Published: November 01, 2009 07:14 pm      

Obituaries - Monday, Nov. 2, 2009

Eugene Cole

Eugene “Gene” Cole, 88, of Beckley died Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, in a Beckley care center following a long illness.

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

Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.





V. Keith DeLung Sr.

DOTHAN — V. Keith DeLung Sr., 73, of Dothan, W.Va., finished his race and went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Oct. 31, while at home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born March 26, 1936, in Dothan. His son, Carl Russell DeLung, his father, John R. DeLung, and his mother, Arizona Lafferty DeLung, preceded him in death. He was also preceded by three sisters, Delores Ruth “Jimmy” Davis, Barbara “Ticker” Wyatt Gram and Joyce “Tommy” Davis.

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

He will be missed deeply by his family and his brothers and sisters in Christ, including his wife, Janie Meadows DeLung, his son, Vernon Keith DeLung Jr., his daughter-in-law, Melanie Joan DeLung — all of Dothan — and his grandson Joshua Aaron DeLung and granddaughter-in-law Shari Melina Baloch, both of Oakton, Va.

Keith is also survived by three 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 — and three sisters — Betty Sue Buckland, of Rainelle, Peggy Jones, of Scarbro, and Blanche Massey and her husband Jerry, of Scarbro.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Homeside Hospice of Southern West Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25801.

His remains rest at High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, 1435 E. Main St., Oak Hill, where the family and loved ones will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today and where the funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday with Pastor Sam Vance of Packs Branch Baptist Church officiating. Entombment will follow at High Lawn Memorial Park.

Men from Packs Branch Baptist Church will serve as pallbearers.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.





Peggy Grubb

OAK HILL — Peggy Grubb, 50, of Oak Hill, passed away Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, at Plateau Medical Center, Oak Hill, following a long illness.

Arrangements are pending. Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, 350 W. Maple Ave., Fayetteville, will be assisting the family.





Edith ‘Granny’ Hall

OAK HILL — Edith “Granny” Hall, 81, of Oak Hill passed away Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.

Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley.





Anna Marie Epperly Harvey

HINTON — Anna Marie Epperly Harvey, 80, of Hinton, passed away Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, at home following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born March 25, 1929, in Hinton, she was the daughter of the late Thomas A. Epperly Sr. and Mary Etta Basham Epperly. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford J. Harvey; a sister, Carol Lee Craft; two brothers, Thomas A. Epperly Jr. and John Edward “Eddie” Epperly; and nephew, William Blaine Craft Jr.

Anna will be remembered for her musical talent. As a young woman growing up in Hinton, W.Va., she played the piano for her father, “Uncle Tom,” who taught singing schools in Summers County. After graduation from Hinton High School in 1945, she attended Charleston Business College until she received word of a job at the National Bank of Summers in Hinton.

Anna was also known as an expert seamstress. Over the years she made prom and wedding dresses for her daughters and granddaughters. She also made numerous dresses for young women in the WV Water Festival in Hinton. Her talents could also be seen in majorette uniforms she made for Rainelle High School, Greenbrier West High School and Hinton High School.

She was a member of the Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church at Hilldale, a former member of the Sylvester Methodist Church and Rainelle United Methodist Church where she was the pianist and choir director for many years.

After returning to Hinton, W.Va., Anna was pianist for “The Epperly Quartet” and “The Friendly Four Quartet.” She was happiest preparing for a big family gathering and everyone knew their favorites would be there: chocolate cake, potato and macaroni salads and fried chicken. She also enjoyed scrapbooking, crocheting, and quilting. For several years, she had been the organist for Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors in Hinton.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Susan Janette Harvey and A. Wayne Hicks, of Rutherfordton, N.C.; Nancy C. Richmond and her husband, Julian (Buzzy) Richmond, of Hinton; and Betty Ann Haynes, of Cross Lanes, W.Va. “Nana” will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Erin P. Elmore and her husband, Tim, of Forest City, N.C.; Courtney Vail Copas, of Temple, Texas; Rochelle R. Arritt and her husband, Bob, of Knoxville, Tenn.; Danielle R. Bowers and her husband, Chris, of Greensboro, N.C.; Jared C. Haynes, of Cross Lanes, W.Va., and Derek S. Haynes, of Morgantown, W.Va. “Nana” will be sadly missed by her great-grandchildren, Henry, Imogen and Isabel Elmore, Cassady and Cole Copas, Elisabeth and Abigail Arritt, and Brinley Bowers. Her brother, Charles L. Epperly of Covington, Va., and one sister, Rosemary Allman of Hinton.

The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Waheed Khan and staff of Hinton; Kanawha Hospice caregivers, Debbie and Tammy and Ellen; Dr. Edward Hamrick of Charleston, W.Va.; and her friends at Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors for the compassion and love given to Anna Marie and her family.

A celebration of Anna’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors Chapel with Rev. Sterling Morgan officiating. Burial will follow in the Restwood Memorial Gardens at Hinton. The family will receive friends from noon until service time Tuesday. Pallbearers will be nephews of Anna’s.





John Hunt Jr.

On Friday, October 30th, 2009, our beloved John Ulen Hunt Jr. of Independence Road, Sophia, passed away at the Raleigh General Hospital following a long illness. He was 72 years of age.

“JU,” as he was affectionately known all his life, was born on April 16, 1937, the only child of Juanita Vance Hunt of Midway and the late John Ulen Hunt Sr.

John spent his childhood at Sophia where he grew up in the Sophia Freewill Baptist Church. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1955. After his stint in the corps he settled in New Mexico where he worked in the uranium mines. Returning to West Virginia, he studied to be an electrician. His career in mining began with Kopperston, retiring from Maple Meadow Mining in 1997. John had 30 years in the mining industry. At the time of his death he was a member of the Shepherd’s Chapel. A lifelong resident of Sophia, he was a member of the UMWA. In his leisure time, he enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing.

A man of humility, John Hunt was a very devoted son, husband, Dad, Papa, and friend to many people.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Arlie and Rena Hughes, whom he held in high esteem.

In addition to his loving mother, Juanita, John is survived by his cherished wife of 50 years, Ruth Ann Hughes Hunt; he was the proud father of three daughters, Sherri Hunt of Midway, Kim Hunt of Beckley and Rebecca Blevins and her husband Preston of Dobson, N.C.; the doting Papa of Rebekah and Keith Blevins; his in-laws, the Hughes family whom he was extremely fond of.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Melton Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Bobby Carter officiating. John will then be laid to rest at the Coal City Community Cemetery near his father. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening and one hour prior to the services on Tuesday.

Pallbearers will be: Michael Vance, Gary, David and Lonnie Hughes Jr., Preston Blevins, Ronald Wood, James Stanley, and Charlie Johnson.

“John,” a Hebrew word, means “God is Gracious.” And so, HE was. We were blessed by God above to have this good and decent man in our lives. We will be eternally grateful for this blessing all the days of our lives.

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

Arrangements by Melton Mortuary Inc., Beckley, W.Va.





Mildred E. Jackson

Mrs. Mildred E. Jackson, 95, of 129 Washington Ave., Beckley, died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, in Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.





Hobert M. Kaylor Jr.

OAK HILL — Hobert M. Kaylor Jr., 85, of Oak Hill, passed away Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at Plateau Medical Center, Oak Hill, following an extended illness.

Funeral services will be noon Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home Chapel, Fayetteville, with Pastor Dana Gatewood officiating. Burial will follow in the Thayer Cemetery at Thurmond. The family will receive friends one hour before the funeral at the funeral home.

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

Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, 350 W. Maple Ave., Fayetteville, will be assisting the family.





Armilda Maynard

WILSONDALE — Armilda Maynard, 89, of Wilsondale passed Saturday at her home.

Arrangements are incomplete. Honaker Funeral Home in Logan is in charge of arrangements.





Mary M. Mitchell

MULLENS — Mary Magdalene Mitchell, 84, of Mullens, passed away Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, following a long illness.

Born May 13, 1925, at Davy in McDowell County, she was the daughter of the late John and Lora Elgin (Roland) Shoemaker.

Mary was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother who will forever be cherished in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She will be remembered for her wit, her honesty, her warmth, her charity and her beauty and grace. Mary was a member of Solid Rock Worship Center, Mullens.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, Matt H. Mitchell; a special grandson, Matt Mitchell, III; a son-in-law, Johnny Daderio; two brothers and five sisters.

Those left to cherish her memory include three daughters, Shirley Daderio of Stafford, Va., Patricia Putiyon and her husband, Rick, of White Oak and Sharon O’Neal and her husband, John, of Hampshire Avenue, Corinne; a son, Matt Mitchell, Jr., and his companion, Rosa McKinney, of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; two brothers, Percy Shoemaker of Lincoln, Ala., and Haven Shoemaker and his wife, Ann, of Mountain City, Tenn.; ten grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be 12 noon Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at the Solid Rock Worship Center, Mullens, with Rev. Mickey Mitchell officiating. Entombment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Princeton.

Family will receive friends one hour prior to services Tuesday at the church.

Great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.tankersleyfh.com.

Arrangements by Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens.





Debra Lynn Ford O’Dell

ORIENT HILL — Debra Lynn Ford O’Dell, 51, of Orient Hill, passed away on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at her home, following a long illness.

Born April 1, 1958, at Richwood, W.Va., she was the daughter of Dorothy Gay Pitsenberger Ford and David F. Ford.

Debra worked as a compassionate CNA for Home Care Plus, and attended the Church of the True and Living God of Quinwood.

