JAMES ADKINS
James Alan Adkins was born in Huntington on April 19, 1936.
He graduated from Huntington East High School and attended Marshall University and went to Cincinnati School of Pharmacy. Jim was hired by Ciba Pharmaceuticals, now Novartis; it was a job he loved. He was hired by Vaughan Pharmacy at age twelve and was there until he graduated from high school. Jim was in the military. He was a member of Sleepy Hollow Golf Club for 50 years where he served as golf chairman for a number of years.
He is survived by his wife Mary Ann; daughter, Susan Henderson (David) of Ormond Beach, Florida; two grandchildren Morgan and Tyler Long; two boys Eddie Thompson (Pam) and Gary Thompson (Cindy) and another granddaughter Micha Rae of Hurricane; sisters Linda Neff (Kenny) of Washington, WV and Jeannie Terry (Greg) of Tennessee.
Jim became a cat lover and domesticated two ferals. There will be no service but a memorial will be held at a later date at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club.
DONNA ASHWORTH
Donna Lee Ashworth, 64, of Bancroft, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2021.
She served the State of West Virginia for over 30 years, she finally retired as the Director of WV Department of Rehabilitative Services. She loved spending time outdoors fishing, laughing with her family and helping others in any way she could.
She leaves behind her son Zach Ashworth (Elizebeth) and grandchildren Hailey and Isabelle, her sisters Linda Rhodes (Pete) and Trina Stover (Jerry) as well as her partner, Doug Kay. Along with family she leaves behind many saddened friends.
Services will be held at a later date.
CLYDE B. BALL
Clyde B. “Sonny” Ball, 77, of Winfield, passed away September 7, 2021 at CAMC Teays Valley. In addition to his parents, Clyde & Thelma (Gibson) he was preceded in death by his sister Mona Wymer, mother and father in law who thought of him as their own, Emory and Margaret Graley, and his hunting and fishing buddies Wayne Groves and Mike Ferrell.
He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Midge Graley Ball; daughters Kimberly Ball of St. Albans and Christina Ball of Winfield; siblings Phyllis Mobley of OH, Joyce (Tom) Loftis of GA, Janet Moore of OH and Connie (Ed) Marion of South Charleston; his favorite sisters in law Doris Moore (Leon) of Winfield, Becky Foster (Jerry) of Scott Depot, Velda Graley of Covington Va.; brothers in law J.R. Graley of Cross Lanes and Danny Wymer of Winfield; sons in law Chuck Keaton of St. Albans and Eric Evick of Charleston; grandchildren Nikki, Tabitha and Anthony Loveless of St. Albans; great grandchildren Johnathan, Harley, Christian, Kali, Ritchie, A.J. & Hezekiah and two great great grandchildren, Xion & Gabe.
Sonny is a former employee of Union Carbide and WV Spring & Radiator, a Baptist and retired Navy Veteran. He was a 1963 graduate of Winfield High School, who rarely missed a football game and was part of the “Chain Gang” for over 20 years. He was a longtime Putnam County Fair Board member.
While he could often be cantankerous, he had a heart of gold and would help anyone if he could. Loving to pick and tease, that was often the only way you could tell if he really liked you. He loved to sit and talk, as long as it wasn’t during Gunsmoke or his morning crossword.
MICHAEL RAY BARKER
Michael Ray Barker, 41, of Griffithsville, formerly of Poca, went home to be with the Lord September 7, 2021, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Michael was an employee of the Kanawha County Circuit Clerk; graduate of Poca High School; Assistant Pastor of Eden Baptist Church and an avid Mountaineer fan. He is survived by his Proverbs 31 wife, Mrs. Tiffany Johnson Barker; two daughters Hallie and Kinsley; parents Kim and Mike Scragg and Ted and Rachael Barker; two brothers Greg and wife Ashley Scragg and David Scragg; sister Rachel and husband Craig Brandon; father-in-law Edgar Johnson; special friend Tommy Adkins and a host of other family and friends.
A tribute to the life of Mr. Michael Ray Barker was held Friday, September 10, 2021, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastors Edgar Johnson and Rick Cooper officiating. Burial was in Stevens-Adkins Cemetery, Branchland.
FRANCIS HAROLD CLODFELTER JR.
Francis Harold Clodfelter, Jr., 61, of Scott Depot, passed at his home on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 after a long battle with cancer. He was a carpenter for SOMAC Construction for many years. Francis was a sports enthusiast but Nascar was his favorite.
Left to cherish Francis’ memory is his loving wife, Cyndi; step children, Katie Ashby, Danny Ashby (Kaitlynn), Joseph Drumheller (Jaque); grandchildren, Josey and Jonas Drumheller, and Zander Ashby; sister, Billie Jo Stewart; nieces, Tonya Duclos, Ashley Green, Kristina Orene Powell; nephews, James Lee Harrison, Jr. and Michael Harold Harrison, Daniel Green, Brandon Green, and Judson Perkinson; seven great nieces; three great nephews; and special friends, Matt Bennington, Toby Somerville, Mike Strope, and Joe Glen, who were like brothers to him. Francis is preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Rhea Clodfelter, Sr.; sisters, Lorena Mae Perkinson and Sharon Kay Stahl.
Funeral service was private.
Claudia Cooper
Claudia Ellis Wilson Cooper, 86, of Winfield, passed away Friday, September 10, 2021 at Cabell Health Care Center in Culloden, where she had been a resident for the past two years.
She is now rejoicing in the Eternal presence of our Lord whom she loved and served since childhood. Claudia was a member of Starcher Baptist Church of Charleston, where she served in a number of different offices, including ABW President, Sunday School Teacher, Deaconess, choir member, and Secretary/Treasurer of Mission support. In addition to her church work, Claudia had a number of interests, including sewing, cooking, crafts of all kinds, painting, and reading (especially history and genealogy).
She had a remarkable memory for dates and places of historical events, and for major life events of ancestors, family, friends, and acquaintances. She remembered dates of birth and anniversaries of everyone she knew and sent greeting cards to mark those events.
Claudia was preceded in death by her parents, Okey S. and Lucy G. Carte Wilson; daughter, Elizabeth Carpenter; infant brother, Jackie E. Wilson; and brother-in-law, Robert B. Edwards. Claudia is survived by her husband, Auburn “Bud”Cooper; her sister, Connie W. Edwards of Scott Depot; her niece, Melanie E. (Gerry) White of Charleston; her nephew, Grant W. (Marnie) Edwards of Hurricane; her great-nieces, Chloe White and Holly Edwards; her great-nephew, Connor Edwards; her son-in-law, Clinton Carpenter of Cross Lanes; and her dear friend and pen pal, Ena Barclay of Scotland, although they never met or spoke personally, they shared their lives in letters for 75 years.
Graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 20, 2021 at Winfield Cemetery, Winfield, with Elder Frank Allen officiating.
JERRY WAYNE COWAN
Jerry Wayne Cowan, 79, of Frazier’s Bottom, passed away on September 11, 2021 at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston WV.
He was born on July 21, 1942 to the late Harry Cline and Selma Hodges Cowan, in Hurricane.
Jerry proudly served his nation in the US Army and was a retired diesel mechanic, where he worked for several garages.
Surviving Jerry is his wife of 54 years, Peggy Ann Akers Cowan, daughters: Joyce A. Frazier Cowan (David Free Jr.), Tammy Cowan (Rusty); grandchildren: Nikki Herdman (RD), who he raised as his own, Jerrica Frazier, Albert Frazier and Daniel Free; great grandchildren: Lola, Everett and River; sisters: Judy Meadows and Linda Holley; brothers: Otis and Gene Cowan; two special brother-in-law’s: Calvin and Danny Akers, along with a big extended family full of loving nieces and nephews, and friends.
Funeral service for Jerry was Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Nathan Cain and Pastor Gary Hale officiating.
DOROTHY MAE GEYER
Dorothy Mae Geyer, 94, of Scott Depot, passed away at her home on Thursday, September 2, 2021. She was the manager for Piece Goods store in St. Albans and Teays Valley for 23 years.
Left to cherish her memory is her son, Phil Geyer (Darlene); Grandchildren, Tyler Geyer (Amber), Cara Chaney (Kyle Thompson), Maj. Matt Hill (Katrina), and Tabby Craddock (Shawn); great grandchildren, Vivian M. Geyer, Nolan S. Geyer, Cassidy Banton (Andrew) Griffin Craddock, Scylah Hill, Kora Hill, Ryan Thompson, Elizabeth Thompson, Laiken Thompson; several of nieces and nephews; and a host family and friends.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her loving husband, Alvin C Geyer, Sr.; parents, Carl and Ira Houchin; children, Marsha Geyer, Cynthia Geyer, Alvin C. Geyer, Jr., and Ronald Scott Geyer; three sisters and two brothers.
Graveside services were private.
JOYCE A. HALSTEAD
Joyce A. Halstead, 71, of Eleanor, passed away Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at CAMC Teays Valley following a long illness. She worked for several years at Foodland in Eleanor as the deli manager.
Born May 28, 1950 in Kanawha County, she was the daughter of the late George and Alma Seabolt. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Bridgett Ashlie Sacks; brothers, Jim Seabolt, Charlie Seabolt; sisters, Evelyn Seabolt, Mary Virginia Rucker and Eleanor Cadle. Survivors include her loving husband of 42 years, Walter F. Halstead; son. Robert Harper Jr. of Eleanor; daughter, Cynthia Gail Harper of Winfield; grandsons, David Allen Harper, Dakota Rayne Harper and Sean Austin Green; brother, Rick (Pam) Seabolt of St. Albans; sisters, Drema Rucker of Clendenin and Sue (Darrell) Thomas of Franklin NC. Joyce is also survived by several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Funeral service was Friday, September 10, 2021 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor with Pastor Cecil Spry officiating. Burial was in Beech Grove Cemetery, Eleanor.
BENJAMIN “BUTCH” HENSLEY JR.
Benjamin “Butch” Hensley, Jr., 70, of Winfield, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 10, 2021.
Born June 27, 1951 in South Charleston, he was the son of the late Ota Mae and Benjamin Hensley. He was also preceded in death by his sister Doris Lilly and brothers-in-law William Gill and Gary Smith.
He is survived by his children, Amy West (Matt), Allison Hensley (Chris), and Adam Hensley (Jessie); grandchildren Addison, Jackson, Lillian, Austin, Tyler, and Paige; siblings Roger Hensley (Lynn), Garnett Gill, and Ann Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Butch graduated from Winfield High School in 1969 where he was an accomplished athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He played many roles over the years including small business owner, coach, comedian, Christian, and loving father, friend, husband, and brother. Butch was known for his big stories, big laughs, and even bigger heart. He will be remembered fondly by many that were touched by his generosity and fun-loving spirit.
A memorial service will be held at 3pm on Friday, September 17, 2021 at Chapman Funeral Home in Winfield. Visitation will begin at 2pm. Per the family’s request masks are required.
MARILOU MCKINNEY
Marilou McKinney, 72, of Hurricane, passed away August 31, 2021, after a short illness.
She was born February 23, 1949, in Wood County to the late Garland and Martha Wilson.
Marilou worked at Putnam County Bank where she retired after 20+ years of service. She is a member of Hurricane First Church of the Nazarene and the Hurricane Women’s Club.
Marilou was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Bud Wilson, an infant sister and 4 infant children.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years Dan McKinney, daughters Angela (Louie) Nomar, April (Brad) Gibson, sisters Barbara Ralph, Carol (Bill) Wotring, Donna (Steve) Sellers and brother Phillip (Jodie) Wilson, father-in-law Clinton McKinney, brothers-in-law Steve (Jewel) McKinney, Jeff (Randy) McKinney, a sister-in-law LoRee Pauls. Grandchildren Chase, Clint (Carly), Levi (Megan), Loren, Lacey, Luke and 3 great grandchildren Grayson, Ethan, Ryan, numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved pets Molly, Jack and Trixie.
Funeral service was Saturday September 11, 2021, at Hurricane First Church of the Nazarene with pastor Paul Whiteford and pastor John Hayes officiating. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery South, Parkersburg.
GEORGE RAY STRINGER
George Raymond Stringer, 90, from Scott Depot, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2021 with his family at his side. Ray was born on August 17, 1931 in Bloomingdale, Ohio.
Survivors include his beloved wife and best friend of 69 years, Barbara Donley Stringer, his four children and their spouses George Raymond Stringer, Jr. (Diane) of West Brandywine, Pa, Charles Douglas Stringer (Kendra) of Hudson, Fl, Linda Stringer Dell’ Olio (Michael) of North Plainfield, NJ, and Gail Stringer Trupo (Frank) of Scott Depot, WV. Ray had 13 grandchildren–Garrett, Tara, Adam, Jesse, Zachary, Nathanael, Veronica, Christine, Katelyn, Emily, Stephanie, Thomas and Joseph. He also had 15 great grandchildren with another on the way and two step great-grandchildren.
Ray was predeceased by his father George Franklin Stringer, mother Elizabeth Virginia Oliver Stringer, brother Burns M. Stringer, and sister Clara R. Stringer. He had many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Ray was raised on a farm in Ohio until the family moved to Cadiz, Ohio when he was in high school. After high school, Ray attended and graduated from Muskingum College in Ohio with double major degrees in chemistry and math. He was a standout football, basketball, and baseball player in high school and played basketball in college. He married Barbara on January 11, 1952 during his final year in college. He then joined the US Army after college graduation and served during the Korean War. They lived at Ft. McClellen and in Huntsville, Alabama. He studied electronics, computer, and guided missile technology and then taught officers guided missile technology courses in Huntsville, AL.
After Ray’s service in the army, he was employed by Union Carbide as a chemist and manufacturing department head for 36 years in South Charleston, and Bound Brook, NJ. He received four patents at Carbide for chemical processing.
He was involved for years as a coach and leader for his children’s athletic teams and scouting groups as they grew up, and he had wonderful gardens and raised cattle at his home during his lifetime. He was an avid and very successful fisherman his whole life.
He also attended Marshall University, WV State University, and the Alexander Hamilton Institute in Philadelphia studying business while raising his family.
Ray was very instrumental during the beginnings of the Teays Valley Presbyterian Church in Scott Depot, in 1955. He and Barbara were charter members of the church, and Ray was the first superintendent of the church Sunday School and was the first clerk of session as an Elder in the original elected church elders class. He was honored and named Elder Emeritus of The Presbyterian Church USA in 2001. He and Barbara were the last survivors of the original adult members of the church. He sang in the church choir for about 55 years, taught Sunday school, and lead the first youth fellowship group at the church.
Ray was a very fine man in all ways and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his family and many friends.
Funeral arrangements were through Chapman Funeral Home in Teays Valley with a private burial at Valley View Memorial Park cemetery in Hurricane.
NAOMI RUTH THORNTON
On Wednesday, September 8, 2021, Jesus called and Naomi Ruth answered that call and went home to be with the Lord.
She is survived by her children, Randy (Patricia), Danny (Traci), Gloria (Buddy); grandchildren, Brandon (Emily), Rebekah (EJ), Billy (Krista); great-grandchildren, Destiny, Ella, Julian, Collin, Amos and Miriam; as well as her sister, Othena “Tink”. She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Leroy “PeeWee” Thornton; her parents and her other brothers and sisters.
Ruth attended Paradise Bible Church until her health no longer allowed.
Funeral service was Sunday, September 12, 2021 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, with Pastor Nyle Fisher, Jr. officiating. Burial was in Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens, Red House.
LORETHA BELL WILCOXEN
Loretha B. Wilcoxen, of Hurricane, passed away August 29, 2021. She is survived by her two daughters: Amy Jordan (husband, Todd) and Amanda Wilcoxen. Loretha was a loving and proud Maw Maw to Logan, Hailey, Ethan, Emma, John, and Summer. She was also an extended grandmother to Miles and Josiah Schumacher, as well as Abby, Ally and Taylor Carson. She is also survived by her sisters; Bonnie Milton-Martin and Sue Milton, and her brothers; Raleigh Milton and Maurice Milton. Loretha is predeceased by parents; Ronald & Charlotte Milton; her brother, Rodney Milton; and her sister, Patricia Milton.
The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Loretha: spending time with her grandchildren, talking on the phone with her close friend, Tresea Johnson and laughing and conversing with friend, Lesa Schumacher and her extended brother and friend, Casey Corson who took care of one another over the years. Besides spending time with the people she loved, Loretha was an avid gardener and loved to tend to her flowers. She was always excited when her amaryllis bloomed multiple times a year. Loretha was a child of Christ and will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 3rd at 1:30 p.m. at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church on Turkey Creek Rd., Hurricane, West Virginia. After the memorial service a potluck will be available. If able, a dish to pass would be greatly appreciated.
ROGER GALE WINES
On May 1st, 1963, in Charleston, a beautiful brown eyed boy was born to Patsy Anne (Parsons) Wines, whom she named Roger Gale. He grew to be a skinny and lanky boy. Nine years later, after a brief stay in Michigan, and after moving to Florida, he became the big brother, superhero, and father figure to his little sister, Kimmy Sue Payton, whose father had passed two days prior to her birth, and in 1972 he returned to West Virginia.
Trying his hardest to put some weight on, he joined almost all the sports teams at Poca High School. Whether it be football (Go Packers), baseball (for which he had a lifetime of love for – Go Braves), wrestling, basketball, or chasing cheerleaders, he tried his hardest to excel. Many years later, whilst going through his yearbooks, it was obvious to all that he exceled at getting his picture placed on every other page.
After a couple of practice marriages, and while stationed in Germany, he met a blue eyed, blond haired, firecracker that went by the name Lisa (Larissa Ingersoll.) After three years, four proposals, and one pcs, she said yes, and in June, 1991, they were finally married. They were stationed at Pope AFB together, and after five years they had a baby girl they named Brittany. Roger, who had the ability to make any fussy baby laugh, thought his baby girl was the most beautiful, most intelligent, most perfect girl to ever grace the face of the earth. A fresh shave, cologne, and dressed in suit and tie, he would attend sugar water tea parties for two, pinky in the air, and holding conversations with his princess. Years later he was dancing in the living room, learning the latest dance steps, showing her “old school 80’s” dance moves, and doing it all while trying not to break a hip.
15 months after Brittany was born, Roger and Lisa were blessed with a chubby baby boy they named Cody. Now he had a baby boy that was the most handsome, most intelligent, most perfect boy to ever grace the face of the earth. A box of tools, a worker’s mat, and a set of instructions, he would put together Bionicles, teaching Cody the names of tools, and holding conversations with his little prince. Years later he was fighting Orcs, Blood Elves, Tauren, and Goblins, comparing armor, and running raids with his son in the lead, playing World of Warcraft and bonding over computer game violence and gore. Like father, like son.
Lisa was the love of his life. 33 years together, married for 30, through thick and thin, they made it work. He was her rock, her hero, her best friend. She was his stargazer, his cheerleader, his best friend. They were goofy together, acting out Rocky Horror Picture Show, going to little hometown carnivals and beating the carnies at their fixed games, playing “Name That Tune” with their music collection until 4:00 in the morning, watching military movies and picking out all the mistakes. They always held hands when out, even when he was wheelchair bound. Their love was solid and real, held together by respect and understanding, sometimes confusing to the outside world, but perfect from the inside. They were even holding hands at his last breath.
Roger loved his sports. Golfing every weekend with his Air Force coworkers, watching Nascar and rooting for his favorite drivers, first Kyle Petty, later Kevin Harvick, playing shortstop on the squadron softball team, Roger was always in the game. Roger dreamed in ESPN. Lisa was known to opine that if ESPN showed Olympic goat herding, Roger would know all the stats and teams.
Lasagna was his default favorite food, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups his default sweet, Mountain Dew his default soft drink. He took pride in his appearance, never letting himself “go to pot,” exercising every other day, and working on his biceps the most, because big biceps made Lisa “swoon.”
He loved the military. He took great pride in serving his country, spending 14 ½ years as a crew chief on C-130 Hercules. He was sent as ESTA to the first Gulf war, Desert Storm, in 1990. The “Big Pecker Surf Club” tent held lifelong buddies. Roger, Doc Love, Vince Mitchell, and James Hunter. War was hard, but it was easier with goofy men who played practical jokes while doing laundry with dusty water in buckets and plungers. Although quite often difficult, if not impossible to speak of, the one thing he had no trouble talking about was the friends. The men who supported each other no matter what. Doc, Vince, Jim, he never forgot.
At 57, he was diagnosed with metastatic Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. No stranger to difficulties, Roger took it head on. The doctors gave him three months. But, just like everything else that was difficult, he didn’t run. He met it head on and fought. He fought for 15 months, valiantly. With Lisa by his side, he went through three separate stages of chemotherapy. He knew that he wouldn’t beat the cancer, but he wanted to be there when his daughter got married. And he did. In May of 2021, in full Darth Maul costume, he walked his daughter down the aisle in her Star Wars themed wedding. He danced with his little princess at her wedding.
Roger leaves behind a family that loves him still. He taught his children honesty, integrity, manners, work ethic, and love. He may not have been famous or wealthy, but he will always be remembered by those that loved him, and we are richer for having loved him.
Roger is survived by his wife of 30 years, Larissa. His children; Brittany 26, and Cody, 25. His mother Patsy, and his sister Kimmy.
Roger was awarded Military Honors by the USAF and the James E. Marshall American Legion Post #187, Winfield, at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, on Wednesday, September 15, 2021.
