Obituaries — Thursday, July 9, 2009

Jessie Junior Anderson

Jessie Junior Anderson, 23, of Oak Hill, died July 4, 2009, at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley, from injuries received in an automobile accident on Rt. 16 at Price Hill.

Born June 10, 1986, at Montgomery, he was the son of Barbra Anderson Belcher of Cleveland, Tenn., and the late Jessie McMillan, and stepson of Gregory Belcher, also of Cleveland, Tenn. In addition to his father, his maternal grandmother, Peggy Anderson; paternal grandparents, Harless Junior and Laura McMillan; an aunt, Alberta Toney; and a cousin, Tiffany Anderson, also preceded him in death.

Jessie was a carpenter.

Surviving, in addition to his mother and stepfather: a brother, Ryan Anderson of Oak Hill; aunts, Alberta Toney, Donna Seay, Denise Blake, Debra Watkins, and Shelby Reed and her husband, Shirl; uncles, Jack Anderson and wife Renea, Harless Watkins, and Johnny McMillam; a special cousin who was very important to him, Thomas Watkins and his wife, Chastity; and several other aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services were July 8 at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill with Rev. Sam R. Calloway Jr. officiating. Mr. Anderson was cremated following the service.

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Barbara Leece Bell

Barbara Leece Bell, 74, of Bloomfield, Conn., died July 3, 2009, at the Connecticut Hospice, Branford.

Born and raised in Mount Hope, she was a daughter of the late Irvin and Elizabeth (Gray) Leece. She also was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Temple.

Barbara graduated from Dubois High School in Mount Hope and received her undergraduate degree from Framingham State University and her master’s degree in Human Factors Engineering from Northeastern University.

Barbara worked as a federal employee at Natick Labs, Natick, Mass., for 37 years.

She was a faithful member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Old St. Andrew’s Church, Bloomfield.

Surviving: her son, Dr. Todd Bell and his wife, Liz, of Bloomfield, and their daughters, Natalie and Abigail; a stepdaughter, Peggy Hampton of Minneapolis, Minn.; a niece, Susan Temple and her daughter, Mary Brown, of Northridge, Calif.; and her many dear friends who loved her, particularly Connie Miles, Marie Frazier, and Rosalie Carter-Dixon.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, July 25, at 11 a.m. at Old St. Andrew’s Church, 59 Tariffville Road, Bloomfield. The Rev. Erl G. Purnell will officiate. The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will conduct a ceremony in her honor at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Old St. Andrew’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either VNA Healthcare, 103 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105 or Old St. Andrew’s Church, 59 Tariffville Rd. Bloomfield, CT 06002.

For condolences, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by The Carmon Windsor Funeral Home.



Nancy Chesunas Blake

Nancy Chesunas Blake, 92, of Oak Hill, died July 2, 2009, at her home.

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Mary Pauline Evans

Mary Pauline Evans, 93, of Umatilla, Fla., formerly of Nickelville Road, Fayetteville, died July 3, 2009, at her Florida home.

Service will be 3 p.m. Sunday, July 12 at the Mountain View Church of God.

The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until time of the service Sunday at the church.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.



Teddy Marshall Ewing

Teddy Marshall Ewing of Piney View, died July 3, 2009, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in early April.

Born Feb. 23, 1937, he was the son of the late Rev. Earl Ewing and Bertha Ewing. He also was preceded in death by his identical twin brother, Eddie Ewing.

He was a proud member of the United States Army, having served in Germany. Upon his return to the United States, he opened a gas station at Layland. He then went on to work as a coal miner and later at Industrial Brake, Inc., before opening his own brake business with his twin brother, Eddie Ewing, and nephew, Dennis Ewing.

He retired in 1985 and enjoyed a life of farming, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his precious grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Surviving: his former wife, Jackie Avis Ewing Day of Atlanta, Ga.; sons, Kevin Ewing and wife Sherri of Hilltop, and Dr. Gregory Ewing of Atlanta; brother, Johnny Ewing of Highland; sisters, Helen Ewing of Pennsylvania, Erma Ewing of Texas, Janie Ewing of California, and Jenny Duncan and Alfreda Ewing, both of West Virginia; his grandchildren, Lorenzo, Sarah, Tohnny, Teddy Marshall II; and many nieces and nephews.

Services were July 7 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Pastor Bill Parker officiating. Burial followed in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Military rites were conducted by VFW Post #3110.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at blueridgefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.



Lou Ellen Smith Feazell

Lou Ellen Smith Feazell, 55, of Beckwith, died July 2, 2009, with her family by her side, at the Bowers Hospice House, Beckley.

Born May 12, 1954, at Beckwith, she was the daughter of Jim “Sang” Smith of Ingram Branch and the late Stella Mae Hobbs Smith. Besides her mother, she also was preceded in death by her daughter, Elizabeth Feazell; sisters, Carolyn Sue Fish and Edith Virginia Smith; and her brother, Robert Dennis “Denny” Smith.

Lou attended Gum Springs Baptist Church, Chimney Corner. She was a former owner/operator of The Pines before becoming a certified nursing assistant at Kate Boone Nursing Home and Central WV Aging.

She was a people person, never meeting a stranger. She loved and supported her grandchildren, spending time with her family and friends, and being there when someone needed her. Lou will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Surviving, in addition to her father: her children, Randall Stewart Feazell II of Fayetteville, and Virginia Peters and her husband, Vernon III, of Kincaid; brothers, Sidney “Buck” Smith of Pennsylvania, Donnie Wayne Smith of Iowa, and Darrell Lee Smith and Gene Smith, both of West Virginia; sisters, Della Johnson, Charlotte Patterson, and Lisa Smith, all of West Virginia, Cathy Carlson of Virginia, and Yvonne Manley of Pennsylvania; and grandchildren, Avery Davis, Mark Feazell, Nathan Peters, Cody Peters, Ayden Peters, and Shannon Davis.

Funeral services were July 6 at Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville, with Rev. Mack Canterbury officiating. Burial followed at Adkins-Pate Cemetery, Crow Hollow Road, Beckwith.

Memorials may be made in Lou Feazell’s name to Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Road, Beckley, WV 25801.

Online condolences and other information available at www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville.



Sheldon Kuhn

Sheldon Kuhn, 93, of Beckwith, died July 1, 2009, at Bowers Hospice House, Beckley, following an extended illness.

Born Sept. 5, 1915, at Rocksdale, he was the son of the late Harry Harrison and Cora A. Metz Kuhn. He also was preceded in death by his wife, Marie M. Kuhn, on April 18, 1994; a brother, Carl E. Kuhn; and a sister, Ocie Ingram.

Mr. Kuhn was a member of Cotton Hill Baptist Church, Beckwith.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving his country during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the VFW.

He was a retired ball mill operator at Union Carbide, Alloy.

Surviving: his sons, James P. Kuhn of Fayetteville, Ga., Harold E. Kuhn of Channahon, Ill., and David L. Kuhn of Cannelton; a sister, Marjorie Johnson of St. Albans; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Funeral services were July 6 in the mausoleum chapel of Restlawn Memory Gardens, Ansted, with Pastor Danny Sears officiating. Military honors were conducted by the American Legion Post 149 and VFW Post 3110, with burial following.

Memorials may be made, in his memory, to Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Road, Beckley, WV 25801.

Online condolences and other information available at www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville.



Lillie M. Linkous

Lillie M. Linkous, 70, of Fayetteville, died July 1, 2009, at Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill.

Born Feb. 14, 1939, at Merrimac, Va., she was the daughter of the late Ivan Isaac and Barbara Ellen Lester Linkous.

Miss Linkous was a member of the Gary Pentecostal Church, Gary.

Surviving: her siblings, Reba Linkous of Huntington, Iva Roznik of Richfield, Ohio, Ruby Leach of Aurora, Ohio, Thada Linkous and Payton Linkous, both of Cleveland, Ohio, Ronald Linkous of Pulaski, Va., Burford Linkous of Christiansburg, Va., Haven Linkous of Cleveland, Ohio, and Connie Linkous; and by several nieces and nephews.

Miss Linkous was cremated. There will be no visitation or service. Her cremains will be buried at the Woods Avenue Historic Cemetery (IOOF) in Oak Hill.

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Danny R. McGuire

Danny Richard McGuire, 64, of Oak Hill, died July 6, 2009, at St. Francis Hospital, Charleston.

Born Dec. 1, 1944, at Willistown, he was the son of the late Basil John and Dolly Rachel Workman McGuire. He also was preceded in death by his brother, Pastor Jack McGuire.

Mr. McGuire was a self-employed mechanic and a former coal miner.

Surviving: his wife, Drema J. Dotson McGuire of Oak Hill; daughter, Danielle McGuire of Oak Hill; brothers, Randy McGuire and wife Orie of Oak Hill, Terry McGuire and wife Cathy of Fayetteville, John McGuire and wife Lynn of Gatewood and Tony Perez Vanry; sisters, Jane Miller of Oak Hill, Donna McGuire Tanner of Ocala, Fla., and Brenda Gay Hicks and Belinda McGuire, both of Franklin, N.C.; cousin, Timmy McGuire of Cunard and several other cousins; and aunts and uncles, Olive and Bill Persinger of Cunard and Barbara and Clinton McGuire of Ansted.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, July 11, at Summerlee Shepherd’s Worship Center, Summerlee, with Rev. James Bailey and Rev. Randy McGuire officiating. Burial will follow at the McGuire Family Cemetery, Willis Road, Victor.

The family will receive friends one hour before the funeral at the church.

Online condolences and other information available at www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville.



Verle M. Wriston Kelley Payne

Verle M. Wriston Kelley Payne, 91, of Scarbro, diedJuly 2, 2009, at Fayette Continuous Care Center in Fayetteville.

Born Dec. 17, 1917, in Fayette County, she was the daughter of the late Reason Alfred and Elizabeth Jane Lafferty Wriston. One son, Howard Payne, and her eight siblings, Alphonso Wriston, Dillis Wriston, Eunice Brown, Fornia James, Herman Wriston, Winfred Wriston, Nona Webb and Bryson Wriston, all preceded her in death.

Mrs. Payne was a member of the Fellowship Memorial Baptist Church, Oak Hill.

Surviving: sons, Terry L. Kelley and wife Drema of Scarbro, Joe Kelley and wife Norma of Scarbro, Larry “PeeWee” Kelley and wife Reba of Michigan and Dillis Payne and wife Sharon of Oak Hill; a daughter, Kaye Payne Smith and husband David of Oak Hill; 17 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Services were July 5 at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill with Pastor Bill Parker officiating. Burial was at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, Oak Hill.

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Roy Lee Proffitt

Roy Lee Proffitt, 67, of Oak Hill, died July 1, 2009, at Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill.

Born Oct. 9, 1941, at Crumpler, he was the son of the late Ernest and Cora Barrett Proffitt. A brother, Bobby Proffitt, also preceded him in death.

Roy was raised at Ashland and Crumpler and attended Northfork Elkhorn High School where he played on the high school football team.

He was a retired coal miner for Patriot Coal, a member of the UMWA and president of Local 7086.

Mr. Proffitt was a member of Oak Hill Lodge No. 120 A.F. and A.M., Sewell Chapter No. 24 R.A.M., Mount Hope Commandery No. 22 K.T., Beni Kedem Shrine A.A.O.N.M.S. and Scottish Rite Bodies.

He was a U.S. Army veteran.

Surviving: his wife, Carletta Short Proffitt; a son, Michael Proffitt of Bluefield, Va.; daughters, Margaret Adkins and Mary Rothwell, both of Salisbury, N.C., Michelle Shepherd of Fayetteville and Christina Davis of Florence, Ariz.; sisters, Glenda White of Athens, Patty Workman and companion Keith, and Elaine Richardson and husband Jerry, all of Princeton; a brother, Larry Proffitt and wife Carol of Camp Creek; grandchildren, Samantha Proffitt, Sarah Rothwell, Thomas Shepherd, Heather Shepherd, Katie Proffitt, James “Bubba” Rothwell, Dustin David and Christopher Lanham; and many nieces and nephews.

Services were July 4 at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill. Burial was at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill, with Masonic graveside rites by Oak Hill Lodge No. 120 A.F. and A.M.

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Janet Ruth Redden

Janet Ruth Redden, 64, of Sweetwater, Tenn., formerly of Meadow Bridge, died July 6, 2009, at her home.

Born March 1, 1945, at Beelick Knob, she was the daughter of the late John and Jeanett McCoin Adkins. She also was preceded in death by her bother, James Emory Adkins.

Janet was a homemaker, was of the Baptist faith, loved her flowers, she could “cook good” and loved her grandchildren.

Surviving: sons, Kevin Lee Redden and wife Kathy of Sweetwater, Tenn., and Kurt Leroy Redden and wife Teri of Beelick Knob; daughters, Kimberly Lynn Harvey and husband Richard of Clayton, N.C., and Karie Loretta Puffenbarger of Princeton; brothers, Michael Roy Adkins and wife Kay of Beelick Knob and David Lee Adkins Sr. and wife Taletha of Bowman; sisters, Margaret Ellen Wickline of Georgia, Elizabeth Rachel McClung and husband Terry of Beelick Knob, Drema Louise Pugh and husband Richard of Selma, N.C., and Rebecca Ann Rudinec and husband Stephen of Iron Mountain, Mich.; grandchildren, Mikayla Johnson of Clayton, N.C., Katie Redden of Sweetwater, Tenn., Preston and Ayden Redden, both of Beelick Knob, and a step granddaughter, Holley Boone of Virginia.

