Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

April 01, 2008 09:21 am

— Deaths

• Brenda Sue Barrett, 62, of Lashmeet, died Monday, March 31, 2008. Arrangements are incomplete at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton.
• Frances Victoria Cecil, 62, of Rt 4 Box 62 A, Bluefield, died Sunday, March 30, 2008 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell.
• Mrs. Lucille Pensula Knuckles Catalina Conley, 86, of Ravenna, Ohio, formerly of Chapmanville, died Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Robinson Memorial in Ravenna. Evans Funeral Home and Cremation Services at Chapmanville, are in charge of arrangements.
• Sallie Harlan Friedl, 96, of 103 Center St., Athens died Monday, March 31, 2008 at Princeton Community Hospital. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton.
• Mary Austin Keaton, 82 of Sand Fork, formerly of Lerona, died Monday, March 31, 2008 at Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown after a short illness. Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton.
• Charles Lovett, 88, of Winston-Salem, N.C., and formerly of Huntington, died Sunday, March 30, 2008 at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Arrangements will be announced by Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell.
• Timothy Leon Niece, 37, of Pearisburg, Va., died Sunday morning March 30, 2008. Kendall Funeral Home in Pembroke, va., is in charge of arrangements.
• James Pendergrass, 46, of Lashmeet, died Sunday, March 30, 2008. Arrangements are incomplete at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton.

Obituaries

Larry Wayne Akers
PETERSTOWN — Larry Wayne Akers, age 50, of Peterstown, passed away Thursday, March 27, 2008 at his home.
Born March 22, 1958 at Lindside, he is the son of James Heyward and Nellie F. Hall Akers of Cashmere. He was formerly employed with A.R. Neely Construction, and was of the Baptist faith.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Heyward Akers.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by two daughters, Amanda and Miranda Akers of Pembroke, Va.; one brother, David Akers and wife Patricia of Cashmere; three sisters, Leta Dunn and fiancée Greg Bradley of Dublin, Va., Nita Thomas and fiancée Jeff Shorter of Peterstown, and Brenda Lee Lafferty and husband Randy of Bluefield; aunt and uncle, Debbie and John Webber of Snowville, Va.; great-uncle, Bill Faulkner of Cashmere; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 30, 2008 at Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel, Peterstown, with the Rev. Daymond Snuffer officiating. Friends called from noon until time of services.
Online guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com.
Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown.

Cherie A. Atwell
PRINCETON — Cherie A. Atwell, 43, 193 Dusty Miller Street, Princeton, died Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Tazewell Community Hospital, Tazewell, Va.
Born in Alexandria, Va., she was the daughter of Bucky and Sandra Harless Trail of Princeton. She was a homemaker and attended the Cross Point Church of God, Beckley.
Survivors: Husband, Gary Atwell of the home; one daughter, Shannon Trail of Princeton; one stepson: Hunter Harold Atwell of Abbs Valley, Va.; two brothers, Jeff Trail and wife, Dawn of Pleasant Garden, N.C. and Brian Trail and wife, Melissa, of Thomasville, N.C.; adopted sister, Sandy K. Lilly of Greensboro, N.C.; and one granddaughter, Arianna Valentine.
Memorial service will be conducted Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at 11 a.m., at the Cross Point Church of God, Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, with the Rev. Vondie Cook Jr. officiating.
Friends may call from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at the Rodriguez Pocahontas Funeral Home Chapel, Pocahontas, Va. The body will be cremated.
Rodriguez Pocahontas Funeral Home, Pocahontas, Va., is serving the Atwell family.
For more information, or to have the funeral home pass along your condolences, visit www.RodriguezFuneral.com
To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

