JAMES ALBERT JOHNSON
James Albert “Al” Johnson, 73, of Huntington, passed away December 21, 2021, after a short battle with lung with cancer.
Al was born January 10, 1948, in Putnam County, the son of the late Clifford and Cathleen Johnson. He attended Hurricane High School and spent most of his career as a truck driver. He was married to his devoted wife, Trudie Johnson, for over 21 years. They shared a loved for the outdoors. Al was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, boating, and camping. He also had a sense of humor that would light up a room. He will be truly missed by his friends and family.
Al is survived by his wife Trudie Johnson, of Huntington; sister Kay Rice and her husband Wade of Hurricane; brother Gary Johnson of Portland, Georgia; son Keith Johnson of Glenwood; daughter Angela Johnston of Culloden; and stepdaughter Melissa Black and her husband Chad Black of Huntington; grandchildren, Michael Johnson, KristyJackson, Chelsea Call, Joshua Jackson, Caleb Black, Noah Black, Aden Williamson, Evan Williamson, and Riley Williamson; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters Jean Day and Joanie Coyner.
Service was December 29, 2021 at Allen Funeral Home, with his cousin Robert Adkins officiating. Burial was in Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Hurricane.
BARBARA KNUCKLES
Barbara Ann Knuckles, 91, of Hurricane, went to be with our Lord and Savior December 30, 2021. She was born April 19, 1930 in South Charleston. She passes from complications due to a fall.
She was a Christian and a faithful member of Teays Valley Baptist Church for 44 plus years. Barbara served her church in many ways including singing in the choir which she loved. Throughout her lifetime she achieved many titles, Barbara was the matriarch of her family whom she loved dearly. She was well known in town for her hotdog sauce. There are many residents in Hurricane who remember going to Barbs Hotdogs. Barbara and her husband John also worked at and helped manage Western Hills Golf Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents Edward Mallory and Gladys Cobbs Mallory, her husband John Knuckles, brothers Clark, Hubert, Frankie, Bob and Jim Mallory. Sisters Betty Knuckles, Juanita Clark, Exie McCune, June Rigsby and Greta Mallory. Children John Edward Jr. baby boy Knuckles, Doris Johnson and Joyce Macleery, Grandchildren Rusty, Glen, Johnny, Barbie and Sherri.
Left to carry on her legacy are her children, Carolyn Osborn of Hurricane, Sandra (Larry) Kirby of Culloden, Jeff (Debbie) Knuckles of Ripley, Mark (Kathy) Knuckles of Hurricane. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren. Also her brother Forrest Mallory of South Charleston.
Funeral service was Wednesday, January 5th, 2022 at Allen Funeral Home with Pastor John D. Smith officiating.
WANDA LAKE
Wanda Jean Lake, 74, passed away on December 28, 2021, after a long illness. Wanda was a lifelong resident of Hurricane, and a graduate of Hurricane High School.
Wanda enjoyed volunteering at the John Henson Senior Center and made many friends there.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Nancy Lake, three brothers, Berchel, Eddie, and Randall. She leaves behind her nephew, Darryl Keith Lake and scores of cousins.
Wanda was laid to rest at the Sycamore Cemetery.
MATTHEW LILLY
Matthew Curtis Lilly, 34, of Winfield, peacefully departed for his Heavenly Home on December 30, 2021 surrounded by his family and dear friends, Pastor Jeff and Karen Johnson.
Matt was born to Jonathan and Kathryn Leslie Lilly on January 14, 1987 in Huntington, WV.
He was a graduate of Winfield High School and West Virginia State University with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. Matt was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, an avid WVU and Atlanta Braves fan, and a devout lover of all sports. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf, fantasy football/baseball, as well as cards with the W.P.C. Most of all, Matt loved spending time with his family and friends.
Matt was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather: John Leslie, paternal grandfather: E.W. Pete Lilly, and maternal great grandparents: James and Ann Eves.
Matt is survived by his loving family, his wife: Kellie Ann Lewis Lilly; his son: Logan Rhys Lilly; his parents: Dr. Jonathan and Kathy Lilly; his younger brothers: Zach (Heather), Cameron, and Isaac Lilly, his maternal grandmother: Beverly Ann Leslie; his paternal grandparents: Patricia Nelson (Don); his mother and father in-law: Jeff and Helen Lewis, sister in-law: Tara Lewis Chapman (Adam); nieces/nephews: Summitt and Aaron Chapman, and Clara Lilly. Extended Family: Hunter Warren, Oliver, Addilynne, and Preston Warren-Curtis (Zach).
Matt’s funeral service will be 11:00a.m. Saturday, January 8th, 2022 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane WV, with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Johnson officiating. The family will receive visitors Friday, January 7th, 2022 from 6:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home.
DOUGLAS RAY LINGER
Douglas Ray Linger, 60, of Leon, passed away on December 27, 2021.
Doug was born on August 2, 1961 to Willodean Smolder and the late Willis Linger Marietta, OH.
He served in the US Air Force and most recently taught electrical at Ben Franklin.
Doug had 2 children, William Linger and Marie Linger, as well as 10 grandchildren. He was a beloved teacher, father, and Pawpaw.
He is survived by his mother, Wilodene Smolder, son, William Linger, daughter, Marie Linger, brothers Mike and Don Linger, sister, Wilodean Martin, and grandchildren Abigail, Erika, Liam, Grady, Emma, Ashton, McKenzie, Penelope, Jaxson, and Harper.
Memorial service was held Sunday, January 2, 2022 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Greg Markins officiating.
LINDA LOU MCGREW
Linda Lou Fisher McGrew, 72, of Winfield, went home to be with the Lord on December 30th, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on February 4th 1949 in Charleston. She was preceded in death by her parents Rex and Emma Fisher and nephew Linden Fisher.
She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years Jerry; two children Susan (Lewis) Winter of Hometown and Melissa (Chris) Zuspan of Fraziers Bottom; grandchildren Phillip, Kenzie, Anna and Andrew Winter, Timothy (Hannah) and Brooke Zuspan; sisters, Agnes (Hubert) Strickland, Ann (Jimmy) Adkins, Vicky Jo (Vernon) Good; brother Rex Allen (Becky) Fisher and sisters-in-law, Diane (Frank) Smith and Linda Akers. Linda is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Linda was a lifetime homemaker. She had a servant’s heart and loved to sew for others. She made hundreds of masks and comfort caps for cancer patients. She loved The Lord and shared her faith in love with everyone she came into contact with. She always found blessings in every situation. She loved everyone and everyone loved her. She was a Godly Wife, Mother, Grammy, Sister and Friend.
A tribute to the life of Linda was held Monday, January 3rd, 2022 at Rock Branch Independent Church with Pastor Delbert Hawley officiating. Burial was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens in Red House.
CHRISTINE MIDKIFF
Christine “Chriss” Hager Midkiff passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 28th, 2021 surrounded by family at Cabell Huntington Hospital. She was 78 years old.
Chriss was the daughter of Raymond and Lennie Hager born on February 20th, 1943, in Spurlocksville.
Chriss married her teenage sweetheart, Tom Midkiff, on March 10th, 1962. They were happily married for 54 years. They had three sons: Tom III, David, and Mark. Chriss was a hard worker who excelled in many careers; notably her time spent in restaurant management. On top of Chriss’s careers, her most important role was that of a “Super Mom” to her three active and athletic sons and she loved her family fiercely. She was a team mom, assistant den mother for scouts, and always had an open door for their many friends as they grew up.
Chriss was known as a very caring and loving woman by all who were lucky enough to know her. She loved to make people laugh with her quick wit, honesty, and unfiltered sense of humor. She loved to spoil her pets by feeding them whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. She could also be caught sneaking treats to her great-grandbabies!
Chriss was a fighter. She dealt for years with many physical ailments, but no matter how bad she felt she got out of bed to spend time with her family. She taught her family how to endure suffering, persevere, and how to focus on your loved ones when times get tough.
Chriss was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, and her siblings: Carolyn, Ellis, and Darryl. She is survived by her brother, Dale (Sharon) Hager; her sons: Tom (Jennifer), David, and Mark (Tiernee); her grandchildren Leah (Jimmy) Scheidler, Matthew (Taylor) Midkiff, Jacob Midkiff, Erin (Alan) Short, Kameron Midkiff, Aubrie Midkiff, Rachel Midkiff, and Emily Midkiff; and her great-grandbabies Owen, Hudson, and Sutton Scheidler, Mattie and Beau Midkiff, and Jackson Short; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Services was Monday, January 3rd at St. Timothy’s in the Valley Episcopal Church.
