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Gracie Belle Dorsey Bryant
ATLANTA, Ga. - Gracie Belle Dorsey Bryant, 103, died Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003, in Atlanta.
Born Jan. 22, 1900, at Snow Hill, she was the daughter of the late George U. and Virgie Simpson Dorsey.
Gracie was a resident of Odd until moving to Alpharetta, Ga., in 1992. She was a devout Christian throughout her life and will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Many called her "Amazing Gracie," a nickname she richly deserved.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Newman Givance "Jack" Bryant in 1990; a brother, Ora Dorsey; and two sisters, Jenny Carter and Reva Burdette.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Lowell and Eileen Bryant of McKees Rocks, Pa.; daughters and sons-in-law, Vadine and Douglas Monroe of Alpharetta, Maxine Falck of Marietta, Ga., and Betty and John Patsey of Somerset, Ky.; nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Donna King of Russelville.
Service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, Roswell. Graveside service will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Gracie's memory to Haven House Hospice, 5411 Northland Drive, Atlanta, GA 30342.
Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, Roswell.
Ray Burdette
WAYNE, Ohio - Ray Burdette, 68, of Wayne, formerly of Meadow Bridge, passed away Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, at his home following a short illness.
He was the son of the late Charles and Rosa Lilly Burdette. He was a minister.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Burdette; and two sisters, Margaret McKinney and Wilma Surbaugh.
Survivors include his wife, Emma; two sons, Danny Ray and Steve; a daughter, Loretta; three brothers, Clarence Burdette of Meadow Bridge, Charles A. Burdette Jr. of Danese and Delmore Burdette of Danese; a sister, Madeline Williams of Meadow Bridge; his grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Service will be Wednesday at Barndts Funeral Home, Wayne. will follow in Gramm Cemetery, Wayne.
Submitted by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.
Ray Burdette (alt version)
Ray Burdette, 68, of Wayne, Ohio, formerly of Meadow Bridge, died Sept. 26, 2003, at home following a short illness.
He was the son of the late Charles and Rosa Lilly Burdette. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Burdette; and sisters, Margaret McKinney and Wilma Surbaugh.
Mr. Burdette was a minister.
Surviving: wife, Emma; sons, Danny Ray and Steve; daughter, Loretta; brothers, Clarence Burdette of Meadow Bridge, and Charles A. Burdette Jr. and Delmore Burdette, both of Danese; sister, Madeline Williams of Meadow Bridge; his grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Service was Oct. 1 at Barndts Funeral Home, Wayne. followed in Gramm Cemetery, Wayne.
Ina Mae Cottrell
WHITESVILLE - Ina Mae Cottrell, 84, of the Seng Creek area of Whitesville, died Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, in Heartland of Beckley after a long illness.
Born March 25, 1919, at Cowen, she was the daughter of the late Jess and Maggie Mae Savage.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harley "Smokey" Cottrell; and a grandson, Billy Cottrell.
She attended the Nazarene Church, Seth.
Survivors include a daughter, Peggy Cottrell Midkiff and husband, James, of Columbia Station, Ohio; four sons, James and Kenneth and wife, Linda, all of Naoma, Robert of Garrison, and Ray and wife, Lottie, of Eunice; 16 grandchildren; and 29 great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Monday at Armstrong Funeral Home, Whitesville, with the Rev. David Cook officiating. Singers will be The Turner Family. will follow in Pineview Cemetery, Orgas.
Frienda may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Armstrong Funeral Home, Whitesville.
Effie Clara Simmons Craft
ALDERSON - Effie Clara Simmons Craft, 93, of Alderson, died Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003, at the Brier Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Ronceverte, following a long illness.
Born Oct. 5, 1909, at Assurance, in Monroe County, she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Liona Mann Simmons.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Roy "Jot" Craft; a daughter, June Pierce; a grandson, Andrew Pierce Jr.; four brothers, Dorsey Simmons, Mason Simmons, Howard Simmons and Clarence Simmons; and two sons-in-law, Andrew Pierce Sr. and Kenneth Taylor.
Mrs. Craft was a homemaker, a member of Old Greenbrier Baptist Church, Alderson, and was a member of Alderson Chapter No. 119, Order of the Eastern Star.
Survivors include two sons, John R. Craft and wife Nancy of Springfield, Va., and Danny Joe Craft and wife Dianna of Alderson; two daughters, Wanda Johnson and husband Keith of Washington, Pa., and Dorothy Taylor of Alderson; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Old Greenbrier Baptist Church, Alderson, with Dr. James B. Johnson officiating. will follow at the Old Greenbrier Memorial Cemetery, Alderson.
Friends may call 7 to 9 p.m. today at Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson, and one hour before service Monday at the church.
Family will serve as pallbearers.
Arrangements by Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson.
Myrtle E. Kessler Davis
ANDERSON, S.C. - Myrtle E. Kessler Davis, 89, of Anderson, formerly of Mount Hope, died Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, at the Ellenburg Nursing Center in Anderson following a long illness.
Born May 4, 1914, in Beckley, she was the daughter of the late J.L. and Lollia Howell.
Mrs. Davis was preceded in death by her first husband, Luray Kessler Sr.; her second husband, Charlie Settles; and her third husband, Archie Davis.
She was a retired store manager for Kessler Market and was actively involved in church services, being a devoted member of the First Church of God at Mount Hope. Her life was an example to others.
Survivors include a son, Luray E. Kessler and wife Lois of Anderson; a granddaughter, Terri Owens and husband Steve of Waterloo, S.C.; a grandson, Ray Kessler and wife Cheri of Mauldin, S.C.; grandsons, Danny Cook of Abbeville, S.C., and Tim Cook and wife Lisa of Anderson; five great-grandsons who were precious to her heart, Brandon, Chris, and Devin Kessler, Elijah and Aaron Cook; her siblings, Hazel Warden of Princeton, Gladys Kerstetter of Richmond, Va., Howard Howell of Colorado and Margaret Cook and Evelyn Wilbur, both of Manassas, Va.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel Chapel in Beckley with Rev. Ronnie Stapleton officiating. will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Family members and church friends will serve as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made in memory of Mrs. Davis to the First Church of God of Mt. Hope, Michigan Avenue, Mount Hope, WV 25880.
Condolences may be emailed to the family at RandQ@citynet.net.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
Lealand Edward Gunnoe
DANESE - Lealand Edward Gunnoe, 82, of Danese, heard the trumpet sounds of heaven call a distinct sound that called him home to be with Jesus on Friday, Sept. 26, 2003. He was surrounded by his loving family who watched the Lord tenderly usher him to His throne.
Lealand was born June 14, 1921, at Sandstone to the late Matthew Franklin and Mary Ethel Thompson Gunnoe.
He had a career as a miner and minister. Lealand, a devoted non-demoninational Christian, was a precious, loving father and friend who will be missed immensely.
Lealand was preceded in death by an infant son, Larry; two daughters, Barbara Moorman and Berneice Queen; two grandsons, Steven and infant Gregory Martin; one granddaughter, Darlene Gunnoe; a son-in-law, Gary W. Martin; and six brothers and seven sisters.
Lealand's survivors include his wife, Helen Shuck Gunnoe; son, Billy Gunnoe and wife Nancy of Danese; four daughters, Betty Allen and husband Jim of Grandview, Bonnie Martin of Spring Dale, Beverly Polen of Parrish, Fla., and Bonita Shinault of Hillsville, Va.; a brother, Bernard Gunnoe of Danese; three sisters, Virginia Allen of Ohio, Mary Douglas of Tennessee and Joanne Cole of Ohio; a very special friend and caregiver, Elizabeth Dempsey of Danese; 21 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Smathers Funeral Chapel in Rainelle with the Rev. Eddie Buffington and Al Whitt officiating. will follow in Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville. Service will conclude with the release of the White Flights.
Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.
Eunice Jean Ferguson Harvey
Eunice Jean Ferguson Harvey, 52, of Shady Spring, died Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003, at Charleston Area Medical Center, Memorial Division, following a short illness.
Born May 23, 1951, at Beaver, she was the daughter of the late Marshall Collins and Violet Collins.
Mrs. Harvey was debt management counselor for Consumer Credit Counseling.
She was a graduate of Shady Spring High School in 1969. She was of the Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Madison Danielle Furrow; a sister, Ann Messick; and a brother, Charles Collins.
Survivors include her husband, Dale Harvey; two daughters, Angela Furrow and husband, Daniel, of Beaver and Julie Ferguson of Shady Spring; a granddaughter, Haily Renee Furrow; six sisters, Nancy Thompson of Beckley, Mary Moore of Boston Spa, N.Y., Helen Maynard of Pennsville, N.J., Doris Southerland of Canton, Ohio, Barbara Nelson of Pennsville and Ruth Navaree of San Diego, Calif.
Service will be 1 p.m. today at Rose and Quesenberry Shady Spring Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy Waddell officiating. will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Pallbearers will be Justin Gunnoe, Jason Harvey, Bobby Waddell, Brandon Waddell, Eric Ellison, Chad Harvey and Aaron Harvey.
Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at RandQ@ citynet.net.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry, Shady Spring.
Mattie Josephine Johnston
Mattie Josephine Johnston, 81, of Rhodell, went home to be with the Lord, and her mother and father on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at the Wyoming County Continuous Care Center following a long illness.
Born Feb. 21, 1922, at Mead, she was the daughter of the late Melvin and Lucy Adkins Plumley.
She was a lifelong homemaker and loving mother.
Mrs. Johnston had made Rhodell her home most of her life.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Stella Meadows; and two brothers, Hobart and Sidney Plumley.
Survivors include her husband of 60 years, George Johnston; her twin sons, Roy Johnston and wife Ruth of Pax and Troy Johnston and wife Frances of Cool Ridge; three daughters, Connie Wilson and husband Donald of Odd, Linda Sanders and husband Larry of Coal City and Marie Miller and husband Jerry of Rhodell; two sisters, Geraldine Aliff of Sophia and Ellie Meador of Lewisburg; 10 grandchildren, Loretta Ayers, Edna Davis, Kimberly Reed, Lottie and Lee Sanders, Jamie and Angel Miller, Christopher and Kayla Johnston, and Trisha Johnston; and eight great-grandchildren.
Graveside rites and burial will be 4 p.m. today at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley, with Rev. Dan Coalson officiating. There will be no visitation.
Friends will serve as pallbearers.
Condolences may be emailed to the family at RandQ@citynet.net.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
Franklin D. Light
FAYETTEVILLE - Franklin Dalmas Light, 62, died Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003.
There will be no visitation.
Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.
Olive May Tillson Miller
FLAT TOP LAKE - Olive May Tillson Miller, 90, of Flat Top Lake, died Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, at the Greystone Inn at Beaver following a long illness.
Born Aug. 18, 1913, at Arlington, Va., she was the daughter of the late Ernest Ward and Jane Olive Vessey Tillson.
Mrs. Miller was a graduate of the Norfolk General Hospital School of Nursing in 1936, and received her post-graduate studies at the Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital in Jersey City, N.J. Mrs. Miller had served as president of the American Home Department of the Beckley Woman's Club and also as president of the Raleigh County Medical Auxillary. She was treasurer of the Beckley Child Care Center for many years. She had also served as president of the Women's Society of Christian Service.
Mrs. Miller was a member of the United Methodist Temple since Jan. 13, 1952, where she had taught Sunday school for several years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. George A. Miller, whom she had married on June 7, 1940; a son, Lawrence Edward Miller; and two brothers and one sister.
Survivors include a son, Vincent W. Miller and wife Frances of Ghent; a daughter, Carol J. Huffman of Beckley, and her children, John of Florence, S.C., and Deborah of Bowie, Md.; and her sisters, Erna Harrell of Arlington, Va., Grace Richardson of Vienna, Va., and Elizabeth Alexander of Georgia.
Funeral service will be 3:30 p.m. Monday at United Methodist Temple, Beckley, with Rev. Dan Johnson and Rev. Sara Lamb officiating. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum A, Beckley.
Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley, and one hour before service Monday at the church.
Pallbearers will be Fred and Christopher Burroughs, Tom Ward, Fred Hill, Kelly Sponaugle and Walter Winant.
Condolences may be emailed to the family at RandQ@citynet.net.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
Henry Lee 'Black Jack' Teet
Henry Lee "Black Jack" Teet, 61, of 301 Barber Ave., Beckley, died Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003, at the VA hospital following a long illness.
Born Jan. 20, 1942, in Beckley, he was the son of the late Robert and Bell Hale Stevens Teet.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Chester, Robert, James, Elmer and Glenn; and a sister, Elaine.
He was of the Protestant faith. He was a high school graduate and a veteran of the U.S. Army with an honorable discharge, after which he pursued his career as a brickmason.
Survivors include four sons, Henry Lee Teet Jr., Russell Teet, Duane Teet and Reginald Teet, all of Philadephia, Pa.; a sister, Norma Rita Brown of Camden, N.J.; a brother, Joe Louis Teet of Beckley; seven grandchildren; former wife, Pearline Wright of Philadelphia; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Service will be 1 p.m. Monday at Durgan Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Andrew J. Durgan Sr. officiating. will follow in the West Virginia National Cemetery, Grafton.
Friends may call one hour before service Monday at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Durgan Funeral Home, Beckley.
Hilda Louise Bowyer Weeks
Hilda Louise Bowyer Weeks, 81, of Bradley, died Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, at Apalachian Regional Hospital, Beckley, following a long illness.
Born Nov. 15, 1921, in Cirtsville, she was the daughter of the late John W. Bowyer and Jessie Mae Howard Bowyer.
She was a beloved wife and mother. She attended Maynor Freewill Baptist Church and was a member of the Ladies Auxillary of the church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommie "Tom" Weeks; a daughter, M. Lynn Chappell; two grandsons, Jacob Chappell and Stephen Matthew Weeks; and one sister, Jane Sweeney.
Survivors include two sons, Bernard Hugh Weeks and wife Sue of Bradley and Tommie Lewis Weeks and wife Sue of Indiahoma, Okla.; two brothers, Howard Bowyer of Grandview and Herbert Bowyer of Sand Branch; seven grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Tyree Funeral Home Chapel, Mount Hope, with the Rev. Forrest Gray officiating. will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Friends may call 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.
Albert E. Younger
Albert E. Younger, 88, of Stanaford, died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital.
Services entrusted to Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.
Jo Ann Baber
Jo Ann Baber, 68, of Crab Orchard, died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003, at Raleigh General Hospital following a long illness.
Born May 7, 1935, at Surveyor, she was the daughter of the late C.T. Fitts and Lula Davis Fitts.
Mrs. Baber was a former employee of G.C. Murphy and Grant Department Store. She attended Beckley College and was of the Methodist faith.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda Dawn Baber, in 1987.
Survivors include two sons, William J. Baber of Beckley and Barry Lee Baber and wife, Louise Shaw Baber, of Beckley; a grandson, Stephen Craig Baber; and a brother, Belvin N. Fitts of California.
Private graveside rites will be at Covey-Trail Cemetery, Surveyor, with the Rev. Troy W. Simmons officiating.
There will be no visitation.
Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at RandQ@citynet.net.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry, Beckley.
Geraldine 'Gerry' Bailey Brandstetter
Geraldine "Gerry" Bailey Brandstetter, 63, of Glen Morgan, passed away suddenly on Monday, Sept. 29, 2003.
Born May 11, 1940, at Fireco, she was the daughter of Celia Bailey of Glen Morgan and the late George Bailey.
Mrs. Brandstetter was a homemaker.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Calvin Brandstetter; and a brother, Ira Bailey.
Other survivors besides her mother include two sons, Frank Brandstetter of Toledo, Ohio, and Mark Brandstetter of Shady Spring; three grandchildren, Tabitha, Jennifer and Christopher Brandstetter; three brothers, Jim Bailey of Flatwoods, Ky., Roger Bailey of Glen Morgan and Rick Bailey of Lynchburg, Va.; and three sisters, Shirley Bailey of Beckley, Jean Hall of Dallas, Texas, and Brenda Von Kaenel of Dover, Ohio.
Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Troy W. Simmons officiating. will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at RandQ@ citynet.net.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
Mae Ann Evans Canterbury
FAYETTEVILLE - Mae Ann Evans Canterbury, 68, went to be with the Lord suddenly on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003, at Plateau Medical Center, Oak Hill.
Born Aug. 19, 1935, in Oak Hill, she was the daughter of the late Jesse B. and Gladys Mae Evans.
Mrs. Canterbury was a homemaker. She was a member of Kesler Memorial Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir and had recently attended Oak Hill United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert "A.B." Canterbury.
Survivors include three sons, Gary Albert Canterbury and wife, Barbara, of Mechanicsville, Va., Stephen Leslie Canterbury and wife, Dane, of West Long Branch, N.J., and Shane Lee Canterbury and wife, Dee, of St. Albans; two daughters, Sharon Kay Dillon and husband, Doc, of Oak Hill and Barbara Ann Whitmore and husband, Eddie, of Oak Hill; a sister, Margret Evans of Oak Hill; six grandsons, Doc III, Jeff, Eddie "Ras," Andrew, Jacob and Adam; four granddaughters, Elaine, Tracey, Tawna and Heather; and two great-grandsons, Evan and Ethan.
Service will be 11 a.m. today at Tyree Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with Lay Pastor and Elder Jim Dempsey officiating. will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill.
Friends called 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Doc Dillon III, Jeffrey Witt, Eddie "Ras" Whitmore, Andrew Canterbury, Doc Dillon, Eddie Whitmore II, Jacob and Adam Canterbury.
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.
Ruth 'Myrtle' Farley
Ruth "Myrtle" Farley, 84, of Beckley, formerly of Sandbranch, died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at Hidden Valley Health Care Center.
Born Aug. 15, 1919, in McDowell County, she was the daughter of the late George H. Bolen and Meranda Hylton Bolen.
Mrs. Farley was a member of Skelton Freewill Baptist Church and lived most of her life in Beckley. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Farley, in December 1985; eight brothers; and a sister.
Survivors include four daughters, Janice Foley of Beaver, Dena Midkiff of Shady Spring, Frances Gilbert and husband, Shelby, of Houston, Texas, and Thresa Gibson and husband, Roland, of Rainelle; a sister, Ruby Blankenship of Beckley; three sisters-in-law, Beulah Mills of Beckley, Paulene Bolen of Beckley and Vada Bolen of Coal City; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Beckley, with the Rev. Robert Barley officiating. will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at RandQ@ citynet.net.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry, Beckley.
Lilly M. Hylton
Lilly M. Hylton, 98, of Bud Mountain, died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, in a Beckley hospital following a long illness.
Arrangements by Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens.
