Lloyd Gene Bennett Jr.

LEWISBURG — Lloyd Gene Bennett Jr., 44, died Tuesday, April 11, 2006.

Service will be noon Saturday at Morgan Funeral Home, Lewisburg. Friends may call two hours before service Saturday at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Morgan Funeral Home, Lewisburg.



Melvin E. Bibbs

BUNKER HILL — Melvin E. Bibbs, 75, died Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at the VA Medical Center in Martinsburg.

Born July 28, 1930, at Sun, he was the son of the late Carstor W. Bibbs Sr. and Amelia C. Thomas Bibbs.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Carstor W. Bibbs Jr.

Mr. Bibbs was a veteran of the U.S. Army and formerly employed by the U.S. government.

He is survived by two brothers, Elvin E. Thomas and wife, Thelma, of Bunker Hill and Rufus Ferguson and wife, Carol, of New York City, N.Y.; a sister, Dianna Ferguson of Waldorf, Md.; and a sister-in-law, Jeanette Biggs.

Service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at Brown Funeral Home, Martinsburg, with Pastor Donald Wilson officiating. Military graveside service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery.

The family will receive friends noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Brown Funeral Home, Martinsburg.



Deanna Elaine Carter Davis

LOCHGELLY — Deanna Elaine Carter Davis, 61, died Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



Leonard Robert Davis

Leonard Robert Davis, 46, of 121 Beckwood Drive, Beckley, died Friday, April 7, 2006, at Appalachian Regional Hospital, Beckley, following a short illness.

Born Sept. 16, 1959, at Tams, he was a son of Aline Ross Ward (Carl) of Glen White and the late Leonard Davis.

Mr. Davis was a custodian for Stratton Elementary School, Beckley. He was a Woodrow Wilson High School graduate.

He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Oscar and Mary Davis; and maternal grandparents, Thomas and Gracie Ross.

Besides his mother, survivors include two sons, Bryan L. Davis and Brandon T. Davis, both of Beckley; two grandchildren who were the love of his life, Asia Davis and Landon Scott Davis; brothers and sisters, Carl R. Ward II of Glen White, Thomas A. Ward (Lisa) of Waco, Texas, Ronald Ward (Angela) of Handley, Mary Alice Heath (Linwood) of Seaside, Calif., Sonja Applewhite (Art) of Kerriville, Texas, and Xavier Goodall (Maurice) of Richmond, Va.; companion, Barbara Walters of Beckley; stepmother, Phoebe L. Davis of Beckley; stepbrothers and sisters, Tommy Saunders, Marlene Saunders, Jackie Saunders and Carl Saunders; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at Winding Gulf Baptist Music Center, Glen White, with Evangelist Delores Chambers officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends may call one hour before service Saturday at the music center.

Services entrusted to Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.



Sandra Kay Dunford and Sophia Grace Dunford

Sandra Kay Dunford, 34, and unborn daughter, Sophia Grace Dunford, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Fairlea following a sudden illness. 

Born Oct. 31, 1971, at Hinton, Sandra was the daughter of the late Paul Rookstool and Sarah French Rookstool of Rainelle. 

She worked at The Greenbrier resort at White Sulphur Springs in guest services. 

In addition to her father, she was also preceded in death by an infant brother, Raymond Lewis. 

Besides her mother, other survivors include her husband, Steven Lee Dunford; two brothers, Jeremy Paul Rookstool of High Point, N.C., and John Gregory Rookstool of Spring Dale; five sisters, Charlotte Ann Rookstool of Rainelle, Rebecca Anne Harris of Spring Dale, Carla Louise Smith of Bellwood, Vicky Lynn Shawver of Charmco and Linda Carol Hicks of Sandstone; and several nieces and nephews.

Paternal survivors for Sophia Grace are grandparents, Margaret Surbaugh and husband, Raymond, of Rainelle and Cecil Dunford and wife, Jackie, of Belmont, N.C.; and two aunts, Cindy Lewis and husband, John, of Sherwood, Ark., and Pam Dunford of Sissonville. 

Service will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 14, at Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle, with Pastor Dana Gatewood officiating. Burial will follow in Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville. Service will conclude with the release of the White Flights.

Pallbearers will be Chris French, Ronald Norton, J.D. Shawver, Dakota Smith, Eddie Smith and Raymond Surbaugh. Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Bryant, Charles French Sr. and Charles French Jr. 

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

Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.



