Published: May 01, 2008 09:18 pm         

Obituaries - Friday, May 2, 2008

Gaynell Brinkley Blankenship

PINEVILLE — Gaynell Brinkley Blankenship, 57, of Pineville, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2008, following a sudden illness.

Born July 11, 1950, in Mullens, she was the daughter of the late William Dewey and Clara Gross Brinkley.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Terri Thompson, and a daughter, Melina Mullins.

Mrs. Blankenship was a homemaker and of the Christian faith. She enjoyed playing bingo, playing with her grandchildren and being with her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Jerry “Totche” Blankenship; a son, Andy Blankenship and his wife, Jennifer, of Lexington, N.C.; two daughters, Jackie Smith and her husband, Bobby, of Lexington, N.C., and Gilda Phillips and her husband, Tony, of Pineville; six grandchildren, A.J., Paige, Cody Blankenship, Taylor Smith and Stormy and Gabby Phillips; a brother, Bill Brinkley of Mullens; a stepbrother, David Parks of Norfolk, Va.; and two sisters, Dot Sue Moran of Mullens and Martina “Marty” Brinkley of Rock Hill, S.C.

Service will be private.

Online guest book may be signed at www.calfeefuneralervice.com or e-mail condolences to the Blankenship family at calfeefuneralservice@stei.com.

Calfee Funeral Service, Pineville, is serving the Blankenship family.

Eleanor Jean Boyd

PETERSTOWN — Eleanor Jean Boyd, 88, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2008.

Graveside service and burial will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Sunrise Memorial Gardens, Rich Creek, Va. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown.

Online guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the Boyd family at www. broyles-shrewsbury.com.

Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown.

Lonnie Compton

WYOMING — Lonnie Compton, 75, of Wyoming, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2008, at Bowers Hospice House, Beckley.

Calfee Funeral Service, Pineville, is serving the Compton family.

Peggy Ann Dorsey

RUPERT — Peggy Ann Dorsey, 60, of Forest Lane, Rupert, died Saturday, April 26, 2008, at her residence.

Born Jan. 4, 1948, in Charleston, she was the daughter of John Nutter of Sugar Grove and the late Zelma Lovejoy Nutter.

Peggy was a licensed practical nurse with Rainelle Medical Center and a member of Rhema Christian Center in Lewisburg.

In addition to her mother, a brother, John Nutter Jr., preceded her in death.

Additional survivors include two sons, Jerry Wayne Morgan and wife, Paula, of Richmond, Va., and Frank Charles “Chuckie” Dorsey and wife, Meredith, of Jupiter, Fla.; a daughter, Paula Elaine Morgan of Richmond; five grandchildren; two brothers, Mike Nutter and wife, Lisa, of Vinton, Va., and Rick Nutter and wife, Connie, of Winchester, Va.; and a sister, June Nutter of Richmond.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Rhema Christian Center, Lewisburg, with Pastor Lewis Moyer officiating. Dinner will be served for those attending the service at the center.

Please send flowers or donations to Rhema Christian Center, RR02 Box 172 AB, Lewisburg, WV 24901, or memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 1816 Jefferson St., Bluefield, WV 24701.

Seaver Funeral Home, Princeton, is serving the Dorsey family.

Dallas A. Fix

Dallas A. Fix, 67, of Beaver, died Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at Charleston Area Medical Center, Memorial Division, following a sudden illness.

Born Dec. 17, 1940, in Charleston, he was the son of the late Carl and Virginia Gay Hoback Fix.

Mr. Fix was retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a clerk at the Beckley Post Office with over 32 years of service.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis on the USS Intrepid. He was of the Christian faith and was a former member of the Masonic Lodge.

Surviving him are his wife, Joyce Stewart Fix; two sons, Michael Goodman and wife, Julee, of Fincastle, Va., and Jayson Goodman and wife, Angela, of Durham, N.C.; a daughter, Jennifer Connor and husband, Chuck, of Shady Spring; six grandchildren, Kayley Goodman, Tyler Goodman, Chase Connor, Ethan Connor, Luke Goodman and Olivia Grace Goodman; and several sisters and brothers-in-law whom he dearly loved.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring Chapel, with Brother Danny Winders officiating.

Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum, Beckley.

Friends and family will serve as pallbearers.

Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, 1422 Kanawha Blvd., E., P.O. Box 2942, Charleston, WV 25330.

Online condolences may be sent to our guest book at www.roseandquesenberry.net.

Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring, is serving the Fix family.

Randy V. Gibson

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Randy V. Gibson, 46, formerly of Oceana, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2008, at his home.

He was born July 18, 1961, in Beckley, a son of the late Andrew H. and Kathleen Toler Gibson.

Randy was a 1979 graduate of Oceana High School and attended Concord College, West Virginia Tech and Glenville State. He enjoyed sports and hearing or reading about news from back home.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Carol; a brother, Roger; three nieces, Lori Hill, Steph-anie Cline and Trona Gibson; and a nephew, Brett Gibson.

