George Aide

FAIRLEA — George Aide, of Fairlea, passed away Friday morning, July 20, 2007, at his residence.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Lewisburg.

Edgar Nile Clark

Edgar Nile Clark, 82, of 1280 Flat Top Road, Shady Spring, died Thursday, July 19, 2007, at Hilltop Center.

Born April 5, 1925, in Salem, he was the son of the late Nile Glen and Simone Tamenne Clark.

He was a retired oil and gas contractor and a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in World War II. He was of the Episcopal faith and had been a resident of the Shady Spring area since 2000, moving there from Barboursville, Ky.

In addition to his parents, his wife, Gail Frances Adams Clark, and a daughter, Nila Phillips, preceded him in death.

Survivors include a daughter, Susan Clark, and a son, Edgar Clark and wife, Lorena, all of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; four grandchildren and a great-grandson.

In keeping with Mr. Clark’s wishes, the body has been cremated and there will be no service.

Memorial contributions may be made to your local Hospice organization.

Seaver Funeral Home, Princeton, is in charge of arrangements.

Esley Couch

LEX — Esley Couch, 88, died Friday, July 20, 2007.

Service will be 1 p.m. Monday at the chapel of Fanning Funeral Home, Iaeger. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, and 11 a.m. until time of service Monday at Fanning Funeral Home, Iaeger.

Arrangements by Fanning Funeral Home, Iaeger.

John H. Crookshanks Sr.

RAINELLE — John H. Crookshanks Sr., 93, passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2007, at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley after a short illness.

Born June 11, 1914, at Clifftop, he was a son of the late James Davis and Bertha Jane Hiser Crookshanks.

Mr. Crookshanks attended Corliss and Clifftop grade schools, Rainelle and Nuttall District high schools, graduating in 1932. He graduated from West Virginia University in 1936 with a degree in geology and a minor in chemistry. He was employed by Electro-Metalurgical Co. at Alloy during World War II. In 1947, he started Crookshanks Builders Supply, which he owned and operated for 60 years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma; a son, David; and sisters, Iona Allen and Edna Cohen.

Survivors include sons, Ronald K. of Rainelle and John H. Jr. and wife, Ida Kay; grandsons, Christopher Crookshanks of Piedmont, S.C., and Ryan of Duo; granddaughter, Amanda K. of Bradley; a niece, Catherine Wheeling of Charleston; and nephews, Michael and Ronnie Wheeling and David Cohen of Boca Raton, Fla.

Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Wallace & Wallace Chapel, Rainelle, with the Rev. Houston Boothe officiating. Entombment will follow in Chapel of Rest Mausoleum in Victor.

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

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle.

Justin Lee Divers

Justin Lee Divers, “Mommy’s Little Angel,” earned his wings and went to be with Jesus on Thursday, July 19, 2007, at his home, McGraw’s Court, Stover, following a long illness. He was 19 years of age.

Born April 24, 1988, in Beckley, he was the son of Mona Danese Divers of Stover.

Justin always had a smile for everyone. He will be greatly missed by his Mom who loved and cared for him the past 19 years. He will be sorely missed by all of his brothers and sisters and by the thousands of people whose lives he touched and two special people who were always there for him, Linda Cook and Carolyn Zorne.

Justin was preceded in death by his grandpa, Bud Ferguson of Glen Daniel; uncle, Pooch Ferguson of Fairdale; aunt, Connie Lewis of Prosperity; aunt, Snooks Meador of Daniels; great-grandma, Hester Roach, and great-grandpa and great-grandma, Ben and Ruby Ferguson, and Aunt Ruby Rebecca Ferguson.

Additional survivors include five brothers, Brian Vest and his wife, Melinda, of Winston-Salem, N.C., Wade Divers and his wife, Pam, of Arnett, Sean Combs and his wife, Nancy, of Winston-Salem, Joseph Daniel of Lynchburg, Va., and Alex Leonard of Lester; two sisters, Melissa Adams and her husband, Jamie, of Lexington, N.C., and Laura Smith of Bluefield, Va.; his grandma, Linda Powell and her husband, David; his great-grandpa, James Roach, and great-uncle, Jimmy Roach, all of Glen Daniel; great-uncle, Buddy Campbell and his wife, Linda, of Ohio; nephews, Jordan and Joshua Adams, both of Lexington, and Kale Vest and Cody Combs, both of Winston-Salem; and nieces, Macy Vest and Brianna Combs, both of Winston-Salem. Justin is also survived by Jamie Ferguson and wife, Paulette, of Dry Creek, Larry Ferguson of Crab Orchard and Tammy Leonard and her husband, Jeff, of Lester.

Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Dick Sellards officiating. Entombment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum, Beckley.

Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the mortuary and one hour before service Sunday.

Pallbearers will be Wade Divers, Brian Vest, Sean Combs, Jamie Adams, Johnny Richmond and Poogie Sauls.

In Loving Memory of Justin Lee Divers

Hi Mommy,

I had a safe trip. The Angels carried me safely into our Father’s heaven. Oh the thrill I felt when I met the One that died for you and me. Mommy, there is no sin here, no murders, no divorces, no abortions, no drinking, no drugs, there is no need to lock the doors. Mommy, I can see and it is so beautiful here. I can talk and everyone is so friendly. Also Mommy I can walk and run all over heaven. Mommy I will never be in pain again. I will not have any more surgeries. I will always be able to breathe good. The only thing that would make heaven more beautiful would be to have all of family and friends join me here. I love you Mommy, Justin.

I love you son, and I miss you so much. At times it is almost unbearable. Love, Mommy

Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at melton@wvdsl.net.

Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Helen Virginia Tilson Garretson

Helen Virginia Tilson Garretson, 83, of Coal City, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2007, at her home.

Born Sept. 22, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Maggie Proffitt Lewis. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Helen was a member of Calvary Assembly of God, Beckley. She loved bowling and camping. She was the owner/operator of Tilson’s IGA in Coal City.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, William “Bunce” Tilson; a son, Tim Tilson; two sisters, Naomi Plymale and Lela Roos; and five brothers, Robert Lewis, Clarence Lewis, Jim Lewis, Kenny Lewis and Sterling Lewis.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 25 years, Richard Nathan Garretson; a son, Danny Tilson of Beckley; a daughter, Nancy Tilson of Chattanooga, Tenn.; two granddaughters, Annette Rosenzweig of Chattanooga and Melissa Payne of Beckley; three grandsons, Jamie Reynolds of Virginia Beach, Va., Michael Tilson of Columbia, S.C., and John Scott Tilson of Beckley; and three great-grandchildren, Austin and Alyssa Rosenzweig, and Edan Payne.

Service will be 2 p.m. Monday, July 23, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with the Rev. Lowell Black officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

Pallbearers will be Darrell Hornsby, Tommy Hornsby, Billy Hornsby, Gary Hornsby, Raymond Plymale and Sam Garretson.

Friends may gather with the family 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at the funeral home.

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

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

Harold Cecil Harrah

YPSILANTI, Mich. — Harold Cecil Harrah, 78, formerly of Rainelle, passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2007.

Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Greenbrier Memorial Gardens, Lewisburg. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at Shanklin Funeral Home, White Sulphur Springs.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Diabetes Foundation.

Arrangements by Shanklin Funeral Home, White Sulphur Springs.

Jeffrey Okey ‘Digger’ Harris

HUNTINGTON — Jeffrey Okey “Digger” Harris, 39, formerly of Craigsville, died Thursday, July 19, 2007.

Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Simons-Coleman Funeral Home, Richwood. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Simons-Coleman Funeral Home, Richwood.

Tona Lea Jarrell

HAMPTON, Va. — Tona Lea Jarrell, 53, formerly of Marfork, died Monday, July 16, 2007.

Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Virginia.

Jeff Lee

William Jeffery Lee, 47, of Glen Daniel, passed away Saturday, July 14, 2007, from injuries received in an automobile accident.

Born Aug. 19, 1959, at Richlands, Va., he was the son of Ira Lee of Beckley and Peggy Schuler of Williamson.

Jeff had been a coal miner for 20 years and was employed with Massey Coal. He loved to hunt, fish and do gardening.

Jeff was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Bruce and Minnie Lee, and maternal grandparents, Arnold and Nina Baldwin.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 28 years, Karen Smith Lee; his parents, Ira and Alma Lee of Beckley and Peggy and Tom Schuler of Williamson; four siblings, Ira Timmy Lee of Troutman, N.C., John Arnold Lee and his wife, Glenna, of Oak Hill, Patricia Ann Wriston and her husband, Gary, of Lake Wiley, S.C., and Michael Paul Lee and his wife, Hillary, of Beckley; a niece and eight nephews; mother and father-in-law, Robert and Reva Smith of Beckley; and a host of extended family and friends.

