BERTHA BOOTH
Bertha Ann “Nook” Booth, 86, of Eleanor, passed away June 26, 2023, with her husband of 67 years by her side.
Nook was a member of First Baptist Church of Eleanor and is the daughter of the late Harley and Mavia Null of Hometown.
She is also preceded in death by her brothers Eugene Null, Leonard Null, and Otis Null and sisters Pauline Perkins, Ida Eastridge, and Frances Persinger.
Nook is survived by her childhood sweetheart Oran R. “Pooch” Booth, Jr.; three children Sherry Witt, Troy Booth, and Ginger Austin; six grandchildren Shanda and husband Matt Crist, Lindsay Witt, Eric Booth, Christopher Booth, Jacob Austin, and Carlie Austin and two great grandchildren Dylan and Hayden Crist.
A tribute to the life of Mrs. Bertha “Nook” Booth was held Friday, June 30, 2023 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens.
MARY CUNNINGHAM
It is with great sadness that my sister and I announce the passing of our mom, Mary Miller Cunningham. She was born on April 10, 1946 to the late Bill and Virginia Miller. She was married to Jerry V. Cunningham for 45 years and together, they owned Ben’s RV Center in Hurricane until their retirement in 1996. She graduated from Dunbar High school in 1964.
Mary is survived by her daughters; Dawn Cunningham Morgan of Fraziers Bottom and Rhonda Cunningham Fairchild of Teays Valley and her husband Russ, who was like a son to her and took her to most of her doctor appointments and chemo treatments, a grandson; Joshua Morgan (Lakin) and 2 very special great-grandsons, Levi and Marcellus Morgan; son, Jerry B. Cunningham; sisters, Charlotte Dorsey (George) of Indian Land SC and Jeanette Gillespie (Randy) of Charleston, and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
First and fore-most she loved spending time with her family and taking girl-trips with her daughters. Mary lived in Beechwood Estates for more than 40 years and was a proud member of the Beechwood Garden Club. She attended TV Nazarene Church for decades and was also a board member of the church. She also attended Freedom Promises Ministries after she moved to Fraziers Bottom.
Our mom will be missed terribly but she deserves to rest now after a 15 year battle with cancer but is now in the arms of Jesus and pain free.
Funeral Service for Mary was Friday, July 7, 2023, at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane. Burial was in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
CONNIE SUE GEORGE
Connie Sue George, of Poca, went home to be with her loving Lord and Savior on July 8, 2023.
Connie had a heart of gold and anyone who came to know her, loved her, and her infectious laughter and smile. The sudden loss of Connie is felt so very deeply by her family and her friends.
Preceding her in death was her mother, Muriel E. Null; father, Opha A. Null; sister, Eva Dean Collins; and brother, Carroll Edward (Eddie) Null.
Left to mourn her loss: her loving husband, Stephen George, Poca, WV; her granddaughters whom she adored; Megan and Ashlynn Beal of Michigan; daughter Angela Beal, Michigan; sisters, Ramona Ann (Chester) Lovejoy, Lesage, WV; Candace E. (James) Kinslow, Saint Albans, WV; Mary Taylor, Rock Branch, WV; and her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who will miss her terribly.
Funeral was at the Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum in Red House. Entombment was in the Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
Violet Marie Hendrix
Violet Marie Hendrix, 88, of Fraziers Bottom, left this world bodily Friday morning surrounded by family. In her passing we lost a library of local history, genealogy, and knowledge.
Preceding her in passing were her parents Carl Glenn and Macel Craze, her first husband Laddie Siders, son Lancer Siders, second husband Norman Hendrix, and a whole world from her youth of rural life, people, and places she seemed to be able to recall every detail of in her astonishing memory.
Up until the very end she could tell you stories of people living on flat bottomed boats tied up to the riverbank, people hauling coal in a donkey cart from a punch mines to sell to the steamboats plying the river; following her father on the first gas powered tractor in Fraziers Bottom and only picking up arrowheads if they were absolutely flawless.
Although times were lean she reminisced fondly of her youth running the woods near the mouth of Hurricane Creek with her sister Charlotte, skipping the early version of the school bus that always got stuck in the mud on what was then Route 17 and beating it to school in Winfield on foot; her father installing a window on a house in town that was leaning and not knowing whether to put it in level or with the slant of the house.
She could name every dairy on the way to Point Pleasant probably from her days as a type setter for the local newspaper there, and then tell you what year they went out of business mostly in the 30 years she spent traveling that way on what was then Route 35 side by side with her loving husband Norman in his blue Chevy going to do laundry, get groceries, or visit his family around Pomeroy, Ohio.
