Published: September 05, 2008 08:55 pm         

Obituaries - Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008

Vernon L. Atkins

UNION — Vernon L. Atkins, 89, a lifelong resident of Union, W.Va., left this world on Monday, Sept. 4, 2008, at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Fairlea, following a short illness.

He was born at Fort Springs, W.Va., June 10, 1919, a son of the late Birtle Mason and Viola Armentrout Atkins.

Mr. Atkins was a Veteran of World War II and he was a member of the first platoon on the ground in Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945. Upon returning to the U.S., he worked with the FBI for a short period. He had served as a member of the Monroe County Board of Education. He was committed to a lifetime of farming and was a pioneer in farm equipment and agricultural sales in the area. He was also a member of the Fairview Christian Church at Keenan were he was baptized in 1932.

Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Juanita “Jean” Doss Atkins of Keenan; two sons, Ivan Atkins and his friend, Melinda Mabe, of Union and Avery Atkins and his fiancée, Connie Eggleston, of Union; a daughter, Dyna Atkins Couch and her husband, Tom, of Camp Hill, Pa.; a brother, Mason O. Atkins and his wife, Eloise, of Union; and seven grandchildren, Kristopher, Nathen, Carley, and Travis Atkins, Sheena Wickline, Matt and Rachel Couch.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at the Groves Funeral Home Chapel in Union, with the Rev. Philip Hunt officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Christian Church Cemetery at Keenan, W.Va.

Friends may call at the Groves Funeral Home in Union from 6 to 8 p.m. today.

Groves Funeral Home in Union is in charge of arrangements.

Hattie Marie Bolen

Hattie Marie Bolen, age 68, of Sullivan, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at West Virginia University Hospital, Morgantown.

Born Aug. 5, 1940, she was the daughter of the late John and Thelma Davis Alexander.

Hattie’s life was God, her church, her family, and the many friends and relatives.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the father of Glenn, Larry, and Christopher Alexander, Lundy Lilly; her husband, James W. Bolen; son, Christopher Alexander; grandson, Ronald Alexander; and granddaughter, Crystal Adkins.

Those left to cherish her memory include four sons, Glenn Alexander and wife Vickie of Silverwood, Mich., Larry Alexander and wife Paula of Princewick, W.Va., James Bolen and wife Nadine, and John Bolen and wife Erica, all of Sullivan, W.Va.; 11 grandchildren, George Pierce, Karen Morodan, Greg Pierce, Bryan Alexander, Keith Alexander, Timothy Adkins, Renee Bolen, John D. Bolen, Kenneth Bolen, Dakota Bolen, and Christian Bolen; nine great-grandchildren, Arieall Morodan, Shawntell Morodan, Alexanderia Pierce, Camyron Alexander, Tera Adkins, Hunter Alexander, Lucas Johnston, Brandon Pierce, and Cheyanne Alexander; two brothers, Charles Alexander of Peterstown, W.Va., and Earsel Alexander of Bethany, Ill.; a sister, Nancy Bolen of Beckley, W.Va.; and sister-in-law, Janice Alexander of Peterstown, W.Va.

Services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8, 2008, at Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Friends may gather with the family Sunday from 12 noon until 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Hattie touched the lives of many who crossed her path during her lifetime. Many called her mother and grandma.

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

Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 101 First St., Sophia, W.Va., is in charge of the arrangements.

Joseph A. Booth II

Joseph A. Booth II went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Charleston.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Abigail Paige; great-grandparents, George and Nellie Pettry, Paul Cantley, Jesse Clay and John R. Booth Sr.

He is survived by his parents, Joseph and Denise Lynn Cantley Booth of Horse Creek; maternal grandparents, Bobby and Ellen Cantley of Rock Creek; paternal grandparents, H.D. and Helen Price of Naoma and Randy Booth of Fairdale; great-grandmothers, Arlene Clay of Naoma, Zela G. Booth of Beckley and Mildred Cantley of Rock Creek; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Though we only knew you for a moment, you will be forever in our hearts.

Graveside services and burial will be 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at the Cantley Cemetery at Rock Creek, with the Rev. Larry Kinder officiating.

Arrangements by Armstrong Funeral Home of Whitesville.

Nancy A. King Crook

MILFORD, Del. — Nancy A. King Crook, 70, of Milford, Del., formerly of Jumping Branch, died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, at the home of her daughter in Milford, following a long illness.

Born May 24, 1938, in Toledo, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Ralph and Ann Carpenter King.

She formerly attended Bluestone Baptist Church, Jumping Branch and the Open Door Church, Shady Spring.

Nancy was an avid gardener who enjoyed the outdoors.

She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Clair Crook, in 1992; an infant son, Lewis James Crook; a brother, Richard King; and a sister, Garnet Balish.