He is survived by four brothers, Dewey and wife, Cindy, of Virginia, Bill “Dink” and wife, Wanda, of Oceana, Herman and wife, Jill, of Beckley and Leonard and wife, Connie, of Oceana; six sisters, Bertha Hill and husband, Harold, of Glen Fork, Vita Reed and husband, Walt, of Florida, Aloma Bowden and husband, Tracy, of Oceana, Sue Cline and husband, Butch, of Tennessee, Debbie Kennedy and husband, Terry, of South Carolina and Trona Harrison and husband, Randy, of Virginia; several nieces and nephews; two special friends, Ben and Oscar of Myrtle Beach; and a host of other loving family and friends.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today at Palm Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Matheny. Randy will be laid to rest in Palm Memorial Gardens.

E-mail letters of sympathy may be sent at www. staffordfamilyfuneralhome.com.

The family is being served by Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco.

Dora Jane Grande

RICHWOOD — Dora Jane Grande, 80, of Richwood, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at her residence after a short illness.

She was born Sept. 29, 1927, in Richwood to the late Frank and Caterina Fabiana Grande.

She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Richwood.

She was the youngest of 10 children.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held after Rosary starting at noon Saturday, May 3, at Simons-Coleman Funeral Home, Richwood, with Father Jerome Rawa officiating.

Arrangements by Simons-Coleman Funeral Home, Richwood.

Chester Lee Hiser

ALDERSON — Chester Lee Hiser, 91, died Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, Fairlea, following a short illness.

Born June 21, 1916, at Blue Sulphur Springs, he was the son of the late Charlie Edward and Kelly Jean Bryant Hiser.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his companion of 42 years, Gladys Marie Hiser Sims; a daughter, Betty Jane Sims; four brothers, Hubert Hiser, Glen Hiser, Basil Hiser and Jess Hiser; a half sister, Mamie Sims; and four grandchildren.

Mr. Hiser retired in 1997 from Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson, after 45 years of service. He was also formerly employed by Acme Limestone Co., Snowflake, and the West Virginia Department of Highways, Rainelle.

Mr. Hiser is survived by seven children whom he raised as his own, Charles “Bobby” Sims and his wife, Christine, of Fort Spring, Larry Lee Sims of Alderson, Audrey Marie Hall and her husband, Fairley, of Ronceverte, Rebecca Darlene Hiser and her companion, John Johnson, of Powellton, Curtis Monroe Sims and his wife, Betty, of Alderson, George Garland Sims and his companion, Nancy Smith, of Kirby Mountain and Mary Lou Sims and her companion, Gary Bragg, of Alderson; eight grandchildren, Lisa Hiser, Michael Hall, James Hall, Gary Bragg Jr., Rachel Bragg, Matthew Burns, David Sims and Adam Sims; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Lobban Funeral Home Chapel, Alderson, with Pastor Anthony Carter officiating. Entombment will follow at Wallace Memorial Mausoleum, Clintonville.

Friends may call 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jason Smith, Aaron Hiser, Gary Bragg, Fairley Hall, Roy Lee Brown and Erasmo Duran.

Arrangements by Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson.

Billie R. Howell

Billie R. Howell, 75, of St. Clair Shores, Mich., formerly of Sullivan, died Monday, April 28, 2008, at a St. Clair Shores nursing facility following a long illness.

Born in Fayette County on Sept. 6, 1932, he was the son of the late Ira T. Howell and Bessie Sheaves Howell.

Mr. Howell was a retired shipping dock employee and was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was of the Baptist faith.

Mr. Howell was a resident of St. Clair Shores for the past four years, and had made his home at the care facility for only the past three weeks.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shelby Jean Howell, and daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Jones.

Survivors include a son, Melvin Howell and wife, Angeline, of St. Clair Shores; two brothers, Jimmy Howell of Coal City and Kenny Howell of Warren, Mich.; and a grandchild, David Shawn Jones.

Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Jimmy Ford officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends may call one hour before service.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Online condolences may be sent to our guest book at www.roseandquesenberry.net.

Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.

Jerry Wilson Meadows

BURTON, Ohio — Jerry Wilson Meadows, 70, died Saturday morning, March 29, 2008, at Blossom Hill, Huntsburg Township, Ohio.

He was born Aug. 16, 1937, in Stone, Ky., the son of Woodrow Wilson and Mildred Elois Moser Meadows.

Jerry was a graduate of Sophia High School, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and married Barbara Korencic on Oct. 20, 1962. He was a computer analyst, retired from G.E. Nela Park, East Cleveland, and also retired from J.P. Morgan Chase. He had a 6th degree black belt in Okinawan Karate, and was active in Euclid Indian Guides.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara; two sons, Dwayne Meadows of Green Belt, Md., and Bret (Michelle) Meadows of Burton; four grandchildren, Haley, Lilija, Julianna of Burton and Owen of Hawaii; his brother, Jimmy Meadows of Sparks, Nev.; brother-in-law, Billy Lang of University Heights, Ohio; and his father-in-law, Joseph Korencic of Ashtabula, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Judy Lang.

Memorial service will be noon Monday, May 5, at Russell Golden Rule Funeral Service, 15670 W. High St. (Route 87), Middlefield, Ohio, with Father Jay Mc-Phillips officiating.

