Marsha F. Mitchell
Marsha F. Poling Mitchell, Ed.D, MSN, RN, 50, of Hurricane died December 5, 2003, in Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown.
She was born November 12, 1953 in Philippi, a daughter of the late Marshall L. Poling and Dorothy F. Polling of Meadowville WV.
She taught nursing for 27 years and presently served as assistant professor of nursing at WVU School of Nursing in Morgantown. She was a member of the American Nursing Association, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Southern Nursing Research Society, WV Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau-Alpha Rho Chapter, and Phi Delta Kappa.
She was a member of the Central Chapel United Methodist Church.
In addition to her mother, surviving: husband, Robert L. Mitchell II of Hurricane; sons, Jayson B. Mitchell and Justin R. Mitchell, both of Hurricane; sister and brother-in-law, Jayme D. and husband, Rickey L. Phillips of Belington.
Service was held at Central Chapel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dot Smith Stewart and the Rev. Dr. Daniel Unger officiating. Interment
was in Central Chapel Cemetery.
Eunice Bragg
Eunice Bragg, 91, of Hurricane died December 7, 2003, in Teays Valley Nursing Home, Hurricane.
Honaker Funeral Home, Logan, was in charge of arrangements.
Pauline Ashcraft Wells
Pauline Ashcraft Wells, 74, of Huntington died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, in St. Marys Medical Center. Funeral service were conducted at 2 pm Saturday, Dec. 6 at Henson Mortuary, Huntington, by the Rev Sue Jarrett. Burial in Woodmere Memorial Park She was born Aug. 2,1929, in Jenkins, Ky, a daughter of the late Howard Paul and Nell Humphrey Ashcraft. She was a homemaker and member of Pea Ridge United Methodist Church. She was a Past Worthy Matron and member of Huntington Chapter 8, Order of the Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Wells (1994); and sisters, Cathleen Bates and Betty Jean Vanover. Survivors include her children, Debra Jean and Gary Johnson of Jacksonville, Fla., Patty Lynn and Stephen Chapman of Huntington and Barbara Ellen Nelson of Huntington; grandchildren, Alex and Erica Nelson, Stephanie (Johnson) and Tim Wylie, Gregory Lewis Johnson, Joseph Chapman and Jessica Leigh Nelson; great-grandchildren, Megan and McKenzie; a sister, E. Joan Ashcraft of Huntington; and brothers, A. Paul Ashcraft of Huntington, Jack Ashcraft of Street, Md, and Edward Ashcraft of Dayton Ohio. The family asks that any donations be made to the Arthritis Foundation Condolences may be sent to timeformemory.com/henson.
William B. Venoy
William B. Venoy, 72, of Milton, WV, passed away Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, at Cabell Huntington Hospital. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, at Wallace Funeral Home, Milton. Burial in Baylous Cemetery. He was born Sept 13, 1931 in Cabell County, a son of the late Bryan and Ivy Weatherholt Venoy. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Belle Legg and Gay Venoy; and one brother, David Venoy. He is survived by his wife, Dora Frye Venoy of Milton; one daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Tim Kiser of Milton; two sisters, Ruth Ray of Huntington and Kay Wells of Augusta, Georgia; three brothers, Bobby Venoy and J.B. Venoy, both of Milton, and Ronald Venoy of Ona; three grandchildren, Erika Venoy and Samantha and Timothy Kiser Jr. With special thanks to his niece, Pam Vannatter. Wallace Funeral Home, was in charge of arrangements.
Julius “Duty” Dingess
Julius “Duty” Dingess, 87, of Barboursville, W.Va, formerly of Chapmanville, W.Va., was born on March 21, 1916, at West Fork of Harts, W.Va. the son of the late Ezekiel and Martha Farley Dingess. He went home to be with the Lord Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, at his residence. Mr. Dingess was a former coal miner, Logan County Deputy Sheriff and employee of the West Virginia Department of Highways. Mr. Dingess attended the Friendly Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Louise Workman Dingess; one daughter, Judy Kinder, and two sons, Curtis and Richard Dingess. He is survived by his wife, Dianna Collins Dingess; four daughters, Betty (Richard) Kennedy of Spring Hill, Fla., Peggy (Jim) Stinson of Jacksonville, Fla., Fredia (Clyde) Parhain of Greenville, S.C., and Lillian Collier of Chapmanville, W.Va.; four sons, Orville (Dottie) Dingess of Easley, S.C., Alvin (Brenda) Dingess of Huntington, WVa, Zeke (Connie) Dingess of Harts, W.Va, and Virgil Dingess of Hickory, N.C.; one sister, Coleen Browning of Tennessee; 14 grandchildren, Nyda Duncan, Todd Dingess, Cindy McGinnis, Al Dingess, David Kinder, Jeff Kinder, Brian Dingess, Julie Brown James Stinson, Ashlee Staker, Cortney Collier, Brittany Dingess, April Dingess and Shawn Dingess; eight great-grandchildren; and two stepchildre, Larry Ross and April Johnson. Services were held 11 a.m. Monday at Evans Funeral Home, Chapmanville, WV, with the Rev.. Roger Roberts officiating. Burial in Highland Memory Gardens, Godby, W.Va. Pallbearers were grandsons and Philip Blevins and Sherrell Pratt. Honorary pallbearer was Pete Ferrell.
Dale L. Fitzwater
Dale L. Fitzwater, 86, of Huntington, widower of Virginia Fitzwater, died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003, in the Huntington V.A. Medical Center. He was born May 4,1917, in Summersville, W.Va, a son of the late Lee Fitzwater and Bertha Mollohan. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Eloise Hinds and Mary Lunter. He was a member of Summersville Masonic Lodge #76, a 50-year member of Pea Ridge United Methodist Church, Beni Kedem Shrine and Sons of the American Revolution. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a self-employed food broker. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Dale L Jr. and Crystal Fitzwater of Barboursville; one daughter and son-in-law, Nancy Ellen and Mike Dunn of Trappe, Md.; two brothers, Gerald Fitzwater of Knoxville, Tenn, and Alan Fitzwater of Florida; four grandchildren, Andrew and Zachary Fitzwater and Matt and Jason Dunn; and special friends, Virginia Hevenver and Nova and Wilkinson streets neighbors, Dale Loy, Frank Richardson and Buzz Powell. Funeral 11 am. Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at Henson Mortuary by the Rev. Sue Jarrett; burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital, 1900 Richmond Road, Lexington, KY 40502, and Veteran's Hospital Volunteer Services, Huntington V.A. Hospital. Family condolences may be sent at www.timeformemory.com/ Henson.
Donald Thomas Ellerbrock
Donald Thomas Ellerbrock, 77, of Milton, W.Va, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2003, at St Mary's Medical Center. Graveside services were conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, at Valley View Memorial Park Mausoleum, Hurricane, with the Rev. Ralph Sager officiating. Military graveside rites were performed by American Legion Post 139, Milton. Donald was born Aug. 6, 1926 in Ottawa, Ohio, a son of the late August and Margaret Ellerbrock. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Benroth Ellerbrock on Dec. 4, 1992. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jo Handley Gibson Ellerbrock; one son and daughter-in-law, Duane and Melanie Ellerbrock of Worthington, Ky; one daughter and son-in-law, Kris and Jack Crutchfield of Huntington; four grandchildren, Ian and Colden Ellerbrock, and Matthew and Beth Ann Crutchfield; one stepson and his wife Ronnie and Teresa Gibson of Salt Rock; one stepdaughter and her husband, Brenda and Mark Burden of Ashton; five step grandchildren, Brandon, Kristi and Jennifer Gibson and Joey and Jamie Burden; and five sisters and one brother.
He served in the U.S. Army in the Philippines during World War II, and was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He retired from The Chessie System where he was a structural engineer in charge of all bridges and tunnels in the State of West Virginia. He was a talented craftsman and had resided in Milton for the last 37 years. Donations may be sent to American Kidney Foundation or the American Cancer Society. The family would like to thank Dr. Distefano and the nurses of the 6th floor oncology unit at St Mary's Medical Center, with a special thanks to Brenda, Wendy Amy, Julius and Dusty for their support and understanding. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements.
Richard Philip Koehn
Richard Philip Koehn, 55, of Milton, passed away Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, at his residence. He was born May 12, 1948, a son of the late Remley Philip Koehn. He is survived by his mother, Juanita Koehn; one sister and brother-in-law Becky and Chuck Donovan; one niece, and one nephew. He is also survived by his best friend in the whole world, Brenda Lee Edwards. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements.
Tiffany Faith Mullins
Tiffany Faith Mullins, 22, of Barboursville died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, in St. Mary's Medical Center. She was born May 20,1981, in Huntington, a daughter of Raymond Mullins of Huntington and Debra Gamboa Shea of Salt Rock. She was a member of Pea Ridge Baptist Church and a graduate of Cabell-Midland High School and Huntington Beauty School. She is also survived by her stepfather, Jacque Shea of Salt Rock; niece, Jada Mullins; nephew, Austin Cordle; brother and sister-in-law, Chris and Erica Mullins of Milton; two stepsisters, Amanda Shea and Tinisha Shea, both of Vermont; and a host of aunts, uncles and friends. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, .2003, at Pea Ridge Baptist Church by the Rev. Greg Creasy; burial in Forest Memorial Park Milton. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.timeformemory.com/Henson. Henson Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Henry H. Jackson
Henry H. Jackson, 77, of Milton, W.Va., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003, in Cabell Huntington Hospital. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003, at Heck Funeral Home, Milton, with the Rev. Chuck Elkins officiating. Burial in Enon Cemetery. He was born May 25, 1926, in Milton, W.Va., a son of the late Eli A. and Chessie O. Johnson Jackson. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Eli Jackson, Jr. and an infant sister, Lucy Jackson. Henry was a member of Zoar Baptist Church. He is survived by one sister, Opal Stratton of Milton; and three brothers, Guster, Benjamin and Willard Jackson, all of Milton.
Darrell William Blake
Darrell William Blake, 58, of Huntington, W.Va., died Monday, Dec. 1, 2003, in St. Mary's Medical Center. Funeral services were conducted at Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, at Henson Mortuary, Huntington, by the Rev. Gordon Rutherford. Burial Ridgelawn Memorial Park. He was born Sept. 16, 1945, in Huntington, son of William “Bill” and Rita F. Blake of Lesage, W.Va. He was locomotive engineer with Amtrak. A U.S. Army veteran, he also was member of Mt. Union Baptist Church, a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, as well as state legislative chairman of the BLE. In addition to his parents, survivors include his wife, Diane Roach Blake of Huntington; a daughter, Jocelyn Dare of Proctorville, Ohio; three sons and their wives, Trevor and Heather Blake of Lesage, Joey and Misty Martin Blake of Huntington and Bill Blake of Proctorville; a stepdaughter and her husband, Amy and Rob Short of Roanoke, Va.; a sister, Rita Darlene Bowen of Hinton, W.Va.; and nine grandchildren, Shelby, Wyatt, Garrett, Caden and Christopher Blake, Madisyn and Matthew Holderby and Kasey and Hunter Short. Donations may be made to the Pediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Program, c/o Duke University Medical Center, Box 3090, Durham, NC 27710.
Maxine Lee
Maxine Lee, 67, of Barboursville, died Sunday, November 30, 2003 in Cabell Huntington Hospital. Graveside service was held in Columbia City, Inc. Wallace Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements.
Genevieve Kathryn Ramsey Blankfard
Genevieve Kathryn Ramsey Blankfard, 71, formerly of Milton, passed away Sunday, November 23, 2002 at her residence in Mcallen, TX. Graveside services were held Friday, November 28, 2003 at Milton Cemetery with Father Bert Valdes officiating. She was born April 24, 1932 in Cabell County, WV, a daughter of the late Roy and Lucille Edwards Ramsey. She is survived by her husband, Frances Byrne Blankfard; daughter, Cheryl Weatherholt Pullen of Kings Mountain, NC; son, Charles Bruce Weatherholt of Snow Hill, MD; four grandchildren, Mary Weatherholt Sorensen of Mobile, AL, Kelly Walker Shinn of Cherryville, NC, Eric Weatherholt of Salisbury, MD and Christopher John Walker of Kings Mountain, NC; three great grandchildren, Dustin, Cameron and Alexis. Heck Funeral Home, Milton was in charge of local arrangements.
Anna Belle Holley Powell
Anna Belle Holley Powell, 67, of Glenwood, W.Va., went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at home with family by her side. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003, at Heck Funeral Home, Milton with the Rev. Ronnie Long and the Rev. Billy Kersey officiating. Burial in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Fraziers Bottom. She was born Oct. 8, 1936, in Mason County, a daughter of the late Samual G. and Anna Z. Wolford Holley. She was also preceded in death by two siblings and a daughter, Debra Powell She was a homemaker and a former beautician as well as a lifelong member of Palestine Baptist Church. She is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Norris Chapman of Fraziers Bottom W.Va., her loving son, David Powell of Inverness, Fla.; her loving granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Heather and Tim Kersey of Ashton, W.Va., with whom she made her home; her new great granddaughter, Hannah Raelynn Kersey, the “apple other eye”; two step-granddaughters and their husbands, Tara and Troy Meadows of Fort Riley, Kan., and April and Barry Elliott of Farmington, N.H.; two brothers and their wives Charles and Louise Holley of Ashton, W.Va., and Carl and Virginia Holley of Milton: two sisters, Emma Jean Black of Ashton, W.Va., and Audrey Elkins of Louisiana; several special nieces and nephews; one special great nephew, Darien Cole “Sweetpea” Janicker of Barboursville, W.Va.; special friends, Bobby and Jim Camp of Barboursville; and a host of friends and family.
