Geia Watson
Geia Postlethwait Watson, 27, of Red House died April 16, 2002, at home.
She was a 10 1/2 year resident of Manilla Creek, a former employee of Eleanor Foodland and a Christian.
Surviving: husband, Paul Watson; children, Paul T. Watson and Brittany D. Watson, both at home; parents, James and Bonnie Long Postlethwait; sister, Wendy Postlewait of Liberty; maternal grandparents, Dorothy and Carl Long of Liberty; paternal grandparents, Mary Postlethwait of Poca and Everett Postlethwait of Cottonwood, Alabama.
Service was held Thursday, April 18, 2002, at Gatens Funeral Home Chapel, Poca, with the Rev. Billy Casto officiating. Burial was in Center Point Cemetery, Liberty.
Paul L. Crawford
Paul Leonidas Crawford, 80, of Hurricane died April 15, 2002, at Thomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness.
He was professor emeritus and chairman of the Psychology Department at West Virginia State College for 20 years. He was a vocational expert witness for Society Security Disability, a United States Air Force veteran of World War II, a Kentucky Colonel, and a member of the Anvil Club, Charleston. He was the first person to receive a Ph.D. in psychology from Ohio University and his work was published in scientific journals.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Scott and Sarah Catherine James Crawford; sisters, Ruby Plummer, Ruth Reed, Opal Crawford and Aileen Vogler; brother, Hubert Crawford.
Surviving: wife, Lois J. “Sue” Crawford; daughters, Barbara Sue Crawford and Alvin Walsh of Hurricane, Sarah Jane and Dana Campbell of Winfield; son, Danny Paul and Michele Crawford of Arlington, Texas; sisters, Catherine Faris, Blanche Faris and Lois Silz, all of Cincinnati, and Phyllis Cook of Olive Hill, Kentucky; brother, Harold Crawford of Peebles, Ohio; grandchildren, Matt Massey, Allison Massey, Miranda Vance, and Jeremy Crawford; four stepgrandchildren.
Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Arthritis Foundation, 602 Chillicothe Street, Room 338, Portsmouth OH 45662
Donald A. Herdman
Donald A. “Don” Herdman, 76, of Buffalo died Monday, April 15, 2002, at St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington, following a long illness.
He was a retired engineer for New York Central Conrail with 40 years of service, a nember of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and a lifelong resident of Putnam County.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Elsie Warner Herdman; brother, Charles “Mutt” Herdman; sisters, Goldie French, Delphia Blaum and Wanda Fleming.
Surviving: wife, Helen J. Higginbotham Herdman; son, Donald “Donnie” Herdman of Buffalo; stepdaughters, Shirley Buck of Buffalo and Ada Lou and husband, David Buzzard of Teays Valley; brothers, Opha and wife, Dorothy Herdman of St. Simmons Island, Georgia and Oden Herdman of Ellenton, Florida; sister, Oeda Beitz of Ellenton; foster brother, Gene and wife, Ruth Herdman of Pickerington, Ohio; stepgrandsons, Robert Buck of Buffalo and Nick Thipsingh of Boynton Beach, Florida; three stepgreat-grandchildren, Sheyenne, Shane and Shanna.
Service was held Friday, April 19, 2002, at Raynes Funeral H ome, Buffalo, with the Rev. Wayne Burch and the Rev. Charles Curtiss officiaitng. Burial was in Buffalo Memorial Park.
Robert A. Howell
Mr. Robert A. Howell, 78, of Winfield died April 15, 2002, in Huntington VA Medical Center after a long illness.
He was a retired owner/operator of Howell Candy Company, Winfield, a member of Winfield Baptist Church, World War II Navy veteran, and a lifelong resident of Winfield.
Surviving: wife, Martha P. Howell; daughters, Barbara Howell of Wnfield and Janet Hill of Belpre, Ohio; grandchildren, Zachary Hill and Cameron Hill, both of Belpre.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, is in charge of arrangements.
Lenida Witt
Mrs. Lenida Witt, 83, of Poca died April 15, 2002 in Cedar Ridge Nursing Center.
She attended numerous churches in Kanawha and Putnam counties.
Surviving: children, Yvonne Absten of Poca; Alvie, Nile and Linden Witt, all of Kelleys Creek, Timmy Witt of Poca, and David Witt of Liberty; sisters, Pauline Blair of Cleveland, Ohio, Loita Shaffer of Charleston, and Velda Garnes of Poca; brothers, Gilbert Fisher of Dunbar, Arthur Fisher of Sissonville, and Minuard Fisher of Sissonville; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.
