Obituaries — November 5, 2009

Andrew Avancini

Andrew Avancini, 65, of Thayer, died at his home Oct. 29, 2009.

Born Dec. 29, 1943, on Highland Mountain at Quinnimont, he was the son of the late Bennie and Lucinda Adkins Avancini. He also was preceded in death by brothers Wade Avancini and Andy Lewis Avancini.

Andrew was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in Germany, and was retired from Yellow Freight Company where he was a tractor-trailer driver for over 24 years.

Surviving: his loving wife and best friend, Darlene Brady Avancini; his children whom he was very proud of, Christina Maynard and husband Chris, Adam Avancini and companion Brandy Wetzel, Anthony Avancini and wife Heidi, Kimberly Smith, Brooke Avancini and companion Troy White and Angela Leonard and husband Robert; stepchildren, Donyille Pearson, Donald Tumolo and companion Stephanie Hann and Dwayne Tumolo; a sister, Janie Harris and husband Gene; aunts and uncle, Vede Sexton and Melvin Avancini and his wife, Kitty; and 14 grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 2 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Oak Hill with Father Paul Yuenger as celebrant. Christian burial followed in High Lawn Memorial Park.

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

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Chapel, Oak Hill.



V. Keith DeLung Sr.

V. Keith DeLung Sr., 73, of Dothan, died Oct. 31, while at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born March 26, 1936, in Dothan, he was the son of the late John R. DeLung and Arizona Lafferty DeLung. His son, Carl Russell DeLung; and sisters, Delores Ruth “Jimmy” Davis, Barbara “Ticker” Wyatt Gram and Joyce “Tommy” Davis, also preceded him in death.

His family will remember him as a loving husband, father and granddad.

Mr. DeLung was a coal miner who worked for Riverton and Ranger Fuel coal companies. He was last employed by Milburn Colliery Coal Co.

He also enjoyed working the land for many years, raising several gardens at a time, tending to his orchard and surveying the homestead on his tractor, providing delicious homegrown goods for his friends and family. He could sometimes be found fishing on the banks of the river, snacking with his son and grandson, as they enjoyed life and each other.

In life, he was known for his sense of humor and generosity. In passing, he’ll be remembered as someone his family could always count on for love, understanding, great advice and a good story or two.

As an active member of Packs Branch Baptist Church, the congregation could hear him near the front row shouting “Amen!” He served God all his life, reading the Bible and praying daily. His greatest desire was to see his family serving God.

Surviving: his wife, Janie Meadows DeLung of Dothan; his son, Vernon Keith DeLung Jr., and his daughter-in-law, Melanie Joan DeLung, of Dothan; his grandson, Joshua Aaron DeLung and granddaughter-in-law Shari Melina Baloch, of Oakton, Va.; brothers, John “Pocket” DeLung and wife Gaye of Florence, S.C., Frank “Poke” DeLung and wife Kim of Dothan, and Russell “Rusty” DeLung and his wife, Sue, of Dothan; sisters, Betty Sue Buckland of Rainelle, Peggy Jones of Scarbro, and Blanche Massey and her husband, Jerry, of Scarbro; and his brothers and sisters in Christ.

Funeral service was Nov. 3 at High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with Pastor Sam Vance of Packs Branch Baptist Church officiating. Entombment followed at High Lawn Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, PO Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25801.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.



Charles Dixon

Charles Dixon, 53, of Scarbro, died Oct. 27, 2009, from injuries received on the job site at Newtown Energy’s Eagle Mine in Comfort.

Born Jan. 12, 1956, in Oak Hill, he was the son of the late Theodore O. “Teed” and Margaret C. Bozo Dixon.

He was a trackman for Newtown Energy.

Charles was a member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Oak Hill. He was a graduate of Collins High School and was a U.S. Army veteran.

Surviving: brothers, Ted Dixon of Oak Hill and William Dixon and wife Barbara of Oak Hill; sisters, Mary Margaret Tincher of Scarbro, Coletta Vandall and husband Marvin of Scarbro and Regina O’Neal and husband William of Glen Jean; nine nieces and nephews and eight great-nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian burial was Oct. 31 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Oak Hill with Father Paul Yuenger officiating. Burial was at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill, with military graveside rites by Oak Hill VFW Post #3110.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Ercil Ford

Ercil Lillian Ford, 88, of Milton, formerly of Jodie, died Nov. 2, 2009, at CAMC Teays Valley.

Born Sept. 21, 1921, at Alta, she was the daugher of the late Harry and Mamie Clark Kauff. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Darrell Ford; son-in-law, Kenneth Cook; and a grandson, Jay Ford.

Mrs. Ford was a retired waitress and cook at various restaurants, and was of the Pentecostal Holiness faith.

Surviving: her daughters and sons-in-laws, Kay Cook of Indianapolis, Ind., Elizabeth and Archie Preast of Palm Harbor, Fla., Nancy and Charlie Schoenwetter of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Diana Thomas and Bill Browning of Scott Depot, Patricia and Clyde Legg of Winfield, Deborah and Arnold Legg of Ansted, and Angela and Jimmy Nottingham of Scott Depot; sons, Richard Ford of Charleston and John L. Ford of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; grandchildren, Lisa and Karen Cook, Michael, Kimberly and Kevin Preast, Donna and Jennifer Mays, Brian and Sheri Thomas, Justin and James Nottingham, Tiffany and Hannah Legg, Stephanie and Amanda Ford; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Nov. 4 at the Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge, with Rev. Mike Lanham and Rev. Charles Blankenship officiating. Burial followed in the Montgomery Memorial Park, London.

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

Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge.



Robert ‘Hoppy’ Gray

Mr. Robert “Hoppy” Gray, 66, of Manhattan, N.Y., formerly of Mount Hope, died Oct. 25, 2009.

Arrangements by Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.



Peggy Grubb

Peggy Grubb, 50, of Oak Hill, died Oct. 31, 2009, at Plateau Medical Center, Oak Hill, following a long illness.

Arrangements are pending at Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville.



Virgil Fitzwater

Virgil Fitzwater, 69, of Oak Hill, died Nov. 2, 2009, at CAMC, General Division, Charleston.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.



Virginia Rose Fitzwater

Virginia Rose Dent Fitzwater, 73, of Fayetteville, died Oct. 27, 2009, at CAMC Memorial Division, Charleston.

Born May 29, 1936, at Carbondale, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin and Barbara Ann Pritt Dent. She also was preceded in death by sisters, Charlotte Pinson, Mary Arthur, and Barbara Dent; and brothers, Oather Dent, Neal Dent, George Dent, Fredrick Dent, Benjamin Dent, and Lee Pritt.

Mrs. Fitzwater was a 42-year member of the First Church of God, Fayetteville. She was a retired LPN nurse at Appalachian Regional Hospital.

Surviving: her husband, Oscar Fitzwater of Fayetteville; children, William Ray Fitzwater and his wife, Dorinda Joyce Fitzwater, of Oak Hill, Debra Frye and husband, Raymond Lewis Frye Jr. of Fayetteville, and John Fitzwater and wife Lori Lynn Fitzwater of Oak Hill; sister, Reva Hobbs and her husband, Harold Hobbs, of Smithers, and their children, Linda Lou Huffer and husband Ray Huffer, and Eddie Hobbs and family, James Alfred Hobb and family; grandchildren, William Ray Fitzwater Jr., Christopher Michael Fitzwater, Jessica Elaine Fitzwater, Amber Dawn Frye, Ashley Michele Fitzwater, Britney Nocole Fitzwater, and Cassidy Dawn Fitzwater; and great-grandchildren, Madison Rayne Fitzwater and Dakota Fitzwater.

Funeral services were Nov. 1 at the Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home Chapel, Fayetteville, with Layman Michael Parsons and Pastor Russell Hays officiating. Burial followed at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

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

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



Edith ‘Granny’ Hall

Edith “Granny” Hall, 81, of Oak Hill, died Nov. 1, 2009.

Born Sept. 1, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Margie Fuller. Edith also was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard James Hall; daughter, Deanna Gwinn; brothers, Sylvan Fuller and Ernest Fuller; and sisters, Betty Maxine Fuller and Dorothy Shumate.

Edith enjoyed football and cooking big family meals. She was of the Baptist faith and attended the Terry Independent Christian Church.

Edith was a member of the DAV Auxiliary.

Surviving: her son, John Hall and wife Leslie of Oak Hill; daughters, Kimberly Hall and husband Terry of Oak Hill, and Joann Oliver and companion Harold Harrah of Cunard; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, David Fuller and wife Georgia of Oak Hill; sisters, Lillian Muth of Ohio, Margaret Vass of Richland, Va., and Ruby Tilley and husband Jack of Fayetteville; as well as additional family, friends and a host of nieces and nephews.

Services were Nov. 4 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Pastor Lonnie Greer officiating. Burial followed at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

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

Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.



Emogene Mae Steele Holliday

Emogene Mae Steele Holliday, 73, of Ansted, died Oct. 27, 2009, following a long illness.

Graveside service, with burial following, was Oct. 30 in the Steele cemetery at Rich Creek with Pastor Melvin Nottingham officiating.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace of Ansted.



Hobert M. Kaylor Jr.

