Phyllis Jo Thacker
Phyllis Jo Thacker, 70, of Hurricane, formerly of Poca, died June 24, 2003, in Putnam General Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Lula Westfall; brother, Ralph, Lawrence and Earl “Nute” Westfall; sister, Mae Wolfe.
Surviving: children, William M. Thacker of Reading, Pennsylvania, Gerald W. Thacker of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania and Brenda L. Thacker of Leon; sisters, Lillian Conway of Red House and Ruby Westfall Woods of Hilltop Lakes, Texas; brothers, O.L. Pete Westfall of Rupert and Franklin “Lanie’ Westfall of Poca; many nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Graveside service was held Saturday, June 28, 2003, at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens Mausoleum Chapel, Cross Lanes. Burial followed in the memory gardens. Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, was in charge of arrangements.
Obie H. Smith
Obie H. Smith, 86, of Hurricane died Thursday, June 26, 2003, in Teays Valley Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, following a brief illness.
He was a retired business owner of O.H. Smith Sales and Service. He attended the Methodist Church in Hurricane and was a lifelong resident of Hurricane. He was a member of the Mason Blue Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite Josephine Smith.
Surviving: daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and James Morton of Annapolis, Maryland; granddaughter, Charity Gleeson; grandson, Jason Morton; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Clarice Bayliss and Dorothy Hanley, both of Hurricane; and dear friend, Gene Woodson.
Memorial service was held Saturday, June 28, 2003, at Teays Valley Missionary Church, Hurricane, with Pastor John Duffy officiating. Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James Frankie Mathena
James Frankie Mathena, 62, of Scott Depot, formerly of Black Like Community, Wythe County, Virginia, died June 27, 2003.
He was the son of the late Clint and Gertie Umberger Mathena and was also preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Ann Mathena.
He was a retired Rite Aid driver.
Surviving: wife, Hazel Umberger Mathena; sons and a daughter-in-law, Gary Allen and Virginia Mathena of Atkins, Virginia, Jeffrey Wayne of Scott Depot; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara Lynn and Brian Odell of Scott Depot; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; several cousins.
Service was held Monday, June 30, 2003, at Grub Funeral Home, Wytheville, Virginia. Interment
was in Marvin Church Cemetery, Black Lick.
Memorial donations may be made to Black Lick Cemetery Fund, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the American Cancer Society.
James G. Vanmeter
James G. “Jerry” Vanmeter, 45, of Scott Depot died June 29, 2003, in Thomas Memorial Hospital after a short illness.
Surviving: parents, James A. Vanmeter of St. Albans and Lillie “Tootsie” Vanmeter of Charleston.
Service was held Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, Cross Lanes, with the Rev. Alvin Larck officiating. Burial was in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens.
Bertha M. Welch
Bertha M. Welch, 67, of Poca died June 28, 2003, at home following a long illness.
She was born June 11, 1936 in Carthage, Maine, daughter of the late John Sr. and Stella Grant of Maine.
She resided in Jay, Maine until 1972 when she and her husband moved to West Virginia. She was a longtime member of the bowling community at Towne ‘n Country Lanes in Nitro, being secretary of many leagues. She had several hobbies and activities she loved, such as her love for animals, coin and stamp collecting, and collecting owl figurines. She was a deeply religious woman.
Surviving: husband, Paul Sr. of Poca; daughters, Bobbi Courtois of Saco, Maine and Bonnie Kimmons of Sanford, Florida; sons, Kevin of Poca, Paul Jr. and Troy Sr., both of Nitro, Terry and Travis, both of New Hampshire; 10 grandsons and four granddaughters; sisters, Inza Grant, Eloise Brackett and Sandra Grondin, all of Maine; brother, John Grant Jr. of Maine; her pet cockatiel, Prettyboy.
Service was held Thursday, July 3, 2003, at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, Cross Lanes. Entombment was in the mausoleum.
Memorial donations may be made to the Paul Welch family, c/o Towne ‘n Country Lanes, Nitro.
Cleasby O. Johnson
Cleasby O. Johnson, 82, of Hurricane died June 30, 2003, in Cabell Huntington Hospital after a short illness.
She is dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
Surviving: daughter, Letha Johnson of Huntington; sons, Kurtis Johnson of Missouri, Jeffrey Johnson of Dunbar, Kemron Johnson of Georgia, Dallas Stowers of Teays Valley, and Gary Stowers of Charleston; sister, Mathel Bird of Milton; brother, Ray Adkins of Ohio; 10 grandchildren; 10 stepgrandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Service was held Thursday, July 3, 2003, at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, with the Rev. Mark Hesson officiating. Burial was in Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Versie M. Clark
Versie M. Clark, formerly of Culloden, W.Va., died Tuesday, July 1, 2003, in Canada’s Personal Care Home, Teays Valley. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, July 3, 2003, at Heck Funeral Home with the Rev. Calvin Lilly officiating. Burial in Forest Memorial Park, Milton. She was born April 16, 1916, a daughter of the late Jobe and Ernie Venoy Lilly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry S. Clark, and a grandson, Doug Clark. She is survived by one son, David E. Clark of Hurricane; three granddaughters, Vonda Erwin and Tamara Setliff of Culloden and Ruth Clark of Jensen Beach Fla.; three great grandsons; three great granddaughters; one great-great grandson; one great-great granddaughter, one sister, Faye Blessing of Columbus, Ohio; and two brothers, Ray Lilly of Richwood, Ohio, and Joe Lilly of Dade City, Fla. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements.
Sgt. Tony Lee Bailey
Sgt. Tony Lee Bailey, 26, of Salt Rock, W.Va, passed away June 22, 2003, in Darmstadt, Germany. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel, Barboursville, by the Rev. Steve Nida. Burial in Baylous Cemetery. He was born Nov. 11, 1976, in Huntington, a son of the late Homer and Lavona Gue Bailey. He entered the Army in March 1997 as a 95B, Military Police Officer. He was later selected for training as a Military Working Dog (MWD) Handler and was assigned November 2000 to the Darmstadt Kennel, HHC, 26th Area Support Group. His K9 partner was Rex. Sergeant Bailey’s awards and decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon with second device, the Army Service Ribbon and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. He also held the German Marksmanship Award in Silver. He was preceded in death by one sister, Carol Ann Curry. SGT Bailey is survived by one daughter, Leonie Pachale of Germany; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Cathy Lewis of Huntington, Goldie and Randy Woodrum of Barboursville, Vickie and John Bailey of Lesage and Wanda and Jeff Spence of Ona; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ellis and Vanessa Bailey of Barboursville and Homer and Tammy Bailey of Salt Rock;
nieces and nephews, Misty Wilson, Crystal Spence, Kayla Spence, Courtney Bailey, Chelsea Bailey, Craig Woodrum, Chad Woodrum, Amanda Gillispie, Brandon Bailey, Travis Bailey, Bryce Bailey, Megan Bailey, Kelli Bailey; and three great-nephews. Pallbearers were Brian McClellan, Shawn Edmonds, Todd Bailey, Homer Bailey, Chad Woodrum, Brandon Bailey, SGT Brandon Amos and SSG Kevin Reese. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements. Tony will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Walter Lee Harmon
Walter Lee Harmon, 77, of Huntington, W.Va., went home to be with the Lord Sunday, June 29, 2003. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel by Dr. Jack Mayes. Burial in Crook Cemetery. He was born June 26, 1926, in Cabell County, a son of the late Floyd Thomas and Lucy Blankenship Harmon. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth Miller and Frances Harshbarger, and one brother, James Harmon. He was retired from Houdaille Industries and was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Marines. He was a charter member of Crossroads Baptist Church, a member of V.F.W. Post 1064, Huntington, and a member of Odd Fellows Lodge #64, Huntington. He is survived by his wife, Valeria Baisden Harmon; three daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn and Ronald Wright of Hurricane, Kathy and Michael McGhee of Scott Depot, W.Va., and Sue and John Pauley of Cincinnati, Ohio; two sons and daughters-in-1aw, John Walter and Sandy Harmon of Chino Hill, Calif., and Paul Thomas and Angie Harmon of Barboursville; one sister, Fay Thompson of Taylor, Mich.; two brothers, William Harmon of Lesage, W.Va., and Earl T. Harmon of San Bernardino, Calif; 12 grandchildren & six great-grandchildren. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements. V.F.W. Post #1064 conducted military graveside rites.