Service was held Wednesday, April 17, 2002, at Gatens Funeral home, Chapel, Poca, with Paul Arthur officiating. Burial was in Center Point Cemetery, Liberty.
Lena M. Wilkinson
Lena M. “Margie” Wilkinson, 78, of Poca died April 16, 2002, at home.
She was a member of Elizabeth Baptist Church and retired from WV Rehabilitation Center.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira A. and Bertha Norris McClanahan; brothers and sisters, Andrew, Tisha, Frank, Arnie “Slim,” Midge and Doris.
Surviving: daughters, Judith P. Bailey of Poca and Connie Young and husband Clark of Mocksville, North Carolina; grandchildren, Jacque Dolin, Beth McClure, Marcie Walters, Kristian Cauble, Melinda Bailey and Judy Young; great-grandchildren, Angela Gatens, Sarah Dolin, Mandy Dolin, Aaron Cauble, Jared Bailey, Jeremiah McClure, Megan Cauble, Marlee Bailey, Meredith Sweatman, Jose Tejada, and Clinton Sweatman; great-great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Braxton and Bailey Gatens; sisters, Reba Hackett, Marida LeMaster, Genevieve Scott and husband Joel, and Eva Cook and husband Ken.
Memorial service was held Saturday, April 20, 2002, at Elizabeth Baptist Church, Bancroft, with Pastor Jeff Arthur officiating. Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be sent to Kanawha Hospice, 1143 Dunbar Avenue, Dunbar WV 25064.
Harold F. Jones
Harold F. Jones, 75, of Winfield died April 19, 2002, at his residence following a long illness.
He was born August 31, 1926. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, an 18-year teamster with Swift Meat Co., and a retired independent owner-operator truck driver. After retirement, he enjoyed many years of farming.
Surviving: wife of 55 years, Mary Ethel Jones; daughters, Eileen Nelson of Winfield and Cathy Lynn Schaufelberger of Sping, Texas; grandchildren, Alethia Stollings and David Nelson, both of Winfield; one great-grandchild, Justin Nelson; sister, Kathleen Fisher of Winfield.
Service was held Monday, April 22, 2002, at Long and Fisher Funeral Home, Pocatalico. Burial was in Floral Hills Garden of Memories. Memorial donations may be made to Kanawha Hospice, 1143 Dunbar Avenue, Dunbar WV 25064.
Estelle M. Given
Estelle M. Given, 94, of Hurricane died at home on April 19, 2002, after a short illness.
She was formerly of Akron, Ohio. She retired from B.F. Goodrich with 32 years of serivce. She was a member of Eastern Star and she was a Baptist.
Surviving: nephews, Dan Bails of Pocahontas County and Ron Mortin of California; nieces, Nancy Waugh of South Charleston and Charlotte Balaskovitz of Florida; caregivers, Phyllis Bails and Louise Farrow, both of Hurricane.
Service was held Monday, April 22, 2002, at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, with the Rev. Keith Hudson officiating. Burial was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
Gladys Irene Miller
Gladys Irene Miller, 92, of Hurricane died April 20, 2002, at home after a long illness.
She was a homemaker and a lifelong resident of Hurricane.
She wqas preceded in death by her husband, F. Carsel Miller Sr.
Surviving: sons, Fred Carsel Miller Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri and Gerald Ray Miller of Hurricane; daughters, Pat Estep of Scott Depot and Kay Moore of Hurricane; sisters, Westa Long, Corrine Duff and Lucy Rhodes, all of Charleston; 19 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren.
Service was held Monday, April 22, 2002, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, with the Rev. Stanley Miller officiating. Burial was in Boggess Cemetery, Goldtown.
Frances M. Weiford
Frances Marie Morris Weiford. 86, of Winfield died April 16, 2002, in Putnam General Hospital after a short illness.
She was a homemaker and a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Charleston.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Delbert Dennis Weiford, and son, James Dennis Weiford.
Surviving: son and daughter-in-law, Robert Ernest and Patricia Walters Weiford of Winfield; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.
Service was held Tuesday, April 23, 2002, at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, Cross Lanes, with Father Paul Bresnahan officiating. Burial was in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes. Memorial donations may be made to St. Marks Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 405 B Street, St. Albans WV 25177.
Amanda Dawn Woodard
Amanda Dawn Woodard, 18, of Ona died Thursday. Survivors include her parents, Michael D. and Connie Black Woodard of Ona; one sister, Meranda Ra-Chel L. Woodard of Ona; and grandparents, Richard Black of Barboursville and Lorraine Woodard of Culloden Funeral was held Wednesday at Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel, Barboursville; with burial in Maupin Cemetery.