Survived by a son, Danny Crook and wife Nickie of Toledo, Ohio; three daughters, Deborah J. Collier and husband Richard of Canal Winchester, Ohio, Vanesa Douglas of Columbus, Ohio, and Diana L. King of Milford, Del.; eight grandchildren, Dustin, Ashley, Lorin, Kristin, Jennifer, Brian, Adam, and Toni; and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors Chapel, with Pastor Bill Fox officiating. Burial will follow in the Clayton Meadows Cemetery at Madams Creek.

Friends may call from noon until service time on Sunday at the funeral parlors.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Condolences may be sent to the family at info@ronaldmeadowsfp.com.

Arrangements are by the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors of Hinton.

Myrtle M. Dunbar

Myrtle M. Dunbar, 59, of Stanaford Road, Beckley, passed away Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, after being diagnosed with Progressive Supernuclear Palsy.

Born May 10, 1949, at Winifrede, she was the daughter of the late Marvin and Dora “Todie” Perdue.

In addition to her parents, Myrtle was preceded in death by three brothers, Billy Lewis, Jack and Charles Perdue.

Myrtle was a 1967 graduate of East Bank High School.

She is survived by her loving husband and caregiver, Terry. Myrtle is survived by three children, Sherry Seals of Wichita Falls, Texas, Donna Olsen, and James Stanley Jr. of Sumter, S.C.; two stepsons whom she took as her own, Terry Dunbar II of Oak Hill, W.Va., and Eric Dunbar of Oceana, W.Va.; brothers, Mathew and Sidney Perdue of Winifrede; sisters, Loretta Booker of South Charleston, W.Va., and Allie McFadden of McDonough, Ga.; five grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday at the Workmans Creek Methodist Church, with the Rev. Phillip Farrington officiating. Burial will be at the McDole Cemetery at Clear Creek.

Shawn Douglas Fox

Shawn Douglas Fox, age 17, of Fairdale, died Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, of injuries received in an automobile accident.

Born Oct. 30, 1990, in Martinsburg, W.Va., he was the son of Penny Darlene Sauer and Rodney Gerald Fox.

Shawn enjoyed football, wrestling, track, and hunting. He was a student at Liberty High School and was of the Methodist faith.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Kenneth Lee DeHeaven and Homer Gerald Fox.

Those left to cherish his memory include his mother and stepfather, Penny and Karl Sauer of Fairdale; father Rodney Fox of Berkeley Springs; brother, Sanford Lee “Bozie” Fox of Crab Orchard; grandmothers, Patricia Ann DeHeaven of Hedgesville, and Nancy Lee Fox of Pennsylvania; stepbrother, Karl Sauer of Fairdale; two stepsisters, Amanda Violet Jeffries of Hinton and Emily Ann Sauer of Beckley; uncles, Kenny Lee DeHeaven, Martin Scott DeHeaven, Jeffrey Lynn DeHeaven, and Clayton Dale DeHeaven; and one niece, Destiny Rayne Fox.

Services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Dean Adams officiating.

Friends may gather with the family 6 to 9 p.m. today, Sept. 6, 2008, at the funeral home.

Family will receive friends at the Alpine United Methodist Church in Berkeley Springs, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008, from 12:30 until 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Alpine Church Cemetery, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.

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

Grove Funeral Home, Hancock, Md., is in charge of local burial arrangements in Berkeley Springs, W.Va.

Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is in charge of the arrangement.

John A. Grevillius

John A. Grevillius of Asbury and Alderson, 84, died on Monday, Sept. 1, 2008.

A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Lobban Funeral Home Chapel, Alderson. Burial will follow in the Alderson Cemetery, Alderson.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Elks at B.P.O.E. Lewisburg, W.Va., No. 1758, P.O. Box 68, Lewisburg, WV 24901-0068.

Arrangements by Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson.

Minnie Jones

Minnie Jones, 64, of Beaver, passed away Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, at University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Va.

Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry, Beckley.

Letcher ‘Lugene’ Kelley

LESLIE — Letcher “Lugene” Kelley, 70, of Leslie, passed away Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Fairlea.

He was born Jan. 24, 1938, to the late W.L. “Bus” and Gladys Lewis Kelley.

He was the beloved husband of Bonnie Tyree Kelley; devoted father of Chris Kelley of Leslie, Lu-Ann and her husband Charles Bevins of Marfrance, and April and her husband Cullen Losch of Nettie; faithful cousin, Brother George R. “Punky” Kelley of Ohio; adored five grandchildren, Charles Bevins Jr., T.J. Sweet, Kelley Sweet, Matthew Bevins, and Jessica Sweet; five great-grandchildren, Cole, Nia, Fallyn, Makayla, and Preston, who were the apples of his eye; his mother-in-law, Kathleen Tyree; and many close personal friends.

He was a disabled coal miner and a retired business man. He was a devoted sports fan, participating in numerous activities and sporting events in his community. He was a loyal fan of Greenbrier West High School Sports and the Viking Little League.

Family and friends may call today, Sept. 6, 2008, after 1 p.m., at his home in Leslie.

Services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Wallace and Wallace Chapel in Rainelle, with Rev. Jim Luchsinger officiating.

