RICHWOOD — Edith Campolio Neal, 81, formerly of Fayetteville, died Sunday, July 16, 2006.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Simons-Coleman Funeral Home, Richwood. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Simons-Coleman Funeral Home, Richwood.
Daniel Ben ‘Danny’ Neely Jr.
OAK HILL — Daniel Ben “Danny” Neely, Jr., 58, died Sunday, July 16, 2006, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, Va., from injuries received in a motorcycle accident on July 4th.
Nathan J. Penn
FOREST PARK, Ga. — Nathan J. Penn, 51, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 9, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio.
He was born Dec. 11, 1954, at Tams, WV, he was the son of Effie Harris and the late Earl Penn.
Mr. Penn was a loving and devoted father that was loved and respected by everyone who knew him.
Mr. Penn was a truck driver for ABF for 19 years. He was a former coal miner for Maple Meadows Mining Company in West Virginia. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, WV, and went on to attend college.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Cassandra Harris and a brother, William Harris.
Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 26 years, Cecelia (Yvette) Penn. In addition to his wife, he leaves to cherish his memories six children, John Swain of Beckley, Kimberly Fowlkes and husband, Harold of Beckley, Nathan Stroud and wife, Michelle of Dahlgren, Va., Tia Glass and husband, Ernest Jr. of Rex, Ga., Natalie Penn of Forest Park, Ga., and William (Bill) Penn of Forest Park, Ga.; brothers, Charles Penn of Maplewood, NJ., Earl Penn Jr. of Baltimore, Md., William Penn of Sommerville; sisters, Earlene Moss of Glen White, Brenda Dykes of Staunton, Va., Linda Penn of Staunton, Va., and Lisa Moten of Beckley.
Nathan is best remembered by his charismatic personality, spirited demeanor and passionate approach towards life. Everyone who was blessed to know Nathan knew that among his presence they could expect a good laugh coupled with intriguing conversation and an intense yet friendly, historical debate.
Though Nathan will be greatly missed, his memory shall live on forever and his spirit shall continue to shine with the sun.
Services were held 1 p.m. Saturday, July 156, 2006, at New Bread of Life Christian Center, 3382 Jodeco Rd., McDonough, Ga., with Pastor Albert Baker officiating. Burial followed in Forest Hills cemetery, Forest Park, a.
Cousins and friends of the family served as flower ladies.
Honorary pallbearers were Luther Pearson and Mark Pearson.
Pallbearers were Lee Callahan, Alvin Ham, David Martin, Jack Castlebury, Tony Lefibere, and Tommy Powell.
Irene Sears
CRAIGSVILLE — Irene Sears, 85, formerly of Marfrance, died Saturday, afternoon, July 15, 2006, at Webster Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Cowen, WV, following a long illness.
Born Feb. 20, 1921, at Sharon in Kanawha County, she was a daughter of the late Frank Harris and Alma Viers Harris.
Mrs. Sears was a cook, waitress, homemaker, and a member of Marfrance Church of God.
Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Leroy Sears in 1972.
Survivors include two sons, Marvin L. Sears and wife, Diana of Craigsville, and Gary Dean Sears and wife, Ann of Colonial Heights, Va.; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home Chapel, in Rainelle, with the Rev. Houston Boothe officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity, beside her husband.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle.
Marie Coalson
MAYVILLE, Mich. — Marie Coalson, age 84, of Mayville, Mich., and Coal City, W.Va., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, at Brian’s House of Davison, Mich.
Born Jan. 13, 1923, at Egeria, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late John and Ida Shrewsbury Buchanan.
Marie was a member of the Glen White Church of God.
In addition to her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Paul J. Coalson; and son, Jerry Coalson.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Phyllis McGrady and her husband Ed of Flint, Mich.; son, Paul Coalson and his wife Jennie of Mayville, Mich.; four grandchildren, Keith McGrady and his wife Cindy, Michelle McGrady, Troy Coalson and his wife Dusty, and Kimberlee Coalson; 10 great-grandchildren, Megan, Emily, John, Kyle T., Kyle D., Clayton, Hunter, Andre, Gage, and DaKota; one great-great-grandson, Brysen; a sister, Elsie Thompson of Coal City, W.Va.; special friends, Joan and Frank Kuerbitz of Millington, Mich.; and all of her friends at the Glen White Church of God and the Coal City Church of God.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007, at Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia, with Pastor Jesse Farley officiating. Burial will follow in the Coal City Community cemetery, Coal City, W.Va.
Friends may gather with the family two hours prior to the service from 1 until 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 147 Virginia St., Sophia, W.Va.
Willard T. Crowe
ALUM CREEK — Willard T. Crowe, of Alum Creek, formerly of Whitesville, died Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007.
Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, in the Pineview cemetery, Orgas. Visitation will be 30 minutes before the service.
Armstrong Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Allen Ryan Facemire
SUMMERSVILLE — Allen Ryan Facemire, 34, of Summersville, peacefully passed away Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007, in the Birch River cemetery at Birch River. In keeping with his wishes there will be no visitation.
Arrangements by the White Funeral Home at Summersville.
Margaret L. Garrett
HINTON — Margaret L. “Peggy” Garrett, 86, of Mock Farm Road, Hinton, died at 8 a.m. Sunday morning, Sept. 30, 2007, at her home, following a long illness.
