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Vertie B. Jones
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Vertie Bulah Hizer Jones, 72, of Cincinnati, formerly of Marfrance in Greenbrier County, W.Va., died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in Clifton Villa Nursing Home, Cincinnati, after a long illness. She was a homemaker, attended Wesleyan United Methodist Church, Cincinnati, and formerly attended Orient Hill Tabernacle, Orient Hill, W.Va. Surviving: daughter, Brenda Villafana of Cincinnati; son, Edsel Lee Jones of Columbia, S.C.; sisters, Hazel Clark of Sonora, Calif., Chloe Cook of Quinwood, W.Va., Helen Walkup of Leslie, W.Va., Minnie Walkup of Rupert, W.Va., Ethel Pitsenbarger of Sandusky, Ohio; four grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Wallace-Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle, with the Rev. Houston Boothe officiating. Burial will be in Orient Hill Cemetery, Orient Hill, W.Va. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Alzheimer's Association, Mid-State Chapter, P.O. Box 7044, Columbia, SC 29202.

Scott N. King
SANDYVILLE -- Scott Nicholas King, 20, of Sandyville died Wednesday, April 22, 1998, from injuries received in a single-vehicle accident on Flatwoods Road near Ravenswood, said a spokeswoman for the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. He was a graduate of Ravenswood High School and attended West Virginia University-Parkersburg, Ripley. Surviving: father and stepmother, Randall and Amanda King of Sandyville; mother and stepfather, Robin and Ed Carpenter of Pennsboro; brother, Chad King of Huntington; half-sister, Amanda Carpenter of Pennsboro; stepbrothers, Justin and Evan Hughes of Sandyville; paternal grandparents, Frank and Evelyn King of Weston; maternal grandmother, Anna Jean Brookover of Pennsboro. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Roush Funeral Home, Ravenswood, with the Rev. Tom Deane officiating. Burial will be in Independence Cemetery, Sandyville. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Thomas H. Layne Jr.
GAULEY BRIDGE -- Thomas Harvey Layne Jr., 77, of Gauley Bridge, Fayette County, died Wednesday, April 22, 1998, in Princeton Communmity Hospital, Princeton, after a long illness. He was a retired employeeof Union Carbide Corp. Metals Division, Alloy, a member of Gauley Bridge Baptist Church, a former member of Gauley Bridge Town Council and a former member of the West Virginia and Fayette County Republican Party executive committees. Surviving: son, Dr. Thomas Harvey Layne III of Ripley; daughters, Denny Gilger of Princeton, Stephanie Houghton of Athens; sisters, Iva Jean LeRose and Norma Talbert of Summersville; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge, with the Rev. John Houghton officiating. Burial will be in Walker Memorial Park, Summersville. Friends may call from 10 a.m. Saturday to service time at the funeral home.

Frank W. Lester
Frank W. Lester, 81, of Charleston died Wednesday, April 22, 1998, in CAMC, General Division, after a short illness. He retired from Kenhill Construction Co. with 31 years of service, was a Baptist and a member of Painters Local Union 970. Surviving: wife, Cathern Lester; son, Erland F. of Big Chimney; daughters, Jean Lynch of Charleston, Ruth Stone of Cross Lanes; sisters, Grace Evans and Mabel Bailey of Beckley; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Cunningham-Parker-Johnson Funeral Home with the Rev. R.H. Doan officiating. Burial will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

George A. Lively
MOUNT HOPE -- George Anna Deal Lively, 55, of Mount Hope died Wednesday, April 22, 1998, at the home of her mother, Muriel Abshire Deal of Mount Hope, after a short illness. She was a former employee of Southern West Virginia Clinic, Beckley, and Pine Lodge Healthcare, Beckley, a member of Mount Hope Christian Church and Winolia Chapter 59 Order of the Eastern Star, Mount Hope. Also surviving: husband, J. Keith Lively; sons, Jamie and Jason of Mount Hope; sister, Ginny Sue Price of Mount Hope; brother, Morgan Deal of Montgomery; foster sister, Mary Ann Savino of Beckley. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Hope Christian Church with Minister Roy Seaux officiating. The body will be cremated. Friends may call from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope, where an Eastern Star service will be held at 8 p.m. The family suggests memorial contributions to Mount Hope Christian Church, P.O. Box 449, Mount Hope, W.Va. 25880, or Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802.

