WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — Diana Ellison Fife, 58, died Friday, April 14, 2006, in Cleveland University Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, following a short illness.
Born in Princeton, Diana graduated valedictorian from Spanishburg High School in 1965. She earned a Bachelor of Science in education with a certification in math grades 1-12 and certification in English, language arts, social studies and science in grades 1-9 from Concord College, Athens, in 1968, and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
She earned a Master’s in education administration and supervision from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies.
Diana began her teaching career in the fall of 1968 and took disability retirement from Greenbrier County Schools in 2001. She taught math at Alderson Junior High School, White Sulphur Junior High School, fifth grade at White Sulphur Elementary School and Title 1 math at Lewisburg Elementary School. She influenced hundreds of young lives and is remembered by both her students and colleagues as a dynamic teacher over her 33-year career.
Diana was a member of Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg, where she was active as a member of the adult choir and a bell ringer in the Old Stone Ringers. She was a soprano in the Greenbrier Valley Community Chorus for several productions of “The Messiah” by Handel.
Diana was preceded in death by her parents, James R. Ellison and Nancy Meadows Ellison of Camp Creek.
She is survived by her husband, Philip Fife, and their son, Matthew Fife, of White Sulphur Springs; a sister, Trudy Ellison Corvin, husband, George, daughter, Nikki, granddaughter, Tara, and son, Mark, all of Princeton; daughter, Rosalind Carmon, husband, Michael, and grandson, Zachary, of Williamsburg, Va., and daughter, Brittney of Greenville, S.C.; cousin, Randall Hatcher and wife, Regena, of Princeton; sister-in-law, Renee Fife-Ahern, husband, Norman, and daughters, Amy and Anna, of White Sulphur Springs; sister-in-law, Audrey Crizer Fife, son, Michael, wife, Katra, and daughter, Alyce, all of White Sulphur Springs; grandson, Chad and wife, Faith, and great-grandchildren, Jacob and Carter, of Ona, daughter, Catherine Heilig and husband, Jerry, of Buxton, N.C., and daughter, Nancy Fife of Ocean City, N.J.; brother-in-law, Keeling Fife, wife, Gaye, and son, Keeling Fife Jr., and wife, Jennifer, and granddaughter, Avery Grace, all of Parkersburg.
A memorial service celebrating the life and resurrection of Diana Ellison Fife will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, in the historic sanctuary of Old Stone Presbyterian Church, Lewisburg. Dexter Taylor is the officiating pastor. Interment of Diana’s creamains will be at Greenbrier Memorial Gardens, Lewisburg, prior to the memorial service.
The family will receive friends in the Chapel of Old Stone Presbyterian Church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial gift to the music department of the Old Stone Presbyterian Church, 210 Church St., Lewisburg, WV 24901.
McCraw Funeral Home, Lewisburg, is in charge of arrangements.
French J. Brown
BRENTON — French J. Brown, 78, passed away Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, at his residence following a sudden illness.
Born March 9, 1928, at Emmit, he was the son of the late Harry and Tennessee Toler Brown.
Mr. Brown was of the Baptist faith and was a business owner in Wyoming County for over 25 years and was retired from JC Penney. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and enjoyed being outdoors.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Imogene West Brown; a son, Gary Brown; a daughter, Sandra Brown; and a son-in-law and special friend, Bill Stafford.
Survivors include a son, Richie Brown of Brenton; two daughters, Janet Asbury and her husband, Thomas, of Brenton and Donna Stafford of Orlando, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Karen Trapp and fiancé, David Freal, Erin Forbis and her husband, Chris, and Tonya Brown, all of Orlando, and Donna Miller, Samantha Reed Brown, Jimmy Hall and Christine Asbury, all of Brenton; six great-grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Sandra Reed of Brenton.
Service will be noon Thursday at Calfee Funeral Service Chapel, Pineville, with the Rev. Tommy Knotts officiating. Burial will follow in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny.
Friends may call 11 a.m. until time of service Thursday at the funeral home.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Calfee Funeral Service, Pineville, is serving the Brown family.
Loyal Jay Clark Sr.
MOUNT LOOKOUT — Loyal Jay Clark Sr., 45, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2006.
Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Cavendish cemetery on Infantry Highway at Bruce. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at White Funeral Home, Summersville.
Arrangements by White Funeral Home, Summersville.
Willovee C. Cyrus
HINTON — Willovee C. Cyrus, 72, died Sunday Dec. 3, 2006, in Summers County ARH following a long illness.
Born May 31, 1934, at Brooks, she was the daughter of the late William and Virginia Sears.
Willovee was a homemaker and of the Christian faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Cyrus, and a son, Dempsey Cyrus.
She is survived by three sons, Charles Pitzer Sr. and wife, Diane, James Pitzer and Basil Cyrus and wife, Diana, all of Hinton; two daughters, Vivian Falin of Bluefield and Mary Vanwinkle and husband, James, of Los Angeles, Calif.; a brother, Dempsey Sears and wife, Georgia, of Hinton; two sisters, Lois White and Vivian Ashley and husband, Jack, all of Hinton; 13 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel, Hinton, with Pastor O.B. Angell Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Sears cemetery on Tug Creek Road near Hinton.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton.
Johnny Wayne Duncan Sr.
Johnny Wayne Duncan Sr., 64, of Midway, passed away Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, at home with his family and friends following a courageous battle with cancer.
Born Oct. 12, 1942, he was the son of the late Clifford and Bessie Duncan Ellison and stepfather, Lloyd Ellison
Johnny enjoyed his work and taking care of his family and also loved spending time with his grandkids.
Some of his hobbies included walking, fishing, swimming and visiting friends.
Johnny attended the Church of God Family Worship Center where he worshiped the Lord every Sunday.
In addition to his parents, Johnny was preceded in death by a sister, Sarah Redden.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Helen Duncan; sons, Johnny Jr. and wife, Rose, of Crab Orchard and Jay Winfree of Midway; daughters, Lena Cox and husband, Greg, of Salisbury, N.C., Stephanie and Jason Adkins of Midway and Nancy Duncan and fiance´, Steven Riddle, of Midway; grandsons, Alex Adkins, Nicholas Adkins, Christopher Adkins and Caleb Riddle; granddaughters Kylie Cox, Rachael Duncan, Amber Duncan and Trinity Duncan Cassie Meadows; brother, Lloyd Duncan; and sisters, Cliffene Richardson, Tootsie Hamilton, Katie Powers, Charlotte Owens and Donna Boyd.
Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia, with Jay McGhee and Mark Schrade officiating.
Friends may gather with the family 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Williams Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia.
Nancy Marie Wood Foster
Nancy Marie Wood Foster, 95, of 328 Myers Ave., Beckley, died at 9:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006, at the home of her beloved daughter, Doris Lucille, and son-in-law, Fred Quesenberry, and her loving daughter was by her side.
Born March 2, 1911, at Egeria, she was the daughter of the late James Alexander Wood and Arminta Hornsby Wood.
Mrs. Foster was a homemaker. She was an active member of Memorial Baptist Church for over 50 years. She attended Jones Memorial Baptist Church and was a volunteer at Pinecrest Hospital for over 30 years. She loved to garden, flowers and taking care of others.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dorsey Lee Foster, in January 1981; a son-in-law, Carson Combs, in July 1981; and a grandson, Carson “Chris” Combs, in 1983. She was also preceded in death by brothers, Franklin, Lewis, Bryan, Newton, Wilson and Jim Wood; and sisters, Viola Hatcher, Ora Calloway, Opal Cooper, Dorothy Stump and Rachel White.
Survivors include daughters, Doris Lucille Quesenberry and husband, Fred, of Beckley, Peggy Hylton and husband, Don, of Lewisburg, Betty Epperly and husband, Carlyn, of Johnson City, Tenn., and Janice Thurber and husband, Bill, of Jacksonville, Fla.; grandsons, James Quesenberry and wife, Kathy, of Grandview, David Hylton of Ashland, Ky., Darrell Hylton and wife, Molly, of Huntington, Greg Hylton and wife, Cara, of Lewisburg, Jerry Epperly and wife, Suszane, of Springfield, Mo., Bobby Combs of Jacksonville, Charles Combs and wife, Drenia, of Tallahassee, Fla., and Steven Combs and wife, Deborah, of Jacksonville; granddaughters, Anna Vanderlaan and husband, Dale, of Ravenswood, Nancy Netherland and husband, Jerry, of Findley, Ohio, Melissa Simmons and husband, Dwayne, of Beckley and Andrea Jevic and husband, Scott, of Jacksonville; great-grandchildren, Jamie and Jenna Quesenberry of Grandview, Hannah Eichburger and husband, Greg, of Ashland, Megan Huffman and husband, Josh, of Huntington, Joe Hylton of Ashland, Kathie and Garrison Hylton of Lewisburg, Jeffery Epperly of Trenton, Mo., Jared Epperly of Independence, Mo., Angela McBride and husband, Mike, of Columbus, Ohio, Jason Netherland and wife, Kim, of Mansfield, Ohio, Ben and Carly Combs of Jacksonville, Courtney and Carson Combs of Tallahassee, Annabelle Combs of Jacksonville and Cori, Kacie and Cooper Jevic of Jacksonville; step great-grandchild, Jordan Delugo of Jacksonville; great-great-grandchildren, Amanda Netherland of Mansfield, Samuel Eichburger of Ashland and Jaden and Ava Huffman of Huntington; many nieces and nephews; special thanks to her caregivers, Kitty Wills, Queen Schoolfield and Dolly Wine; and Hospice nurses, Tonya, Tracy, Joan and Michelle.
Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Paul Blizard and Dr. Rick Metrick officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.
Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers, Jimmy Quesenberry, Bobby Combs, Charles Combs, Stephen Combs, David Hylton, Greg Hylton, Darrell Hylton and Jerry Epperly.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley.
Charles Wallace Gum
OAK HILL — Charles Wallace Gum, 88, died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, at Plateau Medical Center, Oak Hill.
Gloria Mullens Huffman
Gloria Mullens Huffman, of 379 Mankin Ave., Beckley, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, at her home.
Born in Cabell County, she was the daughter of the late George W. McClellan and Goldie Mae Cline McClellan.
Mrs. Huffman was a resident of Raleigh County from an early age. She attended Woodrow Wilson High School and graduated from nurses training at McMillan Hospital in Charleston. She was a retired nurse of 33 years, having last worked at Pinecrest Hospital. Gloria was a member of First Christian Church for 50 years and presently a member of Cranberry Baptist Church. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the White Shrine.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harry Mullens; second husband, Robert Huffman; a brother, Ray McClellan; and a son, Thomas R. Mullens.
Survivors include a sister, Rose Ruby of Grass Valley, Calif.; granddaughter, Tavijva Perez of Fort Myers, Fla.; grandson, Thomas Mullens II of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; grandson, Thomas Lafferty; her little dog, Teddy (a gift from her son); and white cat, Snow.
Service will be 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley, with Pastor Roger Pauley officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Friends may call 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cranberry Baptist Church.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry, Beckley.
Larry N. McLaughlin
BARTOW — Larry N. McLaughlin, 60, passed away Monday, Dec. 4, 2006.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Arbovale.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Hope Church of the Brethren, Dunmore, or New Life in Christ Church, Durbin.
Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Arbovale.
John Henry Monk
John Henry Monk, 74, of Odd, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital following a long illness.
Born Jan. 22, 1932, at Camp Creek, he was the son of the late Henry Monk and Bessie Ferguson Monk.
Mr. Monk was a retired coal miner. He was a member of the UMWA. He lived in Odd most of his life.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Lee Monk.
Survivors include a brother, the Rev. Curtis Monk of Shady Spring; a sister, Marie Workman of Beckley; four nephews; and a niece.
There will be no service or visitation.
Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring.
