Sally Varney Vincell
Sally Varney Vincell, 85, of Varney, W. Va., went to be with the Lord July 29, 2003, at the Williamson Appalachian Regional Hospital.
She was born Dec. 17, 1917, at Varney, the daughter of the late Jeff and America Varney.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, John Henry Vincell; an infant daughter; three brothers; and two sisters.
She was a homemaker and a 30-year member of the Pie Church of God.
Survivors include a stepson, Edgar Vincell of Garner, N.C.; two daughters, Lucy (Roy) Chafin of Rawl, W. Va., and Dora (Chester) Davis of Varney, W. Va.; grandchildren, Madonna (Jamie) Hall, Jessica (Brian) Lilly, Jasmine Davis, John (Angie) Dillon, David (Stephanie) Dillon; great-grandchildren, John Douglas and Gavin Dillon, and Abigail Hall.
Funeral services will be held at the Pie Church of God at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, with the Rev. Paul Horton officiating. Burial will follow in the Varney Cemetery at Varney, W. Va.
Visitation will be held at Chafin Funeral Home, Delbarton, Thursday evening from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., with special services starting at 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Jamie Hall, Brian Lilly, John and David Dillon, Bobby Runyon and Jonathan Horton.
Chafin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Joe Gervas
Joe Gervas, 85, of Williamson, who was owner and operator of the Cinderella Shoe Repair Shop for over a half century, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, July 29, 2003, at the Williamson Appalachian Regional Hospital in South Williamson.
The shoe repair business was established by Gervas' late brother, Jimmie Gervas, in 1936, and the two brothers ran the business for many years.
Joe continued to own and operate the shop after Jimmie's death in January 1986. He sold the business in 1991, retiring in September of that year.
Born Aug. 31, 1917, at Page, W. Va., he was a son of Joseph Gervas and Josephine Barbusi Gervas. In addition to his parents and brother, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Pauline Verde and Laura Pennington.
He was of the Baptist faith and a member of Calvary Baptist Church on Slater Street, Williamson.
Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Lillian Adair Gervas, and three nieces, Beulah Verde of Cincinnati, Ohio, Ruby Sarner of New Jersey and Mary Alice Evans of Pendleton, Ohio.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, at Weaver Mortuary with the Revs. George Terlizzi and James Poe officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Memory Gardens at Maher. Men of the church will serve as pallbearers.
Visitations will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday night, July 31, 2003, at Weaver Mortuary.
Funeral arrangments are under direction of Weaver Mortuary of West Williamson.
Gladys Hatfield
Gladys Hatfield, 94, of Rawl, W. Va., died Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington, W. Va.
Visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Weaver Mortuary, West Williamson.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, at the mortuary.
Weaver Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.
Freddie Lew Akers
Freddie Lew Akers, 65, of Concord, Calif., formerly of Surosa, WV, died Sunday, July 27, 2003, at the Bayberry Care Center in Concord.
He was born Oct. 5, 1936 at Surosa, WV, a son of Leonard Akers and Estelle Sue Harold Akers.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Geraldine Sammons and Dora Akers.
Akers was a maintenance supervisor.
Survivors include his wife, Lillian Akers; brothers, Jack Akers of Dayton, OH, Jerry Akers of Matewan, WV, Leonard Akers Jr., of Delbarton, WV, Claude Akers of Callahan, FL, and Andy Akers of Cincinnati, OH, and sisters, Blanch McClellan, Brenda Akers and JoAnn Rhinesmith, all of Lancaster, OH
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, at Weaver Mortuary in West Williamson with the Rev. Virgil Hamilton officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Memory Gardens, Huddy, Ky. Family members and friends will be pallbearers.
Visitations will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday morning, Aug. 2, 2003, at the mortuary.
Weaver Mortuary of West Williamson is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Clark Blankenship
Clark Gable Blankenship, 58, of Northsprings, W. Va., formerly of Gilbert, passed away Monday, June 30, 2003, at Logan Regional Medical Center, Logan, W. Va.
Born November 8, 1944, in Gilbert, W. Va., to the late Fernandes "Nan" Blankenship and the late Georgia Ann (Bowens) Blankenship Thomas, he was of the Baptist faith. He was the step-son of Woody Thomas.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Roy Lee Blankenship, James Blankenship and Fernandes Blankenship Jr.; four sisters, Bonnie Lee Blankenship, Laurie Blankenship, Goldie Roberson and Ruth Thomas.