Her favorite thing to do was tell you who married who and who was who’s kin and how they were related, an encyclopedia of knowledge she had increasingly few people to share with as the road moved around the town and more and more people moved on, moved away, or just had increasingly less time to visit.
First with Laddie then with Norm, and at times with her daughter Suzie she always ran the store, first a grocery and later in her “retirement” antiques, it was her life’s work, the hub of the community, a cast of characters rotating through, sitting around the fireplace, telling her the stories that she loved so much, and the community appreciated her back. So much so that when the original store burned down in 1968 and Laddie suffered a heart attack in the aftermath the community came together under the leadership of John Crist and had a new store rebuilt in its place before they even got home from the hospital.
Her gratitude never waned and she cried every time she told the story even half a century later.
She loved the people, the history and the place where she spent her whole life. She loved to tell stories, laugh, and work hard, all traits that kept her sharp and relatively healthy to the end. She never stopped and fought the darkness until she couldn’t anymore.
Her stories and her spirit live on in her daughter Suzie and son Butch; grandchildren Kaylyn, Alex, Emma, Stacy, and Hilary; great-grandchildren Remi, Riah, Lancer, Thomas, Jonathan, Claire, and Mary.
She will be greatly missed, will always be part of Fraziers Bottom, and remembered for years to come.
Funeral Service for Violet was Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, with Chaplain Anna Stewart officiating. Burial was in Siders Family Cemetery, Fraziers Bottom.
Patricia Ann Hughart
Patricia Ann Simmons Hughart, 70, of Poca, passed away on July 3, 2023.
A beloved wife, mother, friend and teacher, Pat was born on January 19, 1953 to the late Marion Eugene and Sara Lou Porter Simmons. Pat retired from the Kanawha County School system after 38 years of service where it is estimated she taught over 6,000 students. In addition to teaching, Pat became a professional land developer; she drafted house blueprints and worked hands-on as a plumber, electrician, carpenter and concrete finisher. Pat assisted in building over 100 homes in Putnam County.
The matriarch of the Hughart family, Pat is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, David Andrew Hughart; sons: David Samuel Hughart (Kristina) of Poca and Paul Andrew Hughart (Christina) of Asheville, NC; brother David Eugene Simmons (Sandy) of Clemmons, NC; nephew Adrian Simmons (Lisa); grand-niece Megan Simmons; brother-in-law Edward Hughart of St. Albans; very close family friends Samuel and Kay Lee of Poca; and grand fur babies Kayla, Cookie and Husker.
Graveside services for Patricia were held on Friday July 7, 2023 at Lee Family Cemetery, Poca, with Rev. Lawrence Hoptry officiating.
Donald L. Johnson
Donald L. Johnson of Liberty, West Virginia, died on July 7, 2023, following a long illness. Donald, age 86, was born in Zela, West Virginia, and lived most of his life in West Virginia.
A graduate of Clifton Forge High School, Donald served in the United States Air Force from 1954 through 1962. After completing his military service, he worked his entire career as a machinist. He was employed by Mack Trucks, FMC, Volkswagen, and Mayflower and Union Stamping & Assembly in South Charleston.
Donald was a founding member of the Community Tabernacle at Liberty. He served the congregation in many ways, including many years as a deacon, trustee, and Bible study leader. He was a lifelong member of the Lion’s Club.
Donald is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Johnson, his sons Jennings Johnson and Phillip Johnson (Terri), his daughter Tammy Owen (Ky), his grandchildren Tiffany Peters (Eric), Tabatha Johnson, Bodie Johnson (Chelse), Kelsey Johnson, Grady Johnson, and Aaron Owen (Brittany), his great-grandchildren Aubrey Peters, Easton Peters, and Sterling Abshire, his brothers and sisters Ron Johnson (Lela), Jimmy Johnson (Dreama), LouAnn Summers (Roy), Linda Scarborough (Joe), and sisters-in-law Kitty Fizer and Susie Petry. He is also survived by many loved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Dixie Johnson, a sister, Sharon Ashby, brother-in-law Darrell Ashby, nephew Steve Johnson, and father-in-law and mother-in-law James Earl Mooney and Violet Anna Mooney.
A tribute to the life of Donald L. Johnson was held Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Steve Berkhouse officiating. Burial was in Emma Chapel Cemetery, Liberty, with military honors.
Rodney Allen Moffatt
Rodney Allen Moffatt, 75, of Hurricane, passed away on July 5, 2023.
Rodney was born in Roane County on December 2, 1947. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he received both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals.