There will be no graveside services.

Darrell E. Richmond

FAYETTEVILLE — Darrell Edward Richmond, 66, of Fayetteville, entered into rest Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, at the Beckley VA Medical Center, after a short illness.

Born on Aug. 8, 1942, at Elkins, he was the son of Frances Lyons Richmond of Fayetteville and the late Oris Richmond.

Darrell was a beloved son, father, husband, brother, and friend to all who knew him. He served in the Army as a Military Policeman during the Vietnam War. He was a retired carpenter, a “doting dad” to his two dogs, Oliver and Junior, and he enjoyed shooting pool.

He was preceded in death by his father, Oris “Doc” Richmond.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jackie Dean; mother, Frances Richmond, both of Fayetteville; a son, Tim and wife, Kim, of Rock Cave; a daughter, Tracy and companion, Bryan Wickline, of Fayetteville; stepchildren, Kimberly Runyon and husband, Philip, and John Payne and wife, Laurie, both of Meridian, Miss.; and two sisters, Kathy Sheridan and husband, Bill, of Cross Lanes and Shelby Jeffries of Fayetteville. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Brandi, Jason, Waylon, Logan, Christopher, Charles, and Laura; a special niece, Michelle Wasson and husband, Chris, of Cross Lanes; a lifelong friend, Jimmy Harris; and many extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at the Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home Chapel, Fayetteville.

In keeping with Darrell’s wishes, he will be cremated, with interment of cremains to follow at a later date.

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

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

Linda Kay Smith

MOUNT HOPE — Linda Kay Smith, 50, of Mount Hope, died on Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, in Mount Hope.

Born Oct. 29, 1957, at Raleigh County, she was the daughter of the late Otis and Nettie Webb Smith.

Ms. Smith was a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by an infant son, Brian Smith; two sisters, Gloria Gray and Carolyn Sue Smith; and two brothers, Richard Smith and Galen Smith.

Survivors include one son, Roger Dale Smith of Mount Hope; three brothers, Billy Smith of Raleigh, Otis Smith of Mount Hope and Carlos Smith of McGraw; and two sisters, Bonnie Thompson of Mount Hope and Martha Mollohan of Elyria, Ohio.

She is also survived by two grandchildren, Eric and R.J. Smith, both of Mount Hope; her grandson’s mother, Sandra, by many nieces and nephews and special friends Tony and Jane Ann Smith of Kilsyth.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at Tyree Funeral Home in Mount Hope with Rev. Okey Slate officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.

Arlene Wilder

CLAXTON, Ga. — Arlene Sue Wilder, 41, formerly of Holly Hill, S.C., died Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, in a Savannah hospital.

Arlene was born in Newport News, Va., a daughter of George Lee Bailey Sr. of Pineville, W.Va., and the late Betty Jane Chandler Bailey.

She was a CNA and enjoyed music, dancing, fishing, Rollerblading, and the beach.

Other than her father, surviving are her husband, Jason Wilder; a son, Jefferey Evans of Pearland, Texas; sisters, Rebecca Britt of Jamestown, S.C., Mary Catherine Strickland of Brenton, W.Va., Wanda Walker of Clearfolk, W.Va., (her twin) Darlene Duschaine of Baraga, Mich., and Jennifer Reed of Oceana, W.Va.; and brothers, George Bailey Jr. and Buddy Bailey, both of Glenfork, W.Va., and Michael Bailey of Oceana, W.Va.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday in Avinger Funeral Home Chapel in Holly Hill, with Rev. Bennie Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Eutawville (S.C.) Cemetery.

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

Sharon K. Wittkamper

HINTON — Sharon K. Wittkamper, 53, of Hinton, died Thursday, Aug. 4, 2008, in St. Francis Hospital in Charleston following an extended illness.

Sharon was born Nov. 25, 1954, in Hinton, the daughter of Lenzy Zickafoose of Elton and the late Alfreda Ladoucer Flanagan.

Sharon was a member of the Jumping Branch Tabernacle. She loved people and was loved and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Rocky and Danny Zickafoose; one sister, Lawana Brothers; her paternal grandparents, Bob and Lela Zickafoose; and maternal grandparents, Alfred and Mary Ladoucer.

Sharon is survived by her father, Lenzy Zickafoose; one daughter, Stephanie Wittkamper and fiance Joe Dahmer of Sugar Grove, W.Va.; one son, Stephen Wittkamper, a student at Shepherdstown College; one sister, Lana Smith and husband Chuck of Randellman, N.C.; one brother, L.A. Zickafoose and wife Vicki of Meadow Bridge; stepmother, Nelda Duncan Zickafoose; and five stepbrothers, Stan, Floyd, William, Steve and Blaine Duncan; and several nieces and nephews.

At her request, the body has been cremated and a memorial graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at the McElhenny Cemetery at Grassy Meadows with Rev. Dalene Coffman officiating. Those wishing to attend services are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Online condolences and guest register at www.pivontfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton.