LINDA KAY DILLMAN
Linda Kay Dillman, 76, of Winfield, passed away on February 22, 2024, at home surrounded by family.
She was born in South Charleston to the late Kenneth and Berta Mathes. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Nancy Nelson; and son-in-law, Thomas Medvick.
She loved taking care of children, working many years at Kings Way Christian Educare.
She is survived by her loving husband Paul Douglas Dillman of Winfield; children, Wendy Medvick of Winfield, Gerald Dillman (Melissa) of Eleanor; Sister, Jo Ellen Barnhouse (JR) of Leland, NC; and grandchildren, Isabella, Cody, Brandon, Kimberly and Lilly.
Memorial Service was held Monday, February 26, 2024, at Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, with Pastor Jason Robbins officiating.
BELINDA SUE FIKE
Belinda Sue Fike, 51, of Poca, went home to be with the Lord on February 22, 2024.
Belinda is a graduate of Poca High School; member of the Nitro Church of the Nazarene and was a member of the Crochet Group at the Cross Lanes Library.
She was born September 30, 1972, in South Charleston to the late Gregory and Linda Thomas.
She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Paul Fike; daughter Felicia Fike and her fiancée Kody McVay of KY and brother Gary and his wife Helen Smith of Poca.
A tribute to the life of Belinda was held Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Betty Lett officiating. Burial was in Donel C. Kinnard State Veterans Cemetery.
RONALD JAY HAYES
Ronald J. Hayes, 74, of Hurricane, passed away on February 20, 2024 at home in his favorite recliner after fighting a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was preceded in death by his son, Andrew; parents: John and Wilda (Boso) Hayes; sister, Rebecca Powers; and brothers: Harry and John Dennis Hayes.
Ron was a 1968 graduate of Hurricane High School and WV Tech where he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity. After graduation from WV Tech, he worked at WVDOH, Dawson Bridge Company, GE Ray and his final and most proud job was President of Teays River Construction.
During his younger years, Ron was involved in Midget Football, umpired many baseball games and coached Midget basketball. Ron held the chains for Hurricane High School football games for 50+ years and received the WSAZ Hometown Hero in 2020. Ron made many long lasting friendships during his lifetime, but one special friend was his buddy, Bruce Casto. Ron was a member and deacon at First Baptist Church of Hurricane and a member of Sleepy Hollow Golf Course.
Ron is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sherry Troyer Hayes; son, Adam (Ami); grandchildren: Eva, Scarlett and his little buddy, Drew; and his twin brother, Donald Hayes (Jackie); as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service for Ron was Saturday, February 24, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Hurricane with Rev. Dr. Jeff Davenport and Rev. Pat McGue officiating. Entombment was at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville.
Paul Keith Hescht
Paul Keith Hescht, 81, of Palm Bay, Florida, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, along with being reunited with his wife, Emma Bernice, on February 13, 2024, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Paul was born on May 3, 1942, in Eleanor, West Virginia, to Gale and Blanche Hescht, graduating from Buffalo High School in 1960.
In June of 1961, Paul enlisted into the U.S. Army in Ft Benning, Georgia, which led him to meet the future love of his life, Bernice, whom he married in October 1963. After completing his 3 year service to the Army, which included being on a special protective detail for then President John F Kennedy’s visit to the base, Paul moved north to Ohio, where he worked for Lightning Products and Crown Rubber, while getting his 2-year degree from the then known as Terra Technical College. In 1978, he decided to become an insurance agent, going to work for Nationwide Insurance. The family lived on hot dogs and bologna sandwiches in those early years of only earning straight commissions selling insurance, but his hard work and dedication paid off, as he won several top sales awards throughout his 26 year career with Nationwide, including winning several trips to Atlantic City, Seattle and Las Vegas. After retiring in 2004, he took his wife south to Florida to retire to their dream home that he helped design. Paul and his wife lived there until she passed away in 2022 and he in 2024.
Paul, preceded in death by his wife Bernice, is survived by his sons Douglas, Palm Bay, FL, Brian (Stevie), Republic, OH; grandchildren Alison Scheiber (Alex), Bloomville, OH; Amber Hescht, Tiffin, OH; great-grandchildren Braxton and Brantley Scheiber. Siblings, Phyllis Gibson, Johnson City, TN; Peryl Thompson, Palm Bay, FL; and preceded in death by sister Jean McClain, Cross Lanes.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Ohio at a later date.
James Michael Johnson
James Michael Johnson, 50, of St. Albans, formerly of Hurricane, passed away on February 21, 2024 at Thomas Memorial Hospital South Charleston.
Jamie was born on December 15, 1973 to Lisa Johnson and the late Mike Johnson.
He was a graduate of Hurricane High School and enjoyed football.
In addition to his mother, Jamie is survived by his brothers: Donny Johnson of Columbus, OH and Danny Johnson of Vincent, OH; 3 nieces, 4 nephews and 4 great-nephews.
Graveside service for Jamie will be 1:00pm March 13, 2024 at Mount Vernon Cemetery, Hurricane,
Larry Lamar Jones
Larry L Jones, 84, of Scott Depot, passed away on February 15, 2024.
He was born in Parkersburg on November 6, 1939 to the late Lamar Moran Jones and Carrie Bell Fletcher. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy Jones and sister, Shirley Lake.
He retired from AT&T, provided a lifetime of service to the Boy Scouts of America, active member at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, and attended Teays Valley Church of God.
Larry is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Peggy S. Jones; son, Larry L. “Chip” Jones II and his wife Linda Smith-Jones of Aiken SC; nephews: Mike Cleek of St. Albans, Gene Watson of Rochester NY, and many other nieces and nephews as well.
He loved helping others with his excellent cooking, insightful advice, offering transportation to those in need, as well as being a handyman. Larry thoroughly enjoyed riding his tractor and plowing the neighbors driveways of snow and mowing their yards.
Larry was a loyal football and basketball fan of WVU and Marshall. Some of his great joys were the great outdoors, traveling and spending time with his family. He will be immensely missed by family and friends but never forgotten.
Funeral service for Larry was Thursday February 22, 2024 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Rev. Dr. Melissa Pratt and Dr. Jeff Johnson officiating. Burial was in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Hurricane.
Pamela Sue Nelson
Pam Sharp Nelson, of Tornado, and Hurricane, joined her family in peace on Monday, 19 February 2024 after a prolonged illness.
Born on 1 Oct 1948, to Ed and Virginia Sharp of Nitro (deceased). She was soon joined by 2 sisters, Patricia “Trish” Sharp-Doll of Salt Rock, (deceased) and Linda Sharp Withrow of Nitro, (deceased).
Pam grew up playing tackle football and is said to have been the “star quarterback” of her neighborhood team. This love of football continued her entire life, and she was crazy for the Miami Dolphins. She was also known, to family, for her abilities on the basketball court and never let the fact she was a woman get in her way of doing anything she set her mind to.
While most who knew her knew of her devotion to Elvis, what was not as known was her love for fishing and camping, both of which she naturally put others to shame. Pam was a killer at Stinger croquet and horseshoes and discovered later in life a joy in audiobooks and frequently scandalized the nursing home playing them out loud.
Pam had 2 daughters, Cindy Nelson-Morton (Dale) of Hurricane, and Autumn Lindley (Michael Beyrer) of Greensboro, NC to whom she devoted herself to teaching through example to be strong people and to help those you can. As such, she had her dream job helping teenagers in the Right From The Start program through the Women’s Health Center in Charleston for more than 15 years.
Pam’s greatest joy, though, was her 7 grandchildren: Bryant Morton (29) of Hurricane; Taylor Beyrer (26) of New York, NY; Hagen Lindley (24) of Greensboro, NC; Sean Morton (23) of Hurricane; Coleson Lindley (22) of Greensboro, NC; Andrew Lindley (19) of Greensboro, NC; and Sophia Lindley (19) of Greensboro, NC. She loved them beyond measure would do anything for them.
A Life Celebration will be held Memorial weekend.
Joyce K. Priddy
Joyce K. Priddy, 77, of Poca, passed away February 21, 2024, in the Hubbard Hospice House West.
Joyce spent her life caring for her family and others. She loved her children and grandchildren with every breath. The memories and stories she has left will live with them forever.
She is preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Maycel Hedrick; husband Rufus Priddy; twin sister Joy Larabee; two sons Rufus “Junior” Priddy, Jr. and Clarence “Kinkie” Priddy; and grandson Steven Priddy.
She is survived by her two daughters Jackie Newson of Nitro and Christy Priddy of Poca; two sons Roger Dale (Janie) Priddy of Poca and Jon Priddy of Rock Branch; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; niece Renee; nephew Sherman; 2 great nieces; 1 great-great nephew; and best friend Ella (Jimmy) Dunlap.
A tribute to the life of Joyce was held Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Jimmy Dunlap officiating.
Elva Dane Scott
Elva Dane Scott, 80, of Eleanor, passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at Hubbard Hospice House West at Thomas Memorial Hospital following a short illness. She was a graduate of Poca High School and a lifelong homemaker. Elva volunteered for several years as a leader for the TOPS group in Winfield.
Born October 30, 1943 in Red House, she was the daughter of the late Roy Wesley Sayre and Rushie Dane Bailey Sayre. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Opie E. Scott; sisters, Fiona Sally May, Margaret Harrison, Christine Hartung and Annetta Honaker; brothers, Raymond, Roy and Ronald Sayre; along with her precious niece, Teresa Honaker.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Monteia (Parrish) Childers; grandchildren, Sophie Dane Childers and Cameron Scott Childers. Elva is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.
Funeral service was Monday, February 26, 2024 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Pastor David Panaro Jr. officiating. Entombment was at Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