Hazel Mitchell Bowman
McDONOUGH, Ga. — Hazel Mitchell Bowman, age 80, of McDonough, Ga., died Sunday, March 30, 2008.
She was born in Newhall, W.Va. to the late John A. and Nettie Elsie Baldwin Mitchell. Ms. Bowman was a member of True Christian Fellowship in McDonough and was very devoted to her church, her family, and friends.
Ms. Bowman is survived by her daughter, Sue DeBord of McDonough, Ga.; sons, Lloyd W. Bowman of North Tazewell, Va.; Alvin F. Bowman of Monticello, Ga.; three grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, April 1, 2008 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors, McDonough, Ga., and Wednesday, April 2, 2008 from 6 to 9 p.m. at El Bethel House of God, Cedar Bluff, Va.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at El Bethel House of God, 4422 Baptist Valley Road, Cedar Bluff, Va .24609 with Pastor Sammy Barnett and Pastor Robert Denson Sr. officiating. Interment will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Bluefield, Va.
Those who wish may sign the on-line guest registry at www.cannonclevelandfunerals.com.
Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors, 2580 Highway 42 N, McDonough, Ga., (770) 914-1414, is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Hurdle Ray Cantrell
PILGRIMS KNOB, Va. — Mr. Hurdle Ray Cantrell, age 62, of Pilgrims Knob, Va., passed away Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Williamson Appalachian Regional Hospital in South Williamson, Ky.
Born March 3, 1946 in McDowell County, W.Va. he was the son of the late Burleigh and Margie Cooper Cantrell. In 1988, after six years of working in the coal mines for United Coal Company, Hurdle retired due to an injury he received in the mines. Mr. Cantrell was a member of the Pilgrims Knob Church of God.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters and a brother.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Delza Vandyke Cantrell, two daughters, Michelle Elswick and husband Scott of Grundy, Va., and Tonya Cantrell of Virginia; one son, Gary Cantrell of Virginia; one brother, Ron Cantrell of Oakwood, Va.; four sisters, Norma Owens and husband Kenneth of Cincinnati, Ohio, Vivian Blankenship of Bluefield, Va., Sharon Brown of Griffin, Ga., and Deborah Price of Griffin, Ga.; one stepdaughter, Larissa Elswick of Grundy, Va., several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends also survive.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain, Va., with Rev. Charles Hubbard officiating. Burial will follow in the Vandyke-Hinkle Cemetery at Dismal, Va.
Pallbearers will be Daniel Vandyke, Jason Price, Greg Owens, James Mitchell, David Vandyke and Ron Cantrell. Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Keene, Otis Street, Staff and patients of the Good Sheppard Nursing Home at Phelps, Ky.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Buchanan Funeral Service at Keen Mountain, Va., with services at 7 p.m.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.SingletonFuneralService.com.
Buchanan Funeral Service is serving the Cantrell family.

Jeanne P. Cookes
BLUEFIELD — Jeanne P. Cookes, 93, of 116 Springdale Avenue, Bluefield, died Sunday, March 30, 2008 at Westwood Center in Bluefield, Va.
Born February 12, 1915 in Springfield, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Gordon L. and Helen Dorithy Willis Poland. Ms. Cookes was a homemaker and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was of the Protestant faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles W. “Charlie” Cookes.
Survivors include one son, Robert W. “Bob” Cookes of Houston, Texas; two daughters, Margaret C. “Peggy” Nixon of Roanoke, Va., and Judy C. Cookes of Bluefield; two grandchildren, Charles D. “David” Nixon and his wife Lecia of Roanoke, Va., and Elizabeth N. Ruhl and her husband Greg of Charlotte, N.C.; and one great -grandchild, Kensington A. “Kenzie” Ruhl.
A graveside service will be conducted on Thursday April 3, 2008 at Fern Cliff Cemetery in Springfield, Ohio at 11 a.m. with Rev. Virginia Baumun officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions, if desired, be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com
Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory of Bluefield is serving the family of Jeanne P. Cookes.

Opal Ernestine Cornwell
NORTH TAZEWELL, Va. — Opal Ernestine Cornwell, age 70 of the Baptist Valley community of North Tazewell, Va., went to meet her Lord and Savior Sunday, March 30, 2008.
Born January 23, 1938 in Raven, Va., she was a daughter of the late William Virgil Hoback and Oma Byrd Hoback She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Chapel at Wittens Mill, Va. Mrs. Cornwell retired from Acme Supermarkets.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, Richard Peck and one brother, Rodney Hoback
Survivors include her husband of 53 years, John C. Cornwell; two daughters, Evelyn Hager of Tazewell, Va., and Joanne Little and husband, Larry of Hurley, Va.; three grandchildren, Michelle Infante of Tazewell, Va., Martha Barry and husband, Frankie, J.R. Hager and wife, Sabrina all of Springville, Va.; four great-grandchildren, Carlos Barry, Renee Infante, Hunter Infante, and Zachary Taylor; three brothers, Bill Hoback, Larry Hoback, and Mack Hoback; four sisters, Donna Peltier, Vicki Claus, Bea Hellas, and Carol Karnes; special friends, Debbie Spencer, Ernestine Dickens, Jean Nelson, and Barbara Scott; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, Va., with the Rev. Dr. Chuck Trent officiating. Burial will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Frankie Barry, Timothy Rose, Joseph Rose, Ricky Stacy, D.J. Hellas, and Nathanael Spencer. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Stephen Rinehart, the staff of Tazewell Family Physicians, and the staff of the Beauty Connection.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, Va., is in charge of arrangements.

