WAYNE J. BATTEN
Wayne J. Batten, 88, of Poca, passed away August 5, 2021 at home surrounded by his family.
Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Mrs. Bonnie Batten; daughter Vickie Clendenin of Cross Lanes; sons Tom (Debbie) of Richmond, VA and Jim (Keith) of Clearwater, FL; grandchildren Stacey Davis (Mike) of Kenna, Sara Clendenin (Frank Meadows) of Cross Lanes and Brian Batten of IN; great grandchildren Craig Haynes (Cierra), Chase Clendenin, Madison Woody and Tarah Higginbotham and great-great grandson Jayden Haynes.
Wayne is a member of the Nitro Masonic Lodge and a former employee of Monsanto Chemical Co.. He drilled water wells all over Putnam and Kanawha Counties and enjoyed his antique cars. He also had a great love for his dog Axle.
At his request there will be no services.
JERRY LEE BENNETT
Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts Jerry Lee Bennett went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, July 31, 2021. He was born in Charleston on December 3rd, 1945, to Winfred and Virginia Bennett. He was raised in Hurricane and graduated from Hurricane High School in 1963. He enlisted in the Army in August 1964 and was honorably discharged in August 1967. On September 19th, 1964, he married the love of his life, Betty Ruth Gibson. Jerry and Betty went on to have three children, Duska, Jerry Lee, and Jeremy. After serving in the military Jerry worked full time while earning a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia State University. He spent 30 plus years in the Cable Television Industry and retired from the West Virginia Public Service Commission in 2010. He enjoyed traveling, riding motorcycles, playing the drums, and trapshooting, a beloved hobby he passed on to his sons. He was a loving father and grandfather known by his grandchildren as “Pa Jerry.” He never missed a birthday and was never without a moon pie or some kind of sweet.
He is preceded in death by his parents: Winfred and Virginia Bennett; his wife Betty Bennett. Those left to cherish memories of him are his children Duska Arbaugh of Hurricane; Jerry L. Bennett II (Vanessa) of Bay Springs, MS; Jeremy Bennett (Bridget) of Mt. Juliet, TN; His brother Larry Bennett (Diana) of Cross Lanes; his grandchildren Bronwyn and William Arbaugh; Raeghan and Kynlee Bennett; Ainsley and Branson Bennett.
Service was Friday, August 6, 2021, at Allen Funeral Home in Hurricane, with the Rev. Charles Larue officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
LEWIS PRESTON CROUCH
Lewis Preston Crouch, 60, of Hurricane, went home to be with our Lord August 6, 2021, after a long illness.
He was preceded in death by his father Ronald K. Crouch Sr. and nephew Alan Dwayne Stanley.
He is survived by his mother Mamie E. Johnson Crouch, brothers Ronald K. Crouch Jr., Donald K. Crouch and sisters Bonnie E. McCord (Dennis) and Malinda T Stanley (Bobby) all of Hurricane, He leaves behind 8 nephews and 2 nieces, many great and great grand nephews and nieces, cousins, Aunts Uncles and very close friends who loved and admired him.
Funeral service was Sunday, August 8, 2021, at Allen Funeral Home with Elder Harold Johnson and Anthony Edwards of Fairview Primitive Church officiating. Burial was in Carpenter Cemetery.
MARY ANN ELLIOTT
Mary Ann Elliott, 74, of Buffalo, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 6, 2021. She was a Christian and a life-long member of Leon Community Church. Ann was a homemaker and loved her family and took good care of them. She loved animals and spending time outdoors, and traveling to the family camp in the mountains. Ann was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and sister, and will be sadly missed by those who are left to cherish her memory.
Born March 26, 1947, she was the daughter of the late John Wes Stover and Mary Agnes Gordon Stover.
She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Ronnie Elliott; her son, Zane Ray Elliott of Buffalo; her granddaughter, Zoey Rayanne Elliott; her brothers, Roger (Loretta) Stover, Larry Stover, Marty (Sue) Stover, Wesley (Stephanie) Stover, Victor Stover, and Timmy (Regina) Stover, all of Leon, WV; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
Funeral service was Thursday, August 12, 2021 at Raynes Funeral Home Buffalo with Pastor Pete Cobb officiating. Burial was in the Elliott Family Cemetery, Buffalo.
JACK L. GARTON
Jack L. Garton, 82, of Red House, entered his heavenly home on Friday August 6, 2021 at his home following a short illness. He was a graduate of Poca High School and retired from Putnam County Schools with 17 years of service. He was a man of God and pastored several local churches over many years. He loved farming, fishing, hunting and could always be found outside “piddling” around as he called it. Above all he loved his family. Jack was truly a blessing and a friend to everyone he met. He was the best dad a girl could ask for. He was our comfort, strength and teacher of God. He will be missed by many.
Jack was the last surviving child of Dewey Dewitt Talmage Garton and Vera Claire Blake Garton. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Sharon Sue Garton; brothers, Dewey T. “Junior” Garton Jr., Gerald Sylvester Garton, William Benton Garton; sisters, Shirley Edith Inmell and Janette Y. “Hoodley” Luikart .
He is survived by his three daughters, Suzanna (Brad) Harbour of Steel Ridge, Tammy Garton Arbaugh of Napoleon, Ohio, and Anita (Steven) Fellers of Steel Ridge; grandchildren, Ashley and Joshua Bowman, Erica and Homer McDaniel, Jerry Randolph, Jr. and Brandy and RV Arthur; great-grandchildren, Katie, Connor, Jessie, Luke, Caden, Dakota, Noah and Owen;
He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Funeral service was Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Pastor Rick Legg officiating. Burial was in Parkins Cemetery, Liberty.
COLE MATTHEW JOHNSON
It is with great sadness that the family of Cole Matthew Johnson, of Hurricane, announces his passing on August 2, 2021. Cole will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by his wife, Susan Rakes Johnson, his mother, Anne Holliday Johnson, his father, Matthew L. Johnson (Tonya), his brother, Logan Johnson (Kate), his sister, Ali Johnson Owens (Chris), his god-brother, John Michael Holliday, stepsisters Laci Shantie and Chloe Holtzapfel, grandmother, Sally Holliday, and his aunts, uncles, cousins, and many dear friends. Cole was a compassionate, kind and gentle soul, and those qualities shone through everything he did and touched everyone he met. His greatest joy was being a foster parent, and he loved those children and his family and friends with his whole heart.
Cole was preceded in death by his grandad, James Holliday, his grandmother, Brenda Kay Johnson, great grand-parents, Eva Marie and Matt Johnson, and his Uncle Mark Wingate.
A celebration of Cole’s life will be held August 14, 2021 at St. Timothy’s In-the-Valley Episcopal Church, Hurricane.
RONALD RAYNES
Ronald Stanton “Burr Head” Raynes, 72, of Fraziers Bottom, went home to be with the lord on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at his home. He was a 1968 graduate of Buffalo High School and retired from the WV Department of Highways with over 42 years of service. He loved to fish and was a former state champion in archery.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William L. Raynes and Ruby E.Shank Raynes.
Survivors include his loving wife of 20 years, Jeanie Raynes; daughters, Ronda Hughes and Janet Raynes; son, James Raynes; step sons, Daniel Ferguson and Tommy Ferguson; brother, Keith L. (Joetta) Raynes; sister, Ann Elliott; seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Graveside service was Thursday, August 12, 2021 at Bowcott Cemetery, Pliny with Pastor Rex Nance officiating.
RANDALL JAMES REED
Randall James Reed, 66, of Scott Depot, passed away suddenly on August 5, 2021 at CAMC Memorial Hospital.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lois Reed, of Scott Depot; daughter, Danielle Reed of Scott Depot; son, Clifford (Brandy) Reed of Sissonville; father, James Reed of Sissonville; sisters, Sandy (Steve) Horton of Sissonville and Sue (Rick) Reed of Clendenin, and a multitude of grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Services were held privately for the family at Cunningham Parker & Johnson Funeral Home in Charleston.
PAUL DON SAMPLES
Paul Don Samples, 87, of Scott Depot, passed away after an illness on Thursday, August 5, 2021. He was born in Chelyan, WV on February 8, 1934.
He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy “Dot” Samples, parents, Edward Conaway Samples and Alta Williams Samples, and his sister, Norma Jean Smith.
Don was dedicated to living a life of integrity to honor God, love family, and serve others. His marriage to Dot, wife of 63 years, was a love of inseparability and devotion until she passed and was a great example to all who knew them. He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy during the Korean War and known to wear his many hats to celebrate his service. He was an avid reader with a special interest in World War II history and weather. He was always ready to let you know about the weather and to deliver a humorous comment in any situation to brighten anyone’s day. He was active in many churches over the years, most recently St. John United Methodist in Scott Depot, but also East Bank UMC, Bridgeport UMC and Broad St (Weston) UMC. He was employed by Consolidated Natural Gas Transmission Corporation for 40 years across several locations in the state.
He is survived by his son, Paul Kevin Samples (Lisa), cherished grandchildren Megan Mikesell (Zane), Colleen Cole (Ethan), Geoffrey Samples (Katie), his great-grandsons, Levi and Sawyer Cole.
A service to celebrate the lives of Don and Dot was held Monday, August 9, 2021 at St. John United Methodist Church.
BETTY JANE STEWART
Betty Jane “Granny” (Hoover) Stewart, 87, of Hurricane, passed away August 7, 2021 at home peacefully surrounded by family after long extended Illness. She is preceded in death by her parents Rondie & Areda Hoover; brother, James Kenneth Hoover; brother-in-laws, Gary Parrish & Shannon Dorsey; nephews, Kevin Welch, and Rondie Welch.
Betty was a nurse for over 60 years. She retired from Saint Francis hospital. She was a member of Eastern Star association.
Betty is survived by her sisters, Brenda Parrish, Shirley Dorsey; children, Charles Stanley (Linda), Ricky Stanley (Teresa), Beverly McCune, Kody Russell, and Jenny Mullins; grandchildren, Sharon Snodgrass, Catherine Lawrence, Chad Stanley, Amanda Gilliland, Misty Harris, Casey Mullins, Rachael Russell, and Charlie Russell; nieces, Becky Botkin (Tim) & Sherrie Strickland (Gary); nephews, Michael Dorsey (Teresa) & Sparkie Dorsey (Susie); several great grandchildren and close friend, Lisa Cunningham.
Service was Wednesday, August 11, at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, Cross Lanes, with Pastor Charles Stanley officiating. Entombment was in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
