Raleigh County Obits

Page 34

  • William Alfonzo Parks was born one of three siblings on Sept. 11, 1914, to the marriage union of the late Phillip and Lucretia Parks of London, W.Va. He transcended this life on June 25, 2002, at the age of 87 in Montgomery General Hospital. William was raised in London and educated in the Kana-wha County public education system. He later attended Booker T. Washington High School in London. At an early age in his life, he accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and united with First Missionary Baptist Church of London, where he served faithfully until he translocated his life to be with the Lord. He was united in holy matrimony with the late Zelma Bernice Christian. To this union were born three children; a son, Reginald Michael Parks, and two daughters, the late Deborah Jean Parks Smith and Kaye Joyce Parks. William Alfonzo "Pie-Watermelon" Parks, as he sometimes referred to himself, leaves behind a long legacy of many, many ventures of a proud life that spans over four score and seven years. He served in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army for 16 years and obtained the rank of master sergeant and was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Upon his return to London after the war, he rekindled his fellowship and service to First Missionary Baptist Church of London, where he served as the superintendent of the Sunday school for over 40 years and chairman of the Deacon Board. In addition, he also served as a Sunday school teacher, member of the Senior Choir, Male Chorus, member of the Willing Worker's I Club, and past director of the Junior Choir. He also served on the Executive Board of the Ministers' and Deacons' Council of West Virginia. He was founder and president of the London Grant Community Park and was also a 32nd degree Mason in Bright Hope Lodge No. 9. William was truly an adventurous man and one who faced adversities with courage. He was the recipient of the Distinguished West Virginian Award. At the age of 76 he toured 13 states with the Cornerstone Theater Company as an actor. He loved all sports and was an official referee of junior high and high school football and basketball games. He was the first official softball coach at West Virginia Institute of Technology and was founder of the Upper Kanawha Valley Softball League. The hill where he resided all of his life was recently named "Park Drive" as an attribute to him. Deacon Parks became gainfully employed with building the London locks and dam and also worked for several United Mine Workers' companies. His final work career tenure was to serve as maintenance supervisor at West Virginia Institute of Technology, where he retired. He was a strong, devoted man who loved his family, church and numerous friends. Deacon Parks translocated from this life on June 25 at 12:55 a.m., but the legacy he leaves behind will never be forgotten. Waiting to greet him in transition are his wife, Zelma; his daughter, Deborah; his parents, Phillip and Lucretia; and his brother, Haywood. He leaves to cherish his memory his son, Reginald; daughter, Kaye; a niece, Lucretia, whom he helped to raise; three grandchildren, Scott, Marvin Jr. and Lachanda; three great-grandchildren; three brothers-in-law, Ozie (Lorena) Christian, Bertrand (Bernice) Christian and Leroy Glenn; three sisters-in-law, Joyce (Clarence) Ewing, Filisha Campbell and Margo Brooks; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at First Missionary Baptist Church of London with the Rev. Garland Johnson officiating. Interment will be at Kana-wha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow, where military rites will be observed and Masonic rites rendered. Family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the church. Services have been entrusted to the O'Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery.

  • HILLDALE - Ruby Mae Snyder, 84, died Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at Bluefield Regional Medical Center following a short illness. Born Oct. 25, 1917, in Sandstone, she was the daughter of the late Home and Emsy Cooper Johnson. Ms. Snyder was a homemaker and a member of Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church at Hilldale. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star No. 107 in Oak Hill. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence C. Snyder, on March 6, 2002; a son, Jackson Snyder; and a sister, Marjorie Schetizer. Survivors include a son, Lawrence C. Snyder Jr. of Kegley; two daughters, Gloria Matney and husband, Larry, of Springfield, Fla., and Judy Osborne and husband, David, of Marie; a brother, Homer Eugene Johnson of Delaware; a sister, Nina Ball of Talcott; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel, Hinton, with the Rev. Eugene Fullen officiating. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Danny, Trey, Sam and Brandon Snyder, Craig Osborne and Doug Matney. Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton.

  • MULLENS - Calvin Graham Tilley Jr., 74, of 811 Collier Ave., died Monday, June 24, 2002, at Appalachian Regional Hospital following a long illness. Born May 26, 1928, in Pembroke, Va., he was the son of the late Calvin Graham Tilley and Annie Jane Crigger Tilley. Mr. Tilley was a retired coal miner, having last worked as chief electrician at Buckeye Mine in Stephenson. He was a 21-year member of First Church of God in Cor-inne, having been saved on Mother's Day 1981. He was preceded in death by two brothers, William and Thomas Tilley; and a sister, Georgia Tilley Runion. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Virginia Cochran Tilley; two sons, Robert Tilley and Kathy and Terry Tilley and Tracy, all of Mullens; a daughter, Tammy Tilley Neely and husband, Reece, of Mullens; sisters, Isabelle Jessup of Richmond, Va., Katherine Wells, Ellen McClanahan and Thelma Bosley and husband, Bob, all of Rock Hill, S.C.; a special brother-in-law, Boone Cochran of Alderson; nine grandchildren, Christy Cardwell of Mullens, Lauren Kyer of Teays Valley, Jeremy Tilley of Beckley, Derek Brumfield of Mullens, Mary Beth Patton and Amy Kooba of Jackson-ville, Fla., Alan, Greg and Leslie Neely of Mullens; and eight great-grandchildren. Service will be 3 p.m. Friday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with Pastors Herb Milam and George Williamson officiating. Burial will follow in Cochran Cemetery, Mount View. Friends may call one hour before service Friday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Doug Thorn, Walter Abrams, Jerry Green, Brad Kyer, Richard Martin, Raymond Cardwell, Jimmy McClanahan and Mike McClanahan. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.

  • . JUMPING BRANCH - Herbert Lee Wills Sr., 54, went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 26, 2002, following a short illness. Born Oct. 17, 1947, in Ellison, he was the son of Willis R. and Lennie W. Cox Wills of Jumping Branch. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Lynn Wills, in 1971; a son, Michael Ray Wills, in 1967; and two infant brothers. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Elaine Elizabeth Crawford Wills; a son, Herbert Lee Wills Jr. and his wife, Ma-ry, of Jumping Branch; two daughters, Sandra Elaine Cozort and her husband, Richard, of Ballard and Brenda Elizabeth Kesler and her husband, Mark, of Lowell; four grandsons, Andrew Cozort, Herbert Wills III, Christopher Kesler and Isaiah Trevor Wills; two granddaughters, Amber Cozort and Shannon Leshae Wills; five brothers, Dewey Wills and wife, Mabel, of Beckley, Nelson Wills and wife, Patty, of Ellison, Joseph Wills and wife, Virginia, of Nimitz, Charles Wills and wife, Penny, of Beckley and Edward Wills and wife, Barbara, of Ellison; three sisters, Retha Mae Bolen and husband, Wayne, of Nimitz, Willa Bash-am and husband, Darrell, of Nimitz and Wilma Hatfield of Jumping Branch; and several nieces and nephews. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Bluestone View Primitive Baptist Church, Ellison, with Elder Tommy Pack officiating. Burial will follow in Lilly-Crews Cemetery, Nimitz. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors, Hinton. Arrangements by Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors, Hinton.

  • Brother Buddy R. Wimmer, 44, of Beaver, died Monday, June 24, 2002, at his residence. Born June 23, 1958, in Beckley, he was the son of Iva Jacqueline "Jackie" Shumate Wimmer and the late Bud W. Wimmer. Brother Buddy was a member of Sophia First Baptist Church, where he was the teacher of the Gideon Sunday School Class, served as a church elder and was a member of the choir. He was a graduate of Sophia High School and also a graduate of Andersonville Baptist Seminary. He was former pastor of Open Bible Baptist Church on Hedrick Street, Beckley, and was presently employed by Roadrush Delivery Service. Survivors include his mother, Iva Jacqueline "Jackie" Wimmer of Soak Creek; his wife, Brenda L. Fox Wimmer; his 18-year-old daughter, Rachel Wimmer, a student at Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola, Fla.; his 16-year-old daughter, Rebekah Wimmer at home; his 14-year-old son, Micah Wimmer at home; two sisters, Carol Smith and her husband, Olen, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Sharon Goode of Dale City, Va.; and several brothers and sisters-in-law. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Sophia First Baptist Church with Pastor Jim Mundy officiating. Burial will follow in Calfee Cemetery, Mount Tabor. Friends may call one hour before service Friday at the church. Men of Sophia First Baptist Church will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brother Buddy Wimmer's Family Fund, c/o Sophia First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1133, Sophia, WV 25921. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.

  • Beulah M. Cooper Birchfield, 94, of Lester, formerly of Slab Fork, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 27, 2002, following a long illness. Born Jan. 25, 1908, in Page, she was the daughter of the late Chester and Sally Hona-ker Cooper. Mrs. Birchfield was a homemaker and enjoyed quilting and gardening. She was a member of Crab Orchard Baptist Church, having most recently attended Glen White Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert F. Birchfield; and several brothers and sisters. She will be sadly missed by her son, Fred Birchfield and wife, Judy, of Hurricane; three daughters, Mabel Snuffer of Lester, Evelyn McMillen and husband, Russell, of Grafton, Va., and Jewell D. Light and husband, Kenneth, of Marion, Va.; a brother, Clifford Cooper of Titusville, Fla.; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a special niece, Anna Lee Fraley; and special friends, Carol Cook and Karen Birchfield. Service will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Kenneth Parent officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 1 p.m. until time of the service Saturday at the funeral home. Grandsons and friends will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.

  • Thomas Dale Kelly, 51, of 129 Lester Drive, Daniels, died Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at Raleigh General Hospital following a long illness. Born Dec. 16, 1950, in Columbus, Ohio, he was the son of Charles E. Kelly of Daniels and Mary Redden Kelly of Daniels. Mr. Kelly was a disabled furniture salesman. He was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran of the Pentecostal faith. He was preceded in death by a brother, Terry L. Kelly; his maternal grandparents, Lon and Ada Redden; paternal grandparents, Clifford and Alma Kelly; and a niece, Anita Kelly. Survivors include three daughters, Michelle of Midway, Ohio, Jennifer of Kettering, Ohio, and Kimberly of Kettering; two grandchildren, Mia and Bill; a brother, Wayne Kelly and wife, Brenda, of Dayton, Ohio; and a sister, Vietta Luking of Springfield, Ohio. Service will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Rose and Quesenberry Shady Spring Chapel with the Rev. Neil Byrge officiating. Burial will follow in Kidwell Cemetery, Table Rock. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring.

  • FAIRLEA - Lawrence Creigh Nickell, 86, passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at Brier Nursing Home, Ronceverte. Born Sept. 20, 1916, in Gauley Bridge, he was the son of the late Homer H. and Nina Woodson Nickell. Mr. Nickell was a graduate of Greenbrier High School in Ronceverte and the Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. He was the founder of Appalachian Electronic Instruments Inc., a member and elder of Ronceverte Presbyterian Church and a past member and president of the Greenbrier County Board of Education. He was an inventor and holder of several patents. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Evelyn Sizemore and Thelma Sizemore; and a nephew, Dennis Sizemore. Survivors include his wife, Marie G. Nickell; two daughters, Carolyn Warren and husband, Joe, of Lewisburg and Connie Bossen and husband, Elliot, of Durham, N.C.; a son, Larry Nickell and wife, Donna, of Lewisburg; seven grandchildren, Scott Nickell of Mount Joy, Pa., Sara Nickell of Littleton, Colo., Quinn Moore and wife, Viji, of Ann Arbor, Mich., Kevin Moore of Columbia, S.C., Nikki Warren of Durham, Leslie Warren of Durham and John D. Warren of Lewisburg; three stepgrandchildren, Mari-sa, Erica and Alana Bossen, all of Warren, N.J.; a great-grandchild, Claire Nickell of Charlottesville, Va.; four nieces; and nine nephews. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Ronceverte Presbyterian Church with Dr. Philip Graber officiating. Burial will follow in Lebanon Cemetery. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Lewisburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ronceverte Presbyterian Church Living Memorial Fund. Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Lewisburg. .

  • CHARMCO - Edward L. Trout, 69, died Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley, following a short illness. Born July 14, 1932, at Carl, he was the son of the late Brack and Rosetta Richmond Trout. Mr. Trout was a retired coal miner and a member of the UMWA. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by five sisters, two brothers, four half brothers and several nieces and nephews. Survivors include his wife, Juanita Webb Trout; a stepdaughter, Jeanne Ratliff and husband, Rick, of Houston; two stepsons, James David Loudermilk and wife, Shareé, of Rupert and Joseph Lynn Loudermilk of Rupert; three sisters, Minnie Thomas and husband, Cody, of Hominy Falls, Lona O'Dell of Hominy Falls and Lade Dorsey of Rainelle; nine stepgrandchildren; and five stepgreat-grandchildren. Graveside service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Wallace Me-morial Cemetery, Clintonville, with the Rev. Garlin Groves officiating. Burial will follow. Friends may call 7 to 9 p.m. today at Wallace & Wallace Chapel, Rainelle. Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle.

  • WHIPPLE - Frances L. Brown, 67, died Friday, June 28, 2002, at Plateau Medical Center, Oak Hill. Arrangements by Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley. James L. Burnette Jr. James Lannon Burnette Jr., 80, of Beckley, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 27, 2002, after a long illness. Born Sept. 19, 1921, at Farley Hill, he was the son of the late James and Alice Lilly Burnette. Mr. Burnette retired from Westmoreland Coal Co. in 1986 as E&M manager, Hampton Division. He attended Grace Baptist and Memorial Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a brother, Dempsey Burnette; and a sister, Helen Cyrus. Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Georgia Ann Burnette; a daughter, Janet Sue Hicks and husband, Jim, of Wise, Va.; a son, Robert Lanny Burnette and wife, Sue, of Louisville, Ky.; two grandsons, James S. Hicks III of Philadelphia and Robert Todd Burnette and wife, Heidi, of Louisville; a great-granddaughter, Kristin Renee Hicks of Glen Allen, Va.; two brothers, Dale Burnette and Gene Burnette; four sisters, Una Sims, Dora Fowler, Betty Lou Vinet and Shirley Williams; and many special nieces, nephews, family and friends. Service will be 11 a.m. Sunday at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley, for family and close friends with Jim Hicks officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 129 Main St., Suite 509, Beckley, WV 25801. Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.

  • MCROSS - James L. "Jim" Crane, 69, died Thursday, June 27, 2002, at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, Fairlea, following an extended illness. Born May 12, 1933, at Rupert, he was the son of the late Burley Wilson and Lillian M. McCoy Crane. Jim was a member of Sewell Valley Baptist Church, Rainelle, a member of the West Virginia Gasoline Dealers and Automotive Repair Association, a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in Korea, and a former coal miner. Mr. Crane owned and operated C&D Exxon at Sam Black Church for many years. Survivors include his wife, Nora Belle Dunbar Crane; a daughter, Mary Lou Hill of Rainelle; a son, Dane Crane and wife, Melissa, of Meadow Bluff; two sisters, Jane Neff and husband, Ray, of North Carolina and Ada Ruth Hamrick and husband, Ralph, of Quinwood; a brother, Charlie Crane and wife, Hazel, of Meadow Bluff; and five grandchildren, Brooke, Jessica, Aus-tin and Mary Crane and Amber Hill. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Wallace and Wallace Chapel, Rainelle, with Pastors Bob Hodges and Jim Yearego officiating. Burial will follow in Sewell Valley Baptist Church Cemetery, Rainelle. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle.

  • OTTAWA - Mary Elizabeth Dillon, 69, of Boone County, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, June 28, 2002, at Charleston Area Medical Center, Memorial Hospital, after a sudden illness. Born June 21, 1933, at Pettus, she was the daughter of the late Howard R. and Zelma Bell Baker Fulton. Mrs. Dillon was a homemaker. She is survived by her husband, John Dillon; her children, Alfred R. Fulton of Ramseur, N.C., Mary Williams of Clothier, John H. Dillon of Ramseur, Nina Dillon of Jeffrey, Clayton Dillon of Danville and Christina Dillon of Ottawa; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many friends. Service will be 1 p.m. Monday at Stevens Funeral Home, Madison, with the Rev. Pete Jarrell officiating. Burial will follow in Family Gardens Cemetery, Madison. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Madison.

  • Howard Lee Gray Sr., 56, of Fairdale, went to be with his precious Lord on Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at his home of an apparent heart attack. Born Feb. 16, 1946, at Packsville, he was the son of the late Howard and Wavie Allen Gray. Howard was a former employee of Maple Meadow Mining Co. for 23 years, where he worked as an electrician. He was a member of Local Union 1961. He was a member of Glen Daniel Worship Center, where he loved serving the Lord. He was a graduate of Trap Hill 13. Howard was preceded in death by two sisters, Annie Jean and Sue Hapney; and a brother, David. Survivors include his wife, Vicky L. Darnell Gray; two daughters, Sherrie Baugh and her husband, Shane, of Beckley and Aprile Blevins and her husband, Steve, of Fairdale; two sons, Justin Gray and Howard L. Gray Jr. and his wife, Renee, all of Fairdale; two sisters, Nellie Walker of Douglasville, Ga., and Loretta Jarrell and her husband, D.L., of Holly Hills; three brothers, Charles Gray and his wife, Peggy, of Fairdale, Richard Gray and his wife, Denise, of Glen Daniel and Donald Gray and his wife, Ann, of Calmet Park, Ill.; his seven precious angels, his grandchildren, Matthew Welch, Chey-enne Blevins, Tiffany Gray, Howard Lee Gray III, Ian Baugh, Ethan Baugh and Ashley Jarrell; many nieces and nephews and an abundance of cherished friends; and his four loved dogs, Cry Baby, Kee Kee, Precious and Heidi. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Revs. Jerry Cantley and Tommy Wingo officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Ray Burgess, Jack David, Luther Fitzgerald, Roy and Donald Saddler, Bill McMillion and David Taraczkozy. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.

  • BRISTOL, Tenn. - William Clifford "Bill" Holcomb, 78, formerly of the Ikes Fork and Hanover areas, died Wednesday, June 26, 2002, in Wellmont Regional Medical Center following a long illness. Born March 4, 1924, at Meadow Creek, he was the son of the late Clarence "Jack" and Goldie Withrow Holcomb. Mr. Holcomb was a member of Abingdon Bible Church, was a retired coal miner, having worked 43 years at Island Creek Coal Co., and was a member of the Baileysville Hall of Fame. He was a World War II U.S. Army Air Corps honored veteran, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Moore; and two brothers, Donald and Charles Holcomb. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Viola Riffe Holcomb; a daughter, Patsy Holcomb Cole of Galax, Va.; two sons, William "Billy" Holcomb Jr. of Harrisburg, N.C., and Donald "Donnie" Holcomb of Beckley; two brothers, Walter Holcomb of Bristol, Tenn., and Ronald Holcomb of Lake Worth, Fla.; two sisters, Dorothy "Dott" Lester of Beckley and Francis "Sis" Cline of Hanover; three grandsons, Shawn Holcomb of Harrisburg, N.C., Brad Cole of Galax and Mark Holcomb of Beckley; three granddaughters, Carrie Cole of Galax, Bridget Keller of Huntington and Me-gan Holcomb of Beckley; and a great-grandson, Adam Joshua Keller of Huntington. Service will be 1 p.m. today at Bethany Old Regular Baptist Church, Ikes Fork, with the Rev. Ronnie Lester and Elder Graham Riffe officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens with Paul Buford officiating. The Mercer County Veterans' Council will conduct military graveside rites. Friends called 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the church. Pallbearers will be Jerry Cline, Danny Lester, Arlie Riffe, Anthony Riffe, Christopher Holcomb and Ira Holcomb. Honorary pallbearers will be Sgt. Walter Edward Holcomb Jr., Brad Cole, Mark Holcomb and Shawn Holcomb. Arrangements by Fanning Funeral Home, Iaeger.

  • Thomas Dale Kelly, 51, of 129 Lester Drive, Daniels, died Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at Raleigh General Hospital following a long illness. Born Dec. 16, 1950, in Columbus, Ohio, he was the son of Charles E. Kelly of Daniels and Mary Redden Kelly of Daniels. Mr. Kelly was a disabled furniture salesman. He was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran of the Pentecostal faith. He was preceded in death by a son, Robbie Kelly; a brother, Terry L. Kelly; his maternal grandparents, Lon and Ada Redden; paternal grandparents, Clifford and Alma Kelly; and a niece, Anita Kelly. Survivors include three daughters, Michelle of Midway, Ohio, Jennifer of Kettering, Ohio, and Kimberly of Kettering; two grandchildren, Mia and Bill; a brother, Wayne Kelly and wife, Brenda, of Dayton, Ohio; and a sister, Vietta Luking of Springfield, Ohio. Service will be 3 p.m. today at Rose and Quesenberry Shady Spring Chapel with the Rev. Neil Byrge officiating. Burial will follow in Kidwell Cemetery, Table Rock. Friends called 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring.

