Arthur Arnold Akers Sr.

RAINELLE — Arthur Arnold Akers Sr., age 94, of Rainelle, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Fairlea, W.Va.

Born on July 26, 1916, in Oak Hill, W.Va., he was the son of the late Noah Ephraim Akers and Lura Alice Akers Petitt and stepfather, Roscoe Petitt.

He was an auto body mechanic and started his career painting wheels for Grady Whitlock Ford in Oak Hill, W.Va. and finished his career at Fairfax Auto Body in Fairfax, Va. He was also a retired laborer for Camp Washington-Carver in Clifftop, W.Va. During World War II he worked in Alloy, W.Va. at the metal manufacturing plant. He was an avid vegetable gardener and loved his rose garden. He loved the outdoors and over the years spent many days golfing, hunting, fishing, camping and picnicking with his family.

In addition he was the former Fire Chief of the Oak Hill Fire Department. He served the department from 1949-1962.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Deanna Kirk, and siblings, Leslie Akers, Robert Akers, Clarence Akers, Dorothy Taylor, Mary Toney, Mildred Akers, Lois Akers.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Lina M. (Pat) Akers; sister, Nancy Pat Harmon and husband, Harry of Wardensville, W.Va. and children, Arthur A. Akers Jr. and wife, Joan of Fredericksburg, Va., Jeffery A. Akers and wife, Jolleen of Bruceton Mills, W.Va., Joan Hypes and husband, David of Rainelle, W.Va., Linda Morris and husband, Ken of Carefree, Ariz. and Jane Johnson and husband, Joe of Spotsylvania, Va. Grandchildren include Kimberly Newberger, David Akers, Christopher Kirk, Michael Akers and Benjamin Noah Akers. Great-grandchildren include Megan V. Kirk, Michael James Akers and Amanda Rose Akers. Other special friends include David Payne and his wife, Carol of Kissimmee, Fla.

Service will be 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, at the Wallace Memorial mausoleum Chapel at Clintonville with Pastor Gene Bennett officiating. Entombment will follow in the Wallace Memorial Mausoleum.

Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Chapel in Rainelle.

Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace of Rainelle.

Chessie MaeMcGraw Barker

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard him call, I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much; Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seems all to brief; Don’t lengthen your pain with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and and share with me, I’m with God now, I’ve been set free.

Beloved daughter, mother, sister and friend, Chessie Mae McGraw Barker, 22, of Beckley, passed away on Sunday, September 5, 2010, from results of a tragic automobile accident.

Born on March 19, 1988, in Puerto Rico, she was the daughter of Margarita McGraw and Junior Graham.

Chessie lived her life to the fullest always dancing and singing. She always had a smile on her face and loved to make people laugh. Her personality was enthusiastic and optimistic. She was very beautiful and vibrant. Chessie was employed at Penn Station at Beckley Crossing.

Chessie left behind her unconditional love to her two year old daughter Bonnie. She loved Bonnie more than anything in the world.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Mildred Perez and Carl McGraw, Helen and Elva Graham.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Ryan Barker; her daughter, Bonnie; mother, Margarita and husband Braulio and father, Junior Graham, all of Beckley.; sister, Cristal McGraw of Mabscott; brother, Braulio A. Maduro; Bonnie’s father, Daniel Hannah of Maple Fork; two nephews, Landon and Dylan Williams; and grandfather, Jose Arryo of Puerto Rico; several aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. 

Services will be 8 p.m. today, Thursday, September 9, 2010, at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley with Capt. Bob Cornett officiating.

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

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in memory of Chessie to her daughter, Bonnie Mae Hannah, P.O. Box 940, Skelton, WV 25919.

On line condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com

Chessie will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace my dearest daughter.

Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

Allie Jean Blackburn

PIPESTEM — Allie Jean Blackburn, 72, of Pipestem, died Friday, September 3, 2010.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. today, Thursday, September 9, 2010, from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory in Princeton.

Arrangements by the Memorial Funeral Directory and Cremation Center, Athens Road, Princeton.

Glennis Ray Brown

CRAWLEY — Glennis Ray Brown, 61, died Friday, Aug. 27, 2010.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, at the Longanacre Funeral Home Chapel, Fairlea, with Ms. Carolyn Arbuckle officiating.

Friends may call 1 p.m. until time of the service on Sunday at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Longanacre Funeral Home, Fairlea.

Marie W. Butler

PRINCETON — Marie W. Butler, 89, of Woodcrest, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, at the Princeton Community Hospital.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center, Athens Rd., Princeton.

William G. Duncan

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — William G. Duncan, age 70, of Daytona Beach, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2010, at Florida Memorial Hospital, Ormand Beach, Fla.

Born on Sept. 29, 1939, in Whitby, W.Va., he was the son of the late William Byrd and Annie Lagathia Goss Duncan.

Mr. Duncan was a graduate of Stoco High School. He enlisted in the National Guard at the age of 16. After completing high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

William received the American Record of Who’s Who for Outstanding Citizen of the state of Florida, as well as the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department’s Citizen Observer Program award. William enjoyed computers, metal detecting, traveling and music. He played the guitar and clarinet. He was the author of a book called “Around the Master’s Table.”

William received his associate degree in Science of Management from Jones College in Orlando, Fla., and his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Orlando College. He was a member of the Colony Community Church in Daytona Beach.

Those left behind to cherish his memories are his wife of 16 years, Marjorie Duncan; one brother, Robert and wife Patricia of Coal City, W.Va.; five sisters, Wilma Anderson of Monroe, Wis., Edith Shields of Daytona Beach, Judy and husband Don of Aurora, Colo., Charlotte Hardin and husband Doug of Advance N.C., and Teresa Akers and husband Dean of Coal City.

Services were held Tuesday, Sept. 7 at the Lohman funeral Home in Daytona Beach. Interment was at Daytona Memorial Park.

Brenda Aileen Russo Fuller

MOUNT HOPE — Brenda Aileen Russo Fuller, 61, of Mount Hope, died on Monday, August 2, 2010, at Appalachian Regional Hospital in Beckley, after a long illness.

Born August 22, 1948, at Powhatan, W.Va., she was the daughter of Josie York Russo of Virginia and the late Antonio “Tony” Russo.

Brenda was a graduate of Morris Harvey College and was a homemaker. She attended the Bradley Church of God and Sand Branch Worship Center.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Fuller.

In addition to her mother she is survived by one daughter, Christina Gail Gill of Mount Hope; one sister, Maryann Beverly of Virginia, and two brothers, Danny Russo of New Jersey and Phillip Russo of Clarksburg.

A devoted grandmother she is also survived by four grandchildren, Britney Nichole Gill, Brandon Michael Gill, Felicia May Gill and Kaleb Landon Gill.

The family will hold a private memorial service at the North Sand Branch Worship Center, with the Rev. Ken Souder officiating.

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.

James ‘Jim’ Jeffries

FAYETTEVILLE — James Thomas “Jim” Jeffries, 86, of Fayetteville, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, at the Beckley V.A.M.C.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Saturday at High Lawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be 12 noon until time of the service on Saturday.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.

Benjamin G. Legg

STAUNTON, Va. — Benjamin Gideon Legg, 75, formerly of Leander, W.Va., widower of Janet Gail (Cavendish) Legg, died Monday, Sept. 6, 2010.

A graveside service will be conducted 2 p.m. today, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley, by Preacher Jack Eades and the Rev. Harold “Pete” Campbell.

The family will receive friends at the home of his son, Benjamin “Ben” Legg, 368 Grandon Road in Staunton at any time.   

It is suggested that memorial contribution be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Central & Western VA. Chapter, 250 East Market Street, Harrisonburg, VA  22801.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive in Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.

Raymond ‘Lee’ Nugen II

Raymond Lee Nugen II, age 27, of Shady Spring, passed away on Tuesday, September 7, 2010, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Born on December 28, 1982, in Beckley, he was the son of Linda Smith Nugen of Shady Spring and the late Raymond Lee Nugen.

Lee was an electrician for Greenbrier Smokless Coal Company of Rupert. He attended the Old Grove Chapel at Crab Orchard. Lee enjoyed the outdoors — hunting, fishing, riding ATV's, riding his Harley and spending time with his family.

Lee made many friends over his short 27 years of life, many of which knew him affectionately  as “Nuge”.  Those who knew Lee always remember his toughness, ruggedness, and his rigorous work ethic. Lee was a graduate of Shady Spring High School, Class of 2001, where he excelled in both football and baseball. He also attended West Virginia University for 2 years, where he majored in Forestry Resource Management.

Other than his mother, survivors include his wife, Paula Meadows Nugen; sister, Andrea Nugen Testerman and her husband Nathan of Shady Spring; a nephew, Colton Testerman and a niece Camille Testerman, both of Shady Spring; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mike Meadows and Barbara Meadows, both of Shady Spring; a special brother-in-law, Justin Meadows, also of Shady Spring; Uncle and Aunt Frank “Sam” and JoAnn Wood, of Daniels.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Lee Nugen will be held at the Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring Chapel on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, at 2 p.m. with Rev. Ronald Adkins and Rev. Don Kelly officiating. Burial will follow at the Okes Cemetery at Ellison Ridge. Friends may call at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday.

Pallbearers will be Chris Martin, Noel Kidwell, Chris Schaeffer, Jimmy Smith, Jeffrey Kidwell and Ryan Meadows. Online condolences may be sent to our guestbook at www.roseandquesenbarry.net. Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring Chapel, 729 Flat Top Road, Shady Spring.   

Mary Jo Collins Riffee

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Mary Jo Collins Riffee, age 49, of Jacksonville, formerly of Clear Creek, passed away on Friday, September 3, 2010, at her home.

Born on August 18, 1961, in Beckley, she was the daughter of Billy Joe Collins of Clear Creek, and Patsy Stover Atha of Oak Hill.

Mary Jo was retired from 84 Lumber Company as a developmental manager. She had made her home in Jacksonville, for the past two years. Mary Jo  was a member of the Jaxs Beach United Methodist Church in Florida. She was a graduate of Clear Fork High School, and had received an Associate’s Degree from Morris Harvey College.

Other than her parents survivors include her husband, Chris Riffee of Jacksonville, Florida; two brothers, Ira Ray Collins, and Timmy L. Collins, both of Clear Creek; a sister, Patty Fairthorne Jones and her husband Marc of Elizabethtown, Ky.; one niece, Rachel Morgan Jo Fairthorne, and one nephew, Tyler Ray Fairthorne, both of Elizabethtown, Ky.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley, on Thursday, September 9, 2010, at 1 p.m. with Rev. Loretta Taylor officiating. Burial will follow at the Workman’s Creek Cemetery at Workman’s Creek.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until service time on Thursday.

Pallbearers will be friends and family members.

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

Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley.

Gayle Alley Ross

Kerma Gayle Alley Ross of Wandering Lane, Beaver, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, at the Bowers Hospice House. She was 63 years of age.

Condolences may be sent to the family’s guestbook at www.meltonmortuary.com

Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

Gloria Darlene Thomas

 All of Heaven is rejoicing to receive a special angel.

Gloria Darlene Thomas, 65, of Oak Hill, who left this world on Tuesday, September 7, 2010, to join Jesus.

Gloria was a member of Mountain View Church of God. Gloria’s greatest joy came from her children, grandchildren, relatives and numerous friends. Her sweet smile and selfless nature left a lasting impression on all who met her.

Gloria was preceded in death by the love of her life, Billy Ray Thomas and her beloved son, Shawn Patrick Murphy. She was the daughter of the late Opie and Hazel Hamrick.

Left to cherish her precious memory are her children, Regina Murphy Mitchell and Ria Mitchell of Oak Hill, Larry Murphy and wife Dawn Clay Murphy of Fayetteville, Angela Thomas Campbell and husband Bob of Oak Hill; Grandchildren, Mason and Shanna Murphy and RayAna Campbell; a brother, Jimmy and wife Julia Hamrick of Lansdale, Pa., and sister in law and caregiver, Bethel Hamrick of Rosedale.

 The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Southern WV Hospice and the Bowers Hospice House in Beckley for the excellent care and support given to our mother and family, will never be forgotten. With their tender hearts and loving care, they made Moms journey calm and peaceful. We grew to love them all and they will be forever in our hearts. Special thanks also to Pastor Rudell Bloomfield who is always there for our family day or night, we love you Pastor.

Her remains rest at High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, 1435 E. Main Street, Oak Hill,  where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and where the funeral will be held 11 a.m. Friday with Pastor Rudell Bloomfield officiating. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park.

The family request that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Dr., Beckley, WV 25801.

Online condolences may be sent to www.highlawnfuneralhomechapel.com

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.

Denvis Williams

OMAR — Denvis Williams, 56, of Omar, departed this life on Saturday, September 4, 2010, at Trinity Healthcare of Logan.

There are no additional services scheduled at this time. Mr. Williams will be cremated.

Honaker Funeral Home in Logan is in charge of his arrangements.