Obituaries -- Thursday, December 18, 2008

Virginia Mae Tincher Cobb Clay

Virginia Mae Tincher Cobb Clay, 87, of Page, died Dec. 9, 2008, at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley.

Born Sept. 2, 1921, at Dempsey, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Eunice Scott Tincher. Her first husband, Homer R. Cobb Jr.; second husband, Edward Clay; three infant children; five brothers, Basil, Jesse, Luther, Leonard and Phillip Tincher; and two sisters, Alma Wolford and Hester Shrader, also preceded her in death.

Mrs. Clay was a member of the Kincaid First Church of God and the Women of the Church of God. She was a homemaker.

Surviving: sons, Thomas G. Cobb and wife, Cheryl, Paul Allen Cobb and wife, Barbara, and Robbie Wayne Cobb and wife, Mary Ellen, all of Page; daughter, Kathy Sue Thomas and husband, Will, of Roanoke, Va.; stepsons, Floyd Clay and wife, Kathy, of Kincaid, Ronald Clay and wife, Jeannie, of Robson and Donald Clay of Page; stepdaughters, Mary Price and husband, Sydney, of Ingram Branch and Marlene Rogers and husband, David, of Charlottesville, Va.; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, four step grandchildren; and seven step great-grandchildren.

Service was Dec. 13 at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill with the Rev. Gerald Grant and the Rev. Delmas Wolfe officiating. Burial was at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



M. June Owens Comer

M. June Owens Comer, 83, of Charlotte, N.C., formerly of Minden, died Dec. 11, 2008.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Shirley Ann Tincher Compton

Shirley Ann Tincher Compton, 71, of Gatewood, died Dec. 10, 2008, at Plateau Medical Center following a long illness.

Born Aug. 28, 1937, at Gatewood, she was the daughter of the late Lee Ballard and Lilly Fridley Tincher. She also was preceded in death by brothers, Ray R., Charles E., Billy W., and Leonard E. Tincher, and sisters, Dorothy M. and Edith M. Tincher; a son-in-law, James R. Fox; and two great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Compton attended Garten Pentecostal Holiness Church; she dedicated her life to the Lord and showed her love for Him through her beautiful singing and piano playing for 23 faithful years. Many were blessed by her service to the Lord.

Surviving: her loving and devoted husband of 50 years, Aldon Compton; children, Pamela Kay Reed and husband, Raleigh, of Oak Island, N.C., Sandra Faye Sears and husband, Robert Jr., of Brooklyn, Frances Ann Lewis and husband, David, of Brooklyn, and Yvonne Lynn Blankenship and husband, John, of Gatewood; 19 grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Bowman and husband, Scotty, Kelly Elaine Helton and husband, Ronald, Kimberly Danielle Fox and companion, Jason, PFC Benjamin James Fox, Hannah Lorraine Fox, Shannon Ashley Reed, Daniel Thomas Mullins and wife, Cynthia, Joseph Aldon Mullins and companion, Teresa, Robert Harold Sears III, Jimmy Aaron Coles Lewis and wife, Janie, David Ezra Lewis and wife, Katie, Caleb and Elijah Lewis, LeBreska, Jon-Paul and Andrew Blankenship, Kathryn, Rachel and Michael Reed; and 12 great-grandchildren, Brianna and Isaiah Scott Bowman, Ronald Helton II, Tyler Bryce and Alyssa Mullins, Isaiah James Lewis, Ian Rakes, Carter Grant Lewis, Joshua, Isaiah, Tyler and Jennifer N. Reed.

Funeral services were held Dec. 13 at High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with the Rev. Larry Humphreys and Jackie Pittman officiating. Burial followed in Bibb Cemetery, Wonderland.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.



Edward E. Elmore Sr.

Edward E. Elmore Sr., 70, of Oak Hill, died Dec. 10, 2008, at Plateau Medical Center, Oak Hill.

Born Dec. 4, 1938, at Mount Hope, he was the son of the late Otha Elmore and Minnie Mae Hutchinson Elmore. He also was preceded in death by one son, two brothers, and two sisters.

Mr. Elmore was a self-employed carpenter, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Surviving: his wife, Veronica Elmore of Oak Hill; sons, Edward Eugene Elmore Jr. of Minden, Jimmy N. Elmore and wife, Michelle, of Lochgelly, and Gary Elmore and wife, Lauvina, of Oak Hill; a daughter, Sarah Elmore Jeffries and husband, Carl, of Sun; 15 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Service was Dec. 15 at the High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with Matthew Bowyer officiating. Burial followed in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill. Military honors were conducted by the VFW Post No. 3110 and American Legion No. 149 Honor Guard.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Bobby Joe Evans

Bobby Joe Evans, 52, of Glen Jean, died Dec. 9, 2008, at Montgomery.

Born Dec. 31, 1955, at Oak Hill, he was the son of the late Hubert and Pansy Ellen Swanigan Evans and stepson of Madge Willis Evans of Oak Hill. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Hubert Lee “Buddy” Evans Jr. and Jimmy Wayne Evans.

Bobby was a former miner and W.Va. Department of Highways employee.

Surviving: wife, Barbara Louise Parker Evans; daughter, Angel Evans of Glen Jean; sons, Christopher Evans and wife, Tina, Michael Evans and Timothy Evans, all of Glen Jean; brother, Thomas R. “Tom” Evans of Oak Hill; stepbrothers, Russell Weis of Fayetteville and Earlin Weis of Virginia; a stepsister, Alice Sutphin of Oak Hill; his grandchildren, Austin Evans of Glen Jean, and Destiny Evans and Hailey Gardner, both of Summersville; daughter-in-law, Wanda Jones of Summersville; niece, Frani Marshall and husband, Dwayne, of Oak Hill; his lifelong friend, Jimmy Parker of Scarbro; and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services were Dec. 14 at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, with Rev. Debbie Minor officiating. Burial was at the Smith Family Cemetery, Oak Hill.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Jewell W. Fazio

Jewell W. Fazio, 84, of Country Club Road, Oak Hill, died Dec. 10, 2008, at her home.

Born Nov. 1, 1924, at Pax, she was the daughter of the late Joseph E. Williams and Emma Blake Williams. She also was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill and Joseph Williams.

Mrs. Fazio was a school teacher for many years.

Surviving: her husband, Ernest Fazio; daughter, Terri Fleshman and husband, Michael, of Hinton; five nephews and one niece.

Committal service was Dec. 12 at High Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Oak Hill with Pastor Grover Morris officiating. Entombment followed in High Lawn Memorial Park.

Donations of sympathy may be made in her honor to the Bowers Hospice House, PO Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.



Gloria Ann ‘Ankin’ Hall Gulick

Gloria Ann “Ankin” Hall Gulick, 67, of Ansted, died Dec. 6, 2008, at home after an extended illness.

Born July 2, 1941, at Beards Fork, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Howard Hall and Clara Dorris Dempsey. She also was preceded in death by her brothers, Thomas Dempsey “John” Hall, Robert Lee “Rink” Hall, James Wesley Hall and Donald Keith Hall; sisters, Ruth Colleen Musgrave and Barbara Ellen Horrocks; nephew, John Timothy Horrocks; and beloved niece, Krystal Lea Taylor.

Gloria was an amazingly vibrant woman who loved to help others. She was an active volunteer and a longstanding Pythian Sister. She loved spending time with her beloved great-grandchildren and was an outstanding mother and grandmother. Her love for her family was the greatest gift imaginable and she will be missed dearly by all who were touched by her kindness.

Surviving: her daughter, Angela Hall; grandson, Michael Hall and wife, Ronda; and great-grandchildren, Ryan Hall and Suzannah Hall, all of Ansted.

A memorial service was conducted Dec. 13 at the Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home Chapel in Ansted.

Condolences may be sent to PO Box 58, Ansted, WV 25812.

Arangements by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Ansted.



Margaret Evelyn Bailey Helton

Margaret Evelyn Bailey Helton, 92, of Mount Hope, died Dec. 8, 2008, at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley.

Born Feb. 26, 1916, at Skelton, she was the daughter of the late Emmett and Mary Maschal Bailey. She also was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, J.B. Helton; brothers, Bill, Marlin, Russell and Jack Bailey; and sister, Lois Bailey.

Mrs. Helton was a member of the Mount Hope Christian Church, where she served faithfully as choir director, Sunday school teacher and church treasurer for many years. She was active in the women’s work of the church, had served as president of the CWF and the Arminta Philathea Class. She was currently a member of the Women’s Christian Fellowship at the church, where she served as treasurer for 28 years. She and her husband were active in the youth programs of the church and served many years as leaders of the Christian Youth Fellowship.

Margaret and J.B. were faithful workers in the Oak Grove Christian Church for eight years and were charter members of the Oak Hill Christian Church.

Surviving: sons, Jim Helton and wife, Bonnie, of Mount Hope, Jerry L. Helton and wife, Drema, of Mount Hope and Tom Helton of Bluefield, Va.; grandchildren, Debbie Helton, Carol Mottram and Sharon Helton of Sacramento, Calif., Jerry Helton Jr. and wife, Amy, of Beckley, Jason Helton of Layland, and Matthew Helton of Bluefield, Va.; step-grandchildren, Dave Pack of Sullivan Road and Lisa Oakes of Cool Ridge; and great-grandchildren include Michael Tessmann of Mount Hope, Daniel Helton of Sacramento, Calif., Justin Helton of Pax, Jamie Helton of Beckley and Jonas Helton of Beckley.

Service was Dec. 11 at Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope, with Minister Julian Grubb and Minister Merle Pope officiating. Entombment was at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Prosperity.

Donations of sympathy may be made to the Mount Hope Christian Church, PO Box 449, Mount Hope, WV 25880.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.



Dearl O. Johnson

Dearl O. Johnson, 78, of Beckley, a native of Page, died Nov. 27, 2008, at Pinecrest Hospital, Beckley.

Born Jan. 22, 1930, at Page, he was the son of the late Roy Johnson and Ethel Nickols Johnson. He also was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Toombs Johnson; and brothers, Lawrence, Layman, Eugene and Leroy Johnson.

Mr. Johnson was of the Baptist faith. He was a member of the Oak Hill Masonic Lodge. His hobbies included carpentry work and he was an avid fisherman and hunter.

Surviving: his son, Eric Johnson and wife, Carla, of Fayetteville; a sister, Irene “Hinky” Johnson of Page; and two granddaughters.

A special memorial service was held Dec. 13 at the Rivers Expedition Lodge in Fayetteville.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Irene Mildred Smith Kenney

Irene Mildred Smith Kenney, 91, died Dec. 9, 2008, at Elkins Regional Convalescent Center.

Born June 24, 1917, at Landisburg, she was the daughter of the late Minor and Zona Smith. Irene also was preceded in death by her husband, Noah Kenney; her children, Dorothy Romano, and twin sons Rushie Kenney and Russell Kenney; and her siblings, Bernard, Junior, Kenneth, Curtis and John Smith.

Irene was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Irene will be greatly missed and loved by all who knew her.

Surviving: son, Stanley Kenney of Bloomingrose; daughter, JoAnn Watkins and husband, Robert, of Elkins; brother, Terry Smith of Hurricane; grandchildren, Angela Kenney, Steve Kenney, Mark Romano, Randall Watkins and Marsha Watkins McAtee; and great-grandchildren, Ashley and Sierra Watkins, Elizabeth Kenney, Adam and Jared Romano and Sommer and Landon McAtee.

Funeral service was Dec. 12 at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Rainelle with the Rev. Robert Watkins officiating.

The family requests contributions be made to Hospice Care or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace of Rainelle.



Betty J. Nutter

Betty J. Nutter, 66, of Lost Creek, a native of Fayette County, died Dec. 12, 2008, at United Hospital Center in Clarksburg, following an ongoing illness.

Born April 26, 1942, in Ansted, she was the daughter of the late Lovell R. and Navada I. Fox Nutter. She also was preceded in death by a brother, William Nutter.

She graduated from Ansted High School with honors. She enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps in 1961, receiving her basic training at Ft. McClellan, Ala., and her AIT at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. Her military speciality was in the medical field.

After her honorable discharge from the military, Betty attended Morris Harvey College in Charleston. While attending college, she worked at the Charleston Memorial Hospital.

She earned her B.S. degree from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. While there, she worked with the Veterans Administration Medical Center. She went on to earn her master’s degree in nursing at West Virginia University in Morgantown. Betty worked at St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson, Miss., where she was a nurse in the most advanced post-op cardiovascular care unit of any hospital in that state in 1975. She was a nursing instructor at Richmond VA Medical Center in the 1980s. She retired from the VA Medical Center in Clarksburg in 1997. She was an RN MSN for 37 years. Her last assignment was Diabetes Educator. Betty was a brilliant nurse; she loved her profession, and worked many hours to help heal the sick. She was the initiator of the first accredited diabetes program at the VA Center in Clarksburg. Even though she survived two strokes, she was still a nurse at heart and worried that she didn’t always do her best. She won many accolades from wherever she worked during her lifetime.

Betty was a Christian of the Protestant faith. She was baptized at Victor Baptist Church in Victor. She never used God’s name in vain. She was a very good and honest person who loved everyone. She also loved animals, flowers, antiques, and food.

Surviving: a niece, Natalie Nutter of Macungie, Pa.; nephews, Bryce Nutter and Mark Nutter; her stepmother, Virginia Steele Nutter; her best friend and caregiver, Jeanne Miller of Lost Creek; and Aunt Bessie Fox of Ansted; and several cousins.

Memorial service was Dec. 15 at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home Chapel in Ansted.

Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace of Ansted.



Harold Clinton Painter

Harold Clinton Painter, 76, of Dothan, died Dec. 14, 2008, at Nicholas County Nursing and Rehab Center in Richwood.

Born Aug. 13, 1932, at Carlisle, he was the son of the late Harry A. “Sweetie” and Eula Jane Terry Painter. He also was preceded in death by his brother, Clifton “Tippy” Painter, and an infant sister, Patsy Painter.

Harold was retired having been a 12-year employee for the W.Va. Division of Highways. He also worked as a coal miner for seven years at Oakwood Mines and for Long-Airdox in Oak Hill for 23 years.

He was a Baptist by faith.

Mr. Painter was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.

Surviving: wife, Irma Clare Payne Painter; son, Tom Painter and wife, Barbara, of Oak Hill; daughters, Vicki Harris and companion Charlie Wriston of Mossy and Donna Painter of Lexington, Ky.; sister, Audrey Painter Love and husband, Shirley, of Oak Hill; brothers, Lee Painter and wife, Mable, of Pine Valley, Calif., and William Painter and wife, Bertha, of Columbia, S.C.; grandchildren, Timothy Harris and wife, Lucinda, and Ka Painter; and a great-granddaughter, Madison Clare Harris.

Services will be Friday, Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, with Rev. Lum Toney officiating. Burial will be at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill, with military graveside rites by VFW Post #3110 of Oak Hill and Masonic Rites by Oak Hill Lodge No. 120 A.F. and A.M.

Visitation will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18 at Tyree Funeral Home.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Brenda Sue Garrett Pino

Brenda Sue Garrett Pino, of Mount Hope, died Dec. 11, 2008, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, following a short illness.

Born Sept. 23, 1950, in Mount Hope, she was the daughter of the late Hugh Lynn and Virginia Eloise Burton Garrett of Mount Hope. She also was preceded in death by two brothers, Donnie Garrett and baby Buddy, and a baby sister, Sandra Lynn.

She was a 1968 graduate of Mount Hope High School. She was a Christian with a strong faith in the Lord.

Mrs. Pino worked as a real estate agent for many years, but retired to become a full-time caregiver to her mother, whom she loved dearly. She loved spending time with her family, but especially enjoyed being a grandmother and baking cookies and cakes with her grandchildren.

She also enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, planting flowers, and gardening. Brenda was loved by all and was selfless. She put others’ needs before her own and she never met a stranger.

Surviving: her sons, Patrick Shawn Pino of Mount Hope and Christopher Lynn Pino and wife Leslie Pino of Ramsey; her daughter, Regina Ann (Pino) Bell and husband Theodore Wayne Bell II of Fayetteville; brothers, Ronald Garrett and wife Peggy of Mount Hope and Timothy Garrett and wife Ramona Garrett of Ansted, and their families; her beloved grandchildren, starting with first born, Adam Pino, Alex Pino, Alysia Sedlock, Avina Sedlock, Jarek Pino, Jakob Pridemore, and Maya Pino; additional family and friends also close to her heart, Lou Ann Gilkey and Lisa Haggerty who were her best friends, Pasquale Pino Jr., the father of their children, Pasquale and Patricia Pino of Oak Hill, Angela, Joshua, and Jessica Pino; and, of course, many others.

A memorial service was held Dec. 16 at Tyree Funeral Home in Mount Hope, with Rev. Jerry Cantley officiating.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.



Rachael Elaine Bragg Riffe

Rachael Elaine Bragg Riffe, 88, of Oak Hill, died Dec. 10, 2008, at Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill.

Born June 27, 1920, at Kincaid, she was the daughter of the late Jobe and Cora Kincaid Bragg. Her husband of 65 years, Russell Lewis Riffe Sr., and son, Russell Lewis Riffe Jr., preceded her in death on the same day, July 12, 2005. She also was preceded by a brother, James Bragg, and sisters, Martha Bragg Huffman and Naomi Bragg Poff.

She was a retired beautician and retired from the Fayette County Committee on Aging.

Mrs. Riffe was a member of the Oak Hill United Methodist Church where she sang in the church choir.

Surviving: daughter, Rhonda Riffe Sutphin of Oak Hill; sisters, Ruth Bragg Dodd of Georgia and Mary Evelyn Alberchinski of Fayetteville; and grandchildren, Mark Riffe and Rebecca Riffe, both of Virginia.

Services were Dec. 13 at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, with Rev. William Slates and Dr. Charles Miller officiating. Entombment was at High Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Oak Hill.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Calvin Coolidge ‘CC’ Smith

Calvin Coolidge “CC” Smith, 85, of Lookout, formerly of Oak Hill and Dempsey, died Dec. 13, 2008, at Summersville Memorial Hospital, from a sudden illness.

Born Oct. 31, 1923, at Dempsey, he was the son of the late Homer H. Smith and Lillian Belle Baughn Smith. He also was preceded in death by sisters, Grace A. Blake, Mildred Smith, and Helen Ball; and brothers, W. Howard Smith, Charles H. Smith, Claude B. “Bun” Smith, Thomas E. Smith, Albert Smith, and Harold W. “Bud” Smith.

Calvin attended the Nazarene Church in Oak Hill. He was a crane operator for Union Carbide at Alloy for 36 years and served for six years in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

Calvin enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing. He loved the outdoors, but most of all, he loved his family, especially his granddaughters. Having his family around him meant the world to him and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Surviving: his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Crookshanks Smith; sons, Michael Alan Smith of Oak Hill and his fiancee, Robin Layne of Nitro, and Billy Joe Smith of Lookout; a daughter, Debbie L. Herbaugh and husband Kevin of Lookout; granddaughters, Katie Smith and Jessica Herbaugh; and a sister, Ann Mansfield and husband Herb of Bear, Del.

Funeral service was Dec. 16 at the High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with the Rev. Jerry Bush officiating. Entombment followed in High Lawn Memorial Park with military rites by the Oak Hill VFW Post 3110 and the American Legion Post No. 149 Honor Guard.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.



Gerald Marshall Thompson

Gerald Marshall Thompson, 43, of 59 Collinwood Acres, Oak Hill, died Dec. 8, 2008, at his home following a long illness.

Born Dec. 13, 1964, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of Guy M. and Judith Bazzie Thompson of Woodlawn, Va.

Mr. Thompson was disabled and was of the Baptist faith. He had been a resident of Oak Hill for several years, having grown up in Beckley.

