and Alexis Parsons; five great grandchildren, Zachary Cooper, Tyler Cooper, Ryan Ward, Madelyn Ward and Caleb Parsons; two nieces, Susan Cunningham and Brenda Corbett; one nephew, T.J. Bender. Military graveside rites were conducted by the VFW #1064.
Neva Evelyn White Foster
Neva Evelyn White Foster, 83, of Milton, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, December 31, 2001, at Anna’s Personal Care Home, Milton. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, January 3, 2002, at Heck Home, Milton with the Rev James Legg officiating. Burial in Forest Memorial Park. She was born February 24, 1918, in Cabell County, W.Va., a daughter of the late William P. and Susan Taylor White. She was also preceded in death by her husband, George Luther Foster; five brothers, Eschol, Oval, Jennings, Pinky and Ozzie White; three sisters, Namie Koontz, Eulah Conrad and Hazel White. She was a homemaker and a member of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church. She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Blane Perry of Milton; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dana and Donita Foster of Huntington and Jimmy and Juanita Foster of Milton; one sister-in-law, Jewell White of Milton; grandchildren, Shawna Foster Fain, Zane and Rhonda Foster, Dwane Foster, Chris Foster, Angel Foster, Stephanie Foster, Tawnya and Gary Chapman and Brent and Amy Taylor; seven great-grandchildren, Kayla Foster, Joe Foster, Cody Foster, Alex Foster, Makinzy Chapman, Tanner Chapman and Kierra Taylor; special caregiver, Anna Wilson; and everyone who cared for her.
Claro L. Painter
Claro Lloyd Painter, 77, of Hurricane died December 27, 2001.
He was a member of Trace Fork Missionary Baptist Church and a retired operating engineer.
Surviving: wife of 52 years, June Garrett Painter; son, Gary L. Painter of Hurricane, daughter, Joan P. Hessler of Scott Depot; grandson, Cory L. Hessler of Scott Depot; daughter-in-law, Linda L. Painter; son-in-law, Randy Hessler.
Service was held Sunday, December 30, 2001, at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, with the Rev. Jim Landis of Trace Fork Missionary Baptist Church officiating. Burial was in Trace Fork Cemetery.
Douglas O. Carver Sr.
Douglas O’Dale Carver Sr., 72, of Poca died December 28, 2001, after a short illness.
He was a retired construction worker and a member of Nitro Moose Lodge and VFW Post 15050. He was a 20-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Surviving: sons, Craig O’Brien Carver of Charleston and Douglas O’Dale Carver Jr. of Nelsonville, Ohio; daughters, Valerie Walker of Nitro, Katrina Bennett of St. Albans, and Teresa Harper of Thornville, Ohio; mother, Sarah Elizabeth Carver of Athens; brothers, Don Carver of Reddon, California, Richard Carver of Lexington, Kentucky, and Glenn Carver of Charlotte, North Carolina; sisters, Ann Kahle of Athens, Phyllis Richards of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Patty Barber of Charlotte, North Carolina; 14 grandchildren.
Service was held Wednesday, January 2, 2002, at Cunningham-Parker-Johnson Funeral Home, Charleston, with the Rev. James Wright officiating. Burial was in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston.
Eloise Fields Carver
Eloise Fields Carver, 85, of Poca died December 28, 2001, after a short illness.
Surviving: son, Robert L. Snedden of Streator, Illinois; daughter, Lynda Parkis of Palm Coast, Florida; sister, Geraldine Hooper of Marietta, Ohio; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.
Service was held Wednesday, January 2, 2002, at Cunningham-Parker-Johnson Funeral Home, Charleston, with the Rev. James Wright officiating. Burial was in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston.
Stephen K. Nelson
Stephen Keith Nelson, 49, of Staffordsville, Kentucky, formerly of Hurricane, died December 31, 2001, in Cabell Huntington Hospital after a short illness.
He was a 21 year employee of National Cash Register as a customer service technician and a United States Army veteran.
Surviving: wife, Karen S. Nelson; daughter, Chrystal S. Nelson, at home; son, Aaron K. Nelson, at home; parents, Charles and Martha Nelson of Hurricane; brothers, Lloyd Nelson, Kelly Gene Nelson and Donnie R. Nelson, all of Hurricane, Ronnie Nelson of Chester, Virginia, and Paul Nelson of Crystal River, Florida; several nieces and nephews.
Service was held Friday, January 4, 2002, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, with Pastor Walter Allen officiating. Burial was in Pine Grove Cemetery, Fraziers Bottom.
Stanley C. Goard
Stanley C. Goard, 84, of Scott Depot died December 30, 2001, at CAMC Memorial Hospital after suffering a stroke.
He was born July 5, 1917 in Elkhart, Indiana, and was a resident of Putnam County since 1968. He retired as Chief Landscape Architect and Director of the Roadside Design Division of the West Virginia Department of Highways, where he was responsible for the development of rest areas and interchange plantings for the construction of highways I-77, I-79 and the extension of I-64.
He served in World War II with the Army Air Corps, receiving the American Campaign Medal. After the war, he graduated from Michigan State University and became a member of the American Association of Landscape Architects, registered both in Michigan and later West Virginia.
He served as the Assistant Superintendent for the Department of Parks in South Bend, Indiana. There, as a member of the American Institute of Park Executives, he earned a Distinguished Service Award for the planning and design of the first United States Fragrance Garden fo the Blind. Over the years he volunteered his time in service to the Boy Scouts, Putnam County Solid Waste Authority, National Audubon Society, Putnam County Humane Society, and other groups. He was a supporter of the conservation of our natural resources and wildlife in the United States and worldwide.
Surviving: wife of 55 years, Winona Goard; son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Nicole Goard of Fallbrook, California; grandchildren, AnaRochelle and Leighton; sisters, Marjorie Ruschman of Waukegan, Illinois, Mary Lamb of Elkhart, Indiana, and Mildred Worthington of Boston, Massachusetts; brother, Edward Goard of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
A memorial service was held Friday, January 4, 2002, at St. Timothy’s in the Valley Episcopal Church, Hurricane. Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, was in charge of arrangements.
Gary Scott Rollins
Gary Scott Rollins, 43, of Deer Park, Texas, formerly of Eleanor, died Monday, December 31, 2001, following a long illness.
Surviving: wife, Lisa Rollins; son, Gary Scott Rollins, Jr.; daughters, April Nicole Rollins, Kelly Beth High, Alyssa Rollins, all of Deer Park; father and stepmother, Dennis and Francis Rollins of Hometown; mother and stepfather, Lois Taylor Covington and husband, Wyamon, of Deer Park; brother, Carl V. Rollins of Deer Park, Lori Rollins Turner of Chesapeake, Ohio and Chrissy Rollins of St. Albans.
Service was held Saturday, January 5, 2002, at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with the Rev. William Carter officaiting. Burial was in Beech Grove Cemetery, Eleanor.
Richard P. Bare
Mr. Richard P. Bare, 96, of Scott Depot died January 3, 2002, at Putnam General Hospital after an extended illness.
He was born in Scarboro but spent most of his life in the Kanawha Valley. He was a retiree of Union Carbide Corp. Construction Department and a charter member of St. John United Methodist Church, Scott Depot.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Virgie Mae Bess Bare; infant daughter, Claudette and grandsdaughter, Vicki Jeanne Shaver Ghareeb.
Surviving: daughter, Roberta Jean Shaver of Hurricane; sons, William Lee of South Charleston, Claude Max of Alum Creek, and Richard Joseph of Scott Depot; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Service was held Sunday, January 6, 2002, at St. John United Methodist Church with Dr. Martin Hallett officiating. Burial was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to St. John United Methodist Church, 4013 Teays Valley Road, Scott Depot WV 25560.
