Sesco W. Sowards
HUNTINGTON -- Sesco W. Sowards, 91, of Huntington died Sunday, May 4, 1997 at home. He was born in Lincoln County and was a retired yardmaster with C&O Railroad. He was a member of Twenty-Sixth Street Baptist Church, Huntington Lodge AF&AM, Huntington Order of the Eastern Star, Guyandotte RAM, Huntington Commandery, Beni Kedem Temple, Charleston, Huntington Valley Scottish Rite Bodies and White Shrine Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. Surviving: daughters, Oedia Cyrus of St. Albans, Betty Mannon of Middletown, Ohio; brothers, Arnold of Huntington, W.Va. of Milton; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Twenty-Sixth Street Baptist Church with the Rev. Ron George and the Rev. Harry Scarberry officiating. Burial will be in Ridgelawn Memorial Park, Huntington, with Masonic graveside rites conducted by Huntington AF&AM. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Chapman Mortuary, Huntington, and after 1 p.m. Thursday at the church. The family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of Huntington.

Algnora P. Wall
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Algnora P. Wall, 86, of Columbus died Monday, May 5, 1997, in Manor Care Nursing Home, Westerville, Ohio. She was a member of Mifflin Presbyterian Church and Order of the Eastern Star, Ansted, W.Va. Surviving: daughters, Betty Steele, June Taylor, Pat Baumgartner, Dotti Kuhn and Jon Wall; 17 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. Graveside service will be 3 p.m. Thursday at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery, Hopewell, W.Va. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Schoedinger East Chapel, 5360 East Livingston Ave., Columbus, Ohio.

Roosevelt Washington
Roosevelt Washington, 62, of Charleston died Tuesday, April 6, 1997, in CAMC, General Division. Preston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Beulah Mae Wilkinson
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Beulah Mae Wilkinson, 87, of Dunedin, formerly of Charleston and Beckley, W.Va., died Friday, May 2, 1997, in Florida after a short illness. She was a retired beautician, member of Kirk of Dunedin Church, Dunedin Beach, Fla., and Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 88, Charleston. Surviving: sister, Evelyn "Teppie" Hill of Norfolk, Va.; stepsons, Don W. Wilkinson of South Charleston, W.Va., Dr. Lyle A. Wilkinson of Teays Valley, W.Va.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Service was to be 2 p.m. today at Kirk of Dunedin Church.

Mary L. Wolfe
Mary Louise Sears Wolfe, 77, of Clendenin died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, in Arthur B. Hodges Center after a long illness. She was born in Camden on Gauley, Webster County, and was a member of Clendenin Advent Christian Church, where she served as a deaconess and Sunday school teacher. Surviving: daughter, Eva June Oliver of Clendenin; sister, Laura Jean Mullins of Clendenin; grandchildren, J.R. Oliver of Elkview, Carla YaQuinta of Bridgeport, Anita Edmonds of Clendenin; five great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Clendenin Advent Christina Church, Clendenin, with the Rev. Nahum Balser officiating. Burial will be in Oliver Cemetery, Clendenin. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Matics Funeral Home, Clendenin. The family suggests memorial contributions to Clendenin Advent Christian Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 482, Clendenin, W.Va. 25045.

Mary M. Wolfe
LIBERTY -- Mary Myrtle Wolfe, 92, of Liberty died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, in Jackson General Hospital, Ripley. She was a member of Pleasant View Ridge Methodist Church. Surviving: sons, Raymond of Liberty, Earl of Ravenswood; daughter, Lorna Comalander of Fairhope, Fla.; sister, Matilda Rowley of Middleburg, Ohio. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Roush Funeral Home, Ravenswood, with the Rev. Mike Norris officiating. Burial will be in Ravenswood Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Grace E. York
MIMS, Fla. -- Grace E. York, 79 of Mims, formerly of Logan County, W.Va., died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, in Jess Parrish Hospital, Titusville, Fla. She was a machinist with Cook Electric Co. for 20 years and was a member of North Brevard Senior Center, Indian River City Civic Center and the AARP. Surviving: nieces, Linda Gail Morey of Middleburg, Fla., Sally Walsh of Mims, Christine Cadieux of Cape Canaveral, Fla., Kathy Jordan of Virginia Beach, Va.; nephew, Raymond Hanna of Dayton, Ohio. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Monday in Highland Memory Gardens, Godby, W.Va. There will be no visitation. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Visitor's Nurse Association, 40 High Point Drive, Cocoa Beach, Fla. 32926.

Theodore C. Young
BELLEVILLE -- Theodore Clinton Young, 85, of Belleville, Wood County, died May 6, 1997, in St. Joseph Hospital, Parkersburg, after a long illness. He retired from the Wood County Board of Education. He was born in Nicholas County, was a member of Jefferson Baptist Temple and attended Hopewell Church of Christ, Belleville. Surviving: sons, Clayton of Parkersburg, Delmas of St. Albans, Dillon of South Charleston, Mark of Belleville; half-sisters,Kate Lehew of Walker, Pauline Valentine and Dorothy Demchek, of Weirton, Barbara Alexander of Parkersburg; nine grandchildren 14 great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Kimes Funeral Home, Parkersburg, with the Rev. Doug Petty officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memory Gardens, Parkersburg. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

RELIHAN, Michael D.-- Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Johns Catholic Church, Belle, with the Rev. Albin Martis and the Rev. Albert Alexandrunas officiating. Entombment will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens Mausoleum, Cross Lanes. Friends may call after 7 p.m. today at Fidler-Frame Funeral Home, Belle, where a Christian wake service will be held at 8 p.m. Relihan, 77, of Charleston died Sunday, May 4, 1997 in St. Francis Hospital after a short illness.

ROBINSON, Mary -- Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Greater Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Holden, with the Rev. Michael Pollard officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Logan. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the church. Pond Funeral Home, Logan, is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Robinson, 90, of Holden died Saturday, May 3, 1997, in Logan General Hospital after a short illness.

Billy F. Aliff
OAK HILL -- Billy Franklin Aliff, 67, of Oak Hill died Wednesday, May 7, 1997, in Oak Hill after a short illness. He was a former employee of Milburn Colliery Co. and the Fayette County Board of Education. He was a member of Oak Hill United Methodist Church, Lions Club, city of Oak Hill Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals and Fayette County Chamber of Commerce. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. Surviving: wife, Martha J. Johnston Aliff; daughter, Debby L. Sizemore of Oak Hill; sons, Henry Franklin "Frankie" of Suffolk, Va., Robby J. of Lewisburg; mother, Maggie Payne Aliff of Mossy; sister, Rosella Powers of Hobart, Ind.; brother, J.P. Aliff of Oak Hill; two grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Oak Hill United Methodist Church with the Rev. James Shepherd officiating. Burial will be in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the church. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Fayette Plateau Ministerial Association Food Pantry, c/o Oak Hill Methodist Church, 231 Main St., Oak Hill, W.Va. 25901. Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, is in charge of arrangements.

Virginia G. Ball
PRINCETON -- Virginia Gordon Ball, 80, of Princeton died Wednesday, May 7, 1997, in Bluefield Regional Medical Center. She was a retired faculty member of Concord College Division of Language and Literature. She received a bachelor's degree from Concord College and a master's degree from West Virginia University. Surviving: sister, Helen Ball Raney of Princeton; nephew, William B. Raney of Charleston; niece, Rebecca Raney of Princeton. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at George W. Seaver Funeral Home, Princeton, with Dr. David Dockery and the Rev. Robert Salmon officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Park Cemetery, Princeton. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to First Baptist Church, 1116 Mercer St., Princeton, W.Va. 24740 or Concord College Foundation Scholarship Fund, Concord College, Athens, W.Va. 24712.

Janet M. Beal
POINT PLEASANT -- Janet M. Beal, 57, of Point Pleasant died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, in Point Pleasant. Surviving: sister, Patricia Estep of Point Pleasant. Service was to be 11 a.m. today at Crow-Hussell Funeral Home, Point Pleasant, with the Rev. Louis A. Hussell officiating. Burial was to be in Bethel Cemetery, Leon.

Larry E. Burgess
KISTLER -- Larry Edward Burgess, 51, of Kistler, Logan County, died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, in Man Appalachian Regional Hospital after a long illness. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War, a member of the Church of God faith and a disabled salesman. Surviving: daughter, Pamela B. Burr of Blythewood, S.C.; sons, James Edward and Kyle Mitchell of Blythewood; sisters, Movita Ellis of Kistler, Levada Sanders of Danville, Sandra Walls of Mallory; brothers, Louie E. Burgess of Robinette, James Henry Reese of West Columbia, S.C.; three grandchildren. Service will be 7 p.m. today at Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home, Man, with the Rev. Bernard Cook officiating. Graveside service will be at a later date in Celestial Gardens, West Columbia, S.C. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Thompson Funeral Home, West Columbia, is in charge of services in South Carolina.

Naomi G. Burgess
RAYMORE, Mo. -- Naomi G. "Billie" Burgess, 83, of Raymore died Saturday, May 3, 1997, in Foxwood Springs Living Center, Raymore. She was born in Charleston, W.Va., attended Calvary Baptist Church and later, First Baptist Church of Tyler Mountain, Cross Lanes, W.Va. She and her husband moved from Cross Lanes to Raymore in 1992. Surviving: husband, Robert M. Burgess; daughter, Janet Ericson of Leawood, Kan.; grandchildren, Christi Hughes and Tara Wiley; three great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in Charleston at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to Fellowship of John, c/o Foxwood Springs, P.O. Box 1400, Raymore, Mo. 64083.

Ada Bush
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Ada Bush, 76, of Daytona Beach died Thursday, April 24, 1997, at home. She was born in Tribble, W.Va., and moved to Florida from Hometown, W.Va., in 1972. She was a homemaker and member of Christ United Methodist Church. Surviving: husband, Orval Bush; daughters, Shelby Thompson of Daytona Beach, Kathy Witte of Altamonte Springs, Fla.; brother, Ray J. Stutler of Red House, W.Va.; sister, Pauline Bosley of Dunbar, W.Va.; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Service was April 28 at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, Ormond Beach. Burial was in Volusia Memorial Park. The family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of Volusia/Flagler Counties, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, Fla. or Christ United Methodist Church, 962 Derbyshire Road, Holly Hill, Fla. 32117.

Frank H. Butts
VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Dr. Frank H. Butts, 84, of Vero Beach, formerly of Charleston, W.Va., died Saturday, May 3, 1997, in Vero Beach after a long illness. He was a dentist in Charleston for nearly 50 years, a founding member of Berry Hills County Club and a supporter of Shawnee Hills. He was a three-year resident of Vero Beach. Surviving: daughters, Roxane Edwards and Nancy Hall Butts of Vero Beach; son, Dr. Frank M. Butts of Richmond, Va.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston, with Dr. Keith Clarke officiating. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wilson Funeral Home, Charleston. The family suggests memorial contributions to Shawnee Hills Mental Health Center, P.O. Box 3698, Charleston, W.Va. 25336.

Leota Cogar
SUTTON -- Leota Cogar, 71, of Sutton died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, in Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital after a long illness. She was a homemaker, a longtime resident of Webster County and a Methodist. Surviving: sons, Charles, Everett and Rocky, of Webster Springs, Michael of Sebring, Fla., Lloyd Jr. of Sutton; daughters, Glada Holcomb, Maxine Skidmore and Geraldine Steed, of Webster Springs, Nettie Wisner of Diana, Brenda Alderman of Marietta, Ohio, Rosa Barnett of Weston; sisters, Virginia Viar of Roanoke, Va., Loretta Fisher of Ocala, Fla.; 31 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Dodd-Reed Funeral Home, Webster Springs, with the Rev. Minter Lynch officiating. Burial will be in Cogar Family Cemetery, Cogar Mountain. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Lloyd L. Cogar
WEBSTER SPRINGS -- Lloyd L. "Bunt" Cogar, 65, of Webster Springs, formerly of Parkersburg and Lorraine, Ohio, died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, at home after a long illness. He was a welder, member of Addison Lodge 116 AF&AM, Webster Springs, and a Protestant. Surviving: son, Kevin Cogar of Webster Springs; daughters, Cindy Miller of Bolair, Debbie O'Brien of Logan; brothers, Ernest Cogar and Cay Cogar of Bolair; sisters, Faye Beale of Cowen, Ethel Cruikshank of Jacksonville, Fla., Mada Ritterback of Ohio, Madge Hamrick of Webster Springs, Garnet Woodring of Bolair; three grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Dodd-Reed Funeral Home, Webster Springs. Burial will be in Handschumacher Cemetery, Upperglade. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Greenbrier Valley Hospice, 610 Church St., Summersville, W.Va. 26651.

Rama A. Cook
LEFT HAND -- Rama A. Cook, 89, of Left Hand, Roane County, died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, in Roane General Hospital, Spencer, after a long illness. She was a homemaker, lifelong resident of Roane County and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by parents, Mac and Ella Nichols Naylor. Surviving: sons, Hobert Cook of Looneyville, Denvil Cook of Spencer; daughters, Irene Cook of Scott Depot, Joyce Gunter of Big Otter, Arbutus Carr of Spencer; six half-brothers; five half-sisters; 20 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at John H. Taylor Funeral Home, Spencer, with the Rev. J. Herbert Smith officiating. Burial will be in Clover Cemetery, near Spencer. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Nellie M. Counts
Nellie Margaret Counts, 74, of Charleston died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, at home after a long illness. She was a homemaker and member of Living Word Christian Center. Surviving: sons, Larry Gene Carter of Ravenswood, Chester Lee Carter of Rand, Jerry Wayne Carter of Dublin, Ohio, Earl Ray Counts of Charleston, James David Counts of South Charleston, Franklin Joel Counts of Ripley; daughters, Margaret Faye Hayes and Sandra Nicole Counts, of Charleston; brothers, Robert Weikle of Blanchard, Okla., Harrison Lee Gardner of Seattle, Wash., Roy Elvin Gardner of Kirkland, Wash., Carl Milburn Gardner of East Lake, Ohio; 21 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, with the Rev. Kay Lowther officiating. Entombment will be in Floral Hills Garden of Memories, Pocatalico. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Olive O. Goff
Olive O. Goff, 84, of Charleston, formerly of Kenna, died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, in St. Francis Hospital after a long illness. She was a homemaker and a member of Goldtown Community Church. Surviving: daughter, Neva F. Bailey of Charleston; sons, James L. of Charleston, Bernard E. of Lincoln, Neb.; sisters, Marjorie Rhodes of Charleston, Maxine Wyer of Elkview; brothers, Dean Rhodes of Charleston, Richard Rhodes of Springfield, Ohio; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Long-Fisher Funeral Home, Pocatalico, with the Rev. Al Mendez officiating. Burial will be in Goff Family Cemetery, Martin Branch Road. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Maude A. Grimm
POINT PLEASANT -- Maude Agatha Grimm, 90, of Point Pleasant died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, in Holzers Medical Center, Gallipolis, Ohio, after a long illness. She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Point Pleasant, and attended Lincoln schools. Surviving: daughters, Carol Jones and Patricia Sallaz of Point Pleasant, Maude Agatha "Sue" Noe of Topeka, Kan.; son, William Grimm of Point Pleasant; brother, Carroll Higginbotham of Fallon, Nev.; 16 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Wilcoxen Funeral Home, Point Pleasant, with the Rev. John Sallaz officiating. Burial will be in Suncrest Cemetery, Point Pleasant. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Templeton B. Hamilton
Templeton Blair Hamilton, 81, of Charleston died May 5, 1997, in Sarasota, Fla. He was the retired owner of Capitol Printing Co. Surviving: sons, Linwood F. Hamilton of Charleston, Templeton "Temp" Hamilton of Sarasota; four granddaughters; one great-granddaughter. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Wilson Funeral Home, Charleston, with the Rev. Nate Atwood officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Ambucs Living Endowment, P.O. Box 492, Charleston, W.Va. 25322.

Marie Hess
ANSTED -- Marie Hess of Ansted died Tuesday, May 6, 1997, in Summersville Memorial Hospital after a long illness. She was a homemaker and a flea market operator in Point Pleasant. Surviving: husband, Herbert F. Hess; son, Christopher of Ramsey; sister, Ruby Clendenin of Canton, Ohio; one grandson. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Wallace-Wallace Funeral Home, Ansted, with the Rev. Elbert Preast officiating. Burial will be in Richmond Chapel Cemetery, Ramsey. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.