Floyd F. Giampocaro
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Floyd F. Giampocaro, age 87, of 315 Canterbury Road, Bluefield, Va., passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at a Bluefield hospital.
Born on November 29, 1920 in Northfork, W.Va., he was the youngest son of the late Joe and the late Angelina Guiliani Giampocaro. Floyd married Agnes Ann Houston of Tazewell, Va. in 1974. Floyd and Ann managed and operated the Central Grocery Store now called Piggly Wiggly until the early to mid 1960s when there was an exodus of residents from McDowell County because of mine layoffs. At that time, Floyd and Ann used their business experience to make a career move.
He and his wife, Ann who deceased in 1994, established Floyd Asphalt Paving in Bluefield, Va. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bluefield and was a member of the Rotary Club. His family was very important to him.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes Ann Houston Giampocaro; and three brothers, Emmanuel, Victor and Fred.
Survivors include three daughters, Fostina Byrd and husband Terry of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Rebecca Hausmann and husband Randolph of Bluefield, Va., Lisa Tomchin and husband Gregory of Charlotte, N.C. six grandchildren, Christopher Byrd and wife Angela of Bluefield, Va., Jill Smith and husband Robert of Columbia, S.C., Benjamin Webb and wife Shannon of Charlotte, N.C., Brandon Webb of Columbus, Ohio and significant other, Shelli Burden. Zachary Tomchin of Charlotte, N.C., Rachel Tomchin of Charlotte, N.C.; four great-grandchildren, Torren Byrd and Sydney Byrd of Bluefield, Va., Sarah Smith and Katey Smith of Columbia, S.C.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bluefield with Father Paul Wharton officiating. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Bluewell with grandsons, great-grandsons, and grandsons-in-law serving as pallbearers.
Friends may call on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, where a Christian Wake Service will be conducted at 7 p.m.
Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the Giampocaro family.

Tyree Quinton Lester Jr.
KEGLEY — Tyree Quinton Lester Jr., 60, of Sharps Turn Road, Kegley, died Saturday, March 29, 2008 at his home.
Born February 28, 1948 in Wyoming County, he was the son of the late Tryee Quinton Lester Sr. and Elsie Mae Spencer Lester.
Mr. Lester was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served in Vietnam. He was a loving father and grandfather.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Lester in 2006; and two brothers.
Survivors include one daughter, Tina Wall and her fiancé Greg Pendergrass of Princeton; three sons, Tyree Lester III and his wife Amanda of Princeton, Gary Lester and his wife Amy of Mullens and Billy Norris and his wife Amber of Kegley; special grandson, Daniel Lester of Princeton; daughter-in-law, Tammy Norris of Kegley; 15 grandchildren; five brothers; seven sisters; and special friend of the family, Christina Pendergrass of Princeton.
Honoring Mr. Lester’s wishes, the body has been cremated. There will be no services at the funeral home.
Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bailey-kirk.com.

Ruby K. Mathena
BLUEFIELD — Ruby K. Mathena, 92, of Route 2, Bluefield died Monday, March 24, 2008 at the Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born at Maple Grove on March 11, 1916 she was the daughter of the late John and Martha Ford.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Henry Mathena; two sisters, Pearl Moye and Thelma Ford.
Survivors include children, Dorothy White of North Carolina, Jessie Weavers of Arlington Heights, Ill., and David Ford of Gary; sister, Bulah Meador of Beckley; brother, Simon Ford; grandchildren, Annie Thomas of Bluefield, Brian White of North Carolina, Crystal White of North Carolina and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2008 from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton. Burial will follow in the Miller Family Cemetery, near Falls Mills, Va.
Friends may call Wednesday from noon until the service hour.
Family and friends may share online condolence via www.memorialfd.coma
The Mathena family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory and Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.

Eugene (Gene) Lee Wallace
PALM BAY, Fla. — Eugene (Gene) Lee Wallace, 45, passed away unexpectedly and untimely on Sunday, March 23, 2008 in Palm Bay, Fla.
He was raised in Bluefield, W.Va. He joined the Air Force in December 1983 and had been assigned to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.; Keflavik, Iceland and Seymour Johnson, N.C. In 1998 and until his passing, he was serving on Active Duty as a Master Sergeant in the Air Force at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute as the Supply and Logistics Superintendent. He was a dedicated NCO and served his country for over 24 years. He had many military achievements and belonged to the First Sergeants’ Association, “Top Three,” and Noncommissioned Officers Club.
He was a gentle soul with a great sense of humor. He knew how to turn just about anything you say into something funny to make you laugh. He loved talking to people and really getting to know them and their stories. You felt he really wanted to get to know you. He was loved by everyone who got to know him and was respected for his integrity, dependability and high work standards by his fellow coworkers.
He enjoyed so many interests. It seemed he was up for just about anything, whether it was a walk through the mall or an art show on the weekend, but he really loved being out on the water fishing, camping, going to NASCAR or any racing event, rodeos, or car shows. Just being outside in nature or by the water gave him comfort. He loved relaxing and reading the newspaper while drinking his coffee on the weekends.
He is survived by his loving wife, Wanda Stone, and as he would say his “keeper,” who will beyond words deeply miss her “greatest catch.”
Gene was predeceased by his mother, Ruth Bell Wallace and his father, Farris Lee Wallace.
In lieu of flowers, request donations be made to Operation Warm Heart c/o 45 SFS/CCF 19 Control Road, Patrick AFB, FL 32925
A celebration of his life will be held in the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., on April 9, 2008 at 3 p.m. with a reception to follow.
To gain access to Patrick Air Force Base for the celebration of life, please call Chief Master Sergeant Kim Lintz at 494-7897 or Ms. Barbara Springer at 494-7896 for further information.
Florida Memorial Funeral Home, Rockledge, Fla. is in charge of arrangements.

Tommy Lee Williamson
NORTH TAZEWELL, Va. — Tommy Lee Williamson, age 74, of the Adria section of North Tazewell, passed away Saturday, March 29, 2008 in a Bristol, Tenn., hospital following a brief illness.
He was born April 20, 1933 in Bishop, Va., and was the son of the late Thomas Akers and Helen Asbury Williamson, formerly of North Tazewell, Va.
He was a Veteran of the armed forces, having served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was a retired railroad employee with 29 years of service for N&W and then Norfolk Southern. Additionally, he was past President of the Russell-Tazewell Shrine Club, a member of the Tazewell Masonic Lodge No. 62, the Kazim Temple in Roanoke, Va., a lifetime member of the Barns-Beavers VFW Post No. 7136, and also of the Disable American Veterans or DAV. Also, for a number of years, he was chairman for the Tazewell County Walking Horse Classic. He was a member of Adria Advent Christian Church. Tommy will be missed by many friends and family members who loved him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Darrell Dwight Williamson; and a brother, Minet Williamson.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Survivors are his loving wife of 47 years, Margaret Nash Williamson; daughters, Tammy Ortloff and husband, Derald Ortloff, II of Homestead, Fla., Lee Anna Hayes and husband, Dennis of Baptist Valley, Va.; grandchildren, Chelsea Nicole Smith and Derald Dean Ortloff, III; sisters-in-law, Janie Williamson of Tazewell, Va., Donna Arnold of Knoxville, Tenn., special companion; his dog, Sam. Many other friends and family members also survive and mourn his passing.
Funeral services for Tommy Lee Williamson will be conducted at 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell, Va., with Pastor Bill Harrington and Pastor Don Elswick officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tuesday evening.
Pallbearers will be Derald Ortloff, II, Dennis Hayes, Vic O’Dell, Terry Wolfe, H.S. Caudill, Rodney Austin, Ralph Hagy, and Norman Cook.
Honorary pallbearers will be Members of Adria Advent Christian Church and Members of the Russell -Tazewell Shrine Club.
A committal service will be held at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, Va., Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 11 a.m. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to assemble at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell, Va., by 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Barns-Beavers VFW Post #7136 will conduct military graveside rites.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to Adria Advent Christian Church or to a charity of choice.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell, Va., is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Funerals
• Jessie Comer Jr.: 2 p.m. Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. Interment will follow at the New Zion Cemetery, Route 3, Princeton.
• Harold (Poppy) Goodman: 11 a.m. Singleton Funeral Service Chapel, Cedar Bluff, Va. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Cemetery at Claypool Hill, Va.
• Jacob E. King Sr.: 1 p.m. Tabernacle Baptist Church, Bluefield, Va. Entombment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton.
• Ronald Jackson “Jack” Wall: 11 a.m. George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home, Princeton. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton.