MULBERRY, Ind. — Dr. Kenneth Lowell Swank, 83, died at 3:58 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2006, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Lafayette, Ind.
He was born Nov. 27, 1922, in a small farm house near Frankford, Ind., to Harold and Ethel (Mil-ler) Swank.
Kenneth graduated valedictorian from Jefferson High School in 1940, worked in a local bank, then joined the U.S. Army during World War II, where he received his call to the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Swank was a graduate of Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal, Mo., William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., and Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas City, Mo.
Over the course of his 50-plus years in ministry, Dr. Swank had pastorates in Missouri, Kansas, Indiana and West Virginia. He retired in 1985 after more than 23 years at the helm of the second largest American Baptist congregation in the state of West Virginia. While in West Virginia, Dr. Swank was instrumental in establishing a consortium to bring needed doctors and other health care professionals to Appalachia. The American Red Cross building in Beckley was named the Dr. Kenneth L. Swank Building. His pastoral office was converted to the Dr. Kenneth L. Swank prayer room at the Beckley church. A memorial bench was named for him at Woodrow Wilson High School.
Following his retirement, Dr. Swank pursued a lifelong dram by going into mission work, teaching over a three-year period in Bangkok and other communities in Thailand.
Dr. Swank is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lucille (Goode) Swank, whom he married in 2942; his daughter, Lucinda (husband James) Hughes; his son, Dwayne (wife Marion) Swank; his three grandchildren, Angela Clements, Rich Hughes and Scott Swank; and six great-grandchildren.
Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Bodine Funeral Home, Mulberry, with Pastor Chuck Williams officiating. Burial with military rites will follow in Fair Haven cemetery, Mulberry.
Friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be designated to First Baptist Church, 301 S. Columbia St., Frankfort, IN 46041.
Arrangements by Bodine Funeral Home, Mulberry, Ind.
Bertha M. Smith Brooks
MARIANNA — Bertha M. Smith Brooks, 49, passed away Sunday, June 25, 2006, at Welch Community Hospital following a sudden illness.
Born Nov. 30, 1956, at Welch Community Hospital, she was the daughter of the late John A. Smith of Mohegan and Beulah M. Smith Compton of Welch.
Mrs. Brooks was of the Pentecostal faith and was a member of Indian Creek Community Church.
In addition to her father, her stepfather, Guy H. Compton, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Benny and Faye Brooks of Marianna, preceded her in death.
Survivors include her mother, Beulah Compton of Welch; her husband of 31 years, Jack Brooks; a daughter, Jackie Powers and her husband, David, of Marianna; two sons, Benny Brooks of Marianna and Roger Compton and his wife, Lora, of Welch; two grandchildren, David “Munch” Powers and MacKenzie “Lulu” Powers of Marianna; two brothers, Ralph Smith and his wife, Evelyn, of Welch-Pineville Road and Eugene Smith and his wife, Brenda, of Welch; and a sister, Kim Smith Hurt and her husband, Richard, of Wilco.
Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Evans Memorial Chapel, Oceana, with the Rev. Herb Cook and the Rev. Tommy Knotts officiating. Burial will follow in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny.
Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Brothers-in-law will serve as pallbearers.
Evans Funeral Home, Oceana, is serving the Brooks family.
Lillian Carper
Lillian Carper, 91, of Grandview, died Wednesday, June 28, 2006, in Maryland following an extended illness.
Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Grace Elmore
FAYETTEVILLE — Grace Elmore, 89, passed away Tuesday, June 27, 2006, at Plateau Medical Center, Oak Hill.
She was the daughter of the late Harrison and Ora Nottingham.
Mrs. Elmore was a 63-year resident of Fayetteville and a 61-year charter member of Fayetteville First Church of God. She was a Sunday school teacher for many years at both Fayetteville First Church of God and earlier at Oak Hill Gospel Tabernacle.
She was preceded in death by her husband, P.L. “Pearlie” Lee Elmore, on July 17, 1975; a daughter, Betty Grace Spangler; a son, Grant D. Elmore; two grandsons, Brent Parsons and Mark Elmore; son-in-law, Larry B. Parsons; great-granddaughter; Hannah Parsons; three brothers, Shirley, Kelly and Leonard; and two sisters, Cynthia and Jean.
She is survived by her son, Donald L. Elmore and wife, Sally, a daughter, Joan L. Parsons, and son-in-law, Frank Spangler Jr., all of Fayetteville; seven grandchildren, Debbie Elmore, Stacy White and husband, Bryan, Bryan Parsons and wife, Betsy, Bruce Parsons and wife, Retha, Joni Bible and husband, Blake, Tammy Pittman and husband, Jackie, and Whitney Finch and husband, David; eight great-grandchildren, Tristan and Brandin White, Jessica, Addison and David Parsons, Brittney Parsons, and Willie and Cassie Beth Spangler; two sisters, Dot Snyder of Columbus, Ohio, and Lucy Canterbury of Oak Hill; and a brother, Dolby Nottingham and wife, Virginia, of Pennsylvania.
Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Huse Memorial Park, Fayetteville, with her grandson-in-law, the Rev. Jackie Pittman, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that a donation be made in her memory to Fayetteville First Church of God through Michael Parsons or Gatewood Church of God through Tammy Pittman.
Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville, is in charge of arrangements.
Jerry Lynn Bailey
NEWBERRY, S.C. — Jerry Lynn Bailey, 51, died Friday, July 14, 2006.
Jerry was born in Mullens, and was the son of the late Sidney James and Beulah Virginia Bailey Bailey.
Surviving are children, David Bailey and Rachael Turner; a granddaughter; siblings, Donna Cozart, Linda Riddle, Carolyn Thompson, Kathy Fruia, Carolos Bailey, Bobby Bailey and Hillie Bailey.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. today at McSwain-Evans Funeral Chapel of Newberry, S.C. (803) 276-0610.
Memorials may be made to the Jerry Bailey Memorial Fund, 1724 Main St., Newberry, S.C. 29108.
Arrangements by McSwain-Evans Funeral Chapel, Newberry.
Virginia Hurley Burgess
Virginia Hurley Burgess, of Crab Orchard, formerly a resident of Glen Fork for 31 years, and a former resident of 116 Brown’s St. in Beckley, departed this life, Monday, July 17, 2006, at the age of 88 years, 11 months and 12 days, at her residence following a long illness.
Born Aug. 5, 1917, in Pikeville, Ky., she was the daughter of the late James C. and Mary Ford Hurley.
Mrs. Burgess was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Jack Burgess; a son, James H. Burgess; a grandson, Thomas J. Day; a brother, Marvin Hurley; and a sister, Grathel Hornsby.
Those left to cherish her memory are a son, Jack D. Burgess and his wife, Sue, of Staunton, Va.; three daughters, Irene Boyd and her companion, Del Day, of Crab Orchard, Brenda Haga of Titusville, Fla., and Bonnie Burgess of Elkin, N.C.; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren, and a host of friends.
Special Thank You to Hospice of Southern WV and her special caregivers, Cindy McLean, Olla Alexander and Linda Park, all of Elkin, N.C., and Betty McClanahan of Beckley.
A celebration of Mrs. Burgess’ life will be 1 p.m. Thursday, July 20, 2006, at the Adam Toler Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Gene Reid officiating. Burial will follow in the Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny.
Family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until time of the service Thursday at the funeral home.
Casketbearers will be family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations of sympathy be made to Hospice of Southern WV, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25801-1472.
Services entrusted to Adam Toler Memorial Funeral Home, Oceana.
Elder Emery Lacy Cadle
CRAIGSVILLE — Elder Emery Lacy Cadle, 90, died July 16, 2006.
Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Zion’s Rest Primitive Baptist Church, Craigsville.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the church.
Arrangements by Simons-Coleman Funeral Home, Richwood.
Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Wallace Memorial Mausoleum, Clintonville.
Submitted by Walalce & Wallace Funeral Home, Lewisburg.
Pamela Ann Farley
Pamela Ann Farley, 53, of Dorothy, died Sunday, July 16, 2006, at her residence.
Born May 13, 1953, at Dorothy, she was the daughter of the late David Bruce and Gladys Perry White.
Mrs. Farley was a cook.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Melody Hyslacker and two brothers, Don and Danny White.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, April Dawn Farley of Dorothy; a son, Kevin Michael Farley and wife, Andrieana of Lincoln Park, Mich.; two loving grandsons, Chase Michael Farley and Ty Michael Farley; three brothers, Dale White and wife, Marilyn of Old Fields, Tommy White and John David White and wife, Minnie, of Virginia. Pamela also has many friends that will miss her deeply and special friends, Darrell and Brenda Duncan.
Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Valley Funeral Home, Whitesville, with Mr. Scottie Stanley officiating. Burial will follow in Estep cemetery, Ameagle.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Valley Funeral Home, Whitesville.
Patricia Darene Gray
Patricia Darene Gray, age 62, of 369 Ryan St., Beckley, died Monday, July 17, 2006, at the Pinecrest Hospital following a long illness.
Born in Raleigh County on April 24, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Cleadith and Lodema Fix Martin.
Mrs. Gray was a homemaker and an evangelist, and was a member of the Jesus Name Church.
She was preceded in death by a son, Jamie G. Gunter; and a sister, Margaret Cheek.
Surviving are her husband, James Gray; three sons, Wesley C. Martin and wife, Rhonda of Cool Ridge, Billy G. Gunter Jr. and wife, Teresa, of Cool Ridge, and Patrick L. Gunter and wife, Lisa, of Cool Ridge; a daughter, Darlene Michele Radford of Sophia; three brothers, Jim Martin of Charleston, Bob Martin of Beckley, and Randall Martin of Beckley; two sisters, Bessie Martin of Beckley, and Leska Harvey of Cool Ridge; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley with Evangelist Mark Walker Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Family members will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the family.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
Mark Avery Hurtte
Mark Avery Hurtte, 18, of 408 Orchard Ave., Beckley, died 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 14, 2006, at Raleigh General Hospital.
Born May 29, 1988, at Beckley, he was the son of Mark Anthony Hurtte of Orchard Ave., Beckley, and Andrea Jeanne Shannon of 409 Hartley Ave., Beckley.
Mark was a student and attended Word of Truth Church of God in Christ. He was a member of the YMCA where he played basketball, he liked singing and dancing and was outgoing and loved by family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandmother, Mary Francis Scruggs; maternal grandmother, Linda Ann Shannon; paternal grandparents, Lee and Flora Hurtte; paternal great-grandparents, John and Laura Traynham.
Besides his parents, other survivors include two brothers, Micheal Anthony Hurtte of Beckley, and Ryan Anthony Hurtte of Appleton, Wis.; a step brother, Anthony Johnson of Beckley; two sisters, Alexandria Nicole “Missy” Hurtte of Beckley, and Cherice Lenore Hardy of Beckley; grandparents, Bernard and Barbara Hurtte of Beckley; grandfather, Edward Pittman of Beckley; special friend, Whitney Spardling of Beckley; a host of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and other relatives and friends.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley, with the Rev. David Allen and Pastor Sandra Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.
Friends may call two hours before the service on Saturday at the funeral parlor.
Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.