Besides her parents, those left to cherish her memory are her sister, Donna Ford Bryant of Durham, N.C.; brother-in-law, Gerald Bryant; niece, Kelsey Lynn Bryant; and nephew, Kristopher Bryant. Other loved ones include her special friend, Roy Sparks, several aunts and uncles, and many friends that loved her with all their hearts.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at Wallace & Wallace Chapel in Rainelle, with Pastor Charles Clinedinst officiating. Burial will follow at Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening at the funeral home.

The family has requested that donations of sympathy be made to the American Cancer Society at 301 RHL Blvd., Suite 6, Charleston, WV 25309.

Special thanks goes to Hospice Care Inc. of Lewisburg for taking such good care of Debra.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace of Rainelle.





Patricia Ann Richmond

Patricia Ann Richmond, 68, of Blue Jay Six Road, Shady Spring, died Sunday morning, Nov. 1, 2009, at her home following a long illness.

Arrangements are pending completion at the Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 729 Flat Top Road, Shady Spring.





Ronnie W. Richmond

Ronnie W. Richmond, age 57, of Cool Ridge, W.Va., passed away on Sunday morning, Nov. 1, 2009, at the Bowers Hospice House in Beckley following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on Oct. 1, 1952, in Raleigh County, W.Va., he was the son of the late Roy Roscoe Richmond and Ida Mae Bragg Richmond.

Mr. Richmond was retired from the Shady Spring Elementary School with 28 years of service as a custodian. He attended the Ghent Freewill Baptist Church, and had lived most of his life at Shady Spring, W.Va. Mr. Richmond was a wonderful husband, father, brother, and papaw. He will be missed by everyone. “We will love you forever.”

Surviving include his wife of 23 years, Barbara McKinney Richmond, at home; four children: Angela Thompson and husband Richard of North Carolina; Christopher Richmond of North Carolina; Loretta Keaton and husband Jimmy of Ghent, W.Va.; Melisa Thompson and husband Rev. Jeff Thompson of Sophia, W.Va. Two brothers: Jarrell Richmond of Beaver, W.Va.; Glenn Richmond and wife Andrea of Hampstead, Md. One sister: Gloria Smithson and husband Rev. Randy Smithson of Shady Spring, W.Va. Nine grandchildren: Breanna, Courtney, Dekota, Chase, Dominique, D.J., Wayne, Brandon, Jeffery.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home Shady Spring Chapel today, Nov. 2, 2009, at 3 p.m. with Rev. Jeff Shrewsbury, and assisted by Rev. Jeff Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at the Maggie Lilly Cemetery at Mitchell’s Ridge, W.Va. There will be no visitation.

Pallbearers will be Joe Riley, Larry Bell, Glenn Richmond, Clinton Smith, Jimmy Keaton, and Rev. Jeff Thompson.

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

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Southern WV, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25801, in memory of Mr. Ronnie Richmond.

Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 729 Flat Top Road, Shady Spring, W.Va.





Gregory Rodgers

Gregory Rodgers, 50, of the McLean Addition, Beckley, died suddenly Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009.

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

Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.





Marvin T. Ross

HILLDALE — Marvin T. Ross, 61, of Hilldale, formerly of Beckley, died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, following a long illness.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.ronaldmeadowsfp.com.

Arrangements are by the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors of Hinton.





Ruby Workman

ROCK VIEW — Ruby Workman, 93, of Rock View, passed away Oct. 30, 2009, at Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley, following a short illness.

Born Feb. 2, 1916, in Mercer County, she was the daughter of the late John Alfred Alvis and Forrest Rose Wiley.

Ruby was of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed watching TV, working crossword puzzles and being with her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Willis Workman; a daughter, Anna June McGraw; a sister, Margaret McPherson; and four brothers, Parker, Blake, Ronnie and Robert Alvis.

Survivors include a son, Willis “Buzzy” Workman and his wife, Iris, of Keyrock; six daughters, Harveline Jacobs and her husband, Jerry, of Fairmont, N.C., Janet Bruner of Fairmont, N.C., Theresa Lewis and her husband, Bill, of Pineville, Darla Cook and her husband, George, of Cedar Bluff, Va., Pamela Johnson and her husband, Roger, of Rock View, and Joyce Snodgrass and her husband, Raymond Gene, of Kingman, Ariz.; a son-in-law, Carl McGraw of Keyrock; three sisters, Dixie Bolen of Athens, Louise Bolton of Princeton and Mildred Walls of Athens; half brother, Jerry Alvis of Princeton; half sister, Virginia Alvis of Abingdon, Va.; 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Ruby’s life will be held at 12 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, in the Calfee Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Matthew Mitchell officiating.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. today, Nov. 2, 2009, at the funeral home.

Burial will follow in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

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

Calfee Funeral Service is serving the Workman family.