Graveside services were July 8 in the Adkins Family Cemetery on Alaska Mountain Road, Beelick Knob, with Pastor Terry McClung officiating.

Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.



Joseph Charles Roberts

Joseph Charles Roberts, 70, of Oak Hill, died June 30, 2009, at Hidden Valley Center, Oak Hill.

Born June 12, 1939, at Leivasy, he was the son of the late James F. Roberts and the late Mary Roberts Campbell. He also was preceded in death by a son, Joseph E. Roberts.

Mr. Roberts worked 45 years in the coal mines, was a member of UMWA, and was a member of the Addison Lodge No. 116.

Surviving: his wife with whom he was together 27 years, Carla Faye Gibson Roberts of Oak Hill; sons, Timmy Roberts and wife Bridgett of Webster Springs, Al Roberts and wife Gennette of Parkersburg, and Austin Roberts of Morgantown; brothers, James Roberts and wife Ethel of Kent, Ohio, and Fred Roberts and wife Charlotte of Summersville; half-brothers, Tommy and Buddy Roberts, both of Toledo, Ohio; half-sisters, Becky, Judy, Mary, and Patty, all of Toledo; grandchildren, Crystal, Richard, Jayde Ann, and Jozey Alana Roberts; and his mother-in-law, Helen R. Gibson of Oak Hill.

Services were July 2 at the Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with Rev. John Pack officiating. Burial followed in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. A Masonic service was conducted by Addison Lodge No. 116.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at blueridgefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.



Bessie Marie St.Clair

Bessie Marie St.Clair, 93, of Rainelle, formerly of the Meadow Bridge area, died July 1, 2009, in the Heartland of Rainelle Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following a long illness.

Graveside services were July 6 in the Dequasie Cemetery at Lockbridge.

Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.



Eric Paul Stover

Eric Paul Stover, 50, of Knoxville, Tenn., formerly of Maple Fork, died June 27, 2009, at his home.

Born July 8, 1958, at Beckley, he was the son of Lovell A. Williams Stover of Maple Fork and the late Lacy B. Stover. A nephew, Logan Seth Ward, also preceded him in death.

He was a security guard for Searay Boat Company of Knoxville.

Mr. Stover was a member of the Bradley Presbyterian Church and was a U.S. Navy veteran.

Surviving, in addition to his mother: brothers, Lacy Byron Stover and wife Donna of Maple Fork and Alan Gene Stover and wife Wanda of Knoxville, Tenn.; sister, Rose Mary Ward and husband Issac of Maple Fork; four nephews; five nieces; and a special friend, Thomas Noe.

Services were July 2 at Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope, with Pastor Elizabeth Stone officiating. Burial followed in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Bradley Presbyterian Church, PO Box 291, Bradley, WV 25818.

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.



Judy Ann Wells

Judy Ann Wells, 69, of Mount Hope, died July 3, 2009, at Bowers Hospice House, Cranberry, after a long illness.

Born Sept. 7, 1939, at Mount Hope, she was the daughter of the late Edward Wells and Evelyn Young Wells of Mount Hope. She also was preceded in death by her brothers, Tyler Wells and James Wells; sisters, Helen Wells, Catherine Wells, and Betty Jo Wells Jones; sister-in-law, Ollie Wells; and special friend, Ethelbert Scott.

Mrs. Wells was a teacher of 43 years, 36 years at Oak Hill High School.

She was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, NAACP, Links, Delta Sigma Theta, founding sponsor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, West Virginia Teachers Association, founder of the Express Yourself Club, counselor for the Upward Bound program, and a public speaker.

Surviving: brothers, William Wells and wife Nancy Wells of Beckley, Stanford Wells of Long Island, N.Y., and Carl Wells and wife Annie Ruth Wells of Lexington, N.C.; sisters, Mary Evelyn Riddick Wells of Montgomery and Shirley Wells of Beckley; sister-in-law, Song Wells of Trenton Falls, N.J.; niece, Helen V. Riddick Lewis and husband Ronnie D. Lewis of Oak Hill; great-nieces, Dr. Catherine D. Lewis of Raleigh, N.C., and Danielle R. Lewis of Oak Hill; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, good friend, Cora Miller of Oak Hill; and a special canine friend, Bama “Pookie” Lewis of Oak Hill.

Services were July 6 at Richie & Johnson Funeral Home with the Rev. Jeremiah Jasper and Pastor Harry Shelton officiating. Burial was at Blue Ridge Memorial Garden.

Arrangements by Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.