DAN COOK
Danny (Dan) Ray Cook, of Hurricane, was born in Leckie, McDowell County, Nov. 26, 1938, and passed in hospice on October 25, 2022. Dan is survived by his wife Betty Sepulveda Cook, daughters Connie Lucille Lee of Charleston and Independence, VA, Crystal Cook Marshall of Union Grove, NC (husband, Edward), and Cathy Cook, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and family from his wife stretching from Europe to her native Cali, Colombia. The family from Colombia wanted to express they are distraught and they love/d Dan very much.
A summer in his brother’s pick mine sent Dan above ground, and after the Army, he worked in insurance in and out of the hollers of WV and SWVA. In his 20s, he taught himself graphic design and sign painting, and later, lithography and screen printing. Priding himself for being of Ben Franklin’s profession, Dan printed many of the highway signs dotting the region, and even on his deathbed, fretted about work for customers.
A hard worker with a busy mind, Dan loved wordplay and clever quips, with which, nearly till the end, he entertained family, friends, and himself. He had notepads full of ideas, and he remained chockfull of stories.
An actual master of many trades and arts, having learned many vocational skills from his father and brother, Dan built or renovated his own personal and commercial buildings and invented machines for his business. He went through deep creative phases where he also did outputs in oil, in songwriting and screenwriting, invented card and board games, and wrote fiction. An avid editorialist, for several years Dan published a column called “Blowing Bubbles” in a local paper.
In his 50s he became an adventurous traveler, meeting his wife Betty in South America after learning Spanish on his own. He had traveled across the US, in Europe, in Mexico, in South America, across Russia, in Mongolia and China, and to Canada and the Caribbean.
Dan was active in Democratic politics and ran for state legislature in the 1990s. He also was for some time at-large president of the Graphic Artists Guild of America.
A religious service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Calvary Apostolic at 22 Old Hurricane Creek Rd, Hurricane, followed by a memorial service and dinner at 2:30 PM TBD. Please reach out to Crystal by call or text at (704) 978-9404 for the memorial location.
LORRAINE DAWSON
Lorraine Mae Dawson, 93, of Poca, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at her home surrounded by family.
Lorraine was born in Boone County to the late Virgie Mae Booth on June 2,1929. She was the youngest of 3 siblings. She married the love of her life Ulysses K. Dawson in 1946, having just celebrated their 76th anniversary in August.
In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by Daughter, Janet Marie Dawson; brother, Henry Bias; and granddaughter, Kinsey Hill.
Lorraine is survived by son, Gary (Rhonda) of West Jefferson, OH; daughter, Laverna (Steve) of Russell, Ky; son, Neil (Judy) Belleview, FL; daughter, Vivian of Cross Lanes; son, Randy (Carol) of Poca; daughter, Rita (Mike) of Bremen, Oh; daughter, Judy (Chuck) of Winfield; son, Timmy (Sandy) of Brandon, FL; daughter, Donna of Pettyville; 24 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and 31 great-great-grandchildren.
She was a member of God’s Lighthouse of Charleston.
Service was Saturday, October 29, 2022 at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, Cross Lanes, with Pastor Mayford Witt officiating. Burial will follow in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
SYDNEY ANNE DIXON
Life-long Hurricane resident, hero to animals, reader of mysteries and friend to all, Sydney A. Dixon, 75, died October 27, 2022, after a brief illness.
Sydney was born January 15, 1947, in Hurricane into what would become the coveted middle position of the Adams family, headed by Claude “Bus” Adams and Donna Adams. All blonde hair, blue eyes and big heart, she could accomplish anything she set her mind to.
After graduating from Hurricane High School in 1964, amongst women she counted as close friends her whole life, she attended West Virginia State University (formerly West Virginia State College) where she found she had a knack for numbers.
She worked for Union Carbide/Dow Chemical for 25 years in many roles, her last and favorite of which was in information technology. It was there she met her husband of 35 years, Larry, who she married in 1988.
She loved animals almost as much as her husband. Over the last 40 years she’s had dozens of dogs, several rabbits – including one that would come when you called him – two horses, a vicious snapping turtle named Trudy and, finally, a single cat.
She retired from Dow as soon as possible and after musing about several post-retirement career options, including veterinary tech, she followed her heart and threw her whole soul into Braveheart Cairn Terriers. Braveheart produced several Grand Champions, including the famous BeBe who Sydney once took to the legendary Westminster Dog Show, a hallmark experience for both of them. Her love of Cairn Terriers made her instrumental in the Col. Potter Cairn Terrier Rescue group, which has bloomed with her efforts.
She will be remembered as a great friend, a loving wife, a tremendous animal lover, a great swimmer and the cool aunt who took her nieces to see “Ghostbusters” and let them read horror novels when they were way too young to do so.
She is survived by husband, Larry; stepdaughter Camilla Davis (Tyson) of Beaver Creek, Ohio; sister Berna Dean Smith (Giles) of Jacksonville, Fla.; brothers Chip Adams of Nashville and Lee Denny (Lora) of Hurricane; grandsons Jackson and Jarrett Davis and several nieces and grand-nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was Monday, October 31, 2022 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane. Burial wase in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
JANET FISHER
Janet Louise Cunningham Fisher, age 93, went to be with Jesus in her eternal home on Thursday afternoon, October 27, 2022. Gone before her were her husband Archie Darrell Fisher and her son-in-law Allen “Pud” Bailey. She is survived by her daughter, Diana Bailey; granddaughter Dawnna Chandler and husband Casey; granddaughter Sarah Farish; and the three joys of her life – her great- grandchildren, Hannah Farish, Owen Farish, and Chloe Chandler. She is also survived by one brother, Harold “Hub” Cunningham, and many nieces and nephews.
Janet was a 1949 graduate of Poca High School. She taught school in a one-room schoolhouse in her twenties. Her life’s work was in being a homemaker and keeping up with her grandchildren. She was a member of the Poca United Methodist Church where she served faithfully as a Sunday school teacher and in the United Methodist Women.
ROSEMARY G. GARRISON
Rosemary G. Garrison, 59, of Buffalo, passed away Sunda, October 23, 2022 at Genesis Putnam Center following a long illness. She was a 1981 graduate of Buffalo High School. She retired from the State of West Virginia and the State Banking Commission. Rosemary was a musician her entire life and played in the band “Pure Country”. She also played piano for various churches and weddings.
Born December 16, 1962 she was the daughter of the late Wayne “Cotton” Garrison and Oeda Childers Garrison. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brothers, Stan Garrison and Eric Garrison.
Rosemary is survived by her brother, Wesley (Janet) Garrison of Hometown; along with several nieces, a nephew, extended family and many friends.
In accordance with her wishes her body will be cremated and a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Burial will take place in Walker Chapel Cemetery, Robertsburg.
RUTH GRAHAM
Ruth Evelyn Graham, 87, of Hurricane, passed away Thursday, October 27, 2022 in Cabell Huntington Hospital. She was born April 23, 1935 in Lincoln County to the late Dennie and Nancy Donahue. She was also preceded in death by her husband Fredrick Graham, and sons Paul Reynolds and Lewis “Jim” Reynolds, brothers Ernie, Forest, Jack, Dan, Russell and Raymond and sisters Ethel, Lillian, Hattie and Clara.
She is survived by her children Karen (Henry) Marino, Belinda (Michael) Minor, Melinda (Mark) Wooddell, Robert Reynolds and Pauline Graham, daughter-in-law Karen Reynolds; sister Virginia, 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Funeral service was Monday, October 31, 2022 at Allen Funeral Home. Burial was in Mt. Vernon Cemetery.
REBECCA MOSES
Rebecca “Becky” Gayle Moses, 75, of Hurricane, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 27, 2022, with family by her side.
Becky was a graduate of Hurricane High School and worked as a bookkeeper with Lander’s Chevrolet, Hurricane during her younger years. Later in her life she retired from working in the Floral Department at Kroger’s. Becky’s biggest accomplishment though was her children and grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to express to others her love and pride she had in her grandchildren. All who knew her loved her as a kind, wonderful, beautiful soul. She always saw the best in everyone and never had a harsh word.
She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, but her love and friendship will never fade from our hearts.
Becky was preceded in death by her parents: Dale Turner and Elsie Turner; and brother: Keith Turner of Parkersburg.
She is survived by her daughter, Amy (Rick Loyd) Moses; sons: Russell (Athena) Moses and Kevin (Meriann) Moses; grandsons: Tyler Moses, Jacob Moses, Thomas Moses; and granddaughter: Alana Moses.
Funeral service for Becky will be 1:00 pm Nov. 5, 2022 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Dr. Jeff Davenport officiating. Burial will follow in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
ELAINE M. PRIDDY
Elaine M. Priddy, 78, of Eleanor, passed away Saturday, October 29, 2022 at Genesis Putnam Center following a long illness. She devoted her life to caring for others as a nurse. She retired from CAMC with 27 years of service. Elaine was a loving wife and mother and will be dearly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Joanna Neff; sister, Patricia Jividen; brothers, George Neff and Carl Miller.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Mansford D. Priddy; son, Michael (Spring) Priddy of Eleanor; daughter, Felicia (Jody) Kaiser of Eleanor; grandchildren, Zachary Priddy, Logan Priddy and Landon Priddy.
A family graveside service was held at Beech Grove Cemetery, Eleanor with Pastor Larry Mobley officiating.
RITA SHARON SEARLS
Rita Sharon (Chapman) Searls, 72, of Hurricane, went to be with the Lord on October 2, 2022, after a long illness with Metastatic Breast Cancer. She was a faithful Daughter, Wife, Mother and Sister and her devotion to others is phenomenal. She received her bachelor’s degree of Education from WV State University in December of 1990 and worked in head Start in Lincoln and Cabell County and WVU extension services in Lincoln and Putnam Counties.
She was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Irene Chapman. She is survived by her Husband, Paul Searls, Daughter, Kathy Anderson, Son, David Searls, Brother, Gary Chapman, Sister-in-Law Wanda Rice and Grand Dog, Baxter Anderson.
A Memorial service will be held at Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church at 12 Noon on Saturday, November 19, 2022, with a reception to follow.
REBECCA ANN SHAFER
Rebecca Ann Shafer, 65, of St. Albans, formerly of Poca, passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, to go home with our Heavenly father after a short battle with cancer.
She is preceded in death by her father George Elswick of Nitro, mother JoAnn Elswick of Nitro and son Gary “Bub” W. Kirk of Poca.
She is survived by her son-in-law Earl L. Shaw of Poca; daughter Melissa A. Slater Shaw of Poca; granddaughter Makalia “Kay Kay” A. Cox of Poca/Hometown; step-children Adam Romaca, Glenn Shafer and Anita Shafer and their nine children.
At her request there will be no services.