Friends may call 10 a.m. until time of service Monday.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Blossom Hill Activity Department, P.O. Box 369, Huntsburg, OH 44046.

Arrangements by Russell Funeral Services, Middlefield.

Kellis Wilson Miller

GRANDVIEW, Mo. — Kellis Wilson Miller, 79, of Grandview, Mo., formerly of Oak Hill, passed away Friday, April 25, 2008, at Research Medical Center.

Born in Minden on July 3, 1928, he was the son of the late Newton Calvin and Roxie Ettie Miller. He grew up in Oak Hill, where he was a 1946 graduate of Oak Hill High School. He was an enthusiastic member of the OHHS/CHS Alumni Association.

Kellis attended Cincinnati College of Music, followed by military service in the Korean War with the United States Air Force. He sang with the New York City Opera Company for over 10 years and also enjoyed performing professionally in musical comedy and various concerts.

In 1957, he wed Ruth Seek, and in 1971, the young family moved to Grandview. Kellis worked at Jenkins and Wurlitzer Music Companies and at Truman Medical Center for a number of years, where he retired in 1994. Kellis shared his passion for faith and music while singing with First Baptist Church of Grandview’s choir for many years.

Kellis is survived by his wife, Ruth Seek Miller; a daughter, Paris Smith of Bevier, Mo.; two sons, Ste-phen Miller of Raymore, Mo., and Kellis Miller of Blue Springs, Mo.; two sisters, Betty Kennedy and Iona Cummings, both of Oak Hill; six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

Funeral service was 10 a.m. Monday, April 28, at First Baptist Church of Grandview. Burial followed at Green Lawn Cemetery, Kansas City, Mo.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church’s Faith Center or to the National Kidney Foundation of Kansas and Western Missouri.

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

Submitted by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.

Spc. William Shane Redden

Our sweet and courageous son, grandson, brother and nephew; Spc. William Shane Redden, rode his earthly bike one more time to meet his precious and loving God on Sunday, April 27, 2008.

His journey began on Nov. 8, 1984, in the arms of his loving parents, William “Willie” and Elisa Pate Redden.

He was a 2003 graduate of Shady Spring High School and attended New Life Baptist Church in White Oak.

Mr. Redden served in the U.S. Army from May 7, 2003, to May 6, 2006. He first served as a line medic with the Armored Division in South Korea. He then served as a Special Forces combat medic with the Armored Division in Ramada, Iraq. His accomplishments included the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Medical Badge and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Our Shane was preceded in death by his maternal mamma, Margie Pate; his paternal grandparents Oral and Louise Redden; his soul mate, Terrie Gilkerson; and several cousins, aunts and uncles.

Those left to cherish his wonderful memory are his maternal grandparents, Jack and Drema Pate; brothers, W.M. Travis Redden and wife, Holly, and W.M. Joshua Redden; aunts, Mrs. Frank “Sherrie” Sanders and Mrs. Robert “Beatrice” O’Dell; uncles, Rex Redden and his wife, Kathy, and Frankie Redden; step-uncle, Jeff Whisman; and many great-aunts, uncles, cousins and a very special step-niece and his biggest fan, Brittany Whisman.

A celebration of Shane’s life will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring, with Pastor Rodney Allen officiating.

Visitation will be 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

He will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, where military rites will be conducted.

Pallbearers will be Derrick Lester, Eric Randolph, John Akers, Frankie Sanders, Ping Jereza, Paul Ollila, Scotty Harris and Matt Creager.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to New Life Baptist Church, P.O. Box 229, White Oak, WV 25989, in Shane’s memory.

Online condolences may be sent to our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net.

Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring, is serving the Redden family.

Margie Zenith Lafferty Tyree

Margie Zenith Lafferty Tyree, 96, of Beckley, died Monday, April 28, 2008, at Bowers Hospice House in Beckley.

Born July 27, 1911, at Willis Branch, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Rosa M. Williams Lafferty.

Mrs. Tyree was a member of Mabscott Christian Baptist Church and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tennis A. Tyree; a son, Jack Tyree; and two infant children. Margie was the last surviving member of her immediate family, having been preceded in death by seven brothers, Everett, Dillian, Troy, Winton, James, Denny and Eugene Lafferty; and three sisters, Mabel Feazelle, Lillian Woolwine and Dixie Pennington.

Survivors include a son, William “Bill” Tyree and wife, Ellen, of Rockville, Md.; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Tyree of Mount Holly, N.C.; six grandchildren, Timothy Tyree and wife, Connie, of Beckley, Scott Tyree and wife, Evonka, of Mount Holly, Kelli Tilston and husband, Mike, of Katy, Texas, Chris Tyree and wife, Julia, of Clute, Texas, Michael Tyree of Rockville and Kylen Johnson of Clarksburg, Md.; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope, with the Rev. Harmon Davis officiating. Burial will be at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the funeral home.

Timothy Tyree, Shawn Tyree, Michael Tyree, Chris Tyree, Scott Tyree and Kylen Johnson will serve as pallbearers.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.