Hobert M. Kaylor Jr., 85, of Oak Hill, died Oct. 30, 2009, at Plateau Medical Center, Oak Hill, following an extended illness.

Born June 5, 1924, at Claypool, he was the son of the late Hobert M. Kaylor Sr. and Thelma M. Long Kaylor. He also was preceded in death by sisters, Zella Redden and Lela Mae Smith; and a brother, James Kaylor.

Mr. Kaylor served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a retired coal miner with 50 years’ service with Layland Coal Company.

Surviving: his sisters, Mary Wendel of Aurora, Ohio, and Betsy Worley of Cleveland, Ohio; 21 nieces and nephews; and may great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral services were Nov. 3 at the Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home Chapel, Fayetteville, with Pastor Dana Gatewood officiating. Burial followed in the Thayer Cemetery at Thurmond.

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

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



Terri Lynne Treadway Massey

Terri Lynne Treadway Massey, 39, of Oak Hill, died at her home on Oct. 29, 2009, after a long battle with cancer.

Born Sept. 21, 1970, in Beckley, she was the daughter of Otie Olen Treadway of Oak Hill and Mary Sue May Seligman of Oak Hill. She was the stepdaughter of Paul Seligman of Oak Hill and Dana Treadway, also of Oak Hill.

Terri was a 1989 graduate of Fayetteville High School and a member of the Oak Hill Gospel Tabernacle.

She was a secretary at C. Adam Toney Tires in Oak Hill.

Surviving: in addition to her parents, stepfather and stepmother: her husband, Barry B. Massey of Oak Hill; her children, Josh, Jamie and Jordan, all at home; her stepdaughter, Charleigh Newhouse of Fayetteville; her brothers, Jimmy Treadway and wife Rachel, Anthony Treadway and his wife, Miranda, and Adam Treadway, all of Oak Hill; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services were Nov. 1 at the Tyree Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with Rev. Allen Gallimore officiating. Burial followed in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Leonidas Dee ‘Scrub’ McGraw

Leonidas Dee “Scrub” McGraw, 66, of Cincinnati, Ohio, formerly of The Lane, Meadow Bridge, died Oct. 23, 2009, at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley, following a long illness.

Born Aug. 21, 1943, in Meadow Bridge, he was the son of the late Duffa Wilson and Mary Cordelia Bridges McGraw. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene McGraw.

Mr. McGraw was an electrical and instrument engineer for Proctor and Gamble, and a member of the Addyston Baptist Church of Addyston, Ohio.

Surviving: his wife, Essie Rookstool McGraw of Cincinnati; a daughter, Valerie Lois Hutson of Cincinnati; sons, Jeffrey Leon McGraw and his wife, Kathy, and Gregory Dee McGraw and his wife, Melissa, all of Hamilton, Ohio, Paul Lee McGraw and his wife, Kara, and Daniel Wayne McGraw and his wife, Linda, all of Cincinnati; sisters, Virginia Dare McGraw of Naperville, Ill., Myrtle Ann Gill and husband Edward of Mullins, S.C., and Mary Elizabeth (Suzi) Chambers and husband William of Houston, Texas; brothers, Grady Wilson McGraw and wife Elsie of Princeton, John Loye McGraw and wife Janie of Carrolton, Ga. and Sherman Lee McGraw and wife Debra of Naperville; and 14 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Services were Oct. 31 at the Wallace & Wallace Chapel in Rainelle with Assistant Pastor Milburn Pack officiating. Burial followed in the McGraw Cemetery in Meadow Bridge.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Rainelle Christian Academy, PO Box 784, Rainelle, WV 25962.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace of Rainelle.



Catherine Ruth Pack

Catherine Ruth Pack, 92, of Oak Hill, died Nov. 1, 2009, at Hilltop Center, Hilltop, after an extended illness.

Born May 10, 1917, in Erie, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Woods. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Arnett N. Pack, and three brothers.

Mrs. Pack was a homemaker and a member of the Crossroads Apostolic Holiness Church at Bradley.

Surviving: sons, Roger Pack and Rickie Pack of Oak Hill and Gary Pack of Mount Hope; daughters, Wanda LaBounty of Scarbro, Samentha Scarbro of Minden, Teresa Pack of Beckley, Kimberly Humphrey of Scarbro, Carol Lively of Oak Hill, Vickie Blevins of Richmond, Va., Shelba Girimonti and Freda Dotson of Pittsburgh, Pa., Sharon Osborne of Abingdon, Va., and Brenda Contreras of Scarbro; 42 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 at Tyree Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with Rev. Jimmy Miller officiating. Burial will follow at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Charles W. Parker Sr.

Charles W. Parker Sr. died quietly Oct. 27, 2009, at the Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, following a short illness.

Born in Winona, he was the son of the late Adie and Stella Parker. His sister Deloris Harris, and brother Alonzo Parker, also preceded him in death.

Mr. Parker received Christ and always said that God was taking care of him.

Charles graduated from Stratton High School and entered the United States Air Force where he served his country for 27 years before retiring.

Following his career in the military he was employed at the United States Post Office in Beckley for 10 years.

Surviving: his wife of 43 years 10 months, LaDale Parker; a son, Charles (Karen) Parker Jr. of Chambersburg, Pa.; his daughter, Toy (Francisco) Tavarez of Burke, Va.; grandchildren, Gabrielle, Emoni, Desiree, Katie, and Ella; brothers, Harvey (Marcie) Parker of Fort Wayne, Ind., Floyd (Mammie) Parker and Odie Parker of Charleston, and Donald (Norma) Parker of Beckley; a sister, Christine (Melvin) Green of Baltimore, Md.; a sister-in-law, Gwendolyn Parker, also of Baltimore, Md.; an aunt, Hazel Wilson of Beckley; godchildren, Jamie, Jackie, Jerome, and Jasmine Parks of Frederick, Md.; and a host of relatives and friends, including his special friend Mr. Ed Cochron of Beckley.

Funeral services were Oct. 30 at Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Abner Wright officiating. Burial followed in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

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

Arrangements by Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.



Joyce Euretta Perry

Ms. Joyce Euretta Perry, 66, of Beckley, formerly of Mt. Hope, died Oct. 22, 2009, at Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown.

Born July 5, 1943, in Wingrove, she was the daughter of the late Manuel and Inease Evans Perry. She also was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Ray Perry.

Surviving: her only child, Michael (Bridgett) Perry of Allen, Texas; brothers, Manuel of New York and Paul Perry of Colorado; sisters, Norma Perry of Beckley, Barbara Catus of Atlanta, Ga., Patricia Lewis of Oxon Hill, Md., and Naomi (Roy) Lee of Statesville, N.C.; grandchildren, Brittany, Danarian, and Christopher; and several special nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

A service of memory for Joyce was held Oct. 31 at Word of Truth Church of God in Christ, 911 Terrell St., Beckley.

Reflections of Joyce’s life were shared by Minister Phyllis Honeycutt, relatives and friends, with words of encouragement by Pastor Sandra Jackson.

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

Arrangements by Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.



Reva Mae Bragg Pyles

Reva Mae Bragg Pyles, 84, of Oak Hill, died Nov. 1, 2009, at Hilltop Center at Hilltop.

Born June 26, 1925, at Wriston, she was the daughter of the late Frazier David and Annie Victoria Light Bragg. She also was preceded in death by her husband, James Jacob Pyles, on Dec. 9, 1994, and by a son, James Daniel Pyles, on April 23, 2008. Mrs. Pyles was the last surviving member of her brothers and sisters.

Reva was a homemaker and a cook in the Fayette County School System, having cooked at Oak Hill Elementary and Collins High School.

She was a member of the Oak Hill First Brethren Church and the Oak Hill Chapter #107 Order of the Eastern Star.

Surviving: her sons, Eugene Michael Pyles of Cross Lanes and Ernie Lee Pyles and his wife, Kathy, of Cedar Grove; her daughter, Jan M. Chapman and her husband, Tom, of Oak Hill; grandchildren, Lisa, Dana, Corrie, Daniel, Ben, Kelly and Karen; great-grandchildren, Sydney, Lauren, Lana, Michael, Ryan, Jaden and Meghan; and a daughter-in-law, Donna Pyles of Purcellville, Va.

Funeral services were Nov. 4 at the Tyree Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with Rev. William Skeldon officiating. Burial followed in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Winolia Chapter No. 59 O.E.S. conducted services prior to the funeral.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Early Eugene Smoot

Early Eugene Smoot, 92, of Rt. 1 Fayetteville, died Oct. 27, 2009, at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley.

Born Dec. 29, 1916, at Orange, he was the son of the late Ernest Doubtful and Laura A. Dolin Smoot.

Early was retired from Lackey Smokeless Coal at Anjean and was a member of the UMWA. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Surviving: wife, Della Elizabeth Thomas Smoot; a son, Early Eugene Smoot Jr. of Palm Bay, Fla.; a daughter, Jeanette Ann Smoot of Rt. 1 Fayetteville; a stepson, Walter Oscar Crawford of Jasper, Ala.; a sister, Lilly Mae Smoot of Arlington, Va.; a grandson, Brandon Ray Smoot of Paraguay; and a great-grandson, Liam Smoot, also of Paraguay.

Services were Oct. 29 at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill. 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.

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