Cora B. Stricklin
Cora B. Stricklin, 78, of Hurricane died April 7, 2003, in Putnam General Hospital after a long illness.
Born September 26, 1924, she was a daughter of the late Sherdan and Eliza Jane Trent Thacker. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Paul William Stricklin.
She was a member of Young’s Chapel, Bridge Creek, Hurricane, and the Southern States Homemakers. She was a lifelong resident of Putnam County and was a personal caregiver.
Surviving: daughters, Sue Stowers and Patsy Ann Stevens, both of Hurricane; son, Ernest Paul Stricklin of Hurricane; sister, Violet Leadmon of Hurricane; brother, Dewey Thacker of Hurricane; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.
Service and burial was private. Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, was in charge of arrangements.
Simon S. Webster
Simon S. Webster, 93, of Scott Depot died April 8, 2003, in Putnam General Hospital.
He was retired from Union Carbide Corp. after 34 years of service, a 50-year resident of Scott Depot, a member of West Albans Church of God, St. Albans, a charger member of the Teays Valley Road Runners Camping Club, an avid camper and hunter most of his life, an outdoorsman and he love to garden. He service in the U.S. Army during World War II in Germany and was a Purple Heart recipient.
Surviving: his wife of 71 years, Naomi; granddaughter, Barbara Rocha of Shreveport, Louisiana; great-grandson, J.R. Rocha of Shreveport; sister, Jewell Alford of Scott Depot.
Service was held Friday, April 11, 2003, at Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home, St. Albans, with the Rev. Jim Wood officiating. Entombment was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans, with military rites conducted by American Legion Post 73 and VFW Post 6418.
Memorial donations may be sent to Rippling Waters Campground, HC 62 Box 177, Romance WV 25175.
Ballard C. Davis
Ballard C. Davis, 85, of Hurricane died April 8, 2003, at Putnam General Hospital.
He was retired from Union Carbide, South Charleston plant, and was a member of Putnam Masonic Lodge No. 139 AF & AM, Hurricane. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a Baptist.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth R. Davis, and his parents, Arthur Buell and Bertha Bird Davis.
Surviving: sons, Jim B. Davis and Bill and his wife, Kathryn, Davis, all of Hurricane; brother, Alvin B. Davis of Boutte, Louisiana; grandsons, Richard Davis, Scott Davis and J.B. Davis.
Service was held Saturday, April 12, 2003, at Chapman Funeral Home with the Rev. Bob Ray officiating. Burial with Mason rites by Putnam Masonic Lodge No. 139 AF & AM was in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Hurricane.
Jackie Ramie Stratton
Jackie Ramie Stratton, 70, of Culloden, W.Va., passed away Sunday, April 6, 2003, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Huntington. Rite of Committal with final commendation was conducted on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at the Wallace Funeral Home, Milton, by the Rev. Neil R. Buchlein. Burial in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans, W.Va., He was born May 5, 1932, in Betsy Lane, Ky., a son of the late Darrell and Thora Brewer Stratton. He also was preceded in death by one sister, Billie Darlene Stratton Thompson. He was a retired employee of General Motors and a of the U.S. Army having served during the Korean Conflict. He is survived by his wife, Emma Louise Olms Stratton; two sisters, Polly Hall and Bonnie Stratton, both of Stanville, Ky.; two brothers, Jimmy Stratton of Stanville and Arthur Stratton of Ypsilanti, Mich.
Eileen M. Hofstetter
Eileen M. Hofstetter of Winfield, formerly of Parkersburg, died March 30, 2003, at her home after an extended illness.
Eileen was born September 29, 1931 in Wood County, to the family of the late Adolphis D. and Bertha B. Badgley. She was also preceded in death by seven brothers.
She was employed by Walker/Parkersburg prior to her marriage to David G. Hofstetter in 1961. Eileen ad her family relocated to Winfield in 1973.
In addition to being a devoted member fo Teays Valley Presbyterian Church, Eileen was an active volunteer at Putnam General Hospital and informally, usually anonymously, helped many needy community members. Her social interests were tennis and bridge.
Surviving: husband, David G. Hofstetter; daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Jerry Pearring of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jennifer and Stu Fortener of Indianapolis, Indiana, Nancy and Craig Welsh of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; four grandchildren, Jordan and Madison Pearring, Luke Fortener and Connor Welsh; two sisters-in-law, Jean and Grace Badgley; special nephew, Marshall Badgley of Sussex, New Jersey.
