OAK HILL — Ruth Shaver Bowyer Eder, 59, died on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, at her home.
Born May 1, 1947, at Morris, she was the daughter of the late Otis and Opal McQueen Shaver.
She attended the Maple Fork Baptist Church, Maple Fork.
Ruth attended Collins High School in Oak Hill and worked at the Hi Point Drive Inn at Bradley when she was a teenager. She was the owner and operator of Ruth’s Wave and Cave on Maple Fork and Classic Cut and Designs of Mount Hope. She also work-ed for Walbrown’s Real Estate in Oak Hill.
Survi-vors include husband, Bobbie Eder; one daughter, Nancy Barley and husband, Bobby, of Maple Fork; two brothers, David Shaver of Page, and Charles Shaver and wife, Rhonda of Hilltop; three sisters, Pauline “Linda” Fridley of Oak Hill, Dorothy Gorby and husband, Randy, of Oak Hill, and Dottie Light and husband, Gary, of Wriston.
She is also survived by her two grandchildren, Aaron Barley and Sydnie Barley both of Maple Fork, and special friends, Glen and Joanie Humphrey of Conway, S.C., and Vickie Bowyer of Cirtsville.
Visitation will be held at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill with the Rev. Robert Barley and the Rev. Sam Vance officiating. Burial will be at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, Oak Hill.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, PO Box 1472, Beckley WV 25802 or Maple Fork Baptist Church, 1288 Maple Fork Road, Mount Hope WV 25880.
Leona H. Gilmore
On Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, Leona H. Gilmore of Beckley, formerly of Sophia and McAlpin, died in a Beckley care center following a long illness. She was in her 95th year.
Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Ramon ‘Ray’ Looney
On Monday, Jan. 8, 2007, Ramon Arden Looney of Redwood Lane, Crab Orchard, died at his home, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 74 years of age.
Known affectionately as “Ray,” Ramon was born on March 25, 1932, at Loo-neyville, the son of the late Mollie Looney Smith and the Rev. J. Herbert Smith of Clover.
Ray spent his childhood at Looneyville, where he was a graduate of Spencer High School, Class of 1949. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served on the U.S. Midway. Following his stint in the Navy, he enrolled at Marshall University, graduating with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. While attending Marshall, he would meet his future wife, Rosanna Riffe of Crab Orchard. They would marry on May 25, 1957. He furthered his studies at the University of Michigan, where he received a Masters in Business Administration.
After completing his college studies, Ray returned to Huntington, where he taught at Marshall for 3 years in the Business Department. He then began a career with the U.S. General Accounting Office in Atlanta, Georgia. While working in Atlanta, Ray, Rosanna and their son, Russell, resided in Stone Mountain, Ga. Retiring in 1992 with 30 years of service, he and Rosanna returned to this area, making their home in Crab Orchard. Ray became an active member of the Crab Orchard Baptist Church, teaching the Friendship Sunday School class, and serving as chairman of the deacons.
On his return to Beckley, Ray began a new career, teaching at Mountain State University in the Business Department. He retired in May of 2006 as chairman of the department.
In his leisure time, he enjoyed landscaping, model trains, playing with his dogs and listening to Christian music.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Charles Walton and Alma Meadows Riffe; brother-in-laws, Carl Riffe and Don Lilly; sister-in-laws, Sandy Smith and Judy Riffe.
In addition to his father, the Rev. Smith, and his beloved wife, Rosanna, he is survived by his dear son, Russell Looney of Nashville, Tenn.; a sister, Louise Ward and her husband, Jim, of Clover; and members of the Riffe family, including Ruth Astle and her husband, David, and Ray Riffe and his wife, Jean, all of Grandview; Mary Ellen Ellifritt and her husband, Maywood, of Gainesville, Fla.; Orpha Loretta Lilly of Columbia, S.C.; Rachel Patton and her husband, Dan, of Columbus, Ohio; Jean Riffe of Dowell, MD; Gene Riffe and his wife, Margaret, of Hague, Va.; Jan Riffe and his wife, Margaret, of Dawson; Don Riffe of Roswell, Ga.; Vivian, Rebecca, Bill, Robert, Butch and Howard Riffe and his wife, Marcella, all of Crab Orchard. Many nieces, ne-phews, former students, friends and co-workers will also remember Ray with deep affection.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the Crab Orchard Baptist Church with the Revs. Phil Shields and Bob Matherly officiating. A eulogy will be offered by brother-in-law, Dan Patton. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley.
Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Melton Mortuary and one hour prior to service at the church on Thursday.
Pallbearers will be Rondal Shrewsbury, Clark Swepston, Eddie Harless, Gene Deck, Pete Graham, Allan Hill, Phil Saunders and Bob Skiles.
Donations of sympathy can be made to the Building Fund of the Crab Orchard Baptist Church, PO Box 446, Crab Orchard, WV 25827 or Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802.
Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Elizabeth Bernath Luke
SCARBRO — Elizabeth Bernath Luke, 88, died Monday, Jan. 8, 2007, at her home.
Born April 15, 1918, at Mount Hope, she was the daughter of the late John and Elizabeth Kovac Bernath.
She was a homemaker. She was a member of the Assemblies of God, Mount Hope.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis L. Luke, on Feb. 28, 2002; three sisters and five brothers.
Survivors include a daughter, Julia Elizabeth Mitchell Perry of Waynesboro, Va.; a son, Louis Edward Luke and wife, Ruth, of Lexington Park, Md.; three sisters, Helen Radford of Beckley, Martha McGoskey of Ra-venswood, and Irene Rader of Baltimore, Md.; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill with the Rev. Carlisle Blomme, the Rev. Hilda Carr Perry and the Rev. Robert Barley officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Friends may call 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802.
Violet Mae Lusk
FANROCK — Violet Mae Lusk, 79, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007, following a long illness.
Born Aug. 29, 1927, in McDowell County, she was the daughter of the late William K. and Asie England Lambert.
Mrs. Lusk was a member of Brenton Baptist Church. She enjoyed listening to gospel music, teaching Sunday school, shopping and being with family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Bob and Ronnie Lambert.
Survi-vors include her loving husband of 59 years, Burbridge Lusk; a son, Ray Lusk and his wife, Dixie, of Fanrock; three daughters, Loretta Lamastus and her husband, Roger, of Mullensville, Linda McGraw and her husband, Tim, of McGraws, and Connie Hall and her husband, Jessie, of Fanrock; four sisters, Faye Lusk of Oceana, Betty Reed and her husband, Richard, of Ohio, Fern Hatfield and her husband, Hershel, of Alderson, and Sue Spratt of Sun Hill; three brothers, Ralph Lambert of Ohio, Dan Lambert and his wife, Joann, of Tennessee, and Eddie Lambert and his wife, Ann, of Brenton; nine grandchildren, Theresa Matics and her husband, Jay, Holly Harmon and her husband, Rick, Brandon Cook and his companion, Brad Legg, Shannon Lusk, Joseph Lusk, Vickie Jenkins, Dustin West, Jeremy Walker and his wife, Amber, and Angie Hatfield and her husband, Randy; and five great-grandchildren, Nyah Matics, Allie Harmon, Dylan Hatfield, Sydney Hatfield and Connor Walker.
Service will be 1 p.m. today at Calfee Funeral Service Chapel, Pineville, with the Rev. Tommy Knotts officiating. Burial will follow in Palm Memorial Gardens, Mathey.
Family will serve as pallbearers.
Friends may call from noon until time of service at the funeral home today.
Calfee Funeral Service of Pineville is serving the Lusk family.
Elaine K. Midkiff
MATOAKA — Elaine K. Midkiff, 53, died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007.
A graveside service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton. Friends and family attending the graveside service are asked to meet at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home, Princeton at 10:45 a.m. Thursday.
Arrangements by Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home, Princeton.
Robert R. Paynter
Robert R. Paynter, born Oct. 18, 1929, in Earling, W.Va., left this world suddenly on Jan. 6, 2007.
He was preceded in death by his father, Creed Paynter; mother, Edith Johnson Travis; and brother, Charles Paynter.
He leaves behind a wife, Bertha and a host of family, including four sons of Gahanna, Rick, Mark (Tina), Robert (Jan) and Tim (Joni) Paynter; two daughters, Cindy Paynter at home, and Tammy (Richard) Lilly of Columbus, Ohio; two brothers, Ron (Denise) Canady of Columbus, and Don (Barbara) Kennedy of Lancaster, Ohio; 12 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, Greta Paynter, beloved mother of his children, along with a host of nieces, nephews and other family.
