Kristen Nicole Sams, 17-day-old infant
daughter of Christopher Allen Sams Jr. and
Rachael Deem Sams, joined the angels in heaven
on Jan. 16, 2010.
She was born Dec. 30, 2009, at the Women and
Childrens Hospital in Charleston.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by
her brother, Christopher Salyers at home; her
paternal grandparents, Rachel Hendershot of
Parkersburg and Chris Sams Sr. of Parkersburg;
maternal grandmother, Shelia Murray of
Parkersburg; her paternal great-grandparents,
Douglas and Lievella Hendershot of Waverly;
and maternal great-grandmother, Linda
Ruddlesden of Williamstown.
There will be a graveside service at 1 p.m.
Tuesday at Evergreen North Cemetery with
Pastor Bill Hines officiating. There will be
visitation at Kimes Funeral Home, Parkersburg,
from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. before proceeding
to the cemetery for the service.
Amber Adair Riddle Johnson (Geary),
Nashville, TN
Amber Adair Riddle Johnson (Geary), 46, of
Nashville, Tenn., formerly of the Parkersburg
area, passed away suddenly at the Vanderbilt
University Hospital in Nashville.
She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt and
friend. She went home to be with her heavenly
father on Jan. 12, 2010.
Amber was born Jan. 10, 1964 in Parkersburg, a
daughter of Janet Riddle Johnson and Stephen
Dale Johnson. Amber was a 1982 graduate of
Parkersburg South High School.
Amber was a fashion model in New York City,
her photographer was Jauques Silbertein and
she traveled world wide. She was a
professional make-up and hair artist with her
own line of make-up, Adair Minerals. She did
professional make-up and hair on the set of
director Quentin Tarantino. She also worked on
site for Country Music Television and did many
commercials.
Amber owned and operated Cuts Colors and
Blondes Hair Salon in Nashville, Tenn. She
specialized in color, cuts and hair
extensions. She did hair extensions for many
cancer patients and music artists. She loved
to travel and ride Harley-Davidsons and spend
time with friends and family.
She is survived by her mother, Janet Riddle
Johnson; father, Stephen Dale Johnson;
sisters, Erica Loraine Johnson Elmore (Kelly)
of Lubeck and Jennifer Adair Johnson McPeek of
Rockport; niece, Sarah Adair McPeek of
Rockport; nephews, Ethan Wayne McPeek of
Rockport, Ian Scott Elmore and Evan Dale
Elmore of Lubeck and many other nephews; two
brothers, Steve Dale Johnson and wife Creela
of Rockport, Bradford Dale Johnson and wife
Patty of Washington, W.Va.; cousin, Dianna
McDonald Warder of Bowling Green, Ky.; aunt,
Louise Breeden of Boyds, Md.; uncle, Bernard
Gene Riddle of Walker, W.Va.; best friends,
Christy Shedd of Parkersburg and Mary Ann
Parks of Nashville; and many other aunts,
uncles, cousins, and friends in Nashville.
Amber also had three dogs, Thore, Sheena and
Drako.
She was preceded in death by her maternal
grandmother, Hazel Wilmoth Riddle and
grandfather, W. Paul Riddle of Grantsville;
paternal grandmother, Audra Sleeth; uncle,
Marion Riddle; and favorite cousin, Paul
Breeden.
The funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m.
Monday at the Kimes Funeral Home, 521 Fifth
Street, Parkersburg, Evangelist Steve Morgan
will officiate with other speakers. Burial will follow at the Mt. Zion Cemetery in
Calhoun County. The visitation will be on
Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral
home.
Elizabeth Fowler Robinson "Betsy" Whitaker
Parkersburg, WV
Elizabeth Fowler Robinson "Betsy" Whitaker,
93, of the Wyngate Senior Living Community
passed away at noon Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009,
at Wyngate.
She was born May 1, 1916, at Buffalo, N.Y., to
the late Dr. Samuel and Ethel Fowler Robinson.
She grew up in various parsonages across
Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.
She graduated from Flint High School in Flint,
Mich., and attended Allegheny College in
Meadville, Pa., graduating in 1938 and
attended Frances Payne Bolton School of
Nursing at Case Western University in
Cleveland and graduated with a masters in
nursing in 1941. Betsy married Dr. Charles F.
Whitaker Jr. whom she had met at Allegheny, on
June 25, 1941. He preceded her in death on May
12, 1999. She and Dr. Whitaker moved to
Parkersburg in the fall of 1950. She was a
member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church,
the James Wood Chapter DAR, Order of the
Eastern Star, Parkersburg Academy of Medicine
Auxiliary, Epworth Assembly, Ludington, Mich.,
Child Guidance and PTA.
Surviving is her daughter, Andrea Barnes
(Phillip) of Columbia, Md.; sons, Dr. Samuel
R. Whitaker of Los Angeles, Calif., Dr. Joel
Whitaker (Barbara) of Belpre and Dr. Charles
F. Whitaker III (Shirley) of Parkersburg; five
grandchildren, Dr. Charles F. Whitaker IV (Dr.
Christinia Whitaker) of Coldwater, Mich.,
Matthew Whitaker (Dr. Chastity Whitaker) of
West Chester, Ohio, Eric Barnes of Columbia,
Md., Amy L. Whitaker of Mooresville, N.C., and
Robinson Whitaker of Columbus, Ga.; and great-
grandchildren, Caleb and Micah Whitaker of
West Chester, Ohio.
A service to celebrate her life will be at 7
p.m. Wednesday at St. Andrews United Methodist
Church in Parkersburg. The Rev. Thomas
McDowell will officiate. The family will
receive visitors in the Wesley Room at the
church from 4-6 p.m. prior to the service.
Burial will follow at the convenience of the
family at the Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington,
Mich.
The family requests that remembrances be
directed to the St. Andrews United Methodist
Church Memorial Committee. Kimes Funeral Home,
521 Fifth St., Parkersburg, is assisting the
family.
Juanita M. Milhoan
Belmont, WV
Juanita M. Milhoan, 81, of Belmont, Pleasants
County, passed away Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009,
at Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital.
She was born July 17, 1928, in Wood County, a
daughter of the late Robert B. and Lessie D.
Clutter Naylor.
Juanita was a graduate of Parkersburg High
School, was a member of the First Baptist
Church of St. Marys and retired from the Colin
Anderson Center as a health service worker.
Surviving is her husband, Paul L. Milhoan Sr.;
two sons, Paul L. Milhoan Jr. (Linda) of
Vienna and Mark A. Milhoan (Joanne) of
Birmingham, Ala.; daughter, Rebecca L. Spicer
(Jack) of Cumming, Ga.; eight grandchildren,
Jasen Milhoan, Michelle Leeson, Stewart
Milhoan, Patrick Milhoan, Sarah Cunningham
Hall, Ethan Cunningham, Kristen Milhoan Pack
and Brittany Milhoan; brother, Charles W.
Naylor of Ft. Myers, Fla.; sister, Beulah M.
Blackshire of Davisville; two nieces; four
nephews; and eight great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded
in death by a brother, Herbert L. Naylor.
The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday
at Kimes Funeral Home, 521 Fifth St.,
Parkersburg. Pastor John Strimer will
officiate and burial will follow at Sunset
Memory Gardens. The visitation will be from 2-
4 and 6-8 p.m. today.
Willie James Pitts
Vienna, WV
Willie James Pitts, 61, of Vienna passed away Dec. 8, 2009.
He was born at Petrey, Ala., a son of Earsie
L. Redmon.
Surviving is his wife, Debra Briggs; sons,
Jesse Briggs of Ravenswood, Jason Briggs of
Waverly, Keith Briggs of Vienna and Daniel
Davis of Parkersburg; daughters, Jennifer
Jackson of Vienna and Denise Davis of New
Matamoras; nine grandchildren; brother, Tom
Pitts of Gainesville, Fla.; and sisters,
Madabelle Floyd of Brooklyn, N.Y., and
Olabelle of Canton, Ohio.
There will be a graveside service at 1 p.m.
Friday at the Wood County Cemetery with Pastor
Roger Cummings officiating. The family will
receive visitors from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Friday at the Kimes Funeral Home, 521 Fifth
St., Parkersburg.