RAYMOND BROWNING
Raymond Harry Browning, 81, of Hurricane, passed away on April 22, 2023 at home.
He was the only child of the late Raymond Burton Browning and the late Hazel Virginia Browning Bush of Hyndman PA.
He is survived by his wife Patricia Browning; son Raymond Scott Browning of Hurricane; daughters Amy (Paul) Ashworth of Hurricane: Adrienne (Ricky) Smith of St. Albans; grand daughters Alexis Browning, Olivia Ashworth and Kelci Waldron and his fur kids Sassafras and Elsa.
Ray graduated from Hyndman High School in 1959 and then attended Potomac State before entering the United States Navy. Ray served as nuclear submarine specialist during the Vietnam War. He was a proud Navy Veteran. Raymond worked his career as a master electrician with the IBEW. During his working career he worked for General Dynamics, Washington Works Dupont, Pritchard Electric and finally retired from Summit Electric Ray was an old English darter. He threw with a dart league in Charleston WV for many years. The team he competed with won a trip to Las Vegas to compete in a National Tournament. Ray loved the outdoors, hunting, quahogging, and fishing, even surf fishing in his younger years. He loved trains, old cars, Marshall University sports and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
AUDRA CANTERBURY
Audra Mae Canterbury, 93, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2023 with family by her side.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Charles and Stella Wymer, sisters: Clyde Whitt and Olive Wymer, husband; Clarence Canterbury, son; Franklin Canterbury, and granddaughter; Kristina Van Buren.
She is survived by her children: Betty Rice (George) of Foster, Bonnie McDaniel (R. L.) of Hemphill, TX, Charlotte Marion (Dan) of Middleburg, FL and Robert Canterbury (Rhonda) of Hurricane. She has 12 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 8 great great-grandchildren.
Audra was a lifetime member, and the oldest member of Providence Baptist Church of Scott Depot. She enjoyed traveling and working with her hands. She cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren. All that knew her loved her. The family wishes to thank Dignity Hospice for her care and Carolyn Neese for fixing her hair.
Funeral Service for Audra was Thursday April 27, 2023 at Providence Baptist Church, Scott Depot, with Rev. Mark Kilburn officiating. Burial was in Providence Baptist Church Cemetery, Scott Depot.
DENVER ‘BUCK’ CASTO
Denver R. “Buck” Casto, 77, of Red House, passed away Sunday, April 30, 2023 at his home. He taught for 21 years at the Ben Franklin Career Center in Dunbar. Buck pastored several local churches over the years. He was the current pastor at Marlaing Gospel Tabernacle in St. Albans.
Born March 18, 1946, he was the son of the late Clinton Casto and Margie Edgell Casto. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Denver Ray Casto Jr. and Matthew Jason Casto; sisters, Joann Hill and Julia Snodgrass; brother, Perry Casto.
Survivors include his loving wife of 13 years, Lishia Beller Casto; daughter, Tammy Casto (Gary) Duff of Kenna; brother, Randy (Beth) Casto of Buffalo; granddaughter, Misty (James) Rhodes of Kenna; grandson, Corey (Olivia) Duff of Parkersburg.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Rev. Randy Parsons and Pastor Dave Erwin officiating. Burial will follow in New Antioch Cemetery, Red House. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home in Eleanor.
Rikki Jo Cook
Rikki Jo Cook, 42, of Nitro, died April 23, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family after courageously fighting an eighteen-year battle with illness.
Rikki was born January 24, 1981, to Cathy and Mike Cook of Nitro.
Rikki was a Christian who loved and trusted the Lord. She was a talented musician who enjoyed singing and writing music from a young age. She was also a photographer using her artistic skills to capture the special moments and milestones of her family.
Despite her illness, Rikki was always selfless and reached out to minister to others. Although she never had children of her own, she loved and mothered her nephews and nieces with all her heart. She was the only sister and oldest sibling of three brothers whom she ruled like the princess she was!
Rikki was preceded in death by her pawpaw, Delmar Sovine, and her pawpaw, Noel Cook.
She is survived by her mother, Cathy Cook of Nitro, and her father, Mike Cook, also of Nitro; her brothers, Aaron (Jessica) Cook of Hayden, Alabama; Josh (Becky) Lynn of Newark, Ohio; and Billy Cook (Emily V.) of Rockford, Illinois; her grandmothers, who loved her deeply, Doris Sovine and Patty Cook, both of Nitro; and her two aunts, Linda Sovine of Charleston, who was like a second mother to her, and Brenda Cook of Nitro. Rikki had many other uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, and nieces who all loved her dearly.
A memorial service for Rikki was held Thursday, April 27 at Teays Valley Baptist Church, Hurricane.
Danny G. Davis
Danny G. Davis, 66, of Buffalo, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023 at his home following a long illness.
He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Blair Davis.
Survivors include his loving mother, Boneva Davis; brothers, Kenneth R. Davis Sr., Jerry L. Davis and Timothy L. Davis. Danny is also survived by several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Funeral service was Thursday, May 4, 2023 at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with Pastor Pete Cobb officiating. Burial was in Walker Chapel Cemetery, Robertsburg.
Darla Hall
Darla Hall, 81, of Winfield, peacefully passed away on April 27, 2023 after a long illness.
Darla was a native of Gallipolis, Ohio. She was a wonderful and dedicated Mother, wife and friend to all that knew her. Survived, is her son Mark Hall, sister Nita Clonch, along with 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
A private memorial will be be held with family and friends in the near future.
Jerry Roger Meadows
Jerry Roger Meadows, 83, of Fraziers Bottom, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. He was born November 26, 1939 in Putnam County, a son of the late Theodore Freeman Meadows and Opal Beulah Jacobs Fletcher.
He is survived by his children, Jerry Elvis Meadows (Tammy), Mary Angel Chapman (Roger Thomasson), Ruth Ann Kerns (Paul), Danny Alan Meadows (Nioka) and Jeremy Scott Meadows (Kimberly); 9 grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and host of sibling.
Graveside service were conducted Friday, April 28, 2023 at Pine Grove Cemetery, Fraziers Bottom, with Pastor Jason Black officiating.
David Eric Simmers
David Eric Simmers, 59, of St. Albans, died Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at CAMC Teays Valley Hospital.
He was born July 27, 1963 in Altoona, PA to the late Zane Oliver Simmers and Norma Jane Simmers.
David was a master carpenter, a hard worker who was dedicated to his family and was always willing to help anyone in need.
He is survived by his wife Kelli Simmers; children Shannon Neusch, Cynthia Brumfield, Tabatha Watts, Joshua Watts, Ashlea Krasňanský, Shaylea Simmers; six siblings; and eight grandchildren.
Funeral service was Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home with Pastor Matt Davis officiating. Burial was in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston.
Robert Suttles
Robert L. “Bob” Suttles, 75, of Poca, passed away the evening of April 26, 2023.
Bob was born April 28, 1948, to the late Martin and Mary Jane Suttles of Michigan. He is also preceded in death by his sister Patricia Louise Mar Kos, and sister-in-law Susan Suttles.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria of over 52 years; seven children Robert M. Suttles, Melissa J. Suttles, Charity E. Anderson (Doug), Amanda K. Moyer (Tim), Patricia L. Wilson (Stephen), Lee David Suttles, and Marta D. Holley (Chad); Bob’s beautiful nine granddaughters ages 5 to 21 years old; and his brother Richard.
After graduating high school at the age of 18, Bob joined the Air Force. After serving 4 years, he went to college at Michigan State earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation Bob and family moved to WV where he was employed by Union Carbide for 27 years and served with the WV Air National Guard for 21 years (1975-1996). After retiring from those, Bob went on to be the Facility Manager in the Charleston Area for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for 10 ½ years. Being the hard-working man that we all know Bob to be, he volunteered at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery with the Honor Guard.
A tribute to the life of Mr. Robert L. “Bob” Suttles was held Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was in the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery.
June Thomas
June Crookham Thomas, age 92, of Leon, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her home in Leavittsburg, OH. She was born in Leon on November 19, 1930, to the late Ray and Lena Beaver Crookham. She is preceded in death by her husband, Franklin K. Thomas; daughter, Kriss Anne Thomas; 3 sisters, and 4 brothers.
June was born and raised in West Virginia, marrying her husband Franklin on November 24, 1951. She devoted her life to her faith and family. She was a member of Leon United Methodist Church, after moving to Leavittsburg, OH she attended the First Baptist Church of Howland. She enjoyed spending time with her children, and all her grandchildren. She was an avid Cincinnati Reds fan and enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles. She will be deeply missed by her family.
June is survived by her son, Franklin K. Thomas, II and his wife Lisa, with whom she made her home; six grandchildren, Christy (Kevin) Christman, Michelle (Justin) Mobley, Jennifer (Elijah) Thomas, Derek (Niki) Fields, Katrina (Jess) Franks, and Kevin (Marci) Fields; 25 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren with another expected in October 2023; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at Raynes Funeral Home Buffalo. Burial was in Leon Cemetery.
