ROBERT LEE BESS, SR.
Robert Lee Bess, Sr., 60 of Poca, passed away March 10, 2022.
He is preceded in death by his parents Robert Shirley and Ina Claire Bess and sister Charlene. He is survived by his sisters Sharon, Debbie (Russ) and Mindy; children Robert Jr. (Sara) and Brittany and one grandson.
Memorial service to be held privately with family.
LISA CAROL BOGGESS
Lisa Carol Boggess, 58, of Red House, passed away March 11, 2022.
Lisa is preceded in death by her parents Millard “Kayo” and Rose “Shorty” Boggess.
She is survived by her children Erica (Joseph) Russell, Michael Bailey, Trey (Lindsey) Bailey, Ryne (Amanda) Arthur and Cody (Michael) Honaker; soulmate Tim Higginbotham; sister Vanessa Boggess; brother Rick (Laura) Boggess; 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Lisa is also survived by a host of other family and friends.
A tribute to the life of Lisa was held Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Darren Persinger officiating. Burial was in Center Point Cemetery.
GARY A. ERWIN
Gary A. Erwin, 78, of Leon, formerly of Hurricane, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 13, 2022, at his home after an extended illness.
He was Veteran of the U.S. Army and served as a Paratrooper Vietnam, He retired from Special Metals in Huntington. He enjoyed farming, family and his country.
He is survived by his Children, Mike (Becky) Erwin and Mary Pat (Bill) Freeman, Wife, Kathy Erwin, Grandchildren, Brooke (Zack) Simpson, Garison Erwin, Hayden (Chloe) Erwin, McKenzie Freeman, Madison (Tyler) Rice and Nakota Freeman, Great grandchildren, Grayson, Raygen, Carter, Jax, Will, Leon, Lucy, Amelia. Brother, Doug Erwin, Sisters, Bonnie Dodrill, Juanita Legg and Rita Erwin,
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2022, at Allen Funeral Home with Rev. Benjamin Riggleman officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery.
KANDICE GIBSON
Kandice Cierra Gibson, 28, of Bancroft, suddenly passed away March 8, 2022.
Kandice attended Poca High School and was the assistant manager at South Charleston Burger King.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents Arnold Dwight Bradshaw and Brenda and Jerry Gibson and stepfather Tim Casto.
She is survived by her daughter Thia Mosby; mother Karen Casto; father Mark Gibson; sister Rhianna Casto; aunt Mindy Gibson and best friend Nikki Harper.
A tribute to the life of Kandice was held Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jeff Arthur officiating. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
LINDA DEL HUGHES
Linda Del Sowards Hughes, of Winfield, passed away on March 8, 2022 at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston.
She was born in Hurricane on August 26, 1945 to the late Gladys Byrnside Sowards and Max Sowards. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by, her sister Phyllis Sowards Clark and her mother and father in-law, Betty and Leon McCoy,
Linda graduated from Hurricane High School and Marshall University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education. A gifted Language Arts instructor who enjoyed teaching others to read, Linda retired after a 38 year career with Putnam County Schools.
Linda enjoyed traveling, cooking, reading and caring for her family. She loved traditions and routines, especially enjoying time with her sister, Ada. Linda was a faithful Christian who most recently attended Crossroads Baptist Church in Winfield.
Linda is survived by her husband of 42 years, William Hughes of Winfield; her daughter: Amy Artrip (Brent) of Raleigh, NC; and her son: John Grass III (Kristi) of Apex, NC. Linda loved being a grandmother to: Tori Grass Ball (Nick), Sera Grass, Eric Artrip, Ian Artrip, John Grass IV, Rhett Hagerman, and Addison Hagerman.
In addition to her immediate family, Linda is survived by her sister: Ada Boggess of Scott Depot and her family John and Erica Boggess (Sydney and Josh, Blake) and Jeff and Laura Boggess (Ted, Jeffrey); her brother-in-law: Lewis Clark and his family (Julie and Matt Pennington and their daughter Kira); her sister in-law: Cathy and David Bailey and their family (Brooke and Eddie Smolder (Braylie, Eddric) and Brittany and Dave Harper (Cassidy, Betley, Breece).
A Service of Remembrance was held Friday, March 11, 2022 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, with Rev. Roger Adams officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
LEANNE BROOKE JAMES
Leanne Brooke James, 45, of Hurricane, was killed on Friday, February 25, 2022, in a car accident. She was a systems administrator for Kanawha County Schools and an avid amateur radio operator (K8OHZ). She was also a tireless advocate for the transgender community and for LGBTQ equality at the local, state, and federal levels.
Leanne is survived by her daughter, Marissa Mynes; father, Ernest Mynes; sister, Tammy St. Clair (Marvin Carr) all of Hurricane; and her brother, Jeromy Mynes (Beth Bartlett) of Altamonte Springs, FL. She is preceded in death by her mother, Donna Mynes.
A memorial service has not yet been planned. To further her advocacy, the family requests donations to be made in memory of Leanne to Fairness West Virginia at fairnesswv.org/donate.
SHERRY ANN TAYLOR
Sherry Ann Wroten Taylor, 72, of Hurricane, passed away unexpectedly March 9, 2022 at CAMC Teays Valley Hospital.
She was the only child to the late Lenford “Jiggs” and Ollie “Elsie” Woodard Wroten.
Sherry was a majorette and a graduate of St. Albans High School, class of 1967, and a graduate of West Virginia University. She served as a homeroom mother, substitute teacher, assistant Girl Scout leader, volunteer at Lakewood Elementary, which she played Witch Hazel during Halloween, Hayes Junior High and St. Albans High School during her children’s school years and a member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, St. Albans. She too loved living “On the Hill” surrounding Zerkle Street in St. Albans.
She was currently the executive director of WV State Rehabilitation Council and a founding member as well as the Vice President/Treasure of the National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Councils. Sherry served as a board member of Ten Up Ministries. She currently was a realtor for Runyon and Associates, whom she loved, as well as coworkers and her clients that became more than just friends. Runyon and Associates meant so much to Sherry, as well as prior jobs that she considered “home”. She was an Executive Director of ARC of the Three Rivers, which she was employed for 8 years working along with United Way and was considered a champion for all whom she served, clients and staff. Also, a director for Broadmore Assisted Living and Dunbar Americare Nursing Home.
Sherry was a member Beta Sigma Phi, Delta Theta-sorority where she held several offices. She loved playing bunko and poker keeno with Ruth, Cindy, Millie, Joan, Linda and Susan.
She is survived by her husband, Paul M. Taylor, II; son, Eric Taylor (Betsy Ayers) of Barboursville; daughter, Destiny Taylor of Scott Depot; grandchildren, Taylor Miles (Ashley), Christopher Drew Taylor (Ashley), Olivia Taylor, Griffin Taylor (Maitlyn), Sophia Taylor, Maddie Ayers and Bryar Ayers; great grandbabies, Gage, Avery, Brody, Aria, Ivy and Hudson whom she adored.
Sherry cherished her whole family, coworkers, neighbors, her many friends and would do anything in the world for anyone, including the many that she will help by being an organ donor. She will be missed by all and never forgotten.
Funeral services were held Sunday, March 13, 2022 at Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Wood officiating. Interment was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
NANCY ANN WALKER
Nancy Ann Walker, born October 3, 1941 in Logan, lived a life of love, kindness, thoughtfulness and service. She loved her family fiercely and all things purple. She was a wonderful wife, mother, Grammy, sister and friend. She loved to laugh and had a keen sense of humor.
She entered into Heaven on March 7, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vendetta and Raymond Cox and her beloved husband of 50 years, Paul Reford Walker, Jr. She is survived by her son, Paul “Lucky” Walker III, her daughter Whitney Norton (Dan), grandchildren whom she adored, Ben, Eli, Maggie, Doug (Mary) Norton, brother John “J” Cox (Rita), Todd Cox, and nieces Rachel Cox and Brandi Spradling and many cousins.
Graveside services were conducted by Pastor Michael Hager on Friday, March 11, 2022 at Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
BETTY LOU WOODS
Betty Lou Woods, 92, of Hurricane, died peacefully on March 10, 2022, at home with her husband of 71 years by her side.
She was born in Charleston, West Virginia, on December 25, 1929, grew up in Clendenin, where she graduated from Clendenin High School and attended Charleston Business School.
Betty Lou married William “Curt” Woods on September 7, 1950 and became a homemaker and a mother of two. She was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Nitro since 1956, where she sang in the choir and was a member of many church-based committees. She was a Hospice volunteer for over 20 years, a member of Eastern Star, a volunteer at Thomas Memorial Hospital, and a PTA volunteer at West Sattes Elementary school. Betty Lou loved watching the birds in her garden, sewing and embroidery, and baking countless goodies and cookies for her loved ones and her Hospice families.
She is survived by her husband, William Curtis Woods; daughter Benna Hindle (Steve); daughter Luanne Jividen (Jerry), granddaughters Amy Asbury Reis (Brian), Merideth Jividen Pasinetti (Tommy), Stephanie Hindle, and grandson Trenis Hindle (Randi); great-grandsons Thomas Davin Pasinetti and Basil Flagel; great-granddaughters Sailore McCarty and Esme Flagel.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Bonnett Rogers; father, Orville Estep; step-father, N. N. Snyder, step-siblings; Ike Snyder, Earthalee Snyder, Sammy Snyder, Ted Snyder, Jack Snyder and Buss Snyder; and great-grandson, Riley Zane Reis.
Service will be held March 18, 2022, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Nitro, beginning with visitation at 11, service at noon, with a small reception at the church afterward. The family requests that masks be worn during visitation and service and that social distancing be practiced.