Her children would like to thank the family for all the help and support they have shown and given them through their mom's and granny's illness. They would also like to thank Hospice for all they have done. A special thanks to Robin and Alyissa, we could not have gotten through all of this without the love and support all of you have given us. We love you all. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements.
Nellie M. Young
Nellie M. Young, 94, of Barboursville died Sunday, November 30, 2003 in Mariner Health Care Center Huntington. She was a homemaker. Local survivors include a sister, Ima Baker of Huntington. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, December 4, 2003 at Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin; burial in Bays Cemetery, Hamlin.
Julia E. Galbraith
Julia E. Galbraith, 92, of Hurricane died Nov. 26, 2003. Mrs. Galbraith was a member of Rock Lake Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by two children, Richard Galbraith of Hurricane, Sally Fraser of Austin, Texas; sister, Peggy Hubert; two brothers, Dick and Bud Slevin; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services were held Friday, Nov. 28, 2003 at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with Pastor Rick McGuire officiating. Burial Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003 in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, was in charge of arrangements.
Susie V. Smith
Susie V. Smith, 93, of Charleston died Nov. 27, 2003, in Putnam General Hospital, Hurricane.
Born May 10, 1910, in Scott Depot, she was a daughter of the late James Millard and Betty Ann Taylor Arrington.
She was a homemaker and life member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Nitro Moose Lodge 565.
Surviving are a daughter, Evelyn Kelley of Hurricane; sons and daughters-in-law, Lawrence L. Jr. and Rosalie Smith of St. Albans, James L. and Susan K. Smith of Hurricane, Ronald W. and Vicki Smith of Belle; brother, George O. Arrington of St. Albans; 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Services were conducted Monday, Dec. 1, at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Rev. Gerry White officiating. Burial in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
Bertha Dempsey Adkins
Bertha Dempsey Adkins, 83 of Pliny, formerly of Harts, WV, went home to her Lord on Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, following a long illness.
She was born July 16, 1920, in Wayne County, W.Va. daughter of the late George and Martha Ann Lambert Dempsey. She was a graduate of Guyan Valley High School and Marshall University, and taught elementary school children in Lincoln County for more than 30 years. She was a founding member of Chapman Memorial Freewill Baptist Church in Harts, where she served as a former Sunday School teacher. Locally, she attended Ashton Baptist Church, and Mount Union United Methodist Church. She was active in the Lincoln County 4-H program for many years and a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Sorority. Her entire life was dedicated to serving children in both church and school.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved son, Gary Dale Adkins; sisters, Lola Templeton, June Messinger; and George, Curtis, Jack, and Bill Dempsey.
Bertha is survived by her loving and faithful husband of 65 years, June C. Adkins; a sister, Ona Mae Woodward of Phoenix, Ariz.; a daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Tom Nunnery of Point Pleasant; three grandchildren and their spouses, Rick and Jennifer Dotson of Barboursville, Misty (Dotson) and Gary Wingenbach of Bryan, Texas, and Jill Dotson of Point Pleasant; seven great-grandchildren, Josh Steele, Ryan, Noah, Ethan and Evan Dotson, Jessica and Sydney Wingenbach; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services were conducted at Chapman Memorial Church in Harts on Tuesday, Dec. 2, with the Rev. Kit Meade and the Rev. Tony Vance officiating. Burial in Adkins Family Cemetery, Harts, WV. Wilcoxen Funeral Home, Point Pleasant, was in charge of arrangements.
Stella Mae Lester Holley
Stella Mae Lester Holley, 77, of Glenwood, W.Va., went to be with the Lord and loved ones gone before, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003, at Lawrence Chapel Church by Pastor George Surgeon. Burial in Templeton Cemetery. She was born Oct. 2, 1926, in Wayne County a daughter of Lucinda Mills Lester of Barboursville and the late Wetzel Lester. She was a member of Lawrence Chapel Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Eugene Holley, one son, Charles Roger McClellan; one daughter, Charlotte Mae Blake and two brothers, Charles and Hariam Lee Lester. She is survived by five daughters, Alma Lena Hedrick and her husband Johnny of Huntington, Ethel Marie Gibson and her husband Hubert of Huntington, Mary Ann Meade of Huntington, Violet Rose Davis of Point Pleasant, W.Va., and Vivian Tennessee Glover and her husband Roger of Milton; one son, Ronald Lee McClellan of Milton; a daughter-in-law, Brenda McClellan of Culloden; two sisters, Tennessee Farley of Barboursville and Norma Godfrey of, Amherst, Ohio; five brothers, Thurmond Lester of Columbus, Ohio, Westzel Lester Jr., Ottie Lester and Whitt Lester, all of Barboursville, and Lonnie Lester of Milton; 41 grandchildren; 72 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements.
