Nina Mae Combs
Nina Mae Combs, 92, of Hurricane, formerly of Charleston, died December 14, 2002, at Teays Manor.
She was a longtime member and former Sunday school teacher at Parsons Chapel Advent Christian Church, Charleston.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Combs, son, James Combs, and daughter, Karen Brown.
Surviving: son, Robert L. Combs of Greer, Arizona; daughters, Rose Hensley of Hurricane, Phyllis Bush of Pembroke Pines, Florida, and Ann Reynolds of Sterling, Virginia; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Service was held Thursday, December 19, 2002, at Parsons Chapel Advent Christian Church with the Rev. Dayton Reynolds and the Rev. Don Young officiating. Burial was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Cunningham-Parker-Johnson Funeral Home, Charleston, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the West Virginia Lions Club Sight Conservation Foundation, 33 Chiefton Hill, Clarksburg WV 26301.
John David Racer
John David Racer, 55, of Gastonia, North Carolina, died December 12, 2002, in Gaston Memorial Hospital.
He was a native of Kanawha County and was the son of John James Racer and the late Ruth Ann Lanier Racer of Winfield.
He worked as a district sales manager of Big Lots Furniture, attended Bethlehem Baptist Church and was an avid fisherman.
In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife, Dreama Hoover Racer of Gastonia; son and daughter-in-law, John Frederick and Sherri Racer of Chester, Virginia; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Janie Racer of Mentor, Ohio; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Roger and Debby Pauley of Buffalo; nephew, Christopher Racer of mentor, Ohio, Niece Casey Pauley of Buffalo.
Service was held Monday, December 16, 2002, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, with Mr. Leon McCoy and the Rev. Bobby Wood officiating. Burial was in Beech Hill Cemetery, Mason County. Memorial donations may be made to Bethlehem Baptist Church, 539 N New Hope Road, Gastonia NC 28054.
Boyd Davis Jr.
Boyd Davis Jr., 73 of Hurricane, formerly of Logan County, died December 17, 2002.
Service was held Friday, December 20, 2002, at James Funeral Home, Logan. Burial was in Highland Memory Gardens, Godby.
Lolita F. Cross
Lolita Frances “Toody” Cross, 60, of Winfield died December 17, 2002, in Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston, after a long illness.
She was a member of Judson Baptist Church, Winfield. She was retired from Union Carbide, South Charleston, with 25 years’ service. She was a graduate of Winfield High School and Marshall University.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth B. and Beulah M. Thompson Cross.
Surviving: sisters, Luana L. Cross of Winfield and Loretta C., Reffeitt of Brownsburg, Indiana; nephews, Tony, Matt, Mike and Brett Reffeitt, all of Brownsburg; four great-nieces; two great-nephews.
Service was held Friday, December 20, 2002, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, with the Rev. Richard Reffeitt officiating. Burial was in Mount Moriah Cemetery, Hurricane.
Helena D. Nelson
Helena D. Nelson, 69, of Bancroft died December 17, 2002 in CAMC Memorial Division.
Surviving: husband, James W. Nelson; children, Rocky Nelson of Bancroft, Claudette Haverland of Hometown and Devona Buzzard of Seth; sister, Barbara Miller of Bancroft; brothers, Herman Arthur Jr. of Bancroft, Norman “Jake” Arthur of Red House, James Arthur of Cross Lanes, Gary “Dobie” Arthur of Bancroft, Foster Arthur of Liberty, Danny Arthur Sr. of Bancroft, and Dorrel “Peachie” Arthur of Hurricane; grandchildren, Adrianne, Stacy, Alan, Sarah, Logan and Kirshawna; two stepgrandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren.
Service was held Friday, December 20, 2002, at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with Paul Arthur and Carl Arthur officiating. Burial was in Schowen Cemetery, Hurricane.
Dolly Lee Buzzard
Dolly Lee Buzzard, 61, of Winfield died December 18, 2002, in Putnam General Hospital.
She was a member of Heizer Creek Community Church, Poca.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse James Buzzard, in 1975.