He attended Columbus Baptist Temple. Retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1974 after serving over 20 years in service to his country. Retired from U.S. Postal Service in 1990. He dedicated his later years in helping to care for his special needs daughter, Cindy.
Friends may call at Southwick-Good & Fortkamp Funeral Chapel, 3100 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio, today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., where service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday with the Rev. Paul Gabriel officiating.
Graveside service and interment will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny.
Contributions if desired may be made to Franklin County Board of MRDD, 2879 Johnstown Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43219 or Cerebral Palsy, 4550 Indianola Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43214.
Arrangements by Southwick-Good & Fortkamp Funeral Chapel, Columbus.
Billy R. Short Jr.
Billy R. Short Jr., 54, of Beckley died Sunday, Jan 7, 2007.
Born June 17, 1952, in Warren Ohio, he was the son of Billy Short Sr. and Clarice Qualls Short.
He was a Vietnam Era veteran and a plumber. He enjoyed the outdoors, hun-ting, fishing and Nascar.
Billy was preceded in death by his sister, Drema Short Bowman; and infant sister, Tammy.
Those left to cherish his memory, in addition to his parents, are a daughter, Holly Short, of South Carolina, a brother, Victor Short, of Beckley, with whom he resided, sisters Jackie Short of Cleveland, N.C., and Mary Canaday and husband, Dennis, of Beckley. Also missing his presence are many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
In keeping with his wishes, Mr. Short was cremated and there will be no service.
The family may be contacted at the home of his parents.
.
Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley.
Betty J. Phalen Sims
Betty J. Phalen Sims, 80, formerly of Oak Hill, passed away at her home in Fayetteville Monday, Jan. 8. 2007.
Born Aug. 7, 1926, at Cannelton, she was the daughter of the late Clarence Phalen and Della Butler Phalen.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, William A. (Bill) Sims Sr. on Sept. 12, 1990; her son, William A. (Billy) Sims Jr. on May 31, 1996, and her brother, Clarence (Bugs) Phalen Jr. on Dec., 30, 2006.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Saundra Sims Tucker and husband, Robert, of Oak Hill and Yvonne Sims, formerly of Oak Hill and her fiancée, Lonnie L. Hoover, of Mount Nebo; sisters, Gloria Pruitt and husband, William (Bill) Pruitt, of Florida and Julia Bernosky of Ceredo; a son, Jeff Cox and wife, Robin, of South Charleston; her companion, Al Burgess of Dunbar and special friend and caregiver, Carol Arrington; six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Service wiill be 3 p.m. Thursday at High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kenny Toler and the Rev. Robert Isaac officiating. Entombment will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until time of the service Thursday at the funeral home, the family would like to give special thanks to Hospice of Southern West Virginia and Ellen Treadway for all their love support and help.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Southern West Virignia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802.
Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.
James Z. Smith
OAK HILL — James Z. Smith, 80, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, at Plateau Medical Center.
Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, 1435 E. Main St., Oak Hill.
Linda Lousie Cook Stonestreet
KINCAID — Linda Lousie Cook Stonestreet, 61, died on Monday, Jan. 8, 2007, at her home, after a short battle with cancer.
Born Feb. 8, 1945, in Staten Island, N.Y., and raised at Gretna, La., she was the daughter of the late Winford and Mary Louise Matthews Cook.
Ms. Stonestreet was a former employee of Heilig-Meyer, Ames and Big Lots.
She was a member of the Mountaineer Cruisers Car Club. Linda was an avid bingo player, fisherperson, lottery player and video game player. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Louise and Warren Matthews and her paternal grandparents, Euphrisa and Michael Cook.
Survivors include her companion of 25 years, Robert V. Vickers; two sons, Randy Wade Stonestreet of Kincaid and Robert Earl Stonestreet and wife, Mary, of Laurel Creek; three daughters, Wanda Johnston and husband, Johnny, of Kincaid, Cindy Williams and husband, Fabian, of Beckley and Tina Goodson and husband, Sam, of Kaymoor; her much-loved sister, Patsy Rogers, her husband, Joe, and their children of Louisville, Ky.; four stepsons; nineteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Ms. Stonestreet was cremated. There will be no visitation or service.
