Virginia Geraldine Smith
Virginia Geraldine Smith, 86, of Route 1, Rymer community, Mannington, died Tuesday, April 24, 2001, at Wishing Well Health Center, Fairmont, following an extended illness. She was born Nov. 5, 1914, in Pricetown, daughter of the late Dan and Arda Belle Ensiminger Cunningham. She was a member of the Price Town Church of Christ and loved knitting, crocheting, gardening, sewing, woodworking and traveling. She was an expert seamstress. She is survived by her husband, Robert W. Smith; three daughters and spouses, Patricia and John Sturm, of Buckhannon, Sue and Robert Smithpeet, of Plin, and Carol and Maurice Smith Faber, of Westover; a son and spouse, Jerry L. and Nelda Smith, of Maysville, Ga.; two brothers and a spouse, Edward and Ethel Cunningham, of Sebring, Fla., and David Joe Cunningham, of Donvale, Victoria, Australia; a sister, Mabel Mason, of Mesa, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three stepgrandchildren. She was also preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Ann Smith; a sister-in-law, Joan Cunningham; and a brother-in-law, Harold Mason. Friends may call at Dent Funeral Home, Mannington, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Saturday. Service will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at Price Town Church of Christ, with Russell King officiating and assisted by Leroy Burdine and Mike Cunningham. Burial will follow in Hawkins-Cunningham Cemetery near Curtsville.

Paul M. Saab
Paul M. Saab, 66, of Shepherdstown, formerly of Morgantown, died Wednesday, April 25, 2001, at City Hospital, Martinsburg. He was born April 17, 1935, in Wallace, son of the late Kicer M. and Annie Khoury Saab. He was a 1953 graduate of St. Francis High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree from West Virginia University and a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He completed post graduate studies at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y. and Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He was a science teacher at North Syracuse High School and was a professor of biology at Shepherd College for the past 37 years. During his tenure at Shepherd College he was director of ElderHostel and coordinator of culinary arts. He was former president of the North Syracuse Teachers Association. He was a member of the Kiwanis and served as lieutenant governor of Kiwanis International West Virginia District in Division Six in 1991-92. He was the former chairman of the Jefferson County Cancer Crusade and received an achievement award for his work with the American Cancer Society. He was a vocalist with the Master Works Chorale group and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He is survived by three sisters and a spouse, Cecilia Alexander, Blanche Saab and Agnes and Vincent Mancinelli, all of Westover; a brother and spouse, Peter S. and Joan Saab, of Morgantown; 15 nieces and nephews; and 24 great-nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Morgan Saab; and a brother-in-law, John R. Alexander. Friends may call at Davidson-Mancinelli Funeral Home, Morgantown, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., with a Scriptural Wake Service at 8:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 28, with the Rev. Colombo F. Bandiera as celebrant. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Clarksburg.

Anna C. 'Kitty' Thomas
Anna C. "Kitty" Thomas, 57, of Wisconsin Avenue, Westover, died Friday, April 27, 2001, at Ruby Memorial Hospital. She was born Nov. 30, 1943, in Dellslow, daughter of Louris J. Thomas, of Westover, and the late Augusta J. Thomas. She was a 1962 graduate of St. Francis High School. She attended West Virginia University, where she received a bachelor's degree in education in 1966 and a master's degree in education in 1968. She formerly taught school in Monongalia and Berkeley counties. She was a member of St. Theresa/St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Monongalia County Historical Society, Sierra Club of Morgantown and West Virginia Mountaineer Doll Club. She is survived by two sisters, Mary Thomas, of Westover, and Patricia T. Rider, of Clayton, N.C.; three brothers, Michael F. Thomas, of Columbia, Tenn., Louris J. Thomas, of Smithfield, Pa., and Peter A. Thomas, of Morgantown; four nephews, John McCoy, of Havre de Grace, Md., Michael Thomas Jr., of Murfreesboro, Tenn., L.J. Thomas III, of Smithfield, Pa., and Andrew Thomas, of Donora, Pa.; and three nieces, Traci Thomas, of Grand Prairie, Texas, Tina Thomas, of Smithfield, and Rose McMann, of Virginia. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Donald W. Thomas. Friends may call at Dering's Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. Saturday and from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Theresa's Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Monday, April 30, with the Rev. Colombo Bandiera as celebrant. Burial will be in Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens. Donations: Morgantown Hospice, P.O. Box 4222, Morgantown, WV 26505.

John E. Guthrie
John Edward Guthrie, 87, of Boothsville community, died Thursday, April 26, 2001, at home after a long illness. He was born Jan. 2, 1914, in Brandonville, son of the late George and Lulu M. Thomas Guthrie. He retired from WVU Hospitals. Before that he had worked for General Paving. He had also worked at several mines in the area. He attended the Trinity Assembly of God Church in Fairmont. Among his interests were fishing and gardening. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Fleming Kirby Guthrie; two sons and spouses, Jack and Janice Kirby, of West Milford, and Edward and Linda Kirby, of Shinnston; a sister, Edna Grace Guthrie, of Brandonville; a nephew and spouse, Robert and Joyce Nicoli, of Sheffield Lake, Ohio; a niece and spouse, Dorothy Jean and William Whipkey, of Morgantown; and five grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Charles Guthrie, Scott F. Guthrie and Blaine Guthrie; and a sister, Nellie Guthrie. Friends may call at Carpenter & Ford Funeral Home, 209 Merchant St., Fairmont, from 10 a.m. Sunday, April 29, until the 2 p.m. service with the Rev. Ray L. Crabtree officiating. Burial will be in Shady Grove Cemetery, Bruceton Mills. Donations: Peoples Hospice, 3 Hospital Plaza, Clarksburg, WV 26301.

Bertha Clara Davis
Bertha Clara Davis, 84, of Pine, Colo., formerly of Morgantown, died Wednesday, April 25, 2001, in Sunbridge Nursing and Rehab Center, Morrison, Colo. She was born March 11, 1917, in Kalar, daughter of the late Bertalan and Julia Szabo Molnar. She graduated from University High School in Morgantown. She attended the Methodist Church in Dellslow and lived most of her life in the Pittsburgh and Morgantown areas. From the early 1960s to 1980, she lived in Woodbridge, Va. When her husband retired, they moved back to Dellslow. She loved to care for her grandchildren. She is survived by a son and spouse, with whom she made her home, Henry and Cathie Davis, of Pine, Colo.; five brothers, Albert Molnar, of Renfrew, Pa., Gabert Molnar, of Butler, Pa., Alex Molnar, of Hilton Head, S.C., William Molnar, of Valencia, Pa., and Robert Molnar, of Florence, S.C.; grandsons and spouses, Howard Jr. and Kathy Davis, of Fort Collins, Colo., and Terry and Cherie Davis, of Littleton, Colo.; and great-grandchildren, Jessica, Katarina, Ashley and Larissa. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Howard Earl Davis, in August 1999; a brother, Johnny Monar; and two sisters, Helen Nemes and Edith Breakiron. Friends may call at Dering's Funeral Home, Morgantown, from 6-9 p.m. Sunday. Service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 30, with Pastor Dennis Molnar officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Patricia Gizzi
Patricia "Tish" Gizzi, 52, of Woodbridge, Va., died Thursday, April 26, 2001, at Cameron Glen Nursing Home in Reston after a long illness. She had been a resident of northern Virginia since 1971. She is survived by her husband, Don A. Gizzi; her father, James R. Riggs, of Morgantown; and two sisters, Robin L. Renn, of Morgantown, and Deborah K. Stark, of Troy, Ill. She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen Riggs. Friends may call at Mountcastle Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Blvd., Dale City, Va., from 7-9 p.m. Sunday. Service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 30. Burial will be in Stafford Memorial Park. Donations: Hospice of Northern Virginia, 6400 Arlington Blvd., Suite 1000, Falls Church, VA 22042.

