LARRY Q. CURRY
Larry Quentin Curry, 75, of Milton, passed away on November 17, 2021 at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Huntington.
Larry was born October 30, 1946 in Huntington to the late Quentin A. and Kathryn M. (Jarvis) Curry in Hamlin. He graduated Hamlin High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1964 and was discharged as a sergeant in 1968. Following his discharge he went to work for Norfolk and Western Railroad in 1968 as a locomotive engineer and retiring in 1999. Larry and his wife loved the outdoors, camping in the mountains of West Virginia in the Midwest, and traveling to the West Coast by train. He was also an active member at Teays Valley Baptist Church, Hurricane.
Larry is survived by his wife of 26 years, Patricia Sue (Mills) Curry, a sister Sue (Curry) McCallister of Hamlin, they shared children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Teays Valley Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. John D. Smith and Pastor Chad Estep officiating. Burial was in Forest Memorial Park, Milton.
KELLY ALAN KRAFT
Kelly Alan Kraft, age 61, of Scott Depot, (originally of Niles, MI), peacefully went home to be with his Lord and Savior on November 15, 2021 following a long and courageous fight against ALS. Jesus rescued Kelly from his suffering and welcomed him into heaven running and singing in his new perfect body. Praise the Lord!
Kelly is preceded in death by his infant daughter Amanda Kraft, first wife Melanie Kraft, father Everett Kraft, mother-in-law Sarah “Lou” Burns, former mother-in-law Jacqueline Burnett Smith, sisters-in-law Carol Burnett and Cheryl Bennett, and brothers-in-law Dale Burnett and Earl Burns.
Kelly is survived by his loving wife of 21 years Brenda (Burns) Kraft, originally of Galloway, OH, his adored children, Jesse (Molly) Kraft of Hurricane WV, daughter, Katie (Brian) Tiemeyer of Cincinnati, OH, mother Virginia Kraft of Niles, MI, brother Kyle (Annette) Kraft of Kalamazoo, MI, sisters, Karen (Karl) Damm and Kimberly (Gary) Barnes, both of Niles, MI. Brothers and sisters in-law, Joyce (Randy) Sayers, Ralph Gary Burns, Jeff (Kimberly) Burns, Mary Palmquist, Allen (Visobe) Burnett, Sandy (Phil) Hoskins, Brian Burnett, Mel Bennett, Lisa (Mark) Butzow, 71 nieces and nephews (yes, you read that right), Goddaughter Riley Rainsberg, and his two most favorite people on the planet, his beloved and spoiled grandchildren, Hayden and Melanie Kraft.
Kelly suffered with ALS for three years, and although it stole everything physically from him, ALS did not define who Kelly Kraft was or what he stood for. Kelly was a faithful servant of Christ, loving husband, an amazing father, and a very spoiling “Grampy.” He was a true man of integrity and never lost his faith in Christ through it all. He was a strong, brilliant, and kind-hearted man who loved his family, church, and his 40-year career as a cytotechnologist. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, December 4th at 6pm at Teays Valley Church of God, Scott Depot. The visitation is 4pm-6pm preceding the service. Rev. Melissa Pratt and Rev. David Bowen will be officiating. This is a large venue with the ability to social distance and you are welcome to wear a mask if you wish.
MILDRED LAMBERT
Mildred Bessie Carpenter Lambert gained her eternal rest on November 22, 2021 at her home on Lick Creek Road, Hurricane, WV at the age of 102
Mildred was born December 15, 1918, the daughter of Asa and Olivia (Wade) Carpenter on Martin’s Branch near Hurricane. She married Odeth H. Lambert of Durbin, WV in 1956 and lived for a few years in Clendenin, WV before moving to Durbin where she resided until Odeth’s passing in 2002. She returned to Putnam County to Lick Creek in 2003 where she resided until her passing. She was a homemaker and an avid gardener known for her love of house plants, canning and preserving. She loved letter writing and had several pen pals that she corresponded with for over 50 years. She had a keen wit and a sharp memory and was a great source of information and memories from all the decades she had lived through including the Great Depression. She will be greatly missed by her extended family Richard and Pam Harper of Lick Creek and the family of William and Fay Johnson who came to know her as “Mommaw Mildred”.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mildred was also pre-deceased by one sister, Dorothy who died in infancy, a step-sister Lucy Carpenter, step-brothers Hubert Carpenter and William “Willie” Carpenter and her beloved dogs Sparky, Sport and Rex.
She is survived by one nephew, Harvey Carpenter of Culloden and numerous great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held 12:00 noon on Friday, November 26, 2021 at Allen Funeral Home with Elders Harold Johnson and Tony Edwards officiating. Visitation will be on hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in Carpenter Cemetery, Martins Branch, Hurricane. There will be no graveside service.
DAVID L. PANARO SR.
David L. Panaro Sr., 94 of Eleanor, passed away Tuesday, November 16, 2021.
Funeral service was Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor. Burial was in Beech Grove Cemetery, Eleanor.
BOYD SAUNDERS
Boyd Delbert “Corkey” Saunders, 86, of Red House, passed away November 20, 2021, at home.
Corkey was retired from Ravenswood Aluminum and a former employee of Avtex Fibers. He is an Army Veteran and a former member of the Nitro Moose Lodge.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Loretta F. Saunders; son Steven Saunders; daughter Patty Saunders and all his siblings.
He is survived by his daughters Sharon and husband Steven McVey and Beverly and husband Chuck Easter; two granddaughters of whom he raised, Amanda and husband Cody Conley and Stephanie Saunders and four grandsons Matt Easter, Anthony Easter, Seth Easter and Andrew Harris.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Hospice.
A tribute to the life of Boyd “Corkey” Saunders will be 2:00 PM Friday, November 26, 2021 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Scott Casto officiating and Military Honors by the James E. Marshall American Legion Post #187 of Winfield. Burial will follow in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
ROBERT RAY VANATER JR.
Robert Ray Vanater, Jr., 64, of Winfield, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 21, 2021. He was the son of Robert Ray Vanater, Sr. and the late Orma May Coleman.
Ray had a lifelong passion for everything Volkswagen. He was a founding member of the West Virginia Volkswagen car club and member of other car clubs. He was a car fanatic! Ray was a number one fan of the local band, “Mindbender.
Left to cherish his memory is his son, Robert Whitney Vanater; daughters, Lacey Rae Pickens (Brent), and Megan Marie Smith; brothers, Rex Edward Vanater (Jenny), Roy Coleman Vanater (Eden), Ryan Arthur Vanater (Tifany); grandsons, Trenton Ray Pickens and Hunter Gage Pickens; his beloved dog, Samson; grand pets, Gizmo, Odie and Blue; twelve nieces and nephews; four great nephews; “A brother from another mother and father” Ed Webb; and a host of friends and family.
A Celebration of Life will be 2:00pm Saturday, November 27, 2021 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service.
WANDA WRIGHT
Wanda June Ferrell Wright, 74, of Hurricane, went to her heavenly home on November 16, 2021. She joins her husband, parents, and brother.
Wanda, or Maw Maw as she was known, was born to Herbert and Gladys Ferrell on January 2, 1947, on Route 60 in Hurricane. She was a 1964 graduate of Hurricane High School. After graduation she moved to Myrtle Beach, SC where she began her life-long career with Bell South retiring from Verizon here in WV in 2009 with 45 years of service.
Her greatest joy were her grandkids Haley and Joshua.
Wanda was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Walter Wright, her parents, and her brother Dick Ferrell. And stepdaughter Annie Wright. She is survived by her daughter Amy Wright-Belcher at home, granddaughter Haley Belcher (Michael Lanham) of Scott Depot, grandson Joshua Belcher at home, sister Mary Wolfe, brother Gary Ferrell both of Hurricane, stepdaughters Janice Wright, Melinda Esser, and stepson Robert Wright all of Jacksonville, FL. Many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Wanda was a bright light to everyone who knew her and even through her struggle with diabetes, kidney failure and congestive heart failure she remained strong. She fought with all she had for 3 years.
After retirement, Wanda enjoyed travelling on bus trips making many friends along the way, and spending time with her grandkids.
Celebration of her life was held Saturday, November 20, 2021, at Allen Funeral Home. Graveside service was at Mt. Vernon Cemetery.
