Nathaniel ‘Nat’ Anderson

Nathaniel “Nat” Anderson, 82, of Fayetteville, formerly of Ravenswood, died May 25, 2010, at the Raleigh General Hospital.

Born April 21, 1928, in Harrison County, he was a son of the late Thomas C. and Opal McCauley Anderson. Mr. Anderson also was preceded in death by his loving wife, Betty Jean Anderson, who passed away on June 20, 1998; his two infant sons who died at birth; his sisters, Juanita Drain and Luvon Greaver; and his brother, Harold M. Anderson.

Mr. Anderson was a graduate of Shinnston High School. He served our country in the U.S. Navy. While in the Navy he played basketball for the Memphis Navy. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Nat was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ravenswood and while living with Jennifer and Charlie, he attended the Oak Hill United Methodist Church.

Surviving: his daughter, Jennifer Bailey and her husband, Charles, of Fayetteville; his brother, Seba T. Anderson and his wife, Lucille, of Clarksburg; grandchildren, Holley Bailey of Fayetteville, and Charlie Bailey and wife Tabitha of Oak Hill; great-grandchildren, Riley Aaron and Landon Gentry of Oak Hill; and well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Harmer Funeral Home, Shinnston, on Thursday from 12 noon until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m.; the Rev. Jodi Carroll will be officiating the service. Interment will follow at the Shinnston Masonic Cemetery.

Arrangements by Harmer Funeral Home, Shinnston.



Nancy June Bill

Nancy June Bill, 69, of Handley, died May 19, 2010.

Born Sept. 4, 1940, in Ansted, she was the daughter of the late Alfie and Delma Harrah. She also was  preceded in death by her husband, Glenn R. Bill.

Surviving: children, Sonia Thompson, Wesley Bill and Thomas Bill; sisters, Norma, Renie and Eleanor; five grandchildren and one stepgrandchild.

Service was May 24 at O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, with Rev. Lewis Villers officiating. Burial was in Montgomery Memorial Park.

Arrangements by O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery.



Evelyn Allen Bragg

Evelyn Bragg, lovingly known as Granny, 90, died peacefully May 20, 2010, at home surrounded by her loving family.

Born March 3, 1920, at Glen Jean, she was the daughter of the late Kyle Allen Sr. and Edith Walters Allen. She also was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Woodrow W. Bragg.

Mrs. Bragg, who was a member of the Beaver United Methodist Church, had made her home with her daughters since her husband’s death.

Surviving: daughters, Sally Wilcox and husband Doug of Shady Spring and Sandra Boland of Beckley; brothers, Kyle Allen Jr. of Parkersburg and Ralph Allen and wife Josephine of Bradley; grandchildren, Steven Williams and wife Shawn of Bluefield, Susan Fitzpatrick and husband Ken of Bowling Green, Ky., Cindy Hungate and fiancé Jim Williams of Beckley, and Mark Boland of Mt. Hope; nine great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. She was so proud to be matriarch of five generations.

A celebration of her life was held May 23 at the Beaver United Methodist Church, Beaver, with Rev. Paul Stadleman and Rev. Betty Lusk officiating. Following the services, she was laid to rest beside her beloved husband at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

Evelyn’s wish was for donations to be made to the Beaver United Methodist Church, PO Box 523, Beaver, WV 25813, or Hospice of West Virginia, PO Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25801.

Online condolences and other information can be found by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.



Frances Burton

Frances Burton, 90, of Marion, Ohio, formerly of West Virginia, died May 24, 2010, at the Heartland of Marion Nursing Home following an extended illness.

Arrangements are pending and will be announced by the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home.



Michael Steven Criddle

Michael Steven Criddle, 64, of Franklinton, La., and a native of Fayette County, died May 20, 2010, at Riverside Medical Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Osber Courtney Criddle and Nida Puckett Criddle; sisters, Marcia Becker, June Heaster, Mary Draper, Shirley Brazington, and Margarette Blazer; brothers, Bill Criddle and Teddy Criddle; and an infant brother, Ginger Criddle.

He had resided in Franklinton for 25 years.

Mike was a skilled mechanic, having retired from Pennzoil. He loved working on and painting cars and he enjoyed riding his motorcycle and shooting pool.

Mike was a loving husband and father who had a huge heart for others and was kind to all he met. He will be greatly missed.

Surviving: his wife, Peggy Adkins Criddle of Franklinton; sons, Mathew Criddle and Travis Criddle, both of Franklinton; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Randell Dykes of Franklinton; grandchildren, Tim and Jacy Dykes; brothers and sisters-in-law, Patrick and Nanette Criddle of Suffolk, Va., and Jack and Doris Criddle of Arcadia, La.; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.

A funeral service was held May 25 in the Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home Chapel in Ansted. Interment followed in the Restlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

Obituaries can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com.

Arrangements by Crain Funeral Home, Franklinton, La.



Fred Ferguson

Fred Ferguson of Fayetteville died suddenly May 21, 2010.

Born Feb, 23, 1934, in McAlpin, he was the son of the late Harry and Sarah Ferguson.

Fred graduated from Richwood High School in 1952 where he played basketball for the Richwood Lumberjacks and then for West Virginia Tech where he graduated with a degree in printing.

He worked for The West Virginia Hillbilly and the Newsleader before becoming a federal mine inspector with MSHA in Mount Hope. He was a founding partner in Maben Energy Corporation in Raleigh and Wyoming counties in West Virginia.

He was an avid reader and enjoyed golf, gardening and bridge.

Surviving: his wife of 55 years, Sandra Comstock Ferguson; son, Mark Ferguson of Charleston and wife Tracy; daughter, Beth Gardner of Fayetteville and husband Jim; son, Brian Ferguson of Oak Hill; brothers and sisters, Lillian Taylor of Wyoming, Jim Ferguson of Summersville (Lucille), Joe Ferguson of Colorado (Wanda), Carl Ferguson of Arizona (Carmen), and Shelia Morris of Tennessee (David); and grandchildren, Jamie, Sarah, Christopher and Mary Caroline Ferguson of Charleston, Joel and Laura Fernett of Fayetteville, and Lucas and Jessica Gardner of Oak Hill.

A private family service is planned.

A memorial fund has been established in Fred’s name for a memorial bench on the White Oak Rail Trail. Contributions may be sent to City of Oak Hill, PO Box 1245, Oak Hill, WV 25901-1245, Attention: Memorial Bench.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



David Franklin Goode

David F. Goode, 77, died May 17, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas. 

Born Oct. 22, 1932, in Oak Hill, he was the son of the late Ernest and Mary Goode, nee Penrod, of Oak Hill. He also was preceded in death by his brother, William R. Goode.

Following graduation from Oak Hill High School in 1950, Mr. Goode joined the U.S. Marine Corps. After serving four years with the Marine Corps, Mr. Goode entered federal civil service for 19 months prior to entering the U.S. Air Force in 1955. Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1972, he again entered the federal civil service, retiring in 1998.

His military decorations included the Korea Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal.

Mr. Goode was a member of Masonic Lodge #10 in Taipei, Taiwan.  

Surviving: son, Jason of Dallas, Texas; brother, Thomas Goode (Jane) of O’Fallon, Ill.; nephew, Clifford Goode of Ft. Collins, Colo.; niece, Debra Bond (Phillip), and great-niece, Kelsen Bond, all of Kula, Hawaii; nephew, Brandon Goode (Sarah) of O’Fallon; cousin, Ann Bailes (Maxwell) of Hurricane; and a cousin, Robert Smith (Sandra) of Cleveland, Ohio.

Graveside services were held at the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas, on May 21. Full military honors were provided by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard followed by the Masonic rites rendered by members of the Alamo Masonic Lodge #44 of San Antonio. Burial immediately followed the services.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33067 or at www.shriners4kids.com.



Mary Jane Hicks

Mary Jane Hicks, 89, of Layland, died May 18, 2010, at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, Ronceverte, following a short illness.

Born April 13, 1921, at Landisburg, she was the daughter of the late Franklin Pierce and Roebertha Bostic Smith. She also was preceded in death by her husband, James Clarence Hicks (1997); sisters, Charlotte Sheaves, Beuffa Rose, Beulah Bennett, and Frances Shuck; and brothers, Clayton, Buster, George, John “Logie” and Walter Smith.

Mary was an active member of Chestnut Knob Baptist Church of Layland, and a homemaker.

She enjoyed gardening and loved the outdoors.

Surviving: sons, James F. Hicks (Gayle) of Lewisburg and Clarence C. Hicks (Margie) of Mount Hope; sisters, Mildred Ramsey (Bob) of Beckley, and Hilda Lee Critchley (Johnny) of Landisburg; brothers, Andrew Jack Smith (Janice) of Beckley, Leonard Smith (Ann) of Russellville, and Lucian Smith (Kathy) of Beckley; grandchildren, Jimmy, Christi, Natalie and John; great-grandchildren, Ryan, Casey, Sydney, and Nicky; and special caregiver, Shirley Hicks of White Sulphur Springs.

Services were May 21 at the Chestnut Knob Baptist Church of Layland, with Pastor Floyd Bolen officiating. Burial followed in Layland Cemetery, Layland.

Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace of Rainelle.



Dillard ‘D.J.’ Jack

Dillard “D.J.” Jack, 50, of Beckley, died May 19, 2010, at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley.

Born Aug. 22, 1959, at Beckley, he was the son of Arlene Bailey Jack Williams of North Sand Branch and the late Franklin Jack and stepson of the late Lorn Williams.

D.J. was employed at Pocahontas Coal Company and had been a proud coal miner for 20 years.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He and Donna enjoyed hunting at Jim Bender’s Farm in Braxton County and doing his fishing at Bluestone Dam.

Surviving, in addition to his mother: wife, Donna Renee Stover Jack; daughter, Christina Elaine Hopkins and husband David of North Sand Branch; stepbrothers, Buford Williams and wife Diane of Clear Creek, Cecil Williams and wife Connie of Clear Creek and Timmy Williams and wife Kathy of Naoma;  grandchildren, who were the joy of his life, Devin Elaine and David Alan “Little Man” Hopkins of Prince-wick; and a host of other family and friends.

Services were May 22 at Tyree Funeral Home in Mount Hope with Pastor Emmett Word officiating. Burial was at Stover Family Cemetery at Fulton.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.



Kathryn Elizabeth Kenney

Kathryn Elizabeth Kenney, 84, of Mount Hope, died May 21, 2010, at Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill.

Born Aug. 14, 1925, in Clifton Forge, Va., she was the daughter of the late Luther “Perk” Nowlin  and Mary Mosley Nowlin. She also was preceded in death by her husband, James Kenney; her sisters, Irene Fore, Rosetta Dean, and Gertrude Nowlin; an aunt, Dorothy Baker; and an uncle, William Mosley.

Kathryn shared her birthday with her oldest sister, Irene, and her oldest daughter, Jeanette.

Kathryn was a faithful member of the Hillgrove Baptist Church of Derryhale, where she served as an usher, choir member, and church clerk from 1965 until the church closed in 2003. She attended the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church of Minden until her health prevented her from attending.

Also, Kathryn was a member of the WV Baptist Quartet Convention, The New River District Baptist Usher’s Federation, and served as secretary of the New River District Music Convention. She loved praising the Lord through song, her children, taking care of others, and spending time with family and friends.

Surviving: children, David (Nettie) Nowlin of Indianapolis, Ind., Edward (Carolyn) Nowlin of Montgomery, James “June” Kenney of Cleveland, Ohio, Jeanette (Gary) Morris of Columbus, Ohio, Cathy Mason of Los Angeles, Calif., and Donald (Eva) Kenney and Barbara Kenney of Mt. Hope; special nephews, James (Ruth) Brown of Washington, D.C., and Sylvester “Butch” (Denise) Nowlin of Columbus, Ohio; grandchildren, Paul, Michael, Pam, Shea, Adrianne, Monique, Brandon, Alyson, Janeisha, and Jauron; eight great-grandchildren; special friends, Beatrice Lett and Hazel Summerville; and a host of nieces, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at the United Missionary Baptist Church, 205 S. Fayette Avenue, Mt. Hope, with the Rev. Clifford Riley, Rev. Phillip Copney, Rev. Calvin Moore Sr. and Rev. Larry Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity.

Friends may call one hour prior to the services at the church.

Condolences may be e-mailed to ritchie-johnson@ suddenlinkmail.com.

Arrangements by Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.



Deanna Sue Akers Kirk

Deanna Sue Akers Kirk, 68, of Oak Hill, died May 9, 2010, in Princeton.

Born Oct. 13, 1941, at Oak Hill, she was the daughter of Arthur A. Akers Sr. and his wife, Lina M. Akers, of Rainelle, and Margie V. Fisher Jordan and her husband, Charles L. Jordan, of Fredericksburg, Va.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Richard Kirk.

Deanna was a 1959 graduate of Collins High School in Oak Hill and retired from Plateau Medical Center.

Surviving: daughter, Kimberly K. Newberger of Lookout; son, Christopher S. Kirk of Tehachapi, Calif.; brother, Arthur A. Akers Jr. of Fredericksburg, Va.; sisters, Linda A. Morris of Carefree, Ariz., and Jane C. Johnson of Spotsylvania, Va.; half-brother, Jeffrey A. Akers of Bruceton Mills; half-sister, Joan C. Hypes of Rainelle; and a granddaughter, Megan V. Kirk of Lookout.

A memorial service was held May 22 at the Jones Avenue First Church of God in Oak Hill.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Wanda Mae McMillion

Wanda Mae McMillion, 73, of Fayetteville, died May 13, 2010, at Bowers Hospice House, Beckley.

Born Sept. 14, 1936, at Kincaid, she was the daughter of the late Howard William and Ruby Scott McMillion. She also was preceded in death by her sisters, Deloris Adams and Mildred Rice.

Mrs. McMillion was a member of Shepherd Worship Center-Hand in Hand Missions at Summerlee, and she was a homemaker.

Surviving: her daughters, Margaret Dilley of Oak Hill, Claudia Lanham of Fayetteville, Vanessa Green of Oak Hill and Tina White of Fayetteville; son Bernard Green of Lookout; brother William H. McMillion of Powellton; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held May 16 at Shepherd Worship Center-Hand in Hand Missions at Summerlee, with Pastor Randy McGuire and Pastor Jerry Bush officiating.

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

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



Fefa M. Passalaqua

Fefa M. Passalaqua, 88, of Oak Hill, formerly of Beckley, died May 21, 2010, at Plateau Medical Center after a long illness.

Born Aug. 8, 1921, at Winding Gulf, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Mary Randazzo Passalaqua. She also was preceded in death by her twin sister, Lena F. Passalaqua Hamrick; brother-in-law, E.K. Hamrick; nephew, Toney Passal; and her loving niece, Linda Ann Passal Williams.

Surviving: her devoted brother, Steve F. Passal and his wife, Bonnie, of Fayetteville; nephews, John Hamrick and wife Marie and Kennith Hamrick, all of Beckley; nieces, Donna Passal of New Jersey, Vickie Passal Harper and husband Mark of Palm Beach, Fla., and Theresa Blevins and husband Scott of Fayetteville; great-nephew who was the joy of her life, Ryan Richmond and wife Nicki, and little Madison; her great-niece whom she loved so much, Stephanie Ann Richmond of Fayetteville; and her lifelong friend, Pauline Treola of Tennessee.

Graveside service and burial were May 24 at Sunset Memorial Park with Father Paul Yuenger officiating. There was no visitation.

Cards of sympathy may be sent to Steve Passal, Rt. 3, Box 46B, Fayetteville, WV 25840.

Online condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com.

Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.



Ethel Bell ‘Beulah’ Phillips

Ethel Bell “Beulah” Phillips, 83, of Kincaid, died May 23, 2010, at Bowers Hospice House.

Born March 6, 1927, at Kincaid, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Edward and Nora Pennington Kincaid Rinehart. She also was preceded in death by her husband, George Howard Phillips, on Feb. 16, 2010; sisters, Hattie Gent, Patsy O’Daniel Boyd, Dicksie Hunt, Nathalie Harler and Jessie Smith; and  brothers, Richard Ingram and Lacy and Ernest Kincaid.

Mrs. Phillips was a sales clerk/cashier, having worked at the Midget Market, IGA on Jones Avenue in Oak Hill and at Butch’s IGA.

She was a graduate of South Charleston High School’s Class of 1945 and a member of the Kincaid United Methodist Church.

In her spare time she enjoyed quilting and crocheting.

Surviving: daughters, Judith Casto of Poca, Shari Vest of Salem, Va., and Tammy Phillips of Roanoke, Va.; sons, Gregory Phillips of Douglasville, Ga., and Steward Phillips of Marietta, Ga.; grandchildren, Will-iam Leon Franklin Jr. of Hinton and Christopher Phillips of Greer, S.C.; and great-grandchildren, Joshua, Eli and Gabriel Franklin and Alexander Phillips.

Funeral services were May 26 at the Tyree Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with Rev. William Slates officiating. Burial followed in High Lawn Memorial Park.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Helen Ann Radford

Helen Ann Radford, 85, of Beckley, died May 19, 2010.

Born March 28, 1925, in Fayette County, she was the daughter of the late John Bernath and Elizabeth Kovac Bernath. She also was preceded in death by six brothers, six sisters, and a grandson, Kenny Radford.

Helen loved gardening and was a member of the Stanaford Baptist Church.

Surviving: her husband, William Radford of Beckley; daughter, Theresa Wilson and husband Larry of Louisville, Ky.; sons, Michael Radford of Surfside, S.C., Steven Radford and wife Judy of Beckley, and William Radford of Edgewater, Md.; daughter, Nora Radford of Ghent; sisters, Martha McGoskey and husband George of Ravenswood, and Irene Rader of Seabrook, Md.; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Services were May 22 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Pastor George Wood officiating. Following the services Helen was laid to rest at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

Online condolences and other information can be found by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.



Willa M. Vandall

Willa M. Vandall, 75, of Meadow Bridge, died May 21, 2010, following a short illness.

Born July 25, 1934, in Danese, she was the daughter of the late Cecil E. and Nancy E. Bennett Bragg. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Robert W. Vandall, in 2009, and a sister-in-law, Janice Bragg.

Willa was retired from the Fayette County Board of Education where she worked for 25 years as a secretary.

She was of the Baptist faith and a member of the Spring Dale women’s club for five years.

Surviving: sons, Steve Vandall and his partner, Neal Carroll, and Michael W. Vandall and wife Sandra, all of Henderson, N.C.; sister, Kathryn Claypool and husband Cody of Midland, N.C.; brothers, Larry Bragg and wife Karen of Cessatt, S.C., Jimmy Bragg and wife Shirley of Ramsey and Don Bragg of Danese; and grandchildren, Chris Vandall and wife Dava of Burgaw, N.C., Anthony Vandall of Cary, N.C., and Benjamin Vandall of Henderson, N.C.

Services were May 26 at the Wallace & Wallace Chapel in Rainelle with Pastor Bob Meadows officiating. Entombment followed in the Wallace Memorial Mausoleum in Clintonville.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace, Inc., of Rainelle.



William ‘Bill’ Lee Wilson

William “Bill” Lee Wilson, 80, of Rt. 2, Fayetteville, died May 19, 2010, at Hilltop Center in Hilltop.

Born Oct. 23, 1929, at Lawton, he was the son of the late Howard Jesse and Alma Blosser Wilson. Four brothers, one sister and two great-grandchildren also preceded him in death.

He retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years and retired from Elkem Metals of Alloy with 23 years’ service.

Mr. Wilson was a member of the Church of the Nazarene, Oak Hill.

Surviving: his wife, Margie Leedy Wilson; son, Ronald Ray and wife Linda of Vicksburg, Miss.; daughter, Carol Errington and husband Bob of Oak Hill; brother, Donald Wilson of Oak Hill; grandchildren, Dina Facello of North Carolina, Robbie Errington and wife Michele of Fayetteville, Sharon Spraker and husband Mark of Tennessee and Susan Errington of Fayetteville; nine great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Services were May 22 at the Church of the Nazarene in Oak Hill with Pastor Jerry Bush and Pastor Ronald Ray officiating. Entombment was at High Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Oak Hill with military graveside rites by VFW Post #3110 of Oak Hill.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.