Surviving, in addition to his parents: his loving wife, Jeannie Boone Thompson; a son, Jason Thompson of Front Royal, Va.; stepsons, Troy Sifers and wife, Billie, of Roanoke, Va., and Greg Sifers of Martinsburg; a sister, Tricia Warrick and husband, Paul, of Galax, Va.; father-in-law, Roy Boone of Hilldale; brother-in-law, Michael Boone and wife, Sharon, of Monroe, N.C.; nieces, Summer and Hailey Warrick of Galax; and a nephew, Levi Warrick of Galax.

Service was Dec. 12 at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel in Hinton with Pastor Ronny Harrison and the Rev. Sterling Morgan officiating. Burial followed in the Richmond Cemetery at Sandstone.

Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton.



Lawrence Edward ‘Tommy’ Thompson

Lawrence Edward “Tommy” Thompson, 65, of Rt. 1, Fayetteville, died at his home Dec. 12, 2008.

Born March 12, 1943, at Salem Road, Oak Hill, he was the son of the late Emmett H. Thompson and Ruby Mae Garrett Thompson Wheeler. He also was preceded in death by sisters, Lois Faye Hodges, Delphine Myers, Patsy Weaver, and an infant sister, Bobbi Jo Thompson; and a brother, James Thompson.

He was retired from Dunn Coal and Dock at Cannelton and was a former butcher at Midget Market.

Tommy was a member of Harvey Chapel United Methodist Church for 51 years, during which time he served as Sunday school superintendent, lay leader, and teacher. He was a member of Oak Hill Masonic Lodge No. 120 A.F.&A.M.;, was a 1961 graduate of Collins High School, Oak Hill, and was a member of the UMWA District 17.

Surviving: his wife, Lois Belle Tincher Thompson; sons, Larry Thompson and his wife, Tammy, of Rt. 1, Fayetteville, and Terry Thompson and his wife, Kelly, of Fayetteville; a granddaughter, Tyler Marie Thompson; grandsons, Garrett Thompson and Kyle Thompson; a sister, Joyce Ferro of Huntington; and a brother, Elmas Thompson of Mineral Wells.

Funeral services was Dec. 15 at Tyree Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with Rev. Ronnie Persinger and Rev. Robert Pauley officiating. Burial follow at High Lawn Memorial Park with Masonic rites conducted by Oak Hill Lodge No. 120 A.F.&A.M.;

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



William Kenneth Vance

William Kenneth Vance, 79, of Saline, Mich., formerly of Kilsyth and Mount Hope, died Dec. 2, 2008, with his loving family by his side at St. Joseph Hospital, Milan, Mich.

Born April 6, 1929, in Glade, he was the oldest son of the late McKinley and Hattie (Martin) Vance. He also was preceded in death by four infant brothers.

Ken served in the Army Airborne Division (101st) in Germany as an MP, from 1951-53. He worked at Milan Screw Products for over 30 years, including 21 years there with his son, Dale.

After retiring, he enjoyed working in his one-acre garden and on his 1941 Dodge WC truck, which his father had purchased for him as his first truck. Ken enjoyed driving his truck in the Memorial Day parade in Saline.

Surviving: his wife of nearly 55 years, Reva (Elkins); sons, Ken Jr. and wife Penny and Dale and his girl friend and a daughter Debbie and her husband; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brothers, Donald Mack and wife Wanda of Aurora, Ohio, and Archie Vance and wife Elizabeth of Red Star; sisters, Mamie Cole of Carthage, Ind., Mary Garrett of Cleveland, Ohio, Ethel Johnson and husband Billy Joe of Mt. Hope, Alice Coleman and husband Tommy Joe of Scarbro, Betty Burton and husband Bernard of Rt. 1, Mt. Hope, and Drema Helton and husband Jerry of Mt. Hope.

Service was held in the Ochalek-Stark Funeral Home, Milan, Mich. Burial followed in Marble Park Cemetery, Milan.

Contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

Online at www.ochalekstark.com

Arrangements by Ochalek-Stark Funeral Home, Milan.



Ruth Mereda Williams

Ruth Mereda Williams, 77, formerly of Pax, died Dec. 12, 2008, at Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley, after a long illness.

Born June 27, 1931, at Artie, she was the daughter of the late Murphy and Ada Stover Williams. She also was preceded in death by brothers, Roland, Rex, and Thomas Williams; and sisters, Magdaline Williams and Annette Stover.

Surviving: her children, Allen Williams and wife, Traci, of Tucson, Ariz., Roger Williams of Maple Fork, Mark Williams of South Carolina, Jeanette (Sissy) Whitlow Carver and husband, Charles, of Edmond, and Timothy Williams and wife, Diane, of Mabscott; 11 grandchildren, Jennifer Williams of Mount Hope, Danny Whitlow Jr. of Bradley, Amanda Hollandsworth of Minden, Jeff Williams and Derek Williams of Maple Fork, Alysa Poorman, Nichole Williams, Jessi Williams, all of Tuscon, Ariz., Doug Williams of Maple Fork, Michael Lilly of Crab Orchard, and Luke Williams, currently serving in Iraq; 16 great-grandchildren; a sister, Doris Stover of Pax; and brothers, Lawrence Williams of Oak Hill and Gentry Williams of White Oak.

Funeral services were Dec. 16 at White Oak Advent Church at Artie, with Rev. Tom Lilly officiating. Burial followed at Ewings Creek Cemetery at Toney’s Fork.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.



Anna Evelyn Blake Witt

Anna Evelyn Blake Witt, 95, of Smoot, died Dec. 8, 2008, in Charleston, following a short illness.

Born Dec. 3, 1913, at Gatewood, she was the daughter of the late Omri N. and Helen Smith Blake. She also was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Eugene Robert Witt; a sister, Alma Blake Correll; a brother, Oscar J. Blake; a son-in-law, Robert C. Hampton; and a sister-in-law, Roberta Crouse Blake.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was homemaker who “lived in a little house beside the road” and was truly a friend to all who with whom she came in contact.

Winning blue ribbons at the West Virginia State Fair on the produce that she grew in her vegetable garden, on her flowers and on her sewing projects brought her personal satisfaction. She was a quilter who loved making something beautiful from her fabric scraps. Her children and grandchildren received wedding quilts created especially for them. All of her great-grandchildren received baby quilts or crocheted blankets.

Her years of volunteering at Greenbrier Manor, Lewisburg, were a joyful experience in her life. She leaves behind over 22 years of journals, recording what she considered important in her day-to-day life. Celebrating her 95th birthday was a huge milestone.

Surviving: brother, Milton H. Blake, of Barboursville; sister-in-law, Evelyn Lilly Blake, of Daleville, Va.; daughters, Louise Witt Hampton, of Lithonia, Ga., and Barbara Witt Smith and husband, Jim, of Big Chimney; her beloved grandchildren, Kelly Hampton Nadeau and husband, Marc, of Conyers, Ga., Jamie Smith Crites of Big Chimney, Maria Smith Leoni Sceti and husband, Elio, of Englefield Green, England, George M. Smith and wife Trina, of Big Chimney, and Anita Smith Garvalia and husband, John, of Bonita Springs, Fla.; and treasured great-grandchildren, David “DJ” and Breana Crites, Arianna, Alberto, Riccardo and Lorenzo Leoni Sceti, Claire and Elle Smith, Grace and Ava Garvalia.

A celebration of Evelyn’s life was held Dec. 12 at the McClung Memorial United Methodist Church, Smoot, where she had been a member and faithfully served God for over 65 years. The Rev. Larry Walker and the Rev. Paul Thompson were in charge of the service. Burial followed at Wallace Mmemorial Cemetery, Clintonville.

Memorials in her name may be made to her church, McClung Memorial United Methodist Church, Attention: Church Treasurer, 112 Otter Creek Road, Clintonville, WV 24928; or Hubbard Hospice House, 1001 Kennawa Drive, Charleston, WV 25311.

Please send online condolences by visiting www.wallaceandwallacefh.com.

Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg.

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