Harold Epling

HINTON — Harold Epling, 78, formerly of Julian, died Monday, April 10, 2006, at home.

He was a retired coal miner from Eastern Associated Coal with 25 years of service, member of the UMWA and was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy M. Epling; and parents, Jasper and Ella Harrison Epling.

He is survived by his wife of 28 1/2 years, Vera; three sons, Harold W. “Butch” and wife, Drema, of Danville, Michael “Rusty” and wife, Jane, of Uneeda and Randy and wife, Becky, of Forest Hill; a daughter, Phyllis Nelson and husband, J.D., of Fayetteville, Ala.; a brother, Lloyd of Olmstead Falls, Ohio; grandsons, Joey, Scotty, Bradford and Chad; granddaughters, Melissa and Vanessa; and four great-grandchildren.

Service will be 2 p.m. Friday, April 14, at Handley Funeral Home, Danville, with the Rev. Lloyd Dean Workman and the Rev. Duel Loftis officiating. Burial will follow in Mid-Ferrell Cemetery, Bandytown.

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

You may express your condolences to the family at www.handleyfh.com.

Arrangements by Handley Funeral Home, Danville.



Beulah M. Esham         

On Tuesday, April 11, 2006, Beulah M. Esham of the Bayberry in Beckley, formerly of Felton, Del., died in a Beckley care center following a short illness. She was in her 88th year. 

Born Nov. 8, 1917, at Felton, she was the daughter of the late Luther and Sally (Marker) Marker. 

Beulah was a longtime and faithful member of Faith Baptist Church. She was a loving person who was proud to have been a homemaker.

In addition to her parents, Beulah was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, James E. Esham, who passed in 2000, and a sister, Pearl Hutchens. 

She will be dearly missed by daughters, Deborah E. Hildebrand and her husband, Cormie, of Beckley and Pamela C. Reynolds of Greenville, S.C.; a grandson, Robert Ian Reynolds; her sisters, Ida Marker and Alice Immediato, both of New Castle, Del., and Dorothy Grier of Woodside, Del.; a sister-in-law, Audrey Pennington of Berlin, Md.; several nieces and nephews; and her church family.

Family and friends are invited to Beulah’s Life Celebration at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 15, at the chapel of Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle. Calling hours are 10 a.m. until time of the services. Burial will follow in Gracelawn.

Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at Melton Mortuary, 1200 Harper Road, Beckley.

Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.



Helen Marjorie Gunnoe

DANESE — Helen Marjorie Gunnoe, 83, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, surrounded by family.

Born Aug. 4, 1922, she was the daughter of the late James A. Shuck and Laudie Ewing Shuck.

Mrs. Gunnoe was preceded in death by her husband, Lealand Edward; children, infant Gregory Martin, Steven Martin and Darlene Gunnoe; special son-in-law, Gary Martin; three brothers and two sisters. Oh, what a happy reunion they are having.

Those left to cherish her precious memory are a son, Billy and wife, Nancy, of Danese; daughters, Betty Allen and husband, Jim, of Grandview, Bonnie Martin of Summersville, Beverly Sue Polen and fiancé, Jim Lindsey, of Parrish, Fla., and Bonita Shinault and fiancé, Harold Jones, of Hillsville, Va.; 22 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lillian Hanshaw of Sandstone and Madeline Goins Harkelroad of Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

Mama was a very precious mother and friend to anyone who knew her. She was a special God-fearing lady. If you asked her to pray about something, you knew it would be done. She let us know, almost daily, that she was ready to go to heaven.

God saw she was getting tired and the cure was not to be. He put his loving arms around her and whispered, “Come with me.” A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove he only takes the best.

It will be very hard to do without you, Mom, but we know God knows best. As we’ve expressed many times, thanks for being a special mother. Heaven will never welcome a sweeter Mama.

We wish to express special thanks to special caregivers, Linda, Gaye and Diane.

Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Chris Hanshaw officiating. Burial will follow in Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville.

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

Pallbearers will be family and friends.

Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at roseandquesenberry@charterinternet.com.

Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.



Mae Zicafoose Hayes

ASBURY — Mae Zicafoose Hayes, 93, died Wednesday, April 12, 2006.

Service will be 11 a.m. Monday, April 17, at Longanacre Funeral Home Chapel, Fairlea. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Longanacre Funeral Home, Fairlea.



Charlene Virginia Keaton

Charlene Virginia Keaton, 86, of Beckley, formerly of Hinton, died at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at the Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital following a long illness.

