William Clayton Ballard Sr.

William Clayton Ballard, Sr., 92, of Madams Creek, Hinton, died Sunday morning, June 7, 2009, at Summers County A.R.H. in Hinton following a short illness.

Born October 28, 1916, in Hinton, he was the son of the late Clayton H. and Ethel Mae Carter Ballard.

Mr. Ballard was retired from the State of West Virginia ABC Commission. He was a former employee of the Hinton Taxi Company and was a member of First Baptist Church of Hinton.

Preceded in death by his first wife, Imajean Ballard. Also preceded by three brothers, James, John and Tom Ballard; Three sisters, Mary Andrews, Ruth Lush and Mildred Ballard.

Survivors include his wife, Garnet Donohoe Ballard; Four sons, William “Poody” Ballard and wife Janice of Hinton, Charles “Butch” Ballard and wife Janie of Whitemill, Ky., Randy Ballard and wife Debbie of Hinton and Steve Ballard and wife Kim of Daniels; One sister, Shara Shifflett and husband Moffett of Staunton, Va.; Grandchildren, Ruth and husband Harold Basham of Jumping Branch, Timothy and wife Linda Ballard of Pennsylvania, James and wife Rebecca Ballard of Hinton, Karen and husband Herman Pack of Streeter, Robin and husband Greg Bragg of Beaver, Peggy Ballard of Hinton, Robert Ballard of Las Vegas, Nev., Jarrod Ballard of Hinton, Lynette Ballard of Beckley and Matthew Ballard of Daniels; Special sister-in-law, Glenna Mize of Beaver.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel in Hinton with Pastor Ronald Cobb officiating. Burial will follow in Greenbrier Burial Park in Hinton. Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. this evening at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Jarrod Ballard, Herman and Brandon Pack, Greg and Coleman Bragg, Norman Farley, Jr., and Matt Durnan.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Bennett, Norman Farley, Sr., Wyatt Hinton and Earl and Nip Bowles.

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

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





Thomas Edward Biggs

Thomas Edward Biggs, 24, of Alderson, formerly of Beckley, died Saturday, June 6, 2009, from injuries sustained in a tragic accident on W.Va. 3 and 12 at Pence Springs.

Arrangements by Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson.





Verna Marie Forren Cook

Verna Marie Forren Cook, 87, of Mason, formerly of Lawn, passed away Friday, June 5, 2009, in the Pleasant Valley Hospital, Pt. Pleasant, West Virginia.

Born July 10, 1921, at Lawn, she was the firstborn daughter of the late Owen B. and Odessa Gilkeson Forren.

Mrs. Cook was a devout lifelong member of the Southern Baptist Church, attending Baptist churches in the communities in which she lived. She graduated from Sandstone High School and was a Pharmacist Mate First Class in the U.S. Navy during WWII. She met her husband, Deward Cook, a Marine pilot, during the war. They were married on August 10, 1946, in Washington, D.C., and lived in Texas and New Mexico until his death in 1979. She worked as a nurse in the medical field until moving to Mason, W.Va., in 1994 to be near her sisters and other family members. Verna traveled extensively around the world. Her most valued trip was to the Holy Land.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by a sister, Elouise Forren Cram, and a brother-in-law, Ray Bail.

Survivors include 4 sisters, Agnes (David) Monroe, Jean Bail, Jane (Russ) Hodgson and Tommie (Steve) Hanshew; 5 loving nieces, Marty Rader, Beverly Ocker, Patricia Logan, Cindy Norman and Donna Boggs; 5 loving nephews, Hank Cram, David Monroe, Jr., Ray Bail, III, Gregory Bail and Ted Hodgson; and 18 great-nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank her wonderful and devoted caregivers of the last 3 years, Bonnie Edwards, Judy Murphy, Sylvia Bodurski, JoAnn Taylor, Janet McDonald, Sherry Sands and Chas James. Their loving care permitted her to remain in her home until the day before her death. We also wish to thank her devoted friends Ron and Connie Thompson of Mason for their loving attention to Verna. Also, we wish to remember her closest friends from Colorado, Ray and Earlene Jones. Verna was surrounded by family members as well as Pastor Glenn Rowe of Clifton Methodist Church and Rev. Toni Beecher, New Haven Methodist Church, at the time of her death.

“For to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, in the Wallace Memorial Cemetery at Clintonville with Pastor Les Mullins officiating. Military honors will be provided by Oak Hill V.F.W. Post 3110.

Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.





