Graydon Hamilton, 93, of Blackberry City died on Friday, March 19, 2004, at the Williamson Memorial Hospital.
He was born on April 22, 1910, in Buskirk, Ky., a son of the late William and Nancy Elizabeth Sparkman Hamilton. He was a member of the Sprigg Freewill Baptist Church.
Mr. Halmilton was merchant for numerous years, a barber for 60 years, a school bus driver for 17 years, postmaster for 31 years and the last living graduate of the first class of Matewan High School.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Nannie Hughes, Sara Ratcliff, Melda Ward, Flora Fisher, Dollie Simpkins, Billie "Corsie" Manley, Cora Hamilton and Josephine Smith; and brothers John Hamilton and Robert "Bob" Hamilton.
He is survived by his wife, Frances Oakes Hamilton; sons, David Alexander Hamilton of Dunbar, W. Va., and Daniel "Danny" Graydon (Janet Sue) Hamilton of Sprigg; daughters Nancy (Kurt) Franck of Louisville, Ky., and Susan (Rodney) Stewart of Ransom, Ky.; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Hamilton were conducted at 1 p.m., Monday, March 22, 2004, at the Chambers Funeral Services chapel in Matewan with the Revs. Franklin Mounts and Allen Shouse officiating. Burial will follow in the Buskirk Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Greg Stewart, Marvin Bench, Rodney Stewart, Danny Chapman, Daniel Hamilton and John Breaut.
Visitation was Sunday, March 21, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Richard Messer
Richard Messer, 94, of Dingess died on Sunday, March 21, 2004, at the Logan (W. Va.) General Hospital.
He was born on June 9, 1909, in Mingo County to the late James and Margaret Vance Messer. He was a retired coal miner.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Lawson Messer; four brothers, Harden Messer, Jack Messer, Frank Messer and Jessie Messer; six sisters, Margaret Sue Messer, Cardy Dalton, Vadey Maynard, Catherine Vance, Tildy Vance and Sara Vance.
Mr. Messer is survived by his wife, Hessie M. Messer; four sons, James (June) Messer, John (Phyllis) Messer, and Earmel (Alberta) Messer; four daughters, Nancy (John) Jones, VIrgie (Howard) Dillion, Virginia (Wayne) Conn and Catherine (Jim) Newsome; 32 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at the Phelps and Son Funeral Home in Inez, Ky., with Jimmy Meade officiating. Burial will follow in the Messer Cemetery in Dingess.
Visitation will be after 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 23, at the Funeral Home.
Mark Perry
Mark Perry, 29, of Genoa, W. Va., died on Friday, March 19, 2004, in Dunlow, W. Va.
He was born on March 14, 1975, in Wayne County, W. Va., to Arnold and Lana Evans Perry.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Angela Davis Perry.
Funeral services for Mr. Perry will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at the Golden Springs Freewill Baptist Church with Russell Messer and Jess Allen officiating. Burial will be in the Short Cemetery in Louisa, Ky.
Visitation will be after 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 23, at the church.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Phelps and Son Funeral Home in Inez, Ky.
Bob Halasz
Bob Halasz, 79, of Chillicothe, Ohio, died at 2:53 p.m., Friday, March 19, 2004, in St. Mary's Hospital in Leonardtown, Md., unexpectedly.
He was born on July 29, 1924, in Edwright, W. Va., to the late Daniel and Katherine Fedor Halasz. On Oct. 8, 1950, he married the former Dorothy Ellen Fink who died on Sept. 21, 1996.
Surviving are children, Robert D. (Lynn) Halasz, Michael J. Halasz, Paula K (Kenneth Blackard) Halasz, all of Chillicothe, Donna F. (Donald F.) Carter of Valley Lee, Md., Diana Mae (Ray E.) Taylor of Lexington Park, Md., Richard (Clara) Kutsch-bach of Chillicothe, Francis "Pete" (Rose) Kutschbach of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Eric M. Halasz, of Chillicothe; 20 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a sister, Irene (Dean) Shelton of McLeans-boro, Ill., many nieces, nephews and other family members; a special friend, Madelyn Rice of Chillicothe.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Steve Walker and Joseph Halasz; and a sister Mary Conley.
Mr. Halasz was a retired U.S. Navy veteran having served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was also a retired coal miner. He was a member of the St. Peter Church, American Legion Post #62, V.F.W. Post 108, Fleet Reserve #93 of Lexington Park, AMVETS Post 4, F.O.E. Aerie #600, Loyal Order of Moose 1626 and B.P.O.E. #52.
Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m., Tuesday March 23, 2004, at the St. Peter Church in Chillicothe with Father James Black celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Margaret Cemetery where military graveside rites will be conducted by the Ross County Veteran Firing Squad.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Ware Funeral Home in Chillicothe.
Alvis Kennedy Jr.
Alvis Kennedy, Jr., 63, of Beech Creek, died Friday, March 12, 2004, at Appalachian Regional Hospital in South Williamson, Ky.
He was born on Sept. 9, 1939, at Welch, the son of the late Alvis and Virginia Murphy Kennedy Sr.
He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Shelton and Dock Kennedy, and one infant; two sisters, Eleanor Kennedy and Pearl Calwhite; father-in-law, Tommy Pack.
He was retired from the West Virginia Department of Highways and was a member of the Beech Creek Church of Christ.
He was also a U.S. Army veteran, having served in Germany.
He is survived by his wife, LouVern Pack Kennedy; one daughter, Melanie "Susie" (Ronnie) Maynard of Beech Creek; one brother, Ermal Kennedy of Beech Creek; one sister, Elsie (Tabor) Simpkins of Beech Creek; one very special nephew, Ronnie Patrick Smith of Beech Creek.
He is also survived by a host of brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews and special friends; two very special pets, Shelby and Hannah.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, March 15, 2004, at the Beech Creek Church of Christ with Evangelist Bruce Murphy officiating.
Burial will follow in Murphy Cemetery at Foundation Fork of Beech Creek.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Friends may call after 6 p.m. today at the funeral home with special services set for 7 p.m. The body will lie in state one hour prior to service Monday at the church.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Hatfield Funeral Chapel at Toler, Ky.
Donald Larry 'Pappy' Lewis
Donald Larry "Pappy" Lewis, 64, of Leon, formerly of Varney, died Friday, March 12, 2004, at Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston.
He was born April 27, 1939, at Majestic, Ky., the son of the late Clyde and Blenda Harrold Lewis.
He was a retired dental technician.
He is survived by his wife, Thelma Varney Lewis; one stepson, Michael Leach of Radford, Mich.; two stepdauthers, Angela Moody of Somerset, Ohio, and Jennifer Gibson of Leon; five grandchildren, Michael Leach, Jr., Kori Lea Leach, Ashley and Javen Gibson and Gabrielle Tomblin.
The body has been cremated and graveside services will be held at the Chafin-Harmon Cemetery at Hode, Ky., at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Weaver Mortuary of West Williamson.
Donald Messer
Donald Ray Messer, 46, of Crum, W. Va., passed away Thursday, March 4, 2004, at his residence in Crum.
Born October 28, 1957, in Mingo County, W. Va., to the late Raymond Messer and Goldie Messer. His stepfather, Bryant Johnson, and his brother, Rockie Messer, also preceded him in death.
Surviving are his wife, Jonann McKinley; son, Donald Ray Messer Jr.; daughters, Kristina Messer and Haley Messer; brother, Isom Messer; sister, Regina (David) Mollett and Naomi Messer; nieces, Jenina Howell and Nichole Muncy; and nephew, Michael Muncy.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 7, 2004, 2 p.m., at Crum Church of Christ with Wayne Justice officiating. Burial will follow at Perry Point Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. until time of services on Sunday at the church.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Phelps & Son Funeral Home, Inez, Ky.
Ruth Snell
Ruth Virginia Snell, 85, of Thacker, W. Va., passed away Thursday, March 4, 2004, at Williamson Memorial Hospital.
Born November 3, 1918, in Glen Ray, W. Va., to the late Ira Alderson and Ida Bell Smith Alderson Riggs, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Snell was a member of the Delorme Bible Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Snell; sons, Roger, Eddie and Robert Snell; and several brothers and sisters.
Surviving are her sons, James (Nadine) Snell of Thacker, W. Va., Wayne (Georgetta) Snell of Thacker, W. Va., David (Darlene) Snell of Thacker, W. Va., Grover (Misty) Snell of Thacker, W. Va., Mike (Nancy) Snell of Lincolnton, N.C., Richard (Becky) Snell of Georgia, Ronnie (Kay) Snell of Illinois, Hassell (Kathy) Snell of Illinois, and Jerry (Angie) Justice of Matewan, W. Va.; daughters, Diane (Mike) Murphy of Thacker, W. Va., Yvonne (Woodrow) Hurley of Thacker, W. Va., Janet (Larry) Blankenship of Blackberry City, W. Va. and June (Bob) Miller of Grundy, W. Va.; brother, Denny Alderson of Charleston, W. Va.; sister, Erma Febrina of Iowa; two daughters-in-law, Sandy of Ohio and Audrey of Kentucky; 41 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 7, 2004, 2 p.m., at Delorme Bible Church with Bob Miller officiating. Interment will follow at Varney Cemetery at Lynn, W. Va. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Visitation will be held after 5 p.m. Friday and anytime Saturday at the church with services at 7 p.m. Saturday evening with Pastor Hiram Justice officiating.
Hatfield Funeral Chapel of Toler, Ky., has assisted the family with arrangements.
Estel Baisden Sr.
Estel Lee Baisden, Sr., 69, of Baisdentown, W. Va., passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2004, at Williamson Memorial Hospital.
Born March 24, 1934, in Naugatuck, W. Va., to the late Joe S. Baisden and Audrey M. Thompson Baisden, he was a retired coal truck driver. Mr. Baisden was of the Church of God faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Geneva Baisden and brother, Lowell R. Baisden.
Surviving are his wife, Gerry Baisden of Baisdentown, W. Va.; sons, Estel Lee Baisden Jr. of Warren, Mich., Rex Allen Baisden of Warren, Mich., and Randy John Baisden of Warren, Mich.; daughters, Geneva L. (Jim) Gibel of Lake City, Mich. and Jeanette Guarnieri of Warren, Mich.; brother, W. G. Baisden of Popular Grove, Ill.; sister, Jo Ann Muncy of Williamson, W. Va.; step-daughters, Sherri E. Tilley of Kermit, W. Va. and Diana L. (Jim) Varney of Columbus, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and two step-great grandchildren.
The family wishes a special thanks to Juanita Pigman, Randy Tilley, Wilma Lackey, Stewart and Betty Davis, Williamson Memorial Hospital third floor office and staff and all the friends and family who helped through his illness.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 7, 2004, 2 p.m., at Rogers Funeral Home Chapel with Mike Bostic and Josh Hall officiating. Burial will follow in the Baisden Family Cemetery, Baisdentown, W. Va.
Serving as pallbearers are Randy Tilley, Rex Allen Baisden, Randy John Baisden, Paul Pigman Jr., William Curtis Pigman and Ryan Keith Tilley.
Visitation will be held Saturday night, 6 p.m., at Rogers Funeral Home with special service Saturday night at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family at Route 1, Box 129 A, Williamson, WV 25661.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of R. E. Rogers Funeral Home, Belfry, Ky.
James Sartin
James Sartin, 52, of Lenore, formerly of Kermit, died Saturday, March 13, 2004, at the St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington, W. Va., following a sudden illness.
He was born on July 19, 1951, in Kermit, a son of Marie Hoosier Sartin of Kermit and the late Lonnie Sartin. He was a very faithful employee of Marrowbone Development for 26 years. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 27 years, Naomi Ruth "Toni" Sartin; one son, James Randall Sartin of Columbus, Ohio; three sisters, Louise and Ronnie Spaulding of Kermit, Linda Sartin of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Vivian Brewer of Chattaroy; a special nephew, Alonzo Griffey of Akron, Ohio; a special aunt, Ruth Marie Kirk of Lovely, Ky.; two half brothers, Chris Newsome and Ricky Romans, both of Kermit; a half sister, Lori Perry of Crum, W. Va.; a special pet, Baby; several nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Sartin will be conducted at 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at the Victory Christian Center in Lenore with Paul Staton, Terry Blankenship and Lonnie Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Newsome Ridge Cemetery in Naugatuck.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Justin Spaulding, Buddy Sartin and Jeff Kirk.
Visitation will be after 6 p.m., Monday, March 15, at the Richmond-Callaham Funeral Home at the Warfield (Ky.) Chapel.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Richmond-Callaham Funeral Home of Inez, Ky.
Edith Kirk
Edith C. Kirk, 83, of Delbarton, departed this life and went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 12, 2004, at the Skilled Nursing Unit of the Appalachian Regional Hospital in South Williamson, Ky., of natural causes.
She was born on June 21, 1920, in Elk Creek, a daughter of the late Harve and Lucinda Farley Curry. She was one of the first women in the Armed Marine Corps (WAMC). She was a teacher for 35 years at Burch High School and a former owner was flower and dress shops. She was a life-long member of the W.H. Connolly Memorial Baptist Church in Delbarton.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by nine brothers and six sisters.
Mrs. Kirk is survived by her husband, Rudolph Kirk; one son, Wally Kirk of Buckeye, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Sonya Stevens, Kevin Kirk and Tina Szakacs; and six great-grandchildren, Kristyn Szakacs, Marissa Stevens, Justin Szakacs, Michaela Stevens, Rebecca Kirk and Lauryn Szakacs.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Tuesday, March, 16, 2004, at the W.H. Connolly Memorial Baptist Church with the Revs. Ron Page and R.C. Thornberry officiating. Burial will follow in the Lenore Memorial Gardens in Lenore.
Deacons and trustees of the church will serve as pallbearers.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, March 15, at the church.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the James Funeral Home of Logan, W. Va.
