Eric David Ramsey
Eric David Ramsey, 27, of Charlton Heights, died Jan. 12, 2006.
He was the son of Grant and Kathy Ramsey of Charlton Heights, and was preceded in death by his grandfather, James Wright; and his grandparents, Grant and Mary Ann Ramsey.
Surviving, in addition to his parents: his wife, April Ramsey; daughter, Anastasia M. Ramsey; son, Jayden A. Ramsey; brother and wife, Mike and Lisa Ramsey of Smithers; sister and husband, Megan and Michael Coleman of Wooster, Ohio; grandmother, Goldie Wright of Falls View; special friend, Mrs. Ruth Dooley of Charlton Heights; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, eight nieces and nephews, and many friends.
The funeral services were Jan. 16 at the Pennington Funeral Home Chapel, Gauley Bridge, with the Rev. Ralph Davis officiating. followed after the funeral services at Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow.
A trust fund has been put in place for Eric’s daughter and son at Alloy Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 323, Alloy, WV 25002.
E-mail condolences may be sent to the Ramsey family on the Web at prpennington@citynet.net.
Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home Chapel, Gauley Bridge.
Emory W. Richards
Emory W. Richards, 82, of Cedar Grove, died Jan. 14, 2006, after a long illness.
The family requests donations be made to the Mammoth Advent Christian Church, General Delivery, Mammoth, WV 25132 or to Kanawha Hospice, 1143 Dunbar Ave., Dunbar, WV 25064.
Arrangements by Cooke Funeral Home, Cedar Grove.
Hattie Virginia Raynes Yeager
Hattie Virginia Raynes Yeager, 88, of Oak Hill, died Jan. 13, 2006, at Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill.
Born Nov. 25, 1917, at Cannelton, she was the daughter of the late Walter Brent and Emma Jones Raynes. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde W. Yeager.
Hattie was a retired restaurant operator.
Surviving: her nephews, Elmer Raynes, L.B. Raynes Jr., Rev. Kenneth Gail Raynes, Dr. Ronald A. Rollins Sr., Rev. Bill Raynes and Rev. Larry Raynes; and nieces, Drema Hannah, Margaret Harper and Brenda Wagner.
Service was Jan. 17 at Tyree Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with family members officiating. Entombment followed in High Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Oak Hill.
Donations of sympathy may be made to Fayette County Senior Program, 108 Lewis St., Oak Hill, WV 25901.
Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.
Rankin Lee Harless
Rankin Lee Harless, 74, of Hugheston passed away Friday June 30, 2006, at home after a short illness.
Lee lived most of his life in West Virginia and was a member of the Hughes Creek Community Church. Lee worked as a salesman to the Coal Mine Industry and he was a realtor for Commercial Real Estate Services.
He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War, a member of the Coal Valley Masonic Lodge No. 74, Scottish Rite Bodies of Charleston, Beni Kedem Shrine Temple of Charleston, and The Oriental Band and the Fayette County Shrine Club.
Lee was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Ward Harless.
Surviving are his wife, Carol Francis Harless at home; children, Clark Harless of St. Albans, and Garland Francis of San Angelo, Texas; daughters, Debi Richard of Huntersville, N.C., Catherine Brown, and Nora Knox of Charleston, Mary Halley of New Bloomfield, Pa., and Stephanie Littlecreek of Austin, Texas; brothers, Robert of Douglas, Ga., Steve of Fayetteville, Ga., and Scott of Charlton Heights; special sister, Donna Petry of Cannelton; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, at The Hughes Creek Community Church, Hugheston.
Cemetery: Sunset Memorial Park, 4301 Maccorkle Ave. SW, South Charleston, WV
Visitation: 6:00:00 PM to 8:00:00 PM on Tuesday, July 04, 2006 at Hughes Creek Community Church.
Services: 2:00:00 PM at Hughes Creek Community Church on Wednesday, July 05, 2006. Pastor Gary Tucker & Nephew Craig Petry officiating.
Matthew Humphreys
Matthew “Matt” Humphreys, 18, of Mammoth died Sunday, August 6th, 2006 as a result from injuries in an auto accident.
