JAMES B. ANDREWS
James B. Andrews (“Jim”), passed away on April 10, 2023 at the age of 90. Jim was born in Randolph County to parents Anna and Arley Andrews.
After graduating from Elkins HS in 1950, he earned his Masters degree in Music Education at Marshall University. Jim served in the Army from 1956-1958. A devoted husband and father, Jim married Illa Pullen in 1962 and had one son, Brian.
Professionally and as a volunteer, Jim worked extensively in a variety of areas of arts and music. His two biggest roles were serving as State Supervisor of Music at the West Virginia Department of Education (1965-1973), and Executive Director of Arts and Humanities (1973-1988). He received several awards along the way including Distinguished West Virginian in 1988. Vandalia Gathering (an annual music and arts festival) is one example of Jim’s accomplishments that lives on today. From playing trombone in a jazz band called Royal Blues as a teenager, to performing as a featured solo artist, to directing the Hurricane and Pt. Pleasant HS bands, to his work with The West Virginia Symphony, Jim’s love of music spanned his entire life. If you had the chance to hear him play, or were lucky enough to play in a group with him, you know how talented a musician he was.
Jim was an avid golfer, his favorite course was Sleepy Hollow Golf Club where he was a 20-year member. He was also an active member of Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church, singing in the choir and serving as choir director during the mid-50s. While he lived the majority of his life in WV, he spent the last 20 years in The Villages, FL, and was most recently in Greenville, SC near his son, daughter-in-law, and brother.
Jim is survived by his son Brian (Susan), brother John (Mary), sister-in-law Arlene, niece Allison, and nephews Chris and Allen.
Preceding him in death were his wife Illa, parents Arley and Anna, and brother Gene.
Visitation and funeral services will begin at 11am on Friday, May 5 at Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church, Hurricane. Interment will follow in Valley View Cemetery, Hurricane.
LINDA LOU BOGGESS
Linda L. Boggess, 75, of Hurricane, passed into eternity into the arms of her Lord and Savior April 13, 2023 at home surrounded by her family.
Linda was born June 1, 1947 to the late Mervin and Helen Ellis. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her beloved son, Matthew W. Boggess.
She was a loving mother. Her favorite pastimes were sewing, quilting, and reading. But most of all, she loved going to church and was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Milton.
Linda is survived by her daughters, Angela (Ernie) Page and Sara Boggess, both of Hurricane; brother, Charles Keith Ellis of Pliny, nephew Michael Ellis; and her furry companion Zoro.
Funeral service was Tuesday, April 18th at Chapman Funeral Home with Pastor Kim Stone officiating.
PHYLLIS CRAIGO
Phyllis Jean Craigo, 78, of Liberty, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
Phyllis is retired from Union Carbide and a member of Lone Oak Church of God Mission.
She is preceded in death by her husband John L. “Tom” Craigo and brother Shirley Ray Karnes.
She is survived by her three children Joe and wife Tina Craigo, Amanda and husband Lendel Parkins, and Johnny Bill Craigo and Melinda Boggess; sister Norma J. Thoma and husband Ed; five granddaughters Britany Grant and husband Scott, Tiffany Craigo, Emily Wallace and husband Kyle, Paige Braley and husband Zach, and Kyndall Parkins, and six great grandchildren.
A tribute to the life of Mrs. Phyllis Craigo was held Monday, April 17, 2023 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Scott Casto officiating. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
JOHN M. ESTEP
John M. Estep, 78, of Hometown, passed away Friday, April 14, 2023 at CAMC Memorial in Charleston. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved those activities more with his family around. John was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness in Winfield. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s witnesses in 1996, he faithfully served along side his wife for all 26 years. He strongly believed in the resurrection hope where he will meet back with his family. He loved sharing this hope with all.
Born November 6, 1944 in Comfort, he was the son of the late Cephus Estep and Nancy Foster Estep. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter, Deronda Cottrell; granddaughter, Jassamine Estep and seven siblings.
Survivors include his loving wife of 48 years, Carolyn Estep; children, Belinda Workman, Donna Cavender, Patricia Thompson, John (Debbie) Estep II, Tony (Shari) Estep, Tina (Ernie) Harper, Sarah (Billy) Cottrell, Brandon Estep and Justin Estep. John is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and caring friends.
In accordance with John’s wishes, he will be cremated and a memorial gathering will be held at a future date.
YVONNE C. FLOWERS
Yvonne C. Flowers, 82, of Bancroft, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at her home.
Yvonne was born in Poca on September 13, 1940, to the late Basil and Doris Frame. She attended Elizabeth Baptist Church and enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and working in her yard. She is preceded in death by her husband Phillip Flowers and son Phillip Flowers, Jr..
