Allen Wheeler Brown, 59, of Beckley, formerly of Hinton, passed away Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at the VA Medical Center, Beckley.
Services entrusted to Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.
Ashton Burruss
STAFFORD, Va. — Ashton Norman Burruss, 89, of Stafford County, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, at Woodmont Health Care Center after a brief illness.
Ashton was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and a member of UMWA Local 7086.
He is survived by his loving wife, Annabelle Stover Burruss; a son, James Burruss; five daughters, Anna Lee McLaughlin, Jeanette Merritt, Joyce Lilly, Diana King and Patricia Cleveland; a sister, Bertha Burch; 11 grandchildren, Vanessa Dumrauf, Judy Long, Larry Keith Merritt, Garry Merritt, Amy Merritt Bishop, Sabrina Heasley, Rusty Lilly, Chris Burruss, Patrick King, David Cleveland and Jimmy Cleveland; and 22 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Littleton Burruss and Bertha Meeks Burruss; eight brothers, George, Leo, Ray, Fred, John, Archie, Tom and Bill Burruss; two sisters, Etta Slachter and Catherine Lacy; and a granddaughter, Kimberly Merritt.
Service will be 1 p.m. today at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, Stafford, with the Rev. Hank McCaslin officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Grace United Methodist Church, 13056 Elk Ridge Road, Hartwood, VA 22406.
Lexie Lee Cox
Lexie Lee Cox, 90, of Beckley, died at 3:25 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at the Beckley VA Medical Center following a long illness.
Born at Blue Jay on Aug. 29, 1916, he was the son of the late Lonnie Cox and Sally Carter Pennington Cox.
Mr. Cox was a retired employee of the Beckley VA Medical Center in the Housekeeping Department. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was of the Baptist faith.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Oather Cox and Ray “Pat” Pennington.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Lura Wood Cox; a daughter, Linda Cox Bowling Lester of Beckley; grandchildren, Lura Bowling Johnson, Timothy Bowling and wife, Sabrina, Lisa Lester and Christy Lester Elmore and husband, Anthony; great-grandchildren, Faith Bowling and Steffanie Bowling; stepgreat-grandchild, Ben Boland; a brother, Joe Cox and wife, Lena, of Coal City; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Service will be noon Saturday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Ronald Adkins officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
June C. Craft
KILMARNOCK, Va. — June Coleman Craft, 81, of Kilmarnock, formerly of Wyoming County, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006.
She was a graduate of Concord College, Athens. Mrs. Craft was a retired school teacher, having taught in Wyoming County public schools.
Surviving are her husband of 67 years, Willard Lee Craft; a son and daughter-in-law, Ralph E. and Eileen Craft of Kilmarnock; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, two sisters, two brothers and sisters-in-law and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara Craft.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at Currie Funeral Home, Kilmarnock. Interment will follow at Woodlawn cemetery, Kilmarnock.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kilmarnock-Lancaster Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 333, Kilmarnock, Va. 22482.
Arrangements by Currie Funeral Home, Kilmarnock.
Ralph Walter DeGroff
LEWISBURG — Ralph Walter DeGroff, 87, of Lewisburg, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley following a long illness.
Born Oct. 4, 1919, in Burlington, Vt., he was a son of the late Fred and Florence Swan DeGroff.
He was a resident of Lewisburg for 12 years, was of the Seventh Day Adventist faith and was a preacher. Ralph was a very loving and caring father who put all other first. He witnessed to so many. It would be like counting the stars in Heaven. He will be missed beyond words. We love you! Maria James, James Jr. and Matthew 2006.
Survivors include his daughters, Karleana M. DeGroff, Jessie A. DeGroff, Ginny M. DeGroff and Maria Evol DeGroff Burr and husband and dear friend to Ralph, James R. Burr; his sons, Ralph D. DeGroff, Marion J. DeGroff and Nicole J. DeGroff; a loving partner and friend, Marsha Weaver; a sister, Lee Omens of Swanton, Vt.; a brother, Carl DeGroff of Swanton, Vt.; grandchildren, sons of Maria and James Burr, James Riley Burr and Matthew Robert Burr, and sons of Ralph DeGroff Jr., Ralph and Robert DeGroff.
Private graveside service will be Saturday at House of Burr Farms in Monroe County with Mr. Charlie Gallamore officiating.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Lewisburg.
Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Lewisburg, is in charge of arrangements.
Josephine Dixon
OCEANA — Josephine Beavers Dixon, 89, of Oceana, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, following a long illness.
Born Jan. 2, 1917, at Big Sandy, she was the daughter of the late Theodore H. Beavers and Tilley Whitely Beavers.
Mrs. Dixon was a member of Turkey Ridge Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening and being with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard L. “John” Dixon; eight brothers and sisters; and a grandchild, James “Anthony” Dixon.
Survivors include her three sons, Charles “Dudney” Dixon and his wife, Pat, of Sabine, Howard “Fillmore” Dixon of Oceana and Ballard Dixon and his wife, Wilhelmina, of Oceana; two daughters, Judy L. Francis and her husband, Sam, of Glen Fork and Mary J. Ellison and her husband, Frank, of Pineville; two half sisters, Reba Jo Williams of Princeton and Ruth Ann Williams of Alabama; 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
Service will be 2 p.m. today at Evans Memorial Chapel, Oceana, with the Rev. Johnny Jones officiating. Entombment will follow in Palm Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Matheny.
Friends may call 1 p.m. until time of service today at the funeral home.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Evans Funeral Home, Ocena, is serving the Dixon family.
Dennie Lee Hill
CHARLESTON — In loving memory of Dennie Lee Hill, 81, of Charleston, formerly of Madison, who went to be with his Heavenly family on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006.
Dennie Lee Hill was born Oct. 8, 1925, in Seth, Boone County, son of the late Dennie Edison Hill and Gertrude Hill, and stepson of the late Robert Ferrell.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Elaine Hadveck Hill; a brother, Roy Hill; and two stepbrothers Bob Ferrell and William Ferrell.
Dennie served in the United States Navy and was a graduate of West Virginia University. He was a prominent businessman in Madison, starting the Ferrell & Hill Insurance Agency with his stepfather and developing real estate throughout West Virginia. He served many years on the Board of Directors of Boone National Bank and Key Centurian Bank. He served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from Boone County for 12 years from 1957 to 1970 and was a 57-year member of the O’Dell Lodge No. 115 in Madison. Dennie’s life exemplified Christian principles. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Danville, then the Madison Baptist Church. Before his death, he attended Charleston Baptist Temple and was also a member of First Presbyterian Church of Haines City, Fla.
Survivors include his loving wife, Judy; and two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert Edison and Nancy Hill of Charleston and David and Dremea Hill of Madison. He is also survived by grandchildren to whom he was devoted, Helen Elaine Strauss of New York City, Katherine Hill Calloway and husband, Jason, of Asheville, N.C., Dr. David Lee Hill of Chapel Hill, N.C., Nicholas Brannon Hill of Morgantown and Woodrow Hill and wife, Kelli, of Charleston; and three great-grandchildren, Isabella, Wesley and Lila Hill. In addition, he is survived by his sister Helen Ferrell of Madison, and a stepsister Terressa Brock of Pensacola, Fla.; and many loving nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law.
The family wishes to gratefully thank the care givers for Dennie, including Karla Muncy, Patricia Bragg, Regina Green, Annette Griffy, Susan Paitsel, Penny Adkins and Kathryn Lambert. The family also wishes to thank Dr. Melvin Vidal and his staff for their advice, patience and kindness throughout Dennie’s final days.
Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at Handley Funeral Home, Danville, with the Rev. John Barker officiating. Burial will follow in Boone Memorial Park, Madison.
Friends may visit 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
The family suggests that donations be made to the Kanawha Hospice Care, 1143 Dunbar Ave., Dunbar, WV 25064 or Charleston Baptist Temple, 209 Morris St., Charleston, WV 25301.
Haleigh Mae Hinkle
GLEN JEAN — Haleigh Mae Hinkle, 1-month-old infant daughter of Buster K. Hinkle and Jenna L. Thompson of Glen Jean, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.
She was preceded in death by her paternal great-grandfather, Rick Smith; and maternal great-grandparents, Carl E. Dick and Lorraine Dick.
Additional survivors include her twin sister, Hannah Elizabeth Hinkle; paternal grandparents, Cindy Mae Hinkle of Glen Jean and Keith Wykle of Mount Hope; maternal grandparents, Sandra Kay Thompson of Hilltop and Riley M. Thompson of Tennessee; paternal great-grandparents, Darrell Hinkle, Margie Hinkle and Patty Smith; maternal great-grandmother, Wanda Thompson; and aunts and uncles, Josh Hinkle, Patrick Hinkle, Malena Thompson and William Smith, Jr.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope, with the Rev. Joan Terry officiating. Burial will be at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, Oak Hill.
Friends may call one hour before service at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be William Smith Jr., Darrell Hinkle, Billy Hinkle and Roger Hinkle.
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.
Chris O. Hinte Jr.
MOUNT HOPE — Chris O. Hinte Jr., 89, of Mount Hope, passed away Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at his residence following a long illness.
Born May 24, 1917, at Sun, he was the son of the late Chris and Dorothy Holstein Hinte Sr.
Mr. Hinte was a retired coal miner. He was a member of Kilsyth Freewill Baptist Church, UMWA, and was also a member of the United Masonary Union.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie Edna Meddings Hinte; and his son, Kenneth Lee.
Survivors include two daughters, Christine Woolwine and husband, Lowe, of Price Hill and Mary Ellen Bowling of Bradley; three brothers, Eugene Hinte of Kilsyth, Arnold Hinte of Cleveland, Ohio, and Donald Hinte of Pomeroy, Ohio; a sister, Margie Cimala of Beckley; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Service will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope, with the Rev. Robert Barley officiating. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.
Josephine M. Midkiff
Josephine M. Midkiff, 80, of Beckley, passed away Monday, Dec. 18, 2006.
Born April 25, 1926, she was the daughter of the late John and Socorro Meigide.
Josephine was a Spanish teacher for Raleigh County for over 30 years. She received the National Educator Award in 1997 and also the Teacher of the Year award in 1978. She enjoyed painting and ceramics and was an avid traveler.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alva Midkiff; and sisters, Mary Engeberg and Rose Meigide.
Those left to cherish her memory include sons, Anthony Midkiff of North Carolina and Mark Midkiff and wife, Cathy, of Amman, Jordan; grandchildren, Lindsay Midkiff and Ashley Midkiff of Maryland; and sister, Mercedes Phillips of Parkersburg.
Service will be 11 a.m. today at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.
Friends may gather with the family one hour before service today.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation to a local Hospice or the Beckley SDA Church be made.
Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley.