Surviving: daughtrer, Rozanne Means of St. Albans; sons, Lee Buzzard, Jesse Buzzard and Johnny Buzzard, all of St. Albans; sisters, Mildred Buzzard of Buffalo, Cora Combs of Eleanor, Kathy Anderson of Winfield, and Patricia Keith of Kentucky; brother, Frank Stevens of Hurricane; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandson.
Service was held Saturday, December 21, 2002, at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, St. Albans, with Pastor Randy Carter officiating. Burial was in Leadmon Cemetery, Winfield.
Richard A. Miller Sr.
Richard A. Miller Sr., 75, of Fraziers Bottom died December 18, 2002, in Morris Memorial Nursing Home after a short illness.
He was a retired insulation contractor and a charter member of the Main Street Church of Christ, Hurricane.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Irene Shifflette Miller, and brother, Charles Joseph Miller.
Surviving: wife, Martha “Bobbie” Miller; son, Richard A. Jr. and wife, Vicky L. Miller of St. Albans; daughter, Linda and husband, Joe Gillispie of Fraziers Bottom; stepson, David L. and wife, Chantale Persinger of Raleigh, North Carolina; stepdaughters, Lynn and husband, Ed White of Scott Depot, Sarah and husband, Clarence Priddy of Red House, Leah and husband, Frank Persinger of Rock Hill, South Carolina; sisters, Deloris and husband, Parvin Duff of Ocala, Florida, Helen and husband, Bill Hawes of Nitro; special friends, Kenneth and Betty Deem of Eleanor; 15 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren.
Service was held Saturday, December 21, 2002, at Main Street Church of Christ with Pastor Doug Minton and Pastor Ron Crum officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane. Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, was in charge of arrangements.
Ina M. Sheets
Mrs. Ina M. Sheets, 92, of Nitro died Wednesday, December 18, 2002, in Thomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness.
She was a retired school teacher having taught for the Putnam County Board of Education for over 28 years.
She was a member of First Baptist Church of Nitro and a graduate of Morris Harvey College.
Surviving: sons, Wayne and wife, Edna Sheets of Milton, Darrell and wife, Brenda Sheets of Adams Town, Maryland; daughter, Janet and husband, Richard Hyre of Hurricane; brother, Arnold Shipe of Baltimore, Maryland; sisters, Faye Hare of Maryland and Velda Keller of Broadway, Virginia; grandchildren, Greg, Gary, John Lee David Sheets, Kathy Hart, Terri Knight, Tammy and Jeff Hyre; five great-grandchildren.
Service wa sheld Sunday, December 22, 2002, at the First Baptist Church of Nitro with Dr. Lawrence L. Hoptry officiating. Burial was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Cooke Funeral Home, Nitro, was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church of Nitro.
Gary E. Davis
Gary E. Davis, 65, of Milton, W.Va., beloved husband, dad and grandfather, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002 at St. Mary’s Hospital. Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 21, 2002 at Beard Mortuary with Rev. Dr. Gary Patton officiating. Entombment in Forest Memorial Park Mausoleum. He was born Jan. 24, 1937 in Huntington, W.Va., a son of the late Melvin and Maguerite Belville Davis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert, Richard and Joe. Gary was retired from INCO Alloys International with 33 years of service. He was a Kentucky Colonel. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jackie Woodrum Davis; four daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Hap Weiss of Myrtle Beach S.C.; Karen and Jeff Hall of Myrtle Beach, Michelle and Jimmy Goodnite of Byesville, Ohio, and Stacie and Matt Woelfel of Lansing, Mich.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary “Bud” and Lea Davis of Orlando, Fla., and Chris and Rita Davis of Orlando; his grandchildren, Andrew Weiss, J.T, Justin and Josh Hall, Skyler and Taylor Goodnite, Ashley, Cody, Zack and Nikki Davis and Emma, Isaac and Alyssa Davis. He is also survived by his special friends, Janet and Terry Enix and Fred Jeffrey of Huntington anJ–several nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Mary C. Adams
Mary C. Adams, age 94, of Culloden, W.Va., formerly of Burlington, Ohio, went to be with the Lord Jesus on Sunday, December 15, 2002. Daughter of Herman Mayes and Ella Millard Mayes, she was preceded in death by her husband, B Russell Adams, who has been waiting for her “just beyond the moon.” Also preceding her were their son Milford and daughter, Mrs. Phyllis Patterson. She is survived by a host of loving family, including her daughter, Ella Snyder; daughter Esta Rutherford and son-in-law Ronald; son-in-law, Robert Patterson; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and two great-great-granddaughters. Reger Funeral Home, Huntington, was in charge of arrangements. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m.. Friday, December 20, 2002, at the Bride of Christ Church in Sybene, Ohio, Pastor Heron Adkins and Pastor Don Napier officiating. Burial followed in Miller Cemetery, Miller, Ohio. Her grandsons will be her pallbearers, with Alfred Spears and Richard Brumfield as honorary pallbearers. The family wishes to thank St Mary’s Home Health and also extend their gratitude to Dr. Brownfield for going above and beyond the call of duty. Mary leaves behind a legacy of love for the Lord, a life of prayer and service to her church and family.
Dianah Eileen Holley
Dianah Eileen Holley, 45, of Ona, WVa, went to be with the Lord, December 17, 2002, at Cabell Huntington Hospital. Funeral services were conducted 1 p.m. Friday, December 20, 2002 at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel by the Rev. Ron Brown and the Rev James Jobe. Burial in Barker Ridge Cemetery. She was born July 8,1957, in Huntington. She was employed by nTelos. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Les and Margaret Henry; parents Willard and Wilma Bates Holley; sister Janet McCallister; sister-in-law Tammy Holley White. She is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Ronnie Holley of Ona; her only son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Jennifer Holley and one very dear and special grandson, Cameron Holley of Wayne; Jerry Chapman of Ona, who was like a son; her loving sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Bill McCoy of Port Richey, Fla; loving brother, Ray Clagg of Ona; brother-in-law, Carl “Paddle” McCallister of Ona; special people, mother-in-law Faye Jordan, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Neal and Delores Collins of Huntington; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, June and Kelly Holley of North Carolina; brother-in-law, Johnny Holley of Ona; sister-in-law, Louise Weaver of Ona; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, William and Mary Holley of Ona; brother-in-law, Timmy Holley of Huntington; a host of special nieces and nephews, Chuck and Christy McCoy of Glenwood, Jason and Diamond McCoy of Milton, Jason and Lavonna McFann of Glenwood, Jeff and Cathy Clagg of Ona, Savannah Collins of Huntington, and Chris Collins of Huntington, Nick Black of Huntington, Eddie McCallister of Ona, and Jason Holley and Justin Holley of North Carolina; special friends and neighbors, Jason Jobe, Butch and Lurie Chapman, Cheryl Nugen and co-workers at nTelos.
Pallbearers were Ronald Holley, Jerry Chapman, Jason McCoy, Chris Collins, Chuck McCoy, Nick Black and Rick Smith. Dianah was a true angel here on earth and she will remain with us daily in our hearts forever. For anyone who met her will surely know how special she was. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements.
William D. Samples
William D. Samples, 73, of Elizabethtown, Ky, entered into eternal rest Sunday, December 15, 2002, in Hardin County Memorial Hospital. Funeral service were conducted Friday, December 20, 2002, at Heck Funeral Home, Milton, with the Rev. Ron Ronk and Hobert Jefferson officiating. Burial in Culloden Cemetery. He was born June 23, 1929, in Logan W.Va., a son of the late Roy D. and Minnie Hobbs Samples. Mr. Samples served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis June Samples of Elizabethtown, Ky.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and Pam Perry of Marietta, Ga., and Larry and Pam Perry of Lufkin Texas; one sister, Rose M. Bowen of Huntington; niece Patty Bias of Huntington; two brothers-in-law, Pat and Judy Ronk of Ona and Ron and Sharon Ronk of Elizabethtown, Ky.; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two great-nieces;, and seven great-great-nieces.
Elizabeth Katherine Brackman
Elizabeth Katherine Brackman, 85, of Lesage died Tuesday, December 17, 2002. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, December 19, 2002 at White Chapel Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Barboursville. Arrangements by Beard Mortuary, Huntington.
Vivian E. Shelton
Vivian E. Shelton, 80, of Hurricane, formerly of Winfield and Coral Gables, Florida, died December 7, 2002, at the home of her nephew, Robert Matthews, after a short illness.
She was a member of Winfield Baptist Church. She was a United States Army nurse during World War II and was a retired registered nurse from Coral Gables Hospital. She received her nurses training from Charleston General Hospital.
She was preceded in death by one brother, Haymond Shelton, three stepbrothers and three stepsisters.
Surviving: sister, Mary Stetser of Buffalo; sister-in-law, Sylvia Matthews of Nitro; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
Service was held Wednesday, December 11, 2002, at Winfield Baptist Church with the Rev. Doug McComas officiating. Burial was in Buffalo Memorial Park. Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, was in charge of arrangements.
Richard Scott Duff
Richard Scott “Rick” Duff, 39, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina died December 8, 2002, in Fulton County, Georgia after a sudden illness.
He was co-owner and head chef at Biminis Oyster Bar and Seafood Cafe. He was a member of Old Kanawha Baptist Church, Pratt, and a graduate of Nitro High School.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ray Staunton Duff Jr.
Surviving: longtime special friend, Joyce Woodfield of Connecticut; mother, Shirley A. Duff of Hurricane; sister, Tina Renee Crawford of Valrico, Florida; twin brother, Randall Ray Duff of Cary, North Carolina; brother, Kevin Conrad Duff of South Point, Ohio; maternal grandmother, Sydna McClung of Hurricane; nephews, Brandon Crawford and Dalton Duff; niece, Christina Crawford.
Service was held Saturday, December 14, 2002, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, with the Rev. Kelly Parsons officiating. Burial was in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
Virgil C. Childers
Virgil C. Childers, 72, of Hurricane died December 11, 2002, in Putnam General Hospital.
He was retired from Boilermakers Local No. 667, Winfield. He was a member of Judson Baptist Church, Winfield, a member of Nitro Masonic Lodge No. 170, Scottish Rite Bodies, York Rite and Beni Kedem Shrine, Charleston, past patron Order of the Eastern Star No. 153, Nitro, and a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.
He was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey Childers, parents, Chester and Leona Bias Childers, and brother, Hobert Childers.
Surviving: wife, Margaret “Peggy” Childers; son, Mickey Childers of Hurricane; daughter Robin Nicely of Hurricane; sister, Midge Lowe of Scott Depot; brother, Delbert Childers of Scott Depot; grandchildren, Mickey, Kristen, Lauren and Jeffrey Childers, Trey, Jared, Evan, Emma and Leah Nicely.
Service was held Saturday, December 14, 2002, at Judson Baptist Church with the Rev. John Mark Booth and the Rev. Fred McCallister officiating. Burial was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans, with Masonic graveside rites conducted by Nitro Masonic Lodge No. 170. Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association, 4510-C Pennsylvania Avenue, Charleston WV 25302, or Judson Baptist Church, 1400 Bills Creek Road, Winfield WV 25213.
David C. Frazier
David C. Frazier, 57, of Buffalo died Wednesday, December 11, 2002, in Morris Memorial Nursing Home, Milton, following a long illness.
He was a retired truck driver with Lemon Transport Co., a member of Teamsters Local 175, Charleston, a member of the West Virginia Fox Hunters Association, and was a 101st Airborne veteran of the Vietnam era.
He was preceded in death by his father, William G. Frazier.
Surviving: mother, Myrtle Frazier of Nitro; daughters, Debbie Burks of Buffalo and Brenda Alford of Tennessee; son, Tim Jividen of Buffalo; brother, William R. “Bill” and his wife, Jackie of Nitro; three granddaughters; one grandson; two great-granddaughters.
