Johnny E. Chapman, 73, of Milton passed away Thursday, March 24, 2005, at his residence. Services were conducted 2 p.m.. Monday, March 28, 2005, in Swann Maddox Cemetery, West Hamlin. He was born March 2, 1932, in Milton, a son of the late Ralph and Verba Perry Chapman. He was also preceded in death by his son, Mark Chapman and one brother, Bobby L. Chapman. Johnny is survived by three sons, Jack Chapman of Louisiana, Rick Chapman of Huntington and Randy Chapman of Huntington; two sisters, Louise Vanover and Gladys Bragg; one brother, Richard Smith; eight grandchildren Christie Chapman Preston, Mason Chapman, Michael Chapman, Jay Chapman, Joey Chapman, Casandra Chapman, Miranda Chapman and Josh Chapman. Johnny was a member of the American Legion Post 139 for more than 50 years and they conducted military graveside rites. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements.
Harold L. “Jack” Sargent
Harold L. “Jack” Sargent, 70, of Milton, WV, our loving father departed this earth Thursday, March 24, 2005, to join loved ones in Heaven that preceded him in death. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at Heck Funeral Home, Milton with Pastor C.T. Mathews officiating. Burial in Forest Memorial Park, Milton. Dad, you struggled for so long in your flesh body but now you can rejoice in your new spiritual one.
He was born February 8, 1935 to the late Russell and Nancy Adkins Sargent. Also preceding him in death were brothers, Austin, Leon, Bill, Jarrell and Patrick and sisters, Rita Nichols and Deloris Clark. He is survived by his daughter, Diana Kirk; sons, David, Joseph, Johnny and Rodney Sargent; mother of his children, Trudy Jones Sargent; grandchildren, Chad, Jarrod, Mandy, Bryan, Jeremy, Jackie, Amy, Lee J., Caleb, Roshell and Mark; great-grandchildren, Peighton, Addison, and Hannah. Additional survivors include brothers, Leo of Salem, WV, Don of Tampa, Fla., and Darrell of Milton, WV, and sister Lorena Lowe of Huntington, WV. He worked in supervisory positions with BASF, West Virginia Corrigated and FMC Ordinance, and was a former Milton businessman. He was of the church of God Holiness Faith. He also served in the United States Marine Corps and attended W.Va. State College, graduating at the top of his class.
He was a former Golden Glove Boxer and manager, having coached various fighters to championships. He was also a little league baseball coach, winning several titles. Dad was the type of man who devoted his time and effort to the least talented and/or fatherless athletes on his teams, making champions of them and instilling in them dignity and confidence that they no doubt carried with them to this day. He will be sadly missed by his children and family and others whose lives he touched. He was a proud West Virginian. Milton has lost a fine son but heaven has gained one. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements.
Paul Ray Parker
Paul Ray Parker, 56, of Milton, passed away Saturday, March 26, 2005, at his brother's residence. Graveside services were held 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, 2005, in Asbury Cemetery, Poca, WV. Paul was born Nov. 15, 1948, a son of the late Robert and Madonna Garnes Parker. Paul was a member of the St. Albans Moose Lodge. He is survived by eight brothers, Frank Parker, Roy Parker, Roger Parker, Jerry Parker, Leonard Parker, George Parker and wife, Mona, Harold Parker and Jim Parker; six sisters, Ellen Bays and husband, Larry, Mary Parker, Susie Ann McWalters and husband, John, Shelba Parker, Julia Parker and Linda Parker; six nephews, Chris Kilgore, Lee McWalters, Troy Parker, Bo Parker, Roger Parker and Joe Carr; and two nieces, Angela Parker and Michell Parker. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements.
Anna Belle Brown
Anna Belle Brown, 82, of Fraziers Bottom died March 12, 2005, at Putnam General Hospital.
Born December 9, 1922 in Pliny, she was a daughter of the late Felix M. and Hester Crandall Brown. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Winston C. Brown Sr. and her sister, Virginia Mae Brown.
She had served as president of the former Buffalo Bank in Eleanor.
Surviving: nephews, James Brown and Winston C. Brown Jr. and his wife, Marsha, of Fraziers Bottom; their children, Brandon, Meredith and Jared; nieces, Judith Stewart, Cynthia Noffsinger, Victoria Hunt, and Pamela Malone.
Service was held Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, with Rev. Doug McComas officiating. Burial was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
The family suggests memorial donations be made in her memory to In Touch Ministries, PO Box 7900, Atlanta GA 30357.
Evelyn Yeager
Evelyn Yeager, 79, of Hurricane died March 6, 2005, at SunBridge of Putnam.
She was born April 7, 1925 to the late Pearl and Richard George of Lincoln County. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Willie E. Yeager Sr., and daughter, Patsy Morgan
She was a homemaker and attended Valley View Baptist Church, Hurricane.
Surviving: children, Jerry Yeager of Fort Mill, South Carolina, Bill Yeager of Milton, Lina Hammond of Haines City, Florida, and Frank Yeager of Hurricane; 20 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; five brother and five sisters.
Service was held March 9, 2005, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, with the Rev. David Vickers officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
Harriet Lou Flanagan
Harriet Lou Flanagan, 76, of Hurricane died March 3, 2005.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, brothers, Junior and Jim Swihart, and his sons, Brian and David.
Surviving: her husband of 58 years, Donald K. Flanagan; son, Robert and his wife, Tamara, and grandson, Aaron, and granddaughter, Emily, all of Pinch; son, James and his wife, Anne, of Liberty; nephews, Jerry and Buddy Swihart of Ohio, Kevin and Brett Swihart of Indiana; two sisters and a brother.
There was no service and her body was donated to West Virginia University Medical Research.
William S. Smith
William S. “Sambo” Smith, 73, of Poca died Thursday, March 3, 2005, in Putnam General Hospital following a short illness.
He was a retired landscaper and a lifelong resident of Putnam County.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie Marie Smith, and brother, Kenneth Smith.
Surviving: daughters, Reva Marie Severson and Virginia Lynne Zarte, both of Miami, Florida; son, William Smith of Chicago, Illinois; sisters, Martina Simmons of Chilicothe, Ohio, Rebecca Martin of Hometown and Elizabeth Shue of Poca; brother, Ura Smith of Hometown; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
There was no service. Cooke Funeral Home, Nitro, was in charge of arrangements.
Beatrice I. Fitzwater
Beatrice I. “Bea” Fitzwater, 83, of Scott Depot, formerly of Jodie, died Tuesday, March 15, 2005, at home after an extended illness.
Born August 11, 1921 in Jenkins, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late John and Virginia Gunning. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Porter R. Fitzwater, a daughter and her husband, Jean and John Price, sons, Larry and Jerry Fitzwater, a brother, John Gunning, granddaughter, Kim Dennis Roe, and grandson, Jeff Fitzwater.
She was a homemaker and a member of the Jodie First Church of God. She attended the First Church of God, Teays Valley.
Surviving: daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and Don Dennis of Huntington, Kay and Dave Gadd of Dayton, Ohio, Diana and Tom Witt and Pam and Rick Dosier, all of Scott Depot; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.
Service was held Friday, March 18, 2005, at the Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge, with the Rev. Richard Harold officiating. Burial was in Rich Creek Community Cemetery, Jodie.
Leonard F. Goff
Leonard F. Goff, 72, of Pliny died March 15, 2005 in Hubbard Hospice House after a long illness.
He was retired from Putnam County Board of Education and attended 5 and 20 Baptist Church.
Surviving: wife, Marlene Goff; stepson, Douglas and wife, Melissa Canterbury of Pliny; stepdaughter, Lisa and husband, Jeff Smith of Nitro; sisters, Priscilla Graves of Florida and Velva Thomas of Poca; grandchildren, Jeffrey Smith, Jacob Canterbury and Brandon Canterbury.
Service was held Friday, March 18, 2005, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home, Poca, with Rev. Ronnie Brown officiating. Burial was in Tyler Mountain Memorial Gardens, Cross Lanes.
Tommy Joe Adkins
Tommy Joe Adkins, 71, of Huntington, passed away Friday, March 18, 2005, at St. Mary's Medical Center. Graveside services were conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2005, at Baylous Cemetery, Salt Rock, WV, by the Rev. Robert Talbert. He was born March 2, 1934, in Huntington, WV, a son of the late Roy Edward and Ethel Webb Adkins. He is survived by his wife, Norma Talbert Adkins; seven daughters, Becky, Lucretia, Leeann, Vicky, Becky, Jennifer and Mitzi; two sons, Tommy and Raymond; four sisters, Thelma, Peggy, Katherine and Charlotte; one brother, Fred; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements.
Ruby Weaver Bledsoe 94, of Milton, mother of Jerry B. Bledsoe of Milton, died Friday in Canada's Tender Touch, Cross Lanes. Graveside services were held 11 a.m. Monday, March 21, 2005; Valley View Memorial Park Mausoleum, Hurricane. Arrangements by Heck Funeral Home, Milton.
