Geraldine E. Williams
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- Geraldine E. "Gerry" Williams, 73, of Westlake Village, formerly of Red House, W.Va., died Friday, April 3, 1998, at home after a long illness.
Surviving: daughters, Cathy Sue Nichols of Salinas, Sherry Ann Williams of Pacific Grove; son, Richard Allen Williams of Rodgers, Ark.; sister, Rosalee Ellis of Nitro, W.Va.; brothers, Robert F. Kelly of Eleanor, W.Va., Thomas Kelly of Nitro, W.Va. Pierce Brothers Mortuary, Westlake, is in charge of arrangements. The family suggests memorial contributions to a charity of choice. Information provided by Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, W.Va.

James H. Woodall
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- James Henry Woodall, 72, of St. Petersburg, formerly of Charleston, W.Va., died Saturday, April 4,1998, in Bayfront Hospital, St. Petersburg. Bartlett-Burdette-Cox Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Charlie Swagger
His friends remembered him as the bartender with the heart of gold. Red Carpet Lounge owner Charlie Swagger died Tuesday at Charleston Area Medical Center at age 54, but the owner of the popular East End bar left behind a crowd of admiring patrons. "He was one of the most generous men you'd ever meet in your life," said former Charleston Mayor Chuck Gardner, who frequented Swagger's establishment most Thursday evenings for "Steak Night." "There are so many things he's done for people. You go through this life and you meet people and you're better off for having met them. He's one of them." Swagger, who died after a long illness, was known for his collections to benefit Secret Santa and other charities, as well as for his support of the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Festival. At the Red Carpet, he developed a reputation for his ease in moving from table to table, offering jokes and anecdotes. "He was just very fun-loving," said Jane Cline, the former state Division of Motor Vehicles commissioner who also frequented Steak Night. "He didn't know a stranger. He was always eager to make people welcome. What can you say about a friend? He was open to everybody." Swagger had operated the Red Carpet on Elizabeth Street since 1986 and the old Anchor bar in Kanawha City from 1984-86. His list of community activities included the Charleston Elks Lodge 202, Charleston Moose Lodge 1444, Charleston Festival Commission, Fraternal Order of Police, the VFW and the International Chili Society. Swagger was a native of Charleston, a graduate of Charleston High School and an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War. He sold cars for 10 years before going into the bar business. State Sen. Jack Buckalew feasted at Gardner's table on Steak Night. "He tried to run a good neighborhood business," Buckalew said. "He was an independent sort. He was a free soul." Buckalew's wife, Eula, worked with Swagger before he became a bar owner. He was an employee of the Ford credit department. "It was his job to make sure we had all the cars we said we had," said Eula Buckalew, who worked for Bert Wolfe Ford for 37 years. "He was on top of it. "He was a good businessman, but he would bend over backwards to help you also."
Surviving: stepson, Jason Riggs of Lenoir, N.C.; sisters, Mildred Elizabeth Swagger of Daytona Beach, Fla., Mary K. Helmerich of Fort Myers, Fla.; brother, John H. Swagger of Sykesville, Md. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at J.E. Johnson Funeral Home, Charleston. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, where an Elks service will be held at 7:30 p.m. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Charles T. Swagger Memorial Fund, c/o Bank One, attention: Marshall Colebank, P.O. Box 1113, Charleston, WV 25324.

Basiel E. Barker
ASHFORD -- Basiel E. Barker, 58, of Ashford, Boone County, died Tuesday, April 7, 1998, at home after a short illness. He was an equipment operator for the state Department of Highways with 13 years of service.
Surviving: wife, Janet Barker; daughters, Jacqueline Martin of Whitesville, Patricia Dangerfield of Charleston; son, Charles Hayes of Ashford; brothers, Joseph D. Barker of Atlanta, Ga., Sidney R. and Wilkie L. Barker of Nellis, Jimmy L. Barker of Lakeland, Fla., Jerry W. Barker of Wilson Mills, N.C., James H. Barker of Ashford; sister, Elsie F. Porter of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet, with the Rev. Fairley McCormick officiating. Burial will be in Barker Cemetery, White Oak, with military rites by VFW Post 5578, Madison. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Geneva Barnett
DANIELS -- Geneva Barnett of Daniels, Raleigh County, died Tuesday, April 7, 1998, in Pinecrest Nursing Home, Beckley, after a long illness. Rose-Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements.