He was a life long resident of Mammoth and a graduate of Riverside High School. He was a high school football player for Riverside High and was selected to play in the North & South football game. He was a protestant.
He is survived by his father, Wilbert “Moose” Humphreys & mother, Sara Daniels Humphreys of Mammoth; grandmothers, Anna Humphreys of Mammoth, Wanda Daniels of Ward; brothers, Ryan & Koty Humphreys of Mammoth; and a host of aunts, uncles, and friends.
Cemetery: Ward Cemetery, Kelly's Creek Rd., Ward, WV
Visitation: 6:00:00 PM to 8:00:00 PM on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 at Hughes Creek Community Church.
Services: 3:00:00 PM at Hughes Creek Community Church on Thursday, August 10, 2006. Pastor Gary Tucker officiating.
Joy G. Larabee
Joy G. Larabee, 59, of Nitro started her life with the Lord Monday, August 7, 2006.
Born Dec. 16, 1946, she was a daughter of the late Clarence and Maycel Hedrick of Nitro.
Joy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.
She is survived by her loving husband of 39 years, Dempsey Paul Larabee of Nitro; daughter, Joy "Renee" Larabee-Adkins of Nitro; son, Dempsey "Sherman" Larabee of Dunbar; sister, Joyce Priddy and her husband, Rufus, of Red House; and her three special grandchildren Mia Renee Fitzwater, Christopher Lee Adkins, and Kameryn Nickole Larabee. She had 38 nieces and nephews and a host of loving friends.
She was of the Protestant faith. Married on June 3,1968, she was a lifelong homemaker.
To the many friends and loved ones who were blessed with the opportunity to allow her to make a mark upon your life, know that her strength will always be with us. Our family will continue to pray that each one of you always remember the kind words, the long talks, or the words of wisdom that she gave to you and hope that you will always remember the comfort of her happy smile or the warmth of her hug anytime we needed her. This world has truly lost an angel, but the kingdom needed her strength and she will now truly be able to be beside us all.
Cemetery: Cunningham Memorial Park, 815 Cunningham Ln, St. Albans, WV
Visitation: 6:00:00 PM to 8:00:00 PM on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 at Cooke Funeral Home.
Services: 11:00:00 AM at Cooke Funeral Home on Thursday, August 10, 2006. Rev. Richard Mallory officiating.
Ella Lucille Fugate
Ella Lucille Fugate, 83, of Sharon, went home to the arms of her Lord and Savior Sunday, August 13, 2006, after a long illness.
Sis Fugate dedicated her life to God and to winning souls for Christ. She leaves a legacy of faith with her children and with those whom were saved under her ministry.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Troy Fugate; and son, Ronald Lee Fugate, both of Sharon. She was also preceded in death by her father and mother, Bert and Beulah Hudson; and sister, Audrey King, all of Florida.
She is survived by daughters, Linda McQuabbie of Charleston, Brenda Dickens of Sharon, Joann Kelly-Drummond of Nitro and Regina Fugate of Ronda; son, Jerry Fugate; and daughter-in-law, Nita Fugate of Giles. She is also survived by her special grandson, Jason Ronald Fugate, whom she called her “love bug”. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
The Fugate family would like to extend special thanks to Brenda “BK” Green, of Ronda for all of her help during these trying times.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, at the church, and one hour prior to the services on Wednesday.
Cemetery: Montgomery Memorial Park, Route 60, London, WV
Visitation: 6:00:00 PM to 8:00:00 PM on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at Ronda Full Gospel Tabernacle.
Services: 1:00:00 PM at Ronda Full Gospel Tabernacle on Wednesday, August 16, 2006. Rev. Brenda Gray officiating.
Agnes E. Schamber
Agnes E. Schamber, 93, peacefully passed away Aug. 13, 2006, at the home of her son, A. Robert Schamber of Nitro.
She was born Aug. 1, 1913, in Medicine Hat, Saskatchewan, Canada, and became a citizen of the United States in 1976.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Bertha Bieberdorf; her husband, Alfred R. Schamber; one sister, Elsie Ermish; and two brothers, George and Donald Bieberdorf.
She is survived by one sister, Leona Ferguson of Hot Springs, S.D.; three children, A. Robert Schamber of Nitro, Richard George Schamber of Bainbridge, Wash., and Mary Jean Shaw of Egan, Minn.; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She recently moved to Nitro from Rapid City, S.D., where she lived for over 70 years.
She graduated from Black Hills State University, Spearfish, S.D., in 1964. She taught for many years in Nebraska and South Dakota, with the last 33 years in South Dakota, mainly in Rapid City, S.D.
There will be no service here in Nitro.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at Zion Lutheran Church, Rapid City, S.D., where she was a member. She will be laid to rest in Pine Lawn Memorial Park, Rapid City, next to her husband.
Memorials: Any memorial gifts may be sent to Zion Lutheran Church, 4550 South Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57710.
Marvin H. Eller
Marvin H. “Earl” Eller of Mount Nebo passed away Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006.
He was a crane operator for U.M.W. Construction. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Christ Temple in Winifrede.
He was a loving husband, a tender father, and an extraordinary grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Eller; mother, Lois Rouse; daughter, Michelle McKinney; son, David Seargent; and twin brother, Melvin “George” Eller.
He is survived by his wife, Vivian R. Massy Eller; son, Marvin H. Eller II of Mount Nebo; daughters, Kellie A. Frame of Birch River, Natalie Hall of Mount Nebo; brothers, Jack E. Brown of Chelyan, Gary Eller of Alum Creek; and granddaughters, Katie Dorsey, Britney Hall, Stephanie Thompson, Brandy Hall, Sarah Frame, and Alexis Frame.
Cemetery: Walnut Grove Cemetery, Clay County, WV
Visitation: 1:00:00 AM to 1:00:00 PM on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at Cooke Funeral Home, Cedar Grove.
Services: 1:00:00 PM at Cooke Funeral Home, Cedar Grove on Thursday, August 17, 2006. Rev. Jack Long officiating.
Claude D. Lyons
Claude David Lyons, 58, of Charleston, passed away August 15th, at home after a long illness.
David was an avid hunter, a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, and a section boss at several coal mines in the Kanawha Valley with many years of service at Valley Camp Coal Company.
David was a loving husband, father, brother, and friend.
David was preceded in death by his father Claude B. Lyons.
He is survived by wife Jeanie; son, Christopher; daughter, Angela Snyder and husband Matt; sisters, Deanna Lyons of St. Albans, Gail Summers and husband Donald of Pond Gap, Paula Lyons of St. Albans, Judy Taylor and husband Robert of Belle; plus many nieces, nephews, and Heather Stokes, Julie Chander Lyons, and Gerald Sigmon.
There will be Military Graveside Rites at the Cemetery by the Gauley Bridge VFW.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Kanawha Hospice Care, Inc. 1143 Dunbar Avenue, Dunbar, WV 25064.
Cemetery: Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Route 60 E, Glasgow, WV
Visitation: 6:00:00 PM to 8:00:00 PM on Friday, August 18, 2006 at Cooke Funeral Home Chapel, Cedar Grove.
Services: 1:00:00 PM at Cooke Funeral Home Chapel, Cedar Grove on Saturday, August 19, 2006. Pastor Tim Campbell & Mr. Steve Richards officiating.
Richard C. Steelhammer
Richard Cody Steelhammer, beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 15, 2006, in Cross Lanes, West Virginia. Anyone who knew him can attest to the fact that he was appropriately named since the origin of his name means “helper.”
The son of Richard and Pamela Gardner Steelhammer of Cross Lanes, Cody was born on November 12, 1986, in Charleston. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School, graduated from Charleston Catholic High School, where he was a member of the school's cross-country team, and was preparing to start his sophomore year at Shepherd University, where he planned to major in social work.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by twin brother Nick, younger sister Chelsea, grandparents William and Mary Lou Gardner of Dunbar and Toby Steelhammer of Bend, Oregon, Aunt Sandi Gardner-Wood and Uncle Joseph of Denver, Colorado, Uncle Dan Steelhammer and Aunt Jill of Bend, Oregon, Uncle Bill Steelhammer and Aunt Wendy of Long Beach, California, Uncle Tracy Steelhammer and Aunt Jerri of San Francisco, California, cousins Henry, Tome and Molly Steelhammer of Bend, Oregon, Uncle Roger and Uncle Randy of New York City, and special friend Sara Wallace.
Possessing a generous heart and the soul of a poet, Cody touched others with his advocacy for justice, his compassion toward the less fortunate, and his insight into others' difficulties. Cody's solid, yet gentle presence, sound advice and quirky humor endeared him to family and friends who turned to him for comfort, encouragement and direction.
An avid outdoorsman, Life Scout member of Sacred Heart Cathedral's Troop 2, accomplished fly fisherman and amateur astronomer, Cody also enjoyed reading science fiction and studying history, particularly the Civil War period, Byzantine Empire and medieval times. He was a lover of animals and all things in nature and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Cody was often spotted running in Charleston and during his senior year won the highest MVP award bestowed by his cross country team. His senior class named him “Most Unique.”
Cody had a keen sense of curiosity and intuition. He was content to stay in the background, helping other people to shine, and was genuinely happy for the good fortune of others. However, he will also be remembered for his brilliant sense of humor.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 18, at John XXIII Pastoral Center on Hodges Road off Corridor G (right past Ashton Shopping Center). Friends may visit with the family from 5 to 7 p.m. The service is planned for 7 p.m., followed by a reception serving Ellen's Ice Cream (Cody's favorite).
Even though the number of years Cody lived was not what any would have chosen, the years he lived were full of life, love and meaning. He was truly an old soul who continues to share his wisdom. The impression he made on peers and adults alike and the many hearts that are deeply saddened by his death are testimony to this special young man. Surely the meaning of our lives is how we live each day, not how many days we live.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that friends plant flowers in Cody's memory or donate to H.O.P.E. (Housing Outreach Program Express, Charleston Catholic High School, 1033 Virginia Street, Charleston, WV 25301), a school-sponsored summer renovation project, making homes warmer, safer and drier for disadvantaged West Virginians.
Visitation: 5:00:00 PM to 7:00:00 PM on Friday, August 18, 2006 at Pope John XXIII Pastoral Center .
Services: 7:00:00 PM at Pope John XXIII Pastoral Center on Friday, August 18, 2006.
Susan Little
Susan Little, 58, of Cross Lanes passed away Aug. 16, 2006, after a long illness.
She was a former waitress who worked in the food service industry.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ronnie A. Childress and Irma Nell Rife.
She is survived by her husband, Earl Little of Cross Lanes; son, Robert Hesson, his wife, Kim, and their children, Kiera, Adam and Sandi; son, Jerry Hesson, his wife, Teresa, and their children, Jerica and Cailyn; son, Mark Hesson, his wife, Laura, and their children, Jacey, Derick and Skylar; and sisters, Brenda Childress and Marie Childress.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to HospiceCare, 1143 Dunbar Ave., Dunbar, WV 25064.
Services: 1:00:00 PM at Cooke Funeral Home Chapel, Nitro on Sunday, August 20, 2006. Rev. Paul Little officiating.
William L. Ratcliff
William Jay Ratcliff, 40, of Cedar Grove passed away Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006, at CAMC Memorial Hospital, Charleston.
Jay lived most of his life in Kanawha County and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, Coalburg. He worked most of his life as a general laborer.
Surviving: brother, Franklin D. of Cedar Grove; sisters, Rita Ratcliff of Charleston and Carolina Withrow of Belle; nieces, Michelle, Natasha, Rachel, Kayleigh Jo and C.C.; and nephews, Franklin, Joshua, Curtis, Travis, Clifford, Adam, Jonathan and Ronnie.
Cemetery: Montgomery Memorial Park, Route 60, London, WV
Visitation: 6:00:00 PM to 8:00:00 PM on Sunday, August 27, 2006 at Cooke Funeral Home, Cedar Grove.
Services: 11:00:00 AM at Montgomery Memorial Park on Monday, August 28, 2006. Rev. Rita Muncey officiating.
