Audie Murphy, 43, of Louisville, Ky., died Tuesday, January 23, 2001, at University Hospital in Louisville, following an extended illness.
He was born March 1, 1957, at Clarksburg, a son of the late Roy F. Murphy and Audra Murphy Gray.
He is survived by his companion of 12 years, Sheily Weedmana.
Also surviving are four children, Alana King of Weston, Melissa Bean and David Murphy, both of Jane Lew, and Aaron Murphy of Texas; six brothers, Richard Murphy of Pennsylvania, Tom Murphy of Clarksburg, Joe Murphy of Jane Lew, Mike Murphy of Wileyville, Roy Murphy of Worthington, and Matt Murphy of Ohio; five sisters, Pat Blair, Cathy Exline, Mary Adkins, Teresa Dills, and Tina McKinney, all of the Clarksburg area.
Olive Pratt
Olive Pratt, 92, of 715 West Second Street, Weston, died at 2:15 p.m., Monday, January 29, 2001 in United Hospital in Clarksburg, following a five-week illness.
Born on June 17, 1908 in Withers, Gilmer County, she was a daughter of the late Joshua M. Kuhl and Carrie (Tallhammer) Kuhl. She was twice married; first to Douglas James, who preceded her in death, then on June 16, 1956, she married Harley Lee Pratt, who died August 23, 1978.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Carrie Wilt and husband, Claude of West Union, and Jetta Baker and husband Q.V. of Clarksburg; one son and daughter-in-law, Eugene James and Patricia of Chattanooga, TN; two step-daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley Bennett and husband Edward of Weston, and Joretta Wilson and husband Robert of Cleveland, OH; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family being preceded in death by two sisters; four brothers; one step-son, Kenneth Pratt and one daughter-in-law, Dorothy Pratt.
Mrs. Pratt was a faithful member of the Broad Street United Methodist Church since 1941. She worked in the children's department as teacher and superintendent for 20 years. She served in various positions in the Women's Missionary organizations. For many years she created and prepared the floral arrangements for the church and for weddings. She was a member of the Hall Sunday School Class and the United Methodist Women.
Friends may call at the Boyle Funeral Home, 322 Main Avenue,Weston on Wednesday, January 31, from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, February 1, from the Broad Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Clifford West officiating. The body will lie in state at the church, Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow in the Weston Masonic cemetery in Weston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Broad Street United Methodist Church Building Fund, Weston. Pallbearers for the funeral will be Mrs. Pratt's grandsons.
Helen R. Simmons
Helen R. Simmons, 88, a former resident of 346 S. Florida Street, Buckhannon, and a resident of Holbrook Nursing Home in Buckhannon since February 1998, died Sunday, January 28, at 1:30 p.m. in the nursing home.
Born September 15, 1912 in Parsons, she was a daughter of the late Washington McClellan and Nettie Gilmore Gainer. In 1928, she married Jason W. Simmons, who preceded her in death in 1991.
She is survived by one daughter, Betty Jones Bennett of French Creek; one son and daughter-in-law Robert L. "Bob" Simmons and wife, Debbie, of Baltimore, MD; two sisters, Valda Martin and Mary Jo Ross, both of Florida; four grandsons, Richard "Rick" Jones, Jerry Simmons, Robbie Simmons, and Mike Simmons; four great-grandchildren, Mahtina Hogeland, Christopher Jones, Jessica Simmons, and Amanda Simmons; one great-grandson, Tyler Hogeland; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents and husband were one infant son; two sisters, Lillian Goode and Rita Mae Mullens; two brothers, Chester and Harold Gainer; and one grandson, Kenneth Jones.
Mrs. Simmons, along with her husband operated the Barbeque new Webster for six years. They farmed in Randolph County for six years and won the Farming for Better Living award. They then opened and operated J&H Service in Crystal Springs for many years. They then retired on a small farm near Kerens.
Mrs. Simmons was a Baptist by faith.
