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Laverne D. Peters
ROBERTSBURG -- Laverne D. Peters, 57, of Manilla Road, Robertsburg, Putnam County, died Friday March 27, 1998, in Putnam General Hospital after a sudden illness. Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, is in charge of arrangements.

Susan F. Ransom
BEAVER -- Susan Frances Ransom, 81, of Beaver died Thursday, March 26, 1998, in Titusville, Fla., after a long illness. Rose & Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley is in charge of arrangements.

Joseph H. Richter
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Joseph Henry Richter, 76, of Virginia Beach, formerly of Charleston, W.Va., died Thursday, March 26, 1998, at home after a short illness. He was a former board member of Kanawha Players, Charleston Light Opera Guild and the Greater Charleston Swimming Association, former president of Elkland Pool and West Virginia State Amateur Athletic Union, was a retired meteorologist from NOAA (the National Weather Service) with 41 years of service and attended the College of William and Mary, Norfolk campus.
Surviving: wife, Gerry Richter; son, John Joseph Richter of Randolph, N.J.; daughters, Katherine Richter Alton of Lawrenceville, Ga., Jane Richter Hollister of Clifton, Va.; stepson, Scott of Virginia Beach; stepdaughters, Carol and Elizabeth of Virginia Beach; 10 grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Oliver Funeral Home, Virginia Beach. Burial will be in Eastern Shore Chapel Cemetery. The family suggests donations be sent to either West Virginia University or the College of William and Mary.

Sherman Roach
Sherman Roach, 69, of Nitro, died Friday March 27, 1998, at Thomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness. Cooke Funeral Home, Nitro, is in charge of arrangements.

Virgie L. Sizemore
CLAY -- Virgie Lee Sizemore, 97, of Clay died Friday, March 27, 1998, in Ravenswood Village Nursing Center after a long illness. She was a retired merchant and a member of First Baptist Church, Clay, Order of the Eastern Star 28 and Rebekkah Lodge.
Surviving: son, R.T. Sizemore Jr. of Clay; daughters, Dorothy Hanshaw and Betty Sizemore of Cottageville, Jeannie Sizemore of Ravenswood; sister, Othel Rogers of Pinch; 14 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Carl Wilson Funeral Home, Clay, with the Rev. Alba Blankenship officiating. Burial will be in Clay Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Delbert C. Stevens
CLEVELAND -- Delbert Cecil Stevens, 74, of Cleveland died Wednesday, March 25, 1998, in St. Vincent Hospital after a long illness. He was a veteran of World War II, a retired assembler for Cleveland Frog and Crossing Co. and a member of Broadway United Methodist Church.
Surviving: wife, Margaret Iroana Black Stevens; daughters, Sharon Wick, Shelley Palmer and Sharlene Miller; two granddaughters; two step-grandchildren; one great-grandson; four step-great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Stump Funeral Home, Grantsville, with the Rev. Robert Nicholas officiating. Burial will be in Betts Cemetery, near Grantsville. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

John B. Strong
DES MOINES, Iowa -- John Booth Strong, 68, of Des Moines, formerly of Charleston, W.Va., died Tuesday, March 24, 1998, in Merch Hospital Medical Center after an apparent heart attack. He was a retired supervisor from the Science Center of Iowa, a former pressman for Charleston Newspapers, a Navy veteran and a member of American Legion Post 374 and VFW.
Surviving: sons, Gary Strong of Des Moines, John M. Strong of Clarksburg, W.Va.; daughter, Robyn Strong of Charleston, W.Va.; stepson, Howard Jenkins of Ravenswood, W.Va.; stepdaughter, Ernestine R. White of Ravenswood; three grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Hamilton's Funeral Home, Des Moines. Friends may call two hours prior to service at the funeral home.

Cathy J. Toler
POCA -- Cathy Jean Toler, 37, of Poca died Thursday, March 26, 1998, in Nitro after a short illness. She was a lifelong resident of the Poca area, an employee of the Putnam County Aging Program with more than 12 years' service and a member of Lett Creek Community Church.
Surviving: daughter, Carrinda Jewell Meadows at home; mother, Jewell Meadows of Nitro; father, Glen Meadows of Poca; sisters, Cindy and Ruth Meadows of Nitro; brother, Mike Meadows of Nitro; maternal grandmother, Ruth Booth of Poca. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with the Rev. Willard Beller officiating. Burial will be in Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens, Red House. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Virgil Vandevender
KERENS -- Virgil Vandevender, 74, of Kerens, Randolph County, died Friday, March 27, 1998, in Davis Memorial Hospital, Elkins. He was a Presbyterian, a retired wildlife management worker for the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, an Army veteran of World War II and a member of VFW, Marlinton.
Surviving: wive, Halcy Mullenax Vandevender; sons, Robert of Elkins, Billy of Huntington, Randall of Bartow; foster daughters, Joyce Johnson of Kerens, Patricia Brown of Manassas, Va.; sisters, Mildred Thompson and Belva Bennett of Cherry Grove, Betty Bennett of Riverton; brother, Willie Vandevender of Cherry Grove; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Sunday at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Lewisburg, with the Rev. Harold Mullenax officiating. Burial will be in Mullenax cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Choice A. Walker
BECKLEY -- Choice A. Walker, 101, of Beckley died Thursday, March 26, 1998, in a Beckley nursing home after a short illness. He was a retired farmer and a member and deacon of Egeria Primitive Baptist Church.
Surviving: sons, Colston Choice Walker of Shalimar, Fla., Carson A. Walker of Stanaford; daughters, Macel Mills of Beckley, Lota Porter of Suffolk, Va.; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren. Service was to be 11 a.m. today at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Prosperity, with the Rev. Edward Garten officiating. Burial will be in Calfee Cemetery, Mount Tabor. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Clydetta C. Walker
KEYSER -- Clydetta Canfield Walker, 79, of Keyser died Friday, March 27, 1998, in Potomac Valley Hospital after a long illness. She was a retired seamstress from Keyser Garment Factory and a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Westernport, Md., and Women of the Moose 191, Keyser.
Surviving: husband, L. Frank Walker; sons, James D. Canfield of Carlisle, Pa., John A. "Jack" Canfield of Charleston; brother, Thomas J. Conlon of Keyser; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren. Service will be 9:30 a.m. Monday at St. Peter's Catholic Church with the Rev. James Hannon officiating. Burial will be in Kalbaugh Cemetery, Elk Garden. Friends may call from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Rotruck-Smith Funeral Home, Keyser, where there will be a rosary service at 6:45. The family suggests donations be sent to St. Peter's Catholic Church, 127 Church St., Westernport, MD 21562, or Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia, 1426 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, WV 25301.

Bernard O. Bowles
HURRICANE -- Bernard O. Bowles, 75, of Hurricane died March 27, 1998, in VA Hospital, Huntington, after a short illness. He was formerly of St. Albans and Charleston, and was a retired construction worker. He was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church, South Charleston, George Walton Blue Lodge, Augusta, Ga., Valley of Augusta, Scottish Rite Bodies, Augusta, and Alee Shrine Temple, Savannah, Ga. He was a 32nd-degree Mason and Shriner for 46 years.
Surviving: sister, Carolyn Bowles of Hurricane; several nieces and nephews. Service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at All Saints Episcopal Church with the Rev. James Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Wilson Funeral Home, Charleston. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to All Saints Episcopal Church, or Kanawha Hospice Care Inc., 1143 Dunbar Ave., Dunbar, W.Va. 25064.

Edith M. Cunningham
Edith M. Cunningham, 74, of Dunbar died March 26, 1998, at home after a long illness. She was retired from West Virginia State Maternal & Child Health and was a member of McKinnon Presbyterian Church.
Surviving: sons, Frank Lynn Ransberger of Colorado Springs, Colo., John Edward Ransberger of Charleston; daughter, Barbara Kay Taylor of St. Albans; stepsons, Kermit V. Cunningham of Dunbar, Jerry V. Cunningham of Scott Depot, Harold C. Cunningham of Hurricane, George R. Cunningham of Ohio; stepdaughter, Delores McClanahan of Charleston; brother, James Boggess of California; sisters, Betty Carson of Ohio, Delores Ramsey of Charleston, Ruth Cooper of Cross Lanes; six grandchildren; 13 stepgrandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. today at McKinnon Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Edward J. Thompson officiating. Burial will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, is in charge of arrangements.

Esta E. Dodrill
IVYDALE -- Esta E. Dodrill, 96, of Ivydale, formerly of Webster Springs, died March 27, 1998, in Laurel Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Ivydale, after a long illness. She was a homemaker and a member of Point Mountain Church, near Webster Springs. She was the first woman to be elected sheriff of Webster County.
Surviving: sons, Dudley of Sutton, Thamer of Ashland, Ky., Harry of Tennessee Ridge, Tenn.; daughters, Kate Payne of Canton, Ohio, Mary Jane Griffey of Grayson, Ky.; brother, Hubert Cowger of Wapakoneta, Ohio; sister, Amy Robinson of Mansfield, Ohio; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Point Mountain Church, near Webster Springs, with the Rev. Jim Waldeck officiating. Burial will be in Point Mountain Church Cemetery. Friends may call three hours prior to service at the church. Greene-Robertson Funeral Home, Sutton, is in charge of arrangements.

Mary M. Evans
MESA, Ariz.-- Mary Margaret Newman Evans, 55, of Mesa, formerly of Southside, W.Va., died March 25, 1998, at home. She was a supervisor and cashier at A&W Root Beer, Mesa.
Surviving: husband, Richard Evans; son, John Thevenin of Fort Payne, Ala.; daughters, Sandy Slusher of South Charleston, W.Va., Sara Woolridge of Tustin, Calif.; stepsons, Matthew Evans and Mark Evans, both of Columbus, Ohio; stepdaughters, Angie Stokes, Laura Sanin and Melissa Evans, all of Columbus; mother, Virginia Newman of Southside; brother, Waymer E. "Buddy" Newman of Point Pleasant, W.Va.; sisters, Elva Ferguson of Columbus, Charlotte E. "Judy" Zwolenski of Lake Side, Calif., Janet Fay Lanier of Southside; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Beech Hill United Methodist Church, Southside, with the Rev. Louis A. Hussell and the Rev. Bobby L. Woods officiating. Burial will be in Beech Hill Cemetery, Southside. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Crow-Hussell Funeral Home, Point Pleasent, and one hour prior to service at the church.

Charlotte Farkas
GROVELAND, Calif. -- Charlotte Farkas, 87, of Groveland, formerly of Hernshaw, W.Va., died March 26, 1998, in Reeds Port Hospital, Reeds Port, Ore., after a short illness. She attended Bethel Church, Smithers, W.Va.
Surviving: daughter, Violet Edna Taylor of North Ridgeville, Ohio; sons, John Thomas Farkas of Groveland, Edward Farkas of Lutz, Fla.; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at O'Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, W.Va., with the Rev. Claude R. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Montgomery Memorial Park, London, W.Va. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Bobby Joe Harrison
OMAR -- Bobby Joe Harrison, 60, of Omar, Logan County, died March 27, 1998, in Logan General Hospital after a long illness. James Funeral Home, Logan, is in charge of arrangements.

Bill Martin
TIMMONSVILLE, S.C. -- Bill Martin, 85, of Timmonsville died March 27, 1998, in a Florence hospital. He was an employee of Union Carbide, South Charleston Plant, with 28 years' service, member of West Virginia Blue Lodge 168, South Charleston, and Scottish Rite. He was a member of Lake Swamp Baptist Church.
Surviving: daughters, Pat M. Jones and Sue Anderson, both of Timmonsville; brother, Hubert H. Martin of Timmonsville; sisters, Marie Castle of Paintsville, Ky., Verna Elliott of Belleville, Mich.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Layton-Anderson Funeral Home, Timmonsville. Burial will be in Byrd Cemetery, Timmonsville. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Lake Swamp Baptist Church or Timmonsville Rescue Squad.

Mamie T. McCoy
Mamie T. McCoy, 94, of Dunbar died March 26, 1998, in Americare of Dunbar after a long illness. She was a Christian and a retired licensed practical nurse from McMillian Hospital, Charleston, and Kanawha Valley Hospital, Charleston.
Surviving: daughter, Ruth Sullivan of St. Albans; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Timothy Lutheran Church Pastor's Fund, 4630 Ohio St., South Charleston, W.Va. 25309.

Lillian P. Moore
Lillian Paxton Moore of St. Albans diedMarch 27, 1998, in Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston, after a short illness. She was a former Kanawha County schoolteacher, having taught 33 years at Highlawn, Decota, Winifred and Wevaco elementaries. She was a 51-year member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, St. Albans, United Bible Class, Wesleyan Fellowship and Eastern Star 79.
Surviving: sons, Raymond of Columbus, Ohio, Arnold of Cross Lanes; daughter, Barbara Moore of St. Albans; brothers, James Paxton of St. Albans, Roy K. Paxton of Lakeland, Fla.; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Monday at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, St. Albans, with the Rev. Ed Tutwiler officiating. Burial will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. today at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, St. Albans, where an Eastern Star service will be held at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 815 Kanawha Terrace, St. Albans, W.Va. 25177.

Betty S. Mowry
Betty Susan Monroe Mowry, 80, of Charleston, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio, died March 26, 1998, in General Division, CAMC, after a long illness. She was a retired classification management specialist with the U. S. Department of Defense, Defense Investigative Service, Cleveland, Ohio. She was a 40-year resident of Cleveland, member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Charleston, Presbyterian Women, Tiskelwah Chapter 45 Order of the Eastern Star, a graduate of Charleston High School and Morris Harvey College, and a graduate of the court reporting class of the Charleston School of Commerce.
Surviving: son, David Mowry of Concord Township, Ohio; brothers, Edward T. Monroe Jr. of St. Albans, Phillip H. Monroe and David Lee Monroe, both of Charleston; sisters, Barbara Riffee of Front Royal, Va., Nancy Harvey of St. Albans, Shirley Monroe of Charleston; two grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Lawton Posey officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery, Charleston. Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. today at Good Shepherd Mortuary, where an Eastern Star service will be held at 4:45 p.m. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery, Charleston. The family suggests donations to Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 805 Price St., Charleston, W.Va., 25302.

Oleda Ramsey Nichols
CRESTON, Ohio -- Oleda Ramsey Nichols, 67, of Creston died March 27, 1998, in Rittman Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a long illness. She was born in Bickmore, W.Va.
Surviving: husband, Shady F. Nichols; sons, Michael Ramsey of Ashland, Ohio, Terry Ramsey of Ivydale, W.Va.; daughters, Teri Baker and Linda Nichols, both of Orrville, Ohio; sisters, Roma Davis of Lake Wales, Fla., Thelma Jones of Clay, W.Va., Juanita Legg of Fola, W.Va., Bonnie Price of Dry Branch, W.Va.; brothers, Burnell Ramsey of Salisbury, N.C., David Ramsey of Hinesville, Ga., James Ramsey of Sterling, Ohio, Larry Ramsey of Clay, Mike Ramsey of Cortland, N.Y.; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Carl Wilson Funeral Home, Clay, with the Rev. Dennis Legg officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery, Bickmore. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Sarah R. Parsons
Sarah Robinson Parsons, 77, of Charleston died March 27, 1998, in St. Francis Hospital. She was a 50-year resident of the Kanawha Valley.
Surviving: sons, Wayne Robinson of Salisbury, N.C., Donald Robinson of Hickory, N.C.; daughters, Pat Sahley of Charleston, Elizabeth Vannatter of Buda, Texas; sister, Pearl Scholl of Milan, Mich.; brothers, Sheman Headley of Charleston, Herbert Headley of Elkton, Md., Claude Headley and Earl Headley, both of Irving, Texas; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, with the Rev. Olof Scott officiating. Entombment will be in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

LaVerne D. Peters
ROBERTSBURG -- LaVerne D. Peters, 57, of Robertsburg, Putnam County, died March 27, 1998, in Putnam General Hospital after a short illness. He was a disabled railroad trackman in Cleveland and an Army veteran of the Vietnam War.
Surviving: wife, Karen Peters; daughters, Wanda Snyder of Winfield, Betsy Wilson of Buffalo, Melissa Hayner of Cleveland; sons, Darrell at home, LaVerne D. Jr. of Cleveland; sisters, Lois Miller and Marion Bundy, both of Iowa; brothers, Ivan, Donnie and Ronald, all of Iowa, Eddie of Minnesota; four grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Monday at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with Pastor Arliss Blackshire officiating. Burial will be in Barnett Chapel Cemetery, Liberty. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Joseph Flynn Powers
Joseph Flynn Powers, 78, of St. Albans died March 27, 1998, in Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston, after a long illness. He was retired from Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Co. with 35 years' service, a member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, St. Albans, a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and was a member of American Legion Post 73, VFW Post 6418, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, and was a 41-year resident of St. Albans.
Surviving: wife, Watha C. Powers; daughters, Jane P. Lindenberg of Montgomery, Texas, Jean P. Daniel of Medina, Ohio; sister, Virginia M. Bledsoe of Ripley; two grandchildren. Service will be 10 a.m. Monday at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, St. Albans, with the Rev. Ed Tutwiler and the Rev. Betsy Walker officiating. Entombment with military rites will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, Upper Chapel, St. Albans. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Susan Frances Ransom
BEAVER -- Susan Frances Ransom, 81, of Beaver, Raleigh County, died March 26, 1998, in Parrish Medical Center, Titusville, Fla., after a short illness. She was a retired Raleigh County schoolteacher with 41 years' service, having last taught at Beaver Elementary. She attended Beaver United Methodist Church, was a lifelong resident of Beaver and a member of Retired Teachers of Raleigh County Association.
Surviving: sisters, Pearl Underwood of Beaver, Marza Lilly of Charleston, Doris Dempsey and Cora Lee Hall, both of Titusville; brother, John Noel Ransom of Omaha, Neb.; nine nephews; three nieces. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Rose & Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley, with the Rev. Allen Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Sherman Roach
Sherman Roach, 69, of Nitro died March 27, 1998, in Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston, after a long illness. He was a real estate appraiser for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a native of Huntington and a Protestant.
Surviving: wife, Iris Roach of Nitro; daughter, Kimberly Kidd of Poca; son, Timothy of St. Albans; one grandchild. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Cooke Funeral Home, Nitro, with the Rev. Lee White officiating. Burial will be in Forrest Memorial Park, Milton. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.