OAK GROVE, Va. — Steven Breck Amick, 53, of Oak Grove, died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006, at his home following a long, courageous battle with cancer.
Born Sept. 11, 1952, at Oakland, Calif., he was the son of Carl and Loretta Thurmon Amick of Nimitz.
Upon graduation from West Virginia Institute of Technology in 1974, Mr. Amick served at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Va., for 31 years as an electrical engineer. He was an avid fisherman and an active member of the Dahlgren Yacht Club.
Besides his parents, he is survived by two brothers, Richard Amick of King George, Va., and Gene Amick and his wife, Janet, of Nimitz; a sister, Ronda Bachar and her husband, Doug, of Morgantown; four nieces, Sarah Amick, Rachel Amick, Amanda Bachar and Cheryl Bachar; and two nephews, Jacob Amick and Jared Amick.
Service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Bluestone Baptist Church, Jumping Branch, with Pastor Bill Fox officiating.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors, Hinton.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Mary Washington Home Health and Hospice, 5012 Southpoint Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22407.
Arrangements by Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors, Hinton.
Billiejean Martha Ayers
RAINELLE — Billiejean Martha Ayers, 51, of Rainelle, passed away Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006, at her home.
Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle.
Samuel Coy Brakefield
Samuel Coy Brakefield, 82, of Princewick, passed away Friday, Feb. 3, 2006, at a Beckley area hospital following a long illness.
Born Nov. 23, 1923, at Stonega, Va., he was the son of the late Dee and Carrie Rock Brakefield.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill Brakefield and Ross Brakefield; and an infant sister.
Coy accepted Jesus as his Savior and was of the Baptist faith. He was a graduate of Stoco High School at Lego and Beckley College.
He served in the United States Navy as a radar man aboard the USS Strong in the Pacific during World War II. He received the Purple Heart for his injuries received when the Strong was sunk in the Kuala Gulf on July 5, 1943.
He also served for three years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Gearing in the Mediterranean during the Korean Conflict. Following his discharge from the military, he was employed by Westmoreland Coal Co. at East Gulf and retired in 1982 with 40 years of service. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed life to the fullest.
Coy’s memberships included being a 50-year member of Coal City Masonic Lodge No. 156, member of the 32nd Degree Scottish Rites, Beni Kedem Shriners of Charleston, life member of the Sophia Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart life member, Disabled Veterans of Beckley life member, the American Legion, the USS Gearing DD710 Association, the USS Strong DD467 Association, the United Mine Workers of America, the Navy League of the United States and the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mable Vencill Brakefield; two daughters, Rita D. and husband, Frank McAlpine, and Vicky E. and husband, Bill Bolen, all of Prince-wick; granddaughter, Kelly and husband, Robert Stone, and their daughter, Jessica, all of Fairdale; grandson, Frankie McAlpine and wife, Tanjya, and their daughter, Emma Grace, all of Hampton, Va.; granddaughter, Stephanie and husband, Frank Cafego, and their children, Stacy, Samantha, Tyler and Zachary, all of Vienna; grandson, Samuel Edward Winston of Coal City; three brothers, John of Coal City, James of Sebring, Fla., and Thomas of Griffen, Ga.; and two sisters, Orlean Corbitt of Warrior, Ala., and Carrie Glover of Douglasville, Ga.
Service will be 3 p.m. Monday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with Pastor Melvin Jamison officiating. VFW and Masonic rites and burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Friends may gather with the family 6 to 9 p.m. today and 1 p.m. until time of service Monday at the funeral home.
Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements.
Eloise Blume
VICTOR — Eloise Blume, 78, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2006, at Plateau Medical Center, following a long illness.
She was past employee of Hawks Nest State Park and Masseys Truck Stop. She was a wonderful mother and homemaker.
Eloise was born Nov. 6, 1927, in Fayette County, she was the daughter of the late Nile Tommy Willis and Ester Forsythe Willis.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Raymond Bays Sr. and Raymond Blume; a son, Gerald Bays on Feb. 1, 2000; a sister, Wanda Gail Blume of Parsons, and a half brother, Junior Willis of Cleveland, Ohio.