Funeral services will be conducted today, Wednesday, January 31 at 1 p.m. at the F.E. Runner Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dave Phillips, a Baptist Minister from Weston and Rev. David Jessie, pastor of the Independent Baptist Church of Rock Cave officiating.
Interment will follow at the Elkins Memorial Gardens (formerly the I.O.O.F. cemetery) in Elkins.
Richard T. (Dick) Smith
Richard T. (Dick) Smith, 91, of Pinellas Park, Florida, formerly of Weston, died at his home, Wednesday, January 24, 2001, under Hospice Care. He had been in failing health for several years. He was born in Pickens, November 18, 1909, the son of the late Ralph Edward and Joycelyn Clifton Smith. His wife, Ann L. Smith, whom he married June 8, 1932, survives. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Mrs. C.W. (Sarah Ann) Gordanier, of Pinellas Park; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family, having been preceded in death by ten brothers and sisters. He was also preceded in death by a son, Richard Page (Dick) Smith, who died August 30, 1976.
Mr. Smith was a graduate of Cincinnati College of Embalming, Class of 1949. On January 1, 1950, he successfully passed his West Virginia State Board to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer, at which time he became associated with the Funeral Firm of Sweeney and Toothman. In later years he purchased the company, which subsequently became known as Smith Funeral Home.
He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Weston; The West Virginia Funeral Directors Association; Weston Lodge #10, A.F. and A.M.; the Central West Virginia Shrine Club; the Loyal Order of Moose, #9874 of Weston.
A memorial service, celebrating the life of Richard T. Smith, will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 3, 2001, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Frederick Valentine, officiating. A graveside service will follow at the Macpelah cemetery in Weston.
Elsie Jane Stout
Elsie Jane Stout, 80, of Route Two, Weston, died at 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, January 23, 2001, at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Weston, following an extended illness.
She was born February 20, 1920, in Braxton County, a daughter of the late Albert and Ocie DeMoss Marlow.
Her husband, Cecil Stout, preceded her in death March 27, 1999.
Surviving are four daughters, Carol Davis and Mary Eubank, both of Webster Springs, Frances Stout and Cecile Hornung, both of Weston; seven sons, Charles, Bernard, Roger, Carl and Richard Stout, all of Webster Springs, Kenny Stout of Camden On Gauley, and Gary Stout of Weston; one sister, Lillian McDaniels of Los Angeles, Calif.; 45 grandchildren, 74 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
She was also preceded in death by one son, Robert Stout; two brothers, Gilbert and Elmer Marlow; and two sisters, Ada Riffle and Dolly Rohrbough.
Mrs. Stout was a housewife. She attended Jennings Run First Church of God.
A funeral service was held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, January 25, at Floyd Funeral Home, with Rev. Herman Angle officiating. Interment followed in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.
Ottie A. Strader
Ottie A. Meadows Strader, 91, of Route One, Horner, Vandalia Community, died at 2:10 a.m., Sunday, January 28, 2001, in Holbrook Nursing Home in Buckhannon, following an extended illness.
She was born on Little Skin Creek, Lewis County, on April 30, 1909, a daughter of the late Thomas Meadows and Sarah Queen Meadows.
Her husband of 72 years, Ural Guy Strader, survives.
Also surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Hartzell Strader and his wife, Betty of Miamisburg, Ohio and Herman Strader and his wife, Joyce of Vandalia; two daughters and sons-in-law, Julia Anna Burge and her husband, Jack of Little Birch and Ethel M. Smith and her husband Roger of Roanoke. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one niece.
She was preceded in death by two sons, Arthur Holt and Eldon Lynn Strader; two brothers, Lee and Roy Meadows; and three sisters, Birdie McNemar, Emma Hall, and Lona Stalnaker.
Mrs. Strader was a housewife and a member of the Modern Woodsmen of America-Vandalia Camp #10321. She was a member of the Simpson Chapel United Methodist Church on Sammy's Run in Lewis County, where she was the pianist for several years. She was raised on Little Skin Creek in Lewis County.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 30, from the Floyd Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Ed McDaniels officiating. Interment followed in the Simpson Run Chapel cemetery on Sammy's Run in Lewis County.
William W. Arnold
William W. Arnold, 88, of DeLand, Fla., died Monday, March 26, 2001, at Florida Hospital-DeLand.
He was born at Buckhannon and moved to Florida in 1956.
He was a retired electrician and a World War II Navy Seabees veteran. He was a member of Elks Lodge 1736 in Buckhannon; DeLand Moose Lodge 1126 of DeLand, Fla.; the VFW of DeLand, Fla.; and the Navy Seabees of America.
Surviving are his son, Wayne Arnold of DeLand Fla.; a sister, Marie Suder of Ocala, Fla.; a brother, George E. Arnold of Weston; and five grandchildren.
A funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Lankford Funeral Home in DeLand, Fla., with Rev. Michael Fronk officiating.
Richard E. Bayne
Richard E. Bayne, 80, of Bridgeport, died Saturday, March 31, 2001, at United Hospital Center in Clarksburg.
He was born January 26, 1921, at Asheville, N.C., a son of the late Patrick and Katie Elliot Bayne.
His wife, Alice Steele Bayne, survives.
Also surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Lee Stalnaker of Bridgeport; one sister and brother-in-law, Marian and Charles Setchel of Jacksonville, Oregon; two grandchildren, Amy Stalnaker of Ocala, Fla., and Nathan Stalnaker of Bridgeport.
Mr. Bayne retired as production manager for Consolidated Gas Supply Corporation. He was a member of Bridgeport United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Men. He was a former board member and volunteer for the American Red Cross. He enjoyed woodworking and was a craftsman of fine furniture. He was a veteran, having served in the Mediterranean Theater during World War II in the U.S. Navy.
A funeral service was held at Bridgeport United Methodist Church Tuesday, April 3, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Steven E. Dorsey officiating. Interment followed in the Bridgeport cemetery. The family requests that memorial donations in Mr. Bayne's name be made to the Bridgeport United Methodist Church Permanent Fund.
Garnet M. Boram
Garnet Mabel Friend Boram, 101, of Route One, Weston, Jackson's Mill community, died at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 1, 2001, at the home of her daughter, following an extended illness.
She was born November 4, 1899, in Weston, a daughter of the late James and Hattie Jane Penniger Friend.
Her husband, Ralph Cecil Boram, whom she married June 23, 1917, preceded her in death July 23, 1967.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Mary Jane Pratt of Jackson's Mill and Betty Jean Sims of Columbus, Ohio; two sons, Robert "Bobby" Boram of Clarksburg and Cecil Boram of Weston; 12 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 34 great-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Helen Nayor; and two grandchildren, Janice Bowyer and Ralph Boram.
Mrs. Boram retired as a glassworker at Louie Glass Company. She was a housewife and a member of First Baptist Church of Weston.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. today, Wednesday, April 4, at Floyd Funeral Home, with Rev. Cletus Hudkins officiating. Interment will follow in the Peterson cemetery.
Norma Jean Davis
Norma Jean Davis, 72, of 281 Cottage Avenue in Weston, died at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29, 2001, at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Weston.
She was born December 9, 1928, at Glenville, a daughter of the late Lewis A. and Dolly O. Hall Woofter.
Her husband, Charles Franklin Davis, whom she married in October 1947, preceded her in death December 17, 1996.
Surviving are two daughters, Jacqueline Miller of Shinnston and Donna Jean Bee of Parkersburg; 8 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by one infant grandson, Robert F. Henline.
Mrs. Davis was a Presbyterian. She was employed at Ashley's Factory Outlet Store in Weston for 19 1/2 years.
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Weston Masonic cemetery, with Rev. Robert A. Heater officiating. Floyd Funeral Home was in charge of funeral arrangements. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Davis's name may be made to West Virginia Aging, c/o Louellen Blake, PO Box 186, Buckhannon, WV 26201.
