Richard I. Ballard
Richard I. "Red" Ballard, 72, of Tornado died Tuesday, April 29, 1997, at home after a long illness. He retired from Libby-Owens-Ford with 35 years of service. Surviving: wife, Helen Ballard; daughters, Carol Hardesty of St. Albans, Bobbie Ballard of Tornado; sons, George and Richard I., of Charleston, Gregory A. of Mount Holley, N.C., Darrell W. of Ripley; sisters, Rhetta Hamric, Maxine Nelson, Maggie Lambert and Grace Wells, of Charleston, Betty Morris of Pinch; brothers, Joe and Hank, of Charleston; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at J.E. Johnson Funeral Home, Kanawha City, with the Rev. Thomas Dyer officiating. Burial will be in Comer Cemetery, Loudendale. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Naomi N. Barrett
Naomi Nelson Barrett, 84, of St. Albans died Wednesday, April 30, 1997, in St. Francis Hospital after a long illness. She was born in Lincoln County. Surviving: sister, Myrtle Lawrence Richardson of Griffithsville; several nieces and nephews. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Milton Funeral Home, Milton, with Pastor Michael Dent officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery, Sweetland. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Ernest L. Berry
Ernest Lee Berry, 72, of Charleston died Monday, April 28, 1997, at home after a long illness. He retired from C&O Railway, was a member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a member of the Pastoral Choir, was a veteran of World War II and a former member of the Royal Trumpeteers singing group. Surviving: wife, Mary L. Berry; sons, Lee M. Berry of Atlanta, Ga., Raymond A. Davis of Fayetteville, N.C., John R. Davis of Charleston, the Rev. Robert K. Davis of Institute; daughters, Shirley J. Willis of Dunbar, Beverly A. Smith, Gwendolyn B. Berry and Nadine M. Berry, of Charleston; brothers, the Rev. John Berry of Dunbar, Oliver Berry of Charleston; sister, Ruby M. Chappelle of Dunbar; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Service will be noon Saturday at Mount Zion Baptist, South Charleston, with the Rev. Paul J. Gilmer, the Rev. James Mitchell and the Rev. Robert K. Davis officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the church. Scott Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Hazel L. Blose
POINT PLEASANT -- Hazel L. Denney Blose, 93, of Point Pleasant died Wednesday, April 30, 1997, at Pleasant Valley Hospital, Point Pleasant. She born in Beech Hill, was a retired chef at the Sheraton Hotel, Lake Charles, La., and was a member of Leon United Methodist Church. Surviving: sisters, Jewell Denney Burns of Point Pleasant, Oakley Hudson of Southside, Sylvia Lambert of Leon; brother, Waid Denney of Nashville, Tenn. Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Crow-Hussell Funeral Home, Point Pleasant, with the Rev. Louis A. Hussell officiating. Burial will be in Kirkland Memorial Gardens, Point Pleasant. Friends may call two hours prior to service at the funeral home.

Polly Brooks
Polly Brooks, 102, of St. Albans died Tuesday, April 29, 1997, in St. Francis Hospital after a short illness. She was a homemaker, a Protestant and was born in Kentucky. Surviving: son, Dan Short of St. Albans; daughter, Gertrude Smith of Ripley; 11 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 43 great-great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet, with the Rev. Hubert Woods officiating. Burial will be in Ward Cemetery, Kellys Creek. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Emory S. Browning
ALDERSON -- Emory Sherman Browning, 77, of Alderson, formerly of Yolyn, died Tuesday, April 29, 1997, at home after a long illness. He was employed in Logan County mines for 33 years and retired from Elkay Mining Co. He was a member of UMW Local 5815 of Earling and was a Baptist. Surviving: wife, Aileen Lowe Browning; son, Emory S. "Russ" Jr. of Smoot; daughters, Carrie R. Hahnenberg of Clarkston, Mich., Tamela Ferguson of Lafayette, La., Leisha Shaver and Lindsey Brooke Browning, of Alderson; brother, William Prillaman of Bryans Road, Md.; sister, Irene Adkins of Florida; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Honaker Funeral Home, Logan, with Pastor Dave Spencer and the Rev. Glenn White officiating. Entombment will be in Highland Memory Gardens Mausoluem, Godby. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson, and from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Honaker Funeral Home, Logan.