William H. Looney
William H. Looney, 80, of Dawes died Monday, April 20, 1998, in Beverly Health Care after a long illness. He was a retired coal miner from Cedar Coal Co., an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the UMW and Little Creek Holiness Church. He was formerly of Vansant, Va. Surviving: wife, Eva Foster Looney of Beverly Health Care; daughters, Carol Kinsey of Prague, Okla., Brenda Szay of Tulsa, Okla., Gwen Stiltner of Grove City, Ohio, Jackie Combs of Zenia, Ohio; son, George Allen Looney of Vansant; sisters, Gladys Price and Ella Matney of Vansant; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Pryor Funeral Home, East Bank, with the Rev. Maxie Estep and David Allman officiating. Burial will be in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Elsie L. Mason
COWEN -- Elsie L. Mason, 68, of Cowen died Wednesday, April 22, 1998, in Gray Couty, S.C., after a short illness. She was a homemaker and Protestant. Surviving: sons, John Hickman and David Mason of Gray Court, Franklin Mason of Abbeyville, S.C.; daughters, Carol Knight of Winston-Salem, N.C., Sandra Nutter of Bergoo; stepsons, Larry Mason, Bill Mason and Mike Mason of Ohio; brothers, Homer Vaughan of Buckhannon, Mancel Vaughan of Mace; sisters, Inez Cogar of Cowen, Hazel Beck, Freda Huffman, and Donna Vaughan of Buckhannon; 15 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Adams Funeral Home, Cowen, with the Rev. Okey Wayne officiating. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Cowen. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

William H. McClanahan Sr.
SCOTT DEPOT -- William H. McClanahan Sr., 67, of Scott Depot, formerly of Harmons Creek, died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, at home after a long illness. He retired from Smith Transfer Co. with more than 24 years of service, was a member of Teamsters Union Local 175, attended Maranatha Fellowship, St. Albans, and was a former member of Pocatalico Community Church, where he was a deacon and Sunday School superintendent. Surviving: wife, Wilma Wines McClanahan; daughters, Kathy Jo Rogers of St. Albans, Lisa Pringle of Hurricane; sons, James L. of Clearwater, Fla., William H. Jr. of Red House; sister, Irene Lawrence of Cross Lanes; brother, A.A. McClanahan Jr. of Cross Lanes; six grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with William "Buddy" Mairs and Pastor James Wright officiating. Burial will be in Goff-McClanahan Cemetery, Charleston. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

George W. McCroskey Sr.
WEBSTER SPRINGS -- George William McCroskey Sr., 70, of Webster Springs died Monday, April 20, 1998, at home after a long illness. He was a head lineman from Monongahela Power Co., an Army veteran of the Korean War, member of First Baptist Church, Webster Springs, where he was a deacon and a Baptist Youth Leader, and was a member of VFW Post 3738, Webster Springs. Surviving: daughter, Doris Goff of Fayetteville; sons, Allen of Webster Springs, George Jr. of Brooklyn, N.Y.; sisters, Kathryn McCroskey of Petersburg, Leona Ann See of Purgitsville; four grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, Webster Springs, with the Rev. Nelson Harris, the Rev. Reggie Stewart and the Rev. Adrian Pratt officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery, Webster Springs. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Dodd-Reed Funeral Home, Webster Springs.

Michael F. McNamara
BALTIMORE -- Michael F. McNamara, 52, of Baltimore, Md., died Monday, April 20, 1998, in Northwest Medical Center, Baltimore. He was born in Charleston, W.Va., and was vice-president of marketing for Filmore Inc. Surviving: wife, Roberta L. McNamara; sons, Douglas N. of Catonsville, Md., Kenneth Michael of Arlington, Va.; sister, Peggy Marshall of Herndon, Va. Service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elliott City, Md., with the Rev. G. Edward Whetstone officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Elliott City. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Eline Funeral Home, Reisterstown, Md. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Fuel Fund of Central Maryland, 11 Chase St. E., Baltimore, MD 21202.

Billy D. Newell
DANVILLE -- Billy D. Newell, 75, of Danville, formerly of Sharples, died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in Boone Memorial Hospital, Madison, after a long illness. He was a retired miner, member of UMW Local 2935 and was an Army veteran of World War II. Surviving: wife, Sandra J. Newell; son, Bryant D. of Richmond, Va.; daughters, Kimberly Spiggle of Highland Springs, Va.; sister, Eileen Bella of Danville; two grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Stevens Funeral Home, Madison, with Greg Smith officiating. Burial will be in Boone Memorial Park, Madison, with military graveside rites conducted by Daniel Boone VFW Post 5578. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Anna L. O'Briant
LOGAN -- Anna Lee Barnett O'Briant, 68, of Logan died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in Logan General Hospital after a long illness. She was a former member of Logan Parking Commission, operator of Ann O'Briant Business Service, a member of Nighbert Memorial United Methodist Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher, chairman of the administrative board, trustee, member of the staff-parish relations committee, youth group adviser, lay leader and treasurer of United Methodist Women. Surviving: son, Eric H. O'Briant of Logan; daughter, Sarah O'Briant Falls George of Pikeville, Ky.; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Memorial service will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to Nighbert Memorial United Methodist Church Program or a charity of choice. Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Betty J. Potter
OAK HILL -- Betty June Meadows Potter, 66, of Oak Hill died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley, after a short illness. She was a homemaker and member of Woodhaven Freewill Baptist Church, Woodhaven, Mich., and the ladies auxiliary of the church. Surviving: husband, John D. "Paul" Potter; sons, John D. Jr. of Wyandotte, Mich., Gary and Phillip of Southgate, Mich., Jerry of Trenton, Mich.; sisters, Loretta Holley of Fayetteville, Wanda Wriston of Oak Hill, Louise Tyree of Pax, Mary Dolinger of Durham, N.C.; six grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, with the Rev. Jerry Bush and the Rev. Lloyd Locklear officiating. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Floyd J. Simpson
Floyd J. Simpson, 77, of South Charleston died Monday, April 20, 1998, in Camp Hill Holy Spirit Hospital, East Pennsboro, Pa., after a short illness. He was a retired heavy equipment operator from Naval Ordinance Center, South Charleston. Surviving: son, Douglas Simpson of Lewisberry, Pa.; grandsons, Douglas C. and John E. Simpson of Pennsylvania; one great-grandson. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastor Merlin Provance officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Lela Smith
Lela Smith, 91, of South Charleston died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, at home after a short illness. She was a homemaker and member of First Presbyterian Church, South Charleston. Surviving: husband, Stanley H. Smith; sister, Mary Noma Hedrick of Washington, D.C.; nephew, Charles E. Frick of South Charleston; niece, Doris Maxine Dawson of Washington. Private service will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. There will be no visitation. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.

Willard Spencer
CRAB ORCHARD -- Willard Spencer, 73, of Crab Orchard, Raleigh County, died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in a Beckley hospital after a long illness. He was a retired miner with 38 years of service and a member of UMW District 29. Surviving: sons, Joe Spencer of Shady Spring, Wilburn Blankenship of Huber Heights, Lonnie Garris of Crab Orchard; daughter, Kay Mullins of Allen Junction; brothers, Frank of Ohio, Tommy of Thomasville, N.C.; sisters, Oakie Payne of Madisonville, Ky., Ola Snow of Tennessee, Juanita Rogers of Bushnali, Fla.; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia, with the Rev. Jerry Clyburn officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

John V. Stone
BLOOMINGROSE -- John V. Stone, 66, of Bloomingrose, Boone County, died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in CAMC, Memorial Division, after a short illness. He was an Army veteran. Surviving: sister, Faye Miller of Sharpsville, Pa.; brothers, Charles E. Stone of Bloomingrose, Harry Stone of Gettysburg, Pa. Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet, with the Rev. June Ferrell officiating. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Harold L. Straughter Jr.
Harold Lee "Koontz" "Cartoon" Straughter Jr. 45, of Charleston died Wednesday, April 22, 1998, at home after a short illness. Anderson-Hairston Funeral Home, Montgomery, is in charge of arrangements.

Morris A. Thornhill
LOGAN -- Morris Allan "Mousie" Thornhill, 70, of Logan died Wednesday, April 22, 1998, in Logan General Hospital. He was a former business owner, a retired schoolteacher, member of the Gideons, West Logan Missionary Baptist Church and was an Army veteran. Surviving: wife, Ann Thornhill; daughter, Sharon Lowe of Logan; sons, Ed and Wally of Logan, Jeff of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Robert of Chapmanville; sisters, Juanita Vickroy of Cleveland, Ohio, Ruth Marcum of North Carolina; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Logan, with the Rev. Oren J. Foust, the Rev. Rex Browning and the Rev. Rex Thompson officiating. Burial will be in Highland Memory Gardens, Godby. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Gideons. James Funeral Home, Logan, is in charge of arrangements.

Billy D. Tucker
HOMETOWN -- Billy D. Tucker, 62, of Hometown, Putnam County, died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, at home after a long illness. He retired from Ahern and Associates, South Charleston, with 23 years of service, was a member of Laborers Local Union 1353, an Army veteran and a 31-year resident of Hometown. Surviving: wife, Janet Tucker; daughter, Erin Tucker of Bancroft; son, Franklin of Scott Depot; sisters, Mary Bethlene Walters of Nitro, Frances Rollins of Hometown; brothers, Walter Jr. of Bellville, Ohio, Denver and John of Teays Valley, Bobby of Lakin, Paul of Dunbar; two grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with the Rev. James F. Arthur officiating. Burial will be in Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens, Red House. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Thelma M. Vernon
Thelma Mae Higginbotham Vernon, 73, of Rand died Monday, April 20, 1998, at home after a short illness. She was a storekeeper, an employee of C&P Telephone Co. with 33 years of service and a member of Levi First Missionary Baptist Church, Rand. Surviving: sons, Clarence Junior Higginbotham of Forestville, Md., Frederick W. Higginbotham of Rand, Wallace J. Higginbotham of Palmer Park, Md., daughters, Rosemary Williams of Forestville, Vondaleera Artis of Fort Washington, Md., Gail Kendrick of Cleveland, Ohio; mother, Pearl Mills Johnson of Charleston. Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Levi First Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Benjamin Merchant officiating. Burial will be in Floral Hills Garden of Memories, Pocatalico. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the church. The family suggests memorial contributions to Levi First Missionary Baptist Church. Scott Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Lena R. Wade
RICHLANDS, N.C. -- Lena Rivers Wade, 83, of Richlands died Wednesday, April 15, 1998, in Onslow Memorial Hospital, Richlands. Surviving: sons, James Brown Wade of Scott Depot, W.Va., Warren Lee Wade of Jacksonville, N.C.; daughters, Lula Wade Brewer of St. Albans, W.Va., Linda Wade Maxwell and Betty Jo Fountain of Richlands, Lena Faye Skenes of Burlington, N.C., Brenda Kay Douglas of Cresco, Iowa; brothers, Bill Hensley and Jesse Hensley of St. Albans; sisters, Nellis Harris of White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. Johnson-Gaskins Funeral Home, Richlands, was in charge of arrangements.

Virgil L. Walker
RAVENSWOOD -- Virgil L. Walker, 85, of Ravenswood died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in Jackson General Hospital after a long illness. He retired from White Motors, Cleveland, Ohio, with 22 years of service, was a member of North United Methodist Church, Ravenswood, and IOOF 30, Ripley. Surviving: wife, Dorlene Spencer Simmons Walker; stepsons, Ronald Simmons of Barboursville, Gary Simmons of South Charleston, Steve Simmons of Evans, David Simmons of LeRoy; daughters, Helen Stover of Marshalltown, Iowa, Linda Strickland of Ripley; four grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Vail Funeral Home, Ripley, with the Rev. Michael Curtis officiating. Burial will be in Parsons Cemetery, Gay. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Frances E. Walls
JAMBOREE, Ky. -- Frances Elizabeth Walls, 61, of Jamboree, formerly of Madison, W.Va., died Tuesday, April 21, 1998, in Appalachian Regional Hospital, South Williamson, Ky. She was a homemaker. Surviving: husband, Clarence Walls Jr.; sons, Chris, Richard, Rusty, Shawn and Talmade Junior of Kannapolis, N.C.; daughter, Tamara Elizabeth Sheets of Madison; father, Lewis Tillman Tucker of Kannapolis; stepfather, Wade McDonald of Kannapolis; brothers, Charles Tucker and Wallace Tucker of Kannapolis; sister, Joyce Doby of Concord, N.C.; five grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Handley Funeral Home, Danville, W.Va., with the Rev. Richard McKinney officiating. Burial will be in Danville Memorial Park, Danville. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.