Billie June Hardin

Billie June Hardin, 77, of Mocksville, N.C., formerly of Coal City, died Sunday, June 7, 2009, at the Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home in Beckley.





Kenneth Ray Holdren

GLEN LYN, Va. — Kenneth Ray Holdren, 98 of Glen Lyn, died Friday, June 5, 2009, at his home.

Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, at Birchlawn Burial Park, Pearisburg, Va., with Minister Jim Mullens officiating. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today, June 8, at Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown.

Online guestbook can be signed or condolences sent to the Holdren family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com.

Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown.





James E. ‘Jay’ Johnson

ELKHART, Ind. — James E. “Jay” Johnson, 45, of Elkhart, passed away Friday, June 5, 2009, at 7 p.m. at his home.

Friends and family are invited to Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, from 6 to 8 p.m. today, June 8, for a celebration of Jay’s life. Services will be 8 p.m. today. Joe Rager, a friend from Jay’s work, will lead the services. Mr. Johnson has been cremated, and following the celebration his remains will be returned to West Virginia.

Memorials may be given to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care of South Bend.

Online condolences can reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

Because the family must travel back to West Virginia, potted plants have been requested as they can withstand the trip home.

Arrangements by Billings Funeral Home, Elkhart, Ind.





Rosina Sylvia Masset Johnson

Rosina Sylvia Masset Johnson, 88, of Beckley, W.Va., passed away June 6, 2009, at the home of her daughter, Rita M. Wright and Allan Ramsey.

Born Aug. 10, 1921, in Bardonecchia, Italy, she was the daughter of Maria and Georgio Masset. Rosina had three brothers all of Italy, Alfredo, Aldo, and the last surviving brother Bruno. One niece, Patricia, and nephew Andrea of Italy. Brother-in-law Charlie Johnson, and his wife Letha, of Gastonia, N.C. Two nieces, Debbie and Carla, and a nephew, Randy, also of Gastonia, N.C.

Rosina worked for the United States military base in Trieste, Italy. Rosina worked as a switchboard operator and met and married her beloved “Johnny” Sgt. Ralph G. Johnson, in 1954. John passed away May 24, 1992. Rosina came to the United States in 1956. One of her proudest moments was when she earned her United States citizenship.

Those left to cherish her spirit and laughter are daughter Rita Wright and her companion Allan Ramsey; two sons, Henry W. Johnson and Ralph G. Johnson, Jr., and his wife Nola of Stafford, Va.; three grandchildren, Michelle Radford Mills, Heath S. Wright and his wife Kelli of Beckley and Eric Johnson of Stafford, Va.; two great-grandchildren, Haley M. Mills and Ian C.N. Wright. Rosina was waiting on the arrival of her third great-grandchild.

Rosina enjoyed her times at the Community of Aging center on City Avenue. She thought highly of all the staff and enjoyed her fellow senior citizens. Rosina loved animals.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley with the Rev. Allan Copenhaver officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens at Prosperity.

Friends and family may call at the funeral home one hour prior to services.

Family members will serve as pallbearers.

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

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





Robert Clemens McGuffin

Robert Clemens McGuffin, age 87, of Oak Hill, passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2009, at Hill Top Health Care Center at Hill Top, W.Va.

Born April 13, 1922, at Thurmond, W.Va., he was the son of the late Claymus and Ethel Samples McGuffin.

Robert was a retired house painter and was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Navy. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Tommy, Glen, John and James McGuffin; and by three sisters, Harriett Bishop, Mary Sue Hash and Joyce Ann McGuffin.

Surviving are His Wife: Gracie Davis McGuffin of Oak Hill; His Son: James Wesley McGuffin of Shreveport, Texas; Two Brothers: Emory Wayne McGuffin of Oak Hill and Ritchie McGuffin of Prince Frederick, Md.; Three Sisters: Maggie Anderson of Hill Top, Jean Sumner of Grants, N.M., and Betty Campbell of Phoenix, Arizona.

Committal services with entombment to follow will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at High Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Oak Hill, with Pastor Jerry Bush officiating. Friends may call at the mausoleum from 10:30 a.m. until the service hour of 11 a.m.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, W.Va.





Ernest ‘Casey’ Milam

Ernest “Casey” Milam, 91, of Matheny, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 6, 2009, in Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley.

Born June 27, 1917, at Wyco, he was the son of the late Henry and Emazella Whitt Milam.

Mr. Milam proudly served his country during World War II with the U.S. Navy. He served on multiple ships including the USS Wyoming in 1942. He was a member of the UMWA Retired Construction Workers.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six brothers, Jesse, Jack, James, Thomas, Carl and Horace Milam; a sister, Delores Rhinehart; and a granddaughter, Pauline Milam.

Survivors include the mother of his children, Nancy Milam of Pineville; a daughter, Kay Aliff and his special son-in-law, Randall Aliff, of Pineville; two sons, Randy “Huey” Milam and his wife, Jessie, of Winchester, Va., and Paul Milam and his companion, Mary, of Brenton; a brother, the Rev. Herbert Milam and his wife, Lorraine, of Lester; grandchildren; Sandra England and her husband, David, Charles Casey Milam, Samantha Milam, Steve Milam, Ryan Aliff and Demia Aliff; his special lifelong friend, roommate and World War II veteran, Shad Whitt; fellow band members of the Broken Hearted Band, Willa Lewis, Linda Bryson and Howard Allen; a host of friends at McDonalds; and longtime friends, Keith and Debbie Stewart.

The Milam family wishes to thank Dr. Scott Keffer and Wyoming Nursing & Rehabilitation for their kindness and loving care.

A celebration of Casey’s life will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at Evans Funeral Home, Oceana, with his nephew the Rev. Tom Milam and the Rev. Jerry Graham officiating. Burial will follow in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Aliff, Herbie Milam, Dallas Owens, Chester Dean and Keith “Bimbo” Stewart.

Family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. today, June 8, 2009, at the funeral home.

Military rites will be conducted by the Wyoming County Honor Guard.

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

Evans Funeral Home of Oceana is serving the Milam family.





Granville S. Moore

Granville S. Moore, 82, of Danese, passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2009, at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Fairlea, following a long illness.

Born April 28, 1927, in Dorfee, Clay County, W.Va., he was a son of the late Richard Russell and Nancy Media McComas Moore.

He was a timber man, having started with crosscut saws, and went on to work for Kirby Lumber Co. and Best Line Construction Co. cutting rights-of-way. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He loved hunting and trapping.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Lorene Moore, in 1990; four sisters, Leitha Gwinn, Maxine Fox, Lenore Simms and one infant girl, Juanita; and three brothers, Dexter and Berman Moore and one infant boy, Chester.

Survivors include his son, Chester “Chuck” Moore and his wife, Lisa, of Danese, and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at the Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Rainelle with Pastor Sherman McCombs officiating. Burial will follow at the Wallace Memorial Cemetery in Clintonville.

Pallbearers will be Charles Saunders, Roger Kincaid, Joe Critchley, James Simms, Ronald Midkiff and James Puckett.

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

The family would like to express a special thank you to the nurses and staff of Heartland of Rainelle.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace, Inc., of Rainelle.





Philip Sheridan Ormsbee

Philip Sheridan Ormsbee, 49, of Alderson, formerly of Saranac, N.Y., died Saturday, June 6, 2009, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on W.Va. 3 and 12 at Pence Springs.

Arrangements by Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson.





Mary Frances Ripley

Mary Frances Ripley, 80, of Rainelle, passed away Friday, June 5, 2009, in the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center at Fairlea following a long illness.

Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at the Rainelle United Methodist Church. Entombment will be in the Wallace Memorial Mausoleum at Clintonville. Friends may call Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Smathers Funeral Chapel and from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.





Leola Loberta Stacy

Leola Loberta Stacy, 79, of Gilbert, died Friday, June 5, 2009, at CAMC, Memorial Division.

Funeral will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, at Justice Tabernacle Church, Justice, with the Rev. Carl “Cab” Wolford and the Rev. Randall Staton officiating. Burial will be in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny. Friends may call at the Justice Tabernacle Church at Justice from 6 to 9 p.m. today, June 8, with a service at 7 p.m.

Mounts Funeral Home of Gilbert is in charge of arrangements.





Michelle Tanner

Michelle Tanner, 37, of Glen Morgan, died Saturday, June 6, 2009, at home.

Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home in Shady Spring.





Windle Ross Tolliver

Windle Ross Tolliver, 26, of Oceana, passed away Friday, June 5, 2009, at Memorial Division of Charleston Area Medical Center.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, at the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, with Minister Richard Massey and Brother Timmy Massey officiating. Windle will be laid to rest in Cook Cemetery, Lynco. Friends may gather with the family from noon until service time at the funeral home Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made at any First Community Bank location or the funeral home.

E-mail letters of sympathy may be sent at www.staffordfamilyfuneralhome.com.

The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco.