BLUEFIELD — Steven E. Atkins Sr., 62, of 709 Union St., Bluefield, died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005, at his home.
Born Jan. 1, 1943, at Portsmouth, Va., he was the son of Dorothy Smith Hoge of Bluefield.
Mr. Atkins retired from Tabor Machinery in Bluefield after 20 years. He served in the U.S. Army for 12 years and was a Vietnam veteran. He received the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star for his tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a devoted and loving husband and father.
He was preceded in death by his father and his stepfather, Russell Hoge.
In addition to his mother, survivors include his wife of eight months, Shirley Wood Atkins; a son, Steve Atkins Jr. and his wife, Jacqueline, of Lexington, N.C.; two sisters, Dorothy Beckett and her husband, Howard, of Bluefield and Virginia Hoge Williams and her husband, Posey, of Belmont, N.C.; two brothers, Eddie Hoge and his wife, Mable, of Coal City and John Hoge of Bluefield; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Service was 3 p.m. Saturday at Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home, Princeton. Interment was at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton, where military rites were conducted by the Mercer County Veterans Council.
Friends called 2 p.m. until time of service Saturday at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home, Princeton.
Violet Lea Belcher
CYCLONE — Violet Lea Belcher, 68, of Cyclone, went to her heavenly home on Friday, Oct. 21, 2005.
Service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home Chapel, Man. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and one hour before service Tuesday.
Arrangements by Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home, Man.
Linda Sue Christian
PETERSTOWN — Linda Sue Christian, 58, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, at her residence.
Born Jan. 16, 1947, at Gatewood, she was the daughter of Pauline Tilley Campbell of Peterstown and the late Rev. Robert Campbell.
Mrs. Christian worked as a fast food manager at Dairy Queen and was a member of International Pentecostal Church of Christ at Lindside.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a son, Sean Christian; and a grandson, Anthony Ludwig.
In addition to her mother, survivors include her husband, Russell Christian; three sons, Jonathan Christian and wife, Brandi, and Greg Christian and wife, Dana, all of Peterstown, and Eddie Christian and wife Diana, of West End, N.C.; a daughter, Rochelle Fox and husband, Bruce, of Wytheville, Va.; a brother, Robert W. “Robbie” Campbell and wife, June, of Ballard; two sisters, Deborah Blankenship and husband, Chip, and Jennifer Graves and husband, Scott, all of Savannah, Ga.; and six grandchildren, Christopher, Katlin, Zachary, Blyne, McKenzie and Austin.
Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel, Peterstown, with the Rev. Connie Bowles officiating. Burial will follow in Peterstown cemetery.
Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown.
Rev. Ralph E. ‘Buddy’ Burnette
GAHANNA, Ohio — Rev. Ralph E. “Buddy” Burnette, of Gahanna, Ohio, ended his service on Earth and began to receive his reward on Sept. 9, 2005, at Mt. Carmel East Hospital.
Born May 11, 1928 in Bluefield, W.Va., the only child of Robert and Mary Snider Burnette.
Ralph attended school in West Virginia graduating from Beaver High School with the class of 1946. He attended Johnson Bible College, graduating with the class of 1950 with a bachelor of arts degree. He attended Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Ind., graduating in 1959 with a bachelor of divinity and in 1972 received his master of divinity. He was a member of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, received his Certificate of Ordination from the Church of Christ, Bluefield, W.Va., on Dec. 29, 1947. He was a member of Mt. Hope Masonic Lodge and the Gahanna Lions Club.
Survived by wife Mary Carolyn Bookman of Mt. Hope, W.Va., and they have four children: Sherry (Gib) Butler of Uniontown, Ohio, Darryl (Brenda) Burnette of Thornville, Ohio, Melinda (Chris) Heasley, Meredith (Mike) Helt of Heath, Ohio. They are blessed with 11 grandchildren: Jeremy (Mehgan) Butler, Danielle Butler, Bobbie Jo, Jesse, Heather Burnette, Paige, Kelsie, Madison, Jonathan Heasley, Kylie and Remie Helt. He is also survived by several cousins, brother and sisters-in-law and countless friends.
Rev. Burnette taught in church camps and conferences, served on committees for the Christian Churches of Ohio and West Virginia. He served interim pastorates at the Obetz Christian Church and the Hebron Christian Church. He retired after 50 years in ministry. He also retired from the Business and Industry Division at Columbus State Community College in 1997.
Friends may call 2 until 4 and 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at Evans Funeral Home, 4171 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus, Ohio, where services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, with Rev. Ken Coy and Rev. David Galisin officiating. Interment will follow in Mifflin cemetery, Gahanna.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association and/or the National Kidney Foundation.
William Lee ‘Bill’ Criss
PRINCETON — William Lee “Bill” Criss, 78, of 104 Heuser St. in Princeton, died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005 at his residence.
Born Nov. 9, 1926 in Harvey, W.Va., he was the son of the late Steve and Bertha Mitchell Criss.
He was a graduate of Mt. Hope High School and received an associate’s degree from Beckley College. He retired as a 1st sergeant from the U.S. Army with 33 years of service. During his Army career he served his country with the 6th Infantry Division during World War II and the 187th Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War. He later served in the 11th Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division. He also retired from the West Virginia Department of Highways where he served as a supervisor in the paint shop. He was of the Methodist faith. Bill had been a resident of Princeton since 1965 moving from Mt. Hope, W.Va.
In addition to his parents, three sisters, Margie Criss, Romona Criss Honaker and Patsy Criss, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Charlene Jane Brewer Criss of Princeton; one son, William L. Criss, Jr., and his wife Nina of Princeton; one daughter, Pamela Jane Miller and husband Jack of Princeton; five grandchildren, Jason Criss of Princeton, Michelle Criss Serene of Pittsburgh, Pa., Megan Criss of Princeton, Josh Miller of Boston, Mass., and Jaclyn “Nikki” Miller Underwood of Princeton; one sister, Hilda Allen of Circleville, Ohio; and two brothers, Steve Criss, Jr., and wife Linda of New Market, N.H., and Dennis Criss and wife Cindy of Vinton, Va.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2005, at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with Rev. Randy Adkins officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton with the Mercer County Veterans Council conducting military graveside rites.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. today.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Princeton Community Hospital Cancer Center, C/O Princeton Community Hospital Foundation, 122 12th St., Princeton, WV 24740.
Wilfred J. ‘Junior’ Daniel
Wilfred J. “Junior” Daniel, 83, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loving family on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005, after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer.
Born June 12, 1922 at Sandlick, he was the son of the late Wilfred H. and Clarcie Smith Daniel.
Junior was retired from the Raleigh County Board of Education where he drove a school bus for 33 and one half years, and received a safety driving award every year. He spoke often of the children who rode his bus, and they always had a special place in his heart. He was a military veteran who served in the United States Army during World War II.
He was preceded in death by a son, Gary; a brother, Ray; and two sisters, Gladys Daniel and Betty Jean McGinnis.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 60 years, Faye Harper Daniel of Sandlick; two sons, Calvin and his wife Janet Sue of Prosperity and Curtis and his wife Debbie of Sandlick; three daughters, Dixie and her husband Nolan of Sandlick, Drema and her husband Tom of Ocala, Fla., and Janet and her husband Chuck of Keystone Heights, Fla.; two brothers, James and Bobby of Sandlick; three sisters, Donnie Clay of Beckley, Virginia Stewart of Fairdale, and Margie Phipps of West Milton, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and hosts of friends.
Junior was a family man and loved his family immensely. He was a member and trustee of the Church of Christ at Stover. He was always happy and jovial, loving to tell jokes and stories about when he was a kid. He also loved to garden, fish, and hunt, and always dreamed of bringing home that “twelve point buck.” He loved being around people, and with his happy-go-lucky attitude, never met a stranger.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Melton Mortuary Chapel, with Pastors Fred Dinkler and Ardeth Bailey officiating. Burial will follow in the Harper cemetery at Sandlick. Post 3110 of the Oak Hill VFW will conduct military rites at the grave.
Friends may call this evening from 6 until 9 p.m. at the mortuary.
Pallbearers will be grandsons.
Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Uldine E. Fox
OAK HILL — Uldine E. Fox, 72, of Oak Hill, passed away Sept. 11, 2005, at Hilltop Elder Care Center.
Uldine was born Feb. 5, 1933 at Victor. She was the daughter of the late Guy O. and Mina Rita Fox.
She lived most of her life at Victor caring for her family, then moved to Fayette Manor Apartments, Oak Hill, in 2000.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Eula Fox Renner; and a brother, Eugene E. Fox.
Survivors include a daughter, Teresa Fox Workman; son-in-law, Dean Workman; and two grandsons, Nathaniel and Seth Workman, all of Oak Hill.
Service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Ansted, with the Rev. Freddie Parkins officiating. Burial will follow immediately in Restlawn Memory Gardens, Victor.
Friends may call from 12 until 1 p.m. one hour prior to the funeral service Tuesday at the funeral home.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the very special staff of unit four, Hilltop Elder Care Center, for their kind and compassionate care. Also special thanks to Dr. Richard Wiseman for his years of care.
Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Ansted.
Bob E. McCormick
Bob E. McCormick, 77, of Beckley, passed away Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005.
Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.
Percy Orden ‘Butch’ Roach, Jr.
WAKE FOREST, N.C. — Percy Orden “Butch” Roach, Jr., 56, of Wake Forest, N.C., formerly of Craigsville, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Sept. 9, 2005, in Wake Forest Medical Hospital, Raleigh, N.C.
Arrangements by Simons-Coleman Funeral Home, Richwood.
Anthany Preston Shrewsbury
ITMANN — Anthany Preston Shrewsbury, infant son of Allen and Kelly Mills Shrewsbury, of Itmann, born Sept. 6, 2005 at Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, went to be with Jesus on Friday, Sept. 9, 2005.
Anthany left behind on this earth two sisters, Allysa and Corra Shrewsbury; one brother, Allen Wayne Shrewsbury; maternal grandparents, Ron and Anita Walker of Barkers Ridge, and Rocky Mills and Jackie Balcer of Chapel Hill, N.C.; paternal grandparents, Abner and Shearby Shrewsbury of Stephenson; great-grandparents, Georgie Shrewsberry of Barkers Ridge and the late Thomas Wayne Shrewsberry, and Roger and Patty Mills of Itmann; and a host of cousins, aunts, uncles and other relatives.
Graveside services and burial will be at 11:30 a.m. today at the Thomas Wayne Shrewsberry cemetery at Barkers Ridge, with Pastor James Tunstalle officiating.
Friends may call one hour prior to services today at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, love offerings may be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Allen Shrewbury, P.O. Box 97, Itmann, WV 24847.
Those we have held in our arms for a little while, we hold in out hearts forever.
Arrangements by Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens.
Frank B. Taylor
Frank B. Taylor, 69, of Daniels, died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005, at the Charleston Area Medical Center Memorial Division, following an apparent heart attack.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home in Beckley.
Mildred Juanita Wood Vass
OAK HILL — Mildred Juanita Wood Vass, 81, of Oak Hill, passed away Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005, at the Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill, following a long illness.
Born April 30, 1924 at Beury Mountain, she was the daughter of the late Roy Wood, Sr., and Bessie Staton Wood.
She was a homemaker, house wife, and mother. She was a member of the Thurmond Gospel Church.
Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William McKinley Vass, Jr.; and seven brothers and sisters.
Survivors include her two sons and two daughters, Skip Vass of Oak Hill, Mary (Bob) Black of Oak Hill, Danny (Karen) Vass of Fayetteville, and Judy (Joe) Hill of Oak Hill; one brother, Richard Wood of Glen Jean; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Tyree Funeral Home Chapel in Oak Hill, with Rev. Bill Menefee officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.
Friends may call from 6 until 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
