Published: November 04, 2009 10:33 pm      

Obituaries - Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009

Ruth Faye McNulty Bays

OAK HILL — Ruth Faye McNulty Bays, 90, of Oak Hill, died on Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, at her home.

Born Aug. 6, 1919, at Oak Hill, she was the daughter of the late Warner Gradon and Gertrude Burgess McNulty.

Mrs. Bays was a member of the Jones Avenue First Church of God, Oak Hill, where she was a member of the Women's Missionary Society. She attended Oak Hill High School.

Her husband of 72 years, Harry B. Bays, preceded her in death on Nov. 15, 2007. Two brothers, Warner McNulty and Herbert McNulty, and two sisters, Madge Colburn and Margaret Mitchell, also preceded her.

Survivors include one son, John Edward Bays and wife, Theresa of Hutchinson, Kansas; two daughters, Mary Sue Woodson and husband, Larry of Willowick, Ohio and Janet Gay Rehage and husband, Don of Kenner, La.; two sisters, June Hawks and husband, Don of Ogden, Utah and Joyce Chambers and husband, James of Charlotte, N.C.; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Services will be on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill with Rev. Ralph Shupe officiating. Burial will be at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill. Friends may call one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.

Donations of sympathy may be made to Hospice Care, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston, WV 25302.

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.





Pansy Mae Brooks

GLEN ROGERS — Pansy Mae Brooks 60, departed this life Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, following a short illness.

Born June 4, 1949, in Glen Rogers, she was the daughter of the late Matts and Ida Bailey.

Pansy was a homemaker and loved dogs. She was very generous to everyone she knew and will be dearly missed.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two brothers, Rob and Bud Bailey.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 44 years, Ronnie Brooks of Glen Rogers; a sister, Virgie McClung and husband, Bill of Ravencliff; four brothers, Earl Bailey, Raymond Bailey, Bee Bailey and Dean Bailey, all of Glen Rogers; several nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends.

A celebration of Pansy's life will be 1 p.m. today, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at Pinegrove Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Kevin Francis officiating. Pansy will be laid to rest in Pinegrove Cemetery, Ravencliff.

Casketbearers will be family and friends.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until time of service Thursday at the church.

Guestbook and condolences at www.adamtolermemorialfuneralhome.com

Services entrusted to Adam Toler Memorial Funeral Home, Oceana.





Ella Sue Romm Bugin

Ella Sue Romm Bugin, 79, of Daniels, died on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at the UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville, Va.

Born July 13, 1930, at Glen Jean, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late William and Mary Bragg Romm.

Mrs. Bugin was a member of the St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church, Beckley.

She was a 1948 graduate of Oak Hill High School. Ella received her RN degree from Saint Francis Hospital School of Nursing in 1951. Her first nursing job was at the VA Hospital in Beckley. The last 20 years of her career was spent working with geriatrics in local nursing homes.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Walter Frederick Bugin; two sons, David Bugin of Carrollton, Va. and Mark Bugin of Springfield, Va. and three grandchildren, Matthew of Richmond, Va., Kevin of Rockville, Md. and Day of Carrollton, Va.

One of 13 children, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Alice Sharp and Barbara Charnabay. Her surviving siblings include four brothers, William Romm of Wichita Falls, Texas, Nelson Romm of Bennington, Kan., Douglas Romm of Tucson, Ariz., and Terrence Romm of Scarbro, and one sister, Anna Pinson of Carleton, Mich.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2009 at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill with Deacon Don Wise officiating. Friends may call 1⁄2 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, WV Division, 301 RHL Blvd., Station 6 & 7, Charleston WV 25311.

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.





Walter Scott Carr

ASBURY — Walter Scott Carr, 54, of Asbury, formerly of Rainelle, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at his home following a long illness.

As per request, the body will be cremated. There will be no services.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace, Inc. of Rainelle.





Louise Margaret Farley Collins

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. — Louise Margaret Farley Collins, 82, of Christiansburg, formerly of Hinton, died 3:58 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at Cleveland, Ohio, following a short illness. The family is being served by the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors in Hinton.

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

Arrangements are by the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors of Hinton.





Woodrow W. Cooke

OCEANA — Woodrow W. Cooke, 91, of Oceana, died at his home Nov. 2, 2009, of complications due to melanoma. He loved and was devoted to his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Ruth, son Ira (I.O.), daughter-in-law Mari, beloved granddaughter Amanda, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was born in Northfork, W.Va., to Ira and Alice Switzer Cooke on May 15, 1918, and grew up in Logan and Man, W.Va. He was the last of 11 brothers and sisters and was preceded in death by: Hallie Lemon, Delilah Frazier, Otis Watts, Dorothy Hall, Alice Walker, Randolph Cooke, Ira Cooke, Keith Cooke, Penelope Cooke, and Teddy Cooke.

Woodrow led a varied, adventurous and interesting life all over the country. He started working in his father’s store as a sales clerk while a boy. He graduated from Man High School in 1936 during the Great Depression. He spent almost 20 years working and attending college, mainly out West. During World War II, he served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Force. After the war, he used the G.I. Bill and worked his way through college. He attended the University of New Mexico, received a B.A. degree from the University of Nevada, M.A. degree from Marshall University, and J.D. degree from West Virginia University. Woodrow was very curious and liked to experience new people and places. During these years he worked as a forest ranger, surveyor, cowboy, casino shill, telephone exchange technician, janitor and dishwasher, among other jobs; with all manner of people from many diverse backgrounds. During the summer of 1948, he retraced the Lewis and Clark trail from Oregon to Missouri on bicycle. He returned to W.Va. in the 1950s and worked at the WV Workmen’s Compensation Commission where he met Ruth, the love of his life whom he married and spent the rest of his life with. He found he didn’t like practicing law after completing his law degree and became a social studies teacher at Oceana High School, where he influenced the lives of many students. He retired from Oceana High School in 1981 after more than 20 years of teaching. Woodrow enjoyed his retirement years traveling, working in his garden, and spending time with Ruth.

Woodrow was active in politics and the community. He was a founding member and first president of the West Virginia American Federation of Teachers. He was a past president of the Beckley Area Labor Council of the AFL-CIO. Woodrow was a shining example to his students in personally showing patriotism by flying his flag daily, organizing the first Oceana Loyalty Day parade, putting up American flags all over town on patriotic holidays, and organizing patriotic observances at school. He was a Life Member of the American Legion and 40 and 8 club. Woodrow was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Evans Funeral Home in Oceana.

A service celebrating Woodrow’s life will be at 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 at Evans Funeral Home with a visitation before the service at 11 a.m. Graveside services with military honors will follow at 3 p.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery at Peck’s Mill, near Chapmansville, W.Va.

Donations may be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation in lieu of flowers in honor of Woodrow Cooke online at www. melanoma.org, calling (800) MRF-1290, or mailing the Melanoma Research Foundation, Building B, 170 Township Line Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.evans-funeralhome.com or email condolences to the Cooke family to evans-funeralhome@stei.com

Evans Funeral Home of Oceana is serving the Cooke family.





Virgil ‘Ray’ Fitzwater

OAK HILL — Virgil “Ray” Fitzwater, 69, passed away Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, at CAMC General Hospital.

Born May 31, 1940, at Victor, the son of the late Burl Ivan Fitzwater and Cora Carte Fitzwater.

Ray was of the Pentecostal faith and had been a driver for over 27 years with the Oak Hill Garbage Company.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Virgil Fitzwater Jr., and a brother, Fred Fitzwater.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Linda Jeffries Fitzwater; daughters, Angie Fitzwater and Carol Fitzwater, both of Oak Hill; a brother, Marshall Fitzwater of Huntington; three grandchildren, and a very dear friend, Robbie Higginbotham.

His remains rest at the High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, 1435 E. Main St., Oak Hill, where the funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday with the Rev. Randy McGuire officiating.

The family will receive friends from 12 noon until time of the service on Friday. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill.

Online condolences may be sent to www.highlawnfuneralhomechapel.com

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.





Robert Taylor Gray

Mr. Robert Taylor Gray, affectionately known as “Hoppy,” was born on March 5, 1939, to the late William and Louise Gray in Turkey Knob, W.Va.

The Lord called Robert home to eternal rest on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, while he was sleeping at his home in Harlem, N.Y. Robert’s health began to decline when he was diagnosed with diabetes in 1996.

Robert was preceded in death by his brothers, William, John, Eugene and Lee Phillip; sister, Linda Merritt and stepson, Ronald L. Bias.

Robert leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife of 25 years, Patricia Bias-Gray, New York, N.Y.; sons, Calvin and his wife Randi, Yonkers, N.Y.; Cory, Bronx, N.Y.; Robert Jr., and Victor, New York, N.Y.; Demarcus, Pompano, Fla.; daughters, Michelle, Plattsburgh, N.Y. and Laverne Johnson, her mother; Cynthia, Bronx, N.Y.; Sakeena and Victoria, New York, N.Y.; grandchildren, Brittany, Taquasia, Amethyst, Kijahne, Jalyn, Makhi, Avyonnia, Alyssa, Mylah, Makalaa, Chase, Jonathan, and Nicholas; sister, Patricia Beasley; brothers, Freddie Dean, and Richard Allen; brother-in-laws, Sherman Beasley and Clint Merritt; sister-in-law, Shirley Gray; aunt, Catherine Gray and Margaret Gray; and many other nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at Glorious Church of God in Christ, 421 Main Street, Mt. Hope, W.Va., with Bishop Bobby Tunstalle officiating.

Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends may call one hour prior to the services at the church.

Condolences may be e-mailed to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.





Kay Summers Hollowell

LILLIAN, Ala. — Kay Summers Hollowell, 68, of Lillian, died Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, following a long battle with cancer.

Born Dec. 8, 1940, at Epperly, W.Va. she was the daughter of Frances E. Summers of Sophia and the late James Perry Summers.

She graduated from Sophia High School in 1958 and attended Fairmont State College and Concord College. She was a homemaker and a devoted mother.

In addition to her father she was preceded in death by her husband, William K. Hollowell; one brother, Charles Summers and several brothers and sisters-in-laws.

Besides her mother she is survived by two sons, Mark Hollowell of Lillian, Ala., and Champ Hollowell and his wife Tamikia of Pensacola, Fla.; two brothers, Richard L. Summers and his wife Jeannette and Neil E. (Jack) Summers and his wife Kathy, all of Lorain, Ohio; one sister, Shirley M. Summers of Beckley and her fiancé Herbert Stover of Harper; a very special granddaughter, Brittiany Hollowell of Little Rock, Ark., and many nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Pensacola Fla., with interment following at Barrancas National Cemetery NAS, Pensacola, Fla.

Friends and family will serve as pallbearers,

Arrangements by Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Pensacola Fla.

Submitted by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Dr., Beckley.





Dr. Eduardo L. Jimenez

Dr. Eduardo L. Jimenez, M.D., passed away Oct. 19, 2009, in the capital city of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

His body rests in the capital city of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.





Betty Jean Mann

Betty Jean Anderson Mann, age 75, of Beckley, finished her race on earth, crossing over Chilly Jordon to the finish line at Heaven’s Gate on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, where she was met by her loving Savior, and cheered on by loved ones gone on before.

Born on March 28, 1934, in Beaver, she was the daughter of the late Jessie and Janet McGuire Anderson. She was the granddaughter of the late Sam and Reevie Anderson and William and Elizabeth McGuire.

Mrs. Mann was retired from the Raleigh County Courthouse, in the personal property division of the Raleigh County Assessor’s Office with 31 years of service. Mrs. Mann was active in the Raleigh County Democratic Party, and the Raleigh County Democratic Women’s Association. She was a member of the Grace Chapel Church on Dry Hill Road, where she served as a secretary to the church.

Mrs. Mann was very active in the Beckley community, and served on various planning boards in Beckley and Raleigh County. She was devoted to serving others in our area during their time of need. She touched many lives in our area, and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, B. Earl Mann, by a son, Frederick Earl Mann, and by a brother, Howard W. Anderson.

Left to cherish her memory include her brother, Glenn Anderson and wife Jan of Beaver; her daughter, Robin Cook and her husband Evangelist David Cook of Naoma; her son, Randy Mann and wife Tammy Mann of Beckley; grandchilden: Jeannie and her husband Eric Garretson; Tina and her husband Timmy Dickens; Robbie Mann; Chessie Mann; Jessica Mann; Adam Bailes and family; and Nick and Ashley Bailes; great-grandchildren: Courtney and Emily Garretson; Nevaeh Dickens, and Luke Mann.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at 8 p.m. with Rev. Robert Barley officiating. Graveside rites and Committal Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Burial will immediately follow at the cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until service time on Friday.

Pallbearers will be John Daniels, Eric Garretson, Timmy Dickens, Allen Harper, Jesse Daniels, and Mark Anderson.

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

Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 S. Kanawha St., Beckley.





Donald R. Miller

UNION — Donald R. Miller, 69, of Union, passed away Tuesday evening, Nov. 4, 2009, at his home following a long illness.

He was born at Stuarts Draft, Va., on May 14, 1940, a son of the late James Russell and Viola H. Conner Miller.

Mr. Miller was a retired acetate employee for Celanese Corp. having 39 years of service and a member of the Mt. Prospect Baptist Church at Union.

Surviving is his wife of 49 years, Donna Jean Grubb Miller of Union; two sons, Richard L Miller and his wife, Marcella of Lindside, Raymond P. Miller and his wife, Melanie of Ballard; his stepmother, Phyllis Miller of Lindside; a brother, Larry Miller and his wife, Valerie of Goldsboro, N.C.; two half sisters, Mildred Weikle and her husband, Elwyn of Rock Camp, and Carolyn Miller of Lindside; five grandchildren, Riki Miller and his wife, Regina, Richie Miller and his wife, Wendy, Jason Miller, R. J. Miller and his wife, Katie and Rachel Miller; and five great grandchildren, Reanna, Rayliegh, Eden, Kaydence and Carter James Miller.

Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 at the Groves Funeral Home Chapel in Union with the Pastor Greg Cox and Todd Baker officiating. Burial will follow at the Wickline Cemetery at Zenith.

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

Union Rescue Squad will serve as an Honor Guard.

The family requests that Memorial Donations be made to the Angels for Leslie Miller Fund at the Bank of Monroe, P. O. Box 219, Union, WV 24983.

Arrangements by Groves Funeral Home, Union.





Maxine B. Miller

BRENTON — Maxine B. Miller, 69, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 3, 20009, in a Beckley hospital.

Calfee Funeral Service of Pineville is serving the Miller family.