Obituaries — Thursday, June 11, 2009

Anna E. Lang Darby

Anna E. Lang Darby, 85, of Deepwater, died June 5, 2009, in Montgomery General Extended Care Unit after a long illness.

Born March 15, 1924, at Robson, she was the daughter of the late George and Laura Higgingbotham Robinson. She also was preceded in death by her first husband, William L. Lang, and their children, William L. Lang Jr. and Patricia Neff; her husband, William Darby; brothers, Monroe Robinson and Morris Robinson; a sister, Eva Berry; son-in-law, Sanford Manley; and grandchildren, Michael Lang and William Lang III.

Her daughter Alma Manley and granddaughter Diana Valentine were her caregivers for several years.

Mrs. Darby was retired from the YMCA at Handley where she served as a cook for 27 years.

Surviving: daughter, Alma J. Manley of Deepwater; sisters, Luvada Rising of Cleveland, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Mindy Lang of Cromwell, Ind.; grandchildren, Diana Valentine and her husband, Doug, Sharon Branenovich and her husband, Steve, Brenda Valentine and her husband, Robert, Teresa Wyant and her husband, James Jr., Donna Portz and husband Robert, Carol Phifer and her husband, Ken, Sanford Manley Jr. and his wife, Lisa, Eric Lang and wife Stacy, Jeannie Lang, Georgie Lang, Anita, Melissa Elkins and husband Gary and Shawn Neff; 25 great-grandchildren and seveb great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and cousins.

Service was June 9 at O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, with Rev. Aaron Valentine officiating. Entombment followed in Montgomery Memorial Park at London.

Arrangements by O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery.



Delphia Florence Gwinn

Delphia Florence Gwinn, 84, of Cleveland, Ohio, formerly of the Meadow Bridge area, died June 2, 2009, in the Cleveland Clinic.

Born Feb. 4, 1925, at Landisburg, she was the daughter of the late John and Maxie Shaver Smith. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Gwinn; brothers, John and Morton Smith; and a sister, Reba Duncan.

Mrs. Gwinn was a homemaker.

Surviving: brothers, Jack Smith of Hico and William Smith of Phoenix, Ariz; and sisters, Mae Zickafoose of Nitro and Virginia Gragg of Beckley.

Burial was June 5 in the Rest Lawn Memory Garden at Ansted, following recitation of the 23rd Psalm and prayer by her pastor and friend, Pastor Jim Hurst.

Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.



Cecil G. Holliday

Cecil G. Holliday, 92, of Mt. Hope, formerly of Powellton, died June 7, 2009, at Clark Christian Care in East Bank.

Born Sept. 6, 1916, in Ronceverte, he was the son of the late Virgil and Eva Holliday. He also was preceded in death by a sister, Fleta Bryant.

Mr. Holliday was retired from Central Appalachian Coal Company in Montgomery with 43 years of service and was a member of the United Mine Workers of America.

He was a World War II veteran of the 82nd Airborne and 326th Glider Infantry.

Surviving: his wife of 68 years, Flora Holliday; step-son, Raymond L. McElroy and his wife, Rose, of Kimberly; daughters, Rochella Eyler of Powhatan, Va., and Irene Pittman of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Teresa Johnson of Mason and Debra Lopetrone of Dixie; brother, Guy H. Holliday of Mt. Hope; sisters, Francis Phillips of Appomattox, Va., and Ina Parrish of Lusby, Md.; and several nieces and nephews.

Service was June 10 at O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, with Rev. William Smith officiating. Burial followed in High Lawn Memorial Park at Oak Hill.

Arrangements by O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery.



George B. Johnson

Mr. George B. Johnson died June 5, 2009.

Born July 28, 1927, in Kimberly, he was the son of the late Oliver Daniel and Bertha Brydie Johnson. He also was preceded in death by his wife, Elma Whitaker Johnson; brothers, Walter Orlando, Elvin O. Johnson, Clemon C. Johnson and Deacon James Lonnie Gillard; and an aunt, Carrie Hill.

Mr. Johnson was a member of First Baptist Church of Kimberly, where he served as assistant superintendent and treasurer and teacher of Sunday school. He was a member of New River District Usher Federation, president of Usher’s Federation, WVBSC, Hilltop, and other clubs and organizations.

He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He retired from Cheyney University as director of Accounts Payable and head cashier with 29 years of service.

Surviving: daughter, Georgeanna L. Johnson, and granddaughter, Gabrielle Johnson, both of Knoxville, Tenn.; sisters, Mrs. Ruth L. Wilkerson of Oak Hill, and Mrs. Bertha Jackson of Wilmington, Del.; aunt, Mrs. Lillie M. Brydie of Columbus, Ohio; sister-in-law, Mary L. Johnson of Charleston; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 11:45 a.m. Friday, June 12 at First Baptist Church of Harlem Heights with the Rev. Keith Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

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

Arrangements by Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.



Jewell Marie Williams Lively

Jewell Marie Williams Lively, 80, of Long Branch, died June 3, 2009, at Teays Valley Hospital in Hurricane.

Born April 30, 1929, at Long Branch, she was the daughter of the late Carlos A. “Gooch” and Grace Akers Williams.

Her husband, Harry Edmond Lively, and a sister, Patty Williams, also preceded her in death.

Mrs. Lively was a member of the Long Branch United Methodist Church and was a homemaker.

Surviving: a son, Mike Lively and wife Vickie of Racine, Ohio; a daughter, Toni Kourey and husband Rick of Charlotte, N.C.; and brothers, Carlos A. Williams Jr. and wife Nancy of Rainelle, and Billy Williams of Pax.

Graveside rites and committal services, followed by burial, were June 6 at Pax Community Cemetery in Pax with Rev. Chalmer Abrams officiating.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.



Gracie M. Davis McGuffin

Gracie M. Davis McGuffin, 78, of Oak Hill, died June 9, 2009, at Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill.

Born Aug. 27, 1930, at Scarbro, she was the daughter of the late Ray Davis and Sally Hall Davis Murphy. Her husband, Robert C. “Bobby” McGuffin, preceded her in death on June 6, 2009. Her stepfather, John H. Murphy, and a brother, James Ray Davis, also preceded her in death.

Mrs. McGuffin was a Protestant and a homemaker.

Surviving: stepson, James W. McGuffin of Shreveport, Texas; and brothers, Mike Murphy and wife Susie of Fayetteville and Pat Murphy and wife Virginia of Oak Hill.

Graveside rites and committal service will be 1 p.m. on Friday, June 12 at High Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Oak Hill with Pastor Jerry Bush officiating. Entombment will be at High Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Oak Hill.

Friends may call 15 minutes prior to the service Friday at the mausoleum.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Robert Clemens McGuffin

Robert Clemens McGuffin, 87, of Oak Hill, died June 6, 2009, at Hilltop Health Care Center at Hilltop.

Born April 13, 1922, at Thurmond, he was the son of the late Claymus and Ethel Samples McGuffin. He also was preceded in death by brothers, Tommy, Glen, John and James McGuffin; and by sisters, Harriett Bishop, Mary Sue Hash and Joyce Ann McGuffin.

Robert was a retired house painter and was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Navy.

Surviving: his wife, Gracie Davis McGuffin of Oak Hill; son, James Wesley McGuffin of Shreveport, Texas; brothers, Emory Wayne McGuffin of Oak Hill and Ritchie McGuffin of Prince Frederick, Md.; sisters, Maggie Anderson of Hilltop, Jean Sumner of Grants, N.M., and Betty Campbell of Phoenix, Ariz.

Committal services with entombment following were held June 9 at High Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Oak Hill, with Pastor Jerry Bush officiating.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Granville S. Moore

Granville S. Moore, 82, of Danese, died June 6, 2009, at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Fairlea, following a long illness.

Born April 28, 1927, in Dorfee, Clay County, he was a son of the late Richard Russell and Nancy Media McComas Moore. He also was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Lorene Moore, in 1990; sisters, Leitha Gwinn, Maxine Fox, Lenore Simms and an infant girl, Juanita; and brothers, Dexter and Berman Moore and an infant boy, Chester.

Mr. Moore was a timber man, having started with crosscut saws, and went on to work for Kirby Lumber Co. and Best Line Construction Co. cutting rights-of-way.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He loved hunting and trapping.

Surviving: his son, Chester “Chuck” Moore and his wife, Lisa, of Danese, and several nieces and nephews.

Services were June 9 at the Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Rainelle with Pastor Sherman McCombs officiating. Burial followed at the Wallace Memorial Cemetery in Clintonville.

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



Marie K. Neff

Marie K. Neff, 79, of Oak Hill, died June 2, 2009, at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

Born May 2, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Samual Jenkins and Gladys Tincher Jenkins. She also was preceded in death by a sister, Emma Jean Nelson; a granddaughter, Christine Marie Sicsko; great-granddaughter, Brooklyn; and a brother-in-law, Richard Maynard.

Marie was of the Christian faith, a homemaker and was married to her loving husband for 59 years, 11 months and 2 days.

Surviving: her loving husband, Hershel Neff; her children, Buddy Neff and wife Yong of Salina, Kan., Gloria Jean Morrison of Oak Hill, Flora “Jane” Whitmore and husband Ronald of Summerfield, Fla., and Edward Neff and wife Teresa of Newport, Tenn.; sisters, Wanda Haywood and husband Frank of Michigan, Merle Maynard, Dreama Shockey and husband Ralph, and Lynn Blommer and husband Don, all of West Virginia; a brother-in-law, Olen Nelson of New Jersey; grandchildren, Stephen H. Neff, Dawn Skellenger and husband Mitch, James Neff, Johnathan Neff, Robert J. Pangallo Jr., James M. Lyon, David K. Buck Jr., Christopher A. Buck, Terra J. Walker, Mary M. Goins and husband Jason, Patrick L. Jewell Jr., Misty D. Jewell, Brandi Jewell, Edward Neff Jr., and Amber Weeks and husband Richard; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Timmy, Skyler, Sean, Meka, and Isaiah Neff, Kaneash Farmer, Robert A. Pangallo, Ann Marie Pangallo, Serenity N. Lyon, James M. Lyon Jr., Jayden and Avery Buck, Emerald Jewell, Lexy Cunningham, and Makenzie Weeks; and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral service was June 6 at the High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with the Rev. Charles Hardy officiating. Burial was in High Lawn Memorial Park. Following the services there was a memorial gathering at Fayette County Park, Beckwith.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.



Candice Rae Parker

Candice Rae Parker, 34, of Powellton, died June 2, 2009.

Born Sept. 12, 1974, in South Charleston, she was the daughter of Eddie F. Parker and Connie Cowen.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Keith Parker.

Candice was a graduate of Capitol High School and was a licensed practical nurse.

Surviving: daughter, Alyssa Dawn Stewart of Powellton; father and stepmother, Eddie F. and Pam Parker of Powellton; mother and stepfather, Connie and Lat Bowen Sr.; grandparents, Virgil and Wilma Sigmon of Powellton and Frank and Glenna Parker of Powellton; brother, Matthew Parker of Powellton; and sister, Amanda Prince of Fayetteville.

Service was June 6 at O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, with Rev. Roger Comer officiating. Burial followed in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens at Glasgow.

Expressions of sympathy can be sent at www.odellfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery.



Horace Benton Perdue

Horace Benton Perdue, 88, of Alloy, died June 4, 2009, at Montgomery General Elderly Care.

Born Sept. 14, 1920, in Williamson, he was the son of the late John M. and Wavie Perdue. He also was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Hope Austin Perdue, and his brother, Charles.

Mr. Perdue was retired from C&P Telephone Company with 45 years of service, and was a member of Falls View Presbyterian Church.