Service will be 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Pastor George Bostic and Pastor Jimmy Bostic officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Lively, Allen Radford, Dougal Smith, Larry McNeely, Tony Cole and Kenny McGraw.

Friends may gather with the family 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

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

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

Irene (Wyatt) Canada Mann

Irene (Wyatt) Canada Mann, 86, of Beckley, passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2007, in Roanoke, Va.

Born in Pineville, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Jenny Wyatt.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, John Canada and Fletcher Mann; five brothers, T.C. “Abe” Wyatt, Pierce “Dock” Wyatt, Lacy Wyatt, Harry Wyatt and Dennis Wyatt; two sisters, Opal Greene and Nola Cook; a son-in-law, Jennings “Bud” Skidmore; and two granddaughters, Lori Canada and Amy Skidmore.

Those left to cherish her memory include two daughters, Frances Skidmore of Roanoke and Barbara Wentworth and her husband, Ed, of Mount Pleasant, Mich.; a son, Jack Canada and his wife, Peggy, of Barberton, Ohio; six grandchildren, John Skidmore, Mark Skidmore and wife, Robyn, Robin Stressman and husband, Steven, Joe Wentworth and wife, Debby, Scott Canada and Jeremy Canada; 10 great-grandchildren, Christopher Bobbitt, Nicole Skidmore, Jennifer May and her husband, Jason, Auric Stressman, Ryan Stressman, Jessica Stressman, Jessica Canada, Alexandria Wentworth, Trey Wentworth and Zachariah Wentworth; two great-great-grandchildren, Isabel and Lawrence May; brother, Greely Wyatt and wife, Lorna, of Roanoke; two sisters, Bethel Angles and husband, Peery, of Oceana and Beulah Whitt of Mullens; and sister-in-law, Audra Wyatt of Beckley.

Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Rev. Arlie Cook of Roanoke and grandson Joseph Wentworth of Mount Pleasant officiating.

Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

Friends may gather with the family noon until time of service Sunday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Mike Cook, David Kirby, Lewis Daye, David Cook, Ryan Stressmann and Auric Stressman. Honorary pallbearers will be the Disciples Sunday School Class at Memorial Baptist Church in Beckley, where she was a member.

The family would like to give special thanks to friends, Lewis and Elizabeth Daye, Kelso and Thelma Lilly; nephew, Mike Cook; Dr. P. Mallidi, the Carilion Hospice Staff and the nurses at Blue Ridge Cancer Center in Roanoke.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Carilion Hospice, 1917 Franklin Road, Suite B, Roanoke, VA 24014-1103.

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

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

Chad Patrick Neely

OAK HILL — Chad Patrick Neely, 43, passed away Monday, July 16, 2007, at Plateau Medical Center.

Born Sept. 17, 1963, at Peru, Ind., he was the son of Harold L. Neely and Anne Butler Neely. Chad was an accomplished musician.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Valerie Prewitt-Neely; his son, Marshall Neely; his father, Harold Neely and wife, Donnie, of Merritt Island, Fla.; his mother, Anne Butler Neely of Leesburg, Va.; a brother, Canaan Neely of Maui, Hawaii; a sister, Karen Sue Baldwin of Leesburg; his grandmothers, Erma Neely of Oak Hill and Maureen Butler of Leesburg; and many other family and friends.

His remains rest at High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, 1435 E. Main St., Oak Hill, where the family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m. today, and where service will be 7 p.m. with the Rev. Delmas Wolfe officiating. Interment will be private.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Chapel, Oak Hill.

Rick Payne

BURLINGTON, N.J. — Rick Payne passed away Monday, July 16, 2007, surrounded by the friends who knew and loved him for the past 19 years, at Garelick Farms in Burlington. He was 52 years old.

Born Feb. 21, 1955, in Lynco, he was the son of the late Mark and Angeline Koutsunis Payne.

In addition to his parents, his grandparents, Pete and Pearl Koutsunis, and Uncle Petro Koutsunis, for whom he was named, and his late brother, Michael Payne, preceded him in death.

Rick was a 1973 graduate of Baileysville High School and served in the United States Navy from 1973 to 1977.

He was a loving, helpful and kind man. He worked as an EMT for the Levittown/Fairless Hill Rescue Squad for many years.

He was lovingly raised by his Aunt Evelyn Johnston who passed away in 2006 and his Uncle Ralph Johnston who still resides in Rockhouse. He was also a brother and friend to his cousin, Carolyn Hatfield, who lives with her dad.

Survivors include his two loving sons, Cory and Christopher, whom he loved so much and was so proud of; a brother, Connie Payne of Hamptonville, N.C.; and a sister, Barbara Vance of Pineville.

Service will be 3 p.m. today at Evans Memorial Chapel, Oceana, with the Rev. Tim Brewster officiating. Burial will follow in Beaver Family Cemetery, Baileysville.

The family will receive friends 1 p.m. until time of service today at the funeral home.

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

Evans Funeral Home, Oceana, is serving the Payne family.

Johnny H. Rowe

Johnny H. Rowe of Bolt, formerly of Lillydale, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2007.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home, Oceana.

Curtis Wayne Saunders

Curtis Wayne Saunders, 37, of Princewick, died Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at his home following a short illness.

Born in Beckley on Dec. 18, 1969, he was the son of Joyce Moore Saunders of Sprague and the late Curtis “Babe” Saunders.

Mr. Saunders was a disabled coal miner and a member of Fairdale Freewill Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Deanna Becklehimer Saunders; four sons, Pfc. Kevin Saunders of Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Curtis Saunders, Thomas Saunders and Matthew Saunders, all at home; three daughters, Kristi Saunders, Amanda Saunders and Makayla Saunders, all at home; an unborn grandchild, Kaydence; a brother, Chris Saunders of Beckley; paternal grandmother, Lillie Saunders of Stephenson; and maternal grandmother, Violet Moore of Helen.

Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Rose and Quesenberry Shady Spring Chapel with Pastor Dean Adams and the Rev. Jimmy Farnsworth officiating. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum, Beckley.

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

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

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

Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring.

Bernard Andrew Smith

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Bernard Andrew Smith, 77, formerly of Hurricane, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, July 18, 2007.

Bernard was a member of the UMWA and retired from Cedar Coal Co. of Chelyan. He also worked for Driggs Corp. of Capital Heights, Md.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 56 years, Arleta Wilson Smith. They were residents of Hurricane for 28 years before making Wilmington their home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Minor C. and Zona D. Smith of Landisburg, and brothers, John D. Smith of Big Tyler Mountain, Curtis Smith of Gadsen, Ala., and Minor C. Smith Jr., who was killed while serving in the United States military.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Marina Jean “Jeannie” Palank and husband, Joseph, of Wilmington; his son, Bernard “Buddy” Smith and wife, Pamela, of Penhook, Va.; two grandsons, John A. Mullins of Gambrills, Md., and Andrew W. Smith of Penhook; two granddaughters, Jennifer L. Johnson and husband, Nicholas, of Antioch, Ill., and Chelsea Rae Smith of Penhook; two brothers, Kenneth C. Smith of Raleigh, N.C., and Terry N. Smith of Hurricane; and a sister, Irene Smith of Elkins.

Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle, with Pastor Art Hage officiating. Burial will follow in Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle.

Audrey Mae Stover

Audrey Mae Stover, 79, of Prosperity, passed away quietly at home Wednesday, July 18, 2007, following a long illness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Bernard Stover; brother, Buddy Stanley; and sisters, Kay Reed, Mick Persianna, Hazel Bailey and Betty Kelly.

Those left to cherish her memory include her brother, Larry Stanley and wife, Ann, of Conyers, Ga.; sister, Jan Tawney and husband, Bob, of Stephenson; two daughters, Trena Dunn and husband, Kevin, of Coal City and Teresa Woods and husband, James, of Cool Ridge; four grandchildren, William Patton and wife, Cindy, of Daniels, Sherry Lilly and husband, Welton, of Shady Spring, Jeremy Woods and wife, Mandy, of Cool Ridge and Teena Lilly and husband, Daniel, of Dunns; and seven great-grandchildren, Braxton, Clay, Cory, Gavin, Logan, Tyler and Zoey.

Service will be noon Monday, July 23, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with Pastor Delmas Cox officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

Friends may gather with the family 11 a.m. until time of service Monday at the funeral home.

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

Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements.