Published: December 28, 2008 09:35 pm      

Obituaries - Monday, Dec. 29, 2008

Alpha Adkins

Alpha Adkins, age 86, of Beaver, W.Va., died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, at the Bowers Hospice House, following a long illness.

Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home in Beckley, W.Va.

Joseph H. Bennett

Joseph H. Bennett, 82, of 495 Stoked Drive, Hinton, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, in Princeton Community Hospital, following a short illness.

Born Oct. 30, 1926, at Zion Mountain, he was the son of the late Dais Aaron and Mary Alice Sears Bennett. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Mr. Bennett followed the sawmill trade during his working years. He worked in Summers, Raleigh, Fayette, and Nicholas counties. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed his garden even through the past year. He was of the Baptist faith and loved attending church services as many times as possible every week.

He was preceded in death by five brothers, Norman, Robert, Jack, Freddie, and Anson Bennett; two sisters, Daisy and Lucinda Christine Bennett; and a stepgrandson, Johnny Sweeney.

Survivors include three sons, Overton J. “Sonny” Bennett and wife Ruth of Mt. Airy, N.C., Richard S. Bennett of Beckley, and Jeffrey A. Bennett and wife Barbara of Nettie, W.Va.; three daughters, Christine E. Ward and husband Stanley of Pipestem, W.Va., Norma Rookstool and husband Tom of Winston Salem, N.C., and Joanna S. Scott and husband Steve of Hilldale; the children’s mother, Naomi Lilly of Nettie, W.Va.; grandchildren, Angie, Waunita, Joanna, Jackie, Joey, John, William, Darcy, Cherish, Ashley, Joanna, Jessica, Zachary, Emily, and Haley; many great-grandchildren, stepgrandchildren, nieces, and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel in Hinton, with Pastors Joe Spencer, John Day, and Robbie Merritt officiating. Burial will follow in the Bennett Cemetery on Broomstraw Road, Jumping Branch. Following the committal service, there will be a memorial service at the Hinton House Apartments Community Room for his many friends living there.

Friends may call from 12 noon until time of services on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Gore, Donny Reed, and Jimmy Briggs.

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

Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton, W.Va.

Lillian Ruby Bevins

Lillian Ruby Bevins, 81, of Quinwood, passed away Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at Southhampton Memorial Hospital, Franklin, Va., following a short illness.

Born Feb. 10, 1927, in Greenbrier County, W.Va., she was a daughter of the late Fred Lee Miller and the late Mattie M. Cable Miller.

A homemaker, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Clinton Bevins, on July 1, 1996.

Survivors include a daughter, Cathy Koehn of Courtland, Va.; four sons, Clyde W. Bevins of West Augusta, Va., Ronald L. Bevins of Marfrance, W.Va., Roy W. Bevins of Midland, Va., and Lloyd C. Bevins of Milton, N.C.; a brother, Curby Miller of Marfrance, W.Va.; 12 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at the Wallace & Wallace Funeral Chapel, Rainelle, W.Va., with Pastor Houston Boothe officiating. Burial will follow in the Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville, W.Va.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Wallace & Wallace Funeral Chapel, Rainelle, W.Va., is in charge of arrangements.

Ruby Lee Vaughn Crager

SCOTT DEPOT — Ruby Lee Vaughn Crager, 79, of Scott Depot, W.Va., formerly of South Point, Ohio, went to be with Jesus, after a long illness, Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, at her home.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, Rhoda Maybell and John R. Vaughn, Sr.; her brothers, Herschel Vaughn, William Edgar Vaughn, John R. Vaughn, Jr., Charles Clinton Vaughn, Oscar Arthur Vaughn, and Loren Garland Vaughn; her sisters, Rosa Maybell Vaughn, Amy Elizabeth Enochs, Loma Rebecca Moyer, Margaret Eloise France, and Pearl Virginia Vaughn.

Ruby was a member of Calvary Apostolic Church of Hurricane and Mountain State T’s of WV. She had many friends, nieces, and nephews.

She was married for 61 years to husband Tim Crager. In addition to her husband, Ruby is survived by her daughter, Judy Adkins of Lewisville, Texas; a son, Jeff Crager of Scott Depot, W.Va.; a sister, Mary Lou Stapleton of Chesapeake, Ohio; a brother, Clarence Eugene Vaughn of Allentown, Pa.; grandsons, Arthur Ray Adkins, Jr., and Anthony Raymond Adkins, both of Lewisville, Texas; great-granddaughters, Leah Adkins, Ashley Adkins, and Hanna Adkins; and a great-grandson, Grady Adkins.

The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at Chapman Funeral Home, 3941 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane, with Pastor C. Douglas Peters officiating. Graveside services will follow in Highland Memorial Park, South Point, Ohio.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Calvary Apostolic Church, P.O. Box 245, Hurricane, WV 25526.

Visit www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com to share memories or express condolences.

Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, is in charge of arrangements.

Leo M. Hanna

LEWISBURG — Leo M. Hanna, 86, of Lewisburg, passed away Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at Alleghany Regional Hospital, of many complications.

Born May 15, 1922, at Friars Hill, Greenbrier County, he was the son of the late Archie and Verna Lewis Hanna.

Mr. Hanna had been a welder with Meadow River Lumber Company at Rainelle, and had retired as a security guard with The Greenbrier hotel in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years of marriage, Ruth Crane Hanna; and a brother, Roy Hanna.

Survivors include a daughter, Judy Lee Faulkner and husband Lonnie Lee Faulkner of Bluefield, W.Va.; a granddaughter, Michelle Lee Faulkner of Hopewell, Va.; a grandson, Michael Lee Faulkner and wife Tavia of Chester, Va.; a sister, Grace Weinburg of Bluefield, W.Va.; and a brother, Herbert Hanna of Richwood, W.Va.

Graveside rites will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at McMillion Church Cemetery at Friars Hill, W.Va., with Rev. Leroy Crane officiating.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg, W.Va.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.wallaceandwallacefh.com.

Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements.

Tom James Sr.

Tom James, Sr., 82, of Harper Heights, died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, in the VA Medical Center, Beckley.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.

Jean Loggins

Jean Loggins, 74, of Lester, died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, at the Hilltop Nursing Home, Hilltop, following a long illness.

Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Anna Parker

Anna Parker, age 87, of Beckley, W.Va., died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, at the Bowers Hospice House, following a long illness.

Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home in Beckley, W.Va.

Anna (Tootsie) Crookshanks Meador Ramsey

VICTOR — Anna (Tootsie) Crookshanks Meador Ramsey, 87, of Sunday Road, Victor, died Saturday afternoon, Dec. 27, 2008, at Summersville Memorial Hospital, following an extended illness.

Born Nov. 15, 1921, at Ramsey, she was the daughter of the late John Lloyd and Elizabeth (Betty) Crookshanks.

Anna was a member of the Richmond Chapel Methodist Church and was a homemaker. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.

Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Haskell Meador; her second husband, Lewis Ramsey; four sisters, Lottie Boley, Mattie Hess, Kate Painter, and Dorothy Crookshanks; and four brothers, Ortie, Bert, Bill, and Charley Crookshanks.

Survivors include three daughters, Eva Legg (Bill) of Hudson, Fla., Barbara Nichols (David) of Green Camp, Ohio, and Sharon Meador of Marion, Ohio; a stepdaughter, Marti Brown of Marion, Ohio; two sons, James Kyle (Diana) Meadows of Marion, Ohio, and Lewis Edward Ramsey of Ramsey, W.Va.; a stepson, Richard (Joyce) Ramsey of Marion, Ohio; nine grandchildren, seven stepgrandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, three stepgreat-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at Wallace & Wallace Chapel in Ansted, with Pastor Kenny Hayes officiating. Burial will follow at Richmond Chapel Church Cemetery at Ramsey, W.Va.

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

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace of Ansted.

Charles Walter Reid III

Charles Walter Reid III, 57, of Beckley, passed away Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008.

Graveside services were held 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley, W.Va.

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

Ada M. Shortridge

Ada M. Shortridge, 85, of Rupert, formerly of Rainelle, went home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, following a long illness.

Born Oct. 14, 1923, at Cabin Creek, she was the last member of the Clarence and Dollie Warner Snead family.

Ada was a homemaker and was of the Pentecostal faith. She was a member of the Red Springs Community Church on Backus Mountain.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by three infant sons; a daughter, Mary Lou Townsend; two great-grandsons; one granddaughter; and two sisters, Lula Godby and Erlene Adkins.

Those left to cherish her memory are her wonderful and loving husband, Marvin; two sons, Arthur Snead of Harrisonburg, Va., and Howard Snead and wife Shirley of Rainelle; three daughters, Dolly Kincaid and husband Charles of Claremont, N.C., Drema Smith and husband Jerome of Ellenboro, N.C., and Cassie Jean O’Brien and husband Dale of Clintonville; 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at Smathers Funeral Chapel, with Brother Lloyd Hart officiating. Burial will follow in the Wallace Memorial Cemetery at Clintonville.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.

Martha A. Morst Smith

Mrs. Martha A. Morst Smith, 95, of Mt. Hope, W.Va., died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008, at the Charleston General Hospital, after a brief illness.

She was born Jan. 14, 1913, in Richmond, Va., to the late John and Mary Jones Morst.

Mrs. Smith was a homemaker and caregiver, having taken care of her mother, aunt, and husband.

She was a longtime member of the Glorious Church of God in Christ, Mt. Hope, W.Va., under the pastoralship of the late Bishop W.A. Wilson and present Pastor Bishop John Grant. She also served the church in the positions of Deaconess and missionary.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Samuel Smith; a daughter, Joan Cureton-Carson; a son, Leroy Smith; a stepson, Samuel Smith, Jr.; twin brother and sister-in-law, Elder Joseph Morst and wife Inez; a granddaughter, Doncia Littlejohn; a grandson, Rev. Sonny Smith; and brother-in-law, Mr. Rufus Wilson.

Survivors include a son, Truman Smith (Shirley) of Philadelphia, Pa.; a sister, Daisy Wilson of Hamilton, Ohio; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she helped raised. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, her Glorious Church family, friends, neighbors, and caregivers in and around the Fayette County area.

Homegoing services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at the Glorious Church of God in Christ, 421 Main St., Mt. Hope, W.Va., with Bishop John Grant officiating.

Friends may greet the family at the church one hour prior to the services.

Condolences may be e-mailed to: ajdurganfh6@verizon.net.

Arrangements provided by Durgan Funeral Services, Beckley, W.Va.

Ralph Henry Thomas

ALDERSON — Ralph Henry Thomas, 66, of Alderson, passed away Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008, in the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center ER, Fairlea, after a long illness.

Born Aug. 7, 1942, in Oceana, he was the son of the late Fred and Alma Coleman Thomas.

Mr. Thomas had been a lifelong resident of Alderson. He was an Army veteran. He loved sports and was a friend to all.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Phyllis Carter and Beatrice Thompson; and two brothers, Bernard Thomas and Ballard Thomas.

Survivors include his son, Andrew (Andy) Thomas of Beckley; his special friend, Toni Williams of Alderson; three sisters, Betty Taylor of Lorain, Ohio, Bonnie Roy of Ravenswood, and Ella Steep of Alderson; four brothers, Bill Thomas and wife, Ruth, of Forest Hill, Frank Thomas and wife, Carol, of Princeton, Allen Thomas and wife, Sue, of Alderson, and Owen Thomas of Oberlin, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be held 1 p.m. today, Dec. 29, 2008, at the Longanacre Funeral Home, Ft. Spring, with Mr. Jim Eskins speaking.

Friends may call from noon today until time of the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alderson Fire Department, c/o Mr. Charlie Lobban, Treasurer, P.O. Box 647, Alderson, WV 24910.

Arrangements by Longanacre Funeral Home, Ft. Spring, W.Va.

Madaline M. Tincher

Madaline M. Tincher, 74, of Rainelle, passed away Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at her home, following a long illness.

Born May 24, 1934, at McRoss, she was the daughter of the late Richard D. and Ornoka Gilderson Loudermilk.

Mrs. Tincher was a homemaker.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Tincher; a son, David Tincher; and a daughter, Drema Tincher.

Survivors include two sons, Richard Tincher and wife Carmella of Clintonville and Jim Tincher of Rainelle; a daughter, Debra Golden and husband Steve of Rainelle; a special niece, Barbara Cooperman and husband Matt of Rochester, N.Y.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at Smathers Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Mike Tincher officiating. Burial will follow in the Tincher Cemetery at Crag.

Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.

Jo Ann Hendrick Wickline

Jo Ann Hendrick Wickline, 75, of Oak Hill, passed away Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, at C.A.M.C. Memorial Hospital in Charleston.

Arrangements are incomplete at the High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.

Lucille Theresa Lowe Wolford

Lucille Theresa Lowe Wolford, 88, of Gatewood, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at Plateau Medical Center, Oak Hill, after a short illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Oak Hill. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church.

Online condolences may be sent to our Web site at: www.tyreefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.