Claudie French Brown
Claudie French Brown, 83, of Middlesex, N.C., formerly of Long Branch, died Aug. 11, 2009, at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, N.C.
Born Oct. 27, 1925, at Plum Orchard, he was the son of the late Okey and Faye Aliff Brown. His daughter, Pamela S. (Brown) Brown, also preceded him in death.
Mr. Brown was a retired coal miner, and a member of the Ewing Creek Community Church.
Surviving: his wife, Ruth Deal Brown of Middlesex; sons, James Brown of Fairdale, Ricky Brown of Newport News, Va., Tommy Brown of Raleigh, N.C., and Barry Brown of Thomasville, N.C.; daughter, Brenda Farley of Middlesex; a brother, Pete Brown of Stuart, Va.; a sister, Mary Dean of Vineland, N.J.; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Services were Aug. 15 at Tyree Funeral Home in Mount Hope with Rev. Loretta Taylor officiating. Burial was at Pax Community Cemetery in Pax.
Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.
Robert Russell Davis
Robert Russell Davis, 62, of Dothan, died Aug. 12, 2009, at CAMC - Memorial Division in Charleston.
Born Nov. 6, 1946, at Morehead City, N.C., he was the son of the late Alvin G. and Ruth Ingram Davis.
Mr. Davis was a retired service technician for Pacific Bell Telephone. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Era.
Surviving: his partner, Carol Butler; son, Joseph Roy Davis of Valley Springs, Calif.; daughter, Traci Elaine Little of Cody, Wyo.; brothers, David Michael Davis of Gloucester, Va., and Gerdan Davis of Overland Park, Kan.; and six grandchildren.
Mr. Davis was cremated. There will be no visitation or service.
Online condolences may be sent at www. tyreefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.
Mary Ann Ellison DeTurk
Mary Ann Ellison DeTurk, 80, of Asbury, died Aug. 13, 2009, at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Ronceverte.
Born Dec. 10, 1928, at Oak Hill, she was the daughter of the late Charles “C.H.” Ellison and Anna Ash Ellison. Her husband, Robert DeTurk; stepdaughter, Pam; brothers, George M. Ellison and Charles F. Ellison; and a sister, Doris Lee Swann, also preceded her in death.
Mary Ann was a retired registered nurse, having graduated from the Montgomery General Hospital nursing program. She was a veteran of the U.S. Army Nursing Corps.
Mrs. DeTurk was a member of the United Methodist Church of Wyoming, Ohio.
Surviving: stepdaughter, Pat Plank of Cincinnati, Ohio; stepgrandchildren, Jennifer Eng of Loveland, Ohio, and Robbie and Chris Plank, who are both serving in the U.S. military; multiple step great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, including Rita Goff of Asbury, with whom she made her home; and grand-nieces and nephews.
Mrs. DeTurk was cremated. There will be no visitation or service. Her cremains will be buried at the Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, WV Division, 301 RHL Blvd., Station 6 & 7, Charleston, WV 25311.
Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.
Jackie ‘Jack’ Phil Guthrie
Jackie “Jack” Phil Guthrie, 75, of Hilltop, died Aug. 13, 2009, at his home.
Born April 12, 1934, at Mount Hope, he was the son of the late Robert B. Guthrie Sr. and Gusta M. Weis Guthrie. His wife, Flora Gail Ellison Guthrie; a daughter, Theresa G. Pengov; and grandchildren, Greg Keene and Jacob Craigo, also preceded him in death. He was also the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Mr. Guthrie was a retired construction worker, having called himself a “Jack of all trades.” He worked on the building of the New River Gorge Bridge.
He had also been previously employed as a security guard at the Moundsville Penitentiary.
He served in the U.S. Army during Korean Conflict.
Surviving: sons, Jack Guthrie and wife Stephanie of Virginia and Anthony Guthrie and wife Darlene of Indiana; daughters, Sherry Keene and husband Doug, and Anne Keene, all of Lorain, Ohio, Lisa Ritter and husband Mike of Lookout, Kathy Roles and husband Charlie of Hilltop and Elizabeth Guthrie and companion Kevin Davidson of Summerlee; 26 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held Aug. 15 at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill. It concluded with military rites conducted by VFW Post #3110 of Oak Hill. There were no further service. Mr. Guthrie was cremated.
Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.
James Robert Hammock
James Robert Hammock, 31, of Ansted, died Aug. 10, 2009, due to a sudden illness.
Mr. Hammock was a resident of Ansted, and was employed by Security Group Services in Cross Lanes. His work place was Marfork Mines in Boone Co.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Hammock; and his grandmother, Mary Daniels.
Surviving: his companion, Tiffany White; mother, Geneva Kidd, and stepfather, Ward Scarberry of Ansted; his dogs; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services was Aug. 14 at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home in Ansted with Pastor David Richardson officiating. Burial followed in Restlawn Memory Gardens in Victor.
Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home in Ansted.
Jerry L. Holstein
Jerry L. Holstein, 78, of Rockford, Ill., died July 24, 2009, after a long illness.
Born May 29, 1931, in Clifty, he was the son of the late Clarence and Lena (Shockey) Holstein. He also was preceded in death by brothers, Donald, Clarence Jr., Gene and David; a special nephew, Mark Withrow; a special niece, Lisa Holstein; and a loyal friend, Tom Chambers.
A 1950 graduate of Fayetteville High School, Jerry married Carol Withrow on June 1, 1953, in First Baptist Church in Fayetteville.
He was a veteran of the United States Navy and attended Maywood Evangelical Free Church. He served his Lord Jesus in many church positions over the years until his illness.
Mr. Holstein was employed in the forging industry; previously in Rockford, Iowa and Michigan, retiring in 1996 from Anchor Harvey in Freeport. Jerry was a kind, gentle man who loved his Lord and family. He enjoyed golf, spending time with his family and playing with his grandchildren.
Surviving: his loving wife of 56 years, Carol; daughter, Anita (Robert) Darling of Albion, Mich.; sons, Alan (Bretta) of Stillman Valley, Ill., and Eric (Kristi) of Rockford; grandchildren, Andrew (Jackie) Darling, and Jacob and Katie Holstein of Rockford; great-grandchildren, Angela, Joshua, and Benjamin Darling of Marshall, Mich.; brother, Steve (Sharon) of West Virginia; sisters, Helen Boyko of Maryland, Betty (Rufus) Christian of Ohio, Sandra (French) Maynor of West Virginia; and many caring nieces and nephews.
Memorial service was July 28 in Maywood Evangelical Free Church, Rockford, with Pastor Gary Kniseley and Hospice Chaplain Jason Turner officiating.
Memorials may be made to Brightside, Rockford Rescue Mission or Hospice of America. For online condolences, visit www.honquestfh.com.
Arrangements by Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory, Rockford.
David L. Hypes
David L. Hypes, 91, of Fayetteville, died Aug. 11, 2009, at home following an extended illness.
Born Oct. 4, 1917, at Smithers, he was the son of the late David Edward and Verna White Hypes. His wife, Mabel J. Hypes, also preceded him in death on June 3, 1999.
Mr. Hypes was a World War II Navy veteran.
He was a member of the Fayetteville Presbyterian Church where he served for many years as a Sunday school teacher. He had been active on several committees and programs in the church, and had served as an Elder.
Mr. Hypes was a former teacher and principal at Fayetteville High School and later he served as Director of Federal Programs for the Fayette County Board of Education. He was active in the community; he was a former mayor and council member for the Town of Fayetteville; and former secretary and past president of the Fayetteville Rotary Club.
Surviving: several nieces and nephews, and a host a friends and church family.
Funeral services were Aug. 13 at the Fayetteville Presbyterian Church with Rev. Catherine George and Rev. Robert Morey officiating. Burial followed at Huse Memorial Park, Fayetteville.
Donations may be made in David Hypes’ memory to Hospice of Southern WV, PO Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802-1472.
Online condolences and other information available at www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville.
James Lancianese
James Lancianese, 80, of Mount Hope, died Aug. 11, 2009, at Bowers Hospice House, Beckley.
Born Dec. 14, 1928, in Tamroy, he was the son of the late Frank and Adelina Cantalupo Lancianese. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Albert Lancianese; four infant brothers; and one infant sister.
Mr. Lancianese was a retired school teacher from Point Pleasant High School. He received a B.S. degree in education from WV State College.
He also enjoyed traveling and attended Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Oak Hill.
James served with the United States Army from 1951 through 1953.
Surviving: brothers, George Lancianese of Huntington, Pasco Lancianese and wife June of Bradley, Angelo Lancianese and wife Kathryn of Mount Hope, and Giovanni (John) Lancianese of Ghent; a sister, June Lancianese Murphy of Hampton, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.
The family requests that donations of sympathy may be made to the Bowers Hospice House.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at blueridgefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.
Leafie Blevins Large
Mrs. Leafie Blevins Large, 92, of Rock Hill, S.C., died Aug. 12, 2009, at UniHealth.
A native of Kentucky, Mrs. Large was the daughter of the late Matthew Blevins and the late Alice Booth Blevins.
She was activities director at Christian Nursing Home in Fayetteville, a teacher’s assistant at Oakville Special Education School in Oak Hill, and a wonderful homemaker.
She was a gospel music singer and guitarist and a member of First United Pentecostal Church.
Mrs. Large was the widow of Rufus H. Large.
Surviving: her daughter, Yvonne Wilburn Hunt and her husband, Earl Stephen, of Fort Mill, S.C.; grandchildren, Stephen Wilburn, Robert Wilburn, William Wilburn and Robin Rains; great-grandchildren, Stephen Lee, Stephanie, Ashley and Antonio; and great-great-grandchildren, Elijah and Chase.
The funeral service was Aug. 17 at First United Pentecostal Church with her pastor, the Rev. D.L. Erickson, and her former pastor in West Virginia, Bishop Carlos Lewis, officiating. Burial was in Forest Hills Cemetery.
Condolences may be made at www.greenefuneralhome.net.
Arrangements by Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill.
Franklin D. Legg
Franklin D. Legg, 68, of Needleseye Road, Fayetteville, died Aug. 14, 2009, at his home.
Born Oct. 21, 1940, in Minden, he was the son of the late Roy Dewey and Ethel Lena Webster Legg. He also was preceded in death by sisters, Margie E. Adkins and Betty Ann Legg.
Mr. Legg was a disabled self-employed carpenter and a Christian.
Surviving: son, Michael Legg of Cunard; grandchild, Halley McGuire; brother, Thomas Legg of Rt. 1, Fayetteville; sisters, Genevieve Peters of Pekin, Ill., Sherry O’Dell Thomas of Oak Hill, and Janet Miller of Oak Hill; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were Aug. 17 at Tyree Funeral Home Chapel in Oak Hill. Burial was at Woods Ave.-Plateau Historical Cemetery, formerly Oddfellows.
Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral home of Oak Hill.
Ida Mae Shockey Martin
Ida Mae Shockey Martin, 87, of Oak Hill, died Aug. 10, 2009, at her home.
Born Jan. 5, 1922, at Fayetteville, she was the daughter of the late John and Mamie Kincaid Shockey. Her husband, Harry Clarence Martin; daughters, Patricia Martin and Georgia Jones; and brothers, William Shockey and Houston Shockey, also preceded her in death.
Mrs. Martin was a member of the Mount Hope Assembly of God and was a homemaker.
Surviving: sons, Clarence Martin of Oak Hill and Harry Wayne Martin of Oak Hill; daughters, Nancy Vandercook of Toledo, Ohio, Judy Cook of Tampa, Fla., Dorothy Dilley of Bardstown, Ky., Linda Sears of Minden and JoAnn Cox of Oak Hill; sisters, Savannah Thower of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Viola Smith of Clinton, Okla.; 16 grandchildren, including a special granddaughter, Carla Ervin of Oak Hill; 27 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Services was Aug. 13 with Rev. Jessie Parker and Pastor Jerry Bush officiating. Burial was at Huse Memorial Park, Fayetteville.
Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.
Genevieve Edna McClanahan
Genevieve Edna McClanahan, 90, of Piney View, died Aug. 12, 2009, at the home of her daughter, Linda Goins, after an extended illness.
Born April 9, 1919, at Red Springs, she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Louie Edna Ennis Goddard. Genevieve also was preceded in death by her husband, Frank W. McClanahan; brother, Owen Goddard, who was killed during World War II; sisters, Virginia Gardner, Ruby McClanahan, and Gladys McClanahan; a son-in-law, Vernon McDaniel; and her grandson, Hanley “Junior McClanahan.
Genevieve was retired from the housekeeping department at Appalachian Regional Hospital. She left a legacy of a lifetime with her beautiful handmade quilts.
She was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving: her sister, Mae Martin of Danese; her children, Bertha Eloise (Ray) Burgess of Oak Hill, Charles Hubert (June) McClanahan of Danese, Georgia (Mack) Perkins of Beckley, Frances Donnelly and companion Wayne Endriss of Norwich, Conn., Shirley McDaniel of Beckley, Linda (Steve) Goins of Lanark, and Hanley (Kathy) McClanahan of Cool Ridge; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; along with numerous stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services celebrating Genevieve’s life were Aug. 15 at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley, with Pastor Rodney Allen officiating. Burial followed in the Harrah Cemetery on Backus Mountain Road in Fayette County.
Memorial donations may be made to the Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801.
Online condolences may be sent at www.roseandquesenberry.net.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
Thomas Melvin Powell
Thomas Melvin Powell, 63, of Oak Hill, died unexpectedly on Aug. 14, 2009.
Born Dec. 3, 1945, in Longacre, he was the first of three children born to Lilly Evelyn Dixon Powell, now of Fayetteville, and the late George William Melvin Powell. In addition to his father, he also was preceded in death by father-in-law, James Warren Mahoney, and brother-in-law, James Michael “Little Mike” Mahoney.
He was a 1963 graduate of Fayetteville High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served as an avionics repairman in Vietnam. Following his military service, he attended West Virginia Institute of Technology and graduated in 1972.
He was a member of the West Virginia Army National Guard until his retirement in 2006 as a Command Sergeant Major, and was the recipient of various decorations and awards.
