TONY GEORGE
Tony Edward George, 62, of Hurricane, formerly of Mineral Wells, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Tony was the son of Lillian Bargeloh George and the late Bob George.
Left to cherish his memory are his sisters, Ellen Bowie (Keith) and Angela Sansom (Jerry); partner, Tammy Chapman; five nieces and nephews; and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. In addition to his father, Tony is preceded in death by paternal grandparents, L.D. and Dortha George; maternal grandparents, Karl and Eloise Bargeloh; and brother, Roger George.
Tony was a retiree from Wood County Board of Education. He enjoyed watching Nascar, hunting, and fishing. Tony was an avid WVU fan, “Let’s Go Mountaineers!”
A memorial graveside service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Mineral Wells.
HAROLD GOTHARD
Harold Parsons Gothard, 94, of Poca, passed away at his home on Wednesday, October 6, 2021.
He was a former Poca High School band director and WW II veteran. Born March 22, 1927, in Huntington, to Oakley and Anna Gothard. He grew up in Martha, and was the oldest of 5 brothers and 2 sisters.
Upon graduating from Barboursville High School in 1945, he enlisted in the Navy and served on the Philippine Island of Samar. From 1948 to 1953 he was in the USNR. With the GI Bill he enrolled in Marshall College and majored in music receiving his A.B. degree in 1950 and M.A. in 1954.
In 1950 he came to Poca as the new band director. His students performed in concerts, football games, parades, festivals, band camps, trips to the Cherry Blossom Festival, Disney World, Chicago, and other venues and destinations. Shortly after arriving in Poca, he was asked to assist the Poca Baptist Church Choir. There he met his future wife, Helen Caruthers, who was the church pianist. They were married February 22, 1952 and enjoyed 68 wonderful years together.
He retired in 1989 and started his second career, that of a substitute teacher in Putnam and Kanawha counties. He enjoyed being in the schools with the students and his fellow teachers.
At Poca Baptist he was a deacon and choir director and enjoyed the fellowship of his church family. He was longtime member and treasurer of the Poca Lions Club and was once the Grand Marshall of the Poca Heritage Day Parade.
In his younger days he was an avid bike rider and was never seen walking his bike up a hill. He ran in several distance runs including the Charleston Distance Run and he enjoyed sitting out on the carport with family and friends and it was always a pleasure for him when a former student stopped by to say hello. His presence, kindness, and humor will be deeply missed.
He was preceded in death by his wife Helen C. Gothard; parents Oakley and Anna Gothard; brothers Russell of Herndon VA, Emerson of Virginia Beach VA, Jeff of Martha WV; sisters Eleanor (Preston) Kidd of Scottsville VA, and Kathleen (John) Baldwin of Daytona Beach FL.
Surviving are his children Mark and Anna Marie Gothard; brother Kirt (Julia) Gothard of Martha WV; sisters-in-law Phyllis Gothard of Herndon VA, and Virginia Gothard of Virginia Beach VA.
A tribute to the life of Mr. Harold Gothard was held Monday, October 11, 2021 at Poca Baptist Church with Pastors Tom Moore and Jim Butcher officiating. Entombment was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
MATTHEW GREGOR
Matthew McKaig Gregor, 46, of Hurricane, passed away on Monday, October 4, 2021. He was the son of Paul Gregor II and the late Kathy Lawson.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Carolyn Gregor; daughters, Kathryn Winchester (Lukah) and Elizabeth Chaffin (Richard Stevenson); sister, Christina Gregor; brothers, Adam and Patrick Gregor.
A celebration of his life will be private.
NANCY C. KELLY
Nancy C. Kelly, 77, of Eleanor, passed away Wednesday, October 6th, 2021 at Teays Valley Center following a short illness. She was a graduate of Poca High School.
She was the daughter of the late Basil Owen Smith Sr. and Rose Josephine Coon Smith. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby E. Kelly Sr.; brother, Basil Owen Smith Jr. and sister, Mary Lou Hicks.
She is survived by her sons, Bobby Kelly of Eleanor and Patrick Todd (Melissa) Kelly of South Charleston; grandchildren, Andrew Kelly and Addisyn Kelly; brother in law, James Hicks; special nieces, Shelley Whitttington and Stacey Jones.