DONNA JEAN MONDAY
Donna Jean Monday, 61, of Poca, passed away December 28, 2021, at home.
Donna is retired from Scott Depot Dairy Queen with 30 years of service.
She is preceded in death by her parents Oscar and Betty Gillispie; brother Cephus Gillispie and sister Debra Mason.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Mr. Ricky Monday, Sr.; two children Terry Adkins and her husband Greg and Ricky Monday, Jr. and his wife Irma; sister Mary Jett; brother Jerry Gillispie; four grandchildren Marlena Adkins, Isaiah Adkins, Ricky Monday, III and Kayli Cochran and two great grandchildren Brooklynn and Riley Monday. Donna is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
A tribute to the life of Mrs. Donna Monday was held Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastors Darris Barker and Keith Monday officiating. Burial was in Emma Chapel Cemetery, Liberty.
ROSCOE MULLINS
Roscoe Mullins, 96, of Culloden, passed away on December 28, 2021 at his home.
He was born to the late Floyd and Stella Evans Mullins on January 28, 1925.
Roscoe was retired from Union Carbide and from the State of WV. He served his country during WWII in the 2nd Marines Corp. Division 6th Regimen.
Roscoe is survived by his children, his son, Kevin Mullins and his daughter, Patsy Ccase, granddaughter, Mallory Barney, siblings, Evelyn Harper, Francis Chapman, Conard Mullins, and Robert Mullins, as well as many other family and friends.
He will be buried at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Dunbar
RICHARD N. PAYNE
Richard N. Payne, 68, of Eleanor, passed away December 21, 2021 at his home.
He was a son of the late Okey and Betty Lou Shamblin Payne.
Rick was retired from Union Carbide working in plant operations and as an Inspector with WV DOH.
In accordance with his wishes, there will be a memorial service in the future.
LENORE PERKINS
Lenore Frances Garnes Perkins, 88, of Eleanor, passed away Saturday January 1, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family following a short illness. She was a member of Wade Chapel United Methodist Church. Lenore was an avid reader and enjoyed crocheting, quilting and bowling with her late husband and various friends.
She was the daughter of the late Ulysses B. Garnes and Evelyn Frances Ford Garnes Gordon. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, 1 month, 1 day and the love of her life, Charles A. “John” Perkins; son, Terrance “Terry” Perkins; grandson, Christopher Gibson; sisters, Judy Hudson, Jean Ann Hanshaw and Patty Snyder; step father, Zollie O. Gordon; stepsisters, Maxine Moore and Christine Asbury.
Survivors include her children, Charles O. “Chuck” (Karen) Perkins of Poca, Cheryl A. (Cecil “Buster”) Sovine of Scott Depot, Patricia M. (Timmy) Parsons of Red House, John M. Perkins of Eleanor, and Larry F. Perkins of Lewisburg; grandchildren, Aaron (Nicky) Perkins, Sarah (Craig) Badger, Michael J. Gibson, Rebecca A. Gibson, Jennifer (John) Frazier, Matthew (Karlie) Perkins, Marissa (Michael) Ramey and Brendon (Sam) Thomas; great-grandchildren, Dalton, Peyton, Greer, Aidan, Kaylie, Cheyenne, Zoey, Mea, Braxton, Sophia, Sawyer, Oakley, Lyla, Liam and Leo; stepbrother, Carl Gordon; stepsisters, Alberta Saunders and Elizabeth Woods.
Graveside service was Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Pastor Mike Miller officiating. Burial was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
JAMES ROAT
James Leroy “Tweety” Roat, 69, of Winfield, passed away January 2, 2022.
Mr. Roat is a retired paramedic from Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority with over 40 years of service. He is also a member of the Putnam Masonic Lodge #139 in Hurricane.
He is preceded in death by his parents James and Barbara Roat; brother Michael Roat and sister Dorothy Roat.
