Ruby D. Adkins
MEADOW BRIDGE — Ruby D. Adkins, 83, of Meadow Bridge, passed away Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, in Cleveland, Ohio, following a long illness.
Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.
Lorene Trump Arnold
Lorene Trump Arnold, 81, of Charleston, formerly of Beckley and McLean, Virginia, made her transition from this life on Nov. 20, at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, surrounded by her loving family.
A native of Raleigh County, Lorene was born on June 2, 1928, along with her twin brother, Eugene “Bud” Trump, to Minnie and Kenzie Trump, joining an older sister and three older brothers.
Guided by a strong work ethic, uncompromising principles and a signature sense of humor, Lorene put 100 percent into everything she did — whether it was her experience in the fashion industry or the pride she took in making sure her home was sparkling.
But her greatest joy in life revolved around her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. She would go to the wall for those she cared about — and held a special place in her heart for her neighbors on Berkley Street in Beckley, Franklin Park in McLean, Virginia, and Imperial Tower in Charleston.
Growing up with four brothers, Lorene developed a love of sports that resulted in a lifelong passion for basketball and an honored spot in the Tuesday Morning Ladies League at Bowl Wick in Beckley. Before book clubs became popular, Lorene and her female friends would get together regularly for their canasta card games. You could also find her every spring cheering on her favorite NCAA basketball team during “March Madness.” And she was ambidextrous — batting and playing golf with her left arm, while bowling and playing badminton with her right.
Lorene married Fred Arnold in 1948 and celebrated 45 wonderful years of marriage before he made his transition. They enjoyed music from the Big Band era, movies from the heyday of Hollywood and the advent of television.
Lorene took tremendous pride in raising two daughters, Paula and Linda, and one son, Fred. She was active in her children’s schools and fostered an environment that encouraged imagination and creativity. Following Fred’s retirement, they relocated to McLean, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C., to be closer to Paula and her family. And Lorene began her magic all over again when she helped to raise her beloved grandchildren, Christopher and Caitlin.
Lorene believed in accomplishing something every day, even during her last year in Charleston. She worked hard to instill in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren those same values that drove her to achieve every day of her life — and she lived by example.
Following more than 30 years in the northern Virginia area, Lorene relocated to West Virginia after Fred’s death. She greatly enjoyed her reconnection with the Mountain State and often commented on how much she loved it. She was even overheard on the phone numerous times saying, “Everyone is so friendly here. They take their time, and they really care.”
Anyone who knew Lorene well knew of her strong interest in health. She was keenly interested in nutrition and was even walking 30 minutes on the treadmill the week before her transition. No doubt this contributed to her long, healthy life. In the end, however, she suffered a sudden heart attack which ultimately resulted in kidney failure.
Lorene was preceded in death by her loving husband, Fred Arnold, her parents Minnie and Kenzie Trump and brothers Boyd, Roscoe, Robert and Eugene Trump.
Lorene is survived by her daughter, Linda Arnold, and son-in-law John Catselis of Charleston; daughter Paula Arnold Craver and son-in-law, Colin Mathews of Virginia City, Montana; son Fred Denver Arnold and daughter-in-law Barbara “Bobbi” Arnold of Shady Spring; former son-in-law Roger Craver of Chilmark, Massachusetts; sister Evelyn Trump Sebring and brother-in-law Bob Sebring of Willoughby, Ohio; and sister-in-law Fran Trump of Cleveland, Ohio.
Lorene is also survived by her loving grandchildren whom she adored, Christopher Craver and Caitlin Craver Roy and her husband, Jason Roy; along with great-grandchildren Jalen and Zachary Roy who affectionately called her “G.G.” for Great Grandma.
Also surviving Lorene are her aunt Clarice Bailey of Prosperity and sisters-in-law Ruby Arnold Wolfe of Plantation, Florida, and Doris Arnold Carlile of Huntsville, Alabama. Lorene is also blessed with a large family of loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and a wide circle of friends to cherish her memory.
