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Joseph Michael “Joe” Cassell, 33, of Glen Daniels, WV, formerly of Lynco, WV went home to be
with Jesus Christ on Monday June 27, 2011 from injuries sustained in a mining accident at Rhino Eastern
mine on Bolt Mountain, where he was a crew leader. He was born March 25, 1978 in Man, WV, the son of
Richard Stephen “Steve” and Kathy Sheryl Brown Cassell of Lynco, WV. He was a proud coal miner, who
loved his work. Joe played football, basketball, and baseball in high school and was the captain of each
team his senior year. He loved to play golf, especially on Mondays with his nephew Chase. He was a 1997
graduate of Oceana High School and captain of the 1997 All-State Baseball team. Joe played college
baseball at Fairmont State and three years at WVU Tech and was team captain his senior year. He was a
2001 graduate of WVU Tech with a Physical Education Degree and served one year as a graduate
assistant at WVU Tech. He was well respected as a basketball official having worked mostly in Wyoming
and Raleigh Counties officiating at all levels and was loved greatly by the players. He was a yearly
participant in Relay for Life in Memory of his aunt Frances. He attended the Clear Fork Valley Baptist
Church and a member of the Black Diamond Basketball Board. He was saved and ready to meet the lord,
his life verse was Philipians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”. He was
preceded in death by his grandfathers John Ken Brown and Richard Hillard Cassell, grandmother Arthel
Oma Daniels Cassell, uncle Teddy Gibson, aunt frances Brown Kanott, step grandfather Joe Lusk and a
special aunt Lora Cline. Survivors include his loving parents Steve and Kathy Brown Cassell of Lynco; two
sisters Renee Lynn Cook and husband Eugene of Surveyor, WV, Mary Beth Gray of Roanoke, VA;
grandmother Nancy Lorine Brown Lusk of Lynco; nieces and nephews Michael Chase Cook, Abigail Marie
Cook, Samuel David Cook, Nicholas Tyler Gray and Jillianna Inez “Jill” Walker; special aunts and uncles
Teddy and Linda Toler of Kopperston, WV and Rodney and Kathy Fernandez of Glen Daniels, WV; aunts
and uncles Ron and Drema Grimmett of Huntington, WV, Dennie Kanott of Cherokee, NC and Onia Gibson
of Lynco, WV; special neighbor Jennifer Bradberry of Glen Daniels, WV; four dogs Sasha, Zoey, Scraps
and Jake; many many cousins and a great host of other loving family and friends. Funeral services will be
held at noon Thursday June 30, 2011 at the Clear Fork Valley Baptist Church, Clear Fork, WV, with Pastor
Eugene Cook and Pastor Erwin Gregory officiating. Joe will be laid to rest in Palm Memorial Gardens,
Matheny, WV. Friends may gather with the family on Wednesday June 29, 2011 from 6:00-10:00 pm at the
church. Pallbearers will be Teddy Toler, Trey Brunty, Tony Lester, Chase Cook, Rodney Fernandez, JR
Carter, PJ Short, David Price, Jr. and Shawn Gray. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
Edward P. Lambert, 73, of New Richmond, WV passed away on Saturday July 9,
2011 in Welch Community Hospital. He was born December 21, 1937 in McDowell
County, WV, a son of the late Garrett H. and Cora Mae Sizemore Lambert. Also
preceding him in death were a son Jerry Douglas Lambert, an infant daughter
Rhonda Jane Lambert, three sisters Peggy Faulkner, Kathy Harper and Margaret
Booth, and two brothers Johnny Ray Lambert and Garrett David Lambert. He was a
retired UMWA coal miner having worked for many years at Console’s Itmann Mine.
Survivors include his wife Mary Jane Halsey Lambert of New Richmond; a daughter
Debra Jennings of Mooresville, NC; two sons Bobby Lambert and wife Kay of
Eccles, and Wayne Lambert and wife Diane of Kegley; six grandchildren Bobby
(Stephanie) Lambert, Misty (Wesley) Palmer, Brandon Lambert, Ashley Jennings
and Donnie Jennings; six great-grandchildren Bryson Jennings, Aiden Lambert,
Alyssa Lambert, Devon Palmer, Cameron Palmer and Dustin Palmer; a brother
Howard H. Lambert of Mullens; daughter-in-law Debbie McGraw Lambert of
Mooresville, NC; ex-daughter-in-law Pamela Lambert of Amigo; and a host of other
loving family and friends. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday
July 13, 2011 at the Jackson Curve cemetery, New Richmond, with the Rev. Larry
England officiating. Burial will follow in the Jackson Curve cemetery. The family is
being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
Kenneth Ray “Bo” Cline, 54, of Panther, WV passed away on Wednesday July 13,
2011 at the Bowers Hospice House, Beckley, WV. He was born October 29, 1956 in
Welch, WV a son of the late Ance Gabe and Laura Alice Blankenship Cline. Also
preceding him in death were two sisters Conniezene Cline and Sharon Faye Lusk
and one niece Debbie Cline. Survivors include a daughter Desiree Nichole Steele
and husband Randy of Peterstown, WV; a son Casey Dakota Vernatter of Mohawk,
WV; a grandson Randy “Jay” Steele of Peterstown, WV; a granddaughter Kalee
Brooke Steele of Peterstown, WV; two sisters Wilma Smith Coleman and husband
Roy of Bassett, VA and Margie Tina Lee and husband Mike of Bassett, VA; four
brothers Ance Philip “Dino” Cline and wife Tracy of Bassett, VA, Edmond Gary
Cline and wife Diane of Bassett, VA, Randal “Football” Stanley Cline of Bassett, VA
and Aaron Christopher “Chris” Cline of Panther, WV; mother of his daughter
Elizabeth “Libby” McCoy of Gary, WV; mother of his son Elaine Robinette of Iaeger,
WV; Leslie Justice of Trace Fork, WV who was like a father to him; and a host of
other loving family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday
July 16, 2011 at Little Zion Old Regular Baptist Church Panther, WV with the
Ministers John R. Justice, Arthur Short, Fred Bailey and Zeb Justice officiating. He
will be laid to rest in Blankenship cemetery, Panther, WV. Friends may gather with
the family after 6:00 PM at the church on Friday July 15, 2011. The family is being
served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
Dora Frances “Frankie” Vance Short, 70, of Spotsylvania, formerly of Wyoming
County, WV, passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at Mary Washington
Hospital after having won a 12 year battle against Chronic Lymphocytic
Leukemia. Her family was at her side. Frances (Frankie as many of her friends
knew her) was born on April 1, 1941 in Baileysville, WV, the daughter of the late
Troy Greenway and Virginia Mae Craft Vance. She often spoke fondly of how the
difficulties of growing up in that era at Cub Creek WV were offset by the love and
support of her sisters, brothers and nieces that were as sisters to her. The
foundation of her belief in the importance of family was based on their support.
She was baptized at the Oceana First Church of God and is a friend of the Clear
Fork Independent Church of God, in WV. She was an avid supporter of the
Women in the Military Memorial in Washington DC and to the American Indian
Museum in Washington DC. Frances spent her time on various bowling leagues
over the years but more recently in Fredericksburg where she and her friends
enjoyed bowling. She enjoyed it for decades and became quite skilled at, having
placed in tournaments regularly. Frances also began painting in the early 80’s as
a creative outlet and evolved from student to artist over the last thirty years of
her life. Her paintings and other art were personal endeavors that she rarely
showed off. She has left behind a vast collection, however, for those of us for
whom she cared and cared for her. Other artistic endeavors that she enjoyed
include sewing, ceramics, gardening, cross-stitching and cooking for her family.
Most importantly to her, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother whose
love, leadership and impact will be felt for generations to come. She loved her
family above all else and dedicated her life to their well being. Mrs. Short is
survived by her husband, Chuck, of over 50 years. Other survivors are her
children and spouses; Bradley and Joann Short of Fredericksburg, Alicia and
Hamid Beladi-Mosavi of Bebehan, Iran, Kathleen Short of Blacksburg VA, and
Craig and Erica Short of Buena Vista VA; three brothers and their wives; Oakey
and Mildred Vance of Orange, Riley and Joyce Vance of Baileysville, WV and
Clarence “Shorty” Vance of Baileysville, WV; two sisters and husbands; Grace
Stewart of Richmond, WV, and Geraldine and Gene New, of Brenton, WV. Frances
also has 12 grandchildren: Charles, Shabnam, Hamid, Farid, Omid and Navid
Belad-Mosavi, Michael and Wesley Blackburn, Nicolas Strasser, Sidney, Casey
and Addison Short; five great-grandchildren; Nathan, Ethan, Emily, Cadence and
Cody Blackburn and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family and
friends. She was preceded in death by her sister, Laura Lester and brothers
Henry, Roby and Anderson Vance. The family received friends 1:00 -4:00 pm
Sunday July 17, 2011 at Laurel Hill Funeral Home, Spotsylvania VA. Funeral
services will be conducted at 3:00 pm Monday July 18, 2011 at the Clear Fork
Independent Church of God with Pastor Hannibal Blankenship, Jr. officiating.
Frankie will be laid to rest the Vern and Mary Short Family cemetery, Clear fork,
WV. Friends may gather with the family from 1:00 PM until service time at the
church on Monday July 18, 2011. The family is being served by the Stafford Family
Funeral Home, Lynco, WV and the Laurel Hill Funeral Home, Spotsylvania, VA.
Ernest “Pepper” Thomas, Jr., 53, of Kistler, WV went home July 17, 2011 at Logan
Regional Medical Center following a short illness. He was born October 7, 1957 in
Man, WV a son of the late Ernest and Ester Opal Osborne Thomas, Sr. Also
preceding him in death his wife Ernestine Bailey Thomas; infant granddaughter
Isabella Rose Thomas and brother James Thomas. Survivors include his daughter
Tina Michelle Thomas Harvey and husband Bucky Don of Cyclone, WV; a son
Adam Thomas and wife Jamie Marie of Crouches Farm, WV; four grandchildren
Dillon Harvey, Makayla Harvey, Emily Thomas and Kiristen Thomas; four sisters
Deloris “Lois” Goodwin of Seth, WV, Barbara Bailey and husband Warren Jay of
Curtis, WV, Vickie Toler of Robinette, WV and Lucille Bailey and husband Jason of
Accoville, WV; a brother Danny Thomas and wife Gretta of Curtis, WV; a uncle
Ernest Osborne and wife Ilene of Greenwood, WV and a host of other loving family
and friends. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday July 20, 2011
in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, with the Bro. Merle Walls
officiating. He will be laid to rest in Brown cemetery, Cyclone, WV. Friends may
gather with the family from 6-8:00 on Tuesday July 19, 2011 at the funeral home. The
family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
Eileen Lester Blankenship, 80, of Clear Fork, WV, passed away July 28, 2011 in
Wyoming Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, New Richmond, WV. She was born
May 13, 1931 in Baileysville, WV, a daughter of the late Frank and Josie Morgan
Lester of Indian Creek, WV. Mrs. Blankenship was a homemaker and a caregiver to
many family members. She also worked as a cook at Elk Lick Grade School and
delivered mail for several years. Her loving husband of over 40 years, Tom
Blankenship also preceded her in death, along with a sister Helen Green, a brother
Bobby Lester and two infant children. Survivors include three children: two sons
Ronald Blankenship and wife Carolyn of Mechanicsville, MD and Rick L.
Blankenship of Clear Fork, WV and a daughter Kathy Cook and husband Rodney of
Lynco, WV; six grandchildren Mishelle Farrell of MD, David Scott Blankenship and
wife Lee of MD, Cindy Mullins and husband Randy of VA, Bridgett Walker and
husband Brian of Pineville, Becky Pugalee and husband Lucas of Beckley and Kyle
Cook and girl friend Candace Brown of Clear Fork; the wonderful blessing of 14
great grandchildren with one more great grandchild on the way; three sisters Lonie
“Tootsie” Butler, Hazel Hurley and Gracie Lester; three brothers Sonny Lester,
Ernie Lester and Stacy Lester; and a host of wonderful and loving family and
friends. Funeral services will be held at noon Monday August 1, 2011 in the Chapel
of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV with her son Pastor Ron Blankenship
officiating. She will be laid to rest in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny, WV. Friends
may gather with the family from 10:00 AM until time of service on Monday.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, great grandsons, grandsons-in-law, and her son-in-
law. The family would like to send special thanks to the nurses, CNA’s, and all the
Staff at Wyoming Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The family is being served
by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
Jackie Dean Allen, 53, of Ballard, WV passed away on Saturday July 30, 2011 at his
home. He was born June 16, 1958 in Mullens, WV, a son of Mandy Jane Tilley Allen
of Ravencliff, WV and the late Claud Preston Allen. He was a disabled coal miner, a
member of the UMWA and attended Rhema Ministries and many other area
churches. He loved fishing, being outdoors and spending time with his
granddaughter. Survivors include a daughter Ashley Renee Allen of Ballard, WV; a
son Jason Tilley of Sabine, WV; a granddaughter Cameran J. Tilley of Sabine, WV;
four sisters Betty Bowman, Nancy Allen, Doris Allen and Donna Allen all of
Ravencliff, WV; four brothers Dennis (Susan) Allen of McGraws, WV, Darrell “Jake”
(Tammy) Allen of Glen Fork, WV, Claude Allen, Jr. and Randell Allen both of
Ravencliff, WV and a host of other loving family and friends. Funeral services will
be held at noon Thursday August 4, 2011 in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral
Home, Lynco, with Pastor Ernest Francis officiating. He will be laid to rest in Pretty
Ridge cemetery, Saulsville, WV. Friends may gather with the family from 6 - 9:
00PM on Wednesday August 3, 2011 at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be
nephews and friends. The family is being served by the Stafford Family
Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.