Born May 22, 1919, at Pipestem, she was a daughter of the late James Thomas and Effie Rena Lilly.

Mrs. Keaton attended Central Baptist Church at Hinton before moving to Beckley in 1963. She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church in Beckley.

She was a retired employee of the Pinecrest Hospital and also enjoyed crocheting and working crossword puzzles.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Opie Keaton, in 1972; a son, Arnold Keaton, in 1936; three sisters, Ida, Grace and Hazel; three brothers, Robert, Earl and Billy Lilly; and a son-in-law, Ronald Mac Thompson Sr.

Survivors include two daughters, Shirley Ball and husband, Sammy, of Hinton and Gloria Thompson of Beckley; a brother, Roscoe Lilly of Pipestem; two grandsons, Junior Ball and wife, Sandra, of Hinton and Ronald Thompson Jr. of Beckley; a granddaughter, Susan Thompson Harrah of Charleston; and two great-grandsons, Brian and Jeffrey Ball of Hinton.

Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors Chapel, Hinton, with Pastor Tommy Mounts officiating. Burial will follow in Restwood Memorial Gardens.

Friends may call noon until time of service Friday at the funeral parlors.

Pallbearers will be nephews Roger, Steve and Danny Lilly, Benny Houchins, Jerry Phillips and Charles Farley. Honorary pallbearers will be Travis Wineberger and Eric Holstein.

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

Arrangements by Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors, Hinton.



James Robert Killen Sr.

SAVANNAH, Ga. — James Robert Killen Sr., 70, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2006, in Savannah.

Mr. Killen was born in Tazewell, Va., to the late Orville and Lessie Killen.

James had resided in Savannah for the last 28 years. Mr. Killen served his country in the United States Army. He worked in construction most of his life, having worked on many fine structures in Savannah.

Mr. Killen is survived by his wife of 35 years this July, Phyllis Killen; children, Robert W. (Darlene) Killen of Dawson, Joni Gail York of Savannah, Dean Allen (Vicky) Killen of Atlanta, Ga., Diane (Allen) Harbin of Lawrenceville, Ga., Nancy (Bernard) Cantrell of Gordon, Ky., Rita (Mike) Bridgen of Wanakena, N.Y., James A. (Sharon) Killen of Verona, Va., and James Robert (Kelleigh) Killen Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; three brothers; three sisters; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Mr. Killen was preceded in death by two grandchildren.

Memorial service will be 6 p.m. today at the Chapel of Hubert C. Baker Funeral Home, Savannah.

Arrangements by Hubert C. Baker Funeral Home, 7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah.



James Burton ‘J.B.’ Legg

MOUNT LOOKOUT — James Burton “J.B.” Legg, 92, died Wednesday, April 12, 2006.

Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at White Funeral Home, Summersville. Friends may call one hour before service Friday at the funeral home.

Arrangements by White Funeral Home, Summersville.



Tommy M. Lusk

OCEANA — Tommy M. Lusk, 93, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2006.

Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Calfee Funeral Service Chapel, Pineville. Friends may call noon until time of service today at the funeral home.

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

Calfee Funeral Service, Pineville, is serving the Lusk family.



Dennis W. Mann

LINDSIDE — Dennis W. Mann, 78, died Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at Charleston Area Medical Center.

Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown.



Edythe Dunlap McGrath

ORLANDO, Fla. — Edythe Dunlap McGrath, born in Blowing Rock, N.C., on June 27, 1915, passed away Saturday, April 8, 2006 in Orlando.

She was a resident of Westminster Towers, a retirement center in downtown Orlando. After living in West Virginia, she moved to Florida in 1954 with her husband Fritz and their son Charles Leon-ard “Chuck.” Following Fritz’s death, she married Milton McGrath and they resided in Melbourne, Fla., where Milton was mayor. Both Fritz and Milton predeceased Edythe.

She attended Mountain State University and was a legal secretary for many years prior to her retirement.

Edythe is survived by her sister, Ruth Wilcox of Beckley; her son and daughter-in-law, Chuck and Bev Dunlap; two grandchildren, Eric Dunlap and his wife, Susie, and Laura Dease and her husband, Don’L; four great-grandchildren, Trevor Dunlap, Nathan Dunlap, Ashleigh Dease and Ryan Dease, all from Altamonte Springs, Fla.; a niece, Lois Jean McFarland of Melbourne; and four nephews, Dwight Wilcox of Highland, Md., Ken Wilcox of Charleston, Dr. Frank Dunlap of Arizona and Karl Dunlap of Alabama.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 20, in the Reformation Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, Orlando.

A subsequent memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 28, at Crab Orchard Baptist Church with burial next to Fritz in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.

In lieu of flowers, Edythe requested that contributions be made to the “Bev and Chuck Dunlap Seminarian Book Endowment Fund” at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 130 N. Magnolia Ave., P.O. Box 2328, Orlando, FL 32802.



Godfrey E. ‘Pepper’ Peaks

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Godfrey E. “Pepper” Peaks, 50, formerly of the Oak Hill area, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, April 8, 2006.

He was born April 19, 1955, at Oak Hill to the late Evon Peaks and Evelyn Peaks.

He was preceded in death by his father, Evon Peaks; a sister, Goldie Peaks; brother, Don Peaks Ernest Staumton; and nephew, Jeffrey Peaks.

Pepper was a product of the Columbus public school system. He accepted Christ at an early age.

He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Evelyn Peaks of Columbus, formerly of Harvey; children, Khiya, Kendra, Maisha and Natasha; siblings, Bernice (Emmett) Smith, Curtis (Bettie) Peaks and Demetrice Cross-Battle, all of Columbus, Teresa Smith of Dallas, Texas, and Mark Peaks of Columbus; sister-in-law, Gloria Peaks; nine grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and lots of adopted children.

Celebration of life will be 10 a.m. Saturday, April 15, at Mount Hermon Baptist Church, 2283 Sunbury Road, Columbus.

Family will receive friends 9 a.m. until time of service. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

Arrangements by J. Martin Smith Mortuary, Columbus.



Mary Helen Seldomridge

HINTON — Mary Helen Seldomridge, 76, wife of Billy Joe Seldomridge, who died Jan. 6, 2006, will be interred in the family plot at Huffman Cemetery on Little Wolf Creek near Hinton at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 15.

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

Arrangements by Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors, Hinton.



Ricky Dale Skeens

WHITESVILLE — Ricky Dale Skeens, 50, passed away Friday, April 7, 2006, after a sudden illness.

Born June 24, 1955, he was the son of Carl Skeens of Shrewsberry and the late Delma “Dale” Burgess Skeens.

Ricky was employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Charleston. He was a U.S. Army veteran.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Hattie and Emil Burgess and Roy and Belva Skeens.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary Morris Skeens, and daughter, Shannon Skeens Clay, of Whitesville; granddaughters, Crystal Honaker, Hannah and Kalynn of Whitesville; brothers, Jimmy Skeens and wife, Lynn, of Sylvester, Jack and wife, Tammy, of Twin Populars and David and wife, Trish, of Leewood; a sister, Donna and husband, Sam, of Pikeville, Ky.; and many cousins and nephews.

Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Valley Funeral Home, Whitesville, with the Rev. Gary Maynor officiating. Burial will follow in Pineview Cemetery, Orgas.

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

Arrangements by Valley Funeral Home, Whitesville.



Robert ‘Dennis’ Smith

FAYETTEVILLE — Robert “Dennis” Smith, 56, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at the home of his sister, Lou Feazell, following a brief illness.

Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville, is in charge of arrangements.



Margie E. Stone

ANSTED — Margie E. Stone, 80, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2006, at a Beckley hospital following a long illness.

Born April 20, 1925, at Nuttallburg, she was the daughter of the late Walter A. Pridemore and Thelma Wood Pridemore.

She attended Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses of Hico and was a homemaker.

Survivors include her husband, Carl R. Stone of Ansted; two daughters, Linda Barton and Robert C. Barton, and Shelley D. Toney and Harry, all of Ansted; a son, Carl Robert Stone Jr. of Ansted; five sisters, Norma Fox of Fayetteville, Charlotte Hizer of Orlanda, Fla., Drema Withrow of North Carolina, Patricia Malone of California and Carol Smales of Ansted; seven brothers, Clifford Pridemore of Atlanta, Ga., Dennis Pridemore of Fayetteville, Franklin Pridemore of Gatewood, Richard Pridemore of Oak Hill, Pat Pridemore of Fayetteville, John Pridemore of Ohio and Pete Pridemore of Fayetteville; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home Chapel, Ansted, with Mr. William Beall officiating. Burial will follow in Restlawn Memory Gardens, Hico.

The family will receive friends 1 to 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Ansted, is in charge of arrangements.