He is survived by his three children Emily and her husband Brandon Thornton, Bryce and his wife Jessica Perks and Michael Roat and five grandchildren.
At his request there will be no services.
MORGAN SEXTON JR.
Morgan Sexton, Jr., 81, of Hurricane, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 31, 2021 at Hubbard Hospice House-West, South Charleston.
He was born at St. Albans to the late Harold Morgan Sexton, Sr. and Dessel Meadows Sexton. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Stone; brothers, Richard Sexton and Mike Sexton.
Morgan was a retired truck driver for PJAX Trucking and was a former truck driver for Overnite. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, St. Albans.
Surviving are his son, Morgan Sexton, III (Cindy); sister, Betty Carruth; grandchildren, Zach (Ashley) Sexton and Jeremy (Miranda) Sexton; great grandchildren, Ryleigh and Madilynn. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, family and a host of friends.
Funeral service was Monday, January 3, 2022 at Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, St. Albans, with Pastor Craig Gillenwater officiating. Burial was in Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, St. Albans.
WILLIAM STARCHER
William “Bill” Starcher, 79, passed away December 20, 2021 after a short illness.
He is preceded in death by his wife Patricia; parents Buck and Palestine Starcher and brother Wayne Starcher.
He is survived by his children Lestel Earl Starcher and Melissa of Weston and Diana Starcher and Dale of Liberty; grandchildren Amber Wagner and Buger of Leon and William “Mikey” Hamon and Lynsdey of Liberty; great grandchildren Addison Wagner, Katie Hamon and Sara Hamon; brother Orval “Buster” Starcher and Ruth Ann of Liberty; sister Ida Smith and Paul of New Martinsville, Laura Kirk and Johnny of NC, Mary Smith of Red House and Patty Skeen and Kent of Ripley; sister-in-law Sharon Starcher and a host of many nieces and nephews.
A tribute to the life of Bill was held Monday, December 27, 2021 at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens with Aaron Ovellette officiating.
GOMER A. WHITT
Gomer A. Whitt, 75, of Culloden, went home to be with the Lord on December 29, 2021 after a short illness.
Gomer was preceded in death by his parents: Robert Warren “Joe” and Gladys Lewis Whitt; and his younger brothers: Robert “Bob”, Glen and Gene Whitt.
Gomer grew up in Buffalo, then his family moved to Winfield, where he attended Winfield High School and discovered his love of music in the band. After graduating he married and moved to Scott Depot, then served his country during the Vietnam War as a US Marine, from 1966 to 1967. After returning home, he and his wife, Carolyn (Bailey) Whitt had two daughters: Kelly Whitt Vance (James) and Tracy Whitt Lanier (Greg), who gave him seven grandchildren: Kevin, Brandon, Jesse and Jordan Vance, Whitney Pressley, Tanika Lanier Phillips-Taylor (Jacob) and Cody Lanier; and four great grandchildren: Holden Phillips, Sawyer Phillips, Jaxston Taylor and Davey Taylor. Gomer retired from Monsanto after 35 years and moved to Culloden and then he became engaged to Lynda (Richards) McAllister.
Funeral service for Gomer was Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Bryan Matthews officiating. Burial was in Bowcott Cemetery, Pliny.
DAVID WOOD
David Earl Wood, loving husband, dad, and Pawpaw, age 86, of Hurricane, passed to his eternal home on December 19, 2021. David was the husband of Jennie Wood and the son of Jessie and Ollie Pate Wood (both deceased).
After graduating in 1954 from Hurricane High School, he served two years in the U.S. Army. He earned an engineering degree from Trine University in Angola, IN. Upon graduation he worked and retired from Union Carbide where he traveled the world as a vibration analysis specialist. David was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Hurricane for 46 years.
Besides his wife, he leaves behind his children, Debbie Wertz (Bill), Greg Wood, grandchildren and the light of his life, Jennifer Desai, David Wertz, Anslee Wood, Logan Wood, and one great granddaughter Annie. He also leaves behind his siblings, Kermit Wood (Deloris), Verna Bilicki (Ray), Judy Mercer (Russell), and Betty Thompson (Martin) as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Dad never met a stranger.
A memorial service was held for David at First Baptist Church of Hurricane on Thursday, December 30th.