Obituaries, Thursday, July 2, 2009

July 01, 2009 09:42 pm

— Thomas ‘Tom’ Eugene Allen Sr.
Thomas “Tom” Eugene Allen Sr., age 60, of Beckley, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2009.
Born January 26, 1949 at Beckley, he was the son of Pearl Dorothy Nelson Allen of Beckley and the late Arnold Eugene Allen.
Tom loved to take walks and go swimming. He was a retired bus driver with the Raleigh County Board of Education. He served in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam Era, serving from 1967-1970. Tom was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Allen.
In addition to his mother, those left to cherish his memory include his son, Thomas E. Allen Jr. and wife, Jennifer of Melbourne, Fla.; granddaughter, Natalie Allen; three sisters, Linda Hall and husband, Ralph of Lanark, Ruth Ann Harvey and husband, Bruce of Ohio, and Christine Jennings and husband, Dennis of Concord, N.C.; one brother, David Allen and wife, Anita of Mt. Hope; several nieces, nephews; great nieces and nephews; and a host of extended family and friends.
A memorial service and gathering will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Thursday, July 2, 2009 at the Piney View Bible Church with Pastor Cecil Smith officiating.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at blueridgefuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Beckley Vet Center, 1000 Johnstown Road, Beckley WV 25801 in Tom’s honor and memory.
Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is in charge of the arrangements.

Ernest R. Gilfilen
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ernest R. Gilfilen, 69, of Cleveland, went home to be with his Lord on June 30, 2009.
Born on Sept. 22, 1939 in Munition, W.Va., son of the late Arnold and Gladys Opal (nee Morris).
Beloved husband of 44 years to Iona (nee Shabdue); dear father of Pam Shew (Orville) of Princeton, W.Va., Gary Gilfilen (Debbie) of Cleveland, Teresa Gilfilen of Princeton, W.Va., Cheryl Pack (Dale) of Springboro, Ohio, Rick Gilfilen of North Olmsted, Ohio, and the late Gladys Irene Gilfilen and Darren Gilfilen; grandfather of Chris, Samantha, Gary, Jennifer, Tiffany, Megan, Mandi, Sarah, Marissa, Michael, and Matthew; great-grandfather of six; brother of Claude, Dale, Danny, Linda Lively, Ruth Tucker, and the late Norval, and Dora Wills.
Retired Supervisor from LTV and Senior Account Executive of Henkel Corp. He was also a 32nd Degree Master Mason of the Warren G. Harding Lodge; served in the 42nd Airborne. Ernie loved his family and lived life to its fullest.
Service with Rev. Danny Gilfilen officiating will be 12 noon on Friday, July 3, 2009 in the Chapel at Sunset Memorial Park, 6245 Columbia Rd., where the family will receive friends 10 a.m. until time of the service Friday.
In lieu of flowers all contributions to be made to Malachi House, 2810 Clinton Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113.
Online at dostalfuneralservices.com
Arrangements by Dostal Funeral Service, North Olmsted, Ohio.

Richard Hairston
Richard Hairston, age 52, of Roanoke, formerly of Beckley, died on Monday, June 29, 2009. He was the son of the late C.P. Hairston and Lolene Hairston of Beckley.
Services will be 12 noon on Friday, July 3, at the Serenity Funeral Home, 126 Gilmer Ave. N.W., Roanoke, Va.
Arrangements by Serenity Funeral Home, Roanoke.

Frank Hatfield
BROWNING FORK — Frank Hatfield, 76, died Monday, June 29, 2009.
Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Mounts Funeral Home Chapel, Gilbert. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home chapel, with service at 7 p.m. Burial will follow in Carter Cemetery, Browning Fork, Gilbert.
Arrangements by Mounts Funeral Home, Gilbert.

Brenda L. Lafferty
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — Brenda L. Lafferty, 48, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2009.
Service will be 2 p.m. today, at Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel.
Friends may call noon until time of the services.
Online guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the Lafferty family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com
Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown.

G. Lee Perley
MULLENS — Geoffrey Lee Perley, 77, of Mullens, died Sunday, June 28, 2009 in a Beckley hospital following a short illness.
Born April 8, 1932 in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Walter Lee and Anna Marie Mikol Perley.
Mr. Perley had been a resident of Mullens for the past 10 years. He was an Orthopedic Brace Maker and in his leisure he enjoyed building and working on boats.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Dreama Cole Perley; two daughters, Janice McDonald and her husband, Pat, and Melissa Fitzgerald and her husband, John; two sons, Geoffrey Perley and his wife, Delores and Terry Perley and his wife, Vell; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a special friend “Muff”.
Memorial services will be held 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 3, 2009, at the Solid Rock Worship Center, Mullens, with Rev. Mickey Mitchell officiating.
Friends may call thirty minutes prior to services Friday at the church.
On-line condolences may be expressed at www.tankersleyfh.com
Arrangements by Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens.

Roy Lee Proffitt
OAK HILL — Roy Lee Proffitt, 67, of Oak Hill, died on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill.
Born October 09, 1941 at Crumpler, W.Va., he was the son of the late Ernest and Cora Barrett Proffitt.
Roy was raised at Ashland and Crumpler and attended Northfork Elkhorn High School where he played on the high school football team.
He was a retired coal miner for Patriot Coal, a member of the UMWA and president of Local 7086.
Mr. Proffitt was a member of Oak Hill Lodge No. 120 A.F. and A.M., Sewell Chapter No. 24 R.A.M., Mount Hope Commandery No. 22 K.T., Beni Kedem Shrine A.A.O.N.M.S. and Scottish Rite Bodies.
He was a US Army veteran.
The family would like to express a special thanks to Dr. Anwar.
A brother, Bobby Proffitt preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Carletta Short Proffitt; one son, Michael Proffitt of Bluefield, Va.; four daughters, Margaret Adkins of Salisbury, N.C., Mary Rothwell of Salisbury, N.C., Michelle Shepherd of Fayetteville and Christina Davis of Florence, Ariz.; three sisters, Glenda White of Athens, Patty Workman and companion, Keith of Princeton and Elaine Richardson and husband, Jerry of Princeton and one brother, Larry Proffitt and wife, Carol of Camp Creek.
Eight grandchildren, Samantha Proffitt, Sarah Rothwell, Thomas Shepherd, Heather Shepherd, Katie Proffitt, James “Bubba” Rothwell, Dustin David and Christopher Lanham and many nieces and nephews also survive him.
Services will be on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill. Burial will be at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill with Masonic graveside rites by Oak Hill Lodge No. 120 A.F. and A.M.
Visitation will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.
Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.

Joe Richards
PRINCETON — Joe Richards, 77, of Princeton, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at his home.
Born October 18, 1931 at Matoaka, he was the son of the late Roy Richards and Belle Calfee Richards.
Mr. Richards was a self-employed service station mechanic at Richards’ Shell Station in Princeton for more than 20 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving four years in the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Shawnee Baptist Church where he served as choir director, deacon and Sunday School teacher. He enjoyed the outdoors including fishing and gardening.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Ray Richards, Frank Richards and infant brother, Howard; and one sister, Beulah Allen.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Maxine Wiley Richards; two sisters, Helen Testino of Winston-Salem, N.C. and Nancy Anthony of Princeton; six nieces; and six nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, July 3, 3009 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with the Revs. Ron Richards and Ralph Calfee officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton where military rites will be conducted by the Mercer County Veterans Council.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bailey-kirk.com
Memorial contributions may be made to Shawnee Baptist Church, P.O. Box 187, Kegley, WV 24731.
Arrangements by Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home, Princeton.

Joseph Charles Roberts
OAK HILL — Joseph Charles Roberts, age 70, of Oak Hill, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at Hidden Valley Center, Oak Hill.
Born on June 12, 1939 at Leivasy, W.Va., he was the son of the late James F. Roberts and the late Mary Roberts Campbell.
Mr. Roberts worked 45 years in the coal mines, was a member of U.M.W.A., and was a member of the Addison Lodge No. 116.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Joseph E. Roberts.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Carla Faye Gibson Roberts of Oak Hill, together for 27 years; three sons, Timmy Roberts and wife Bridgett of Webster Springs, Al Roberts and wife Gennette of Parkersburg, and Austin Roberts of Morgantown; two brothers, James Roberts and wife Ethel of Kent, Ohio, and Fred Roberts and wife Charlotte of Summersville; two half brothers, Tommy and Buddy Roberts both of Toledo, Ohio; four half sisters, Becky, Judy, Mary, and Patty all of Toledo, Ohio; four grandchildren, Crystal, Richard, Jayde Ann, and Jozey Alana Roberts; and his mother-in-law, Helen R. Gibson of Oak Hill.
Services will be 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2009 at the Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley with Rev. John Pack officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. A Masonic service will be conducted by Addison Lodge No. 116.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Friends may gather with the family one-hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at blueridgefuneralhome.com
Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is in charge of the arrangements.

Eric Paul Stover
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Eric Paul Stover, 50, of Knoxville, formerly of Maple Fork, died Saturday, June 27, 2009, at his home.
Born July 8, 1958, at Beckley, W.Va., he was the son of Lovell A. Williams Stover of Maple Fork and the late Lacy B. Stover.
He was a Security Guard for Searay Boat Company of Knoxville.
Mr. Stover was a member of the Bradley Presbyterian Church and was a U.S. Navy veteran.
A nephew, Logan Seth Ward preceded him in death.
In addition to his mother, Eric is survived by two brothers, Lacy Byron Stover and wife, Donna of Maple Fork and Alan Gene Stover and wife, Wanda of Knoxville, Tenn. and one sister, Rose Mary Ward and husband, Issac of Maple Fork; four nephews; five nieces and a special friend, Thomas Noe, also survive him.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. today, Thursday, July 2, 2009, at Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope, with Pastor Elizabeth Stone officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Friends may call one-half hour prior to the service on today at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to be made to the Bradley Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 291, Bradley, WV 25818.
Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.