Clellie E. Stump
GRIFFITHSVILLE -- Clellie Eloise Stump, 78, of Griffithsville died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, at home after a long illness. She was a lifelong resident of Lincoln County and a Baptist. Surviving: sons, Dennis Stump of Akron, Ohio, Richard Stump of Griffithsville, Bobby Stump of Hamlin; stepdaughters, June Hoosier of Julian, Betty Ferguson and Mildred Stewart of Proctorville, Helen Webb of Huntington; sister, Audrey Cooper of Griffithsville; brothers, Arvello Adkins and Erycle Adkins of Hamlin; 34 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with the Rev. Russell Buck Adkins officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery, Griffithsville. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Eva M. Thomas
PETERSTOWN -- Eva Mae Thomas, 92, of Peterstown died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, in a Glyn Lyn, Va., care center. She was a homemaker and a member of Spruce Run Church of the Brethren, Lindside. Surviving: sons, Albert Lee Brogan of Somerset, Ky., James Thomas of Dayton, Ohio, Grover Thomas of Peterstown; sister, Dixie Thomas of Peterstown; one grandson. Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown, with Brother Rodger Boothe and Brother Dewey Broyles officiating. Burial will be in Williams Cemetery, Peterstown. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Frank Thomas Jr.
Frank Thomas Jr., 81, of St. Albans died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, in Valley Health Village after a long illness. He was retired from FMC Corp., South Charleston, and was a member of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, where he also served as a deacon, Sunday School superintendent and youth leader. He was a member of Civilian Conservation Corps and was a veteran of World War II. He was a lifelong resident of St. Albans. Surviving: daughters, Sharon Watson, Kathy Thomas and Leslie Milam, all of St. Albans; sister, Virginia Ennis of St. Albans; brother, Carl Thomas of St. Albans; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home, St. Albans, with the Rev. Bruce Keeling officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, near Tornado. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

James A. Webb
James Alfed Webb, 89, of Chesapeake died Thursday, Dec. 18, 1997, in Charlotte, N.C. He was a retired teacher from Kanwha County Schools with 38 years' service, having taught adult education classes and at East Bank Junior High and Chelyan Junior High. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity, an Army veteran of World War II, member of VFW, and a member of National Retired Teachers Association. Surviving: daughter, Linda James of Charlotte; sister, Jean Hilton of Atlanta; granddaughters, Lauren James and Lindsey James of Charlotte; grandson, Chad James of Charlotte. Service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Chesapeake United Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Stephens officiating. Burial will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet.

Lula G. White
HAMLIN -- Lula Griffin White, 92, of Hamlin died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, in CAMC, General Division. Surviving: daughters, Jane Brogan of Nitro, Helen Kittinger of St. Albans; son, Guy White of St. Albans; sister, Lottie Davis of Finley, Ohio; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin, with Minister Brian Barrett officiating. Burial will be in Lincoln Memorial Park, Hamlin. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests donations be sent to the Hamlin Church of Christ.

Wendell A. Yost
Wendell A. Yost, 75, of Mt. Pleasent, Ohio, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, in the Pittsburg Presbyterian Hospital. He was a former employee of Consolidated Coal Co. and the U.S. Labor Department. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and a member of UMW Local 7690 and the American Legion 529. Surviving: wife, Grace Wetherson Yost; son, Wally Yost of Westerville, Ohio; daughter, Debby Van Dervort of Elkview; brothers, John of Mt. Pleasent, Ohio, Clyde of Lutz, Fla.; three grandchildren Service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Wilson Funeral Home, Dillonvale, Ohio, with the Rev. John Godick and the Rev. Adrian Halverstadt officiating. Burial will be in Short Creek Cemetery, Mt. Pleasent. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Aunley S. Adkins
RUPERT -- Aunley Suttle Adkins, 91, of Rupert died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, in a Low Moor, Va., hospital after a long illness. She was a member of Bascom United Methodist Church, Rupert, and Rupert Homemakers and was a homemaker. Surviving: daughter, Shirley Ballengee of Rupert; sons, Bill of Quinwood, Robert of Buckeye Lake, Ohio; stepdaughter, Kathryn Griffis of Leesburg, Fla.; stepson, George Adkins of Rainelle; brother, Leslie McClung of Rupert; six grandchildren; eight stepgrandchildren; four great-grandchildren; nine stepgreat-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle, with the Rev. Lowell E. Keeney officiating. Burial will be in Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today the funeral home.

Leo Adkins
BRANCHLAND -- Leo "Big Chew" Adkins, 74, of Branchland, Lincoln County, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, in St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington. He was a retired merchant and produce dealer and was a veteran of World War II. Surviving: wife, Hope Osborne Adkins; daughter, Clara Lucas of Cleveland, Sylvia Manns of Canton, Ohio, Sandy Midkiff of Huntington, Georgia Turley of West Hamlin; sister, Cleo Kemper of Huntington; three stepbrothers, five stepsisters; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin, with the Rev. William Hughes Jr. and the Rev. Russell Adkins officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Memory Gardens, Hamlin. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Rachel R. Blankenship
RICH CREEK, Va. -- Rachel R. Blankenship, 87, of Rich Creek died Monday, Dec. 22, 1997, in a Blacksburg hospital. She was a homemaker and a member of Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, Wytheville. Surviving: daughter, Ruth Cooper of Rich Creek; son, Lloyd of Peterstown, W.Va.; sisters, Bertie Blankenship of Galax, Mary Grubb of Clinton, S.C.; brother, Woolen Repass of Rural Retreat; one grandson; one great-granddaughter. Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown, with the Rev. Jonathan Jennings officiating. Burial will be in West End Cemetery, Wytheville. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Chester J. Bryant
Chester J. Bryant, 89, of South Charleston died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997, in Thomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness. He was a disabled miner. Surviving: daughters, Thelma Bowman of Cross Lanes, Frances McCune of Covington, Ga., Erma Waddell of Texarkana, Texas, Barbara Pettry of New Albany, Ind.; sons, Robert Bryant of Charleston, Benny Bryant of Culloden, Joseph Bryant of Charlestown, Ind.; 18 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, Cross Lanes, with Pastor Isaac Withrow officiating. Burial will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Anna M. Capps
SMITHERS -- Anna M. Capps, 79, of Smithers died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, in Montgomery General Hospital after a long illness. Surviving: daughters, Beverly A. Hudson of Powellton, Delores Campbell of Montgomery, Shirley Jean Capps of Boomer; sons, Larry and Cecil Jr. of Smithers; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at O'Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, with the Rev. John Hurley officiating. Burial will be in Montgomery Memorial Park, London. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

William R. Chambers Sr.
COPPERAS COVE, Texas -- William R. Chambers, 69, of Copperas Cove died Saturday, Dec. 6, 1997, at home. He was a native of Ronda, W.Va., a retired Army veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, a member of American Letion Post 582, DAV Post 211, and the Masonic Lodge, Landshut, Germany, recipient of several medals including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star and was a Baptist. Surviving: wife, Erna Chambers; sons, William Jr. of Kempner, Frank of Pottsboro; daughter, Effie Schottel of Lake Ridge, Va.; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Service was to be 2 p.m. today at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, Copperas Cove. Burial, with military rites, will be in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio.

Dolly L. Collins
Dolly Laws Collins, 86, of Charleston died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, in Americare Nursing Home, Dunbar, after a short illness. She was a homemaker, a Baptist, and was a native of Winifrede. Surviving: sons, Jerry "Johny" Collins of Charleston, Billy Gene of Saco, Maine; daughter, Pauline Cantley of Charleston; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren. Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Cunningham-Parker-Johnson Funeral Home, Charleston, with the Rev. Omar Rucker officiating. Burial will be in Massey Cemetery, Winifrede. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Dennis L. Dempsey
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. -- Dennis L. Dempsey, 82, of Okeechobee died Monday, Dec. 22, 1997, in the Okeechobee Health Care Facility. He was a member of Okeechobee Presbyterian Church, a former Boy Scout leader, church elder, deacon and Sunday school teacher in West Virginia and Michigan, and was a master wood carver. Surviving: wife, Berniece Dempsey; sons, Lee of Gerrardstown, W.Va., James of Houston, Billy of Jackson, Mich; daughters, Beverly Ann Kingsley of Rapid City, Mich., Dorothy Alice Stuart of Jackson, Mich.; sister, Eva Reynolds of Fayetteville, W.Va.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. today at Buxton Funeral Home, Okeechobee, with Pastor Scott Leslie officiating. Graveside service will be Dec. 30, 1997, in Woodland Cemetery, Jackson, Mich. Friends may call three hours prior to service at the funeral home. Information provided by Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville, W.Va.

Mervin C. Ellis
HURRICANE -- Mervin C. Ellis, 79, of Hurricane died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, in Putnam General Hospital after a long illness. He was retired from Kaiser Aluminum, Ravenswood, with 23 years' service, a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Hurricane, and an Army veteran of World War II. Surviving: wife, Helen Erwin Ellis; daughter, Linda L. Boggess of Pliny; son, Charles Keith Ellis of Pliny; sisters, Wanda Gunter and Eleanor Billups of Hurricane; brothers, Clyde and Paul Ellis of Hurricane; four grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Lee White and Pastor Curtis W. Brown officiating. Burial will be in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Hurricane. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests donations be sent to Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 2150 Mount Vernon Road, Hurricane, WV 25526.

Ida R. Gates
PARKERSBURG -- Ida R. Robinson Gates, 93, of South Charleston died Monday, Dec. 22, 1997, in CAMC, Memorial Division. She was a homemaker. Surviving: son, John S. Robinson of Huntington; daughters, Betty Pine Wieford of Charleston, Annie L. Hutton of St. Albans; sister, Violet Thompson of Akron, Ohio; brother, John Purkey of Philippi, W.Va.; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Parkersburg Memorial Gardens, Parkersburg, with the Rev. Gerald Morgan officiating. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Leavitt Funeral Home, Parkersburg.

Cleta E. Hicks
Cleta E. Hicks, 72, of Campbells Creek, Charleston, died Monday, Dec. 22, 1997, at home after a long illness. Surviving: husband, Harold Hicks; daughter, Kelli Schoolcraft of Campbells Creek; son, Gary of Campbells Creek; sisters, Janice Sizemore and Patsy Hackney of Campbells Creek; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Graveside service was to be 11 a.m. today at Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow, with the Rev. Mike Long officiating. There will be no visitation. Stevens & Grass Funeral Home, Malden, is in charge of arrangements.

Lucy W. Kelley
HARTS -- Lucy Williams Riffe Kelley, 78, of Harts, Lincoln County, died Monday, Dec. 22, 1997, in Logan General Hospital. She was a homemaker and a member of Mount Calvary Freewill Baptist Church. Surviving: husband, Marshall Kelley; daughters, Inis Flora and JoAnn Adams of Harts, Judy Conley of Whitman; sons, Leo, Ireland, Cleve, Dave, Lester and Earl Riffe of Harts; sister, Nay Perry of Henlawson, brothers, Clyde Williams of Omar, Andrew Williams; 44 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Francis Creek Church of Christ, Harts, with the Rev. Lacy Spry officiating. Burial will be in Riffe Cemetery, Harts. Friends may call after 11 a.m. today at the church. Evans Funeral Home, Chapmanville, is in charge of arrangements.

Elmer J. McKinney
MINDEN -- Elmer J. "Buck" McKinney, 67, of Minden, Fayette County, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, in CAMC, General Division, after a short illness. He was a disabled automobile mechanic and an Army veteran. Surviving: wife, Betty R. McKinney; daughters, Melinda and Nona Gaye of Ashland, Ky., Margaret of Oak Hill, Barbara of Cornelius, N.C.; sons, Andy Joe of Wayne, Johnny of Ashland, Donnie of Richmond, Va.; stepdaughters, Rose Marie Perdue and Della Mae Evans of Franklinton, N.C., Irilda Mae Mobley of Wake Forest, N.C.; stepsons, Norman Evans of Franklinton, William Evans of Wellington, Ala.; brothers, Charles Ray and Glen Earl McKinney of Rock Lick; sister, Drema L. Stevens of Oak Hill; 12 grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, with the Rev. Bill Menefee officiating. Burial, with military rites by VFW Post 3110, Oak Hill, will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

John M. Moore
ALDERSON -- John M. Moore, 81, of Alderson, formerly of Bob White, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, at home after a long illness. He was a retired miner from Eastern Associated Coal Co. with 37 years' service, a member of Freddie Freewill Baptist Church, Van, and UMW, and attended Fort Spring Baptist Church, Alderson. Surviving: wife, Millie Moore of Alderson; sons, Randy of Bob White, Wayne of Madison; daughters, Vada Adkins of Alderson, Nada Woody of Danville; sisters, Ethel of Chicago, Freda and Melba of Cleveland; seven grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Handley Funeral Home, Danville, with the Rev. Tom Price and the Rev. Roger Vance officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens, Madison. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Herbert Nicely
WILLIAMSBURG -- Herbert Nicely, 72, of Williamsburg died Monday, Dec. 22, 1997, at home. Surviving: stepson, Lee Stidom of Lewisburg; stepdaughter, Phyllis Jean of Alderson. Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in New Salem Church Cemetery, Williamsburg, with the Rev. Roger Alder officiating. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Morgan Funeral Home, Lewisburg.

Delano H. Paxton
LITTLETON, N.C. -- Delano Haymon Paxton, 64, of Littleton died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, at home after a long illness. Surviving: sons, Danny of Atlanta, Steve of Christiansburg, Va.; mother, Ida Paxton of Clay, W.Va.; half sisters, Marmel O'Brien of Clay, Evelyn Graham of Ripley, W.Va., Erma McCune of Ivydale, W.Va., Gladys Hamrick of Strange Creek, W.Va., Marie Champaigne of Florida; half brothers, Kenneth O'Brien of Maysel, W.Va., Ruel O'Brien of Hansford, W.Va.; seven grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Carl Wilson Funeral Home, Clay, with the Rev. Danny Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Ramsey Cemetery, Enoch, W.Va. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Mary M. Rucker
POCA -- Mary Margaret Wallace Rucker, 89, of Poca died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, in Eldercare Nursing Home, Ripley, after a long illness. She was a member of Rock Branch Independent Church. Surviving: daughter, M. Sue Phalen of Bancroft; sons, James F. Rucker of Nitro, Robert L. Rucker of Sierra Vista, Ariz., James W. Rucker of Poca; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with Pastor Delbert Hawley officiating. Burial will be in Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens, Red House. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.