James Natchee Baylous
James Natchee Baylous, 67, of Salt Rock, WV, passed away March 18, 2005 at St. Mary's Medical Center. Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Monday, March 21, 2005, at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel, Barboursville, by the Rev. David Cardwell with eulogy given by the Rev. Carlos Gibson. Burial in Baylous Cemetery. He was born February 24, 1938, in Cabell County, West Virginia, a son of the late James Wetzel and Lelia Cremeans Baylous. He was a retired employee of ACF Inc. He was preceded in death by one brother, Keith Baylous and one sister, Cloteal Enochs. He is survived by one daughter, Kim Holley of Huntington; two sons and daughter-in-law, Randy and Alice Baylous and Barry Baylous, all of Salt Rock; two granddaughters, Natasha Smith of Huntington and Carissa Baylous of Salt Rock; two great-grandchildren, Dakoka and Tayitland Smith of Huntington; three nieces and three nephews. He will be missed by all who loved him. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements.
SFC. Paul D. Carter, USA (Ret).
SFC. Paul D. Carter, USA (Ret)., 65, of Milton, died Friday, March 18, 2005, at the VA Medical Center. He was born Nov. 7, 1939, in Milton, to the late Rev. Walter Carl and Amy Janey Carter. He was retired from the U.S. Army. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and received 11 air medals for heroism and gallantry. He was a past commander of the American Legion No. 139, Milton, a member of the V.F.W. No. 9796, Milton, and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Oklahoma. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Marthe J. Domerego Carter, bathers, John, Charles, Jim, Sanford, Broaddus, Ford, Walter Jr. and Sam Carter, sisters, Ann Leonard and Grace Sovine Kenney. Survivors include daughter, Dominique Carter, three granddaughters, Whitney Carter, Brittany Hernandez and Desiray Carter Vance; one step>daughter, Frances (Jorge) Rentas; four stepsons, Jack (Karen) Acuff, James (Betty) Acuff, Michael (Faith) Acuff and Jean Domerego, 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three brothers, Ross, Bruce and Michael Carter, five sisters, Dulcie Morris, Vivian Flowers, Phyllis Chavez, Gloria Woodd and Betty Hendricks; one very special friend, Wilma Tincher; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted at I p.m Tuesday at the Wallace Funeral Home, Milton, by the Rev. Sam Morris.
Edith E. Davis, 87, of Barboursville, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2005. Funeral service were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel, Barboursville, by the Rev. Harry T. Rowe and the Rev. Craig Coster. Burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. She was born March 7, 1918, in Calhoun County, a daughter of the late C.W. and Lucy Bell Trippitt Erlewine. She was a member of the Barboursville Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her husband Lee M. Davis, in 1980, and a baby. She is survived by her daughter, Sally Osburn of Barboursville; two brothers, Lester Erlewine of Florida and Gail Erlewine of Ripley; one grandson James R. Osburn; and one great-grandchild, Shannon Osburn, both of North Carolina. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements.
Paul “Dewey” Gill
Paul “Dewey” Gill, 62 of Salt Rock, WV, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, March 17, 2005, at his home. Funeral services were conducted 2 p.m., Sunday, March 20 at Mount Calvary Church, Salt Rock, with the Rev. Joe Dolen and Pastor Ron Eplin officiating.
Burial at Baylous Cemetery, Salt Rock. He was born in Huntington W.Va, on September 6, 1942, to the late Elmer and Nonie Cardwell Gill. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Lonnie Gill and William “Dede” Gill and five sisters, Mary Nida, Nellie Gill, Ida Paugh, Belva Jobe and Lovie Jobe.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Nancy Adkins Gill; a son and daughter-in-law, Gregory and Jean Gill of Fraziers Bottom, W.Va; two daughters and sons-in-law, Melissa Gill of Barboursville, W.Va, and Patricia and Timothy Lee of Salt Rock, W.Va.; two precious grandchildren, Matthew Lee and Madison Gill who were the light of his life; mother-in-law, Alma Estep of Lavalette, WV. Dewey also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends.
He was a member of the Mount Calvary Church at Salt Rock. He was an employee of Super Valu of Milton, former Chief of the Salt Rock Volunteer Fire Department, a Kentucky Colonel, member of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows and a long time member of the Salt Rock Water Public Service District Board of Directors. Honorary pallbearers were Dale Wagoner, Frank Cart, Howard Gill and Ray Ellis. Pallbearers were Ed Burchett, Buddy Logan, George Swann, Carlos Ball, Verlin Adkins and James Gilkerson. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements. The family would like to request that donations be made to Hospice of Huntington, P.O. Box 464, Huntington, WV 25709.