Service was held Wednesday, April 2, 2003, at Teays Valley Presbyterian Church with the Rev. George Bendall and Dr. Jerry D. Harrah officiating. Interment
was in Winfield Cemetery. Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial donations may be sent to Teays Valley Presbyterian Church Community Food Program, Box 100, Scott Depot WV 25560; or Kanawha Hospice Care Inc., 1143 Dunbar Avenue, Dunbar WV 25064.
Ethel D. Bonnett
Ethel D. Ranson Bonnett, 84, of Liberty died April 2, 2003, at home.
She was a member of Liberty Community Church and the Christianettes Ladies Choral Group. She was the inspiring author of “He’s Coming Again: Poems of Inspiration” and was a poet.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth C. Ranson, and son, Johnny W. Ranson.
Surviving: husband, Kenneth H. Bonnett; children, Jimmy S. Ranson of Scott Depot, Jerry W. Ranson of Hometown, and Reba G. Hanna of Liberty; sisters, Elsie M. Finney of Cross Lanes and Belva Beckner of Red House; half sister, Wanda M. Wallace of Rocky Mount, North Carolina; half brother, Tom F. King of Boonsboro, Maryland, aunt, Bessie Tomlinson of Eleanor; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.
Service was held Friday, April 4, 2003, at Emma Chapel Church with the Rev. Ray Humphrey and Pastor Ralph Ranson officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, was in charge of arrangements.
Robert Lee Bowles
Robert Lee Bowles, 59, of Hurricane died April 1, 2003.
He was a U.S. Marine and served in the Vietnam War. Formerly of Campbells Creek, he was a resident of Hurricane for the past five months. He was a member of the VFW, an honorary member of Paralyzed Veterans of American and was an advocate and supporter fo the Vietnam Memorial.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Maciel Bowles, and a brother, Otis Bowles Jr.
Surviving: wife, Mary “Tootsie” Bowles; sons, Danny of Fraziers Bottom, Ricky of Hurricane, and Dewayne of South Charleston; daughters, Amy Bowles of Charleston and Loretta Ann White of Maryland; brothers. Delbert, Claude and Eugene Bowles, all of Charleston, and Charles Bowles of Sissonville; sisters, Imogene Pierson and Josephine Lucas, both of Charleston, Ruby Burdette of South Charleston, Margie Stover of Blue Creek, and Sue Butcher of Tyler Mountain; grandchildren, Hunter, Jaxson, Robbie, Dewayne, Courtney, Chelsea, Ricky, Nickie, Amanda, Kristen, and Mike.
Service was held Friday, April 4, 2003, at Fidler & Frame Funeral Home, Belle, with the Rev. David Dorsey officiating. Military rites were conducted by VFW Post 8366, Gauley Bridge. The body was cremated.
Roberta Luikart
Roberta “Rose” Herdman Luikart, 62, of Buffalo died April 1, 2003, at home following a short illness.
She was a retired clerk from Stokes Grocery, Buffalo, with 18 years of service and a lifelong resident of the Buffalo area.
She was preceded in death by her former husband, Allen “Ray” Cremeans, parents, Ray and Gladys Herdman; brothers, Cecil and Dale Herdman; grandson, Kenneth Cremeans II, and great-grandson, Jacob Nicholas.
Surviving: husband, Stanley “Frank” Luikart; sons and their wives, Allen and Rachel Cremeans of Monroe, Virginia, Kenneth and Lisa Cremeans of Hurricane, Frankie and Melissa Luikart of Buffalo; daughter and her husband, Rhonda and Sam Zag of Columbus, Ohio; brothers, Russell Herdman of Buffalo, Luther “Babe” Herdman of Bethel, Ohio, Carroll Herdman of Eleanor, John Herdman of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Service was held Friday, April 4, 2003, at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with the Rev. Wayne Burch and Pastor Bob Herdman officiating. Burial was in Walker Chapel Cemetery, Robertsburg.
Hattie F. Patton
Hattie Faye Bowles Patton, 82, of Scott Depot, formerly of Nitro, died March 27, 2003, in Putnam General Hospital after a heart attack.