William A. Butcher
WESTON -- William Ahaz Butcher, 63, of Weston died Tuesday, April 29, 1997, in Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, Weston, after a long illness. He was born in Lewis County, retired from the state Department of Highways with 32 years of service and was a member of NICET nationwide organization. Surviving: wife, Thelma Heater Butcher; daughters, Pamela J. Nicholson of Weston, Shonda Kay McVay of Buckhannon; brothers, Gerald of Bunker Hill, Ed of Sandusky, Ohio, Charles of Roanoke; sisters, Ruth Ann Dennison of Bridgeport, Madeline Heater of Buckhannon, Carolyn Robbinson of Clarksburg; three grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Floyd Funeral Home, Weston, with the Rev. Robert A. Heater and the Rev. Jerry Heater officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Weston.

Otis L. Casto
Otis L. Casto, 89, of Charleston died Tuesday, April 29, 1997, at home after a long illness. He was a retired self-employed air conditioning and refrigeration serviceman. He was born in Jackson County and lived most of his life in Charleston. Surviving: wife, Virginia Casto; daughters, Jacky Ann Murphy of Vienna, Doris Ann Mitchell and Sandra Sue Rhodes, of Charleston, Mary Alice Rosprim of Eagle, Wis., Barbara Lyn Leeson of Catawba, S.C.; sons, Gary Lee of Hurricane, Carl David and James Lee, of Charleston, Richard Wayne of Catawba; 11 grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Long-Fisher Funeral Home, Charleston, with the Rev. L.E. Gillenwater officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston. Friends may call two hours prior to service at the funeral home.

Pete Ciampanella
RODERFIELD -- Pete Ciampanella, 81, of Roderfield died Tuesday, April 29, 1997, in Princeton Community Hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Roderfield, McDowell County and a Protestant. He was instrumental in the formation of the Roderfield Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as a former fire chief. Surviving: wife, Annie Davis Ciampanella; son, Johnnie Pete of Charleston; daughter, Carolyn Collins of Roderfield; sisters, Emma Stacy and Annie Johnston, of Roderfield, Lena Worley of Sacramento, Calif.; brother, Albert of Roderfield; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Fanning Funeral Home, Welch, with the Rev. Gene Ball officiating. Burial will be in Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Chilton J. Darnell
Chilton James Darnell, 64, of Clendenin died Wednesday, April 30, 1997, in CAMC, General Division, after a short illness. He was a retired employee of Republic Steel, Cleveland, Ohio, and an Army veteran of the Korean War. He was born in Quick, Kanawha County. Surviving: wife, Naida Lane Darnell; daughters, Paula S. Darnell of Clendenin, Sherry Lynn Parsons of Dunbar; brothers, Roy of Rand, Russell of Orange Park, Fla., Howard and Fred of Jacksonville, Fla., Cecil of Elkview; sister, Mirene Darnell of Clendenin; five grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Matics Funeral Home, Clendenin, with the Rev. Charles Blankenship officiating. Burial will be in Darnell Cemetery, Queen Shoals, Clendenin, with military graveside rites conducted by VFW Post 8516. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Gaynell C. Folden
Gaynell Casto McAdams Folden, 81, of Charleston died Wednesday, April 30, 1997, at home after a long illness. She was co-owner of McAdams Monument Co., Charleston. She was a native of Mount Etna Ridge, a 64-year resident of Charleston and a member of Morris Memorial United Methodist Church. Surviving: brother, Wayne G. Casto of Nitro; nephew, Gilbert O. Casto of Poca; several stepchildren, stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren. Service will be 7 p.m. Friday at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with Dr. Edward L. Grant and Dr. Charles Pullins officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Parkins Cemetery, Paradise. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Kanawha Hospice Care, 1143 Dunbar Ave., Dunbar, W.Va. 25064.

Norma J. Golden
WESTON -- Norma Jean Golden, 60, of Weston died Tuesday, April 29, 1997, at home after a short illness. She was born in Copley and was a member of Miles Chapel United Methodist Church. Surviving: husband, Michael D. Golden; sister, Marjory Dolan of Gaston; several nieces and nephews. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Boyle Funeral Home, Weston, with the Rev. Martin Wine officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Pecks Mill. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Roger Lee Harper Sr.
HAMPTON, Va. -- Master Sgt. Roger Lee Harper Sr., 50, of Hampton, formerly of Charleston, W.Va., died Sunday, April 27, 1997, at home after a short illness. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Overseas Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He retired from the Air Force with 20 years of service and was an employee of Langley Air Force Base Civil Service. Surviving: son, Roger L. Harper Jr. of Minot, N.D.; daughter, Melanie J. Harper of Greenfield, Ohio; mother, Ruby M. Wingate of Hampton, Va.; sister, Diana Heavener and Debbie Wingate, of Hampton, Sherri Monroe of Foster City, Calif.; brothers, Robert Wingate of Hampton, Jim Wingate of Charleston, Ronnie Wingate of Clarksville, Tenn., David Wingate of Warrensburg, Mo. Graveside service will full military honors will be 2:30 p.m. Friday at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes, W.Va., with Chaplain James M. Evans officiating. Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, Cross Lanes, is in charge of arrangements.

Velva O. Hawthorne
RICHMOND, Va. -- Mrs. Velva Opal Hawthorne, 85, of Richmond, formerly of White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., died Wednesday, April 30, 1997, in Chippenham Manor Nursing Home, Richmond, after a long illness. She was born in Little Creek and was a Baptist. Surviving: daughter, Nancy H. Herndon of Richmond; sister, Gaye R. Kincaid of Christiansburg, Va.; six grandchildren. Graveside service will be 11:30 a.m. Friday at Little Creek Presbyterian Church, White Sulphur Springs. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Shanklin Funeral Home, White Sulphur Springs.

Eva P. Hopkins
HINTON -- Eva Pearl Hopkins, 88, of Hinton died Tuesday, April 29, 1997, in Summers Continuous Care. She was born in Summers County, was an employee of Richmond Cleaners and Laundry, Hinton, and was a member of First Baptist Church, Hinton. Surviving: sisters-in-law, Grace Cox of Middletown, Ohio, Virginia C. Suvie of Hinton; several nieces and nephews. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton, with the Rev. Dan Ferguson officiating. Burial will be in Rocky Mount Cemetery, Pipestem. Friends may call two hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Doshia W. Houghton
Doshia Beulah Westfall Houghton of Charleston, died Sunday, April 27, 1997, in Heartland of Charleston after a long illness. She was a retired private-duty nurse, a member of Kanawha City Baptist Church and Charleston Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Surviving: sisters, Kathleen Miller of Dunbar, Eva Westfall of Charleston; brother, Glen Westfall of Dunbar; several nieces and nephews. The body was donated to the Human Gift Registry at West Virginia University, Morgantown. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Kanawha City Baptist Church with the Rev. Alvin Cox officiating. Friends may call a half-hour prior to service at the church. The family suggests memorial contributions to Kanawha City Baptist Church Memorial Fund. Wilson Funeral Home, Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy I. Jackson
RIPLEY -- Dorothy Isabelle Douglass Jackson, 77, of Ripley, formerly of Clendenin, died Wednesday, April 30, 1997, at home after a long illness. She was office manager at Jackson Pipeline Construction Co., Clendenin. She was a graduate of Cambridge High School in Ohio, Gregg College, Chicago, Ill., and was a court reporter at Fletcher General Hospital, Cambridge, during World War II. She attended First Baptist Church, Clendenin. Surviving: husband, Paul E. Jackson; sons, Larry E. Jackson of Ripley, Robert Douglass of Hyde Park, N.Y., John O. Jackson of Riveria Beach, Fla., Gary L. Jackson of Fort Pierce, Fla.; several nieces and nephews. There will be no service or visitation. Private graveside service will be held at a later date at Myers-Jarrett Cemetery. Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Rev. Ralph Keenan
The Rev. Ralph Keenan, 77, of Pond Gap died Wednesday, April 30, 1997, at home after a short illness. Cooke Funeral Home, Cedar Grove, is in charge of arrangements.

Verlin Lane
MELBOURNE, Fla. -- Verlin Lane, 78, of Melbourne, formerly of Spencer, W.Va., died Monday, April 28, 1997, in Carnegie Garden Nursing Center, Melbourne, after a long illness. He was born in Pikesville, Ky., was a retired molder for Larson Foundry Corp., Grafton, a World War II Army veteran of the Rhineland Theatre and a member of the American Veteran's Association. Surviving: sisters, Ruby Tomes of Elyria, Ohio, Ruth McIntire of Wakeman, Ohio, Jo Summers of Spencer; brothers, Raymond Lane of Spokane, Wash., Paul Lane of Elyria, Jennings Lane of Melbourne, Clarence Lane of Wakeman. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Orma (W.Va.) United Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Alfred Hickman officiating. There will be no visitation. Stump Funeral Home, Arnoldsburg, W.Va., in charge of arrangements.

Elizabeth McKinney
OMAR -- Elizabeth "Lizzie" McKinney, 87, of Omar died Sunday, April 27, 1997, in Logan General Hospital. She was born in Sharples, was a homemaker, a domestic worker and a Freewill Baptist. Surviving: daughters, Kathryn Tackett and Martha Hernandez of Omar, Mary Humell of Derby, N.Y.; sons, Willis of Massachusetts, Robert of Ohio; brothers, Raymond Adkins of Switzer, Therman Adkins of Huntington, Bill Adkins of Lake; sisters, Maria Dillo of Salt Rock, Margie Hinkle of Whites Addition, Maggie Hanley of Detroit, Mich.; 28 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Collins-Slater Funeral Home, Switzer, with the Rev. Elmer Nelson Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Nelson Cemetery, Lake. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

James Messer
CUMMING, Ga. -- James Messer, 41, of Cumming died Sunday, April 27, 1997, near Jasper, Ga., from injuries received when the car he was driving struck a tree, said a spokeswoman for the Georgia State Patrol. He was a machine operator for F.E. Brumbalow Construction Co. in Georgia and a Baptist. He was born in Logan, W.Va. Surviving: wife, Cynthia Schmaltz; daughters, Naomia Dill of Russellville, Ky., Angela Downey of Cumming, Julie Downey of Ellijay, Ga.; son, James Lee of Cumming; sisters, Sylvia Tomblin of Dingess, W.Va., Naomi Dyer of LaPorte, Ind., Goldie Larson of Mississippi; brothers, Buster Tomblin of Logan, Richard Tomblin of West Virginia. Service was to be 11 a.m. today at Calvary Freewill Baptist Church, Dingess, with the Rev. Harold Murphy and the Rev. Jackie Sargent officiating. Burial was to be in Tomblin Cemetery, Dingess. James Funeral Home, Logan, is in charge of arrangements.

Sherman E. Miller
INVERNESS, Fla. -- Sherman Earl Miller, 90, of Inverness died Tuesday, April 29, 1997, in Citrus Memorial Hospital. He was born in Clifton Forge, Va., formerly lived in Charleston, W.Va., and was a 29-year resident of Inverness. He was a retired mold inspector for Owens-Illinois Glass Co., a Navy veteran of World War II and a member of First United Methodist Church, Inverness. Surviving: wife, Reva Burdette Miller; son, Kenneth of Inverness; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Charles E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness, with the Rev. Delbert King officiating. Burial will be in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Fla. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Lillie Oscar
ROANOKE, Va. -- Lillie Oscar, 77, of Roanoke died Thursday, April 10, 1997, in Roanoke. She was born at Stomping Creek, near Hillsboro, W.Va., and was a 22-year resident of Roanoke. Surviving: daughters, Mamie Oscar and Dorothy Hickman of Kearneysville, W.Va., Virginia Barnett of Roanoke; sons, Herman Oscar of Catlett, Va., Wilson Oscar of Clemmons, N.C., Cecil Hickman of Shepherdstown, W.Va., Dick Hickman of Lake Worth, Fla.; sisters, Mary Hickman of Ranson, W.Va., Ada Oscar of Mill Creek, W.Va.; brothers, George of Cybril, Okla., Roy of Marlinton, W.Va.; 18 stepchildren; 10 grandchildren; 38 stepgrandchildren; 14 stepgreat-grandchildren. Service was April 12 at Oakey's Vinton Chapel, Roanoke, with the Rev. Earl Robertson and the Rev. Will Roberts officiating. Burial was in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Roanoke.

Albert E. Pauley
Albert E. Pauley, 88, of Elkview died Tuesday, April 29, 1997, in CAMC, Memorial Division, after a long illness. He was a former employee of the state of West Virginia and retired from the city of Charleston Street Department. He was an Army and Air Force veteran, a life member of the DAV, Elkview Chapter 27, and a Protestant. Surviving: wife, Julia Pauley; sister, Delcie Good of Big Chimney; several nieces and nephews. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Myers Funeral Home, Elkview, with the Rev. Lee Swor officiating. Burial will be in Elk Hills Memorial Park, Big Chimney, with military graveside rites by VFW Post 8516, Pinch/Quick. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.