Funeral service was Friday, October 8th, 2021 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor. Burial was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
DONALD E. LARCH
Donald E. Larch, 66, died peacefully at his home in Poca surrounded and comforted by his family on Saturday, October 9.
Donald grew up in Ellamore, where he graduated from Coalton High School. He and his wife Debbie were married for 40 years. Don served in the US Army 4th and 54th Infantry and achieved the rank E6 Staff Sergeant. He retired from ACNS as a supervisor.
Donald is preceded in death by his mother Virginia May Williams, father Carol Larch, sister Tammy Kay Miller and uncle Donald Wires. He is survived by his wife Debbie; father-in-law Sonny McGill, who provided so much support for Don; brothers: Robbie Williams of Buckhannon , Dale Williams of Ellamore, Mike Larch of Ohio; sisters: Monica Nicholson and Mary Chapman both of Ripley; his children: Phyllis Harper (Scott), Heather Hastings (Mike), Chris Larch and Gina Basham. His Grandchildren Desiree (William), Anthony (Brooke), Austin, Taylor, Josh, Lachrshia(Steven), Shawn, Jordan, Madison, Matthew, Keigan, Gage, and Aiden; Great Grandchildren: Bam, Sophia, Isaac, Kai, Nova, Primrose, and Emberlynn; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Donald Larch will be greatly missed and never forgotten. A memorial will be held at a later date.
CARL FRANKLIN MULLINS
Carl Franklin Mullins, 56, of Glenwood, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at CAMC Teays after a battle with COVID-19. He was the son of the late James and Sylvia Mullins.
Left to cherish Carl’s memory is his loving wife of 23years, Tammy Mullins; children, Matthew Wilson, Adam Dunn, Carl Mullins, and Chris Mullins; brothers, James Mullins (Tammy), Roger Mullins, Billy Mullins, Michael Mullins, Tony Mullins, Jerry Mullins (Beth); sister, Debbie Craft, Cathy Rhodes (Terry), Connie Owens (Tim), and Karen Mullins (Rennee); special fur baby, EllieMae.
In addition to his parents, Carl is preceded in death by brother, Jackie Mullins; three unborn angels; and special fur babies, Tinkerbell and Rascal.
Carl was a former volunteer for the Valley/Mason Co. Rescue Squad station 200 and an employee at Hurricane Auto Repair.
Funeral service was Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Mark Mayes officiating.
MARY P. SMITH
Mary P. Smith, 83, of Eleanor, passed away on Tuesday, October 5th, 2021 at Genesis Putnam Center following a short illness. She was a graduate of Buffalo High School and retired from Putnam General Hospital accounting department.
Born March 3, 1938 in Buffalo she was the daughter of the late Clyde and Myrtle Nease. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, James B. Smith; siblings, Clyde Nease Jr., Marjorie Croson, Collett “Hoke” Nease, David W. Nease, Sharon Crowell and Marty Nease.
Survivors include her brothers, Richard (Sue) Nease of Leon and Jodie (Ireta) Nease of Parkersburg; sister in law, Margaret Nease of Eleanor and brother in law, Russell Crowell of Buffalo. Mary is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
A private family graveside service will be held at Buffalo Memorial Park, Buffalo with Rev. Randy Parsons officiating.
KAREN ETHEL TAYLOR
Karen Ethel Taylor had a love that was not of this world, her love was Godly, and it was good. Her love would give us faith and it would pull us out of darkness. She was a light, who guided us when we were lost. Her love was alive and fierce because she loved with a genuine heart. Her love was strong enough to hold families together when the world wanted to tear them apart.
Karen was born April 15, 1946. She died October 2, 2021. She was 75. Karen was born in Charleston to the late Charles Elmer Berry and Georgi Pingley. She resided in Hurricane. Karen married Earnest Ray “Whitie” Taylor; they have three children, Sandra Taylor, Larry Taylor, and Troy Taylor. She is preceded in death by Earnest Ray Taylor and Larry Ray Taylor.
Karen told us to follow our dreams because she knew without them, we waste away. Here’s to knowing you, Karen. We’d loved to meet you all over again. We know you’re in Heaven now with all your family and friends. We love you completely.
Graveside service was Friday, October 8, at Cunningham Memorial Park.