She was born August 19, 1920, in Rock Castle, a daughter of the late Theodore Mason and Elmara Casto Bowles. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Carlos J. Patton, sisters, Oma Casto, Mae Blankenship, Erma Hayes and Rosabelle Guillot, brothers, Jennings, Herman and Marion Bowles.
She was a member of Beechwood Garden Club and was a 38-year resident of Scott Depot.
Surviving: son and daughter-in-law, James Toney and Johanna M. Patton of Summerville, South Carolina; daughter, Carolyn Jean Patton Stephens of Scott Depot; sisters, Reatha Turley of South Charleston and Velma Hoffman of Spring Hill; grandchildren and their spouses, Staff Sgt. Carlos Joe and Tonja Stephens of Twentynine Palms, California, Robert Toney and Lesa Patton of Charleston, South Carolina, Connie Lynn and Tom Carlin of Yonges Island, South Carolina; and great-grandchildren, Joey and Chloe Stephens, Caitlen and Erica Patton, Thomas and Patrick Carlin.
Service was held Saturday, April 5, 2003, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, with Dr. Martin Hallett of St. John United Methodist Church, Scott Depot, officiating. Burial was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
Rhoda M. Grimes
Rhoda May Tucker Grimes, 93, of Buffalo died Friday, April 4, 2003, at Pleasant Valley Hospital.
She was born May 6, 1909 in Putnam County to Hiram and Elizabeth David Tucker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilson H. Grimes, a daughter, Vanda Grimes, a son, Wilson G. Grimes, and a grandson, Mark Slade.
Surviving: daughters, Gilda Beaver of Buffalo and Janice Slade of Columbus, Ohio; brother, Everett Tucker of Buffalo; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Service was held Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with Pastor James Kessick and the Rev. Wayne Burch officiating. Burial was in Buffalo Memorial Park.
Paul Junior Harris
.Paul Junior Harris, 55, of Hurricane died April 3, 2003.
Service was held Monday, April 7, 2003 at Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin.
Opal H. Ashworth
Opal H. Ashworth, 89, of Milton entered into eternal rest Saturday, April 5, 2003, at her residence. Funeral service were conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at Heck Funeral Home, Milton., with the Rev. Chelcie Gibson officiating. Burial in Toney Hill Cemetery. She was born April 9, 1913, a daughter of the late Monteville and Jeanette Bias Jenkins. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Bennie C. Ashworth Sr. Mrs. Ashworth was a member of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church. She is survived by her son Bennie Ashworth Jr. of Milton; two special nephews whom she considered sons, Bill and Max Cooper, both of Milton; brother, Malcolm Jenkins of Milton; sister, Josephine Adams of Huntington four grandchildren Cathi Mount, David Ashworth, Kelly Shaw and Dwaine Cooper, and seven great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank her friend and special caregiver, Saundra Kirby. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 21, Ona, WV 25545. Condolences may be sent online at www.heckfuneralhome.net.
Hurston Ray Gilkerson
Hurston Ray Gilkerson, 67, of Salt Rock went home to be with the Lord Saturday, April 5, 2003, at his residence. Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at Upper Smith Creek United Baptist Church by the Rev. James Dailey, the Rev. Steve Nida and the Rev. Carlos Gilkerson. Burial in Green Valley Cemetery. He was born Feb. 21, 1936, in Cabell County, a son of the late Luther and Thenia Cardwell Gilkerson. He was a retired employee of ACF Industries, member of the Steel Workers Union Local #1652, Huntington, and faithful member, devotional leader and Sunday School teacher of Upper Smith Creek United Baptist Church. He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Brenda Fulks; one granddaughter, Kelly McCoy; and one great-grandson Jeffrey Frye Fulks. He is survived by his wife, Delores Lambert Gilkerson; two sons and daughters-in-law, the Rev. Darrell and Patricia Gilkerson of Huntington and Keith and Kim Gilkerson of Salt Rock; three daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Don Bailey and Alice and Randy Baylous, all of Salt Rock, and Sheila and Mike Cantley of Huntington; two brothers, the Rev. James Gilkerson of Salt Rock and Donald Gilkerson of Hamlin, W V; one sister, Delores Adkins of Sweetland, W.Va; 14 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren Grandsons served as pallbearers. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Mackenzie Abby Hatfield
Mackenzie Abby Hatfield of Milton, infant daughter of Greg and Patricia Lowe Hatfield, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2003, in Cabell Huntington Hospital. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Donald Hatfield. She also is survived by her maternal grandparents, Melve. and Sena Lowe of Little Harts, WVa.; paternal grandmother, Carolyn Hatfield of Huntington, maternal great-grandmothers, Lela Payne and Ora Lowe; and paternal great-grandmothers, Vela Adkins and Ida Taylor.. Graveside services were held Sunday, April 6, 2003, in Browning Cemetery, Little Harts, WV, with Ronnie Manns officiating. McGhee-Handley Funeral Home, was in charge of arrangements.
