Thelma M. Vernon
Thelma Mae Higginbotham Vernon, 73, of Rand died Monday, April 20, 1998, at home after a short illness. Scott Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mitchell Watson
KENOVA -- Mitchell "Whitey" Watson, 88, of Kenova, formerly of Griffithsville, died Sunday, April 19, 1998. He was a retired construction worker with AFL-CIO Builders Trade Union Local 1353. Surviving: daughters, Patty Dials of Columbus, Ohio, Edna Woodrum and Lois Pauley of Huntington; four grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin. Burial will be in Sand Fork Cemetery, Griffithsville. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Vada B. Watson
FRANKFORD -- Vada Belle Watson, 75, of Frankford, Greenbrier County, formerly of White Sulphur Springs, died Saturday, April 18, 1998, at home after a long illness. She was a longtime employee in the laundry department of The Greenbrier Hotel and retired from Hanover Shoe Co., White Sulphur Springs. Surviving: daughter, Brenda Legg of Frankford; sons, Donald Yates of Frankford, Chief Master Sgt. Robert Watson of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; stepson, Phillip Watson of White Sulphur Springs; stepdaughter, Betty Joe Maupin of White Sulphur Springs; sister, Mary Dixon of Frankford; brother, Charles Yates of Pickaway; grandsons, Michael and Christopher Watson at home; nine additional grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Shanklin Funeral Home, White Sulphur Springs, with the Rev. Jim Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, White Sulphur Springs. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Earl Workman
ACWORTH, Ga. -- Earl Workman, 95, of Acworth died Saturday, April 18, 1998, in Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, Ga., after a long illness. He was the retired owner of Northwest Seeding Co. Surviving: sons, Jack of Alum Creek, W.Va., Mark of Atlanta, Ga.; daughters, Mary Jo Warden of Acworth, Patty and Susie of Texas; four grandchildren. Graveside service was to be 11 a.m. today at Boone Memorial Park, Madison, with the Rev. Darrell Bogatay officiating. Handley Funeral Home, Danville, is in charge of arrangements.

Herman H. Arbogast
BOARDMAN, Ohio -- Herman Hall Arbogast, 82, of Boardman, formerly of Lewis County, W.Va., died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, at the home of his daughter, Brenda McIntyre of Youngstown, Ohio, after a long illness. He retired from Commercial Intertech Corp. of Youngstown, was a Navy veteran of World War II serving in the South Pacific and was a member of Lockwood United Methodist Church in Ohio. Also surviving: son, Norman D. of Boardman; brother, Thurman of Delaware; sisters, Mary St. Clair and Surrelia Currey of Clarksburg, W.Va., Sylvia Gum of Weston, W.Va.; one granddaughter. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at McCanns Run United Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. William Gum officiating. Private family viewing will be held at Boyle Funeral Home, Weston, W.Va.

Lawrence Burdette
Lawrence Burdette, 67, of Charleston died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, at home after a long illness. He retired from the former Acme Brass Foundry Co., Charleston, and was a lifelong resident of Kanawha County. Surviving: wife, Vernese Newhouse Burdette; daughters, Kay Good and Kelli Asbury of Sissonville, Debra Burdette of Charleston; brothers, Dale of Sissonville, Arnold and Junior of Charleston; sisters, Lorene Newhouse, Mary Jane Carpenter, Janet Haynes and Rosa Good of Charleston; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Cunningham-Parker-Johnson Funeral home with the Rev. Michael Good officiating. Burial will be in John Harve Burdette Cemetery, Sissonville. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Edna Buster
BEARDS FORK -- Edna Buster of Beards Fork, Fayette County, died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in Montgomery General Hospital after a short illness. Anderson-Hairston Funeral Home, Montgomery, is in charge of arrangements.

Charles L. Byrd
Charles L. Byrd, 81, of Charleston, formerly of Huntington, died Monday, April 20, 1998, in Huntington Veterans Administration Medical Center. He was a retired and honored top salesman for Electrolux Corp. for 30 years, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II and a Christian. Surviving: wife, Georgia Anne Mullins Byrd; daughters, Carolyn Gibson of Barboursville, Charlotte LaFon of South Point, Ohio, Vicky Byrd Leventis of Columbia, S.C., Christy Pennington of Sissonville; sister, Edith Ward of Xenia, Ohio; six grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Reger Funeral Home, Huntington, with Bishop Warren L. Pennington officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Memorial Park, Barboursville. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

William D. Childers
William Duve Childers, 65, of Charleston died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in CAMC, Memorial Division, after a long illness. He was a carpenter with C.A. Branham Ice, a member of Carpenters Union Local 1207, an Army veteran of World War II and a Catholic. Surviving: daughters, Michel Childers of North Carolina, Monica Childers of Charleston; son, Michael, address unknown; cousin, Carolyn Monroe of Charleston. Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston, with Father John H. McDonnell officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to service at J.E. Johnson Funeral Home, Kanawha City.