Bessie Isaacs Conrad
Bessie Isaacs Conrad, 81, of Culloden went home to be with her blessed Lord on Thursday, April 18, 2002, at her residence. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, April 20, 2002 at Heck Funeral Home, Milton with Dr. Stan Maynard and the Rev. David Ashworth officiating. Burial in Dial Cemetery, Branchland. Bessie was born July 9, 1920, in Lincoln County, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Gilbert and Laura Isaacs. She was also preceded in death by her husband, William H. “Bill” Conrad. She was a retired hair dresser and a charter member of Church in the Valley, Milton. She is survived by two sons and one daughter-in-law, Bill and Martha Conrad of West Hamlin and Bob Conrad of Columbus, Ohio; two daughters and one son-in-law, Laura and Fred Bias and Roseanne Reese, all of Culloden; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and special friend, Glenna Hale.
Margaret Elaine “Billie” Merritt
Margaret Elaine “Billie” Merritt, 82, of Lesage went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, April 17, 2002, in St. Mary's Hospital. Funeral services were held Saturday, April 20, 2002, at Beard Mortuary, with the Rev. Gordon Rutherford officiating; burial in Greenbottom Memorial Cemetery. She is preceded in death by her husband, Casey Merritt. She was born November 10, 1919, daughter of the late Wilbert Massie and Mary Bethel Thompson Massie. She was a lifetime member of the Greenbottom Missionary Baptist Church and a retired cook from the Cabell County Board of Education with 41 years of service. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Ann Henry and Jim Henry of Lesage and Shelia Rouse and William Rouse of Greenville, N.C.; three grandchildren, Art Rouse and wife Tracy, Michelle Bowen and husband Rob, Jennifer Runyon and husband Tim; four great-gandchildren, Cayce and Nicole Bowen, Chandler, Rouse and Timothy Clagg; one great-great-grandchild Dalaina Baylee Clagg, and a very special friend, Mary Watkins.
Marie Honaker Cartwright
Marie Honaker Cartwright, 79, of Huntington died Tuesday, April 16, 2002, at her home. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, April 20, 2002, at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel by the Rev. Tim Conrad. Burial in Ridgelawn Memorial Park. She was born February 8, 1923, in Huntington, a daughter of the late Clyde and Bess Adkins Honaker. She was also preceded in death by three brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, and one nephew. She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband, Victor L. Cartwright; one son and daughter-in-law, David and Rene' Cartwright; grandchildren; three grandchildren, Daniel Cartwright, Elizabeth Cartwright and Sarah Cartwright; two brothers-in-law and wives; one sister-in-law and husband; thirteen very special nieces and nephews; and other extended family members. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leap Scholarship Fund, in care of Faith United Methodist Church, 2044 5th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25702.
Noel Arthur Lilly
Noel Arthur Lilly, 67, of Chesapeake, Ohio, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2002, in St. Mary's Hospital. He was born April 5, 1935, in Hinton, W.Va., a son of the late Blaine and Laura Lilly. He was a former meat trainer for Kroger. He was an avid camper who volunteered a lot of his time at Beech Fork State Park. He was a member of Lebanon Lodge 68 AF & AM Milton. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Lilly; two daughters and sons-in-law, Renee and Steve Neal of Milton and Deanna and Harry Day of Barboursville; and five grandchildren Brooke Neal, Alaina Harvey, Autumn Harvey, Kyle Neal and Cara Harvey. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements.
Donald Ray Black
Donald Ray Black, 66, of Huntington, passed away after a brief illness in St. Mary's Hospital on April 14, 2002. Funeral service were conducted Wednesday, April 17, 2002, at Heck Funeral Home, Milton. Burial in Smith Cemetery, Teays Valley. He was born March 29, 1936, in Scott Depot, W.Va., a son of the late Theodore and Mary Black. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Fredrick, Lloyd, Kenneth and Dennis Black; a special niece, Tammy Black; a special nephew, Steven Black. He was a former crane operator for ACF Industries. He is survived by his children, Stephanie Black of Barboursville, Janeen Adkins of Huntington and Frank Adkins of Chesapeake, Ohio; three brothers, Everett Black of Huntington, Teddy Black of Charleston and William Black .of Milton; three sisters, Joann Mattox of Huntington, Dottie Black of Barboursville and Barbara Elam of Huntington; grandchildren, Corey, Austin and Laken Hannon; and a precious granddaughter, Morgan Rae, who was named after her beloved paw-paw; also numerous nieces and nephews. Donald was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He also leaves behind a special friend, Janeen Black of Chesapeake, Ohio. Heck Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Billie Raye Keyser
Billie Raye Keyser, 56, of Barboursville passed away suddenly at home on Monday, April 15, 2002. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, April 17, 2002 at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel by Ministers David Gladwell and Ron Ross. Burial in Enon Cemetery. She was born August 29, 1945, in Ada, Oklahoma, a daughter of Ray Kessinger of Admore, Oklahoma, and the late Glada Womack Harbour. She was a graduate of Hurricane High School and a member of the Barboursville Church of Christ. She is survived by her husband, Jack Keyser; two daughters and sons-in-law, Stacie and Andy Cogar of Ona, and Jackie and Brian Brumfield of Barboursville; one son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Monty Keyser of Salt Rock; three sisters, Becky McCallister of Hurricane, Bonnie Christian of New Mexico and Betty Meadows of Milton; a half brother, Brad Harbour of Red House, W.Va.; a half sister, Joyce Smith of Poca, W.Va; four grandchildren, Katie Brumfield, Samantha Cogar, James Slone and Jennifer McComas; a dear friend, Christopher Perry; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Wandell and Deloris White, George and Shirley Stiltner, Louie and Betty Hutchinson; and a host of church friends.
Arden D. Casto
Arden D. Casto, 83, of Given died April 7, 2002, in Jackson General Hospital after a short illness.
He was born April 12, 1918 in Putnam County, the son of the late Nathan E. and Bertha Ann Sargent Casto. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Pearl Casto, and brothers, Victor and Letch.
He was a Christian and a member of Moss Chapel Church. He was a retired school bus driver with Putnam County Schools and was a farmer.
Surviving: sons, Burton and Roger Casto, both of Red House, Wendell and Allen Casto, both of Given; daughter, Mildred Ferrell of Nitro; brothers, Eugene Casto of Kenna and Erman Casto of Ohio; sisters, Mayfrey Greene of Ohio, Catherine Richardson of Dunbar, Freda Pignato of Ripley, and Judy Haynes of Liberty; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren.
Service was held Wednesday, April 10, 2002, at Emma Chapel United Methodist Church, Liberty, with Paul Arthur officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Vail Funeral Home, Ripley, was in charge of arrangements.
Emily Tincher
Emily Young Tincher, 89, of Hurricane died April 7, 2002.
She was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, the West Virginia Genealogical Society and Good Hope Baptist Church, Milton.
Surviving: husband, Widell; sons, Thomas J. Tincher of Milton; daughter, Rose A. Hughes of Charleston; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Service was held Wednesday, April 10, 2002, at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, with the Rev. Lawrence Dailey officiating. Burial was in Mount Moriah Cemetery, Hurricane. Memorial donations may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 1200 Quarrier Street, Charleston WV 25301.
Helen Sturgeon
Helen Gibson Sturgeon, 87, of Winfield died April 10, 2002, in Putnam General Hospital after a short illness.
She was a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, a lifelong resident of Putnam County and a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel F. Sturgeon, in 1997.
Surviving: daughters, Norma Clark of Durham, North Carolina and Fern Sturgeon of Winfield; son, Forest Dale “Jake” Sturgeon of Winfield; brothers, Charles Wayne Gibson of Cross Lanes and Wade Gibson of Cincinnati, Ohio; sister, Eveline Bird of Huntington; grandchildren, Kathryn Morris of Franklin, North Carolina, Marcia Fewell of Winfield, Samuel Clark of Monroe, North Carolina, and Forest Dale Sturgeon II of St. Marys; five great-grandchildren.
Service was held Friday, April 12, 2002, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, with Minister George Erwin officiating. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Red House.
Lena Ruth Thornton
Lena Ruth Thornton, 77, of Hurricane died April 9, 2002, after a short illness.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Buford Thornton. She was a Primitive Baptist.
Surviving: daughters, Alwilda G. Stephenson of Chesapeake, Virginia, Evelyn A. Phelps of Dunbar, Carolyn R. Smith and Marsha Thornton Bradbury, both of Hurricane; sons, Jerry R. Thornton of Charleston and Stephen O. Thornton of Strasburg, Virginia; brothers, Donald J. Sergent of Hurricane and Dail F. Sergent of Culloden; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.
Service was held Friday, April 12, 2002, at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane. Burial was in Harvey's Creek Cemetery with Elder Veldon Linn officiating.