Joyce Morrison Hixenbaugh
Joyce Morrison Hixenbaugh, 56, of Milton went home to be with the Lord Friday, April 4, 2003, at her residence. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, April 7, 2003, at Heck Funeral Home, with the Rev. Kim Stone and Pastor Bill Davis officiating. Burial in Forest Memorial Park, Milton. She was born April 12,1946, in Huntington, a daughter of the late Guy and Anna Lou Pancake Morrison. She also was preceded in death by her son, Brandon Odell Stepp and her sister, Sue Templeton.
Mrs. Hixenbaugh graduated from Milton High School in 1964, where she was the former Miss Greyhound and head majorette. She was a beautician and retired from City National Bank. She also was a member of the Porter Creek Cloggers and Milton Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband, Harry R. Hixenbaugh of Milton; daughter and son-in-law, Grover and Ronda Stepp Church of Hardy, Ky; special granddaughter, Julianna; step-daughter, Christine McKee of Charleroi, Pa; stepson David Hixenbaugh of Mononesson, Pa; step-grandchildren, Allison and Amy Hixenbaugh; uncles, Perry and Donnie Morrison; very special brother-in-law Jerry Templeton; best friend. Clara Padavick; special caregiver, Sherry Kirtley; and a host of friends and family. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.heckfuneralhome.net.
June F. Kirby
June F. Kirby, 83, of Milton, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, April 3, 2003, at Putnam General Hospital. Funeral services were conducted Monday April 7, 2003, at Heck Funeral Home, Milton, with the Rev. Kevin Shull officiating. Burial in Milton Cemetery. She was born March 20, 1920, a daughter of the late Roy S. Hoover and Rose Nell Pauley Hoover Clemmer. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph G. Kirby, Sr. and three sons, Roy, Ronnie and Dexter. She was a member of Cooper Ridge Independent Church.
She is survived by three daughters, Judy Chapman and Rosalee Edwards, both of Milton, and Lahoma Kirby of Houston, Texas; three sons, Ricky Kirby of Culloden, Ralph “Pete” Kirby of Milton and Harold “Dee-Dee” Kirby of Florida; two sisters, Bonnie Trott and Agnes Sager, both of Maryland. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.heckfuneralhome.net.
Robert Larry Kelly
Robert Larry Kelly, 55, of Branchland, went to be with the Lord on April 2, 2003. He was born February 6, 1948, in Bluefield, WVa. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jo An Adkins and his father, Benjamin Kelly. Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Anna Adkins Kelly; one daughter, Sherry Corbett of Barboursville; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Chris Kelly of Barboursville, and Robert and Carrie Kelly of Ona; one foster son, Jerry Baisden at home; seven grandchildren, Dusten Bills, Carrie Hardiman and Chuckie Lewis, all of Barboursville; Jeremy Kelly of Huntington; Keshia Kelly, Joshua Kelly and Dylan Kelly, al of Ona; four sisters, Marsha Adkins of Branchland, Belva Courtney of Springfield, Mo.; Sally Johnson of Barboursville, and Carol Sue Parsons of Salt Rock; one brother, Larry “Pete” Kelly of Salt Rock; special nephew, Johnny Adkins of Wayne and special niece, Alisha Adkins of Branchland; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. Funeral services were held Sunday at the Bethlehem United Baptist Church by the Rev. Zachary Bills, the Rev. Ray Adkins and the Rev. Truman Adkins. Burial in Eaves Cemetery. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers were Carsel Adkins, Moses Adkins, Billy Adkins, Johnny Adkins, Chuckie Lewis, and Terry Gue.
