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Ronald J. Arrington
Ronald Jesse Arrington, 75, of Oak Hill, died Sept. 29, 2003, in Oak Hill following a long illness.
Born Aug. 8, 1928, at Page, he was the son of the late Jesse Arnold Arrington and Hazel Wall Arrington. His sister, Wilda Arrington, also preceded him in death.
Ronnie was a retired welder from Long-Airdox and had last worked at One Valley Bank in Oak Hill.
He attended Fellowship Memorial Baptist Church and served during World War II in the U.S. Army.
Surviving: wife, Ruth Ann Taylor Arrington of Oak Hill; son, Duane Arrington of Crab Orchard; daughters, Evona Miller and husband, Tom, of Fayetteville, and Teresa Gray and husband, Teddy, of Mossy; sister, Betty Sublett of Salem, Va.; grandchildren, Tommy Munoz, Lauren Munoz and Colby Gray; nephews, Danny Stokes and David Stokes; niece, Patsy Brown; and an aunt, Grace Cook.
A private family service with Pastor Bill Menefee officiating will be held at a later date. Burial, with arrangements by Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville, will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Audrey R. Ballard
Audrey R. Ballard, 87, of Greenville, died Sept. 23, 2003, in Lindside following an extended illness.
Born Feb. 15, 1916, at Greenville, she was the daughter of the late Overton B. and Viloa Crosier Long. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin S. Ballard; three brothers; and four sisters.
Mrs. Ballard was a member of Mount Herman Baptist Church at Sarton and a homemaker.
Surviving: daughters, Clara B. Magrum of Derwood, Md., Bonnie L. Wyatt of Prince Frederick, Md., Geneva Mae Thomas of Oak Hill and Maxine Carol Alexander of Caldwell; sister, Anice Lemons of High Point, N.C.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a special niece, Eva Bradley of Union.
Service was Sept. 25 at Broyles-McGuire Funeral Home Chapel, Union, with the Rev. Bob Ratliff officiating. followed in Greenville Cemetery.
Carol Sue 'Suzie' Berlin
Mrs. Carol Sue "Suzie" Bragg Berlin, 64, of Harlan, Ky., died Sept. 26, 2003, at home.
Born Sept. 1, 1939, in Oak Hill, she was the daughter of the late Charles Ernest and Mildred Josephine Hager Bragg. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Franklin Berlin Jr., and brother, Charles E. "Joe" Bragg Jr.
Mrs. Berlin had lived in Harlan for the past 33 years. She graduated with honors from the Charleston General Hospital School of Nursing in 1960. She worked as a registered nurse at the Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital on the Psychiatric Unit for the past 14 years.
Surviving: children, Pamela Ann Berlin Boggs and husband, Winston A Boggs, and Charles Franklin "Trey" Berlin III and wife, Ashley G. Berlin, all of Lexington, Ky.; grandson, Christopher Adam Rains of Louisville, Ky.; brother, Robert L. Bragg of Oak Hill; cousin, Shirley Mackey of Oak Hill; and several other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Sept. 29 at the Anderson & Laws Funeral Home, Harlan, with the Rev. Ernest Boggs officiating. Graveside services were Sept. 30 at the Sunset Memorial Park in South Charleston with Brother John Pro Mackey officiating.
The family has requested memorials be made to the Harlan ARH Hospital Auxiliary or to Mountain Heritage Hospice of Harlan.
Mae Ann Evans Canterbury
Mae Ann Evans Canterbury, 68, of Fayetteville, died Sept. 28, 2003, in an Oak Hill hospital.
Born Aug. 19, 1935, at Oak Hill, she was the daughter of the late Jesse B. and Gladys Mae Evans. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Albert (A.B.) Canterbury.
Mrs. Canterbury was a homemaker, a member of the Kesler Memorial Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir. She had recently attended the Oak Hill United Methodist Church.
Surviving: sons, Gary Albert Canterbury and wife, Barbara, of Mechanicsville, Va., Stephen Leslie Canterbury and wife, Diane, of West Long Branch, N.J., and Shane Lee Canterbury and wife, Dee, of St. Albans; daughters, Sharon Kay Dillon and husband, Doc, and Barbara Ann Whitmore and husband, Eddie, all of Oak Hill; sister, Margaret Evans of Oak Hill; grandsons, Doc III, Jeff, Eddie (Ras), Andrew, Jacob and Adam; granddaughters, Elaine, Tracey, Tawna and Heather; and great-grandsons, Evan and Ethan.
Service was Oct. 1 at Tyree Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with Lay Pastor and Elder Jim Dempsey officiating. followed in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill.
Novella Mae Clendenin
Novella Mae Clendenin, 59, of Victor, died Sept. 25, 2003, in a Charleston hospital following a short illness.
Born May 15, 1944, at Hico, she was the daughter of the late Lewis Jackson Grimmett and Emma Myrtle Sims Grimmett. She also was preceded in death by brothers, Paul and Carl Grimmett.
A homemaker, Mrs. Clendenin attended Freewill Baptist Church of Ansted.
Surviving: husband, Gordon Clendenin; daughters, Kathryn Powers and husband, David, Anna Blair and husband, Marvin, and Angela Workman, all of Victor; sisters, Naomi Wood of Waterford, Mich., and Ruth Sedlock and Kathryn Wood, both of Hico; brother, Orville Grimmett and Camilla of Victor; sister-in-law, Athylene Grimmett of Victor; and grandchildren, Jeff, Matthew, David, Amanda, Carrie and Jessica.
A celebration of her life was observed Sept. 29 at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Ansted, with the Revs. Doug Burdette and Joe Cuthbertson officiating. Entombment followed at Chapel of Rest Mausoleum, Victor.
Gary Davis
Myrtle E. Kessler Davis
Myrtle E. Kessler Davis, 89, of Anderson, S.C., formerly of Mount Hope, died Sept. 26, 2003, in Anderson following a long illness.
Born May 4, 1914, in Beckley, she was the daughter of the late J.L. and Lollia Howell. She also was preceded in death by her first husband, Luray Kessler Sr.; her second husband, Charlie Settles; and her third husband, Archie Davis.
Mrs. Davis 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.
Surviving: son, Luray E. Kessler and wife, Lois, of Anderson; granddaughter, Terri Owens and husband, Steve, of Waterloo, S.C.; 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; great-grandsons, Brandon, Chris, and Devin Kessler, and Elijah and Aaron Cook; and siblings, Hazel Warden of Princeton, Gladys Kerstetter of Richmond, Va., Howard Howell of Colorado, and Margaret Cook and Evelyn Wilbur, both of Manassas, Va.
Service was Sept. 29 at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel Chapel, Beckley, with Rev. Ronnie Stapleton officiating. followed at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Memorials may be made 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.
Charles H. Fortner
Charles H. Fortner, 65, of Wakeman, Ohio, formerly of Ansted, died Sept. 22, 2003, at his home.
Born May 19, 1938, in Chillicothe, Ohio, he was the son of the late Clarance and Blanche Willis Fortner. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Harvey Fortner; sisters, Viola Jones and Maybelle Fortner; daughter, Carla Fortner; granddaughter, Kaitlin Fortner; grandson, Tyler Dean; and great-granddaughter, Ciara Sams.
Mr. Fortner was a retired owner/operator truck driver and a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Korea as a Specialist 4, Third Class Radio Operator in the 624th Transportation Co. 2150. He was a life member and retired state director of the Brothers of the Third Wheel.
Surviving: wife, Pamela Schwiefert Fortner; sons, Robert Fortner of Jackson Center, Ohio, Donald Alexander of Wakeman, and Charles Fortner of Willard; daughters, Vickie O'Dell of West Virginia, and Tamara Kissinger, Debra Hanson, Joyce Gilbert, Ginger Dean, and Teresa Alexander, all of Norwalk; brother, Edward C. Fortner of Wakeman; sister, Rosilee White of West Virginia; 26 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Service was Sept. 24 in Norwalk, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to Stein Hospice Service, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870.
Lealand Edward Gunnoe
Lealand Edward Gunnoe, 82, of Danese, died Sept. 26, 2003, surrounded by his family.
Born June 14, 1921, at Sandstone, he was the son of the late Matthew Franklin and Mary Ethel Thompson Gunnoe. He also was preceded in death by an infant son, Larry; daughters, Barbara Moorman and Berneice Queen; grandsons, Steven and infant Gregory Martin; granddaughter, Darlene Gunnoe; son-in-law, Gary W. Martin; and six brothers and seven sisters.
Mr. Gunnoe had a career as a miner and minister. He was a devoted non-demoninational Christian.
Surviving: wife, Helen Shuck Gunnoe; son, Billy Gunnoe and wife, Nancy, of Danese; daughters, Betty Allen and husband, Jim, of Grandview, Bonnie Martin of Spring Dale, Beverly Polen of Parrish, Fla., and Bonita Shinault of Hillsville, Va.; brother, Bernard Gunnoe of Danese; 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.
Service was Sept. 29 at Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle, with the Rev. Eddie Buffington and Al Whitt officiating. followed in Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville.
Joseph V. Huddle Jr.
Joseph V. Huddle Jr., 78, of Washington, died Sept. 25, 2003, in a Wood County hospital.
Born Sept. 16, 1925, at Clifftop, he was the son of the late Joseph V. and Garnet Biggers Huddle.
Mr. Huddle retired from the IRS in 1985 and later returned to work for the IRS Credit Union. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Parkersburg, where he served as elder and deacon, and a member of American Legion Post No. 15 and Elks Lodge No. 198.
Surviving: his wife of 53 years, Ruth Ann Ott Huddle; daughter Martha Lamp and husband, Steve, of Mineral Wells; son, David Huddle and wife, Sherry, of Washington; grandchildren, Erik Umensetter, Amanda Gandee, Dave Huddle Jr. and Nicole Huddle; three great-grandchildren; sister, Elouise Henderson of Ormond Beach, Fla.; and brother, Earl R. Huddle of Beckley.
Memorial service was Sept. 27 at First Presbyterian Church, Parkersburg, with the Rev. George Spansy officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 1341 Juliana St., Parkersburg, WV 26101.
Shirley S. Kessler
Shirley Stephens Kessler, 87, of Beckley, died Sept. 23, 2003, in a local hospital of natural causes.
Born Oct. 25, 1915, at Crab Orchard, she was the daughter of the late Elmer Elsworth and Letha Davis Stephens. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Arnold Kessler Jr.
Mrs. Kessler was a homemaker and a member of Oak Grove Christian Church.
Surviving: son, Jim and Michelle Kessler of Fayetteville; grandson, Thomas James Kessler of Fayetteville; stepgranddaughters, Samantha Ball of Fayetteville, Heather Ball of Oak Hill and Hillary Ball of Fayetteville; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Service was Sept. 25 at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with Kenneth Overdorf, Sheldon Cosma, Rick Absher and J.R. Ellison officiating. Committal service was Sept. 26 at Mount Tabor Cemetery.
Charles Brent Legg
Charles Brent Legg, 41, of Lexington, N.C., went home to be with the Lord Sept. 22, 2003.
Born Aug. 24, 1962, in Montgomery, he was the son of Charles Edward and Dorothy Dickerson Legg of Scott Depot. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William Afton Dickerson and Marguerite Smith Dickerson, and William Harold Legg and Virginia Crump Legg, all of Fayetteville.
Mr. Legg attended George Washington High School in Charleston, and graduated from Cross Lanes Christian School in Cross Lanes. He attended Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Fla., and Liberty Baptist College in Lynchburg, Va., and graduated from Forsyth Technical College, Winston-Salem, N.C.
He served four years in the U.S. Army. Brent was an avid model railroader and was accomplished in tai chi, working toward his black belt. He was fond of the Oriental garden that he created out of his love for the martial arts. He loved history and participating in Civil War re-enactments.
Mr. Legg was employed with Piedmont Sheet Metal Company and was a member of Pinedale Christian Church, Winston-Salem.
Surviving: wife, Lisa Mathis Legg of Lexington; son, Afton Legg, at home; parents, Charles and Dorothy Dickerson Legg of Scott Depot; sister, Terri Annette James and husband, Jeff, of St. Albans; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ray and Geneva Mathis of Winston-Salem; sisters-in-law, Gina Miller and husband, Mike, and Julie Thompson, all of Winston-Salem; brothers-in-law, Jerry Mathis and wife, Myra, of Clemmons, and Dale Mathis and wife, Wanda, of Lexington; nieces, Lindsey Renee James of St. Albans, Erica Miller, Taylor Mathis, Megan Baxley and Peyton and Pressley Thompson, all of North Carolina; nephews, Evan Miller and David Baxley of North Carolina.
Funeral service was Sept. 25 at Pinedale Christian Church, Winston-Salem, with Bill McKenzie, Bob McCaskill and Jerry Mathis officiating. was in Forsyth Memorial Park, Winston-Salem.
Brent was a loving son, husband, father, and friend who was loved beyond measure, and he will be forever in our hearts.
James E. Lutz
James E. Lutz, 72, of Fayetteville, formerly of Clarksburg, died Sept. 25, 2003.
Born Sept. 3, 1931, in Parkersburg, he was the oldest son of the late Jim Lutz Sr. and Myrtle Wilhelm Lutz Stewart.
Mr. Lutz was a member of Fayetteville Baptist Church.
Surviving: wife, Rebecca McCormick Lutz; sons, Jerrold Michael and wife, Jan Lutz, of North Carolina, and Michael Edward and wife, Shannon Lutz, of New York; daughters, Sherry Matheny of Clarksburg, Mrs. Steve (Tina) Westfall of Jane Lew and Mrs. Timothy (Brenda) Holster of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Michael Parsons and wife, Margaret, Johnny and Sara Matheny, Rosie and Brian Lutz, Brandon Mathis, Timothy Holster, Dana Westfall and Carter Michael Lutz; and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial service was held Sept. 27 at Fayetteville Baptist prior to the funeral Sept. 29 at Davis-Weaver Funeral Home, Clarksburg, with the Revs. Ron George Jr. and David Hulme officiating. Interment was in Bridgeport Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, 105 S. Eisenhower Drive, Beckley, WV 25801, or the Scholarship Fund of Fayetteville Baptist Church, 104 Ankrom St., Fayetteville, WV 25840.
Julia Y. McGinnes
Julia Y. McGinnes, 84, formerly of Charleston, died Sept. 25, 2003, in an Oak Hill care facility following a long illness.
Born Sept. 8, 1919, in Page, she was the daughter of the late George L. Yeager and Betty Ann Fleshman Yeager. She also was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, John C. McGinnes; and a brother, George Robert Yeager.
Mrs. McGinnes was a retired bookkeeper for Schwabe-May of Charleston and a member of Kincaid Methodist Church.
Surviving: sisters, Mary Cook of Beckley and Cleo Yeager of Oak Hill; nephews, George R. Yeager II of Florida, William J. Yeager of Florida and Andrew Kevin Cook of Gastonia, N.C.; niece, Pamela L. Cook of Beckley; great-niece, Tiffany Yeager of Beckley; great-nephews, Drew and Chris Cook of Gastonia; sister-in-law, Dora M. Yeager of Oak Hill; and her many loving caregivers at Mary's Garden.
A gathering to celebrate Julia's memory was held Sept. 27 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with a memorial service immediately following with the Revs. Betty Lusk and Arolotte Stover officiating. followed in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Mabel F. Moore
Mabel F. Moore, 97, of Nallen, died Sept. 24, 2003, at a Fayetteville care facility.
Born March 13, 1906, at McCausey, Ky., she was the daughter of Clarence Reed Carmichael and Lillie Ann Wells. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Clacy C. Moore, whom she married on May 3, 1924, at Russellville; sisters, Hazel Carmichael, Mary Ellen Carmichael, Janice Ann Link and Lena Wilhelm; and a brother, Clarence "Shorty" Carmichael.
Mabel was an active member of Bays Chapel United Methodist Church since 1938 and a 40-year member of Longdale Order of the Eastern Star No. 83. She also served as an election poll worker for 25 years. Hobbies included quilting, gardening, photography, reading, writing, sewing, genealogy and traveling. She was also involved in many community activities throughout her lifetime, including 4-H work, Farm Women's Club, Homemakers Club, newspaper writing and senior citizens' activities.
She pieced hundreds of quilts, keeping alive many of the old-time patterns, and was featured in an eight-page article about her quilting, entitled "Quilt of Happy Memories" in the Spring 2001 Goldenseal Magazine, as well as a feature story in the book "Echoes from the Hills: West Virginia Quilts and Quiltmakers" (2000). Her "grandmother's flower garden" quilt is part of the West Virginia Heritage Quilt Survey (No. 60481).
Surviving: daughter, Eloise Amick of Kennedy, N.Y.; son, Kenneth Dale (Thelma) Moore of Grove City, Ohio; brothers, Frank (Ann) Carmichael of Hilton Village and Harold (Betty) Carmichael of Elyria, Ohio; grandchildren, Pam (John) Klawitter of Mount Nebo, K.D. Moore Jr. of Columbus, Ohio, and Marcia (Brad) Lisska of Marysville, Ohio; stepgrandchildren, Dan Castle, Patty Rowlette and Larry Castle, all of Columbus; great-grandchildren, Sarah Klawitter of Arlington, Va., and Brian and Jason Wells of Columbus; six stepgreat-grandchildren, a stepgreat-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
Service was Sept. 27 at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Ansted, with the Rev. Mike Loudermilk officiating. followed in Restlawn Cemetery, Ansted.
Memorials may be made to Bays Chapel United Methodist Church in Nallen.
Marie Navicki
Marie Navicki, 72, of Hilltop, died Sept. 22, 2003.
Born in Holden, she was the daughter of the late Andy Campoy and Anna Rado Campoy. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Sylvia Pritchard; and a brother, John Campoy.
Mrs. Navicki was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Oak Hill and a 1949 graduate of Logan High School.
Surviving: husband, Leonard C. Navicki of Hilltop; sister, Isabelle Barber of Logan; and brothers, Joe Campoy and Ralph Campoy, both of Logan.
Christian burial service was Sept. 25 at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill, with Father John McDonough officiating. A rosary service was held Sept. 24 at High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.
Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, 103 S. Eisenhower Drive, Beckley, WV 25801.
William 'Lukie' Kenneth Payne Sr.
William "Lukie" Kenneth Payne Sr., 61, of Oak Hill, died Sept. 23, 2003, at home following a sudden illness.
Born May 6, 1942, at Mount Hope, he was the son of the late Alexander and Ruth Lewis Payne. He also was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine Payne; brothers, Andrew, Alexander Jr., Burley, Lonnie, Norman and Carl Payne; sister, Edith Ann Payne; and son, Richard Alexander Payne.
Mr. Payne was retired from the U.S. Air Force with 22 years of service and was a member of United Missionary Baptist Church, Mount Hope.
Surviving: children, William K. Payne Jr. and wife, Pamela, of Lubbock, Texas, and Tammy A. Beltran of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Roger "Mac" McIntosh, Tonya McCleland, Arturo "Sneezy" Beltran Jr. and Donavia Josephine Beltran; brother, Hezekiah Payne and wife, Gwendolyn, of Baltimore, Md.; sisters, Neola Payne of Cleveland, Ohio, and Flora J. Black of Alliance, Ohio; son-in-law, Arturo Beltran; brothers-in-law, Phillip Ferrell and Terry Ferrell; and sisters-in-law, Catherine "Jean" Hooper and Mary Payne.
Military graveside rites, with burial following, were Sept. 28 at Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley, with Elders Thomas Allen and Jackie Moore officiating.
Mabel Mankin Ramey
Mabel Mankin Ramey, 90, of Conway, S.C., formerly of Oak Hill, died Sept. 27, 2003, at home following a long illness.
Born May 1, 1913, in Oak Hill, she was the daughter of the late Clyde and Elsie Backus Mankin. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Edward Ramey, on Oct. 28, 1976, and three sisters.
Mrs. Ramey was the retired owner of Mabel's Dress Shop in Oak Hill. She was a member of the Oak Hill Baptist Church and a member of the Oak Hill Civic League.
Surviving: son, Charles "Skip" Ramey and his wife, Candace, of Charleston; daughter, Betty Presson and husband, Tony, of Conway, S.C.; grandsons, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Ramey of Huntington, Mr. and Mrs. Eric Ramey of Charleston, and Lt. Aaron Ramey, serving in the U.S. Navy in Japan; great-granddaughter, Ella Grace Ramey of Charleston; sisters, Mary C. Mankin and Opal V. Gilbert, both of Oak Hill; three nephews; and one niece.
Graveside rites were Sept. 29 at the High Lawn Memorial Park in Oak Hill with the Rev. Bill Menefee officiating. Burial, with arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, followed.
Margaret A. Ruff
Margaret A. Ruff, 62, of Long Branch, died Sept. 20, 2003, following a long illness.
Born July 1, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Edgar Weaver and Pearl Hall Weaver. She was preceded in death by brothers, Alfred, Floyd, Charlie and Ashby Weaver of Long Branch; and a sister, Ruth Ann Smith of Carlisle.
Mrs. Ruff was a former employee of G.C. Murphy Co. and Kelly's Korner at Pax as a cook.
Surviving: husband, Ronald L. Ruff; daughters, Debra Aboulhouda and companion, Heath Dove, of Beckley, and Melisha Ruff and companion, Dwayne Bell, of Long Branch; sisters, Emma Austin of Carlisle, Brenda Hughes and husband, Jim, of Mount Hope, Susie Bailey of Scarbro and Velma Ball of Sidney, Ohio; and grandchildren, Tarrah, Jamison, Heather and Hunter.
Service was Sept. 24 at Long Branch United Methodist Church at Pax with the Rev. Thomas (Duke) Maynor officiating. followed in the Pax Community Cemetery, Pax.
Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at RandQ@citynet.net.
Gladys Lucy Crawford Summerfield
Gladys Lucy Crawford Summerfield, 81, of Fayetteville, died Sept. 21, 2003, following a long illness.
Born Feb. 10, 1922, in Stricklett, Ky., she was the daughter of the late Rowland Thomas and Lena Dummitt Crawford. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Zane Summerfield, in 2001; brothers, Ray Crawford, Ralph Crawford, Herb Crawford, Jack Crawford and Bill Crawford; and a sister, Blanche Rose.
Mrs. Summerfield attended the Fayetteville Presbyterian Church.
Surviving: son, J. Zane Summerfield of Fayetteville; daughters, Susan Lynn Summerfield of Oak Hill and Nancy Arritt of Charleston; sister, Edith Stricklett of Covington, Ky.; brothers, Carl Crawford of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Harland Crawford of Homestead, Fla.; granddaughter, Katherine H. Arritt-Ong and her husband, Jacob Issac Ong, of Morgantown; and great-grandson, John Timothy Ong.
Service was Sept. 25 at Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home Chapel, Fayetteville, with the Rev. Adrian Pratt officiating. followed in Restlawn Memory Gardens, Ansted.
Bertie Mae Backus
Bertie Mae Backus, 92, of Deepwater, entered into rest on Sept. 14, 2003, at Charleston Area Medical Center, Memorial Hospital.
Born March 25, 1911, in Nicholas County, she was the daughter of the late John and Bertha Brown Backus. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Jack and Ben Backus; and sisters, Pearl Robson and Runa Tuck.
She was a Christian.
Survivors include four nephews and 10 nieces.
Funeral service was Sept. 17 at O'Dell Funeral Home in Montgomery with the Rev. Claude R. Miller officiating. followed in Simms Memorial Cemetery at Swiss.
Carl Belcher Jr.
Carl Belcher Jr., 79, of Jacksonville, Fla., passed away Sept. 6, 2003, in St. Luke's Hospital.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Opal; his parents, Carl and Neda Belcher of Poca; and his son, Jeffrey, of Jacksonville.
A 32-year resident of Jacksonville, Mr. Belcher was a veteran of World War II. He was a longtime resident of Poca and St. Albans, and a graduate of Poca High School and West Virginia Tech.
Survivors include his daughter, Rhythm McCarthy of Springfield, Mo.; grandchildren, Andrew Belcher of Springfield, Katie Gutkin of Wichita, Kan., and Adam Gutkin of Springfield; sisters and a brother-in-law, Ora Mae Kirk of Dearing, Ga., and Hazel and Don Rayburn of Red House; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Carl Belcher Jr. Athletic Scholarship, c/o West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Montgomery, WV 25136.
Mercedes M. Belcher
Mercedes M. Belcher, 79, of East Bank, Oct. 2, 2003, at Cedar Ridge Nursing Home.
Born Jan. 22, 1924, at Handley, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Rebecca Darr McMillion. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Howard L. Belcher; a son, Allan Belcher; a daughter; and two brothers.
Mrs. Belcher was a lifelong resident of Kanawha County and a graduate of East Bank High School. She was a custodian with the Kanawha County Board of Education for 15 years. Mrs. Belcher also attended the Church of God in East Bank.
Surviving: son, Terry Wayne Belcher of Goshen, Ind.; daughters, Twylla Porter of East Bank, and Dottie Thomas of Florida; eight grandchildren; six step-grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Mildred Jarrett of Holly Grove, Adelie Toler of Groton, Conn., Drema Housh of Sunrise, Fla., and Garnet Detrow of Falling Waters.
Funeral services were Oct. 7 at the Pryor Funeral Home, East Bank, with the Rev. James Bostic officiating. followed in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow.
James Lee Dartt
James Lee Dartt, 59, of Ironton, Ohio, passed away Sept. 14, 2003.
Born Dec. 17, 1943, in Ward, he was the son of the late John C. Dartt and Edith Eleanor Heideman Dartt.
James was a U.S. Army veteran. He retired in 1996 after more than 20 years as a machinist with C&O Railroad. He was of the Protestant faith, a graduate of Cedar Grove High School in Cedar Grove, and a member of VFW No. 8850, Eagles and Moose of Ironton.
Survivors include brothers, Charles Dartt of Bristolville, Ohio, and Robert Dartt of Johns Island, S.C.; sisters, Joann Brooks of Culloden, Julia Mitchell of Langsville, Ohio, Dorothy Terechenok of Chandler, Ariz., Alice Johnson of East Bank, Thelma Young of Dunbar, and Dollie Iddings of Flatwoods, Ky.; and special friends, Curt Stevens, and David and Tammy Stevens of Ironton.
Funeral service was, Sept. 17 at Hayes-Phillips Funeral Home, Ironton, with the Rev. Wayne Watts officiating. followed in Woodland Cemetery, Soldiers Section,, with graveside military rites provided by VFW Post No. 8850.
Gary Cooper Davidson
Gary Cooper Davidson, 58, of Beckley, died Sept. 18, 2003.
Born July 1, 1945, at Beaver, he was the son of Wilma Davidson Green of Glen Morgan and the late Henry Green. He also was preceded in death by a son, Gary Williams; and a brother, Mike Green.
Mr. Davidson was an inspector/surveyor for Pentree Inc. He was a member, deacon and Sunday school teacher at Jones Memorial Baptist Church in Beckley. He was an avid sports and football fan.
He faithfully served as a seaman in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
Besides his mother, he will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Marie Forbes Davidson; stepchildren, David "Randy" Hicks and wife, Sandy, of Beckley, and Tina Bell and husband, Chris, of Daniels; brother, Roger Green and wife, Connie, of Beckley; uncles, Donald Davidson of Cool Ridge and Udell Davidson of Texas; sister-in-law, Dolly Estep and husband, Tom, of Charlotte, N.C.; grandchildren, Ryan Barker, Ashley Simms, D.J. Hicks, Corey Hicks and Brittany Hicks; and several nieces and nephews.
Service was Sept. 21 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with Pastor Victor Garlow officiating. followed in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Pallbearers were Chris Bell, Bill Bozarth, John Forniash, Mike Hurd, Shane Meadows, Tim Oxley, John Tuggle and Daniel Shorts.
Clarence Everett 'Jack' Duncan Sr.
Clarence Everett "Jack" Duncan Sr., 56, of Powellton, died Sept. 17, 2003, in Montgomery General Hospital.
Born March 11, 1947, he was the son of Richard and Betty J. Shibler.
Mr. Duncan was a retired miner from Cypress Coal Company at Cannelton. He was a member of the Apostolic Light House at Mt. Carbon and also he was a member of the United Mine Workers.
Surviving in addition to his parents are his wife, Connie Duncan; children, Clarence Duncan Jr., Richard J. Duncan, and Jenette Endicott, all of Powellton; sister, Linda Daniels of Massillon, Ohio; and 5 grandchildren.
Service was Sept. 19 at O'Dell Funeral Home in Montgomery with Rev. John Hurley officiating.
Rev. Paul Fraker
The Rev. Paul Fraker, 89, of Oak Hill, formerly of Kayford, passed away Sept. 21, 2003, at his home after a short illness.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Fraker.
Rev. Fraker was a former district superintendent of Pentecostal Church of God, former pastor of Kayford Pentecostal Church of God, Ronda Assesmbly of God, Arnett, Ansted and Oak Hill Assembly, former employee of Kanawha County Schools as a bus driver, and was retired from Union Carbide Mines at Blue Creek.
Survivors include sons, Philip and his wife, Judy, of Miami, and Jack and his wife, Millie, of Lakewells, Fla.; daughters, Carolyn Basham and her husband, Tommy, of Ridgeway, Va., Ruby Johnson of Jellico, Tenn., and Shirlie Watson and her husband, Jim, of Oak Hill; sister, Catherine Ritter of Mable, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Service, with arrangements by Pryor Funeral Home, East Bank, will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at the First Assembly of God in Oak Hill with the Revs. Tommy Basham, Joe Hoggard, Jim Nickels and Marvin Dennis officiating. Entombment will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park in Oak Hill.
Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church.
Norvil Edison Morton
Norvil Edison Morton, 76, of Lizemores, died Sept. 16, 2003, in Beckley VA Medical Center following an extended illness.
Born March 10, 1927, at Bentree, he was the son of the late George Henry and Laura Holcomb Morton.
Mr. Morton was a retired coal miner from Allied Chemical Co., Semet-Solvay Division, Harewood, and a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II. He was a member of the Laurel Fork Missionary Baptist Church, Lizemores, and the United Mine Workers of America.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Magdalene Moore Morton; daughters, Betty Jo Nichols of Bentree, Brenda Coleman Sharp and her husband, Bernie, of Beckwith, Judy Morris and husband, Bill, of Bentree, Carolyn Sue Jones and husband, Jack, of Maysel, Debbie Ann Johnston and husband, Nathan, of Bentree, and Vicky Morris and husband, Curtis, of Glen Burnie, Md.; sons, Norville "Ebbie" Morton and wife, Debbie, of Hico, Roger Morton and wife, Nina, of Bentree, and David Morton and wife, Teresa, of Maysel; sisters, June Skaggs and husband, Eddie, of Mount Olive, Mae McDaniel of Elkview, and Dollie Elliott and husband, Bob, of Dixie; 19 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Service, with arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge, was Sept. 19 at Laurel Fork Missionary Baptist Church, Lizemores, with Rev. Jadie Morris and Rev. Naaman H. Moore officiating. followed in Sizemore Cemetery, Lizemores, with military graveside rites conducted by Clay VFW Post 4419.
