LINDA CARROLL ARNOLD
Linda Carrol Arnold, 72, of Hurricane, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at her residence.
Linda was born on November 21, 1951 in Gilbert, WV and was raised by her parents, the late Eugene Burgess and Virginia Anglin (Burgess).
Linda graduated from Barboursville High School in 1969, she was a loving mother and grandmother. Linda worked as a sales representative for Lilly’s Jewelers, she was an auxiliary member of American Legion Post 139, and Chaplin of the American Legion Riders.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Arnold and a daughter, Melissa Dawn Clark (Spurlock).
Left to cherish her memory is her son, John Stephen Hall II (Susan) of Scott Depot; brother, Gene Burgess (Nancy) of Florida; grandchildren, John “Jay” Hall (Kristen Hill), Justin S Hall, and James Morton; son-in-law, Don Clark; and a dear friend, Pam Keeling Thompson.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday September 24, 2023 at 2pm at the American Legion Post #139, Milton. A memorial ride to Beech Fork will be held following the service.
LEOTHA JEAN BOLES
Leotha Jean Boles, 88, of Buffalo, passed away Saturday, September 16, 2023. She was a member of Grace Baptist Temple in St. Albans. She retired from Putnam County Circuit Court where she worked as a court reporter.
Born December 6, 1934 in Seth, she was the daughter of the late Fred Michael and Myrtle Massey Michael. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Gerald D. Boles; son, Mike Boles and brother, Fred Michael Jr.
Survivors include her daughters, Pam (Lonnie) Harris of Buffalo and Toni (Gary) Phillips of Point Marion PA; sister, Janet (Doug) Billups of St. Albans; 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Funeral service was Thursday, September 21, 2023 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Pastor Brian Dean officiating.
DENVER JAY GRANT
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved brother, father and grandfather Denver Jay Grant, age 79, of Hurricane died September 12, 2023.
He was preceded in death by his parents Violet Washington Grant and Arnold Grant, his wife Woody (Brenda) Grant, 5 brothers and two sisters.
He is survived by his four daughters: Barbie Grant, Alisha (Steve) Fisher, Terrie (Ken) Humphries, Cheryl (Tim) Cabell, son, Justin Grant, two sisters, Bonnie (Gerald) Beaver and Sue (Gary) Carroll; Stepdaughters, Cindi Royer and Virginia Priestley; 12 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and a dear friend Jackie Bryant, along with many nieces, nephews, and a host of cousins and friends.
Denver grew up on the Grant Farm and was a lifelong resident of Putnam County attending Hurricane High School and was retired from St. Albans Window and a former employee of T&E Machine Shop.
Service was Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Allen Funeral Home with Minister J. R. Totten officiating. Burial was in Grant Cemetery.
Diane Lee Harding
Diane Lee Harding, 73, of Red House, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 16, 2023.
Diane was preceded in death by her husband Robert “Bob” Harding and parents David and Ruth Simmons.
Diane leaves behind to cherish her memory, her devoted son Chad and wife Billie; three adored grand-daughters Shelbie, Savannah, and Shiloh; three sisters Pat and husband Warren Faulknier, Dru and husband David Vanatter, and Marsha and husband Steve Gessell; sister-in-law Carolyn and husband Ronald Thomas; adopted sisters Becky and husband Lawrence Haynes and Raymona McDonald.
Diane was born September 6, 1950, in United, WV. She grew up with loving Christian parents that taught her the importance of prayer. She was a graduate of East Bank High School. Upon graduating Diane pursued a career in banking at Kanawha Valley Bank. Diane had a kind and bubbly personality, and her customers loved her. She continued in the banking business until 1987, when she was forced to retire from One Valley Bank due to a brain tumor. Diane always treasured the friendships that she developed while working in the banking industry. Throughout the last 36 years Diane has fought courageously. Her faith never wavered, and she never failed to say that God is good.
Diane loved to sing and was known for her dynamic voice. Her voice was truly a gift from the Lord. She could sense the movement of the Holy Spirit and start a song that would change the direction of a church service. People often requested that she sing “How Great Thou Art”. She was a dedicated worker in the church. For many years she and her late husband Bob were youth directors, girls group leaders, and church camp directors for Rock Branch Independent Church. Not only did Diane have unwavering faith, but she also will be remembered for the anointing she carried.
A tribute to the life of Diane will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Rock Branch Independent Church with Pastor Delbert Hawley officiating. Entombment will follow in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House. The family will receive friends 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, September 22, 2023, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home.
Janet Carol Johnson
Janet C. Johnson, 76, of Hurricane, was called home September 12, 2023 with her family by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents Hubert and Deloris Facemyre, son, Freddie Null, sister, Joyce Rawlings, and brothers, Darris and Randel Facemyre.
Left to cherish her memory is her loyal and loving husband of 43 years, James Hobert Johnson; daughter, Mary Lou Simmons; stepdaughter, Christina Allman; stepson, Greg Johnson; brothers: Hershel and Charles Facemyre, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Janet was a wise and God-fearing woman who was selfless and a giver at heart. She had a heart full of never ending love and was spunky natured. She was known for baking, cooking, and making homemade items for the family, veterans and the community. Janet did not know a stranger and would give the shirt off her back to someone in need. Her light shined on all those who she met and left a special place in their hearts. She adored her family, especially her great grandchildren whom she expressed her genuine love and affection. Janet loved children. She was a volunteer teacher at a local Christian school in her earlier years and later became a homemaker after marrying the love her life, Jim. Janet was loved and will be deeply missed by many.
