RAMONA ADKINS
Ramona Godby Adkins, 93, of Union, Kentucky, passed away on January 15, 2023 after a long illness.
Ramona was born on September 1, 1929 to Walter Douglas Godby and Bertha Pridemore Godby in Midkiff, West Virginia. She is the youngest of ten siblings, all deceased. Ramona married Mike Adkins Jr, also of Midkiff, on August 18, 1947.
Ramona was an active member of First Baptist Church of Hurricane where she served as the ladies Sunday School teacher for several years. She also was active in the American Baptist Women’s organization and various committees at church.
Mike and Ramona enjoyed traveling, camping, bird watching, bowling and square dancing. Ramona made clothes, dolls and quilts for her family and charitable organizations.
Surviving: daughter Maurain (Gary) Clark of Hurricane; son and his wife, David (Marge) Adkins of Union, Kentucky; granddaughter Jessica Wolf (Adam) and their son, Benjamin of Cincinnati; grandson Curtis Adkins (Krista) and their daughters Jade, Jules, Jillian and Jordyn of Aurora, Indiana.
She was preceded in death by her husband Mike (2006) and her granddaughter Becky Clark (2016.)
Funeral service was Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Allen Funeral Home. Burial was in Adkins Cemetery in Midkiff.
SCOTT BURDETTE
Scott Burdette, 81, was reunited in Heaven with the Love of his Life Sonja, after passing away at his Southside, WV home on Sunday January 8th, 2023.
Scott was born July 1st, 1941 in Parkersburg to the late Roscoe and Marguerite Burdette.
Scott was a graduate of Carthage Troy High School in Coolville, Ohio. Scott and his family moved to West Virginia to establish Parkline Metal Building Manufacturing in Eleanor. A few years later in 1977, following in his father’s footsteps, Scott along with Sonja embarked on one of their biggest ventures by opening Burdette Camping Center in Winfield. In forty-six years of business the camping center has provided the Burdette’s with lifelong relationships with employees, RV reps, and awesome customers. Scott always balanced work with play and was a man that loved his hobbies. One of his first hobbies was showing quarter horses with his wife Sonja, daughter Stephanie, and niece Lisa. Scott later picked up a new more dangerous hobby of dirt track car racing. Racing the RV-1 car became a family affair almost every summer weekend. Scott then made his way to asphalt racing at Ona Speedway. After a nasty wreck and broken foot it was decided that a new hobby was in order. He bought Circle B farm in 2002 and became an Angus cattle farmer and started showing cows up and down the east coast. In true Scott fashion that only lasted a few years and it was on to miniature horses. He began showing miniature horses in 2013 with several members of the family joining in on the fun. Scott loved his hobbies but mostly loved seeing his family get involved alongside of him. Scott was a Christian by faith and attended Eleanor Baptist Church.
Scott is survived by his children: Steven Burdette (Janetta) of Winfield and Stephanie Abbott (Phil) of Southside, special niece: Lisa DeBord (Steve) of Winfield,; siblings: Jerry Burdette (Joy) of Coolville, OH; and Shirley Hapner (Craig) of Palmetto, FL; grandchildren: Chelsey Pritt, Taylor Bigley, Matthew Burdette, Dr. Anne Peterson, Colton Jeffries, and Chase Jeffries; six great grandchildren; his sweet puppy Sully that rarely left his side and many other extended family and friends.
Scott’s Funeral will be 12:00 noon Friday, January 20, 2023 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, with Pastor Greg Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Winfield Cemetery.
JAMES A. CALDWELL
James A Caldwell, 74, of Hurricane, passed away, Wednesday, January 11, 2023 in Hubbard House Hospice, Charleston. He was born March 19, 1948 the son of James and Norma Griffith Caldwell. He was a retired Carpenter.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Caldwell of Hurricane; three children, three step-children, many grandchildren and one great grandchild. Funeral service was Saturday, January 14, 2023 at New Beginnings Church, St. Albans, with Pastor Mark Turley officiating.
SHIRLEY DOUGLAS
Shirley Rollins Douglas, 75, of Red House, went home to be with the Lord on January 14, 2023, at home.
Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Archie Douglas; nephew Chase Cameron Lovejoy; her dog Lucy and a host of other family and friends.
A tribute to the life of Shirley Douglas was Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Scott Casto officiating. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens.
LINDA FAYE GUTHRIE
Linda Faye Guthrie, 80, of St. Albans, formerly of Hurricane, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 8, 2023 after a short illness. She was a member of the Forrest Burdette United Methodist Church and loved reading her Bible. She was a wonderful and loving Mother, Grandmother, great Grandmother and friend. She is preceded in death by parents Audbert and Mary Maynard, husband Kermit Guthrie and great great grandson Blake Burdette.
She is survived by her daughter, Tina Pauley of Nitro, son, Tim Guthrie of St. Albans, 6 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
Graveside funeral service was Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at Valley View Memorial Park.
ELINORE HOLLOWAY
Elinore B. Holloway, 96, formerly of Fraziers Bottom, died January 8, 2023, at The Forum at Knightsbridge, Columbus, OH, with her family by her side.
She was born December 27, 1926 in Smithville, WV, the second child of the late William O. and Mamie Bickerstaff. In addition to her parents, Elinore was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Robert F. Holloway; her brother, William E . Bickerstaff, of Parkersburg, WV; and her sister and brother-in-law, Madelyn and Norman Rathbone, of Oak Ridge, TN.
Elinore is survived by daughters, Mary Anne Holloway of Upper Arlington, OH and Janie Holloway Carte (Allen) of South Charleston, WV; son, John Holloway (Teresa) of Hurricane, WV; eleven grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Therma Bickerstaff Barnhart (Jack) of Caldwell, OH; and several nieces and nephews.
A graduate of the former Union Protestant Hospital School of Nursing, Elinore was a Registered Nurse; 50+ year member of The Order of the Eastern Star; and former Volunteer at CAMC Teays Valley Hospital. She was also member of the Winfield United Methodist Church; and pianist/organist at the Fraziers Bottom United Methodist and Winfield United Methodist Churches, with combined 60+ years of volunteer service.
She lived life to the fullest; loved the smell of gardenias; was an excellent seamstress, specializing in hand smocking and doll clothes; and was never stumped when requested to play a tune on the piano by heart. Elinore loved the challenge of jigsaws and was an avid solver of crossword puzzles, always in ink, demonstrated her confidence.
The survivor of two brain aneurysms, the first in 1989, resulted in over 33 years of what Elinore referred to as her “bonus years”. It was a time she treasured as “Granny” watching her young grandchildren grow into adults and cherished the birth of each great grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
ALMA JEAN JOYCE
Alma Jean Joyce, 97, of Winfield, formerly of Scott Depot, passed away on Friday, January 13, 2023 at the home of her grandson, Scott and his wife, Carolyn for the past 3 years.
She was born January 16, 1925 in Avon Lake, Ohio, to the late Vernon and Eugenia Medley Parker.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Carl R. Joyce; and her son, Richard Carl Joyce.
Jean is survived by her daughters, Gloria Joyce Sargent of Kettering, OH and Barbara Joyce Gillispie of Culloden; grandsons: Scott Gaylor (Carolyn) of Winfield, Tony Gaylor (Amy) of Winfield, and Randy Sargent (Sharon) of Fort Thomas, KY; granddaughter, Robin Walker (Greg) of Dayton, OH; 8 great grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren, with one coming in June.
Graveside service was Monday, January 16, 2023 at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens Mausoleum, Cross Lanes.
DARREN ‘TANK’ PRIDDY
Darren Lee “Tank” Priddy, 57, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at his home following a short illness. He was a 1984 graduate of Buffalo High School, and worked as a auto mechanic. Tank was a member of the Leon Volunteer Fire Department and enjoyed serving his community. He loved riding motorcycles and was a member of the Regulators and Brothers of the Wheel motorcycle clubs. Tank was a sportsman and enjoyed fishing, archery, guns, and the outdoors. Most of all he loved his family, especially his grandkids, and will be sadly missed.
Born March 22, 1965, he was the son of the late Tex A. Priddy, and his mother, Wilma Jean Priddy, who passed away the day following Darren’s death.
He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Rhonda M. Priddy; children, Ta Priddy of Leon, and Cody Priddy of Auburn, Indiana; grandchildren, Cierra Cornell, Alexus Brown, Dakota Brown, and Christopher Brown; brothers, Dean Priddy of Leon, and Shannon Priddy of Eleanor; as well as a host of extended family and many friends.
Funeral service was Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Pastor Mike Tucker officiating.
WILMA JEAN PRIDDY
Wilma Jean Priddy, 79, of Leon, passed away Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House, Huntington, following a long illness. She was a loving mother and homemaker who loved and cared for her family. She collected angels, and enjoyed reading books, crocheting, and doing word puzzles.
Born March 4, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Andy M. Thornton and Sylvia J. Denney. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Darren L. Priddy, who passed away the day before her death.
She is survived by her sons, Dean Priddy of Leon, and Shannon Priddy of Eleanor; grandchildren, Ta Priddy, Cody Priddy, Morgan Priddy, and Ashlee Priddy; great-grandchildren, Cierra Cornell, Alexus Brown, Dakota Brown, and Christopher Brown; sister, Connie Kimberling of Leon; daughter-in-law, Rhonda Priddy; as well as extended family and many friends.
In accordance with her wishes, her body was cremated. A memorial service will be held to celebrate her life at a later date.
RONALD RIGGS
Ronald Eugene Riggs, 69, of Buffalo, formerly of Elkview, passed away on January 14, 2023 at home with his family by his side.
Ronald was born to late Reese Riggs and Velma Mae Chaplin Riggs. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a son, Michael Roseberry, his siblings: Stevie Riggs, Dale Riggs, Ellen Stewart and Richard Riggs.
He was a heavy equipment mechanic and master of all trades, he especially enjoyed his classic car and wining a trophy with the Cops N Rodders Antique Car Club.
Ronald is survived by his wife of 25 years, Karen A. Riggs; mother Velma M. Riggs, children: Darlinda Reid of London, Ronald Riggs II of Elkview, Stella F. Riggs of Elkview, Kevin B. Riggs of Hurricane, Christina Beller of Red House, Donald Slate II of Buffalo, Bobby Bragg of Hurricane and Franklin Bragg of Cross Lanes; sister: Patty Strickland of Elkview; and brother, Robert Riggs of Clay Co., 33 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, as well as many other family members and friends.
Funeral Service for Ronald was Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, with Rev. Chuck Hager officiating. Burial was in Riggs Family Cemetery Buffalo.
IRENE E. RUTLEDGE
Irene E. Rutledge, 101, of Cross Lanes, formerly of Red House, passed away January 9, 2023.
Irene was a member of the Hometown Lions Club and the Hometown Senior Center where she enjoyed quilting.
She is preceded in death by her mother Alice Higginbotham; brothers Harold “Dode” Rutledge and Lloyd Thomas Rutledge; sister Delores “Runnie” Price; and long-time companion Ray Stover.
She is survived by her children Delmar Rutledge, Darlena Rutledge, Carol Liller, Lowell Rutledge, Jeanie Jones, and Lolita Sevy; sister Betty Wiest; brother Shirley “Buck” Higginbotham and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
A tribute to the life of Irene was held Friday, January 13, 2023 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor John Henderson officiating. Burial was in Rutan Cemetery, Red House.
MARY LOU SHIRAKAWA
Mary Lou Handley Shirakawa, 83, died peacefully at Cape Canaveral Hospital Cocoa Beach, FL, on Thursday, January 5, 2023.
She was born on April 26, 1939 in Pliny to the late Lee C. Handley and Nina Livezey Handley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Handley.
Mrs. Shirakawa was a graduate of Winfield High School and earned a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Cincinnati and a Masters in Aerospace/Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle. During her career, Mary worked at General Electric Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati and with several contractors for N.A.S.A. and the U.S. Air Force on the Space Coast in Florida. She enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and at her farmhouse in Pliny, WV. Her interests included gardening, traveling and taking cruises.
Her survivors include Mary’s beloved husband of 39 years, Harris; her children and their families, son: Charles Ray (Martha) Ricke and her son, Allen; daughter: Susan Lynn Ricke (Steven) Groome; and son: John Steven (Brenda) Ricke and her daughter, Maggie; her two grandchildren: Abigail Lee and Zachary Dunning Groome; and two brothers, Paul and John Handley. She was also blessed to be surrounded by a large extended family.
Funeral Service for Mary will be 2:00pm Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield. Burial will follow in Pliny Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Pliny.
LEONARD LEE TRACY
Leonard Lee Tracy, 86, of Scott Depot, died peacefully on January 11, 2023. His parents were LP and Louise Tracy of Charleston.
Lee graduated from Charleston High School and West Virginia University (to which he has donated his body) and was President of WESCO Corporation.
DONALD WALLS JR.
Donald Walls Jr., 83, of Winfield, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 12, 2023 after a prolonged illness.
Donnie graduated from Elkview High School after which he went to work at West Virginia American Water Company where he worked for over forty years. Donnie had a passion for working in his yard. He attended Winfield Baptist Church. Donnie was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. The love of his life was his wife, Brenda Walls who he was married to for 64 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Freda Walls; sisters, JoAnn and Peggy Jo; twin brother, Danny; and grandson, Corey.
Those left to cherish his memory include his devoted wife, Brenda; sister, Sharon (John); and brother, David (Bonnie); children, Carma (Bill), Mark, and Greg (Kellie), grandchildren, Justin (Kelly), Ashley (Kody), Brandon, and Josh; and great-grandchildren, Alexis, Tinley, Delaney, Mark James, Crew, and Asher.
Service was Tuesday, January 17, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, with Pastor Andrew Gordon officiating. Burial was n Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar.
GREG WOOD
Greg Wood of Lexington, Kentucky, died on Friday, January 6, at the age of 57, after a sudden and unexpected illness.
Greg was a graduate of Hurricane High School and West Virginia Institute of Technology. He enjoyed a successful career as an investment advisor. He never met a stranger and was a selfless friend to all he met. Greg always pushed you to be the best version of yourself you could be. His true passion was his family, and Greg took the role of dad very seriously. He lived every moment for his “kids”. Greg also worked tirelessly and helped pass the 50/50 parental rights legislation in Kentucky.
He is survived by his children, Anslee Wood and Logan Wood, his mother, Jennie Wood, his sister, Debbie Wertz (Bill), niece and nephew, Jennifer Desai and David Wertz (Anna), his long term girlfriend and companion Stacie Prigge and her children, Chandler, Carsyn, and Caden. He is predeceased by his father, David Wood.
A memorial service was held Saturday, January 14, at First Baptist Church of Hurricane with Jerry Losh officiating.
WILLIAM CURTIS WOODS
William Curtis (Curt) Woods, 91, of Hurricane, WV, passed peacefully at home on January 10th, 2023.
A celebration of his life will be held on February 4, 2023, beginning at 2:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 20th Street, Nitro, West Virginia. There will be on-line streaming available also for those who cannot attend, the link will be posted on Cooke Funeral Home website.