Service was held Saturday, December 14, 2002, at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with the Rev. Wayne Burch officiating. Burial was in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
Donald Dee Sampson
Donald Dee Sampson, 77, of Eleanor died December 11, 2002.
He was a member of the Body of Christ. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, worked for Union Carbide’s Institute plant, where he retired after 38 years of service and he was a member of the Buffalo Senior Citizens.
Surviving: children, Linda Harrison of Inwood, Larry Sampson of Fallwater, and Letha Null of Eleanor; sister, Bertha Jarrett of Weston; brother, Silas Sampson of Bluecreek; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Service was held Sunday, December 15, 2002, at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, Cross Lanes, with Pastor Adam Null officiating. Entombment was in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
Diana Fay Thomas
Diana Fay Thomas, 52, of Red House died December 12, 2002.
Service was held Sunday, December 15, 2002, at Mount Zion Church, Liberty. Gatens Funeral Home, Poca was in charge of arrangements.
Frances B. Wick
Frances Bachtel Wick, 86, of Roanoke, Virginia, formerly of Winfield, died December 11, 2002, in Roanoke after a short illness with cancer.
Born May 16, 1916 in Ravenswood, she graduated from Ravenswood High School and received a BS degree from Marshall University. She moved to Winfield in the late 1930s. She and her late husband, W.W. “Duke” Wick were owners/operators of Wick Furniture and Appliance Store, Winfield. She also taught English at Winfield High School and Ripley High School. She was living at Our Lady of the Valley Assisted Living Facility in Roanoke at the time of her death.
Surviving: daughter, Frances K. Wick of Roanoke; son and daughter-in-law, Warren W. Wick II and Gail of Atlanta, Georgia; granddaughter, Kristin M. Wick of Richmond, Virginia; numerous nieces and nephews.
Service was held Saturday, December 14, 2002, at Winfield Presbyterian Church with Dr. Max Perrow officiating. Burial was in Winfield Cemetery. Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, was in charge of arrangements.
Richard F. Sumner
Richard Fredrick “Fred” Sumner, 85, of Hurricane died December 13, 2002, in Thomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness.
He was born April 17, 1917 on Clymers Creek near Hurricane. He was in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933-1939.
He was preceded in death by a son, Gary R. Sumner, and two grandsons, Jody R. Sumner and Charles E. Morrison.
Surviving: wife, Mary Virginia Thomas Sumner; daughters, Dorothy E. Abbott of South Charleston, Carol Ann Billups of Houston, Texas, and Rosie Johnson of Hurricane; sons, Donnie E. Sumner of St. Albans and John Sumner of Hurricane; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
Service was held Monday, December 16, 2002 at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, with the Rev. Jim McGehee officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
Sarah Lorene Chapman
Sarah Lorene Chapman, 75, of Huntington passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002, in St. Mary’s Medical Center. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, Dec. 14, 2002 at Henson Mortuary with Minister Walter Brewer officiating. Burial in the Shepherd Family Cemetery, Merritts Creek. She was born Dec. 19, 1926, at Barboursville, daughter of the late Charles Randolph and Mary Alice Shepherd. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Randolph and Richard Shepherd and a sister, Minnie Woodard. She was a beautician and member of Farmdale Church of Christ. She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Charles Joseph and Ruth Ann Kerr of Jacksonville, Fla., James Alien and Brenda Kerr of Fowler, Ohio, and Frank Lewis and Connie Kerr of Clay, W.Va.; two daughters and a son-in-law, Linda Joyce Perry of Huntington, Fran and Mike Schafstall of Copperopolis, Calif.; sisters, Frances Collins of Huntington and Grace Mallow of Barboursville; brothers, Norman, Frank Freeman and Roger Shepherd of Barboursville; six grandchildren, April Palmer, Beth Perry, JoAnn Carter, Rickey Kerr, Frankie Ann and Michelle Kerr, and four great-grandchildren. Henson Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