He retired from the Charleston Housing Authority after 35 years. He never stopped working and seemed to love doing so; he could fix and do anything he set his mind to. He loved fishing, going to yard sales and taking care of those he loved.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Linda; parents, Giles & Leona; brothers, Harold, Virgil, Lawrence, Giles Jr, Theodore (Mac), James; and sisters, Elsie & Betty.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years Tammy; sister, Vivian Duncan (Princeton); brother Roger Moffatt (DC); sons, Chris and Josh Moffatt; daughters, Jessica, Cristal and Chelsea Jones. He is also survived by grandchildren Brooke Moffatt, Hanna Moffatt and Nevaeh Jones along with great grandsons Raymond (Chelsea) and Nate (Brooke).
Funeral service for Rodney was Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with burial in Floral Hills Garden of Memories, Charleston.
Patsy M. Smith
Patsy M. Smith, 84, of Liberty, died July 1, after a long illness. She was born in 1939 as the second-youngest of 10 children, to Clyde and Icy Casto of Confidence. She began working for Union Carbide in the purchasing Department around 1974 after the death of her husband Earl Denzil Smith (“Joe Bob”) at age 40. She retired from the company after it was purchased by Dow Chemical, and lived alone on a small farm until her death Saturday night. She enjoyed working in her yard, reading romance novels, and watching old Westerns (movies and television series).
She is survived by one son, by two sisters (Betty Brown in Eleanor, and Brenda King in Port Charlotte, Florida), and by three brothers, Bill in Confidence, Jean in Eleanor, and Tom in Williamsburg, Virginia), two grandchildren, Walker in Boring, Oregon, and Dylan in Portland, Oregon, and two great-grandchildren: Elliot, in Molalla, Oregon, and Sebastian in Portland, Oregon.
Zona Marie Wagner
Zona Marie Wagner, 60, of Fraziers Bottom, passed away Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Zona was a 1981 graduate of Duval High School and an in-home caregiver.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cleston & Pearl Hughes Wade and sister, Evelyn Cobb.
Zona is survived by her husband of 28 years, Tom; son, Jacob; sisters, Rita (Greg) Pauley and Judy (Ronnie) Pauley both of Alum Creek; brother, William Wade of Alum Creek; and several nieces, nephews, and friends that will greatly miss her.
In accordance with Zona’s wishes, she will be cremated, and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Ward Wyrick
Ward Wendell Wyrick, aged 73, spent his childhood in Teays Valley, attending schools in the Hurricane area, and being raised by his Grandmother Carrie Wyrick. Ward spent his entire adult life in St. Albans. Ward passed away on Sunday, July 2nd, 2023, at HospiceCare CAMC Memorial, after his battle with cancer.
He was a retired custodian of 37 years at First Baptist Church of St. Albans. Ward was a patriotic man. On November 4, 1979, 52 American diplomats and citizens were taken hostage by a group of militarized Iranian college students who seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. On that day, Ward, as the custodian, took it upon himself to honor these 52 hostages. From the 4th of November and every day after for the next 444 days, he rang the church bell 52 times, one ring for each captive. On January 20, 1981, 444 days after their capture, the hostages were released. In honor of their return home to the U.S., he rang the bell 444 times, one ring for every day they were held captive, symbolizing their return.
Ward is preceded in death by his wife, Kay F. Wyrick; his father, Rex E. Wyrick; his mother, Freda Jane Davis Wyrick; his brother, Ennis S. Wyrick; his sister-in-law, Freda Mae Wyrick; his son, Timothy W. Searls Sr.; his granddaughter, Leighann Searls; and his grandson, Timothy W. Searls Jr.
He is survived by his daughter, Tammy (Matt) Dixon of Cross Lanes; his sons, David Hodges of St. Albans and James (Cricket) Hodges of Hurricane; his daughter-in-law, Polly Searls of Hurricane; his brother, Robert Wyrick of Teays Valley; his sister, Nina (Cliff) Miller of Oklahoma; his grandchildren, Kevin Dixon, Anthony Dixon, Thomas Hodges, Jonathan Hodges, Tiffany Hodges, Jessica Hodges, Lori Hodges, Virginia Hopkins, and Katherine Searls; his great-grandchildren, Austin Dixon, Faith Williams, Gabriel Hodges, Kelsey Jaczola, Colton Hopkins, Gage Hopkins, Alexander Dailey, Skyler Dailey, and Corey Hodges; his nieces, Kate Miller, Wendy Wyrick, and Maryann Wyrick; his great-nieces, Samantha Cottrell and Olivia Cottrell; his great-nephew, T.R. Coonrod; and a host of cousins and friends.
Graveside service was Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Mount Vernon Cemetery, Teays Valley, with the Rev. Joel M. Harpold officiating.