Surviving are his wife, Linda Blankenship of Northsprings, W. Va.; step-father, Woody Thomas; one daughter Roxaona (Michael) Sloan of Justice, W. Va.; two sons, Ernest (Cristal) Blankenship of Northsprings, W. Va. and Clark "Mack" (Kimberly) McKinley of Northsprings, W. Va.; three sisters, Elizabeth (Rayburn) Mitchell of Gilbert, W. Va., Audrie (Boyd) Elkings of Slabtown, W. Va. and Barbara (Roger) Belcher of Oceana, W. Va.; one granddaughter, Danielle Nicole Blankenship of Northsprings, W. Va.; four grandsons, Benjamin Joseph Clark Hall of Justice, W. Va., Joshua Edward Blankenship of Northsprings. W. Va., Jeremy Johnson of Wharncliffe, W. Va. and Christopher New of Baisden, W. Va.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 3, 2003, at 1 p.m., at Little Cub Creek Memorial Baptist Church at Northsprings. W. Va with Rev. William Cook and Rev. William Lafferty officiating. Burial will follow at Browning and Grimmett Cemetery in Bruno. W. Va. Pallbearers are Roger Dale Blankenship, Junior Blankenship, Billy Joe Blankenship, Ernest Blankenship, James Grimmett, Keith Mitchell and Richard Mitchell. Honorary pallbearers are JD Bentley. Roscoe Lester. Bill May. Marty Fortnor Michael Cline and Easton Fortnor.
Mounts Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
John Ooten
John S. Ooten, 71, of Myrtle. W. Va. went to be with the Lord June 30, 2003, at his residence with his wife, family and friends at his bedside.
He was born Dec. 2, 1931, at Myrtle, W. Va. the son of the late Joseph and Angeline Evans Ooten. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Ooten and a sister, Thursa Bostic.
John was a member of the UMWA having worked as a coal miner for more than 34 years with Island Creek and Pittston Coal Company.
He was a Christian and attended the Delbarton Church of God where he greatly enjoyed working with the children in Super Church before his illness.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Beulah Drenner Ooten; two daughters, Shannon of the home and Kathy of Kentucky; a father-in-law, Charles Drenner of Logan, W. Va.; several nieces, nephews and cousins and a host of friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 4, 2003 at the Chafin Funeral Home at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Mitchell Bias, Rev. Ken Gore and Rev. Joaquine Ooten officiating. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Burial will follow in the Ooten Cemetery at Myrtle, W. Va.
Visitation will be at the funeral home Thursday evening from 6-9 p.m.
Chafin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Claudia E. Burmeister
A celebration of the life of Claudia E. Burmeister will be held at the Memorial United Methodist Church in West Williamson on July 15, 2003, at 1:30 p.m., with the Rev. Greg Blair officiating.
Mrs. Burmeister, a 60-year resident of Williamson, died July 3, 2003, at her daughter's home in Athens Ga. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Maude Stuart; her husband, Horace Burmeister; two sons, Larry and Sonny Burmeister; six brothers; and one sister.
Surviving Mrs. Burmeister are daughters, JoAnn Burmeister of Athens, Ga., Dr. Sharon Lord of Sevierville, Tn., Betsy Burmeister of Athens, Ga. and Kerry Burmeister of Athens, Ga.; Claudia's sister, Charlene Ryan of Williamson; sons-in-law, Richard Reaves of Athens, Ga., Tom Burns of Virginia Beach, Va.; seven grandchildren, Erik Burmeister of Mountain View, Calif., Yohanna 'Honi' Burmeister of Berkley, Calif., Jeremy Reaves of Athens, Ga., Aaron Matthew Burmeister of Mesa, Ariz., Christina Reaves of Atlanta, Ga., Craig Burns of Virginia Beach, Va. and David Burns of Richmond, Va.; two great grandchildren, Candace and Peyton Burns of Virginia Beach, Va. Claudia also had numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Memorial United Methodist Church, 1608 West 6th Ave., Williamson, WV 25661 or St. Mary's Hospice Services, 1500 Oglethorpe Ave., Suite C., Athens, Ga. 30606.
Magdalene Wilkins Reese
Mrs. Magdalene Wilkins Reese, died May 30, 2003, at Duke Hospital. Mrs. Reese lived at Boston Commons in South Boston and was a member of Union United Church of Christ in Virgilina.
She was born and reared in Williamson, W. Va. and was the daughter of the late Jack and Helen McGonnell Wilkins. She was predeceased by her husband, William A. Reese, Jr., who is buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Charleston, W. Va.
A graveside service will be conducted Thursday, July 17, 11 a.m. at Virgilina Cemetery in Virgilina
Mrs. Reese is survived by three nephews, Charles Thomas Wayt of Las Vegas, NV, Harold E. "Pete" Wayt of Jacksonville, Fla., William R. Wilkins of Virgilina; and one niece, Mary Helen Wilkins Gravitt, also of Virgilina.
She was predeceased by three brothers, Jerome, Edward, and Cecil Wilkins and a sister, Katherine Wayt.
Friends will be received 12-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at the home of Mary Helen Gravitt, 1021 Seventh St., Virgilina, Va.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Virgilina Woman's Club Cemetery Fund, c/o Mary Helen Gravitt or Virginia B. Bailey, P.O. Box 206, Virgilina, Va. 24598.
Online condolences may be sent to www.wclfh.com.
Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home, Clarksville, is in charge of arrangements.
David L. Hall
David L. Hall, 52, of Lenore, W. Va., passed away Friday, July 11, 2003 in the Charleston Area Medical Center Memorial Division.
Born March 16, 1951, in Logan, W. Va., he was the son of the late John Hall Jr. and Dorothy Musick Hall Hatfield. He was also preceded in death by one son and two brothers.
Surviving are one son, Chris (Kimberly) Hall of W. Hamlin, W. Va.; two daughters, Beverly (Joe) Yates of Greensboro, NC and Patty Hall of Ohio; brothers, Donald (Debbie) Hall of Lenore, W. Va. and Dennis (Rhonda) Hall of Taylorville, W. Va.; sisters, Deanna (Issacc) Marcum of Dingess, W. Va., Danetta Green of Belfry, Ky., Cheri (Cecil) Hatfield of Ransom, Ky., Kandie (Sammy) Hubbard of Stone, Ky., Kimberly Vance of Durham, NC and Tammy (Ballard) Green of Lenore, W. Va.; and six grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at the Chafin Funeral Home Monday morning, July 14, 2003, at 11 a.m., with the Elders Mike Smith, Jeff Dotson, Shawn Dotson, Raymond Stanley and Paul Varney officiating. Burial will follow in the Lenore Memory Gardens at Lenore, W. Va.
Visitation will be at the funeral home Sunday evening from 6 - 9 p.m. with services starting at 7 p.m.
Pallbearers are John Stanley, Kevin Green, Mickey Stanley, Gary Green and Larry Green.
Chafin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Emma Jean Newsome
Emma Jean Newsome, 75, of Newtown, died Friday, July 11, 2003, at Williamson Memorial Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Weaver Mortuary of West Williamson.
Bruce Conrad Johnson
Bruce Conrad Johnson, age 51, of Kermit, W. Va., passed away Friday, July 11, 2003 at his residence.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Hatfield Funeral Chapel of Toler, Ky.
Juanita Canterbury Perry
Juanita Clara Canterbury Perry, 81, of Verner, W. Va., died at 7: 50 a.m., Monday, July 21, 2003, at her residence.
Born June 21, 1922, at Omar, W. Va., she was a daughter of the late Herbert and Senie Alice Peters Canterbury.
She was also preceded in death by daughters, Sharon Perry and Infant Perry; brothers, Junior Canterbury, and Woodrow Canterbury; sister, Helen Forcyte; and stepfather, Charlie Thomas.
She was owner/operator of the 4-10 Carryout at Verner and of the Baptist faith.
She is survived by husband, Opal McKinley Perry of Verner; sons, Michael M. Perry of Verner, Zane Perry of Gilbert, Greg Perry of Christian; Lane Perry of Verner, Shane Perry of Verner; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; special friends, Virginia Hatfield, Martha Hendricks, Nancy Riffe, Patty Rabbie, and Dona Paynter.
Funeral arrangements will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at Mounts Funeral Home Chapel, Gilbert, with the Rev. Arville Cline officiating and Sister Martha Hendricks to read the obituary. Burial will follow in the Palm Memorial Gardens at Matheny, W. Va.
Friends may call at the Mounts Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Vance, Alfred Surber, James Deel, Don Stanley, Robert Billups and Leslie Lester.
Honorary pallbearers will be James H "Buck" Harless, Andy Dillon, Bruce Burgess, Curtis Lester, Will Smith, Johnny Adams, Tim Rutledge and David Houck.
Virginia 'Ginny' Cunningham
Virginia "Ginny" Cunningham, 70, of Red Jacket died Monday, July 21, 2003 at her residence.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by the Chambers Funeral Home of Matewan.
Kenneth Lester Jr.
Kenneth Lester Jr. 26, of North Springs, W. Va.; died at his residence on Thursday, July 10, 2003.
He was born on March 28, 1977, the son of Glen Sr. and Jennifer Testerman Lester of North Springs. He was a rock truck driver for the Pro-gress Coal Company and was of the Christian faith.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Lawson Lester; and his maternal grandfather, Coy Testerman.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his paternal grandmother, Pearl Lester of Baisden; maternal grandparents, Clyde and Versie Stanley of North Springs; one sister, Andrea Lester Beheler of North Springs; one special nephew, Shaye Beheler of North Springs; and special aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Monday, July 14, 2003, at the Mounts Funeral Home Chapel in Gilbert with the Rev. William Cook officiating. Burial will be in the Lester Family Cemetery at Gilbert Creek in Baisden.
Pallbearers will be Chris England, Toby Morgan, Rob Morgan, Heith Morgan, Chris Endicott, and Elbert Addair. Honorary pallbearers will be Darren Stanley, Donald Lee Davis, Michael Mangus, Linus Davis, Keith Lester, Steve Gunnels, and Garret Gunnels. Assistant pallbearer will be Stephen Hatfield.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, July 13.
