Olive Blanch Houghton
Olive Blanch Houghton, 90, of Frametown, formerly of Richwood, passed from death to life everlasting on Jan. 27, 2008, at CAMC General Hospital.
She was born May 23, 1917, in Braxton County and was the daughter of the late Jesse J. and Lucretia Paintiff of Braxton County. She was preceded in death by her husband, the late Rev. Charles Carl Houghton of Frametown.
She is survived by a daughter, Jean H. Green and husband, Arnett, of Amherst, Va.; and son, Robert E. Houghton and wife, Carol, of Atlanta, Ga. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers, Richard Plaintiff of Strange Creek, Russell Plaintiff of Hartwell, GA and Tommie Plaintiff of Gassaway; sisters, Ruby Jones of Sissonville, Bettie Jarvis of Gassaway and Bessie Rice of Richwood.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Frametown United Methodist Church with the Rev. Basil Hensley officiating. Burial followed in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Strange Creek.
Arrangements are by the Richard M. Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway.
Neva Juanita Vadra
Neva Juanita Vadra, nee Burkhamer, 77, of Las Vegas, NV, died January 25 at home. She was born November 19, 1930 and was a graduate of Gassaway High School, class of 1949.
She was preceded in death by husband, Alberto Vadra, father Frederick Burkhamer and step-mother Virgie Burkhamer. Surviving are 3 children—Stephen Rozas of Cowen, John F. Rozas of Miami, FL, and, Terry Gonzalez of Las Vegas. She had 7 grandchildren and 2 great grand children.
Arrangements were made by Palm Mortuary East. Services were held January 30 with internment afterward in Las Vegas. To express condolences, please contact Stephen and Brida Rozas, at PO Box 1148, Cowen, WV 26206 or 304-226-3365.
Billy Lee Rader
Billy Lee Rader, 65, of Sutton, WV died at CAMC-General Division on January 26, 2008. He was born April 2, 1942 in Braxton County, a son of Orlando O. and Happsy Louise Rader. He was preceded in death by his wife Donna J. White Rader and infant daughter, Charlotte.
He was a member of Christ Church United Methodist, Sutton, WV, a graduate of Gassaway High School with the class of 1960 and was a retired truck driver with Kenton Meadows, Inc., J. C. Baker Co. and Nick Smyth Inc.
He is survived by his parents Orlando O. and Happsy Louise Rader of Gassaway; one daughter Annette Rader Cameron of Columbus, OH; 2 brothers Fred Rader and Ronzel Rader both of Gassaway; half-brother Orlando “Shorty” Rader of Gassaway; seven grandchildren; special niece and friend Christy White and several other nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at Bealls Mill Cemetery, Gassaway, WV with Rev. Doug Smailes officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
Funeral arrangements are by Greene-Robertson Funeral Home, Sutton, WV.
George William Morris Jr
George William Morris Jr, also known as Dick, Junior and occasionally Mike, was buried on January 21, 2008 at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Columbia, South Carolina with full military honors.
Dick was born October 12, 1934 to the late George William and Bessie Laverne Martin Morris in Dille, West Virginia. He graduated from Widen High School in 1952. He married his high school sweetheart Margaret Ann Holcomb in February 1953, and they had five children together.
He served in the US Army for 23 years where he served two tours in Vietnam and one tour in Indonesia. He also served in Germany and Alaska. He retired while stationed at Fort Jackson, SC and resided in Columbia, South Carolina until the time of his passing. Dad departed this life on January 17, 2008 after a brief illness.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Maxine “Peg”Benton of Dille, WV, Etta Jean Flint of Garrettsville, OH, half brother Johnie Morris of Virginia and grandson, Jeremy Morris of West Virginia.
He leaves behind his loving wife Mamye E. Cribbe Morris of Columbia, South Carolina; his children, Milford “Mike” and Paula Morris of Levittown, PA, Morgan and Georgia Morris, Marguerite “Linda” and Dale Dowell, Melissa “Liza” Rauhecker all of Pasadena, CA, and Malccolm Morris of Missouri whom mourn the loss of their father. They have always been proud of their father’s service to our country and loved him even though he could not spend time with them. He also leaves behind grandchildren: Joshua Morris, Amy, Meagan, Carole, Chelsea, Emmett, Beulah, Michael, Amber and Aaron Morris and George Smith and eight great grandchildren.
He is also survived by his sister, Auline White of Dille, WV and brothers Garnie and Erma Morris of Summersville and Esker and Madeline Morris of Sutton, WV. Also, half siblings, James “Danny” Morris of PA and Etta Jean Davis of Virginia.
His stepchildren: Olin and Tong Cribbe of Olympia, WA, Terrel and Beth Cribbe of Anderson, South Carolina, Annie and Jake Briggs of Sugar Hill, GA, and Patricia and Frank Cruz of Blythwood, South Carolina.
Dad made no distinction between his siblings and half-siblings, or his children and step-children. He loved us all. He was loved by many and leaves a host of nieces, nephews aunts, uncles and cousins to remember his gift for telling of personal adventures with his infectious smile.
He never met a stranger and always had a story. He loved to hunt and fish. Dad would return frequently to his roots, his home in West Virginia. He would come home to WV to visit, fish and hunt. He frequently brought an extended family member or a friend to show them his beloved mountains. The invention of the cell phone made it easier for him to keep in touch with his children, and brothers and sisters while in South Carolina.
Sterling Singleton
Sterling Singleton, 88, of 645 Easy Street, Bridgeport, WV passed away at home, Monday, January 28, 2008. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marie Moore Singleton, whom he married on August 20, 1947.
Sterling was born May 14, 1919 in Braxton County, the son of the late John F. Singleton and Martha B. Hart Singleton. He is survived by one sister, Lolita Bangert of Charleston. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Stanley Singleton, and his brothers, Edgar Singleton, and Lloyd Singleton and his sister, Lauretta Harper.
Sterling served as a Boatwains Mate First Class on the USS Indianapolis during World War II. He was a maintenance supervisor for Bethlehem Steel Company from which he retired in 1978 after 30 years of service. An avid turkey hunter and excellent wine maker, he farmed 26 acres in Coolville, OH after his retirement. In 2001 he moved to Bridgeport, WV to be closer to his friends. He was a member of the Coolville Masonic Lodge.
Services were held on February 2, 2008 at Richard M. Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway with Rev. Larry Conrad officiating. Burial with Masonic Graveside Rites followed at the Sugar Creek Cemetery, Gassaway.
James Carl Given
James Carl Given, 92, of Route 2, Lost Creek, died January 29, 2008, at his residence following an extended illness.
He was born in Braxton County, January 23, 1916, the son of the late Corbit and Cora Mae Given.
On June 14, 1963, he married Jane L. Messenger, who survives.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one nephew, Glen W. Given and his wife Fran, one niece, Ida Mae Posluszny and her husband, Luck and two grandnephews, Roy and Michael Posluszny, all of Baltimore, Md.; one cousin, Alma McDonald of Kittaning, PA.
Mr. Given was preceded in death by one brother, Glen Given and sister-in-law, Madeline Given, one nephew, James Given (Butch), and great-nephew, Jimmy.
Mr. Given was a World War II veteran and a graduate of Lost Creek High School in May of 1935. His love was for horses. He was a member of West Virginia Walking Horses Association.
Mr. Given worked for the United States Postal Service as a rural carrier from 1954-1981 with 27 years of service. He was Methodist by faith.
Funeral services were held at the Morris Funeral Home Friday morning, February 1, 2008, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ann Crawford officiating. Burial followed in the Brick Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Rockford United Methodist Church, Attn.: Ruth Talbott, Rt. 2, Box 282-6, Lost Creek, WV 26385.
Morris Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Nancy K. Mitchell Nancy K. Mitchell, 63, of Airport Road, Sutton, WV departed this life and ascended to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on February 28, 2008 after a long illness. She was born June 2, 1944 in Denver, CO and moved to Braxton County in 1986. She was a medical secretary having worked at Creighton University, Omaha, NE, Baylor University Dept. of Pediatric Cardiology, Houston, TX and CAMC Division in Charleston. She also worked as a Legal Transcriptionist for Merlene Campbell, Verbatem Ink. She was an extremely gifted pianist and piano teacher, with one previous student teaching piano as well. She was a longstanding member of Gassaway Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Mitchell in 1987, grandparents, Bertha Veach in 1971 and Ray Veach in 1967.
She is survived by her mother, Jane K. Thomas of Denver, CO; daughter, Terri Dickerson of Sutton, 2 sons, Ed Mitchell and his wife April of Gassaway, Rob Mitchell and girlfriend Lisa Butcher of Sutton; brother, Bill Thomas of Otis, KS; and three sister Martha Gonzalez, Patricia Settles of Denver, CO and Lydia Strickland of Ft. Worth, TX. Grandchildren, Elena Dawn, Hunter Scott, and Donald Edwin. Eight nieces and one nephew; cousins, Susan Veach of Purcell, OK, Sgt. Ray Veach USMC of Norfolk, VA and Kathleen Veach McClure of Sun Valley, CA. Lifelong friend of 55 years, Florence Canter of Walkersville, WV and several other family members and friends. She was a joy and blessing to be around. We will miss her dearly.
Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at Greene-Robertson Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Stump officiating. Burial followed in the Stout Cemetery, near Frametown, WV.
Agnes Marie Hall Slack
Agnes Marie Hall Slack, 82, of Conway, S.C., died Feb. 29, 2008, at her home. Born April 20, 1925, in Elmira, she was a daughter of the late Hugh and Alice Cook Hall. She was also preceded in death by her son, Gary Slack. She was a retired district sales manager from the Avon Company and a member of Grand Strand Baptist Church. She was a past worthy matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 121, Madison, and former president, treasurer and secretary of the Teays Valley Lioness Club. Surviving are her husband of 66 years, Harold Slack; her daughter, Gwen Slack Eversole and her husband, Ken, of Bloomingdale, Ill.; her sister, Rosalie Nottingham and her husband, Norman, of Duck; two grandchildren, Suzanne Eversole of Bloomingdale and Denise Eversole Tricoci and her husband, James, of Geneva, Ill.; and three great-grandchildren, Christian, Camden and Cohen Tricoci. Services were held on Wednesday, March 5, at Chapman Funeral Home, 3941 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane. Entombment followed in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com.
Gary Lynn Cogar Sr.
Gary Lynn Cogar Sr., 60, of Sutton passed away March 6, 2008.
He was born February 7, 1984 at McNutt, WV a son of the late Buster and Vera Simmons Cogar.
He was a member of I.U.O.E.; he worked for Majestic Mining for many years. He was owner of Cogar Trucking and Gary’s Supper Club; a member of the Sutton Moose Lodge; attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Gary was a dedicated husband and father and a loyal friend of Braxton County.
He is survived by wife, Judy Bledsoe Cogar; children, Tawny Lynn Boyce, Angela Lynn Cogar and Gary Lynn “Boomer” Cogar II, all of Sutton; brothers, Eugene Cogar of Kingwood, Porter Cogar of Summersville, James Cogar and Danny Cogar both of Sutton and Joe Cogar of Shock; sisters, Betty Bull of Pennsylvania , Sandra Gillespie of Ohio and Mary Ann Lewis of Little Hocking, OH; two granddaughters, Courtney and Jordan Hoddy.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by brothers, John Dale Cogar and Kenneth “Tink” Cogar.
Services were held on Monday, March 10, 2008 at Richard M. Roach Funeral Home in Gassaway with President Rodney Boyce officiating. Burial followed in the Morrison Ridge Cemetery, Sutton.
Mary Smarr
Mary Smarr, 58, of Gassaway, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 30, 2008.
She was a member of the Engel Chapel Community Church, Gassaway.
Mary was preceded in death by her mother, Maysel Lambey Smarr.
She is survived by her father, Lee Roy Smarr of Gassaway; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Eddie and Donna Smarr of Summersville and Joe and Lavonne “George” Smarr of Gassaway; step-sisters, Opal Ashley of Winchester, VA and Delores Duffield and husband, Jim of Ivydale; three nieces, Lori Hilton and husband, Roy of Canvas, Cindy Furrow and husband, Phillip of Shady Springs and April Short and husband Nathan of Gassaway; two nephews, Brian Smarr and wife, Jennifer of Frametown and Nathan Smarr of Summersville; two great nephews, Harley Furrow and Jaxson Short; two half-nieces and one half-nephew; special friends, Phyllis Jones and Nellie Lockhart both of Gassaway.
Services were held on April 2, 2008 at Engel Chapel Community Church, Gassaway with Pastor Marko Pritt officiating. Burial followed in the Sugar Creek Cemetery, Gassaway.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice Care, PO Box 323, Burnsville, WV 26335 or to Rosembaum Family House, WVU Hospitals, PO Box 8228, Morgantown, WV 26506-9907.