James O. Kuhn III
James O. Kuhn III, 68, of Ona, W.Va., died Friday, June 20, 2003, in Colby, Kansas, while on vacation. He was born August 1, 1934, to James B. and Hazel W. Kuhn of Kanawha City, W.Va. He was a retired rural letter carrier. He was an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Army and an active member of the Milton American Legion Post 117. He was a member of the Charleston Masonic Lodge AF&AM 153. He was a member of Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church. He was a past president of the West Virginia Chapter of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association and was serving as state Chaplain at the tune of his death. He was preceded in death by his father, James B. Kuhn Jr. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Emma Lou; his mother, Hazel W. Kuhn; a sister, Nancy K. Bright; and his children, Suzi and Bart. A memorial service was held Saturday, June 28, 2003, at Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church in Hurricane with Rev. Dr. Dan Hogan officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church building fund.
Virginia Dare Howell
Virginia Dare Howell, 79, of Gallipolis, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at Arbors Nursing Home, Gallipolis, Ohio. Funeral services were conducted Friday, June 27, 2003, at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel, Barboursville. Burial in Montgomery Memorial Park, London, W.Va. She was born November 11, 1923, in Gallagher, W.Va., a daughter of the late Charles and Belle Curnutte. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Howell and two grandsons, Bill Howell and Duane Howell. She is survived by two sons and daughters- in-law, Dennis and Jeanie Howell of Pomeroy, Ohio, and Gregory and Norma Howell of Ona, W.Va.; one sister, Ruth Wroblewski of Gallipolis; one brother, Earl Curnutte of St. Albans; three grandchildren, Jessica Howell, Tracy Napier and Todd Howell; four great-grandchildren, Brittney Napier, Lindsey Napier, Ryan Howell and Ethan Howell.
Carol Ann Copley
Carol Ann Copley, 64, of Barboursville, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, June 24, 2003. Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, June 26, 2003, at St. Joseph Catholic Church by Monsignor Lawrence Luciana. Burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. She was born September 20, 1938, in Ellwood City, Pa., a daughter of the late Frank and Antoinette Gagliardi Caminite. She was a general manager of Sodexho Services at Marshall University and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Copley. She is survived by one daughter, Stacy Reynolds of Barboursville; one son, Robert Reynolds and his wife Angela of Barboursville; and five special grandchildren, David Paul, Jared, Nicole, Bobby Joe and Frankie. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Joseph Grade School.
Elsie Elizabeth Scragg
Mrs. Elsie Elizabeth Scragg, 82, of Salt Rock, W.Va., went to be with the Lord Sunday, June 22, 2003, at her home. She was born March 27, 1921, in Lincoln County, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Kelly and Lovie Hooser. She was a homemaker and a faithful member of the Valley of Decision Baptist Church, Salt Rock. She was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin Scragg. She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Lonnie and Barbara Scragg of Salt Rock, David and Sheryl Scragg of West Hamlin, W.Va., and Johnny Scragg of Huntington; a daughter, Bonita Scragg of Hurricane, W.Va.; a sister, Bessie Bellomy of Laredo, W.Va.; a daughter-in-law, Deanna Scragg of Huntington; three special sisters-in-law, Joann Pearson of Ringold, Ga., Freeda Scragg of Barboursville and Reva Hooser of Midkiff; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and a host of friends. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at Handley Funeral Home, Hamlin, WV, with the Rev. Sonny Sovine and the Rev. Millard Morrison officiating. Burial in Lovejoy Cemetery, Palermo, W.Va.
