GLENNA JEAN CHAMBERS
Glenna Jean Chambers (Mamaw), 78, passed away peacefully in her home in Hurricane on May 24, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was born on August 27, 1943 and grew up in St. Albans. She graduated from St. Albans High School in 1961. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Richard H. Chambers, her son Keith Chambers, and her parents, James F. and Lorena M. Holderby.
She is survived by her two children, Kelly Carmichael and Brian Chambers; her six grandchildren, Nikki, Ryan, Amanda, Abby, Zoe and Matt and her 5 great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Landon,Tayvin, Ariyah and D.R.
Graveside service was Wednesday June 1, 2022 at Valley View Memorial Park in Hurricane.
RICHARD GROFF
Richard Clayton Groff, 68, of Hurricane, passed away Monday, May 23, 2022.
Richard worked as a truck driver and Jack of all trades, and ended his career at KRT, as a maintenance supervisor.
He was born November 3, 1953 in Charleston, to the late Clayton and Audrey Groff.
He is survived by his children, Eric Groff of Hurricane, Leon Jarman (Chastity) of Mt. Sterling, KY and Justin Groff of Hurricane; sisters, Sharon Oxley of Scott Depot and Judy Romano of Scott Depot; brothers, David Groff (Linda) of Scott Depot, Daniel Groff of Hurricane and Keith Groff of Hurricane; grandchildren, Kyndal Groff, Cameron Jarman, Bella Jarman and Carsen Jarman; and many other extended family and friends.
Funeral service was Friday, May 27, 2022 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Mike Rigsby officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
ROBERT HENSLEY
Robert Martin Hensley, 88, of Hurricane, rejoined his beloved wife and entered the gates of Heaven on February 17, 2022, at the home of his son, Sam (Carol) Hensley, in New Jersey.
He was born on June 8, 1933, to Trinnel and Ella Muncey Hensley in Williamson, West Virginia. He was a devoted Christian, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Bob was a retired conductor and yard master at CSX Railroad and a veteran of the United States Army serving in Germany. He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and also attended Teays Valley Missionary Baptist Church.
Bob is survived by his sons, Daniel (Donna) Hensley and Samuel (Carol) Hensley; grandchildren, Raven (Craig) Hopson, Michele (Jeremy) Painter, Sarah (Greg) Lange, Andrew Hensley and Matthew Hensley; great-grandchildren, Anna and Leah Hopson and Lydia and Chloe Painter; and sister, Joyce Ward. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Elba, Ted, John Lee, Rudolph, and Sidney Hensley; and sister, Edith Williams.
A service to celebrate Bob’s life was held Saturday, February 26, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Elkview, with Pastor Lee Swor officiating. Burial was in Tyler Mountain Memorial Gardens, Cross Lanes.
DAVID D. KELLEY
David Dewhitt Kelley, 65, of Hurricane, went home to be with the Lord on May 21, 2022 after a short illness. David is preceded in his death by his dad, Walton E. Kelley
He is survived by his mother Georgia Kelley and sister Kitty Kelley Battles of Buford, GA; brothers Jim (Becky) Kelley of Virginia Beach, Tom (Becky) Kelley of Myrtle Beach; nephews Rob McCoy, Brian Kelley and Brandon Kelley; nieces Heather and Kim Kelley.
Dave loved his family, friends, community, and would not hesitate to help anyone in need. Dave volunteered for 45 years on the Hurricane Volunteer Fire Department where he gave thousands of hours back to Hurricane and surrounding areas. He served as an officer and a member of the Board of Directors and had been a paramedic for multiple EMS agencies in the area and retired as a Paramedic. Dave also served the city as the Chairman of the Hurricane Building Commission.
After retiring, Dave began working as a Regional Sales Manager with Extreme Pyro fireworks and continued to help out with his favorite charity Southern Appalachian Enrichment Project Co providing teddy bears to children across the state. Dave’s love and humor will be missed by family and friends.
A Celebration of Life was held Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at Valley Park Conference Center.
ARNIE LEE PAINTER
Arnie Lee Painter, 59, of Leon, passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
He was born on December 30, 1962 in Charleston, to Gary and Decie Painter.
Arnie is preceded in death by his mother, Karen “Decie” Painter and daughter, Megan Painter.
Arnie is survived by his loving wife and high school sweetheart, Cecelia Painter of Leon; father, Gary Painter of Bancroft; children, Arnie James Painter (Taylor) of Nitro, Gary Colter Painter of Leon and Benjamin Lawson Tackett (Savannah) of Conway, SC; sister, Grindl Hawley (Chip) of Poca; brother, Bennett Painter of Liberty; grandchildren: Landon, Luke, Gavin, Charlotte, Jace, Griffin and Lincoln; and many other extended family and friends.
Funeral service was Saturday, May 28, 2022 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, with Pastor Bob Scott officiating.
MARJORIE STEVENS
Marjorie McCarter Stevens went to be present with the Lord on May 24, 2022 at the age of 67.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Leona McCarter; her brother, Michael McCarter; and sister, Ann McCann.
She was born in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1954 to the late Roy and Leona McCarter, the second of their five children. Her family moved to Camp Springs, Maryland, a couple years after she was born and she lived there until she went to college. She enjoyed the outdoors, growing up going on trips with her family and her Girl Scout troop. She went to Virginia Tech for college and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy. While at Virginia Tech, she met her husband, Randall Stevens, whom she married in 1976.
After college, they moved to Southside, and then to Hurricane, where she lived until her passing. There, she raised her three sons, encouraging them to know the Lord. She took an active role in their education, homeschooling each of them for portions of their education. She also shared her love of the outdoors with them and took an active role in their Boy Scout troop. She loved her family deeply, caring for them in times of need.
She is survived by and will be dearly missed by her husband, Randall; her three sons, Joshua and his wife Christina, Jonathan and his wife Johnnia, and Jeremiah; four grandchildren, Meghan, Cynthia, Joseph, and Charissa; two sisters, Mary and husband Ed De La Torre, and Alice and husband Dan Wilson; her sister-in-law Barbara McCarter (wife to her late brother Michael).
A Memorial Service was held Saturday, May 28, 2022 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Jeremiah Stevens officiating.
JUDGE JAMES LEE THOMPSON
Judge James Lee Thompson, 101, passed away peacefully at his home on May 24, 2022.
He was born to the late William E. and Rose Anna Dorothy Queck Thompson in Hurricane on January 6, 1921.
Judge Thompson was also preceded in death by his wife, Eloise Erwin Thompson, and daughter, Marsha L. Stewart.
Judge Thompson was retired from the 29th Judicial Circuit, was a life-long resident and dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Hurricane, WVU Law graduate, and proudly served his country in combat during World War II in the US Army.
He is survived by Marsha’s three children, Margaret Stewart, Lee Stewart (Crystal) and Sean Stewart; and son-in-law, David Stewart.
Graveside Service was held at Ridgelawn Memorial Park, Huntington, with Rev. Jerry Losh officiating. Burial was beside the grave of Eloise and other family members.
CHERYL ‘COOKIE’ VAN PELT
Cheryl “Cookie” Stocks Van Pelt of Hurricane, passed away peaceably April 24, 2022 after a long illness.
She was preceded in death by her parents and step-father, her brother, Bobby Stocks and her precious daughter, Alissa Van Pelt.
Cookie is survived by her husband, Scott Van Pelt, daughter, Shana, sons, Troy and Chad and five beautiful grandchildren.
Others left to cherish her memory are her sister, Ginger (Richard) Swanger, brother, Ernie Hampton Jr., many nieces and nephews and a special friend, Rodney Cecil.
Cookie was raised in State College, PA and moved to Hurricane many years ago. She was an accomplished artist and blessed many with her charming gifts. She was a remarkable baker and cook, but her favorite gift of all was being a grandmother.
No matter how she felt, she always had a smile for everyone. Even during her long illness, she was always concerned about others, prayed every day for those she loved and for the lost. She was a true prayer warrior.
Celebration of Cookie’s Life was held Thursday, June 2, 2022 at Bethel Baptist Church, Hurricane, with Pastor Todd Godby officiating.
JOY WEEKLEY
Joy Lou Chase Weekley of Scott Depot, went home, Tuesday May 24, 2022.
Born May 19, 1934, in Atrim, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Dorothy Chase. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James (Jim) Weekley, her sister, Patsy Naper, her brother, Curtis Chase and grandson, Jason Legg.
Joy attended Office Training School in Columbus, Ohio. She was an avid and talented quilter and enjoyed sharing her quilts with her family. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and collecting antiques. Joy was a diehard Duke fan and enjoyed watching sports with her husband, Jim.
Being of the Methodist faith, Joy and her husband attended St John’s United Methodist Church, Winfield United Methodist Church, as well as the former Winfield Community Church.
She was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Surviving are her children, Diane and Ray Cobb of Durham, NC, Jody and Greg Legg of Poca, Tracy and Susan Weekley of Sissonville, and Kevin and Terrie Weekley of Monroe, NC; grandchildren, Phill Cobb (Stacy), Ryan Cobb (Rachel), Lindsey Houbre (Michael), Karey Stolle (Mark), Amanda Petry, Morgan Lee (Ryan), Justin Weekley (Kathleen), Megan Thomas (Scott), Kaitlyn Poorman (Matthew), Ally Berry (Michael), Melissa, Shawn, Michael and Daniel Sullivan; and 22 great grandchildren.
Funeral service was Sunday May 29, 2022 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, with her son in law, Ray Cobb officiating. Burial was in the Winfield Cemetery, Winfield.
ARTHUR ‘FRED’ WHAPLES
Arthur Fredrick “Fred” Whaples, Jr., of St. Albans and formerly of Nitro, born May 27, 1941, went home to be with our Lord on Sunday, May 29, 2022, while in the care of Hospice. Fred was a beloved and devoted husband of 53 years, a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, a devout Christian, Teacher, mentor, coach of 41 years of service as a teacher and friend to all.
He is preceded in death by his parents Arthur Fredrick Whaples, Sr. and Melva A. Whaples of Nitro.
He is survived by his loving wife, Susan G. Whaples “Sugar Bear”, son Shannon (Sandy) of Georgia, Freddie (Cathi) of NC, Brandon (Patti) of Nitro, WV. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by thousands of Poca and WVU students that he cherished dearly in his heart.
A tribute to the life of Fred was held Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mitchell Burch officiating. Burial was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
