Woodrow W. Sowards
MILTON -- Woodrow W. Sowards, 85, of Milton died Tuesday, March 31, 1998, from injuries received when a tree he was cutting fell on him, said a spokesman with the state medical examiner's office.
He was a retired millwright and machinist from Local 1402, Richmond, Va., a lifelong resident of the Kanawha Valley and a member of Lebanon Masonic Lodge 68 AF&AM, Milton, Scottish Rite Bodies and Beni Kedem Shrine, Charleston.
Surviving: wife, Mary Frances Sowards; daughter, Carole Morlachetta of Scott Depot; son, Thomas D. Sowards of Barboursville; brother, Arnold F. Sowards of Huntington; three grandchildren.
Service and entombment will be 2 p.m. Friday at Cunningham Memorial Park Lower Mausoleum Chapel, St. Albans, with the Rev. Thomas Bickerton officiating.
Friends may call one hour prior to service at the chapel. The family suggests memorial contributions to Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 2589, Charleston, WV 25329. Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, is in charge of arrangements.
Brent L. Trittipo
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Brent L. Trittipo, 44, of Columbus died Sunday, March 29, 1998, at home.
Surviving: mother, Marilyn Porter Trittipo; father, Jack Lee Trittipo; sisters, Elizabeth Reinker and Molly Kane; one niece and two nephews.
Service was private. The family suggests memorial contributions to a charity of choice. Egan-Ryan Funeral Home, Columbus, is in charge of arrangements.
Janie P. Walker
Janie P. Walker, 80, of St. Albans, formerly of Charleston, died Tuesday, March 31, 1998, in Wellman's Personal Care Home after a long illness.
She attended Greenlee United Methodist Church, Charleston, was a five-year resident of St. Albans and a 36-year resident of the Charleston area.
Surviving: son, Terry Walker of Greenwood, Ind.; sisters, Ruby Grover of Newark, Ohio, Georgia Asbury of Bancroft; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with the Rev. Stephen J. White officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Howard E. Wickland
WESTON -- Howard Edward Wickland, 81, of Weston died Wednesday, April 1, 1998, at home after a long illness.
He was a retired Postal Service employee with 42 years of service and a member of First Baptist Church, Weston, where he was a deacon, a Sunday school teacher and a former superintendent of the junior department. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, former commander of American Legion Post 4, Weston, and a member of Gideons International, Masonic Lodge 10, Weston, and VFW Post 1976, Weston.
Surviving: wife, Mildred Goff Wickland; sons, John E. and Stephen A. Wickland of Bridgeport; daughter, Maryanne Postlethwait of Jane Lew; six grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Floyd Funeral Home, Weston, with the Rev. Richard Renquest officiating. Burial will be in Weston Masonic Cemetery, with military rites by American Legion Post 4 and VFW Post 1976.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Lewis County Hospice, 125 Court Ave., Weston, WV 26452 or Gideons International, 117 Edgewood Ave., Clarksburg, WV 26301.
Mary V. Wood
Mary V. Wood, 82, of St. Albans died Wednesday, April 1, 1998, in Valley Health Village, South Charleston, after a long illness.
She was a retired public accountant and a member of Highlawn Presbyterian Church.
Surviving: sons, Philip A. and John C. Blood of Houston, Texas; daughter, Mary Helen Rosselot of Charleston, S.C.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.
There will be no service or visitation. Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Bertha A. Workman
NEWARK, Del. -- Bertha A. Workman, 90, of Newark, formerly of Pine Knob, W.Va., died Monday, March 30, 1998, at the home of her daughter, Barbara Smith of Newark, after a long illness.
She was a member of Delbert Freewill Baptist Church, Pine Knob.
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Surviving: sons, Walter L. Workman of Charleston, W.Va., William R. Workman of Cumberland, Md.; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Delbert Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Danny Gilfilen and the Rev. Ottie Tyler officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery, Rock Creek, W.Va.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Armstrong Funeral Home, Whitesville, W.Va., and one hour prior to service at the church.
Hubert L. Wriston
MOSSY -- Hubert Lee Wriston, 74, of Mossy, Fayette County, died Tuesday, March 31, 1998, in Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley, after a short illness.
He was a retired miner from Milburn Colliery Co, a former employee of the West Virginia Turnpike Commission, a member of UMW and was of the Church of God faith.
Surviving: wife, Margaret H. Holley Wriston; sons, Johnny L. of Hammond, Ind., Billy J. of Mount Hope; daughter, Frances Keel of Mossy; sister, Juanita Gray of Orlando, Fla.; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, with the Rev. Kenneth Ayers and the Rev. Jerry Lawrence officiating. Entombment will be in High Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Oak Hill.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Charles W. Adkins Sr.
OAK HILL -- Charles William Adkins Sr., 66, of Oak Hill died Wednesday, April 1, 1998, in a Beckley medical center after a long illness.
He was a retired Army veteran of the Vietnam War and the recipient of two Purple Hearts.
Surviving: wife, Agnes Veronica Voight Adkins; son, Charles W. Adkins Jr of Oak Hill; daughter, Charlene Adkins Skidmore of Conover, N.C.; mother, Lura Adkins of Oak Hill; brothers, Joe of Valley View, Ohio, Estel of Layland, Richard of Charlotte, N.C.; sisters, Lorene Marciniak of Andover, Ohio, Freeda Cooke of Oak Hill, Joyce Breeden of Mount Hope; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Prosperity, with the Rev. Ronnie Persinger officiating. Burial will be in Adkins Cemetery, Longbottom, with military rites by VFW Post 3110, Oak Hill.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Joseph C. Becher
Joseph C. Becher, 46, of Charleston died Thursday, April 2, 1998, in Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, after a short illness.
Bartlett-Burdette-Cox Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy P. Bitzer
Dorothy Plaskett Bitzer, 98, of Belle died Thursday, April 2, 1998, at home after a long illness.
She was former postmistress for the U.S. Postal Service, having worked at Reed and Cinco, a member of Kanawha Salines Presbyterian Church, Malden, and was a retired yeoman third class from the Navy, working in Washington during World War I. She was born in Alexandria, Va.
Surviving: daughter, Anne Nasits of Atlanta, Texas; son, Wesley T. Bitzer Jr. of Malden; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Stevens-Grass Funeral Home, Malden, with the Rev. Steve Leonard officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston.
Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Cross Lanes Christian School, 5330 Floradale Drive, Cross Lanes, WV 25313.
Lee Cummings
LEROY -- Lee Cummings, 67, of Leroy, Jackson County, died Thursday, April 2, 1998, in CAMC, General Division, after a long illness.
He was born in Clothier, Boone County, worked at Shoney's for 10 years, retired from Rollex of Bartlett, Ill., with 30 years of service and was a Baptist. He was preceded in death by parents, Barb and Pearl McNeely Cummings.
Surviving: wife, Rosalee Waybright Cummings; son, Daniel Lee Cummings of Zion, Ill.; brother, Lester Cummings of Poca; sisters, Eythel Coots of Hanover Park, Ill., Helen Cline of Malden; two grandsons; several nieces and nephews.
Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Parsons-Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Jackson County.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Martha E. Davis
Martha E. Davis, 88, of South Charleston, formerly of Huntington, died Wednesday, April 1, 1998, in Thomas Memorial Hospital after a short illness.
She was a homemaker, a member of Highlawn Baptist Church, Huntington, and attended First Advent Christian Church, Charleston.
Surviving: sisters, Marguerite Davis of Ripley, Addie Euwer of South Charleston, Macel Ingles of Crossville, Tenn., Virginia K. Bright of Boynton Beach, Fla.; brother, Roscoe L. Wooten of Columbus, Ohio; several nieces and nephews.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, with the Rev. Bob Barker officiating. Burial will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Kaitlin Alexa Dial
HUNTINGTON -- Kaitlin Alexa Dial, 4-month-old daughter of Jason and Jennifer Smith Dial of Huntington, died Wednesday, April 1, 1998, at home.
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Surviving: sister, Kelsie Dial at home; brother, Andrew Dial at home; maternal grandparents, Donna and Mike Smith of Hurricane; paternal grandparents, Frank and Pam Dial Jr. of Huntington; great-grandparents, Frank and Pat Dial Sr. of Huntington, Allen Smith of Lesage.
Service will be 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Chapman's Mortuary, Huntington, with Pastor Don Lohr officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery, Huntington.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the mortuary.
Viola E. Dooley
LUGOFF, S.C. -- Viola Edith Kincaid Dooley, 85, of Lugoff, formerly of Page, W.Va., died Tuesday, March 31, 1998, in Live Care Center, Columbia, after a long illness.
She retired from Tait's Dry Cleaners and Laundry in Michigan.
Surviving: husband, Arthur R. Dooley; daughters, Patricia Lang of Page, Nancy Swink of Jackson, Ga.; son, Dixie E. Dooley of Lugoff; sister, Garnet Young of Westland, Mich.; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, W.Va., with the Rev. Lloyd Higginbotham officiating. Burial will be in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill. W.Va.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Douglas R. Edwards
MULLENS -- Douglas Ray Edwards, 51, of Mullens died Thursday, April 2, 1998, at home after a long illness.
He was a member of Welton Chapel, Allen Junction, and a self-employed paint contractor.
Surviving: wife, Betty York Edwards; sons, Eric Ray Edwards of Mount Airy, N.C., Nathan Stewart Edwards of Mullens; sisters, Barbara Martin of Beckley, Anita Shade of Fairfax, Va.; one granddaughter.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens, with the Rev. Gilbert Dodson officiating. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Ottie R. Farmer
BRANCHLAND -- Ottie R. Farmer, 75, of Branchland died Wednesday, April 1, 1998, in Huntington Veterans Administration Medical Center.
He was a farmer.
Surviving: wife, Memory Farmer; daughters, Glenna Bell Adkins of Danville, Orena Farmer, Gladys Farmer, Debbie Franklin and Arbutas Adkins of Branchland; son, Manuel Farmer of Branchland; sisters, Geneva Hatton of Huntington, Jean of Branchland; brother, Andrew Farmer of Spurlocksville; seven grandchildren.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin, with the Rev. Ronnie Gibson officiating. Burial will be in Stowers Cemetery, Griffithsville, with military graveside rites by American Legion Post 111, Hamlin.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Lela O. Flook
SUMMERSVILLE -- Lela O. "Jane" Tinnel Flook, 32, of Summersville died Thursday, April 2, 1998, at home after a long illness.
She was custodian at New Life Christian Academy, Summersville, and a member of new Life Assembly, Summersville.
Surviving: son, Jarod Ree Flook at home; daughter, Karyla Jean Flook at home; parents, Carl James and Charlene Veda Spencer Tinnel of Birch River; maternal grandmother, Lela O. Nash of Summersville; brothers, James Louis Tinnel of Birch River, Wallace Eugene Tinnel of Gassaway; sisters, Anna Jane Altano of Crystal River, Fla., Susan Marie Shaw of Sutton, Felisha Danyelle Tinnel of Birch River.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at New Life Assembly with Pastor Tony Raffa officiating. Burial will be in Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery, Muddlety.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Waters Funeral Home, Summersville.
Mildred A. Francisco
BECKLEY -- Mildred Ann "Cricket" Francisco, 51, of Beckley died Thursday, April 2, 1998, at home after a long illness.
She was an employee of King Tut Drive-In with 20 years of service and was a Baptist.
Surviving: husband, Larry Keith Francisco; son, Larry Keith Jr. of Buckeye Lake, Ohio; daughters, Tammy D. McGuffin of Daniels, April A. Smith of MacArthur; brothers, John Wayne Bell of Crab Orchard, Charles David Bell of Mabscott; sisters, Judy McMillion and Mary Bell of Crab Orchard, Sally Pierce of Kilsyth, Janey Shaffer of Florida, Janet Rose of Cool Ridge; four grandchildren.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Rose-Quesenbbery Funeral Home, Beckley, with the Rev. Carl Whittaker officiating. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Beckley.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Dan D. Gowings
LEWISBURG -- Dan D. Gowings, 74, of Lewisburg died Thursday, April 2, 1998, at home after a long illness.
He was a retired college professor, a retired lieutenant colonel from the Air Force Reserves, held a bachelor's degree from Concord College, a master's degree from the University of North Carolina and a Ph.D. from New York University, was a member of College Avenue United Methodist Church, Munsey, Ind., Euclid Masonic Lodge 573 AF&AM, Terre Haute, Ind., and Scottish Rite Bodies, Terre Haute. He was an eight-year resident of Lewisburg.
Surviving: wife, Chrystal Bragg Gowings; daughter, Dana Gowings of Clarksburg; sons, Mark Gowings of Lewisburg, Bruce Gowings of Huntington; three grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Wallace-Wallace Funeral Home, Lewisburg, with the Rev. Patricia Jarvis officiating. Burial will be in Bragg family cemetery, Sandstone.
Friends may call from 10 a.m Sunday to service time at the funeral home.
William H. Guilliams
HINES -- William Howard Guilliams, 77, of Hines, Greenbrier County, died Wednesday, April 1, 1998, at the home of his daughter, Pat Smith of Crawley, after a long illness.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, a member of Hines Gospel Tabernacle, the UMW and was a retired miner.
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Surviving: wife, Asline Gibson Guilliams; daughter, Jean Fox of Bellburn; sons, James of Moneta, Va., Harold of Hines; sisters, Louise Stump of Christiansburg, Va., Rene Palmer of Salem, Va.; six grandchildren.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Hines Gospel Tabernacle with the Rev. Ben Peyton and the Rev. Richard Noggle officiating. Burial will be in Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Wallace-Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle, and one hour prior to service at the church.
Kester Hall
HURRICANE -- Kester Hall, 83, of Hurricane died Thursday, April 2, 1998, in Thomas Memorial Hospital after a short illness.
He retired from FMC, South Charleston, with 43 years of service, attended Teays Valley Nazarene Church, was a member of John D. Henson Senior Center, Hurricane, and was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving: sisters, Dora Smith and Delphia Stark of Hurricane, Delma Tolley of Scott Depot, Della Hayes of Baltimore, Md.; several nieces and nephews.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Frank Goff officiating. Burial will be in Elk Hills Memorial Park, Big Chimney.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to John D. Henson Senior Center, 2800 Putnam Ave., Hurricane, WV 25526.
Mary M. Harris
DETROIT, Mich. -- Mary McKinnney Harris, 69, of Detroit, formerly of Chesapeake, W.Va., died Wednesday, March 25, 1998, in Sinai Hospital, Detroit, after a short illness.
She was preceded in death by son, Herbert Harris.
Surviving: sons, Gary Harris and Jesse Harris of Charleston; sister, Lyda Yvonne Smith of Detroit; brothers, Clarence McKinney of Bridgeport, Conn., Andrew McKinney of Detroit; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews.
Service was Thursday at Swanson Funeral Home, Detroit.
Dorothy I. Hill
CHANDLER, Okla. -- Dorothy I. Hill, 71, of Chandler, formerly of Nitro and Alum Creek, W.Va., died Thursday, April 2, 1998, in Oklahoma.
She was a Protestant and a Christian.
Surviving: son, Paul A. Wells of Poca, W.Va.; daughter, Betty King of Chandler; stepdaughter, Carol Hernodon of Chandler; father, Robert E. Null of Chandler; sister, Eluise Adkins of St. Albans, W.Va.; brother, Ed Ellis; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Chandler, with the Rev. Doyle Seeley officiating. Burial will be in Oak Park Cemetery.
Thomas E. Honaker Sr.
OAK HILL -- Thomas Edward Honaker Sr., 67, of Oak Hill died Wednesday, April 1, 1998, in a Statesville, N.C., hospital after an apparent heart attack.
He was a retired Oak Hill businessman, former manager of Main Street Exxon, a Protestant and a Navy veteran.
Surviving: wife, Gloria Dotson Honaker; daughter, Teresa L. Brown of Willow Springs, N.C.; son, Thomas E. Honaker Jr. of Charleston, S.C.; sisters, Edna Gwinn and Marlene Honaker of Oak Hill, Linda Chmura of Port Charlotte, Fla.; brother, James Honaker of Florida; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, with the Rev. Bill Menefee officiating. Burial will be in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.