Rebecca Chiles
Rebecca Chiles of Montgomery died Monday, April 20, 1998, at home after a short illness. Anderson-Hairston Funeral Home, Montgomery, in charge of arrangements.

Hester V. Clagg
HURRICANE -- Hester Violet Nida Clagg, 91, of Hurricane died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in Putnam General Hospital, Hurricane. She was a homemaker. Surviving: daughters, Shirley Morrison and Lola Chapman of Barboursville; sons, Denton of Midville, Ohio, Clifford of Hurricane. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, is in charge of arrangements.

Mazie S. Cochran
Mazie Sims Cochran, 89, of South Charleston died Monday, April 20, 1998, at home after a short illness. She was a homemaker and a Methodist. Surviving: granddaughter, Sandra Platt of Columbia, Md.; niece, Carolyn Rader of South Charleston; several additional nieces and nephews. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, with the Rev. Dennis Barnhart officiating. Entombment will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens Mausoleum, Cross Lanes. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Nancy J. Collins
COOLVILLE, Ohio -- Nancy Jane Collins, 94, of Coolville, formerly of Calhoun County, W.Va., died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in Arcadia Nursing Home, Coolville, after a long illness. She was a native of Calhoun County and a member of Freed United Methodist Church, Freed, Calhoun County, W.Va. Surviving: sons, Delmas Collins of Coshocton, Ohio, Paul Collins of Big Springs, W.Va., Darl Collins of Little Hocking, Ohio, Ronnie Collins of Rome, Ohio; daughters, Opal Ball of Rittman, Ohio, Phillis Bunner of Washington, W.Va.; 27 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Stump Funeral Home, Grantsville, W.Va., with the Rev. Carroll McCauley officiating. Burial will be in Saunders Cemetery, Big Springs, W.Va. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

William Dent
FAYETTEVILLE -- William Dent, 69, of Fayetteville died Monday, April 20, 1998, at home after a long illness. Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville, is in charge of arrangements.

Norman Garten
MIDWAY -- Norman Garten, 73, of Midway, Raleigh County, died Sunday, April 19, 1998, at home. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements.

Margaret Gayness
SOPHIA -- Margaret Gayness, 80, of Sophia, Raleigh County, died Monday, April 20, 1998, in a Beckley hospital after a long illness. Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia, is in charge of arrangements.

Naomi M. Harper
BECKLEY -- Naomi Ruth "Nippy" Milam Harper, 58, of Beckley died Monday, April 20, 1998, in a Beckley hospital after a long illness. She was a graduate of Marsh Fork High School and Concord College, taught at Harper Heights Elementary School and East Park Head Start Center, was the director of the Raleigh County Head Start Program and was a member of Oak Grove Christian Church. Surviving: daughters, Mitzi Akers of Shady Spring, Terri Shuck and Sandy Robertson of Beckley, Joni Weeks of Crab Orchard; sons, Alvin and Allan Harper of Beckley; sisters, Lois Harper of Arnett, Betty Lane of Daniels, the Rev. Clarice Daniel of Cowen; brothers, Ed and Richard Milam of Charlotte, N.C.; 12 grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Melton Mortuary, Beckley, with Kenny Overdorf, Tim Grasham and David Mullins officiating. Burial will be in Calfee Cemetery, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Tressie E. James
STUMPTOWN -- Tressie E. James, 88, of Stumptown, Gilmer County, died Monday, April 20, 1998 at the home of her daughter, Dinas Diane Minney of Stumptown, after a short illness. She was a homemaker. Also surviving: daughters, Evelyn Lamouroux of Woodridge, Va., Patricia L. Howland of Spotsylvania, Va., Maxine Curtis of Stafford, Va.; son, Versil James of Melbourne, Fla.; sister, Estel Rose of Morgantown; 17 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Carl Wilson Funeral Home, Clay, with the Rev. Ralph Davis officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Wallback. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Lou K. Jones
LEWISBURG -- Lou K. Jones, 93, of Lewisburg died Sunday, March 29, 1998, in Melbourne, Fla. She was born in Huntington, was a member of Old Stone Presbyterian Church, PEO Sisterhood, Chapter 108 Order of the Eastern Star and American Legion Post 163 Ladies Auxiliary in Melbourne. Surviving: daughters, Gail J. Wright of Melbourne, Barbara J. Davis of Naples, Fla.; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. The body was cremated. A memorial service is planned for late Spring in Lewisburg. The family suggests memorial contributions to Greenbrier County Public Library, Lewisburg, WV 24901.

Michael J. Larrick
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Michael J. Larrick, 50, of Englewood, formerly of Beckley, W.Va., was found dead in his vehicle April 18, 1998, in the Bear Branch area of Greenbrier County, said a spokesman for the Lewisburg State Police detachment. The body was sent to the state medical examiner's office to determine the cause of death. He was an Army veteran. Surviving: mother, Mary Isabelle Holliday Larrick of Beckley; father, J. Sydney Larrick of Beckley; sister, Betsey E. Eads of Scott Depot. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at United Methodist Temple, Beckley, with the Rev. Daniel B. Johnson and the Rev. Michael Q. Atkinson officiating. The body was cremated. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family suggests memorial contributions to United Methodist Temple, 3871 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, WV 25801. Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements.

Joseph R. Matheny
Joseph R. Matheney, 79, of St. Albans died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in Valley Health Village, South Charleston, after a long illness. He retired from Union Carbide Corp., South Charleston, was former director of the city of St. Albans Parks and Recreation Department, former president of Babe Ruth Baseball League, St. Albans, and was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater and as a drill instructor. Surviving: wife, Reba Matheny; daughters, Dixie Conley of Belpre, Ohio, Judy Basevitz of Lexington, Ky.; son, Jim of South Charleston; sister, Hazel Berger of Bakersfield, Calif.; brothers, Forest of Norfolk, Va., Jack of Marietta, Ga., Sam of Marmet; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchilden. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, St. Albans, with the Rev. Ron Lee officiating. Burial will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Gertrude McClanahan
POCA -- Gertrude Fisher McClanahan, 88, of Poca died Monday, April 20, 1998, in Thomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness. Surviving: daughter, Earlene Bailey of Poca; sisters, Wilda Parkins of Charleston, Mabel Humphrey and Virgie Morton of Eleanor, Virginia Withrow of Bancroft; brother, Denver Fisher of Sissonville; grandsons, Marshall Bailey of Poca, Justin Bailey of Charleston; three great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with the Rev. Billy Lanham officiating. Burial will be in McClanahan Cemetery, Poca. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Albert G. McMillion
BECKLEY -- Albert George McMillion, 70, of Beckley died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital after a long illness. He was a Baptist, an Army Veteran of World War II, a retired coal miner and a member of the UMW. Surviving: wife, Myrtle Combs McMillion; sons, Gary of Crab Orchard, Rick of Beaver, Michael of Concord, N.C.; brothers, Carl and Dale of Fairdale; sisters, Mary Griffith of Glen Rogers, Mildred Sauls of Crab Orchard, Jean Cozort of Fairdale, Loretta Smithson of Glenville; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Private graveside service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, with the Rev. George Smith officiating. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Rose-Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.

Anthony Miller
TROY, Va -- Anthony Miller, 69, of Troy, formerly of Deep Water, W.Va., died Saturday, April 18, 1998, after a short illness. He was a self-employed accountant. Surviving: daughters, Kim Beers of Deltona, Fla., Connie Sanford of Longwood, Fla.; brothers, Claude R. of Montgomery Heights, W.Va., Edward of York, Pa., Frank of Oak Hill, W.Va., William of Powellton, W.Va.; sister Mary Jane Coleman of Montgomery Heights; two grandchildren. Service was to be 11 a.m. today at Hill-Wood Funeral Home, Charlottesville, Va., with the Rev. Bruce Hunter officiating. Information provided by O'Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, W.Va.

Henry A. Nichols
MADISON -- Henry A. Nichols, 71, of Madison, Boone County, died Monday, April 20, 1998, in CAMC, Memorial Division, after a short illness. He was born in Logan County, was a retired coal miner, a member of the UMW and an Army veteran of World War II. Surviving: son, Henry "J.R." of Foster; daughters, Carolyn Joy Mullenax of St. Albans, Lana Gay Gordon of Marmet, Gloria Jill White of Marietta, Ga.; brother, Raymond of Lake; sisters, Vina Mynes of Groveport, Ohio, Edna Dolin and Hettie Nelson of Lake, Betty Elkins of Evans; five grandsons. Service will 1 p.m. Thursday at Stevens Funeral Home, Madison, with the Rev. John Hager officiating. Burial will be in Dent Cemetery, Hewett. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.