Sylva P. Bright
LYNCHBURG, Tenn. -- Sylva Pierce Bright, 101, of Lynchburg, formerly of Putnam County, W.Va., died Friday, April 17, 1998, in Lynchburg Nursing Center, Lynchburg. She was a retired department manager of Higbee's Department Store in Cleveland, Ohio, and a Baptist. Surviving: nieces, Betty Davidson of Tullahoma, with whom she made her home, Audra Dunn of Potomac, Md.; Patsy West of Manhattan Beach, Calif., Ann Stone of South Padre Island, Ga.; nephews, Stephen Pierce of St. Simon's Island, Ga. Graveside service will be at Lone Oak Cemetery in Point Pleasant, W.Va., at a later date. Tullahoma Funeral Home, Tullahoma, is in charge of arrangements. Crow-Hussell Funeral Home, Point Pleasant, will be in charge of local arrangements.

Claude V. Carpenter
Claude V. Carpenter, 78, of Scott Depot formerly of Mill Point, W.Va., died Thursday, April 16, 1998, at home after a long illness. He was a sander for Ford Motor Company, Lorain, Ohio. He was a member of the VFW, a Army Veteran of World War II, a member of the 83rd Infantry Division Association and a Protestant. Surviving: wife, Betty Rogers Carpenter of Scott Depot; son, Sam Carpenter of Winfield; daughter, Linda C. Burgess of Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.; sisters, Jacoba Thompson of Hayes, Va., Lucille Whitt of Williamsburg, Va.; three grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at VanReenen Funeral Home, Marlinton with the Rev. Jay Hicks officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery, Marlinton. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests donations be sent to the Kanawha Valley Hospice, 1143 Dunbar Ave., Dunbar, WV 25064.

Grace L. Dingess
LOGAN -- Grace Lee Dingess, 87, of Logan died Thursday, April 16, 1998, in Boone Memorial Hospital. She was born at Harts and was a member of Chapmanville Church of Christ. She was a homemaker and former sheriff of Logan County. Surviving, husband, Harry Dingess; son, Willie of West Logan; daughter, Judy Hainor of Chapmanville; sisters, Clara Dingess of Logan, Shirley Martin of South Williamson, Ky.; brother, Shelby Neal of South Point, Ohio; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Logan, with the Rev. David Cabell and the Rev. Virgil Hill officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Pecks Mill. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Honaker Funeral Home, Logan.

Dorsey F. Ferrell
CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio -- Dorsey F. Ferrell, 86, of Canal Winchester, formerly of Chapmanville, W.Va., died Thursday, April 16, 1998, in Mount Carmel East Hospital, Columbus. He was a member of United Church of Christ. Surviving: daughters, Jean Anderson-Carey of Brandon, Fla., Doris Scheidegger and Joan Hammond of Columbus, Pam Mangan of Canal Winchester; sons, Dennis and Richard of Orlando, Fla.; brother, William Ferrell of West Virginia; sister, Mildred Craddock of West Virginia; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Service will be 10 a.m. Monday at Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, 550 Hill Road N., Pickerington, with the Rev. Charles Flesher, the Rev. Paul Hamilton and the Rev. Eric Cuenin officiating. Burial will be in Lithopolis Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Gideon Society.

Hazel Louise Gibson
MOUNT GAY -- Hazel Louise Gibson, 52, of Mount Gay died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Logan General Hospital. Honaker Funeral Home, Logan, is in charge of arrangements.

Ethel V. Gibson
GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- Ethel Virginia Gibson, 90, of Gulf Breeze, formerly of Beckley, W.Va., died Tuesday, April 15, 1998, in Gulf Breeze. She was a charter member of Emerald Coast Women's Club and the Seniors in Navarre. She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and was a former member of many civic organizations in Beckley, where she served on the board and was involved in getting lighting for many streets and helped initiate programs to feed the poor. She served in the Pink Ladies Group at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital for more than 20 years. Surviving: daughter, Ruth Virginia Avila of Gulf Breeze, with whom she made her home; grandson, Harry T. Gibson; two great-grandsons; several nieces and nephews. Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Ellen L. File officiating. Entombment will be in Sunset Memorial Park, Cemetery, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Nina G. Hensley
SOD -- Nina Gay Hensley, 70 of Sod died Thursday, April 16, 1998, at home after a long illness. She was a lifelong resident of Lincoln County, a homemaker and a member of Cobbs Creek Freewill Baptist Church. Surviving: brother, John Brown of Charleston; sister, Norma Dunlap of Alum Creek; several nieces and nephews; caregivers, Jean Bays, Sherry and Glen Hughes and Alice Lovejoy. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with the Rev. Clarence Turley officiating. Burial will be in Lively Cemetery, Sod. Friends may call from 7 to 9 today at the funeral home.