Gertrude L. Shaffer
Gertrude L. Hostetler Shaffer, 94, formerly of Van Voorhis Road, Morgantown, died Tuesday, April 24, 2001, at Eliza Jennings Home, in Cleveland. She was born Dec. 1, 1906, on Baker's Ridge, Morgantown, daughter of the late Willey A. and Ida M. Walker Hostetler. She was a member of Drummond Chapel United Methodist Church and a member of the United Methodist Women's Club. She was a graduate of Morgantown High School. She was a postmaster at Van Voorhis for 21 years and retired in 1972 as a statistical analyst at West Virginia University from the Department of Animal Husbandry. She was a member of the Ladies Grand Army of the Republic Hoffman Chapter 16 and the AARP Chapter 2093. She was a former member of the Monongalia County Historical Society. She is survived by a son and spouse, Loran Ray and Velma McMillen Shaffer, of Manning, S.C.; two daughters and spouses, Delores and Clifford McKenzie, of Hendersonville, N.C., and Carla and Dave McManus, of Cleveland; two grandsons and spouses, Michael R. and Debra Shaffer, of Raleigh, N.C., and Kenneth L. and Diana McKenzie, of Charlotte, N.C.; four granddaughters and spouses, Suzanne and Bill Spicer, of Fort Mitchell, Ky., Sally and Todd Dempsey, of Centerville, Va., Amy and Kevin Weiss, of San Jose, Calif., and Mary Ellen Lightner, of Cleveland; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Loran Ray Shaffer; a son, Kent Dwayne Shaffer; and a daughter, Cynthia Brenda. Friends may call at Hastings Funeral Home, from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday. Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 30, at Old Drummond Chapel United Methodist Church, with the Revs. Ronald M. McCauley and Steven Meadows officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Virginia Geraldine Smith
Virginia Geraldine Smith, 86, of Route 1, Rymer community, Mannington, died Tuesday, April 24, 2001, at Wishing Well Health Center, Fairmont, after a long illness. She was born Nov. 5, 1914, in Pricetown, daughter of the late Dan and Arda Belle Ensiminger Cunningham. She was a member of the Price Town Church of Christ and loved knitting, crocheting, gardening, sewing, woodworking and traveling. She was an expert seamstress. She is survived by her husband, Robert W. Smith; three daughters and spouses, Patricia and John Sturm, of Buckhannon, Sue and Robert Peet, of Pliny, and Carol and Maurice Smith Faber, of Westover; two sons and spouse, Jerry L. and Nelda Smith, of Maysville, Ga., and William "Bill" Smith, of Carson City, Nev.; two brothers and a spouse, Edward and Ethel Cunningham, of Sebring, Fla., and David Joe Cunningham, of Donvale, Victoria, Australia; a sister, Mabel Mason, of Mesa, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren; 16 grea t-grandchildren; and three stepgrandchildren. She was also preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Ann Smith; a sister-in-law, Joan Cunningham; and a brother-in-law, Harold Mason. Friends may call at Dent Funeral Home, Mannington, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Saturday. Service will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at Price Town Church of Christ, with Russell King officiating and assisted by Leroy Burdine and Mike Cunningham. Burial will be in Hawkins-Cunningham Cemetery near Curtisville.

Joseph Semon
Joseph Semon, 60, of Westover, died Thursday, April 26, 2001, at home. He was born July 3, 1940, in Morgantown, son of Julia Mitchell Semon, of Morgantown, and the late Joseph Semon. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and was a former resident of Spotsylvania, Va. He is also survived by two sisters, Carolyn Semon and Mary Semon Choma, both of Westover; and a son, Robert Semon, of Carlsbad, N.M. Graveside services were Saturday, April 28, at East Oak Grove Cemetery. The Rev. Stacy L. Groscup officiated and military rites were performed by Westover VFW Post No. 9916. Arrangements were by McCulla Funeral Home. Donations: Morgantown Hospice, P.O. 4222, Morgantown, WV 26505.

Lucy Stiles Tennant
Lucy Stiles Tennant, 99, of Brave, Pa., died Sunday, April 29, 2001, at Greene County Memorial Hospital. She was born May 20, 1901, in White Creek, daughter of the late John N. and Lydia Ann White Stiles. She was a member of the Bula Baptist Church. She is survived by a son and spouse, Pastor Chester and Jean Tennant, of Brave, Pa.; two daughters, Gayle Haught, of Bula, and Naomi Stiles Drigger, of Hampton, Va.; 11 grandchildren, Randy Tennant, Michael Haught, Milton Tennant, Neil Tennant, Stephen Tennant, Timothy Tennant, Candy Gumm, Sandy White, Rodney Tennant, Nelson Tennant and Theresa Lawson; 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Melford "Poon" Tennant, on Jan. 16, 1964; a son, Burl Tennant; a son-in-law, Bill Haught; six brothers and three sisters. Friends may call at Owen-Neely Funeral Home, Blacksville, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday. Service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 2, with the Rev. Samuel Hibbs and Pastor Fred Tomlinson officiating. Burial will be in Wadestown Cemetery.

Elizabeth I. Moser Friend
Elizabeth Iradell Moser Friend, 101, of La Mesa Village, Brookhaven, formerly of Westover, died Sunday, April 29, 2001. She was born July 26, 1899, in Fayette County, Pa., daughter of the late Samuel and Charlottie Maust Moser. She was a 1926 graduate of California State College and taught in Pennsylvania elementary schools. She was a member of the Westover United Methodist Church for more than 60 years and of the United Methodist Women. She was an avid quilter and taught quilting classes. She is survived by a son and spouse, John T. and Jessie M. Friend, of Morgantown; a daughter and spouse, Geraldine F. and H. Eldon Roach, of Morgantown; a sister, Sara Deck, of Uniontown, Pa., a sister-in-law, Betty Moser, of Manchester, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Elizabeth A. Thewlis, Frederick W. Friend, John T. Friend Jr., James M. Friend and Lydia J. Roach; seven great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and a close friend and caregiver, Patty Frankenberry. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Kenneth Friend; a sister, Edith Thomas; and a brother, Daniel Moser. Friends may call at McCulla Funeral Home from 7-9 p.m. Monday and from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m Tuesday. Service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2001, with the Rev. O. Kenneth Simms II officiating. Burial will be in Sylvan Heights Cemetery, Uniontown, Pa.

Randall Scott Sutton
Randall Scott Sutton, D.C., 39, of Smithfield, Pa., died Friday, April 27, 2001. He was born Jan. 8, 1962, in Uniontown, Pa., son of Nolan Sutton and Shirley A. Friend Sutton, of Smithfield, Pa. He graduated from Fairchance-Georges High School in 1980, Penn State University Fayette Campus and the Palmer School of Chiropractic Health in Davenport, Iowa, in 1989. He was the owner of Sutton Chiropractic Health Care Center of Smithfield for the past seven years. He was a member of Mountain Lodge of White House, Pa. He is also survived by his wife, Mary Schwertman Sutton; three children, Mitchell Sutton, Brandon Sutton and Logan Sutton; a brother, Tim Sutton, of Smithfield; paternal grandmother, Margaret H. Sutton, of Smithfield; maternal grandmother, Recca Friend, of Fairchance, Pa.; and father-in-law, Jack A. Schwertman, of Bettendorf, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Francis Ruben "Pap Pap" Sutton, and his mother-in-law, Phyllis Schwertman. Dean C. Whitmarsh Funeral Home, Fairchance, Pa., is in charge of arrangements.

Lila A. Layfield
Lila A. Layfield, 93, of Youngstown, Ohio, and Antes Fort, Pa., died Sunday, April 29, 2001, at Morgan Manor in Morgantown. She was born April 5, 1908, in Centre County, Pa., daughter of the late Emanuel T. and Ida Voneida Taylor. She was a member of Spruce Street United Methodist Church. She had worked as a weaver in a silk mill in Jersey Shore, Pa. She is survived by a daughter and spouse, Lois and Floyd L. Wiles, of Morgantown; five grandchildren, Leslie Jean Wiles, William Wiles, Robert Wiles, Sharlene McKee and Diane Joity; a stepdaughter, Wanda Collier; two brothers, Leo Taylor and James Taylor, both of Pennsylvania; and 17 stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren, of Detroit. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Maurice E. Layfield, in 1983; two sisters, Lucille Stout and Bernice Young; and two brothers, Mahion Taylor and Walter Taylor. Cremation services will be provided by Hastings Funeral Home. Burial will follow at a later date in the Jersey Shore Cemetery, Jersey Shore, Pa. Donations: Spruce Street United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 386 Spruce St., Morgantown, WV 26505.

Earl Millard Walden
Earl Millard Walden, 82, of Laurel Point, died Saturday, April 28, 2001, at home. He was born July 18, 1918, in Fry, Ga., son of the late Charles Robert and Elsie Allen Walden. He was a retired coal miner for Consolidation Coal Co. and a member of Laurel Point United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jeanette Swiderski Walden; two sons and spouse, Charles Earl and Priscilla Walden, of Granville, and David Franklin Walden, of Westover; three grandchildren, Timothy M. Walden, of Pheonix, Sherri R. Walden, of Morgantown, and Schelli A. Clawges, of Morgantown; and three great-grandchildren, Samantha Clawges and Jeremy Clawges, both of Morgantown and Christopher R. Walden, of Pheonix. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Carl "Blackie" Walden and Verlin "Fatty" Walden. Friends may call at McCulla Funeral Home from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday. Service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 2, with the Rev. Sandra Firth officiating. Burial will be in Beverly Hills Cemetery.

Margarette Weaver
Margarette Weaver, 82, of Center Street, Monongah, died Sunday, April 29, 2001, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg. She was born Oct. 5, 1918, in Fairmont, daughter of the late Joseph and Laura Clise Kann. She was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Monongah. She was a former employee of St. Barbara's Nursing Home and Owens Illinois Glass Plant. She is survived by a son and spouse, Richard and Ester Weaver, of Fairmont; a daughter and spouse, Deborah and Milton Hurley, of Monongah; a brother, Elmer Kann, of Fairmont; two sisters, Josephine Wright and Louise Rexroad, of Monongah; five grandchildren, Shane and Chase Hurley, Diane Maria Tennant, Tracey Lynne Weaver and David Alan Weaver; and three great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Weaver; five brothers, William, Clarence, Eugene, Gerald and Paul Kann; and a sister, Cecelia Kann. Friends may call at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Ave., Fairmont, from 3-9 p.m. Monday. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Father Larry Wren as celebrant. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Chancy Luther DeBerry
Chancy Luther DeBerry, 83, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, formerly of Tunnelton, died Sunday, April 29, 2001, in St. Clairsville. Browning Funeral Home, Kingwood, is in charge of arrangements.

James W. DeBerry Sr.
James Watson DeBerry Sr., 76, of Tunnelton, died Saturday, April 28, 2001 at home. He was born Dec. 30, 1924, in Albright, son of the late Orval Ray and Dessie A. Harden DeBerry. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 104th Infantry Division (Timberwolf). He was a supervisor for Sterling Faucet in Morgantown and retired with 40 years of service. He was a lifetime member and trustee for Fort Butler VFW Post 826 in Kingwood. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Evelyn Uphold DeBerry; five sons and spouses, Roger and Sue DeBerry and retired Master Sgt. James and Penny DeBerry Jr., all of Kingwood, David and Cheryl DeBerry, of Masontown, Maj. Timothy and Connie DeBerry, of Aliquippa, Pa., and Steven and Donna DeBerry, of Harpers Ferry; two daughters and spouses, Brenda and Rick Hawkins and Cindy and Tim Stone, all of Points; a brother, Clarence DeBerry, of Kingwood; 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Lawrence, Sanford, Everett and Elwood DeBerry. A brother, Chancy DeBerry, died Sunday, April 29, 2001. Friends may call at Browning Funeral Home, Kingwood, from 7-9 p.m. Monday and from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday. Service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2001, with Pastor Jerry Bush officiating. Burial will be in DeBerry Cemetery on Blazer Road near Tunnelton. Members of Preston County VFW Posts will conduct military graveside rites. Donations: Hospice Care Corp., P.O. Box 760, Arthurdale, WV 26520-0760.