After 30 years of employment with the State of West Virginia, he retired as a probation officer from the West Virginia State Supreme Court.
In his retirement, he was general manager of ATV on the Rock in Sophia and Country Club Village Project in Oak Hill. Tom was employed as a raft guide by Wildwater Unlimited during the formative years of the whitewater industry in Fayette County.
Tom enjoyed an active life, including golf, football refereeing, WVU sports and traveling, most recently in Italy. His true joy in life was his family, including his wife, Libbi, and daughters Sarah and Jenny. Tom was deeply blessed with the arrival of his first granddaughter, Lily Elizabeth Fell, in July 2009 and embraced the role of grandfather with enthusiasm.
As a lifelong resident of Fayette County, Tom was well-known in the community and will be greatly missed by numerous friends.
Surviving, in addition to his mother: his loving wife of 32 years, Elizabeth “Libbi” Mahoney Powell; daughter, Sarah Powell of Winston-Salem, N.C.; daughter, Jennifer Powell-Fell and son-in-law Nathan Fell of Scarbro and granddaughter Lily; mother-in-law, Lois Mahoney of Oak Hill; brother, Charles of Johnson City, Tenn., and his wife, Sarah; sister, Susan Kincaid of New Haven; sister-in-law, Rebecca Mahoney of Oak Hill; nieces and nephews include Thomas Powell, Kate Powell, Christy Somerville, Bobby Kincaid, Jason Kincaid, Michael Hice and several great-nieces and nephews.
Rev. David Sneed and Rev. John Parrish officiated the funeral services, which were held at Oak Hill Baptist Church Aug. 17.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Oak Hill High School Alumni Association. The Thomas M. Powell Memorial Scholarship will benefit a member of the Oak Hill High School Girls’ Soccer team, a team which Tom helped to establish in 1995. All donations may be mailed to PO Box 462, Oak Hill, WV 25901.
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.
Jessica Rhodes
Jessica Marie “Jessi” Rhodes, 19, of Montgomery Heights, died Aug. 11, 2009.
Born Dec. 18, 1989, in Charleston, she was the daughter of Patricia Rhodes of Montgomery Heights and Roger Rhodes of Deepwater. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, James Wright.
She was a 2008 graduate of Valley High School in Smithers.
Surviving, in addition to her mother and father: her grandmother, Goldie Marie Wright of Falls View; grandparents, Vivian and Tim Steele of Victor; and many aunts and uncles.
Service was Aug. 14 at O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, with Rev. Tom Skaggs officiating. Burial followed in Montgomery Memorial Park at London.
Expressions of sympathy can be sent to www.odellfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery.
Comer Webb
Comer O. Webb, 83, of Charlton Heights, died Aug. 15, 2009, after a long illness, at Fayette Nursing and Rehab, Fayetteville.
Born Dec. 30, 1925, at Cabin Creek, he was the son of the late Hazen L. and Florian M. Scherer Webb.
Mr. Webb retired from Elkem Metals Company with 43 years of service, and Sodder Trucking.
He was a very giving and selfless person, giving and expecting nothing in return. His last selfless wish was to donate his body to WVU Human Gift Registry in Morgantown.
Surviving: his wife, June Webb of Charlton Heights; son, Robert Hickman of Shadyside, Ohio; daughters, June Click of Evans and Shawn Withrow of Falls View; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Jack Webb of Oakridge; and sisters, Barbara Naylor and Theresa Fowler, both of Fayetteville.
It was his wish to have no services.
Online condolences and other information available at www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville.
Garry Wayne Wright Sr.
Garry Wayne Wright Sr., 71, of Mount Hope, died Aug. 11, 2009, in Stilwell, Okla.
Born Feb. 15, 1938, at Packs Branch, he was the son of the late Ray Wright and Eula Cole Wright.
Garry was a U.S. Navy veteran and was a heating and cooling technician.
He enjoyed going to church with his brother Bill at the Fellowship Bible Church at Calloway Heights, and he loved the Lord and spreading the gospel.
Garry will be sadly missed by all his family and many friends.
Surviving: his sons, Garry Wright Jr. and wife Sally, and Shawn Wright and wife Traci; a sister, Judy Bunch of Stilwell, Okla.; brothers, Glenn Wright of Kentucky, Roger Wright of Florida and Bill Wright of Michigan; and grandchildren, Micah Wright, Garry Wright III, Chelsy Wright, Isaac Johnson, Kara Johnson and Laura Suter.
Committal service was Aug. 15 at Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum B, with the Rev. Roy Owens officiating. Burial followed in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Military rites were conducted by the Oak Hill VFW Post 3110 and the American Legion Post 149.
Online condolences may be sent at www.highlawnfuneralhomechapel.com.
Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.