Arleta J. Knotts
RIPLEY -- Arleta J. Sigmon Knotts, 61, of Ripley died Thursday, April 16, 1998, at Jackson General Hospital after a short illness. She was born at Red Knob. She was a graduate of Dunbar High School, a homemaker and a Baptist. Surviving: husband, Robert F. Knotts; sons, Clark E. Sigmon of Ripley, Victor E. Sigmon of Charleston; mother, Erselene Wesfall Davis Tolley of Ripley; brother, Lowell Davis of Gandeeville; two grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Casto Funeral Home, Evans, with the Rev. Mike Norris officiating. Burial will be in Gandeeville Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Maxine Lambert
BECKLEY -- Maxine Lambert, 61, of Shady Spring died Friday, April 17, 1998, in a Beckley Hospital. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, in charge of arrangements.

Hazel M. Lambert
DURBIN -- Hazel M. Lambert, 81, of Durbin died Thursday, April 16, 1998, at Davis Memorial Hospital, Elkins. She was born at Wildale. She was a homemaker and a member of Frank Church of the Nazarene, the VFW Auxiliary and Rebekah Lodge. Surviving: husband, Kenna H.; daughters, Ginnie Rexrode of Durbin, Gracie Richardson of Warrenton, Va.; sons, John of New Mexico, William of Manassas, Va., Don of Richmond, Va., Roy of Dale City, Va.; sister, Lou Ferris of Elkins; 18 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Arbovale, with the Rev. David Rittenhouse and the Rev. Gary Reynolds officiating. Burial will be in Aborvale Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Earl Lawrence
GRIFFITHSVILLE -- Earl "Curley" Lawrence, 77, of Griffithsville died Thursday, April 16, 1998, in South Charleston. He was a retired electrician with C&O Railroad, BarboursvilleShops and served six years on the Lincoln County Court. Surviving, wife, Lindell Lawrence; son, Earl Stephen of Culloden; mother, Myrtle Lawrence of Hamlin; sister, Maxine Mason of Griffithsville; two grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Sunday at Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin, with the Rev. Merrill McKinney officiating. Burial will be in Orchard Hill Memory Gardens, Yawkey. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Charles M. McCray
BECKLEY -- Dr. Charles M. McCray, 90, of Beckley died Friday, April 10, 1998, in a Beckley hospital following a long illness. He was a Methodist. He was a charter member of the Civitan Club in Beckley, a member of the WV Osteopathic Association, the National Osteopathic Association and Chi Beta Phi. He was a retired osteopathic physician and practiced in Beckley for 43 years. Surviving: wife, Guida Mae Epperson McCray; sons, J. Michael of Beckley, Jeffrey S. of Huntington; daughters, Susan Lee Hage of Huntington, Rebecca J. Gallagher of Maple Fork Road; sister, Alice Jarrett of Grass Valley, Calif.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at United Methodist Temple, Beckley, with the Rev. Daniel B. Johnson officiating. The body was cremated. Friends may call immediately after the service in the Friendship Hall. The family suggests donations be sent to the United Methodist Temple Building Fund, 3871 Robert C. Byrd Dr., Beckley, W.Va. 25801 or the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, 400 North Lee St., Lewisburg, W.Va. 24901. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements.

Elmer Morris
WILKINSON -- Elmer Morris, 82, of Wilkinson died Tuesday, April 14, 1998 in Logan General Hospital after a short illness. He was born in Switzer. He was a retired miner for Omar Mining and was a member of the UMW. He was a Baptist. Surviving: sons, Jimmy of Gaffney, S.C., Paul of Cleveland, Ohio; daughter, Phyllis Abbott of Rocky River, Ohio; sister, Hester Blankenship of Florida; brothers, Elmer Morris and Ardy Morris of Columbus, Ohio; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Service was to be at 2 p.m. today at Collins-Slater Funeral Home, Switzer, with the Rev. Cecil Spry officiating. Burial will be in Highland Memory Gardens.

Don E. O'Dell
Don E. "Tootie" O'Dell, 66, of Dixie, Nicholas County, W.Va., died Friday, April 17, 1998, at home after a short illness. He was a retired employee from APEX Corporation Albion, N.Y., and a member of the Open Bible Church, Ripley. Surviving: son, Mark O'Dell of Albion; daughters, Robin and Lisa O'Dell of Albion; brothers, Cecil, Ralph and Shirley G. O'Dell of Dixie, Herman O'Dell of Millwood, Tim O'Dell Indianapolis, Ind.; sisters, Dot Morton of Dixie, Mary Duffy of Hurricane, Allie Cook of Pulaski, Va.; four grandchildren. Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at the Hill Cemetery, Belva, W.Va., with Junior Lee Bird officiating. Burial will be in the Hill Cemetery, Belva. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Pennington Funeral Home Chapel, Gauley Bridge. Funeral Procession will leave the funeral home at 1:30 p.m. Sunday to go to the cemetery.

Odie C. Pauley Jr.
TOWNSEND, Tenn. -- Odie Cline Pauley Jr., 53, of Townsend, died Thursday, April 9, 1998, in Maryville. He was a retired boat captain and a dive master. Survivors: fiance, Sharon L. Wilson of Florida; son, Codie Pauley III of Bonifay, Fla.; father, Odie Cline Pauley Sr. of Elkview, W.Va.; mother, Lucille Warner of Key Largo, Fla. A private family viewing and cremation were conducted by Smith Mortuary, Maryville. Hafer Funeral Home, Elkview, was in charge ofarrangements.

Betty J. Perdue
MADISON -- Betty J. Perdue, 66, of Madison died Friday April 17, 1998, in CAMC, Memorial Division, after a short illness. She was a homemaker. Surviving: sons, James of Cross Lanes, Marvin of Madison; daughters, Mary Farley of South Charleston, Carrie Dotson and Virginia Holstein of Madison; brothers, Jackie Barker of Kanawha CIty, Wilson Barker of Beckley; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren Service will be 1 p.m. Monday at Stevens Funeral Home, Madison. Burial will be in Perdue Cemetery, Foster. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Rankin R. Pickens
POMEROY, Ohio -- Dr. Rankin Ray Pickens, 74, of Pomeroy died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Fort Myers, Fla. He was born in Clifton, W.Va. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving as a pilot in the Pacific, and attained the rank of lieutenant. He was a member of Clifton United Methodist Church. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota and was a former teacher at Wahama High School, Mason, W.Va. He received his doctorate from Kirksville College of Osteopathy. He opened the Jones Memorial Clinic in Middleport in 1954. He served as Meigs County Coroner and was a clinical instructor for the Department of Preventive Medicine at Ohio State University, Columbus, a Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine on the Volunteer Clinical Faculty of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, was Chief of Staff of Veterans Memorial Hospital from 1964 until 1975 and served as Vice Chief of Staff from 1975 to 1978. He was member of Masonic Lodge and 32nd Pomeroy Masonic Lodge. Surviving: wife, Irena; son, Ray Rankin Pickens of Pomeroy; stepson, Dennis Downey; stepdaughter, Denise Buffum; four grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren. Service will be 3 p.m. Sunday in Pomeroy Chapel of Fisher Funeral Home, Pomeroy, with the Rev. Terry Alvarez officiating. Burial will be in Graham Station Cemetery, New Haven. Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests donations be sent to the Dr. Ray Pickens Educational Trust Fund, 400 Riverview Drive, Pomeroy, OH 45769.

William D. Riddle
RAVENNA, Ohio -- William Dye Riddle, 88, of Ravenna, Ohio, formerly of Grantsville, died Thursday, April 16, 1998, at Portage Nursing Center, Ravenna, after a long illness. He was born in Calhoun County. He was an Army veteran of World War II and received the Purple Star while fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a former security guard and was an employee of the Ohio highway construction industry. Surviving: several nieces and nephews. Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Stump Funeral Home, Grantsville. Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery, Grantsville. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Raymond E. Selbe
Raymond E. Selbe, 79, of St. Albans died Thursday, April 16, 1998, at Thomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness. He was employed by Goodrich Gulf in Institute and was a press operator at Hughes Manufacturing Co., Orlando, Fla. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and was a member of Bethany Baptist Church in St. Albans. Surviving: wife, Juanita Steele Selbe; sons, Larry G. of St. Albans and Dennis E. of East Liverpool, Ohio; daughter, Mrs. Pansy Sevy of Goldtown; stepson, Patrick Steele of Parkersburg; stepdaughter, Judy Parr of League City, Tex.; brother, Charles F. of Rocky Fork; sister, Marion Helmick of Sistersville; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, with the Rev. William Layne Jr. and the Rev. Larry McCallister officiating. Burial will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests donations be sent to Kanawha Hospice, 1143 Dunbar Ave., Dunbar, WV 25064.

Iona M. Stacy
LEWISBURG -- Iona Madeline Dolan Stacy, 87, of Lewisburg died Thursday, April 16, 1998, at the home of her daughter, Jolene Kidd of Alderson, after a long illness. She was born in Renick. She was a homemaker and a member of Lewisburg United Methodist Church. She was a former member of the Greenbrier County Democratic Women and had worked in elections for many years. Surviving: daughter, Jolene Kidd of Alderson; brother Gilmer Dolan of Renick; sister, Ina Meredith of Clarkson, Ky.; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson, with the Rev. Clark Peloubet officiating. Burial will be in Alderson Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m Sunday at the funeral home.

Darrell E. Stegel III
BECKLEY -- Darrell E. "Butchy" Stegel III, 8, of Beckley died Thursday, April 16, 1998, in Morgantown Children's Hospital after a long illness. He was a student at Central Elementary School, Beckley. Surviving: parents, Darrell E. and Terrie Garner Stegel Jr. of Beckley; brother, George Scott Garner; sisters, Shaunna Rae Garner, Shayla Renee Stegel and Kirsty Dawn Stegel of Beckley; paternal grandparents, Darrell and Dixie Stegel of Beckley; paternal great-grandparents Rev. Louie and Evelyn Stegel of Oak Hill; maternal grandfather, George Louis Garner of Beckley. Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Louie Stegel officiating. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Christine Swadley
Christine Swadley, 88, of Charleston died Thursday, April 16, 1998, in CAMC, General Division. She was a graduate of Harrisville High School and Glenville College, where she received a teaching certificate. She taught in Spruce Grove School, Ritchie County. She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Charleston, and Salina No. 81, Order of the Eastern Star, Malden. Surviving: sons, Richard of Key Largo, Fla., Roger of Charleston, Randall of Belle; sister, Martha Henze of Bethesda, Md.; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Raiguel Funeral Home, Harrisville. An Eastern Star service will be held at 2:45 p.m. Burial will be in the Harrisville IOOF Cemetery. Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Donald E. Ward
Donald Everette Ward, 71, of Hugheston died Thursday, April 16, 1998, at home. He was a former heavy equipment coal operator for Hawks Nest Coal Co., a retired truck driver for Keenan Trucking Co. and a veteran of World War II, with Sixth Marine Division. He was a lifelong resident of Hugheston, a member of the Church of God, a member of the UMWA and attended East Bank High School. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Everette and Rosetta M. Pearson Ward. Surviving: wife, Martha Hackney Ward; sons, Thomas A. of Dunbar, Donald W. of Arnold, Md.; daughters, Judith M. Young, Patricia A. Ward, Bobbette L. Gay of Hugheston, Sherri K. Keeney of Boomer, Christy L. Whited of Canonsburg, Pa.; sister, Maxine Baker of Havelock, N.C.; 16 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Hughes Creek First Church of God with the Rev. Melvin Holstein officiating and the Rev. Alfred Bowe and Pastor Gary Tucker officiating. Burial will be in Montgomery Memorial Park, London, W.Va., with military graveside rites by Gulley Bridge V.F.W. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Cooke Funeral Home, Cedar Grove. The family suggests donations be sent to the American Cancer Society, 2428 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25311.