Published: October 03, 2008 09:57 pm         

Obituaries - Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008

Robert Johnson Ashworth

Robert Johnson Ashworth, 99, of 206 Elkins St., Beckley, died Oct. 2, 2008, at The Villages at Greystone.

He was the son of the late Dr. Robert A. Ashworth and Dorthula Johnson Ashworth of Moundsville, W.Va. He was born in McDowell County, W.Va., on May 8, 1909.

Mr. Ashworth was a graduate of Moundsville High School and the West Virginia University Law School with a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence. Admitted to the bar on June 10, 1931, he practiced law in Beckley for over 65 years.

Robert Ashworth was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court of Raleigh County in 1988 to finish C. Berkley Lilly’s unexpired term. During his lengthy legal practice he held partnerships with his brother, Judge John C. Ashworth, and Judge H.L. Kirkpatrick. He also served 40 years as Fiduciary Commissioner.

Mr. Ashworth was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was active in Republican politics, serving as Raleigh County chairman for several years and was a delegate to one Republican National Convention. He was an honorary life member of Beckley Lodge 1452 B.P.O.E., serving as Exalted Ruler and District Deputy of Grand Exalted Ruler and a member of Beckley Lodge No. 1606 Loyal Order of Moose. He was a 50-year 32nd Degree member of the Masonic Lodge No. 95, Beni Kedem Shrine and former member of Lions International. He was a charter member of the Flat Top Lake Association and served 24 years as a director and three terms as President of the association.

Mr. Ashworth also served as Police Judge of Beckley and City Attorney of Beckley. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy and a part owner and president of Richmond Cleaners and Laundry.

He was a most loyal Mountaineer and an avid West Virginia University football fan who witnessed the very first and last games in the old Mountaineer Field and the first game in the current Mountaineer Field; and in between saw games involving the Mountaineers in 17 other states. Mr. Ashworth also loved hunting, fishing and a good game of poker.

Preceding him in death were brothers, Dr. Harold B., Charles V., and John C. Ashworth; and sisters, Betty Fulkerson and Dorothy Howell. His first wife, Virginia Hill Ashworth, died on Sept. 7, 1986.

Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Blanche Woods Ashworth; two daughters, Nancy Lee Sanderbeck and her husband, Jack, of Concord, N.C., and Joan Ashworth of Beckley. Also surviving are three granddaughters, Karen Greer and Virginia Blosser, both of Beckley, and Beth Ellen Sanderbeck of Knoxville, Tenn.; two grandsons, John Scott Sanderbeck of Houston, Texas, and Robert Jay Sanderbeck of Ocala, Fla.; six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, 2008, at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with Dr. Robert Stoddard officiating, with a eulogy by Judge H.L. Kirkpatrick. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home in Beckley.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Raleigh County Bar Association.

Pallbearers will be Tom Truman, Jack Roop, C.O. Smith, Bill Leadbetter, Hadge Hissim, and Bill O’Connor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Methodist Church, 217 S. Heber St., Beckley, WV 25801, and Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802.

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

Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.

Martha A. Cayton

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — Martha A. Cayton, 69, of White Sulphur Springs, died Friday, Oct. 3, 2008.

Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at the Bethesda Temple of Praise, White Sulphur Springs. Burial will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery, White Sulphur Springs. Friends may call one hour prior to the services on Sunday.

Arrangements by McCraw Funeral Home, Lewisburg.

Clyde Alfred Eggleston

MONROE, Ga. — Clyde Alfred Eggleston, 68, died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008.

Service will be 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at Mounts Funeral Home Chapel, Gilbert. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Mounts Funeral Home, Gilbert.

David Lee Gilkeson

RUPERT — David Lee Gilkeson, 50, died Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, in Greenbrier Valley Hospital, Fairlea.

Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle. Friends may call 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.

Richard W. ‘Rick’ Groves

CRAIGSVILLE — Richard W. “Rick” Groves, 55, of Craigsville, passed away Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, at the Bowers Hospice House in Beckley.

Born Sept. 12, 1953, in Cherry Point, N.C., he was the son of Garlin Hue and Zelda Elizabeth Nutter Groves of Nettie.

Rick was a drywaller in the home construction business.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his companion, Debra Robinson of Craigsville; a daughter, Angela Snider and husband, Timothy, of Summersville; a sister, Melody McMillion and husband, Eddie, of Fenwick; two brothers, Patrick Groves and wife, Nandrea, of Youngsville, N.C., and Timothy Groves and wife, Becky, of Nettie; and two grandchildren, Anthony and Laci.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, at the Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Nettie with Pastor Walter Ellison and Pastor Paul Allen officiating. Burial will follow at Wallace Memorial Cemetery in Clintonville.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church. There will be no evening visitation.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that you make donations to Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace Inc. of Rainelle.

Gordon D. Hairston

STOCKTON, Calif. — Gordon D. Hairston, 74, formerly of Raleigh, passed away on Sept. 22, 2008, after a brief illness.

A celebration of his life was held in East Palo Alto, Calif.

Arrangements by Jones Mortuary Inc., 660 Donohoe St., East Palo Alto, CA 94303.

Lakie Pauline Malay

OAK HILL — Lakie Pauline Malay, 75, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 2, 2008, following a long illness.

Pauline was born on July 25, 1933, at Robson, W.Va., to the late Lula B. Coleman and John Robert Keith and stepfather, William Coleman.

She worked several years at Mary Francis Coal Co. and 20 years in the medical profession, former employee of Plateau Medical Center and retired from Dr. Anwar Ullah, M.D.

Pauline was loved by many patients and friends and will be greatly missed by her family.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Robert E. Malay Sr.; eight children, Bobby and wife, Tammy, Jim and wife, Helen, Sam, Rick, Mike, Benita and husband, Duke, David and wife Bev, and Susie; 19 grandchildren, Keith, Kevin, Kylie, Kendall, Amy, Kelly, Karen, Ricky, Andy, Caitlin, Caleb, Jennifer, Jessica, Julia, Jeanette, Sloane, Alexis, Daniel, and Abigail; also 10 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mabel Mason, Ada Mae Boyd and Wilda Salters.

Her remains rest at High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, 1435 E. Main St., Oak Hill, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Saturday, and where the funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, with the Rev. William Skeldon officiating. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.

Thomas Joseph Rakes

HINTON — Thomas Joseph Rakes, 70, of Zion Mt. Road, Hinton, died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, at the Summers County Appalachian Regional Hospital at Hinton, following a long illness.

Born March 18, 2008, at Summers County, he was the son of the late William “Bill” and Edna Dick Rakes.

He was a retired cook and kitchen worker at Pipestem State Park Resort and a member of the Christian Church.

Preceded in death by his wife Mary Rakes July 20, 1998; three sisters, Virginia Childers on March 25, 1997, Mildred Rakes January 1985 and Marie Rakes August 1984; and one brother, Carl Lee Rakes in July 1951.

Survived by one brother, Robert E. Rakes and wife Barbara of Tug Creek Road, Hinton; two sisters, Mary Jane Worley and husband William Ray of Beckley and Ruth Blanchard and husband Fred of Clinton, Ark.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors Chapel in Hinton with Pastor Gary Adkins officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenbrier Burial Park.

Friends may call at the funeral parlors from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Saturday.

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

Arrangements are by the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors of Hinton.

Lisa Ann Rudisill

HILLDALE — Lisa Ann Rudisill, 41, of Hilldale, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, at her home following a long illness.

Born Dec. 16, 1966, in Hinton, she was the daughter of Ray K. and Marlene Jones Rudisill of Hilldale.

Lisa was a former substitute cook for the Summers County Board of Education. She was a 1985 graduate of Hinton High School and was a member of Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church at Hilldale. Lisa was a lifelong resident of Summers County.

Lisa touched many lives here on earth. Her fortitude was an example for everyone who struggles with illness. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Robert R. Sr. and Elsie Mann Rudisill. Also preceded by her maternal grandparents, Lindsey and Grace Mitchell Jones.

In addition to Lisa’s parents, other survivors include three brothers, Verol Rudisill and wife Carolyn and Donald Richmond, both of Hilldale, and Nolan Rudisill and wife Gloria of Newport News, Va.; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel in Hinton with Revs. Glen Pysell, Sterling Morgan and Ken Stockwell officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Baptist Church Cemetery at Forest Hill.

Friends called from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Cousins and friends will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, PO Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802.

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

Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton.

Catherine Helen Schachner

Catherine Helen Schachner, 90, of Beckley, died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, in a Beckley hospital following a long illness.

Following her wishes her body will be cremated. There will be no service or visitation.

Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Freda Sue Rubin Phillips Simpkins

EASLEY, S.C. — Freda Sue Rubin Phillips Simpkins, 65, of 117 Avalon Circle, died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born in Lillybrook, W.Va., a daughter of the late Bernie and Hestal Miller Rubin, Mrs. Simpkins retired from Northwood University in West Palm Beach, Fla., and attended Rock Springs Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Boyd Alex Simpkins Jr. of the home; a son, Donald Phillips II and wife, Suann Phillips, of Princeton; a brother, Bernard T. Rubin and wife, Karen, of Beckley; and two grandchildren, Kirsten and Kevin Phillips.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Simpkins was preceded in death by a sister, Phyllis Stiver.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. today, Saturday, in the Chapel of Robinson Funeral Home, Powdersville Road, Easley, with the Rev. Dr. David Gallamore officiating.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. today at the funeral home, prior to the service.

The family is at the residence.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road.

William ‘Bill’ Turner

HOLDEN — William “Bill” Turner, 89, departed this life on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008.

Services will be held 11 a.m. today, Saturday at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Logan. Entombment will follow at Highland Memory Gardens Mausoleum.

Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Logan.