  • BUCKHANNON - Dorothy Eileen Shuck McDaniels, 75, passed away Thursday, June 27, 2002, at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, the Rev. Dennis and Diana Estes of Buckhannon, following an extended illness. Born June 1, 1927, at Danese, she was the daughter of the late James A. and Laudie Ewing Shuck. She was a born-again Christian, a member of Spring Dale Union Mission Church and also attended Buckhannon Union Mission Church. She was a homemaker and co-worker in the ministry with her husband, the Rev. Basil McDaniels. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 45 years and two infant grandsons. Survivors include three daughters, Brenda Lilly of Prince George, Va., Diana Estes and her husband, the Rev. Dennis Estes, of Buckhannon and Patricia Cruse and her husband, the Rev. William Cruse, of Danese; two sons, Kermit R. and his wife, Kathy McDaniels, of Galax, Va., and Glen A. and his wife, Helene McDaniels, of Rawlings, Va.; five granddaughters, Charity Estes, Shelly Cruse, Ashley McDaniels, Deni McDaniels and Alexis McDaniels; and two grandsons, Andrew McDaniels and Alan McDaniels. She is also survived by three sisters, Lillian Hanshew, Helen Gunnoe and Madeline Goins. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle, with the Revs. William Cruse and Dennis Estes officiating. Burial will follow in Layland Cemetery. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle.

  • SYLVESTER - Billy F. Pettry Sr., 55, died Thursday, June 27, 2002, at his home at Branham Heights after an extended illness. Born May 2, 1947, at Beckley, he was the son of the late Oatis and Dilly Canterbury Pettry. Mr. Pettry was a retired coal miner and a member of the UMWA. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Mark Cantley. Mr. Pettry is survived by his wife, Kathyern White Pettry; three daughters, Chera Cantley of Naomi, Julie Walker of Sylvester and Dilly Aliff of Whitesville; a son, Billy F. Pettry Jr. of Sylvester; two sisters, Edna Browning of Ohio and Faye Pettry of Beckley; six brothers, Pauline Pettry of Whitesville, Carlos and James Pettry, both of Pettry Bottom, Arley Pettry of Dry Creek, and Jessie Bearfield and Eugene Pettry, both of Ohio; two half sisters, Joann Hodge of Texas and Janet Akers of Ohio; and nine grandchildren, Luke Aliff, Kayla Vanoy, James Cantley II, Stella Cantley, Jonathan Walker, Jennifer Walker, Montana Pettry, Destiny Pettry and Santana Nayler. Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Armstrong Funeral Home Chapel, Whitesville, with the Rev. David Cook officiating. The Stewart Family will sing. Burial will follow in Adkins Cemetery, Naoma. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Arrangements by Armstrong Funeral Home, Whitesville.

  • Daniel Lee Buzzard Smith, 34, of 104 Sandstone Drive, Beckley, died Tuesday, June 25, 2002, at his home. Born April 27, 1968, at Beckley, he was the son of Geraldine Smith Webb of Beckley and the late Harry Donovan, and his adoptive parents, Gilbert and Irene Smith of Piney View. Mr. Smith was a 1986 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and a graduate of The College of West Virginia with a medical assistant degree, and held a degree from Raleigh County Vo-Tech in phlebotomy. He was of the Baptist faith. Other survivors besides his mother include his wife, Pamela Faye Sheets Smith; children, Stephanie Kounts and husband, Dana, of Bradley, Jamie Vanover and husband, Charles Mack, of Mossy and Brian Sheets and wife, Mindy, of Bradley; five grandchildren, Kandice Vanover, Chase Vanover, Ashlie Sheets, Amber Sheets and River Kountz; a brother, Alvie Smith of Piney View; and four sisters, Judy Clifford and husband, Donald, of Beckley, Norma Miller and husband, Ralph, of Beckley, Lucy Redden and husband, Roger, of Piney View and April Webb of Beckley. Service will be 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Steve Tincher officiating. Entombment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Beckley. There will be no visitation. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to the Daniel Smith Family, c/o Judy Clifford, 308 Brookwood Lane, Beckley, WV 25801. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley. Helen V. Smith RICHWOOD - Helen V. Smith, 75, died Wednesday, June 26, 2002. Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Simons-Coleman Funeral Home, Richwood. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Arrangements by Simons-Coleman Funeral Home, Richwood.

  • ATLANTA - Matthew David Thomas, 24, died Sunday, June 23, 2002, of injuries sustained in a car crash. Matthew was born Dec. 24, 1977. Matthew was employed by Merrill Lynch in Atlanta and a member of West Springs Baptist Church, West Springs, S.C. He is survived by his father, Ronnie Thomas and stepmother Tammy Ramsey Thomas of Buford, Ga., and by his mother, Susan McCutcheon Thomas Heatherly of Jonesville, S.C.; two brothers, Brandon Thomas and Joseph Heatherly; a sister, Ashley Thomas; grandparents, Jack and Mary Thomas of Mount Nebo, and Peggy Basham of Summersville and W.C. McCutcheon of St. Petersburg, Fla.; aunts, Ruth Thomas of Atlanta and Lynette Basham and Beth Basham of Summersville; and uncles, Jackie Thomas and Danny Thomas of Atlanta and Rick McCutcheon of Summersville. Interment was at West Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, West Springs, S.C., on June 25.

  • ONA - Amy Lynette Vealey, 24, died Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at her residence. Born April 15, 1978, at Beckley, she was the daughter of Anna Smith Vealey of Ona and Terry Vealey of Beckley. Besides her parents, Amy is survived by a daughter, Megan Vealey at home; a sister, Kimberly Folck of Kansas; her paternal grandmother, Edith Vealey of Beckley; and her maternal grandparents, George and Nancy Smith of Ona. Service will be 1 p.m. Monday at Henson Mortuary, Barboursville. Burial will follow in White Chapel Memorial Garden. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to First State Bank Barboursville, c/o Megan Vealey's education account. Arrangements by Henson Mortuary, Barboursville.

  • Edward Lee Whittaker, 74, of Pemberton, went to be with the Lord at 11:20 a.m. Thursday, June 27, 2002, at Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, following a long illness. Born Dec. 29, 1927, at Trailee, he was the son of the late Emmett Jesse Whittaker and Bertie Rakes Whittaker Belcher. Mr. Whittaker was a retired coal miner, employed by Eastern Associated Coal for approximately 25 years. He worked at the Helen Mines and at Herndon Affiliated as a general mine foreman. He was a member of Tilden Community Church and served in the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by a sister, Marion Catherine Bragg; and a grandson, Robert Dale Milam Jr. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Dorla Jean Lusk Whittaker; two daughters, Loma Cooper and husband, Mickey, of Crab Orchard and Pamela Nichols and husband, Gary, of Cool Ridge; two grandchildren, Sterling "Dusty" Lewis III and wife, Candace Boggs Lewis, of Cool Ridge, and Courtney Lee Lewis at home and her fiancé, Adam Shane Meadows of Cool Ridge; and a great-grandchild, Sterling "Cade" Lewis IV. Other survivors include four brothers, James Whittaker and wife, Johnnie, of Sophia, Bill Whittaker and wife, Juanita, of Mill Creek, Jack Belcher and wife, Gladys, of Augusta and Larry Belcher of Indiana; and six sisters, Ruby Bailey of Union, Joyce Rice of Union, Betty Reames of Maryland, Janet Cash and husband, Wayne, of Feleton, Del., Linda Wheeler and husband, Jennings, of Hinton and Judy Sizemore and husband, Mike, of Ronceverte. Service will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Tilden Community Church with Pastor Ed Garten officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call two hours before service Sunday at the church. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia.

  • Elva E. Brewster, 85, of Crab Orchard, died at 11:55 p.m. Friday, June 28, 2002, at the home of her daughter, Nancy Martin, following a short illness. Born April 8, 1917, in So-phia, she was the daughter of the late Boyd W. Little and Verdia L. Jarrett Lilly. She was a member of Crab Orchard Baptist Church and was last employed by the Raleigh County Community Action Association. She was a former employee of the American Tea Co. and Carolina Supermarket and was a former insurance agent for Modern Woodman Insurance Co. Mrs. Brewster was preceded in death by her husband, Roland Brewster; and a grandson, Roland Darol Brewster, Jr. Survivors include three sons, David Brewster and wife, Phyllis, of Fort Wright, Ky., Darol Brewster and wife, Mavis, of Riverdale, Md., and Dennis Brewster and wife, Denise, of Little Washington, N.C.; three daughters, Deana McDaniel and husband, Dale, of Washington, D.C., Janet Brewster of Alexandria, Va., and Nancy J. Martin and husband, Jerry, of Crab Orchard; a brother, Estel Bernard Little of Alabama; three sisters, Effie McVey of Beckley, Edna Stover of Crab Orchard and Ella Boothe of Chattanooga, Tenn.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Crab Orchard Baptist Church with the Revs. Duane Pease and Phil Shields officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley, and one hour before service Tuesday at the church. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.

  • JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Ronald R. Bryant, 57, formerly of Beckley, passed away Thursday, June 27, 2002. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Orval H. Bryant and Nancy Ruth Bryant. He was a beloved husband, father and brother. He was a resident of Jacksonville for 33 years. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and later in the Florida Air National Guard and retired from Volkswagen of America with 32 years of service. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville. Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Charlotte Fuller Bryant; two sons, Brian and Scott, both of Jacksonville; brothers and sisters, O.H. Bryant and Shirley Fondale of Beckley, Nora Godfrey of Raleigh, N.C., Jack Bryant of Atlanta, Mary Withrow of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Naomi Slaybaugh of Jacksonville; and numerous nieces and nephews. Service with full military honors will be 11 a.m. Monday in the Chapel of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 850 St. Johns Bluff Road, Jacksonville, with Pastor Michael Ross officiating. Friends may call 2 to 4 p.m. today at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida Inc., 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257. Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

  • LAYLAND - Beatrice Ellen Pugh, 79, died Friday, June 28, 2002, at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital following a long illness. Born Jan. 15, 1923, in Crickmer, she was the daughter of the late Beecher and Alice Walker Fox. Mrs. Pugh attended Chestnut Knob Christian Church, Layland, and was of the Holiness faith. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Lewis Pugh, in 1995; two daughters, Beatrice Pugh and Ruth Ellen Pugh; a son, Paul Lewis Pugh; a sister, Mildred Adkins; a brother, Billy Goddard; and a grandson, Paul Lewis Pugh. Survivors include two sons, James W. Pugh of Layland and Jackie Lee Pugh of Maplewood; two sisters, Dorothy Ferguson of Beckley and Evelyn Wendell of Piney View; three grandchildren, Angela Keeney of Layland, Loretta Ballenger of Danese and Jason Pugh of Maplewood; and three great-grandchildren, Kelly, Brenda and Stephanie Keeney, all of Layland. Service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home Chapel, Rain-elle, with Evangelist Shirley Fox and the Rev. William "Bill" Lilly officiating. Burial will follow in Walker Cemetery, Crickmer. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle.

  • Daniel Lee Buzzard Smith, 34, of 104 Sandstone Drive, Beckley, died Tuesday, June 25, 2002, at his home. Born April 27, 1968, in Beckley, he was the son of Geraldine Smith Webb of Beckley and Harry Donovan Buzzard, and his adoptive parents, Gilbert and Irene Smith of Piney View. Mr. Smith was a 1986 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, was a graduate of The College of West Virginia with a medical assistant degree and held a degree from Raleigh County Vo-Tech in phlebotomy. He was of the Baptist faith. Other survivors besides his mother include his wife, Pamela Faye Sheets Smith; children, Ste-phanie Kounts and husband, Dana, of Bradley, Jamie Van-over and husband, Charles Mack, of Mossy and Brian Sheets and wife, Mindy, of Bradley; five grandchildren, Kandice Vanover, Chase Vanover, Ashlie Sheets, Amber Sheets and River Kountz; a brother, Alvie Smith of Piney View; and five sisters, Judy Clifford and husband, Donald, of Beckley, Norma Miller and husband, Ralph, of Beckley, Lucy Redden and husband, Roger, of Piney View, Beth Whiteman and husband, Frank, of Shady Spring and April Webb of Beckley. Service will be 3:30 p.m. today at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Steve Tincher officiating. Entombment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Beckley. There will be no visitation. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to the Daniel Smith Burial Fund, c/o Judy Clifford, 308 Brookwood Lane, Beckley, WV 25801. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.