Featured, Obituaries

Obituaries for Week of June 24

MARY JEAN AUDET
On Monday May 17th, 2021, Mary Jean Audet passed away peacefully at Ascension St. Vincent’s hospital in Middleburg, FL at 86 years of age, with her sons and loving family members by her side. Jean was a loving mother, grandmother, loyal friend, and an accomplished legal advocate. Jean was born on February 1, 1935, in Fairfield, ME to Laurestine and Valére Gilbert. She graduated from Lawrence high school in 1953 and trained as a paralegal. She married Gerald Audet in Fairfield, and they raised three sons, Christopher, Timothy, and Anthony. Jean moved from Fairfield ME to Boothbay ME, after marriage, then to Keene, NH before finally settling in Hurricane in 1978, where she then lived in the same home for 43-years.
For 27 years Jean worked for the Legal Aid Society for the State of West Virginia headquartered in Charleston. Additionally, Jean created the Pro Bono program which provides free legal services for low-income citizens of the State of West Virginia. She was also named to the Committee of the National Association of Pro Bono Coordinators (NAPBCO), a position held by only seven legal aid professionals nationwide.
Jean was someone everyone wanted as a friend; and as a result, she had many. Jean cherished summers in Maine spending time with her family and friends where she enjoyed local travel, theater, and food. She also had an insatiable appetite for lobster, and lobster rolls specifically. She was a tried-and-true “Maine-iac” to her core. Jean loved being in the water, swimming and just being at the lake. She enjoyed going to the movies, having lunch with her girlfriends, playing cards, and spent many late nights reading, particularly John Grisham mystery novels. Jean was curious by nature, extremely kind and generous, and had a great sense of humor. She was also an animal lover and had a particular soft spot for dogs. Yet, truly, nothing made Jean happier than being with her friends and family: talking, laughing, and just passing the time with those closest to her heart.
Jean was preceded in death by her father, Valére, mother, Laurestine, an infant sister Marie Angela, husband Gerald, son Christopher and a baby boy lost just prior to birth. She is survived by her two sons Anthony and Timothy, her two sisters Angela and Lucille and brother Robert, two grandchildren, and six nieces and nephews. The family would like to specifically thank Gary, Sandy, and Tammy Handley for their devotion and support of Jean throughout the nearly 43 years they were neighbors and more particularly later in her life. A Celebration of Life will be held at Veilleux & Readington funeral home on Friday, July 2nd, 2021 at 10:30am with a burial immediately following at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery Waterville, ME. Donations in Jean’s Honor can be made to the Legal Aid Society of Charleston, WV at https://legalaidwv.org/give-back/donate/.

T. C. BOGGESS
T. C. Boggess, 36 of Cross Lanes, formerly of Red House, passed away June 13, 2021.
T.C. is a former police officer for the Town of Rainelle; Air Force Veteran serving 12 years; member of the 130th Air National Guard and a 2002 graduate of Poca High School.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents Carol and Eunice Stone and Boyd and Wililadean Boggess.
He is survived by his wife Shannon Boggess; mother Denise Stone; father Tim Boggess; sister Jennifer Boggess; brother and sister-in-law Dylan and Aly Vandall and a host of other family and friends.
A tribute to the life of Mr. T.C. Boggess was held Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House. Burial was with Military Honors.

CAROLYN SUE HAGER
Carolyn Sue Hager, 71, of Poca, passed away June 14, 2021.
Carolyn is retired from the State of West Virginia and a former employee of AT&T. She is a member of the AT&T Pioneers and the WV International Sports Jamboree.
She is preceded in death by her husband William R. Hager; parents William Wheeler and Louise Harmon and grandmother Sara (Mom) Norris.
Carolyn is survived by her children Scott Hager and Patricia Hager; grandchild Madison Layne Hager; great grandchild Kayden Eli William Hager; siblings Christy and Gary Morrison, Roger and Darlene Wheeler, Randy and Jill Wheeler, Eddie and Sheryl Harmon, Steve and Annie Harmon, Bill and Kristy Wheeler, Patty and Larry Sprague and Diana and Don Szymborski and a host of nieces and nephews.
A tribute to the life of Mrs. Carolyn Hager was held Friday, June 18, 2021 at Rock Branch Independent Church with David Kersey officiating. Burial was in Cunningham Memorial Park.

ROSEMARY HALE
Rosemary Blackburn Hale, age 73, of Scott Depot, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 16, 2021, at home with her husband.
Rosemary was born in Ceredo-Kenova, on October 19, 1947, to the late Jay Blackburn and Pauline Friley Blackburn Hale. Rosemary was raised in Catlettsburg Kentucky, where she met and ended up marrying the love of her life, Gary Hale Sr. on December 10, 1965. Rosemary led a wonderfully blessed life as a wife, sister, mother, and Granny. She was dedicated to her husband, to her family, and to the Lord.
Rosemary was an avid reader, she enjoyed crocheting, journaling, playing board games with her grandchildren and writing stories about and to her grandchildren. Rosemary dedicated her life to serving the Lord by singing, leading the choir, counseling, serving as a Pastor’s Wife, and teaching the Bible at whichever church or location the Lord called her and Gary to minister to.
Rosemary adored her husband of 55 years, Reverend Gary Hale Sr., They met at Boyd County High School in 1963, Their love story began after Gary drove her home one day from school in his dad’s brand new 1965 Chevy Truck. He was her rock, and she was his anchor, both fully committed and tethered to serving the Lord.
Rosemary was blessed with two daughters Dr. Susan Edralin (Jeffery) and Paula Legg (Tim), and son Gary Hale Jr. (Carrie). She had an overflowing love for her grandchildren to whom she gave each 100% of herself: Willie (Jazi), Haley, Alex, Lindy, Jaylen, Mackenzie, Josie, Callie, Storm (Gabie), and Cam.
Rosemary is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, brother Henry Blackburn, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Jody Simpson and brother Paul Blackburn.
While the family is heartbroken, they know fully, that Rosemary now truly knows the meaning of being WONDERFULLY BLESSED.
Funeral service was Friday, June 18, 2021, at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Reverend Peggy Larck officiating. Graveside service was Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Catlettsburg Cemetery, Catlettsburg, Kentucky.

MERLYN MARIE JOHNSTON
Merlyn Marie Johnston, 93, of Winfield, passed away June 13, 2021.
Born October 11, 1927 in Staunton, Virginia, Merlyn was a daughter of the late William Graham Snyder and Marion Alice Webb Snyder.
As a young girl, Merlyn enjoyed playing and competing on the girls basketball team and singing in the Glee Club. Her love of music grew, when her beloved grandfather gave her piano lessons. She had talent for playing the piano and playing music by ear. She often would write down lyrics of songs she heard and liked so she could remember later and play for her family.
While living at home with her parents, during the second world war, Merlyn’s father, a World War I veteran and her mother, a nurse gave back to the community and their country by opening their home to rehabilitating soldiers. Merlyn prepared many home-cooked meals for the soldiers. This is where she met her husband to be, William Paul Johnston. They dated while he went through multiple surgeries and rehabilitation. After they married, the couple moved to Morgantown and with her loving support he ran a dairy farm and went to school under the GI bill. Once William graduated, the family then moved to Winfield, where they raised five wonderful children. Merlyn was a natural caregiver and exceptional mother. Caring for her family always made her the happiest. She so enjoyed having family and friends around her, laughing, telling stories, singing around the piano and just being together.
Left to cherish her memory are her children: William Michael Johnston, Carol Marie Sponaugle (Kelley), Jeffrey Paul Johnston (Cheryl, deceased), Timothy Scott Johnston (Angie), Brian Allen Johnston (Sherry), eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of her life was held Thursday, June 17, 2021 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, with Chaplain Pete Thompson officiating. Entombment was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.

WILLIAM “BILL” LESLIE
William Edward Leslie, 76, of Winfield, went home to be with the Lord on June 17, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Madeline Weaver Leslie, J. Fred Leslie and Wilma Hodges Leslie. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Mike Leslie, grandson, Johnathon Leslie, and brothers, John Leslie, Butch Leslie, Bob Leslie and Joe Leslie, father-in-law and mother in-law Pearley and Micki Sayre.
Bill was an All-State quarterback who led Winfield High School to two state championships in 1960 and 1961. He was a graduate of Winfield High School Class of 1962 and was proud of the lifelong friends he made while at Winfield.
He along with his brothers, Butch and Bob Leslie were the owners and operators of Leslie Lumber Company, where they built custom homes throughout Putnam County.
Throughout his life, Bill has always been heavily involved with the horse industry. He started his showing career at age 66 and winning OVRHA Rookie of the Year in 2014. Bill has owned and raised many quarter horses over the years while involved with the National Reining Horse Association, National Reined Cow Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, Ohio Valley Reining Horse Association and a charter member of the WV Reining Horse Association.
Bill’s greatest love was his family. He is survived by his wife, of almost 17 years to the day, Tina Sayre Leslie; son, Brian and LeeAnn Leslie and, Sandy Leslie, the mother of his children; son, Andrew and Diana Marcum; daughter, Alicia and Jeff Luechtefeld; grandchildren, Ryan and Tiffany Leslie, Erica and Justin Leep, Matt Dixon, Meghan Leslie, David Leslie, and Sean Leslie, great-grandchildren, Michael, Hailey, and Aubrey Leslie, Josie and Jacob Leep, Maddie and Margot Luechtefeld, and Noah Levi and Sayre Marcum; sisters, Marilynn Christiani, Charlotte Leslie, Glen and Anita Leslie Yeager and Debbie Chapman, sister in-laws, Beverly Leslie, Janet Leslie, Laura Leslie, Kathy Grinstead, and Debbie Christian, brother in-law, Doug and Bonita Sayre and his faithful fury companion Molly.
Funeral service was Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Dr. Jeffrey A. Johnson officiating. Committal service was at Winfield Cemetery, Winfield, with Rev. Dr. Melissa Pratt officiating.

BETTY JO NEWSOME
Betty Jo Lovely Newsome, 93, entered heaven June 21, 2021. Betty was born October 13, 1927 to the late Mary and John Lovely of Ward, WV.
She loved the Lord and lived out her faith in her family, her church family and her community. She was employed for several years by Putnam County Schools as a Kindergarten aide at Hurricane Elementary.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, Charles L. Newsome and six siblings.
She is survived and will be missed by her daughters, Gancie (Ronnie) Kearns, Pamela (Ed) Bowman and Mary (Phil) Gregory; grandchildren, Stephanie (Derek) Spangler, Amy Alford, Jamie (Craig) Dunton, Anthony (Megan) Gregory, David Persinger, seven great-grandchildren as well as her sister, Shelia (Steve) Snodgrass and extended family
Funeral service was Thursday, June 24, 2021 at Allen Funeral Home and burial in Valley View Memorial Park.

JOHN ALLEN SOVINE
John Allen Sovine, 68, of Culloden, passed away Friday, June 18, 2021 after a short illness.
He was born in Hurricane to the on August 5, 1952 to the late Roy and Clara Sovine. He was also preceded in death by his son John Allen Jr. and brother George Sovine. He was a member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God
He is survived by his wife Marion and sons, Fritz (Crystal) Sovine of Hurricane, Larry (Christiana) Sovine of Charleston and 6 grandchildren; sisters, Ginger Sowards and Mildred Smith and brother, Clarence Sovine.
Funeral service was Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at Allen Funeral Home. Burial was in Culloden Community Cemetery.

MARY MAXINE WITT
Mary Maxine Jordan Witt, 95, of Red House, passed away Saturday, June 19, 2021 at her home. She was a graduate of Dunbar High School and was a member of Wade Chapel United Methodist Church. She was a longtime poll worked and worked many elections.
Born March 27, 1926 she was the daughter of the late Isaac A. Sayre and Anna Mae Bennett Sayre. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Raymond Jordan; husband of 25 years, Sebert Witt; granddaughter, Charity Jo Dixon; great grandson, Colt Daniel Lee Jordan and twelve brothers and sisters.
Survivors include her daughter, Jean Ann (Charles) Goodman of Red House; son, Dan (Mary) Jordan of Red House; daughter Connie (Tom) Chapman of Antofagasta, Chile; step daughters, Cheryl (Tom) Hull of Scott Depot, Colleen (Paul) Cox of Princeton and Marsha (Bob) Walton of NY. Maxine is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Funeral service was Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Pastor Wayne Hooper and Pastor Mike Miller officiating. Burial was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.

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