Douglas Rondy ‘Doug’ Aliff

FANROCK — Douglas Rondy “Doug” Aliff, 72, of Fanrock, passed away Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, at the Bowers Hospice House surrounded by his loving family.

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

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





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

Calfee Funeral Service of Pineville is serving the family.





Jesse McKinley Beasley

MOULTRIE, GA. — Jesse McKinley Beasley, 66, of Moultrie, formerly of Beckley, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Tallahassee, Fla.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 20, at Cobb Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Moultrie, with the Rev. Galen A. Mirate officiating. Interment, with military honors and Masonic rites, will follow in Cobb Suncrest Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church or the American Heart Association.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Cobb Funeral Chapel, Moultrie, Ga.





Anthony R. ‘Tony’ Brown

PETERSTOWN — Anthony R. “Tony” Brown, 62, passed away Monday, Nov. 16, 2009.

A celebration of Tony’s life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel. A time of fellowship and sharing memories of Tony will be from 10 a.m. until time of services. In keeping with Tony’s wishes, he has been cremated.

Online guestbook can be signed or condolences may be sent to the Brown Family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com.

Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown.





Leonard Lee Butterworth

Leonard Lee Butterworth, age 73, of Sophia, passed away Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, at his home following a sudden illness.

Born June 26, 1936, in Woodbay, W.Va., he was the son of the late James E. and Viola Butterworth.

Mr. Butterworth enjoyed watching West Virginia Mountaineer football games as well as the Oakland Raiders. He also loved to take long drives and also served his country in the United States Army. He was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers James E. Butterworth and William Butterworth; and a sister, Betty Butterworth Bolen.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 34 years, Shirley Butterworth at home; a son, Jackie Butterworth at home; brother Roger Butterworth and companion Mary Fink of Prosperity; sister Phyllis Mitchell and husband Andy of Beckley; special nephew Bobby Bolen of Ury, W.Va.; special nieces Sherry Duncan of Sophia and Linda Hylton and husband Roger of Midway, and Delores White and husband J.E. of Midway; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In honor of Leonard’s final wishes his body was cremated. Memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Soak Creek Gospel Tabernacle with Pastor Denny Hughes officiating.

In lieu of flowers donations of sympathy may be sent to the Butterworth Family, PO Box 1114, Sophia, WV 25921.

Online condolences may be sent to our guestbook at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia.





George Thomas Coker Jr.

George Thomas Coker Jr., 83, of Beckley passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at Bowers Hospice House.

Born Jan. 2, 1926, in Macon, Ga., he was the son of the late George Thomas and Fannie Angeline Holt Coker. Mr. Coker was founder of Morris-Coker, Inc. George was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII participating in the invasion of Okinawa and a longtime member of the W.Va. Army National Guard. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Beckley, Beni Kedem Shrine Temple, Beckley Masonic Lodge #95 A.F. & A.M., Beckley Moose Lodge and Black Knight Country Club. He was a former member of Glade Springs and Beckley Elks Lodge.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Eloise “Boots” Coker, his second wife, Betty Lee McDaniel Coker, and his half sister, Jeanette Kennedy.

Survivors include his wife, Lucie Hamel Coker, daughter, Susan Hambric and husband Doug of Beckley, son, George Tom Coker III and wife Patty of Beckley, grandchildren: Lindsay Williams and husband T.J. and their daughter, Emlyn, of Morgantown, Katherine and Matthew Coker of Beckley.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, in the Calfee Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Phil Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Friday. Beckley Masonic Lodge #95 A.F. & A.M. will conduct Masonic graveside rites.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Coker, T.J. Williams, Larry Webb, Steven Webb, Roy Lucas and Khris Folds.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main St., Suite 203, Beckley, WV 25801.

Online condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com.

Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.





Bruce Dickens

Bruce Dickens, of Naoma, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at CAMC General in Charleston.

He was born on Dec. 12, 1935, at Naoma, a son of the late Elmer Glenn and Orpha Garnet Kuhn Dickens.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Edith Bragg and Mary Underwood; and a brother, Elmer Lee Dickens.

Survivors include a son and his wife, Darryl and Jolene Jarrell Dickens of Charlotte, N.C.; one sister, Nellie Canterbury of Naoma; one brother, Larry Dickens of Beckley; and two grandchildren, Julie Dickens and Jeannie Dickens, both of Cleveland, Ohio.

Services will be noon Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at the Armstrong Funeral Home, Whitesville, with Brother Forrest Ramsey officiating. Burial will follow in the Dickens Family Cemetery, Naoma.

Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. today, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at the funeral home.

Armstrong Funeral Home, Whitesville, is in charge of the arrangements.





Diane Laverne Dolin

ALVON — Diane Laverne Dolin, 56, of Alvon, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Alvon United Methodist Church in Alvon, with the Rev. Bobby McClintic officiating. Burial will follow at Greenbrier Memorial Gardens, Lewisburg. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the church.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Alvon United Methodist Church.

Shanklin Funeral Home, White Sulphur Springs, 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.

Born June 27, 1924, in Wayne County, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Cinda Fraley Porter and Fred Porter of East Lynn, W.Va. After her early childhood in East Lynn, the family moved to Huntington where she resided, most recently at 1917 Washington Blvd. Employed as a computer operator by CSX for many years, she was also active in the Huntington Woman’s Club. Known for her love of gardening, dedication to her pets and grandchildren, she possessed both design and fashion sense which made her entertaining and often sought out for such advice from family as well as friends. Generous, willful, and beautiful, while possessing a lively sense of humor is how she will be remembered by those who love her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers: Donald, Palmer and Glen Porter, as well as a sister, Mable Porter Thompson Thomas. Left to cherish her memory as a devoted mother and grandmother are her daughter, Sandy Eckley Dixon of Hixson, Tenn.; a son, Dr. L. Edward Eckley III and wife Linda of Beckley; grandchildren, Kelly Dixon, Chris Dixon, Molly Dixon, Marybeth Eckley Winters, Travis Eckley and Dr. Brett Eckley; two great-grandchildren; special niece, Marion Thompson McDowell; great-niece, Lisa Harris Eckenrode; and great-nephew, Scott Harris.

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 St. #203, Beckley, WV 25801, or “Little Victories” Animal Shelter, 3589 Wire Branch Road, Ona, WV 25545.





Lloyd Joseph ‘Pete’ Jones

Lloyd Joseph “Pete” Jones, born on the 10th day of the 12th month in 1916, entered into eternal rest on Nov. 18, 2009. Mr. Jones died from complications following surgery to correct an abdominal aneurysm.

The son of the late Joe and Carrie Armstrong Jones, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Evelyn Surface Jones; son, Gary Joe Jones; and brothers, Everette Jones, Roy Jones and Lonnie Jones.

Mr. Jones retired from New River Company and spent his retirement years gardening, traveling and going on special fishing trips with his brother, Jimmie, and son-in-law, Jerry. His sister Nelsie was his best friend. He especially loved making candies for gifts for his family and friends.

He was a faithful member of the Glen Jean Union Church and gave hours of his time to restoration and maintenance of the Church.

Survivors include his children, Wanda Perry and husband, Gary, and children, Gregory, Jeanay Booth and Brian; Janet Hurt and husband, William, and children, William, Michael, Lloyd and Mark; Judy Collier and husband, Jerry, and children, Cara, Beth, Scott and Kelli, and Lloyd Jones and wife, Hadeko, and children, Linda, Lisa and Laina. These families gave him fourteen grandchildren, thirty-two great-grandchildren and twelve great-great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are his sisters, Nelsie Ferri, Ruth Hardiman and husband, Jim, and Maggie Lane; brother, Jimmie and wife, Ella Mae; and many special nieces and nephews.

Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, at Glen Jean Union Church with Rev. Robert Barley officiating. Burial will be at Hilltop Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Glen Jean Union Church.

Casket bearers will be Tom Booth, Greg and Brian Perry, William, Michael, Petie, Justin and Mark Hurt, Scott Collier, Jeff Ellermann and Fred Ferri. Honorary bearers will be Adam and Landon Perry, Thomas Booth, Alex Ellermann and Joe Hartley.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Glen Jean Union Sunday School, PO Box 263, Glen Jean WV 25846.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.





Mary Jane Mann Kammer

HILLDALE — Mary Jane Mann Kammer, 86, of Hilldale, died at 8:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, at Hidden Valley Care Center in Oak Hill following a long illness.

Born March 29, 1923, at Hilldale, she was the daughter of the late Delonia J. and Bessie C. Allen Mann.

Ms. Kammer was a homemaker and was a member of Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church at Hilldale. She and her late husband lived a large part of their life in Maryland, retiring to Hilldale several years ago.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Kammer, in September 2008; five brothers, Arnold W., Reginald O., Herndon A. “Punk,” Phillip E. “Bob,” and Aaron E. Mann; and two sisters, Helen J. Fligger and Jo Ann Honaker.

Survivors include several nieces and nephews.

At her request, the body has been cremated.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church at Hilldale with Rev. Sterling Morgan officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of services on Saturday at the church.

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

Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton.





Nara Mae Adkins Ledger

PAX — Nara Mae Adkins Ledger, 91, of Pax, formerly of Lorado, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the First Christian Church, Logan, with Dr. Charles M. Wood II officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens at Godby. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Honaker Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at the church.

For e-mail condolences please go to www.honakerfuneralhome.org.

Honaker Funeral Home in Logan is in charge of arrangements.





Wayne Lilly

OAK HILL — Wayne Lilly, 66, passed away Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, at his home.

Born June 30, 1943, at Fireco, W.Va., he was the son of the late Cyrus Lilly and Latha Ellison Lilly.

Wayne was a retired Apartment Complex maintenance man. He was a member of the Virginia Street Baptist Church in Oak Hill, where he was a door greeter and most of the time he was the first one there to open up the church. Wayne loved his church family and loved serving the Lord.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Marie Carlisle Lilly of Oak Hill; brothers, Robert Woodrow Lilly and his wife, Carol, and James Edward Lilly, all of New Castle, Del., and a sister, Betty Barber of Pennsylvania.

His remains rest at the High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, 1435 E. Main St., Oak Hill, where the funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. Joe Brown officiating.

The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until time of the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park.

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

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.





Willard Lovins

KEY ROCK — Willard Lovins, 82, of Key Rock, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at his home.

He was born Feb. 11, 1927, in Mingo County, W.Va., a son of the late Andy Lovins and Maude and Bradley Stepp Lovins Cassidy.

He was a retired coal miner having worked 25 years at Eastern Associated Coal’s Kopperston No. 2 Mines. He was also a retired U.S. Army Veteran.

Also preceding him in death were a son, Roy Lovins, brother Clarence Lovins, two sisters, Viola Webb and Arlene Lovins, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his loving wife of almost 60 years, Ruth Prichard Lovins; 11 children, Delores “Gay” Osborne of Oceana, Thelma Frazier and husband Roger of Bristol, Va., Jimmy Lovins and wife Linda of Beckley, Belvia Meade and husband Jerry of Oceana, Betty Keene and husband Ronald of Key Rock, David Lovins of Key Rock, Sheryl Fritz of Ohio, Nadine Lovins of Mullens, Carolyn Shumate of Key Rock, Brad Lovins and wife Belinda of Matheny and Willard Andrew Lovins of Key Rock; a daughter-in-law, Betty Lovins of Clear Fork; 27 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two sisters, Belvia Akers of Jackson, Ohio, and Flornia Chaffin of Kermit, W.Va.; and a host of other loving family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at the Oceana Freewill Baptist Church. Willard will be laid to rest in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny.

Friends may gather with the family from 6 to 9 p.m. today, Friday, Nov. 20, at the church.

Grandsons will be pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Prichard, Ernest Prichard, Mack Prichard and Earl Prichard.

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

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





Baldomero Mansanarez Jr.

On Monday our dear Baldomero Mansanarez Jr., “Bert Man,” 50, of Lanark passed away at Raleigh General Hospital.

A repast and a gathering of his family and friends will be 7 p.m. today, Friday, at Jimmies Place, 727 S. Kanawha St.

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

Arrangements by Melton Mortuary Inc., Beckley.





Ferol F. Masken

MEADOW BRIDGE — Ferol F. Masken, 89, left for her Heavenly home Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, following a short stay in the hospital. We cried when God called her home, but we’ll rejoice with her again in Heaven some day.

Born April 7, 1920, at Winona, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late William Kelly and Lona Gay Nutter Miller.

Ferol attended Calvary Baptist Church of Meadow Bridge, and retired from Hutzlers Department Store in Baltimore, Md., in 1983. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a homemaker.

Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Masken, and stepmother, Lora Miller.

Survivors include a daughter, Mary McMurtry and husband, Ed, of Montana; two sons, Donald Masken of Meadow Bridge and Tim Masken; three sisters, Irene Walker of Orient Hill, Jane Johnson of Meadow Bridge, and Wanda Cade and husband, Gene, of Rainelle; two brothers, Roy Miller and wife, Alice, of Missouri, and Geary Miller of Tucson, Ariz.; a grandchild, Debbie McDonald of Montana; and two great-grandchildren, Bobby and Brandon McDonald of Montana.

Services 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 at the funeral home (1 to 2 p.m.).

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations of sympathy be made to Hospice Care, 223 Maplewood Ave., Lewisburg, WV 24901, in Ferol Masken’s name.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace, Rainelle.





Barbara Melton

Barbara Marie Cook Melton of the Cabell Heights Community died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at the Raleigh General Hospital. She was 63 years of age.

Born on Aug. 12, 1946, in Stotesbury, she was the daughter of the late Charles Haskel and Mabel Marie Lilly Cook. She was also preceded in death by her brother Charles Howard Cook in 2004.

Barbara was an employee of Melton Mortuary, Inc., and attended the Calvary Assembly of God Church. In her leisure time she enjoyed spending time with her family. She will always be remembered as a wonderful wife, a loving mother and a caring nanny.

Survivors include her husband, H.E. Melton III, a daughter, Lavette Melton, and her other loving family Jimmy and Lina Chow Vu Tran and her two little angels Zinnia and NiNi Tran and by a mother-in-law Lillian Melton, all of Beckley.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, in the Melton Mortuary Chapel with the Pastor John Jordan, Pastor George Mandakunis and Pastor Tom Carver officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, Beckley.

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

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

The family request that donations of sympathy be made to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 238, Hurricane, WV 25526, or The Arthritis Foundation, West Virginia Chapter, 1217-R Myers Ave., Dunbar, WV 25064.

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

Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc., Beckley.





Ronald V. Patton

LEWISBURG — Ronald V. Patton, 83, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, in a Roanoke, Va., health care center.

Graveside service will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at the New Lebanon Cemetery, Pickaway, with the Rev. Jimmy Rogers officiating. There will be no visitation.

Arrangements by Broyles-McGuire Funeral Home, Union.





Shelma Lusk Severt

2nd Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” and so our beloved Shelma Lusk Severt of Gas Plant Road, Bolt, “finished her course” at the Bowers Hospice House on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009. She was 53 years of age.

Born Shelma Irene Lusk on June 15, 1956, at Mullens, she was the 5th of 7 children born to the late Phillip and Gracie McKinney Lusk.

Shelma spent her childhood at Herndon, where she graduated from Herndon High School, Class of 1974. A graduate of Concord College, in 1981, she held a master’s degree from West Virginia University. Shelma began her teaching career at Baileysville Elementary School. She taught science at Herndon High School and Westside High School for many years. The last two years she has taught at Independence Middle School. “Mrs. Severt” loved her students. She will be remembered for her dedication to them.

A member of the Saulsville Baptist Church, she was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society. Shelma loved to farm.

At the end of the day when Shelma’s family remembers her it is one word that comes to mind, Energetic! Her life was always full, lived to the max!

Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband of 22 years, Edward “Eddie” Severt; the precious mother of Robert Justin Severt, a sophomore at West Virginia University, and Allison Rene Severt at home; the fond sister of Phillip Lusk, Eddie Lusk and his wife Teresa, Janie Shrader and her husband Gary and Sharon Shrader and her husband Dennis all of Princeton, Donna Lambert and her husband George of Mullens and Frances Austin and her husband Keith of Herndon; several nieces and nephews; students, co-workers, friends, neighbors and her church family also survive.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at the Saulsville Baptist Church with the Revs. Dewey Lowe and Garry Hall officiating. Burial will follow in the Wiley Bowers Cemetery in Twin Falls State Park.

The family will receive friends 7 to 9 p.m. today, Friday, at the Melton Mortuary Chapel and one hour prior to the services on Saturday at the church.

Pallbearers will be family members and friends.

The family suggests that donations of sympathy can be made to the Raleigh County Education Federal Credit Union, 105 Adair St., Beckley, WV 25801, Attn: Abigail.

The family would like to publicly acknowledege the Cancer Treatment Center of America, Philadelphia, Pa., for their compassion, care and battle to save Shelma. The family would also like to thank the Bowers Hospice House for making Shelma’s last days so comfortable.

And so now, we must say goodbye to this wonderful wife, mother, sister, teacher, co-worker and friend. Our lives will never be the same. Not because she died, but rather because she lived.

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

Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc., Beckley.





Ronnal Dale Shrewsbury

Ronnal Dale Shrewsbury of Frostbite Lane, Raleigh, passed away Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at the Bowers Hospice House. He was 60 years of age.

Born on May 21, 1949, he was one of ten children of Willard Jesse and Vina Vivian Farris Shrewsbury.

Employment for Dale began in Chicago, Illinois, where he operated a forklift in a book factory, to Cleveland, Ohio, as a lathe operator and finally in Beckley where he became a coal miner. He stayed in the mines, learning all phases of the work until he became disabled in 1992. Most of his mining years were spent at the Eastern Associated Coal company mines at Herndon, where he was known to most of his miner friends as “Susy.”

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Rick and Jesse, and a sister, Ann.

Survivors left to cherish his memory are his wife of 40 years, Goldie Lewis Shrewsbury; three sons, Ronnal Lee and Tina of Raleigh Ridge Road, Raleigh; Frederick Ryan of Harper Road, Beckley, and Christopher Dale of Sunrise Ave., Beckley; two brothers, Noah Ray and Sue of Scarbro and Darrell and Lisa of Raleigh Ridge Road; four sisters, Eliza and Wheeler Reynolds of Bunnell, Fla., Melissa and John Young of Iron Station, N.C., Brenda and Clyde Allen of Chiefland, Fla., and Jeannie and Dale Bennett of King, N.C.; five grandchildren and numerous close nieces and nephews. Also left to remember their friend are William Foster and Susan McGary of Raleigh.

As Dale has requested, his body will be cremated and there will be no formal services. There was a turkey dinner prepared by friends in his honor on Nov. 17 at his home in Raleigh. The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Melton Mortuary.

The family would like to thank Dr. Joseph Golden and staff, Raleigh General Hospital and everyone at Bowers Hospice House for everything that has been done for Ronnal.

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

Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc., Beckley.





Bertha Coles Smith

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bishop Bertha Coles Smith, age 80, a native of Slab Fork, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at Carolinas Medical Center, North East, Concord, N.C.

Born in Slab Fork, on Feb. 11, 1929, Bishop Smith was preceded in death by her father, Ezekiel Coles, and mother, Juanita Coles, her spouse, Howard Smith Sr., and two sisters, Esther Rose and Clementine.

She was the postmaster for the Long Branch, W.Va., Post Office for many years. She was a servant of God since the age of 16. She was the minister of Faith Mission Church, Pax, W.Va., co-host for the Holy Land Tours for 17 years and had a gospel radio broadcast in Oak Hill, W.Va., called “Christ is the Answer” started in 1961.

Bertha Smith was survived by her sons, Howard Smith Jr. of Greentown, W.Va., David Smith of Pax, W.Va., Ralph Smith of Charlotte, N.C.; her daughters, Yvonne S. Brown of Upper Marlboro, Md., Drema S. Rohan of Wheaton, Md., Casandra L. Smith-Joyner of Concord, N.C.; her sisters, Lola Wiley, Naomi Hartley, Hilda Smith, Clytie Matthews, Dakota Tilley; her brother, Eugene Coles of Oxon Hill, Md.; her aunt, Cassie Penn (where you saw one you saw the other); and numerous grandchildren, friends and family.

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, at Greater Vision Church, 11901 Eastfield Road, Huntersville, N.C., with Pastor Alexis Anthony officiating.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 10 a.m. to noon at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley. Funeral service will held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 12 noon. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com.

Arrangements by Hartsell Funeral Home, PO Box 367, Concord, NC 28026, 704-786-1161.





Anna (Ruth) Spino

CHARMCO — Anna (Ruth) Spino, 82, of Charmco, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, following a long illness.

Arrangements are being made at Wallace & Wallace Inc. of Rainelle.





Sheila Lorron Taylor

SUMMERSVILLE — Sheila Lorron Taylor, 44, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, in the CAMC General Division from injuries received in an automobile accident on Whitewater Road.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, in the Waters Funeral Chapel at Summersville. Burial will follow in the Lanham Cemetery at Gilboa. Friends may call at the funeral chapel two hours prior to the service on Saturday.





Ethel Weidensall

Ethel McCormick Weidensall, 89, of Sunset Drive, Beckley, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, in a Beckley hospital following a short illness.

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

Arrangements by Melton Mortuary Inc., Beckley.





Beulah Blanche Wriston

OAK HILL — Beulah Blanche Wriston, 87, of Oak Hill, died on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at Hidden Valley Nursing and Rehab Center in Oak Hill.

Born April 17, 1922, at Kincaid, she was the daughter of the late Oscar Guy and Ernie Maud Kincaid Wriston.

Miss Wriston was a member of the Oak Hill Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Montgomery High School and New River State College.

She was a retired teacher for the Fayette County Board of Education having taught at Page and Scarbro Elementary Schools.

Her twin brother Burford Guy Wriston preceded her in death.

She was also preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Henry Harrison “Bud” and Norah Blanche Blake Kincaid, and paternal grandparents, Amos Dix and Rebecca Jane McCue Wriston.

Survivors include several cousins including Marilyn Kerns and family.

Services will be on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the Oak Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Delmas Wolfe officiating. Burial will be at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill.

Visitation will be held 6 to 8 p.m. today, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.

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

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.