Allie Cook
BALD KNOB -- Allie Cook, 93, of Bald Knob, Boone County, died Monday, April 6, 1998, in Boone Memorial Hospital, Madison, after a long illness. She was a member of Bald Knob United Methodist Church.
Surviving: sons, Delmer Cook of Madison, Donald Cook of Bald Knob, Glenn Cook of St. Petersburg, Fla., Phillip M. Cook of Cape Coral, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Bald Knob United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ralph Whitten and Lloyd Coleman officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens, Madison. Friends may call after 5 p.m. today at the church. Handley Funeral Home, Danville, is in charge of arrangements.

Dessie I. Cook
BIRCH RIVER -- Dessie Irene Cook, 87, of Birch River died Monday, April 6, 1998, in Laurel Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Ivydale, after a long illness. She was a homemaker, former co-owner/operator of Cook Skating Rink, Birch River, and a member of New Hope Baptist Church, Morris.
Surviving: daughter, Mary A. Triplett of Summersville; sons, Jimmy Cook of Big Otter, Joe Cook of Brooklyn, Ohio; sister, Leona Tyree of Hollywood, Fla.; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at New Hope Baptist Church with the Rev. Cecil Butcher and the Rev. Mark McClung officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Greene-Robertson Funeral Home, Sutton, and one hour prior to service at the church.

E.W. Cooper
MILTON -- E.W. "Erva" Cooper, 77, of Milton died Tuesday, April 7, 1998, in St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington, after an apparent heart attack. He was a retired postmaster and a member of Masonic Lodge 68, Scottish Rites Bodies, Beni Kedem Shrine and Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, Milton.
Surviving: wife, Naomi Hensley Cooper; son, Michael W. Cooper of Milton; one granddaughter. Service will be noon Friday at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Chelcie Gibson and the Rev. Kelson Bays officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Heck Funeral Home, Milton, and one hour prior to service at the church. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, Suite 20, 400 Allen Drive, Charleston, WV 25302.

Carlo DeMotto
BEVERLY -- Carlo DeMotto, 75, of Beverly died Monday, April 6, 1998, at home. He was a former employee of the state Department of Highways, owner/operator of DeMotto's Honda Sales during the 1960s, was owner/operator of DeMotto Coal Co, DeMotto Mobile Home Sales and DeMotto Car Sales and at the time of his death was president of DeMotto-Peerless Coal Co. He was a member of the board of directors of Citizens National Bank and a member of Elks Lodge 1135, Elkins, and St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Coalton.
Surviving: wife, Carolyn Allen DeMotto; daughter, Carolyn McAlonen of Rexford, N.Y.; stepson, Brad Terry of Elkins; brothers, James, Andy, Fred and Tony DeMotto of Coalton; sister, Helen Rossi of Coalton; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with the Rev. Roy Schuster and the Rev. Marvin L. Parli officiating. Burial will be in St. Brendan Cemetery, Elkins. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Lohr-Barb-Vance Funeral Home, Elkins, where a prayer service will be held at 8:30 p.m.

Doris W. Eller
BECKLEY -- Doris W. Eller, 86, of Beckley died Monday, April 6, 1998, at home after a long illness. He was a retired miner, a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church and the UMW.
Surviving: sons, Grant Eller of Detroit, Mich., Harold Eller of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; daughters, Faye Whitaker and Jeanette Horton of Detroit, Carolyn Tincher of Beckley; sister, Alice Stevens of Ocala, Fla.; brother, Mose Eller Jr. of Beckley; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Rose-Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley, with the Rev. Ronald Hodge and the Rev. Bill Pouncey officiating. Burial will be in Calfee Cemetery, Mount Tabor. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Rodney C. Haynes
RICHMOND, Va. -- Rodney Carlos Haynes, 40, of Richmond died Saturday, April 4, 1998, in Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, Fairlea, from injuries received in a stabbing, said a spokeswoman with the Lewisburg State Police detachment. He was a veteran, a former employee of The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Granny's Restaurant, Holiday Inn, Cross Roads, a former employee of the Virginia Department of Highways, an industrial laborer and a member of TLB-Outreach for Christ Ministries, Hopewell.
Surviving: wife, Myrtle Blanding Haynes; daughters, Alisha Dawn Napier of Charleston, W.Va., Jessica Wilmer of Kansas City, Kan., Latisha Reshawn Greene and Chona Lynn Haynes of White Sulphur Springs; mother, Mary Ann Haynes of Ronceverte; father, Robert Yancey; sisters, Felicia and Rita Haynes of Ronceverte, W.Va., Kim and Tina Haynes of Fairlea, W.Va.; brothers, Mark Haynes of Ronceverte, Curtis Haynes of Alderson, W.Va.; three grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, Ronceverte, with Elder Thomas Blanding officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Wallace-Wallace Funeral Home, Ronceverte.

Georgia L. Hicks
MILTON -- Georgia L. Johnson Hicks, 87, of Milton died Tuesday, April 7, 1998, in Meadowbrook Acres Nursing Center, Charleston, after a long illness. She was a homemaker and Methodist.
Surviving: daughters, Wanda McGill Carpenter of Hobe Sound, Fla., Marjorie Barnhart of Kemper, Texas; sisters, Jo Padon of South Charleston, Eva McDowell of Charleston, Ima Jenkins of Milton; brother, James J. Johnson of Milton; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Heck Funeral Home, Milton, with the Rev. Marshall McGill officiating. Burial will be in Milton Cemetery, Milton. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Meadowbrook Acres Nursing Center Activities Fund, c/o Pam Neal, 114 North, Meadowbrook Plaza, Charleston, WV 25311.

Luther L. Johnson
BECKLEY -- Luther Lee Johnson, 71, of Beckley died Monday, April 6, 1998, in a Beckley hospital after a long illness. He was a retired miner with 30 years of service, a member of Old Grove Chapel, Crab Orchard, the UMW and was a Navy veteran of World War II.
Surviving: wife, Nancy Brown Johnson; sons, Larry Lee Johnson of Rock, Daniel Johnson Sr. of Rushsylvania, Ohio; daughters, Donna Sue Miller of Hotchkiss, Elizabeth Ann Hawkins of Beckley; brothers, Elmer Johnson of Corinne, Clay Johnson of Lindside, Chester and Willie S. Johnson of Rock View; sisters, Alma Edwards of Rock View, Lou May of Pineville, Etta Johnson of Virginia; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia, with the Rev. Ronald Adkins officiating. Entombment will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Prosperity. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Robert W. Kelley
JANE LEW -- Robert William Kelley, 41, of Jane Lew died Monday, April 6, 1998, from injuries received in an all-terrain-vehicle accident in the Jesse Run area near his home, said a spokesman for the Lewis County Sheriff's Department. He was a truck driver for American AGIP Co. Inc., a member of Hackers Creek Coonhunters Club, Jane Lew, and coach of the Lewis County Little League Basketball and Lewis County Summer League Softball teams.
Surviving: wife, Linda Christy Kelley; daughters, Alicia Kay and Bobbie Ann Kelley at home; father and stepmother, Robert and Sheila Kelley of Weston; mother and stepfather, Bernice Henline Cook of Clarksburg, Thomas Cook of Jane Lew; sister, Darlene Bean of Buckhannon. Service will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Floyd Funeral Home, Weston, with the Rev. Joseph Busch officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Jane Lew. Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Carl B. Little II
Carl B. Little II, 30, of Charleston died Monday, April 6, 1998, in Roane General Hospital from injuries received in a motorcycle accident on U.S. 119 near Gandeeville, said a spokesman for the Spencer State Police detachment. He was a mechanic and bus driver for the Kanawha County Board of Education, a graduate of Dunbar High School and Ben Franklin Vocational and Technical School.
Surviving: companion, Tina Lilly of Beckley; son, Carl B. "Trey" Little III of Nitro; parents, Carl B. and Angela Laton Little of Charleston; brothers, Shawn Little and Eddie Thaxton of Charleston; sister, Kelly Shinn of Scott Depot. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today and from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.

Helen S. Lucenti
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Helen S. Lucenti, 87, of Daytona Beach, formerly of Charleston, W.Va., died Friday, April 3, 1998, at home. She was a homemaker and a member of Epiphany Catholic Church.
Surviving: daughter, Mary K. of Daytona Beach; sisters, Gloria McPherson of Coraopolis, Pa., Florence Center of Pittsburgh, Pa.; four grandchildren. Volusia County Cremations Society, Deltona Beach, is in charge of arrangements.

Noble R. Lykins
SUMMERSVILLE -- Noble Radford "Rad" Lykins, 80, of Summersville died Monday, April 6, 1998, in Summersville Memorial Hospital after a short illness. He attended Bennett Memorial United Methodist Church, Glade Creek, and was a retired heavy equipment operator.
Surviving: wife, Vada M. Facemire Lykins; sons, Jerry M. of Middletown, Del., Stephen M. of St. Albans; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at White Funeral Home, Summersville, with the Rev. Brent Brown officiating. Burial will be in West Virginia Memorial Gardens, Calvin. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Randall W. McCord
ROSWELL, Ga. -- Randall Wayne McCord, 40, of Roswell, formerly of South Charleston, W.Va., died Saturday, April 4, 1998, in Atlanta, Ga., from injuries received in a motorcycle accident, said a spokesman for the Fulton County medical examiner's office. He was a maintenance supervisor with the Reeff Co., Atlanta, a member of the Harley Davidson Association and a graduate of South Charleston High School.
Surviving: wife, Pamela Renick McCord; mother, Betty Bailey McCord of South Charleston. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Good Shepherd Mortuary, South Charleston, with the Rev. Dennis Barnhart officiating. Burial will be in Mount Union Cemetery, Buckhannon, W.Va. Friends may call two hours prior to service at the mortuary.

Mary McFadden-Slaughter
Mary E. McFadden-Slaughter, 82, of Eskdale died Monday, April 6, 1998, at home after a long illness. She was a retired housekeeper from CAMC, Memorial Division, and former member of Little Zion Baptist Church, Eskdale.
Surviving: brother, Floyd Torrence of Charleston; grandsons, James A. McFadden of Virginia Beach, Va., David A. McFadden IV of Dunbar; four stepgrandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet, with Sidney Perdue officiating. Burial will be in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society or Kanawha Hospice Care.

Shad R. McLaughlin
MARLINTON -- Shad Royce McLaughlin, 73, of Marlinton died Sunday, April 5, 1998, at home. He was manager of Edray State Trout Hatchery, a member of Marlinton Presbyterian Church, an elder and youth director of Stoney Creek Chapel, a member of Pocahontas Promenaders Square Dance Club, the VFW and was a Navy veteran of World War II.
Surviving: wife, Osa Smith McLaughlin; sons, John David McLaughlin of Surfside Beach, S.C., Tom McLaughlin of Louisa, Va., Patrick McLaughlin of Smithfield, Va., Michael McLaughlin of Richmond, Va.; daughters, Sally Nottingham of Surfside Beach, Virginia Shaw of Marlinton; sister, Eleanor McLaughlin of Marlinton; nine grandchldren. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Marlinton Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Randy Benson officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at VanReenen Funeral Home, Marlinton. The family suggests memorial contributions to Marlinton Presbyterian Church or Pocahontas Memorial Hospital.

Herman S. McNeely
SETH -- Herman S. McNeely, 71, of Seth died Monday, April 6, 1998, at home after a long illness. He was a retired miner from Peabody Coal with 35 years of service, a member of Seth Church of Christ, the UMW and was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving: wife, Betty McNeely; daughters, Annette Shull of Pompano Beach, Fla., Tonette Yeager of Seth; brothers, Don McNeely of Seth, Verner McNeely of Oak Ridge, Tenn., Virgil McNeely of Melbourne, Fla.; sisters, Lou Abbott of Texas, Opal Filiberti of Connecticut; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Handley Funeral Home, Danville, with Minister Frank Shepard officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens, Madison. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Loma A. Montgomery
Loma Alice Montgomery, 91, of Charleston died Monday, April 6, 1998, in Americare of Dunbar. She was a retired chief operator administrative with C&P Telephone Co. of West Virginia, working in Clarksburg, Elkins and Chalreston, a member of Women's Christian Temperance Union, Telephone Co. and Pioneers of America and was a former vice president of WCTU Francis Willard Central, Charleston.
Surviving: daughter, E. Sue Moran of Salisbury, Md.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Bartlett-Burdette-Cox Funeral Home with Pastor Harold L. Wightman officiating. Burial will be in Rock Cave Cemetery, Rock Cave. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.