DIANA L. BENEFIEL
Diana L. Benefiel, 68, of Red House, passed away Saturday May 6, 2023. She was a proud 26-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Eleanor.
Born January 6, 1955 she was the daughter of the late Phillip W. Roush and Janet Faye Roush. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Robert J. “Benny” Benefiel; brother, Doug Roush; father-in-law, Robert J. Benefiel Sr.; mother-in-law, Rita Worland Benefiel and brother- in- law, Steve Heavilin.
Survivors include her sister, Brandi Roush Beller and her husband Raine O. “Skeeter” Beller; niece, Sierra Beller; stepson, John Benefiel; sister- in- law’s, Nancy (John) Bode, Jane (Rod) Stanley, Susan (Jim) Ferguson, Amy (Jerry) Stoltz and Martha Heavilin; brother-in-law, Tom (Jamie) Benefiel. Diana is also survived by 3 nieces, 9 nephews, 1great niece, extended family and many friends.
Memorial service was Saturday May 20, 2023 at the First Baptist Church of Eleanor with Pastor Greg Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment of her remains will take place in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, at a later date.
GUNELL GRADY
Gunell Grady, 93, of Eleanor, and Nitro passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
She was born December 31, 1929 in Sissonville, the daughter of Cleo and Georgia Casto Saunders. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Charles E. Grady, son, Darrell Grady, brothers Wardy, and Harold Saunders, sisters, Isabel Martin, and Irene Saunders, and grandson, Colt Grady.
Gunell was a member of WV Home Mission Church in Nitro for over 70 years. She loved sewing and being with her family. A loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend that will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her son, Charles “Chuck” Grady (Kathie), of Cross Lanes, daughter in law, Carol Grady, of Winfield, grandchildren, Pam Higginbotham (Tommy), of Red House, William Parrigan, of Winfield, Brett Grady (Olivia), of Nitro, Samantha Grady (Richard), of Eleanor, Tracie Martin (Seth), of Hurricane, Kimber Higginbotham, Katie Hosher, Kristin Watkins, Kinsey Heskett, and Kayleigh Parrigan, great grandchildren, Alisa Grady, Chazz Grady, Lily Grady, Jacob Grady, Luke Beck and Kate and Krew Martin.
Celebration of Gunell’s life was held Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home with Pastor Joey Scarberry and Pastor Scott Casto officiating. Burial was in Tyler Mt. Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
EMIT HAYES
Earl Emit Hayes, 90, of Buffalo, passed away Monday, May 1st, 2023 at Hubbard Hospice House West at Thomas Memorial Hospital following a short illness. He was 1951 graduate of Buffalo High School where he was the class Valedictorian. He was a U.S. Army Korean Conflict veteran. Emit was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Born September 27, 1932 in Putnam County, he was the son of the late Chancy and May Hayes. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his ten siblings.
Survivors include his loving wife, Geraldine Hayes and a special nephew, Chancy. Emit is also survived by several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Graveside service was Friday, May 5, 2023 at Kirkpatrick Cemetery, Buffalo, with Rev. Randy Parsons officiating.
ALLEN HESSON
Allen Albert Hesson, 65, of Hurricane, went home to be with the Lord on May 4th, 2023 after a long illness.
He was born March 25, 1958 to the late Allen Edward Hesson and Christine Frances Hesson.
Allen was an honorably discharged Staff Sergeant of the United States Air Force 97th Bombardment Wing and Crew Chief maintaining B-52 bombers at Blytheville Air Force Base in Arkansas and Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. He also worked at Lute Supply for 22 years, was a preacher, Sunday School teacher, member of Liberty Missionary Baptist Church in Milton and loved working at Camp Jeri with young people. He was a born again believer of Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Kim Hesson, sons Matt (Jenny) of Teays Valley (Lincoln, Cole), Aaron (Mandy) of Huntsville, Texas (Dresdin, Elijah, Andrew, Miles, Nehemiah, Hosanna, Cherish) and Jonathan of Culloden. Also, survived by his siblings, John Hesson (Bev) of St. Albans, Mark Hesson (Sharon) of Hurricane, and Lydia McKay of Nitro.
Funeral service was Monday, May 8th at Liberty Missionary Baptist Church in Milton followed by graveside service at Valley View Cemetery in Hurricane with Pastor Kim Stone and Pastor Mark Hesson officiating.
Rodney Lee Holt
Rodney Lee Holt, 64, of Hurricane, passed away on April 20, 2023 suddenly at his residence.
He is preceded in death by his father Bill Lee Holt.
Rodney served his country as a U.S. Marine.
Surviving him is his loving mother, Phyllis Carol Adkins Holt of St. Albans; daughter; MyShannon Holt Cooper of Hurricane, sons: Rodney Holt Jr. (Amanda) of Hurricane, and Tony Lee Holt (Amanda) of Scott Depot, sisters: Debbie Fetty (Robert) of La Place, LA, and Becky Harless (Neil) of Hurricane, brother; Larry Holt of Mount Olive, several grandchildren, and an abundance of cousins and friends.
A Memorial Service for Rodney was held Friday, May 5, 2023 at Donel C. Kinnard State Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Institute.
James Thomas McGraw
James Thomas McGraw, of Hurricane, born October 13th, 1992, passed away April, 29th 2023. He was 30 years old.
He was sweet and had a heart of gold , would do anything for anyone. He will be missed so much by so many. His father, Michael James McGraw, preceded him in death. He is survived by his mother Susan McGraw Morris and stepfather Chris Morris, his wife Ashley McGraw, his brothers Mike McGraw and Austin McGraw, his Aunt Lori Sowards and his grandfather Tommy Sowards and grandmother Janet Fulton, and numerous cousins and family.
Jimmy Staats Ranson
Jimmy Staats Ranson, 86, of Scott Depot, passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023.
He was born December 31, 1936, in Liberty, to the late Kenneth C. and Ethel King Ranson.
Jim was retired from the U.S. Army Reserves with 22 years of service. He also retired from Union Carbide Corp. in 1996, as a civil designer with 27 years of service.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Reba Hanna and brother Johnny Ranson and Jerry Ranson.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Joyce Carpenter Ranson; daughter Jolene Willard of Scott Depot, Juliane Foster of CA, and Jeanette Ellis and her husband Brian of Scott Depot; grandchildren Tyler, Shelby, and Jared Willard, Claire and Eden Ellis.
Jim was a 1956 graduate of Poca High School and attended WV State College. Jim attended First Baptist Church of South Charleston where he was a deacon emeritus and served on the Board of Trustees. Jim loved traveling and many other outdoors activities.
At his request there will be no services and Jim will be buried in Emma Chapel Cemetery, Liberty.
James Savilla
James Roland Arlen Savilla, 81, of Midway, passed away Monday May 8, 2023, at home.
Funeral Mass was Friday, May 12, 2023 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Father Chapin Engler officiating. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston.
Joseph Shaffer
Joseph Franklin “Joe” Shaffer, 40, of Poca, passed away May 4, 2023, at home.
Joe was employed by K. C. Logistics in Buffalo.
He is preceded in death by his father Joe Cornwell and sisters Anita Wileman and Glenda Graley.
He is survived by is wife, Misty Chapman; children Cassidy Shafer and Joseph Shafer; brothers Bradley Cornwell and Tim Shafer; sister Mary Shafer; uncle Larry James; mother Rose Wendling; and step-father Phil Wendling. Joe is also survived by nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
A tribute to the life of Joe was held Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston.
Pamela Ann Ward
Pamela Ann Ward, 69, of Hurricane, went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 1, 2023 at CAMC Memorial after an extended illness.
She was a member of the Hurricane First Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband David J. Ward, and son David Anthony Ward of Huntington; sisters Susan Thomas and Diane Thomas and brother Jim Thomas and his wife Theresa.
Graveside service was Thursday, May 4, 2023 at Forest Memorial Park in Milton with Pastor Ron McClung officiating.
Debria Jo Warner
Debria Jo Warner, 64, of Buffalo, passed away Friday, May 5, 2023 at her home following a long illness. Debria was a certified nursing assistant and also a professional care giver who used her experience to take care of family members and friends who needed help. She was last employed at K-mart where she enjoyed her responsibilities and joking with her coworkers. Family was her top priority and her greatest achievement was her children and grandchildren. She took pride in maintaining her farm and garden along with her animals. She enjoyed 4-wheeling and going to the family camp with her husband. Debria loved to laugh and watch horror movies. She made sure the ones she loved always had enough to eat.
Born July 18, 1958, she was preceded in death by her mother, Ethyle Mae “Tuddles” Tucker Higginbotham; and a brother, Harold Eugene Higginbotham.
Survivors include her loving husband of 39 years, Donnie Warner; daughters, Sheila (Jason) Hoover of Mooresville, North Carolina, and Mindy (J.C.) Knight of Buffalo; son, Jeremy Lee (Jodi) Warner of Lexington, Kentucky; a young man she loved as a son, Andrew (Christina) Hankins of Culloden; grandchildren, Chelsea (Nathan) Higginbotham, Hannah Knight, Allie Knight, Logan Hoover, Maddie Warner, Benjamin Warner, and Henry Warner; great-grandchildren, Mason Higginbotham and Carter Higginbotham; as well as a large extended family and many friends.
Funeral service was Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with Rev. Randy Parsons officiating. Burial was in Buffalo Memorial Park, Buffalo.
Sandra Kelley White
Sandra Kelley White, 86, of Winfield, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at Hubbard Hospice House West in South Charleston.
She was a member of Twin City Bible Church, where she led women’s Bible study, was an AWANA leader and sang in the choir, as well as working as secretary for many years.
Sandra was a 1955 graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School where she was a majorette. She stayed in touch with her majorette friends and attended many of the majorette reunions planned by the group from Stonewall.
Sandra loved music and had a beautiful alto voice and sang in various church choirs and trios down through the years.
She had the gift of hospitality and loved cooking and baking for friends and family. Her homemade rolls and various desserts were frequently requested for holidays or special celebrations. She especially loved chocolate and was known to have a piece of pie or cake for breakfast and always had a stash of candy in her kitchen cabinet.
Sandra was also an excellent seamstress and sewed many holiday or special occasion dresses for her daughter and granddaughters.
She was the picture of grace, a good neighbor and beloved friend. She loved Jesus, her family and others. Her sweet, gentle spirit and kindness will be missed by those of us left to cherish her memory.
Sandra is survived by her husband of 38 years, Bernard (B.J.) White of Winfield, her daughter, Lisa Cyrus of St. Albans, her son, Jon Cyrus and wife Lisa Runion Cyrus of Louisville, Kentucky as well as her grandchildren, Rachel Ervin (Michael), Rebekah Call (Kevin Hamric), Madison Cyrus, and Lydia Cyrus and six great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings Glenda Harper (Jerry) and Sheila Newcomb (Curt).
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sanford Kelley and Essie Dailey Kelley; brothers, Lyle Wise, Jack Kelley, Joe Kelley, and Cheryl Lacewell as well as granddaughter Chasity Shingleton.
Memorial service was Monday, May 8, 2023 at Twin City Bible Church, Nitro, with Pastor Scott Bandy and Pastor Ray Witmer officiating.