She is survived by her two children Teddy Flowers of Buffalo and Tracie Casto of Buffalo; brother Thomas Frame of Bancroft; two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A tribute to the life of Mrs. Yvonne Flowers was held Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at Haven of Rest Memory Gardens Mausoleum Chapel with Chad Harding officiating. Burial was in the memory gardens.
GEORGE HAENLEIN
George Friedrich Wilhelm Haenlein, died on April 8, 2023, in Ona. He was the son of the late Albrecht Haenlein and Elizabeth von Kameke.
He was born on October 27, 1927, in Mannheim, Germany. He came to the US in September 1951 on a scholarship to the University of Delaware. He met the love of his life of 68 years, Elizabeth Zeitler, when he bicycled to visit a prominent dairy farm of a German immigrant family in Glasgow, Delaware. “Lizzy” was the farmer’s daughter. He returned to Germany to finish his doctorate degree then came back a year later to marry Lizzy.
They raised five children on their farmette near Glasgow. George is survived by four of them: Teddy, his wife, Nancy; Sue, her husband, Tony Brubaker; Alice, her husband, Fred Nyhuis; Walter, his wife, Allyson. Additional family include 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, a sister, Dorothea Kreutz, and a nephew, Achim von Kameke, both living in Germany. George’s wife, Lizzy, and son, Carlie, preceded him in death.
George was a professor at the University of Delaware in the Department of Animal and Food Science; he worked there for 43 years. He was also the Delaware State Dairy Extension Specialist in charge of Delaware Dairy Herd Improvement (DHIA) and supervisor of the university’s dairy herd. In 1972 he received a second doctorate from the University of Wisconsin in dairy science. His involvement with goats opened the doors for much international travel and research. In his lifetime, he published hundreds of articles in various scientific and industry journals; he was the co-author of 4 industry books, and authored the Goat Extension Handbook. George was the founding editor- in-chief of the Small Ruminant Research Journal and charter member of the International Goat Association.
His lust for knowledge never stopped when he left the university at age 75. Well into his 90’s, he continued working regularly writing and editing articles for peer-reviewed journals.
George and Lizzy worshipped at St Paul’s Lutheran Church while they lived in Delaware. When they moved to Ona, they enjoyed the many church groups that volunteer at their assisted living home, Paramount.
His greatest joy was always his family. The annual family butchering was one of his most memorable times when he never missed a chance to pass along his knowledge by giving his grandchildren a class on animal anatomy.
A service to celebrate the life of George was held at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, on Saturday, April 15, 2023.
JAMES ‘JIMMY’ ROSS
James “Jimmy”/”Jimbo” Ross, 64, of Scott Depot, passed away at home on March 14, 2023.
Jimmy is the son of the late James Myrl Ross and Mary Evelyn Morris Ross of St. Albans. He is survived by his sister; Alecia J. Tyson (Eric) of Nitro, brother and caregiver; Michael A. Ross of Scott Depot, brother; Jerry Lee Ross of Scott Depot and many nieces, nephews, cousins and two aunts who will miss him very much. Jimmy was a happy person who spread joy and happiness wherever he went with his beautiful smile.
Jimmy attended Shawkey Center until he was 23. He was employed by the Mountain Mission in Charleston, where he worked in the food pantry. He loved his job and all the people that he worked with along with his job coach Lora Dixon.
A Celebration of Life ceremony was held on Saturday, April 15th,. at the Scott Depot Bible Church Activities Building, Scott Depot.
MELISSA MARIE WEIFORD
Melissa (Missy) M. Weiford, 54, of Scott Depot, passed away at 3:16 AM on Monday, April 10, 2023, at the Genesis Teays Valley Center in Hurricane. She had been battling brain cancer since mid-December 2021.
Missy was born on September 10, 1968, to John and Ruth Ellison in Charleston. She was preceded in death by her father, John, who welcomed her Home with a great big hug!
Missy was a minister’s daughter and served many ways in the church. As a member of Teays Valley Church of God, she served in both the Children’s and Youth Ministries. She loved her sons and enjoyed cheering them and their teams on in the Winfield area and on to college at Davis & Elkins. She has been through a great deal and has always been steadfast in her faith. She has been a wonderful example to all that know her. A great wife, awesome mother, loving daughter, and incredible friend, she has touched many lives, more than we even know about.
Missy is survived by her husband of 29 years, Robert (Bob) Weiford II; sons, Robert John (RJ) Weiford and Tyler Weiford all of Scott Depot; and her mother, Ruth Ellison, of Winfield.
A Celebration of Life for Missy was held Friday, April 14, 2023 at Teays Valley Church of God, Scott Depot, with Rev. Dr. Melissa Pratt officiating. Burial was in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