Surviving: his wife, June Perdue of Alloy; sons and daughter-in-law, Robert K. and Kim Perdue of Pittsburgh, Pa., and John M. Perdue II of Huntington; daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Charles Bracken of Scott Depot and Sara and Tim Markley of Newton, N.C.; stepson, Jack and Louise Case of Fayetteville; brother, Robert and Pat Perdue of Escondido, Calif.; sister-in-law, Frances Perdue of Charleston; grandchildren, Julia H. Bracken, Charles Bracken IV, Michael Perdue, Megan Konder, John Markley and step-granddaughter, Kristie Case; five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was June 7 at Falls View Presbyterian Church with Rev. Joan Stewart officiating. Burial followed in the Rosewood Cemetery, Lewisburg.

The family requests donations be made to Falls View Presbyterian Memorial Fund, PO Box 5, Charlton Heights, WV 25040 or to the National Parkinson Foundation at www.parkinson.org.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.carlwilsonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge.



Koneta Ann Fuller Arthur Pridemore

Koneta Ann Fuller Arthur Pridemore, 68, of Fayetteville, died June 3, 2009, at Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley, following an extended illness.

Born Oct. 29, 1940, at Powellton, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Bernard and Bessie Mayes Fuller. She also was preceded in death by James Arthur Sr. and James Arthur Jr.

Mrs. Pridemore was of the Baptist faith.

She attended Bluefield State nursing program and graduated magna cum laude in 1993 as a registered nurse, of which she was very proud. She worked at the old Beckley Hospital and various nursing homes.

She was a CNA instructor for AM/FM Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers and was a dedicated wife and mother.

Surviving: her sister, Sharon White; husband, Milton Donald Pridemore of Edmond; children, Gregory L. Arthur and wife Sherry of Mt. Hope, Cindy J. Davis and husband Luke of Salisbury, N.C., and Patrick Pridemore and wife Iris of Mt. Hope; grandsons, Brett and Zack Arthur of Oceana, and Austin Pridemore of Mt. Hope; special nephews, Lathan Nowlin and wife Rosetta, and Rick and Jonathan Nowlin.

Funeral services were June 7 at Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville, with Rev. Lum Toney officiating. Burial followed in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

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

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



Patsy Ruth Williams Rutledge

Patsy Ruth Williams Rutledge, 81, of Long Branch, died June 7, 2009, at Bowers Hospice House, Beckley.

Born Jan. 16, 1928, at Long Branch, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Eva Pettry Williams. She also was preceded in death by her husband, French Alvon Rutledge; brothers, Phil Williams and Ronald Williams; and sisters, Mary Susan Lafferty, Lyda Brehm, Myrtle Sweeney, Barbara McCune, Opal Weatherford, Christine (Crick) Perdue, and Hazel Kessler.

Mrs. Rutledge was a homemaker and a dedicated military wife.

She was a member of the Long Branch United Methodist Church.

Surviving: a daughter, Ann Horton of Charlotte, N.C.; sons, Don Rutledge of Long Branch, Ron Rutledge of High Point, N.C., and Mike Rutledge of Mount Hope; a sister-in-law, Celia Williams of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Steven M. Rutledge, Michelle Rutledge, Ashley Rutledge and Kelli Rutledge; great-grandchildren, Skylar, Bryli, and Brady; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Graveside and committal services were June 10 at the Dock Lively Cemetery at Long Branch with the Rev. Chalmer Abrams officiating.

Please make donations to Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.



Arnold Wayne Taylor

Arnold Wayne Taylor, 50, of Scarbro, died June 6, 2009, at Bowers Hospice House in Beckley.

Born Aug. 10, 1958, in Richwood, he was the son of the late John Cletis and Laura Williams Taylor.

Mr. Taylor was an auto mechanic.

Surviving: his brother, Harry Williams of Gatewood; and sisters, Barbara Wriston of Scarbro, Doris Powers of Parkersburg, Brenda Treadway of Oak Hill and Regina Welker of Ridgely.

Graveside rites and committal service were June 8 at the Rinehart Cemetery at Mossy with the Rev. Paul Basham officiating.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.