Charles J. Painter, 81, of Cross Lanes passed away Sunday, April 27, 2008, at Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston.
He was a U.S. Navy World War II Veteran. Charles was a former accountant for Raleigh Junk Company. He lived most of his life in Kanawha County, was a Protestant and a member of the Cross Lanes First Church of The Nazarene.
He is survived by his wife, Wilda Kelley Painter of Cross Lanes; sons, Robin Painter of Nitro, Kenneth Painter of Cross Lanes; brothers, Raymond Keith Painter of Bedford, Va., Kenneth Howard Painter of San Diego, Calif.; sister, Marion Schickner of Baltimore, Md.; grandson, Zachary Painter of Nitro.
Cemetery: Cunningham Memorial Park
815 Cunningham Lane
St. Albans WV
Emma J. Balser
Emma Jean Balser, 73, of Pond Gap died April 27, 2008. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, May 1, at Laurel Fork Advent Christian Church. Burial will follow in Balser Cemetery, Pond Gap. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church.
Mona R. Wright
Mona Ruth Nichols Wright, 94, of Nitro passed away Thursday, March 27th, 2008 at Hubbard Hospice House Charleston after a long illness.
Mrs. Wright lived most of her life in Nitro and was a retired teacher from Kanawha County Board of Education. She taught from 1956 to 1974 at Central Elementary School in St. Albans. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Nitro and a former member of the WV Teachers Association.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester R. Wright; brothers, Claude and Fred Nichols; and sisters, Lena Sherwood, Wanda Schauer, and Ruby Spencer.
Surviving, daughter, Nelda Mattox and her husband, Bob of Nitro; son, Chester Ronald “Ron” Wright and his wife, Marye of Charleston; 4 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren.
Friends may also call one hour prior to services at the Church on Monday.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Nitro in memory of Mona Ruth Wright.
Mr. Murrieal Waldo Goodwin Jr., 73, of Shrewsbury died March 31, 2008, after a long illness.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Murle and Helen Goodwin of Belle, and two daughters, Lois and Wendy Goodwin.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran.
He left behind his wife, Helen “Tina” Goodwin of Quincy; three daughters, Gay Dawn Martin of Michigan, Deanna Ferrell of Burnsville, Ohio, and Benita Vaughn of Malden; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Vera Howell of Wentzville, Missouri, Loretta Goins of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Phyllis Narris of Detroit, Michigan, Joyce Carter France of Ripley and Donna Burnett; and brother, Allen Ray Goodwin, both of Boiling Springs, South Carolina.
James D. Poore, 80, of Chelyan passed away Wednesday, April 02, 2008 at home after a long illness. James was a life long resident of Chelyan and a member of the Chelyan Baptist Church where he served as an Usher and was a member of the Surface Memorial Bible Class.
He was a US Marine Corp. WWII and The Korean War Veteran. James was a retired Operator for American Electric Power Co. Kanawha River Plant, Glasgow.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Ronda and Thelma Wilshire Poore.
Surviving, wife, Patsy Raines Poore at home; son, James J. Poore and his wife, Beverly; grandsons, Chris and Greg Poore, all of Chelyan.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to WV Home Health, 1418 D McCorkle Ave. SW, Charleston, WV 25303 or to Kanawha Hospice 1143 Dunbar Ave. Dunbar, WV 25064.
Cemetery: Montgomery Memorial Park
Route 60
London WV
Edwin B. White
Edwin B. “Brad” White, 75, of Cross Lanes, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2008, at Thomas Memorial Hospital after a short illness.
He was 25-year employee of Fike Chemical Co. of Nitro. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran.
Surviving are daughter, Karen Raynes and her husband Michael; grandsons, Travis and his wife Kirstin and Justin Raynes; and great-granddaughter, Alyssa Raynes, all of Hometown; and long-time friend and companion, Sherry Young and her sons, Troy and Billy Young of Cross Lanes.
William L. Ratcliff
William Jay Ratcliff, 40, of Cedar Grove passed away Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006, at CAMC Memorial Hospital, Charleston.
Jay lived most of his life in Kanawha County and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, Coalburg. He worked most of his life as a general laborer.
Surviving: brother, Franklin D. of Cedar Grove; sisters, Rita Ratcliff of Charleston and Carolina Withrow of Belle; nieces, Michelle, Natasha, Rachel, Kayleigh Jo and C.C.; and nephews, Franklin, Joshua, Curtis, Travis, Clifford, Adam, Jonathan and Ronnie.
Cemetery: Montgomery Memorial Park
Route 60
London WV
Richard C. Steelhammer
Richard Cody Steelhammer, beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 15, 2006, in Cross Lanes, West Virginia. Anyone who knew him can attest to the fact that he was appropriately named since the origin of his name means “helper.”
The son of Richard and Pamela Gardner Steelhammer of Cross Lanes, Cody was born on November 12, 1986, in Charleston. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School, graduated from Charleston Catholic High School, where he was a member of the school's cross-country team, and was preparing to start his sophomore year at Shepherd University, where he planned to major in social work.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by twin brother Nick, younger sister Chelsea, grandparents William and Mary Lou Gardner of Dunbar and Toby Steelhammer of Bend, Oregon, Aunt Sandi Gardner-Wood and Uncle Joseph of Denver, Colorado, Uncle Dan Steelhammer and Aunt Jill of Bend, Oregon, Uncle Bill Steelhammer and Aunt Wendy of Long Beach, California, Uncle Tracy Steelhammer and Aunt Jerri of San Francisco, California, cousins Henry, Tome and Molly Steelhammer of Bend, Oregon, Uncle Roger and Uncle Randy of New York City, and special friend Sara Wallace.
Possessing a generous heart and the soul of a poet, Cody touched others with his advocacy for justice, his compassion toward the less fortunate, and his insight into others' difficulties. Cody's solid, yet gentle presence, sound advice and quirky humor endeared him to family and friends who turned to him for comfort, encouragement and direction.
An avid outdoorsman, Life Scout member of Sacred Heart Cathedral's Troop 2, accomplished fly fisherman and amateur astronomer, Cody also enjoyed reading science fiction and studying history, particularly the Civil War period, Byzantine Empire and medieval times. He was a lover of animals and all things in nature and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Cody was often spotted running in Charleston and during his senior year won the highest MVP award bestowed by his cross country team. His senior class named him “Most Unique.”
Cody had a keen sense of curiosity and intuition. He was content to stay in the background, helping other people to shine, and was genuinely happy for the good fortune of others. However, he will also be remembered for his brilliant sense of humor.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 18, at John XXIII Pastoral Center on Hodges Road off Corridor G (right past Ashton Shopping Center). Friends may visit with the family from 5 to 7 p.m. The service is planned for 7 p.m., followed by a reception serving Ellen's Ice Cream (Cody's favorite).
Even though the number of years Cody lived was not what any would have chosen, the years he lived were full of life, love and meaning. He was truly an old soul who continues to share his wisdom. The impression he made on peers and adults alike and the many hearts that are deeply saddened by his death are testimony to this special young man. Surely the meaning of our lives is how we live each day, not how many days we live.
Douglas M. Confere
Douglas M. Confere Sr., 66 of Cedar Grove passed away Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 at his home.
He was a coal miner for Valley Camp Coal Company for 24 years and a member of the UMWA Local 340. Douglas was a lifelong resident of Cedar Grove. He was a Christian and firm believer in God.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Orpha Smith Confere; son, Douglas M. Confere Jr.; brothers, G.B. and Virgil Confere; sister, “Dot” Confere; granddaughters, Victoria and Angela.
He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Janice Tucker Confere of Cedar Grove; sons, Jeffrey and wife, Kathy of Cedar Grove, Brad and wife, Missy of Cedar Grove; brother, Albert “Bud” Confere Jr. of Rand; grandchildren, Michael, Dustin, Douglas III, Nicholas, Brian, and Christiana; great grandchildren, Mackenzie and Hayden, several nieces and nephews; special pet, Angel; a host of friends; and special friend, Glenna Edwards.
Memorials: The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Nagarojan at the David Lee Cancer Center and the Kanawha Hospice.
Cemetery: Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens
Route 60 E
Glasgow WV
Joy G. Larabee
Joy G. Larabee, 59, of Nitro started her life with the Lord Monday, August 7, 2006.
Born Dec. 16, 1946, she was a daughter of the late Clarence and Maycel Hedrick of Nitro.
Joy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.
She is survived by her loving husband of 39 years, Dempsey Paul Larabee of Nitro; daughter, Joy "Renee" Larabee-Adkins of Nitro; son, Dempsey "Sherman" Larabee of Dunbar; sister, Joyce Priddy and her husband, Rufus, of Red House; and her three special grandchildren Mia Renee Fitzwater, Christopher Lee Adkins, and Kameryn Nickole Larabee. She had 38 nieces and nephews and a host of loving friends.
She was of the Protestant faith. married on June 3,1968, she was a lifelong homemaker.
To the many friends and loved ones who were blessed with the opportunity to allow her to make a mark upon your life, know that her strength will always be with us. Our family will continue to pray that each one of you always remember the kind words, the long talks, or the words of wisdom that she gave to you and hope that you will always remember the comfort of her happy smile or the warmth of her hug anytime we needed her. This world has truly lost an angel, but the kingdom needed her strength and she will now truly be able to be beside us all.
Cemetery: Cunningham Memorial Park
815 Cunningham Ln
St. Albans WV