SHARON L. BAYS
Sharon L. Bays, 70, of Red House, passed away Monday, February 27, 2023 at her home following a short illness. She was a 1969 graduate of Poca High School and attended Wade Chapel Church. She retired from City National Holding Company in Cross Lanes.
Sharon was the daughter of the late Glen Monday and Elsie Casto Monday. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husbands; Clarence “Junior” Jones and Clarence H. Bays.
Survivors include her son, Shawn Aaron Jones and his wife Lisa of Red House; brother, David Monday and his wife Linda of Red House; grandchildren, Dylan Jones and Andrew Jones. She also survived by her special friend, her loving dog, Luna.
Funeral service was Friday March 3, 2023 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Pastor Mike Miller and Pastor Wayne Hooper officiating. Burial was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.

CARL WAYNE HESCHT
Carl Wayne Hescht, 76, of Eleanor, passed away on March 1, 2023.
He was born on August 1, 1946 in Eleanor. He is preceded in death by his father Leonard Hescht, mother Irma Hescht, and infant sister.
He is survived by his wife Ava Hescht; brothers Dale Hescht and Art Hescht; son Jeff (Leshia) Hescht; daughter Jennifer (Mike) Kidd; step-daughters Dee (Ricky) Chapman and April (J.D.) Craig; grandchildren Lucreshia (Mike) Phillips, J.C. Hescht, Kelsi Kidd, Emma Kidd, Todd (Desaree) Chapman, Allen Craig, and Kennedy Craig; great grandchildren Sawyer Holden, Delana Phillips and Legacie Chapman; special friend Bob Bills and his precious and companion dog Bubba.
Carl was a U.S. Army Veteran. He was owner of the Eleanor Pool Room for 30 years and a faithful attendee of Bancroft Church of God Mission.
A tribute to the life of Carl Hescht was held Friday, March 3, 2023, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastors Jim Legg and Frank Allen, Jr. officiating. Burial was in Donel C. Kinnard State Veterans Cemetery.

MERDITH MARKER
Merdith Adline (Searls) Marker went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 26th, 2023, at Pleasant Valley Hospital as a result of a stroke. Her loving family and a host of friends were by her side. Merdith, and her husband Rev. Charles Marker were well known having pastored churches across West Virginia for the past sixty-one years. Merdith was born and raised in Hurricane. Charles and Merdith resided in Point Pleasant. They led two different churches in Point Pleasant, First Church of the Nazarene for ten years and they have led the Heights United Methodist congregation for the past ten years. Merdith was a graduate of Hurricane High School Class of 1958 and retired from Felman Production with 20 yrs. of service in Human Resources.
Merdith leaves behind her husband of nearly sixty-four years. In addition to her husband, she leaves behind two sons, Charles (Tina) Marker/Darmohray of Livermore, CA and John (Renee) Marker of Palm Bay, FL; daughters, Stephanie (John) Dixon of Gallipolis, OH and Vanessa (Russell) Jewell of Battle Creek, MI. Sixteen surviving grandchildren, Janelle (Robert) Marker/Walker of San Mateo, CA, Deanna (Chris) Watts of Point Pleasant, Garrett (Carly) Marker of Oakland, CA, Amanda (Nathan) Stafford of Ona, John William (Samantha) Marker of Mechanicsville, VA, Craig (Reetu) Marker of Palo Alto, CA, Ashleigh (Jesse) Bolyard of Cocoa, FL, Reagan (Brendan) Sturgill, McKinley, Harrison, Kennedy, Monroe, Truman and Jackson Jewell, all of Battle Creek, MI, Abraham Dixon of Gallipolis, OH and Annie-Grace (Austin) Trammell from Starkville, MS. Four great grandchildren, Hayes and Mason Stafford of Ona, Adeline Bolyard of Cocoa, FL and Corinne Walker of San Mateo, CA. One brother, Randy (Doris) Searls of Hurricane; two sisters, Phyllis Canterbury and Linda Adkins both of Hurricane and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Merdith in death were her grandson, Jacob Dixon of Gallipolis, OH; her parents, Mack and Annie Searls of Hurricane; five brothers, Mack Jr, Leslie, Melvin, Danny and Robert Searls all of Hurricane; and her sister Kathelene Sisson of Sissonville.
The service was Thursday, March 2nd at the Heights United Methodist Church in Point Pleasant, conducted by the Marker children and a friend of the family, Pastor Claire Cottrill. Burial was in Kirkland Memorial Gardens in Point Pleasant.

ELDORA MARGARET NANCE
Eldora Margaret Nance, 90, of Hurricane, passed away at her home on March 3, 2023.
She was a homemaker and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
She was born on June 25, 1932 to the late John Cline and Mary Lillian (Bowyer) Hern. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Benjamin Nance; son, John “Eddie” Nance; sister, Mary Lucille and son in-law, Daniel Thaxton.
Margaret is survived by her children: Sandra K. Thaxton of Teays Valley, James David (Stella) Nance of Hurricane and Virginia “Jenny” (Scott) Fizer of Hurricane; grandchildren: Leona (Brian) Jordan, Kenneth (Stephani) Nance, Katherine Clark, Cody Nance and Morgan Nance; great-grandchildren: Courtney (Brody) Golden, Samara Nance, Aleyah Nance, John Henry “Hank” Nance, Caroline Clark, Carsen Nance, Addilyn Nance, and Paisley Nance; as well as many other extended family and friends.
Funeral services was Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Larry Cooper officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.

MARY NEASE
Mary F. Sheridan Nease, 69, of Charleston passed away peacefully Friday, March 3, 2023 at CAMC General surrounded by her family following a hard-fought battle with liver disease.
Born December 27, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Richard Sheridan and Gladys Higginbotham Sheridan. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her sister, Patricia Smith.
Mary grew up in Eleanor and was loved by everyone due to her infectious energy, joy, warmth, charm, and sense of humor. She had the biggest heart and cared deeply about her family, friends, and neighbors. She always made time for others by lending an ear, giving endless cooking advice, or preparing a plate of delicious food for her neighbors. Mary enjoyed life to the fullest, whether it was a weekend getaway in her camper, relaxing with her dog Toby, or decorating her home with crafty crocheting and sewing. She was also an exceptional baker and founded the well-known bakery, The Merry Baker, which had locations in Eleanor, Hurricane, and St. Albans and served her famous pepperoni rolls and cinnamon rolls (made from a well-kept secret family recipe).
Survivors include her most dedicated friend, partner and confidant, her husband of 27 years, Richard “Rick” Nease of Charleston whom she met while they both worked at Hills Department Store; daughter, Maria (Jon) Bowers of Eleanor; sons, Ronnie (Renae) Walter of Milton and Jeffery Walter and his fiancée Bozuma of Washington, DC; brothers, Bob Sheridan of St. Petersburg FL, Bill (Kathy) Sheridan of Fayetteville and Tom (Wanda) Sheridan of Eleanor; grandchildren, Ryan, Alex, Jessica, Brock, Quade, Tristen, Alysa, Sierra, Jaslyn, Noelle, Sam and Nick; great grandchildren, Landon, Dawsyn and Clayton. Mary is also survived by several nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends.
Funeral service was Wednesday March 8, 2023 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Pastor David Panaro Jr. and Pastor Raymond Beadnell officiating.

NELLIE M. WEST
Nellie M. West, of Glenwood, formerly of Hurricane, passed away February 27, 2023, surrounded by her family. Born in Clay County on June 6, 1932, she was the daughter of Morgan Wilson and Ocie P. Hubbard. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her grandparents Charles and Martha Jane Braley, Sons Barry, Brent and Chuck West. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 51 years Charles M. West, Jr.
Nellie spent her life dedicated to children. She was employed by Putnam County Schools for 27 years. She began her career as an aide at the Winhope Center then worked as an aide on the school bus and spent summers working in the classroom with special needs children. She retired from the school system to become a full-time Grandma. She loved spending her time cooking, cleaning and caring for others. Nellie was an avid gardener, spending her days among her flowers. She was active in the First Baptist Church of Hurricane and later assisting in the kitchen at St Peter’s United Methodist Church in St Albans.
She is survived by son Brian West of Hurricane, Daughters Susan (Mike) LeRose of Horseheads, NY, Shonda (Kim) of Glenwood. Also surviving are grandchildren Michael (Emily) LeRose, Nick (Kely) LeRose, Jeremy (Jenn) LeRose, Josh (Kelsie) LeRose, Mary Beth LeRose, John Skages, Angela Skaggs, Brittany Skaggs, Ben (Autumm], Derek (Jennifer) Skaggs and Anna Skaggs, as well as 12 great grandchildren.
Funeral service was Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, Graveside service was at Cunningham Memorial Cemetery, St. Albans, with the Reverend Kara Rowe officiating.