— Bill M. Brown

Bill M. Brown, 87, of Oak Hill, died Feb. 15, 2012.

Born Dec. 2, 1924, he was the son of the late William and Percie Brown. Bill also was preceded in death by his brother, Donnie Brown.

Bill enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing his guitar and harmonica.

Bill was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving: his loving wife, Patricia A. Brown of Oak Hill; and sons, John M. Brown and Billy M. Brown.

Services were Feb. 18 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Pastor Pete Lokant of the Fellowship Memorial Baptist Church of Oak Hill officiating. Burial followed at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

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

Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.



Linda Teresa Eldridge Calvert

Linda Teresa Eldridge Calvert, 55, of Danese, died Jan. 31, 2012 at her home, surrounded by her loving family and pets.

Mrs. Calvert was cremated.

A memorial service was held Feb. 18 at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill with Howard Franklin Calvert officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, South Atlantic Division, PO Box 69070, Charleston WV 25334-0070.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Rita Joyce Cole

Rita Joyce Cole, 61, of Ansted, died Feb. 13, 2012

 Funeral service was Feb. 17 at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home Chapel in Ansted with Pastor Danny Legg officiating. Burial followed at Restlawn Memory Gardens in Victor.

Online condolences may be sent at wallaceandwallacefh.com.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace of Ansted.



Bruce Arthur Gill

Bruce Arthur Gill, 62, of Cleveland, Ohio, died Feb. 19, 2012, at Bowers Hospice House in Beckley.

Born Aug. 16, 1949, at Boomer, he was the son of Laura Cales Gill of Oak Hill, and the late Jesse H. Gill. His wife, Cindy Gill; a brother, James Gill; and his nephew, Jeff McGraw, also preceded him in death.

Bruce was a Methodist.

He was a retired carpenter and had previously worked for Cook Motor Sales in Oceana before moving to Cleveland.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran.

Surviving, in addition to his mother: his children, Adam Gill, Beverly Dawn Gill and Melissa Gill; sisters, Beverly Ellis and husband Mike of Oak Hill, Betty Presock of Cleveland, Ohio, and Pat Thomas and husband Jon of Mesa, Ariz.; and a brother, Charles Wayne Cales of Grayson, Ky.

Upholding Bruce’s wishes, he will be cremated with no service held. However, visitation with the family is welcomed at the home of his sister, Beverly Ellis, at 105 Briarwood Place, Oak Hill.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Gladys Edith Kincaid Holley

Gladys Edith Kincaid Holley, 89, of Scarbro, died Feb. 20, 2012.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at Tyree Funeral Home in Mount Hope with the Rev. Doug Holley and the Rev. Harry Miller officiating. Burial will be at Holley Cemetery, Paint Creek Road, Mossy. Friends may call two hours prior to the service Thursday at the funeral home.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.



Deborah ‘Debbie’ Lynn James

Deborah “Debbie” Lynn James, 57, of Oak Hill, died Feb. 12, 2012, at Morgantown’s University Medical Center.

Born Dec. 31, 1954, she was the daughter of Charley H. Atha and Sclean Blackburn Atha.

She was preceded in death by two children, Jason Douglas and Charlean Renee.

Debbie was the secretary/bookkeeper for Fayette Awning and Glass.

Surviving: her parents, Charley H. and Sclean Blackburn Atha; husband, Larry D. James; daughter, Tiffany James; brother, C.H. Atha and wife Debbi; nieces, Kristi Atha-Rader, Joyce Fawcett, Karen Hildebrand, Diane Hogen, and Sandra Price; nephews, Danny James, Chip Atha, Allen Nugen, Shawn James, Kenny James, and Chris James; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

The funeral service was Feb. 16 at Mt. View Church of God, Hilltop, with Rev. Rudell Bloomfield officiating. Burial followed in Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, Oak Hill.

A special account has been established to assist with medical expenses. Memorial donations can be sent to Larry and Tiffany James Special Account, c/o Fayette County National Bank, PO Box 1414, Oak Hill, WV 25901.

Condolences may be sent at www.highlawnfuneralhomechapel.com.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.



Evelyn Nora Lane

Evelyn N. Lane of Pt. Pleasant, formerly of Ansted, died Feb. 19, 2012, after a long illness.

Evelyn was born Oct. 11, 1924 at Ansted, the daughter of the late Rend and Lafalda Fox. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan; her son, William; and her brother, James.

She was a former employee of the Fayette County Board of Education, a loving mother, grandmother, and friend to all who knew her.

Surviving: sons, Larry (Ruby) of Pt. Pleasant, Gary (Carolyn) of Heath, Ohio, Terry of Marissa, Ill., and Greg (Rhonda) of Canvas; nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews; and a brother, Charles (Josephine) of Pt. Pleasant.

Funeral services were Feb. 22 at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home Chapel in Ansted with Pastor Mike Skaggs officiating. As was Evelyn’s final request, she was buried at the Fox Cemetery, Ramsey, next to her husband, Ivan.

The family would request donations to be made to the Hospice facility of your choice.

Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home of Ansted.



Jimmy Mahood

Jimmy Mahood, 76, of Oak Hill, died Feb. 13, 2012, at CAMC General after a long battle with cancer.

Born March 2, 1935, at Oak Hill, Jimmy was the last of seven children of Frederick and Oma Mahood.

Prior to his retirement, Jimmy worked for the Board of Education as custodian at Oak Hill High School.

Jimmy was also an installer of drapes and carpets for River Varnes Interior Designs. Through his talent of installing carpet or hanging pictures, he made many families happy with their new look.

Surviving: his loving wife, Betty Mahood; stepson, Larry Rose and his wife, Sharon, of Beckley; and beloved dog, Benja.

Funeral services were Feb. 18 at High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with Pastor Willie Marshall officiating. Burial followed in High Lawn Memorial Park.

Condolences may be sent at www.highlawnfuneralhomechapel.com.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.



Mona Gail Maynard

Mona Gail Maynard of Meadow Bridge died Jan. 29, 2012.

Born April 21, 1945, in Bellwood, she was the daughter of the late Tom and Helen Maynard, the youngest child, with three sisters and one brother.

She will be missed and loved by her family.

Surviving: her most significant other, Ed White; children, Robert H. Bragg III, James L. Bragg Sr., Helena S. Forbes and Frances Margaret Harrison; 22 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

A private family burial was held.



Bobby Gene Perry

Bobby Gene Perry, 37, of Oak Hill, died Feb. 17, 2012, at his home.

Born July 13, 1974, at Warren, Ohio, he was the son of Bobby Ray Perry of Mount Hope, and Rusty Jean Rutledge Perry Allen of Elkhart, Ind.

He was a disabled assistant manager for Bake and Shake.

Mr. Perry was a member of the Spirit and Truth Ministries, Oak Hill.

Surviving, in addition to his parents: his wife, Angela Dawn Nichols Perry; daughter, Deonna Walters of Michigan; stepchildren, Isaac Proskin and Jacy Proskin, both of Oak Hill; brothers, Thomas Allen Perry and Michael Adam Perry, both of Elkhart, Ind.; sisters, Mary Ann Toma of Tennessee, April Short of Charleston and Brooke Perry of Mount Hope; paternal grandmother, Ella Mae Comer and her husband, Charles, of Mount Hope; and maternal grandmother, Bernice Gates of Florida.

Funeral services were Feb. 22 at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill with Rev. Sam R. Calloway Jr. officiating. Burial were at Hughes Creek Cemetery, Hughes Creek.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Sandra A. Pridemore

Sandra A. Pridemore, 68, of Gatewood Road, Fayetteville, died Feb. 13, 2012, in the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Va., following a long illness.

Sandra was born Jan. 14, 1944, in Owensboro, Ky., the daughter of the late Lawrence and Thelma Duke Justus.

She was of the Christian faith and a homemaker.

Surviving: her husband, Franklin Pridemore of Fayetteville; daughter, Rebecca Lynn Bandy and her husband, Kent, of Lookout; son, James Aaron Pridemoe of Oak Hill; sister, Judy Shelton of Virginia;  brother, Joseph McKnight and his wife, Gail, of Tampa, Fla.; grandchildren, Jakob Pridemore, Matthew Patrick and wife Hollie and C.K. Bandy; and great-grandchildren, Alexia and Tyler.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home Chapel in Ansted with Minister Sam Lambert officiating. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Rest Mausoleum  in Victor.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent at WallaceandWallacefh.com.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace, Ansted.

Nancy Jean Rickards

Nancy Jean Rickards, 66, of Oak Hill, died Feb. 19, 2012.

Graveside services and burial were Feb. 22 at Palm Memorial Gardens in Matheny.

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

Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.



Danny O’Neil Sears

Danny O’Neil Sears, 64, of Lockbridge, died Feb. 16, 2012, in the Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley, following a short bout with cancer.

Born Aug. 3, 1947, at Sutton, he was the son of the late Ralph and Mary Sears and Loreta Bragg Sears. He also was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Macel and Frank Bragg; paternal grandparents, Garfield and Virgie Sears; and sisters, Dixie Lee Sears and Peggy Sue Jarvis.

Danny worked construction for most of his career.

He was an avid bear and wild boar hunter.

Surviving: his wife of 44 years, Loretta Gwinn Sears; sons, Derrick Kevin Sears and wife Robin of Shady Springs and Shannon O’Neil Sears of Lockbridge; brothers, Casey Sears and wife Linda of Renick, Mike Sears and wife Debbie of Hominy Falls, and Carl Stephen Jarvis of Rainelle; sisters, Cindy Roe of Naples, Fla., Frances Lewis and husband Pete of Charmco, and Marsha Workman and husband Wayne of Summersville; sister-in-law, Judy Gwinn of Rainelle; best friend, Jess Browning; many nieces, nephews, friends and his pal Pepper.

Services were Feb. 19 in the Lockbridge United Methodist Church with Rev. Roger Booth and Pastor Ronnie Lester officiating. Burial followed in the Gwinn Cemetery at Lockbridge.

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

Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.



Mary Louise Painter Sizemore

Mary Louise Painter Sizemore, 65, of Scarbro, died Feb. 17, 2012, at Jefferson Memorial Hospital at Ranson.

Born March 3, 1946, at Dothan, she was the daughter of the late E. A. and Frances Lively Painter. She also was preceded in death by a grandson, Nicholas Gillman, and by sisters, Alice Brake and Nell Jones.

Mary was a homemaker and a member of the Packs Branch Baptist Church.

Surviving: her husband, Hayden M. Sizemore; her daughters, Carol Yvonne Gillman and husband Bill of Gatewood, and Janice Elaina Scott and her husband, Emmett, of Charles Town; her son, Juston Sizemore and his wife, Tina, of Falling Waters; her grandchildren, Kala River Sizemore, Lauren Ridge Sizemore and Sophie Raine Elizabeth Scott; brother, David Painter of Oak Hill; and sisters, Barbara Peterson of Bradley, Brenda Powers of St. Joseph, Mo., Shirley Schultz of Oak Hill, and Stella Snyder of Brundage, Ala.

A graveside committal service was held Feb. 22 at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, Pea Ridge Road, Oak Hill, with Pastor Sam Vance officiating. Burial followed in Gethsemane Memorial Gardens.

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

Memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 301 R H L Blvd., Charleston, WV 25309.

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Freeland ‘Pete’ Slussar

Freeland “Pete” Slussar, 89, of Sewell Mountain, formerly of Russellville, died Feb. 16, 2012, at home, following a long illness.

Born Sept. 29, 1922, at Clarksburg, he was the son of the late Freeland J. and Maude Henderson Slussar.

He was a coal miner and of the Pentecostal faith.

Surviving: his companion of 22 years, Betty “June” Waselchalk of Sewell Mountain; daughters, Kathryn Slussar of Rainelle, Jeannie Bostic and husband Earl of Rupert, and Brenda Slussar and Tammy Slussar, both of Ravenna, Ohio; sons, Alvin Slussar of Mantua, Ohio, Freddie Slussar of Chicago, Ill., Okey Slussar and wife Bonnie of Columbus, Ohio, Franklin Slussar and wife Beatrice of Nutterville, Arthur Slussar of Rupert, and Danny Slussar and wife Teresa of Asheboro, N.C.; sister, Dorothy “Dot” Highlander of Rockcreek, Ohio; 14 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Services were Feb. 20 at Wallace & Wallace Chapel in Rainelle, with Chaplain Jim Conyers officiating. Burial followed at Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville.



William David Smith

William David Smith, 71, of Rainelle, died Feb. 15, 2012, at his home following a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born March 5, 1940, at Meadow Bridge, he was the son of the late Louis and Stella Ballengee Smith. He also was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara “Boots” Hawkins Smith, and a brother, Clyde Smith.

David was an educator in the Greenbrier County School system, serving as principal at Smoot Elementary and Jr. High schools, Rupert Elementary and Jr. High schools and Greenbrier West High School. He was the first to initiate Project Graduation in 1988.

David loved the outdoors. He hunted, fished and enjoyed photography.

Surviving: sons, Darren Smith and Jason Smith and wife Robin, all of Rainelle; grandson, Ryan Smith of Rainelle; brother, Delbert “Buddy” Smith of Texas; and a sister, Carol Gwinn and husband Gary of Parsons.

As per his request, David was cremated.

Donations of sympathy may be made to the Rainelle Elementary School or Greenbrier West High School. It was David’s desire to see the completion of the new elementary school and the remodeling of the high school.

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

Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.



Anthony Sokola

Anthony Sokola, 80, of Beckley, died Feb. 15, 2012, in the Beckley VA Medical Center.

Born Dec. 28, 1931, at Sun, he was the son of the late Andrew Stephen and Hattie Teresa Musial Sokola. He also was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Ratliff.

Anthony was a retired mechanic, having last worked for Lewis Terminal Garage.

He was a member of Price Hill Freewill Baptist Church and a U.S. Air Force veteran.

Anthony enjoyed playing piano and making people laugh.

Surviving: his wife, Lois Ann Wills Sokola; daughter, Andrea Grose and husband Ernie of Edmond; sister, Mary Ann Viars of Midway; granddaughters, Rachael and Sarah Grose of Edmond; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Feb. 18 at Price Hill Freewill Baptist Church with Pastor Adam Trzicak officiating.

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

Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.



Lorena Bernice Stearns Williams

Lorena Bernice Stearns Williams, 77, of Scarbro, died Feb. 13, 2012, at Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill.

Born March 10, 1934, at Workman’s Creek, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence L. and Hallie Agness Collins Stearns. Her husband, Robert Woodrow Williams; a son, Daniel Williams; and a brother, William David Stearns, also preceded her in death.

Mrs. Williams was a member of the Willis Branch Community Church and a homemaker.

Surviving: sons, Robert M. Williams, David R. Williams and wife Ellie, James F. Williams and wife Beth Ann and a daughter, Lora D. Williams; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Thursday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. at the Workman’s Creek Methodist Church with Rev. Scott Farnsworth officiating. Burial will be at Workman’s Creek Cemetery. Friends may call one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.



Violet Madge Wolfe

Violet Madge Wolfe, 84, of Oak Hill, died Feb. 12, 2012.

Born June 2, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Vertie William McNeeley and Minnie Huddleston McNeeley. She also was preceded in death by a son, Bobby.

Surviving: her husband, Robert Wolfe; son, Donnie Ray Wolfe and wife Stacy Chung of Clearwater, Fla.; sisters, Nancy Evans of Hilltop, Mossie Gilbert of Louisville, Ky., Patsy Burgess and husband Dale of Buckhannon, Sue Joslin of Conneautville, Pa., and Jerri Smith and husband Oliver of Louisville, Ky.; brothers, Bill McNeeley and wife Pat of Crossville, Tenn., Robert McNeely and wife Darlene of Avon Lake, Ohio, David McNeely and wife Susan of Oak Hill, Danny McNeeley and wife Bonnie of Chesterfield, Va., Don McNeeley of Olmsted, Ohio, and Benny McNeely and wife Mary of St. Albans; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was Feb. 17 at High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with Pastor Ronnie Persinger officiating. Entombment followed in High Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Oak Hill.

Condolences may be sent at www.highlawnfuneralhomechapel.com.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.