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Dale Walls, 76, of Simon, WV passed away on Sunday February 19, 2012 in Beckley Appalachian
Regional Hospital. He was born April 22, 1935 in Simon, WV, a son of the late Oma Wilburn and Macy
Blankenship Walls. He was a retired coal miner and worked at Island Creek Coal Company. In addition to
his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers Harold Walls, Clifford Walls and Gene Walls; and a
stepdaughter Rena Cook. Those left to cherish his memory are his two brothers Ron Walls and his wife
Kathy of Simon, and Roger Walls and his wife Lois of Brenton; one sister Donna Sue Chambers of Simon
and his children Marsha Lester, Rhonda Walls, Elena Cline, Jamie Walls and Misty Hall; twelve
grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and a host of other loving family and friends. Funeral services will
be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday February 23, 2012 in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home,
Lynco, with Rev. Lonnie Blankenship and Rev. Landon Blankenship officiating. Dale will be laid to rest in
Walls – Christian cemetery, Reedy Creek, WV. Friends may gather with the family from 6 – 9:00 PM on
Wednesday February 22, 2012 at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be family and friends.
The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
Wannie Prince Osborne, 78, of Cyclone, WV passed away on Wednesday February 22, 2012 in Logan
Regional Hospital. He was born march 5, 1933 in Cyclone, WV, a son of the late Willie and Cora Bailey
Osborne. He was a retired coal miner, Member of the Lillyhaven Baptist Church and a UMWA Local 7604
member. Also preceding him in death was his loving wife Peggy Duffy Osborne, two sisters Gertrude Lusk
and Tiny Flaugher, a brother Cleatus Osborne and a grandson Carl Osborne. Survivors include two
daughters Gloria Lusk and husband Earl of Kopperston and Kathy Gunnoe and husband Teddy of Sevier,
TN; two sons Willie G. Osborne and wife Brady of Huff Creek and Johnny Osborne of Asheboro, NC; three
sisters Dovie Lusk, Emma Bailey and Fannie Rollins and husband Bill all of Cyclone; three brothers
Vaughn Osborne and wife Ivy of Little Creek, Landy Osborne and wife Margaret of Matheny and Stewart
Osborne and wife Sara foWytheville, VA; eleven grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren, three
great great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday February 25, 2012 at the
Lillyhaven Baptist Church with Rev William Cook and Pastor Algie Cook officiating. He will be laid to
rest in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny. Friends may call from 6 – 9:00 pm on Friday at the church. The family is being served by
the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
Jeffrey Gene Walls, 42, of Craney, WV passed away on Friday February 24, 2012 at his home. He was
born June 11, 1969 in Man, WV, a son of the late Gene and Bobbie Jean Wilson Walls. Jeffrey was a
disabled coal miner. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister Pricilla Carol Stafford,
and a nephew Roger Bunch, Jr.. Survivors include a twin brother Robert Ivan Walls and wife Stephanie of
Oceana; a sister Elizabeth Ann Walls Bunch of Beckley; a niece Ashely Leann Bunch of Carmel, IN; a
nephew Anthony Earl Hicks of TX; his companion Polly Gay Gilley of Craney; a special friend Rhonda Tilley
of Matheny; and a host of other loving family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on
Wednesday February 29, 2012 in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home with Rev. Lonnie
Blankenship officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Walls – Christian cemetery, Reedy Creek. Friends
may call from 11:00 AM until service time at the funeral home. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home,
Lynco, WV.
Sylvia Maxine Lilly Hopson Elkins, 84, of Accoville, WV passed away on Sunday
February 26, 2012 at her daughter’s home. She was born October 6, 1927 in Pike County,
KY a daughter of the late Frank and Fannie Opal Farley Lilly. She was a loving mother,
homemaker and a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. In addition to her parents her first
husband Harmon Hopson, Sr. and her second husband Ivan Dale Elkins also preceded her
in death along with three sons Harmon Lee Hopson, Carl Lee Hopson and Edward Roy
Hopson. Survivors include two daughters Mary Shaheen and husband Allie of Accoville and
Rainie Napier and husband David of Cleveland, OH; three sons Darrell Hopson and Ronald
Elkins both of Accoville and Eugene Hopson and wife Judy of Columbus, OH; special
daughter and daughter-in-law Carolyn Sue Hopson of Amherstdale and special daughter
and daughter-in-law Virginia Hopson of NC; a sister Juanita Skeens of Kenna, WV; a
brother Earl Lilly of Bassett, VA; seventeen grandchildren and thirty-one great
grandchildren; and a host of other loving family and friends. Funeral services will be held at
noon on Saturday March 3, 2012 in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home,
Lynco, WV with Elder Isom Johnson officiating. She will be laid to rest in Forrest Lawn
cemetery, Pecks Mill, WV. Friends may call from 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral
home. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral
Home, Lynco, WV.
Rose Ann Lusk, 39, of Cyclone, WV departed this life on Thursday March 1, 2012 at her home. She was
born June 11, 1972 in Man, WV a daughter of Ethel Ernestine Adkins Blankenship and the late General
Lee Blankenship. In addition to her father she was preceded in death by her ex-husband Teddy Ray Lusk;
grandparents Donzel and Sherman Blankenship and Dayton and Liza Adkins. Survivors include a
daughter Marina Ann Lusk of Cyclone, WV; a son Ronnie Ray Lusk of Cyclone, WV; her mother Ernestine
Tina Louise (James) Paynter of Craney, WV; two brothers Ira Lee Blankenship of Cyclone, WV, and Curtis
Riley (Tamela) Blankenship of Cyclone, WV; two grandchildren Ann Rayshell Lusk and Jaylynn Riley
Collins and another grandchild due in May; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other loving family
and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday March 7, 2012 at the Toler Baptist
Church, Campus, WV with Pastor Clarence Gibson officiating. She will be laid to rest in Browns
cemetery, Huff Creek, WV. Friends may call from 6-9:00 PM on Tuesday March 6, 2012 at the church.
The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
William Ray “BR” Brown, 66, of Jesse, WV went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday March 6, 2012 at
Select Specialty Hospital, in St. Francis Hospital, Charleston, WV. He was born October 4, 1945 in Glen
Fork, WV, a son of the late Ova “Dub” and Ilene Cook Brown. Mr. Brown was a retired coal miner, having
worked 37 years in the coal industry. He was a member of the Guyandotte Missionary Baptist Church at
Jesse, WV. He enjoyed camping, fishing, spending time with his family and friends, and telling people
about his Lord. In addition to his parents, BR was preceded in death by three brothers Buford Brown,
Leamon “LG” Brown and Roger Brown; and a brother-in-law Buford Stewart. Survivors include his wife of
44 years, Diana Brooks Brown; a son William Ray “Buster” Brown, Jr. and wife Susan; two daughters
Michele Cook and husband Ronnie and Kelli Wilson and husband Woodrow, Jr. all of Jesse; grandchildren
Erica Cook, Whitney Cook, Blake Godfrey, Demetrius Wilson and Jeremiah Brown all of Jesse; a sister
Linda Stewart of Blackville, SC; a brother-in-law Nicky Brooks and wife Judy of Jesse; two sister-in-laws
Ruth Brown of Oceana and Carol Brown of Glen Fork; several nieces and nephews; a host of friends and
his “old buddy”, Leo Maynard of Jesse. A celebration of BR’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday March
9, 2012 at the Guyandotte Missionary Baptist Church, Jesse, WV with Rev. Herman Cook, Pastor
Harrison Abbott, Jr. and Rev. Lacy Lee Brooks officiating. He will be laid to rest in Peaceful Valley
cemetery, Jesse, WV. Friends may call from 11:00 AM until time of service on Friday at the church.
Pallbearers will be Mark Brooks, Scott Brooks, Bo Zissette, Zach Browning, Ronnie Cook and Woody
Wilson. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
Brian H. Hall, 57, of Brenton, WV left this world on Tuesday March 6, 2012 from injuries sustained in an
automobile accident. He was born July 1, 1954 in Pineville, WV, a son of the late Marie Morgan Jackson
Hall and Henry Cline Hall. He was a chief electrician for many years in the coal mines and loved his job. He
was a member of the UMWA and a certified Ham Radio operator with friends all over the world. In addition
to his parents, Brian was preceded in death by a brother Merle Jackson. Survivors include his wife of
almost 29 years, Nancy Lynn Nichols Hall; a daughter Heather Lynn Kelleher and husband Erick of
Pittsburg, PA; brothers and sisters Jerry Jackson, Harry Jackson, Elaine Hall and Robin Hall and their
children; his father-in-law Estes A. Nichols of Pineville; a sister-in-law Diane S. Bowen of Pineville; his dog
Daisey; and a great host of other loving family and friends. Brian will be greatly missed by his family, many
friends he had worked with, all those he talked to on the radio and everyone he had ever met. Funeral
services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday March 10, 2012 in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral
Home, Lynco, WV with Rev. Tommy Knotts officiating. He will be laid to rest in Beaver cemetery,
Baileysville, WV. Friends may call from 11:00 AM until time of service on Saturday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Paul Marcum, Michael Cook, Rodney Niday, Rusty Nelson, Chris Cannady, Chad Ball,
Jamie Lilly and Steve Belcher. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home,
Lynco, WV.
Linda Jane Mathis, 66, of Oceana, WV passed away on Thursday March 8, 2012 in Hilltop Center, Glen
Jean, WV. She was born July 22, 1945 in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Joseph and
Sarah Cole Gagean. Linda was a former manager at many different restaurants in West Virginia, Virginia
and Kentucky, including Pizza Hut in Oceana, WV. Those left to mourn her passing include two daughters
Belinda Lovins and husband Brad of Oceana and Tracey Mathis and her friend Robin of Lexington, KY; a
son Master Sergeant Johnny C. Mathis, II and wife Lisa of Bassett, VA / Black Creek, NC; four
grandchildren Ashley Lovins, Kassidee Lovins, Britney (Mike) Henson and Robbie Whitlow; four great
grandchildren; a sister Quilla Clark of Akron, OH; a brother Gene Edward Gagean of Cleveland, NC; and a
host of other loving family and friends. In keeping with Linda’s wishes she will be cremated. A memorial
service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday March 13, 2012 at the Oceana First Church of God. She will
be greatly missed by her family and friends. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco,
WV.
Lillian Ruth Webb Lambert, 82, of Fairdale, WV went home to be with the Lord on Monday March 26,
2012 at her daughter’s home in Sabine. She was born February 20, 1930 at Raleigh, WV, a daughter of
the late Lewis Crockett Webb and the late Sarah Margarett Combs Webb Gunnoe. She was also
preceded in death by a son Tommey Simerly, her husband Donnie Lambert, four sisters, two brothers and
was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was of the Christian Faith and a loving
homemaker. Survivors include a daughter Melinda Kay Jude and husband Carl of Sabine; two sons Steven
Simerly and Robin Simerly both of Fairdale, WV; a special daughter Shirley Ellis and husband Blue of Glen
Rogers, WV; eleven grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren and another one due in June of 2012; and
a host of other loving family and friends. Funeral services will be held at Noon on Wednesday March 28,
2012 at Rhema Ministries, Ravencliff, WV with Pastor Johnathon Cresong and Rev. Ernie Francis
officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley, WV. Friends may
gather with the family on Wednesday March 28, 2012 at the church from11:00 AM to service time.
Pallbearers will be family and friends. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Hospice
of Southern West Virginia.
The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
Dennis Paul Lester, 60, of Steeles Hollow, WV, passed away on Monday March 26, 2012 at his home.
He was born June 6, 1951 in Welch, WV a son of the late Luster and Violet Mae Riffe Lester. He was a
loving man with a good heart and was especially fond of the elderly and children. In addition to his parents
a sister Phyllis Kennedy, a brother Herbert Lester and a sister-in-law Joyce Toler also preceded him in
death. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Dennis loved being outdoors, especially
with family and friends at family gatherings. His favorite hobbies were dog trading, riding horses and
raising chickens. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Anett Neva Cline Lester; two daughters
Rebecca Renae Lester of Hanover and Leanna Faith Lester of Steeles Hollow; five sons Dennis Craig
Lester of VA, Adam (Lora) Toler of Oceana, Brian Toler of Kopperston, Shane (Teresa) Toler of Cyclone
and Brad Green of KY; eleven grandchildren Tiffany Toler, Alyssa (Coby) Hurley, Amber Toler, Payton
Toler, Lashalye Gibson, McKinzie Toler, Madison Toler, Jordan Toler, Justin Lester, Chase Lester and
Gracie Lester; a great grandchild Kynlee Hurley; three very special nephews Gary (Robin) Kennedy, Doug
Kennedy and fiancé Terri Lusk and Randy (Patsy) Kennedy; three very special friends Mr. and Mrs. Pedro
Newcomb and Paul Hatfield; and a host of other loving family and friends. Funeral services will be held at
1:00 PM on Friday March 30, 2012 at Pad Fork Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Firg Proffitt and
Pastor Denis Lester officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Riffe Family cemetery, Hanover, WV.
Friends may gather with the family after 6:00 PM on Wednesday and Thursday nights. The family is being served by the Stafford
Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