Janet’s wishes were to be cremated with no services and is being honored by the family.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26
Steven John McGrew, II
Steven John McGrew, II, 23, of Hurricane, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 10, 2023. Steven was born March 31, 2000. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Debbie Dickerson of Nitro and great-grandmother, Veda Phelps of St. Albans.
Steven is survived by his father, Steven McGrew of Hurricane and mother, Amy Jo McLaughlin McGrew of Nitro; twin brother Shane of Huntington; half-brother, Alex Legg of St. Albans; grandparents, Cecil and Hilda Gravely of Hurricane; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Steven was a graduate of Winfield High School and was an active member of Committed. His passion was in MMA and Jujitsu, where his training friends became family. He won his last fight in August 2023 in the Flyweight division, and was widely known as “Kung Fu McGrew.”
Celebration of Life was held Friday, September 15th at River Ridge Church, Hurricane.
Melissa Dawn Perry
Melissa Dawn Perry, age 46, of Belle, formerly of Hurricane, a devoted mother, mimi, sister, spouse, and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on September 16, 2023.
She is survived by mother Debi Harris, fiancé Freddy Osborne, brothers Larry and Gary Fugate, daughters Amber Pate, Brianna Perry, Heaven Perry, and 6 loving grandchildren, Briella Black, Keelan Black, Nolan Black, Harper Black, Callie Pate, and Ryker Burks.
Melissa was the love of Freddy’s life; she was a blessing to everyone who knew her. She had the best sense of humor, and truly wore her heart on her sleeve. Her smile was contagious, her laugh was heartwarming, she was this light full of love, full of life, wherever she went, left hope behind, absorbed all the darkness, and made the world shine.
At her request there will be no service.
Robert Keith Shaver
Robert Keith “Bob” Shaver, 89, of Georgetown, KY, formerly of Hurricane, passed away Monday, September 11th, 2023 after a long illness.
He was born and raised in Poplar Ridge, OH as the youngest child of the late Wayne E. and Bertha J. Lemley Shaver. In addition to his parents, Mr. Shaver was preceded in death by his oldest daughter: Vicki Shaver Ghareeb; his siblings: Leo Shaver, Evelyn Shaver Wright, Doris Shaver Caplinger, Leland Shaver and Charles Shaver.
His father passed away when he was just 11 years old, so he and his mother moved to Charleston when he was a teenager. He graduated from Charleston High School in 1951 and went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Morris Harvey College in 1954. He met the love of his life, Roberta Jean Bare, at a basketball tournament at Morris Harvey in 1951 and they were married in May of 1953. They moved to St. Albans where they raised 3 daughters. Mr. Shaver retired from Union Carbide in 1995 after 32 years of service. He was a loving, kind and devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Bob is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jean Shaver; daughters: Patti Shaver and Barbara Shaver-Sallin; grandchildren: Danielle Ghareeb, Peter Thackston, and Shelby Hatchett; 7 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Funeral Service for Bob was Monday September 18, 2023 at St. John United Methodist Church, Scott Depot, with Rev. Teresa Markins officiating. Entombment was in Cunningham Memorial Park St. Albans.
Geraldine Ward
Geraldine “Gerrie” Osburn Ward, 81, of Milton, went home to her beloved Savior on September 13, 2023, after a brief illness. Gerrie is survived by her husband of 58 years, Lonnie Charles Ward, her only daughter, Mary Beth Bennett and son-in-law, Jeremy Bennett of Winfield, West Virginia. She is also survived by four grandchildren, who were the light of her life. Thessa Chae Bennett Hawley and her husband, Nash of Hurricane, Tytus Ward Bennett, Talitha Grace Bennett, and Torah Beth Bennett all of Winfield. She is also survived by two brothers Bernard (Ruth) Osburn of North Carolina and Ershel (Connie) Osburn of Missouri as well as a host of nieces and nephews who were very dear to her. She was preceded in death by her mother Seay Asbury Osburn, father Gorman Osburn, treasured sister Janice Sue Osburn White, and brother Alpha Delano Osburn.
Gerrie was born at home January 11, 1942, in Logan, West Virginia. She graduated from Chapmanville High School in 1959 and attended Marshall University as a double major in English and Business Education. She graduated Marshall in 1963 and began her teaching career at Logan High School. Gerrie loved her students and spent the majority of her career at Barboursville High School from 1966 to 1994. She finished her teaching career at Cabell Midland High School and retired in 1997. Following retirement, Gerrie enjoyed spending time with family, spoiling her grandchildren, cooking, reading, needlework, working in her flowers and decorating for each season. She was known for her famous peanut butter fudge and pumpkin rolls. A box of Gerrie’s fudge was a prized possession, and her pumpkin rolls were a seasonal favorite for so many.
Gerrie was a member of Union Baptist Church, Milton. And the fruit of her faith was evident in the way she always put the needs of others before herself. She was a treasured wife, mother, Nana, sister, aunt, teacher, neighbor, and friend, and she will be greatly missed.
Funeral service was Monday, September 18, 2023, at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