The family would like to thank the exceptional staff at Hubbard Hospice House for their loving care, as well as all of Lorene’s other doctors, nurses and health care professionals who helped to provide a good quality of life for her. In honor of Lorene, the family suggests contributions to Hubbard Hospice House or a Hospice organization of choice if anyone is so inclined.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Melton Mortuary, 1200 Harper Road in Beckley. Visitation with the family will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the funeral service following at 1 p.m. Lorene’s final resting place will be at the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens mausoleum in Beckley.
Lorene’s legacy can be summed up by a sentence she often repeated: “Leave every place better than you found it.”
And she did.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meltonmortuary.com.
Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc., Beckley, W.Va.
Betty V. Smith Baker
MIDWAY — Betty V. Smith Baker, age 55, of Midway, W.Va., our beloved sister, went to be with Jesus on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at Raleigh General Hospital following an extended illness.
Born in Besoco on Feb. 14, 1954, she was the daughter of the late Lacy W. and Evelyn M. Smith.
Betty was loved by all who knew her. She had a gentle spirit and a smile for everyone. She dealt with a life of one physical battle after another and never once complained. Betty chose to give the ultimate gift by donating her body to medical science. May God allow someone to gain a better life from her selfless gift.
Those left to cherish her memory are her former husband Otis Baker, of Beckley; brothers, Roy Lee Smith and wife, Diana, of Coal City, David Ray Smith of Coal City, Earl E. Smith and wife, Linda, of Grandview; sisters, Shirley Smith Adkins and husband, Bobby, of Coal City, Janice Smith Caldwell and husband, L. David Caldwell, of Cool Ridge, Margaret (Maggie) Smith Carr and husband, James (Mike), of Henderson, N.C.; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services for Betty will be held 6 p.m. today, Nov. 23, 2009, at the Lillybrook Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Lowell Black officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations of sympathy may be made to Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801.
Respectfully submitted by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley.
Carmen A. Castle
BELLWOOD — Carmen A. Castle, 79, of Bellwood, passed away Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, in the Riverside Methodist Hospital at Columbus, Ohio, following a short illness.
Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Smathers Funeral Chapel in Rainelle. Burial will follow in the End of the Trail Cemetery at Clintonville. Friends may call one hour before the service from 1 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.
Gertrude Runyons Cline
STEELES — Gertrude Runyons Cline, 88, of Steeles, joined her loved ones in Heaven Friday, Nov. 20, at Bluefield Regional Medical Center in Bluefield.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger.
Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger is assisting the Cline family.
Lula Belle Quesenberry Cuthbert
Lula Belle Quesenberry Cuthbert, 81, of Coal City passed away Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Raleigh General following a short illness.
Born June 18, 1928, at Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Jesse Roy and Bessie Elizabeth Morris Quesenberry.
Other than her parents she was preceded in death by the love of her life for 46 years Robert D. “Scotty” Cuthbert Sr. in 1944, two brothers: Charles Hunter Goode and John Matthew Quesenberry, one sister, Elaine Virginia Quesenberry.
She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and participated in the Raleigh General nursing program for 22 months before getting married and starting her family; she later returned to the Beckley Academy of nursing where she received a Licensed Practical Nursing degree. She worked for over 30 years at both the Beckley Hospital and Raleigh General Hospital where she retired in 1995.
Survivors include: two sons; David “Scotty” Cuthbert and wife Angela of Coal City, and Robert Davidson Cuthbert Jr. and wife Christina of Beaver. Two daughters: Nancy Karen Cuthbert of Coal City; and Jean Ann Armstrong and husband Curtis James of Beckley. One brother, James Corbin Quesenberry and wife Jo Ellen of Lynchburg, Va. She had eight beloved grandchildren: Jennifer Renee Goddard, Jodi Rebecca Armstrong, James Andrew Armstrong and wife Rebekah, Scott Joseph Cuthbert and wife Lori, Mark David Cuthbert, Shannon Elizabeth Cini and husband Matthew, Kayla Marie Cuthbert, and Robert Davidson Cuthbert, III. She has five precious great-grandchildren: Jade Abigail Goddard, Jared Andrew Goddard, Alexandra Lynn Armstrong, Micah Scott Cuthbert and Kendall Jo Cini, with one more due in the spring. She was a loving wife and mother for her entire life and will be sadly missed by all.
Services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley with Rev. Donnie Kelly officiating.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 23, 2009, at the funeral home.
Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Beckley.
Online condolences may be sent to our guest book at www.roseandquesenberry.net.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Chapel, Beckley, W.Va.
Eddie Hatfield
MARIANNA — Eddie Hatfield, 58, of Marianna passed away Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Charleston Area Medical Center Memorial Division.
Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Calfee Funeral Service of Pineville is serving the Hatfield family.
Wilford Preston Lusk
HERNDON — Wilford Preston Lusk, 73, of Herndon, passed away Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at his home following a short illness.
Born May 29, 1936, he was the son of the late Ordie and Nancy Graham Lusk.
Wilford was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, and four-wheeling. He worked most of his life in the mining and construction industries, and was a member of the UMWA. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Underwood Lusk, three brothers Basil, Berlin, and Billy Lusk.
Survivors include his daughter, Marsha Lusk Estes and her husband, Ricky, of Oceana; a brother, Steve Lusk and his wife, Peggy, of Spanishburg; a sister, Jewell Thompson and her husband of Georgia. He is also survived by seven stepchildren, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his girlfriend, Betty Massie of Pierpoint.
Graveside service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at Lusk Cemetery, Basin, with the Rev. Danny Lusk officiating. Burial will immediately follow.
Calfee Funeral Service of Pineville is serving the Lusk family.
Freda Anna Hobbs Pitsenberger
LAYLAND — Freda Anna Hobbs Pitsenberger, 87, of Layland passed away Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, at her home following a long illness. Born June 11, 1922, in Hawks Nest, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Albert Orvill and Bertha Fernatt Hobbs.
She was a homemaker and was of the Holiness faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John William Pitsenberger, in 1998.
Survivors include a daughter, Cathy Pitsenberger Fox and husband, Jimmy, of Layland; a son, Curtis Pitsenbarger and wife, Betty, of Danese; two sisters, Joyce Bland of Lanark, W.Va., and Norma Welch of Fort Meyers, Fla.; five grandchildren, Jason Fox (Sandra), Bethany Wolfe (Bo), Paul Fox (Kimberly), Lanna Duncan and Lorra Pitsenbarger; two great-grandchildren, Caroline and Paige Fox; and one stepgreat-grandchild, Haylee Wykle.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at the Wallace & Wallace Chapel in Rainelle with Rev. Jesse Pope and Rev. Sherman McCombs officiating. Burial will follow in the Wallace Memorial Cemetery in Clintonville.
Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. today, Nov. 23, 2009, at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace, Inc., of Rainelle.
Ray L. Rogers
FAIRMONT — Ray L. Rogers, 90, of Fairmont, formerly of Richwood, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at his residence.
Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, in Simons-Coleman Funeral Home, Richwood, with Pastor Oscar Spinks officiating. Interment will be in West Virginia Memorial Gardens, Craigsville. Friends may call from 1 p.m. until service Tuesday, Nov. 24, in the funeral home.
Simons-Coleman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Elmer Lee ‘Pete’ Simpson
CLEAR FORK — Elmer Lee “Pete” Simpson, 63, of Clear Fork, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Raleigh General Hospital.
E-mail letters of sympathy may be sent at www.staffordfamilyfuneralhome.com.
The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco.
Gary Uston Wood
CHESAPEAKE — Gary Uston Wood, 63, of Chesapeake died Nov. 20, 2009, in CAMC Memorial hospital, Charleston.
He retired from Owens Corning Fiberglass in Newark, Ohio, after 20 years of service and was former owner and operator of Furniture Mart in Prescott, Ariz. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and was a member of the Chelyan Masonic Lodge.
He was preceded in death by parents: Laird and Letha Bennett Wood; sister: Lillian Olive Hudson; and brothers: Bill and Roger Wood.
Surviving are: son: Shannon Branch and wife Kelly of Palmyra, Va.; daughter: Jennifer Hardin of Wichita, Kan.; sister: Ruth Walker and husband Paul of Hico; and brother: Richard Wood and wife Sue of Jasper, Ala.; brother-in-law: Jimmy Hudson; grandchildren: Natalie, Noah and Belle Branch and Jake Hardin.
Funeral will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet. Burial will follow in Bennett Cemetery, Saturday Road, Victor, W.Va. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at leonardjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