Survivors are a daughter, Sharon Banks and Mark of Prince George, Va.; three sons, Raymond G. Bays Jr. and Barbara of Victor, Richard L. Bays of Victor, and David Blume and Diane of Victor; a half sister, Jeannie Brickell of Fayetteville; a sister, Faye Ewings of White Sulphur Springs; a sister-in-law, Linda Blume of Middletown, Ohio; brothers, Bob Willis and Jean of Victor, Paige Willis and Jean of Clay; brothers-in-law, Forrest Blume of Parsons and Richard Blume of Middletown, Ohio; grandchildren, Mitzy Nuggent, Samantha Blume and Steven Blume; and great-grandchildren, Jordan and Andrew Nuggent.
Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home Chapel in Ansted, with Pastor Mason Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill.
Friends may call 7 to 9 p.m. today at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home Chapel, Ansted.
Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace, Ansted.
Joe Bolla Jr.
Joe Bolla Jr., 72, of Prescott, Ariz., formerly of Beckley, departed this life on April 4, 2006, at his home.
He was born March 11, 1934, at Glen Morgan, WV. He was preceded in death by his parents, the late Joseph Bolla and Wilma Bolla, and his first wife, Barbara.
Survivors include his wife, Laverne; daughter, Theresa Ann Cosby, and grandchildren, Tyler, Conner and Sydney, of Cincinnati, Ohio; step son, Gordon Banks and step grandson, Zachary of Phoenix, Ariz.; and his step son, Tommy Banks of Prescott, Ariz.
A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 13, 2006, at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Mr. Don Wise officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry, Beckley.
Rita Irene Elkins Bragg
BASSETT, Va. — Rita Irene Elkins Bragg, 89, of 735 Heatherview Dr., formerly of Oceana, W.Va., died Sunday, April 9, 2006, at her home.
Born Aug. 27, 1916, in Wyoming County, WV, a daughter of the late Dennis Elkins and Corby Barbour Elkins.
Mrs. Bragg was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Bragg; a daughter, Patsy Sexton; four sisters, Ruth Bailey, Callie Lambert, Millie Smith and Myrtle Johnson; and two brothers, Huebert Elkins and Ott Elkins.
Survivors include four daughters, Kimberly Bragg Lafferty of Bassett, Va., Carol Slatton and Barbara Crouse, both of West Virginia, and Judy Lowe of North Carolina; six sons, Eddie Bragg, Danny Bragg, Dickie Bragg, Freddy Bragg, and Jimmy Bragg, all of West Virginia, and Acy Bragg of Missouri; two brothers, Raymond Elkins of Tennessee, and Ulvert Elkins of West Virginia; 30 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at the Norris Funeral Services Chapel in Martinsville, Va. with the Rev. Charles Harrison officiating.
Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Norris Funeral Services, Inc. and Crematory, Martinsville, Va., is serving the Bragg family.
Flossie Mae Frye
Flossie Mae Frye, age 92, of Beckley, died Sunday, April 9, 2006, in a local hospital after a short illness.
Born May 17, 1913, at Saxon, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Lewis Newsom and Emily Jane Hendrix Webb.
Mrs. Frye was a nurse at Raleigh General Hospital for 20 years, was a member of Cranberry Baptist Church and was a lifelong resident of Beckley.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Frye; by her two sons, Charles and Gary Frye and a step daughter, Cecelia Darvey.
Survivors include two daughters-in-law, Nina Frye of Cool Ridge, and Ronetta Frye of Glen Daniel; step daughter, Virginia Farley and her husband, Hubert of Beckley; granddaughters, Dr. Angela F. Keaton and her husband, Kevin of Knoxville, Tenn., and Monica D. Akers and her husband, Gaylon of Athens, W.Va.; grandson, Charles W. Frye and his wife, Karen of Shady Spring; and great-grandchildren, Jason, Brandon and Coty Frye and Breanna Dillon.
Services will be 4 p.m. Wednesday at Calfee Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with Pastor Roger Pauley officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.
Friends may call one hour before the service Wednesday at the funeral home.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.
Dowl George Gibson
Dowl George Gibson, age 77, of Beckley, formerly of Oceana, went to be with the Lord on April 9, 2006, at his home, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Dowl was born at Lorado, W.Va., a son of the late Samuel and Rhoda Gibson. He was preceded in death by an infant granddaughter, Julie; four sisters, Freda Sampson, Ruby Bailey, Callie Altherr, and Delphia Nicewonder; and four brothers, Carl, James, Dillard, and Denny.
Dowl is survived by his wife of 57 years, Leona. He is survived by four children, James Dowl (Jimmy) and wife, Debra, Timothy Dale (Timmy) and wife, Sherri, Angela Steffey and husband, Barry, all of Oceana, and Sandra Hess and husband, Paul, of Summersville. Dowl is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Shelley Zacek and husband, David of Wilmington, N.C., Amy Price and husband, David of Kopperston, James of Wilmington, N.C., Sara of Oceana, Samuel Hess and wife, Erin of Fayetteville, N.C., John Hess and wife, Kate of Endwell, N.Y., Adam, Stuart, and Maxwell Gibson, of Oceana, and Cassie and Austin Steffey of Oceana. Dowl is also survived by four great-grandsons, David and Nicholas Zacek and Benjamin and Isaac Price; a great-granddaughter, Baby Anna Hess; and several special nieces and nephews. Dowl is survived by two sisters, Esther Baker and Delma of Jackson, Ohio. He leaves behind a host of special friends and his little dog, Buddy.
A former member of the Oceana Freewill Baptist Church for 47 years, Dowl was a member of the Cranberry Baptist Church of Beckley for the last 11 years, where he was an honorary usher, a service he loved to perform. A coal miner for 28 years, Dowl was retired from Eastern Associated Coal, Local Union 7604. Dowl enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends. He was well loved by all who knew him. He will be forever missed.
A celebration of his going home to glory will be held at the Oceana Freewill Baptist Church in Oceana at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, with Pastors Roger Pauley and Jackie Grimmett officiating.
Friends may visit from 5 to 9 p.m. at the church today and one hour before the service on Wednesday.
Casketbearers will be his grandsons, nephews, Andrew Mazon. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeffrey and Earl Pritchard Jr.
Burial will follow in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny.
Donations of sympathy may be made to Hospice of Southern WV, P.O. Box 1472, Cranberry Dr., Beckley, WV 25801.
The family is being served by Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco.
Norma Jean Kelly
COVEL – Norma Jean Kelly, 62, of Covel, died Sunday, April 9, 2006 at her home.
Born January 9, 1944 at Crane Creek, she was the daughter of the late Wade Holland McBride and Edith B. Bennett McBride.
Mrs. Kelly was a member of the Covel Missionary Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and enjoyed spending time with her family. She enjoyed the outdoors and camping at the river.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Virginia Mae Miller.
Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Howard Kelly; one daughter, Lavena Jean Lusk and her husband Mark of Lake Bottom; two sons, James Wade Kelly and his wife Debra of Itmann and Howard Eugene Kelly, Jr. and his wife Tammy of Roanoke, VA; one brother, Wade McBride and his wife Rita Susan of Covel; one sister, Betty Louise Webster and her husband Joe of Moorefield; six grandchildren, Tiffany Weaver and her husband Curtis, Mallory Johnston and her husband Jordan, Sarah Lusk, Ashleigh Kelly, Kayla Kelly and Joshua Kelly; and two great-grandchildren, Bryce Weaver and Kaiden Weaver.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with the Revs. Hugh McKinney, Gilbert Dodson and Jimmy Cecil officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell.
Serving as pallbearers will be Bobby McClaugherty, Pee Wee Hunter, Steve Kelly, Bryan Lusk, Russell McBride, Pete McBride, Wade McBride, Joey Kelly, Robin Miller and Scott Kelly.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton.
Arrangements by Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home, Princeton.
Susan ‘Nana’ Lester
SMITHVILLE, Tenn. — Susan “Nana” Lester, 63, formerly of the Hanover area, died Saturday, April 8, 2006.
Mrs. Lester was a life-long member of Sprattsville Freewill Baptist Church.
She was a beloved and devoted wife of 43 years, mother of four, and grandmother of three. “Nana” lived and served with unfailing love for God and her family. She died at home surrounded by her family after a long battle with chronic lung disease.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Frieda Renee’; mother, Essie; father, Tollison; sisters, Gladys and Eunice; and brothers, Jim, Jana, and Robert.
Survived by husband, Earl E. Lester, children, Karen Christian, John (Samantha) Lester, and Aaron (Karen) Lester. Grandchildren, Susan Walls and Nick and Cassi Lester, sisters, Josephine Musick, Sharon Lester, Maxine Maynor and Marceline Maynor and brother, Preston Morgan. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at Sprattsville Freewill Baptist Church, Gilbert, WV, by Rev. Wayne Runyon and Rev. Mike Browning. Interment Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny.
Friends may call 6 to 10 p.m. today at the church.
