Peggy Jean Ashley
PINEVILLE — Peggy Jean Ashley, 51, of Pineville, took her last breath of pain and suffering on Earth and her first breath of Heaven on Nov. 16, 2009, at 3:25 p.m., in Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown.
Born Aug. 23, 1958, Peggy was a member of Rock Castle Baptist Church and a former member of Turkey Creek Baptist Church. She was a state employee of Welch Community Hospital. She enjoyed her flower garden, playing the piano and singing gospel music. Most importantly, she found satisfaction and pleasure in serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Peggy was a loving wife and a wonderful mama Jean.
Peggy was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Wanda Sizemore Stafford; a nephew, Robert Anthony Cook; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph Wade and Paula Francis Stone Ashley; and two brothers-in-law, Douglas Wade “Skip” Ashley and Thomas Joseph “Joe” Webb.
Survivors include her husband of eight years, Joseph Herman Ashley; a son, Christopher Jason Sizemore of Pineville/Morgantown; a daughter, Jesseca Frances Sizemore of Pineville; special nieces, Sherri Lynn Bland of Pineville and Carla Sue Belcher of Timberlake, N.C.; former husband, Jesse Howard Sizemore of Turkey Creek; former father-in-law and mother-in-law, Millard Frank and Polly Frances Lester Sizemore of Turkey Creek; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim and Mei-Ling Ashley of Salt Lake City, Utah, Dave and Dana Ashley, and Michael and Mary Ashley, Vicki Webb and Tammy Sydki, all of Mullens; former brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John and Connie White of Pineville, and James and Mary Morgan and Janice and Terry Smith, all of Turkey Creek; a God daughter, Mariesa Hatfield Shirley of Daniels; and Peggy’s parents and siblings.
A celebration of Peggy’s life will be 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at Rock Castle Baptist Church with the Rev. Donald “Doc” Adkins and the Rev. Glen Hatfield officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Pallbearers will be Jason Sizemore, Tommy Bland, Nicholas Mays, Mike Mays, Dave Ashley and Rick Shirley. All family and friends are welcome to join in the celebration. Family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 at the church.
Online guest book may be signed at www.calfeefuneralservice.com or email condolences to the family at calfeefuneralservice@stei.com
Calfee Funeral Service of Pineville is serving the family.
Lucretia Porter Eckley Dudley
Lucretia Porter Eckley Dudley, formerly of Huntington, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, in the Chapel at the Ridgelawn Cemetery. Visitation with family one hour prior to service.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main Street #203, Beckley, WV 25801 or “Little Victories” Animal Shelter, 3589 Wire Branch Road, Ona, WV 25545.
Betty Ruth Hovencamp Ewart
Betty Ruth Hovencamp Ewart passed away Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, at Alleghany Regional Hospital.
Betty was born to Herman E. and Lillian Pennington Hovencamp at Portsmouth, Ohio, Jan. 4, 1931; she attended Capital University, Columbus, Ohio and Teacher's College, Columbia University, New York City.
Prior to coming to Lewisburg, Betty worked as organist/choir director and Christian Education Director for the Episcopal Church, as Ass't Dean of Women of Boston University, Boston, Mass. and at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. She was also Director of Student Activities at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. She taught piano and organ and was substitute music teacher for Greenbrier County at one time.
Betty retired from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1996. She started work there in 1980 as CPR Instructor, later serving as ACLS Coordinator and Health Educator for over 10 years. She was also an Instructor at the Greenbrier County Community College and helped co-ordinate two paramedic classes for the area. She served as an honorary member of the Greenbrier Valley Ambulance Service.
She was active in the American Red Cross and American Lung Association in New York before coming to WV. She was secretary of the Boston, Mass. AAUW and Past President of the Lewisburg AAUW, starting the Lewisburg Choir Festival while with that group. She was active with the American Heart Association, serving as Secretary and one of the Founders of the Greenbrier County Chapter, as WV Affiliate Board Member and Chairman of the Board for W.V., a member of the W.V. Affiliate Faculty and National Faculty in CPR for W.V. She was one of the founders and Board Member for the Greenbrier Valley United Way and a past member of Quota Club. She was twice President of the Interagency Council and began the local annual Health and Safety Fair. She, with her husband, helped found the Greenbrier Valley Chapter of Bereaved Parents/USA and served as Newsletter Editor for the local group and the National BP/USA. She also served on the National Board of Directors for BP/USA and as President of the Board. She was named Outstanding Public Programming Volunteer for 1985-86 and Volunteer of the Year for 1991 by the American Heart Association and Volunteer of the Year for Lewisburg for 1991. She was given the Alumni Distinguished Service Award by her College, Capital University, in Columbus, Ohio, in 2004.
She is predeceased by a daughter, Ruthie; brothers, Ralph and Robert Hovencamp; a sister, Hazel Hovencamp, and her parents. She is survived by her husband, Jack, her sister-in-law, Susan Crowther and her husband, Tom; stepchildren, Chris Ewart, his wife, Nancy, and their three children, Jason, Carrese and Kimberly; Douglas Ewart and his wife, Cheryl; Virginia Gregg and her husband, Rob; and Betsy Wykes and her husband, Mike; a nephew, Robert Hovencamp; nieces, Mary Hessler and her husband Don and their children; Barbara Cornell and her husband, Gary and their children; Vicky Schnure and her husband John and their children; a nephew, William Crowther and his wife Morgan and their children; a niece Carolyn Crowther Vanderhorst and her husband Russell and several great nieces and nephews.
Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Lewisburg United Methodist Church in Lewisburg, with The Rev. C.T. McHenry, Rev. Joseph Kenaston, and Deacon Donald Poff officiating. Entombment will follow at Wallace Memorial Mausoleum, Clintonville.
Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the John E. and Betty R. Ewart Scholarship at Capital University, at 1 College and Main, Columbus, Ohio.
Please send online condolences by visiting www.wallaceandwallacefh.com
Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Lewisburg.
Billie Gray
MOUNT HOPE — Mrs. Billie Gray, 56, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, in Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital.
Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.
Nara Ledger
Nara Ledger, 91, formerly of Logan, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at her daughters residence.
Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home of Logan.
Ferol F. Masken
MEADOW BRIDGE — Ferol F. Masken, 89, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009.
Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Wallace & Wallace Chapel in Rainelle, with the Rev. Jim Conyers officiating. Burial will follow in Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville. Friends may call one hour prior to the service (1 to 2 p.m.).
The family requests that donations be made to Hospice Care, 223 Maplewood Ave., Lewisburg, WV 24901.
Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace of Rainelle.
Barbara Melton
Barbara Marie Cook Melton of the Cabell Heights Community died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 at the Raleigh General Hospital. The wife of Henry E. Melton III, she was 63 years of age.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meltonmortuary.com
Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc, Beckley.
Alfonzo Murphy
MADISON — Mr. Alfonzo Murphy, 62, died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2009 in Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston.
Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.
Shelma Lusk Severt
Shelma Irene Lusk Severt of Gas Plant Road, Bolt, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 at the Bowers Hospice House. Mrs. Severt, a teacher in the Raleigh county school systems, was 53 years of age. She was the wife of Eddie Severt.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meltonmortuary.com
Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc, Beckley.
William Alan Shank
FOREST HILL — William Alan “Willie” Shank, age 48, of Forest Hill, left this life and entered into his eternal life in the presence of God on Tuesday Nov. 17, 2009, as the result of an apparent heart attack.
Willie was born on Aug. 3, 1961 and was the son of William “Bill” and Janet Chaney Shank of Greenbank, W.Va.
Willie was employed by Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech University as a senior computer specialist. He loved keeping a running argument with his “Hokie” colleagues, because he was an avid WVU Mountaineer.
Willie was an active worker at Countryside Baptist Church at Forest Hill, and played a large part in the Upward Sports Ministry at the church.
Willie was the devoted husband of Cathy Blume Shank and father of two daughters, Nicole and Amber Harvey. Other survivors include a sister, Cindy Pritt and husband John of Huntersville, W.Va. One brother, Michael Shank and wife Jannel of Mt. Sydney, Va. Father and Mother-in-law, Jim Blume and wife Pat of Forest Hill. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Sally Blume of Forest Hill and Paul and Robin Blume of Fairdale. Nephews, Andrew and Matthew Pritt, Jamie, Chris, Peyton and David Blume. Nieces, Heather Pritt, Jennifer and Krystina Shank, Mindy, Alandra, Stephanie, Bryanna and Bria Blume. A much loved aunt and uncle, Linda and Daryll Fazenbaker and closest friends, Rick and Robin Ford of Forest Hill. He is also survived by many cousins and countless friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care in memory of Willie’s grandmother, Hazel Chaney, the American Cancer Society in honor and memory of those who battle this disease, or the Dickie Noel Scholarship Fund.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel in Hinton with Pastors Jimmy Jones and Julian Rittenhouse officiating. Private burial will follow in the family cemetery near Forest Hill. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until time of services on Friday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be; Jamie and Chris Blume, Andrew Pritt, Rick Ford, Steve McNeer, Bill Wheeler, and Corey and Jamie Fazenbaker.
Online condolences and guest register at www.pivontfuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton.
Thomas H. Stafford
FAYETTEVILLE — Thomas H. Stafford, 64, of Fayetteville, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2009.
Born Jan. 14, 1945, in Beckley, Tom was the son of the late Harold and Juanita Stafford. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Donald Stafford.
Tom was a graduate of Mt. Hope High School Class of 1962, attended Marshall University and Beckley College. He was a member of MacDonald-Warren Lodge No. 103, A.F. & A.M., Sewell Chapter No. 24, Royal Arch Masons, 32° Mason Scottish Rite Bodies, a former member of the Oak Hill Jaycees, Fayette County Board of Education and attended the Fayetteville Baptist Church.
Tom was employed by People’s Life and People’s Security, LUTCF. He was a manager, regional director and trainer for Monumental Life Insurance Company for 33 years, having retired from the Stafford Agency in June 2000. He was also a real estate agent for Jim Lively’s Century 21. He served on the Board of Directors for Pioneer Community Bank. Tom was one of the original guides for Wildwater Unlimited, Thurmond, and an antique car enthusiast.
Survivors include his wife, Deanna, and his son, Shane. He is also survived by his older brother Ronald and wife, Zona and their children Ron, Tina and Lisa of Little Rock, Ark., sister, Nancy Guin and her husband, Wayne of Pittsboro, North Carolina and their son, Aaron of Nashville, Tenn., sister Ginny Keeney, and her husband, Jerry and children Nancy and Fred of South Venice, Fla., sister-in-law Faye Stafford of Williamsburg, Kentucky and nephew, Larry Stafford of Atlanta, Ga., several other nieces and nephews and friends too numerous to count.
In respect of Tom’s wishes, his body was cremated. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, beginning at 4 p.m. at the restaurant at the old River’s property on Fayette Station Road in Fayetteville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Mt. Hope High School Alumni Association, P. O. Box 98, Mt. Hope, WV 25880.
Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com
Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill, is serving the Stafford family.
Thomas Benton Stephenson III
MANSFIELD, Ohio — Captain Thomas (Tom) Stephenson III, 70, formerly of Nettie, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 in the White Funeral Home in Summersville. Interment will follow in the Ward Road Cemetery at Nettie.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home in Summersville.
Alexander ‘Tim’ Thomas
RAINELLE — Alexander “Tim” Thomas of Rainelle, passed away Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, following a long illness.
He was born March 17, 1921, at Alderson, W.Va.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; father, Alex Thomas and mother, Mae Fitzwater Thomas Sevy. He was also preceded in death by four sisters, Christine Spano, Katherine Oxley, Audrey Thomas, infant sister, Janice Thomas, and long time companion, Helen Wiseman.
Tim was a veteran of both World War II and Korea, and a successful businessman in Long Beach, Calif. He was co-founder and president of Appalachian Root and Herb in Rainelle from 1973 to 1998. Tim was a great admirer of the woods and open spaces, an avid bird lover, and a plant expert. He was kind and generous to everyone he met. If a man is measured by the number of his enemies, he was a small man; but if he is measured by the number of his friends, he was truly a giant.
Survivors include two sisters, Alice Shuler of Ansted and Phyllis Keeling of Talmadge, Ohio; two brothers, John and Robert Thomas, both of Rainelle; his long time companion, Patsy Williams of Rainelle and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Wallace & Wallace Chapel in Rainelle, with the Rev. John Wyatt officiating. Burial will follow in Hypes Family Cemetery, Pence Springs.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace of Rainelle.
Pamela A. Blevins Knight Todd
GLEN JEAN — Pamela A. Blevins Knight Todd, 50, of Glen Jean, died on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, at her home.
Ms. Todd has been cremated. There will be no visitation or service.
Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.
Naomi Lois Walker
PINOAK — Our precious, wonderful, beautiful mother, Naomi Lois Walker, 91, of Pinoak, died peacefully in her sleep, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, at Sandy’s Home Sweet Home in Pinoak.
Born July 6, 1918, at Besoco in Raleigh County, she was the daughter of the late Phillip Aden Walker and Chloe Mae Hedrick Walker.
Mrs. Walker was a member of Rich Creek Primitive Baptist Church at Pinoak. She was a former employee of Beckley Manufacturing and Majestic Laundry in Princeton. Her most devoted and cherished duties were to her family, friends and neighbors whom she cherished. She was spirited, humorous and good to all. She loved to quilt with her friends, read newspapers, listen to preachers on the radio and sing. She loved to tend her farm animals.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lovis L. Walker, Sr.; one son, Lovis Walker Jr.; one grandson, Tracy Akers; four sisters, Anna Marie McKeon, Reva Walker, Estes Gibson and Gyle Johnson; two brothers, Andrew Walker and Avil Walker; and step-mother, Mayna McComas Walker.
Survivors include four daughters, Delma Birchfield and her husband, Abner (Buddy) of Athens, Adele Kossel and her husband Kurt of Beckley, Elizabeth Akers and her fiancé Roger Hodge of Princeton, Nancy Semones and her husband Harvey of Lashmeet; and one sister, Peggy Vencill and her husband Marvin of Princewick; and one step-sister, Rema Meadows of Beckley; 20 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and several great, great-grandchildren. Naomi was a mother “by heart” to Arnold Walker, Jerry Walker and Yvonne Walker-Wiles; Naomi’s nephews and nieces; children of Naomi’s precious sister-in-law, Deloris Walker Hicks and precious brother-in-law, Tony Preston Walker. They praised her for her love and caring.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 2009 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with Elder Lewis Lester officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at Lashmeet.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Princeton Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1090, Princeton, WV 24740 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.
Friends may call today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton.
To view a video tribute to Mrs. Walker, or send the family online condolences, please visit www.bailey-kirk.com.
Arrangements by Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home, Princeton.
Theo E. Weikle
LINDSIDE — Theo E. Weikle, 84, passed away Monday, Nov. 16, 2009.
Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at the Groves Funeral Home Chapel in Union with the Rev. Gene Fullen and Rev. Eddie Harris officiating. Burial will follow at the Swope Cemetery at Lindside.
Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Groves Funeral Home in Union.