Born Feb. 7, 1921, in Hinton, she was the daughter of the late Zina Pearl and Vergie Marie Ellison Mock.
Peggy was a private certified nursing assistant and attended Nimitz Missionary Baptist Church at Nimitz. She had lived most of her life in Florida having moved back to Hinton several years ago.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph W. Garrett; a brother, Robert Mock; and three sisters, Helen Marie Mock, Eleanor Snider and Nellie Anderson.
Survivors include one son, Charles “Frostie” Garrett and wife Cindy of Hinton; a stepson, Jimmy Garrett of Oak Hill; two brothers, Donald F. Mock Sr. and wife Margie of Hinton and Billy Mock and wife Alberta of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two sisters, Audrey Sutherland and husband Jack of Roanoke, Va., and Jean Persinger of Bluewell, W.Va.; four grandchildren, Noreen Garrett Haff and husband Michael of Florida, Jackie Harper and husband Brandon of Hilldale and Charlene and Jennifer Garrett of Hinton; and a great-grandson, Maverick Harper.
A private family service will be held at a later date. The body has been cremated.
Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton.
Ernest Gilbert
Ernest Gilbert, 53, of Beckley, died Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, in Raleigh General Hospital.
Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.
Vella C. Gowman
Vella C. Gowman, 76, of Layland, formerly of Sophia, passed away Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007.
Born April 28, 1931, at East Beckley, she was the daughter of the late James Toney and Elsie Allen Toney Gunnoe.
Vella was a member of the Chestnut Knob Baptist Church, Layland. She enjoyed going to church, singing, reading the Bible, taking care of her home and children, and pitching horseshoes.
In addition to her parents, Vella was preceded in death by a daughter, Marsha Drucella Gowman; brothers, Phylmer, Elmer, Orville, James “Jim” Toney; sisters, Thelma Juanita, Della Pearl, Ella Pearl, and Edith Toney, Helen Meadows, Ollie Pettry, Page Mullins; and one sibling at birth.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Harry Gowman Jr.; three sons, David R. Gowman of Layland, Harry Wayne Gowman of Coal City, and George Gowman of Layland; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, with Rev. Floyd Bolen officiating with burial to follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.
Friends may gather with the family from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is in charge of the arrangements.
Cathy S. Holliday
Cathy S. Holliday, 57, of 209 Queen St., Beckley, passed away Sunday, at the Raleigh General Hospital, after a long illness.
Cathy was the daughter of the late Guss E. Lilly Jr. and the late Iva L. Lilly. Cathy was a retired homemaker after having worked for Quick Prince Printing in Beckley and Resource Plus in Jacksonville, Fla. She enjoyed cooking and spending time with her friends and family. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Beckley.
She will be sadly missed by John, her husband of 37 years, her son Michael and his wife Christy of Charlotte, N.C., her daughter, Kristin and her husband Roy of Jacksonville, Fla., her grandson, Andrew of Charlotte, N.C., and her close relatives and friends.
There will be a celebration of life on Wednesday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. at Calfee Funeral Home. A private service will be held at a later date.
Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Calfee Funeral Service Chapel, Pineville. Family will receive friends from 6 until 9 p.m. today, Oct. 2, at the funeral home.
Calfee Funeral Service of Pineville is serving the Hurley family.
Berma Brene Meador
HINTON — Berma Brene Meador, 75, of Hinton, went home to her Lord on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007, at Summers Nursing & Rehabilitation, following a long illness.
Berma was born Feb. 14, 1932, in Summers County; she was the daughter of the late Denzil A. and Julia Ruth Ellison.
Berma was always a joy to be around. She was always the quick wit with many interesting stories and tales to pass along to others. In addition to raising her six children, she worked in a variety of vocations, including teacher’s aide at Hinton High School, West Virginia Women’s Prison at Pence Springs, Avon, Standard Coffee and was a regional distributor of Vanda Beauty Products with sales associates throughout southern West Virginia and western Virginia. Berma was a member of The Primitive Baptist Church at Hilldale and attended Powleys Creek Freedom Baptist Church. Throughout her many years in the nursing home, she rarely missed a church service there.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Meador Jr.
Survivors include four sons, Larry K. Meador of Hinton, Dr. Michael J. Meador and fiancee Rose Summerfield of Fairmont, David D. Meador and wife Tammi of Prince George, Va., and James A. Meador of Edgewater, Fla.; and two daughters, Donna S. Ellison of Prince George, Va., and Janet L. Whitten and husband Brett of Jumping Branch. Mawmaw Berma had 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters, Patty Lankster of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Carolyn Kuhl of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Judy Marshall of Ormond-By-The-Sea, Fla.; and a brother, Denzil A. “Sonny” Ellison of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
The family will receive visitors at Pivont Funeral Home in Hinton on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007, from 6 until 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007, at the funeral chapel with Pastor George Cook officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley View cemetery on Powleys Creek.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton, W.Va.
E. Louise Pack
HUNTINGTON — E. Louise Pack, 88, of Huntington, W.Va., formerly of Beckley, died Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, in a Huntington Hospice House, following a long illness.
