BILLIE BISHOP
Billie “Dadoo” Bishop, a Marine, husband, son, brother, grandfather and friend, went to be with his heavenly Father on April 17, 2024 at the age of 98, with his loving wife by his side.
Billie was born May 19, 1925, the son of the late William and Emma Cook Bishop. He was preceded in death by eight siblings. Billie leaves behind his beloved wife of 77 years, Geneva Thomason Bishop, three daughters – Elisa (Steve) Dilly of Lexington Kentucky, Bettina (Keith) Scott of Ashland Kentucky and Robin Bishop of Scott Depot West Virginia, four grandchildren – Erin (Jeff) Victor of Chattanooga Tennessee, Megan (the late Scott) Woods of Wurtland Kentucky, Michael (Jessica) Dilly and Nathan (Cassie) Dilly all of Lexington Kentucky, nine great grandchildren Noah (11) and Adelyn (10) both of Chattanooga Tennessee, Couper (12) Whitley (9) and Owen (7) all of Wurtland Kentucky, Reese (4) Jude (2) Hank (1) and one additional great grandchild that will be born in May, all of Lexington Kentucky.
Billie graduated from Princeton High School in 1943, enlisted in the Marines where he served in WWII and was honorably discharged in December of 1945. He then married his beloved Geneva on April 6, 1947. Billie then enjoyed a long career with Appalachian Power Company where he worked until retiring at age 65.
Billie was an excellent marksman and enjoyed trap shooting competitively where he was especially proud of winning the West Virginia state championship at the senior division. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time outdoors and with family and friends.
Service was Friday, April 19, 2024 at the mausoleum at Valley View Cemetery in Hurricane.

LARRY BROHARD
Larry Wayne Brohard, 81, of Hurricane, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024, in St. Mary’s medical center after a long illness. He was a retired police officer from Alexandria, VA and a Veteran of the U. S. Air Force and enjoyed wood working. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce Lynn Lewis Brohard, his first wife Rebecca Macky, parents Wilbert and Erma Gregory Brohard, sister-in-law Della Parker Brohard and Stepson Stephen West.
He is survived by his brother Denver Brohard of Hurricane and daughter Christie Lockhart and her husband Brian and grandchildren Lindsey, Jacob, Laura and Shawn and one great grandchild Olivia, Nieces Susan Creswell and Katharine Pack and several great nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was Monday, April 22, 2024, at Allen Funeral Home. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park.

JESSIE COLLINS
Jessie A. Collins, 72, of Culloden, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 20, 2024 after an extended illness. He was employed at Town of Eleanor at a Job that he loved. He was born in Hurricane on January 10, 1952. He was a member of Valley View Freewill Baptist Church in Hurricane and enjoyed the Outdoors Catfishing on the Kanawha River. He was preceded in death by 5 brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Awanda Collins, Stepson Brad Burton and his wife Michelle, and Grandson Brady Burton and his wife Danielle. Siblings Trish, Cathrine, William, Randy, and Joe.
Funeral service was Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Allen Funeral Home with Pastor Jonah Dillon officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park.

Charles Edward Davis
Charles Edward Davis, 96, of Hurricane, passed away peacefully at home on April 19, 2024 with his loving wife of 75 years, Charlene, by his side.
He was born on January 23, 1928 to the late Thelma and Ira Davis. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a grandson, Patrick O’Dell.
Charlie proudly served our country in the US Navy on-board the USS Noa. Thereafter, he was a loyal employee of Union Carbide for 37 years. Throughout his life, Charlie was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church. For 50 years, he was a Master Mason, belonging to Kanawha Lodge #20 Charleston, Valley of Charleston Scottish Rite and Beni Kedem Shriners. Charlie was especially proud of his involvement with the Shriners Children’s Hospital Lexington, becoming Emeritus on the Board of Directors after serving 12 years. He was also an American Red Cross volunteer. In retirement, Charlie loved woodworking, photography, traveling with Charlene and family beach trips.
To all who knew him, Charlie was a family man with a strong faith. He was outgoing, mannerly, kind, gracious, and entertaining. To all who knew him, Charlie will be greatly missed.
Charlie was also a loving father to Jeff Davis (Edie), Martha O’Dell (Don) and Beth Trumpy (Dave). He was blessed with 9 grandchildren (Ashley Reed, Katie Perperas, Adam O’Dell, Ben O’Dell, Patrick O’Dell, Lindsay Johnson, Caroline Birman, Michael Trumpy and Claire Meyer) as well as 15 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Service for Charlie was Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at Teays Valley Presbyterian Church with Rev. Kyle Keys officiating. Entombment was in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston.

Gayla Doughty
Gayla Doughty, age 77, passed away on April 15th, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love and inspiration. She was the devoted wife of 54 years to Raymond Doughty, loving mother of Aaron Doughty and Brent Doughty (Terri Howard), and grandmother to Christian Hatfield, Lexie Hatfield, and Luke Racer. She also leaves behind her brothers, Michael Payne (Leeann Payne) and Harold “Butch” Payne, and her sister LaDonna Craft as well as many nieces and nephews. Gayla was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Payne and Margaret Ann “Margie” Bowen Payne. She was raised in Acme, WV and was a graduate of East Bank High School. She was a life-long Christian in both faith and practice.
Gayla was a beacon of hope for so many. She always motivated others to overcome their limitations and to never stop learning. During her 20+ years working at West Virginia State College, she helped develop the ‘College At Any Age’ program which encouraged adults to return to the classroom. Gayla herself was a non-traditional student finishing her degree at the age of 49. Her giving nature also saw her volunteering for many literacy and outreach programs within the community.
Outside the textbook, Gayla also loved art. She was eager to tackle any media she could: cross-stitch, crochet, sketching, painting, and stained glass just to name a few. While her talent was sometimes dubious, her enthusiasm was always infectious. She would happily show her creations and push others to create beside her.
Gayla’s legacy extends beyond her remarkable accomplishments, talents, and boundless love for those around her; she embodied resilience, never yielding in the face of adversity. Even as her health faltered, her spirit never waned. She will be greatly missed, because she is greatly loved.
Service was Thursday, April 18th with Pastor Melissa Pratt officiating. Burial was in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens in Glasgow.

Virginia Gillespie
Virginia Dumont Gillespie, of Hurricane, passed away April 17, 2024. Virginia, the daughter of Edgar and Virginia Nell (Jarvis) Dumont, was born June 24, 1930, in South Charleston. She attended South Charleston High School, where she served as President of the Student Council and graduated with honors in 1947. She also attended Charleston School of Commerce and received her Stenographic Diploma in 1948.
In 1949, Virginia married Kellis M. Gillespie, son of Harvey and Beulah Gillespie of Dunbar. She then went to work at Union Carbide in the Order Division. They moved to Hurricane, Putnam County, in 1952. They joined the First Baptist Church of Hurricane in 1953 and became active members of the congregation.
In 1963, Virginia started to West Virginia State College and graduated in 1967 summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She earned her Master of Arts Degree from the Graduate School of Marshall University in 1974. She was a teacher at Hurricane Elementary School from 1967 to 1979 and at Hurricane Middle School from 1979 to 1989.
After retirement, Virginia and Kellis became interested in genealogy. They traveled to many court houses in both Virginia and West Virginia and to Kansas and Missouri to track their ancestors. They used the documents they found to write books about their families- the Gillespies, Dumonts, Woodrums, and Jarvises. They also joined numerous genealogy societies and Virginia served as Secretary for the Upper Vandalia Historical Society, the Mining Your History (genealogy) Foundation, and the West Virginia Baptist Historical Society. She was also a member of the Anne Bailey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Virginia and Kellis collaborated with Bill Wintz in writing about the schools, families, and churches in Putnam County History, Volume II. They also worked hard with other members of the Mining Your History Foundation to save the Archives Library located in the Cultural Center at the Capitol Complex in Charleston. The Mining Your History Foundation was successful, and when you visit the Archives Library today, you will find many books about West Virginia families.
In addition to her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Kellis Marion Gillespie in 2014; her paternal grandparents Camille Victor and Marie (Gillot) Dumont; her maternal grandparents John Wesley and Ora Alice (Surface) Jarivis: and her brothers, Edgar Alfred, John Wesley and Robert Lee Dumont; and sisters Mary Jean French and Alice June Floyd Bishop.
Virginia is survived by two daughters, Kathryn Ann and husband Zack Phillips of Roanoke, Va; Bonnie Jean and husband Marc Rider of Ona; five grandsons; Jason Johnson and wife Janet of Bowie, Md; Jeremiah Johnson of Beckley; Justin Johnson and wife Jennifer of Roanoke, Va; Johnnie Comer of Hurricane; and Mickey Sovine of Ona; one granddaughter, Mindy Wooten of Hurricane; eleven great grandchildren; Emma, Lily, Mara, and Jude Johnson of Bowie, Md; Camden Johnson of Beckley; Jackson, Joshua, and Jordyn Johnson of Roanoke, Va; Jack and Adin Comer and Wyatt Wooten of Ona.
A celebration of the life of Virginia was held Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Allen Funeral Home on Main Street, Hurricane, with Rev. Jerry Losh officiating. Burial was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.

Jacqueline Alice Gillispie
On Friday, April 19, 2024, Jacqueline A. Gillispie, age 90, joined all of her family and friends at the Gates of Heaven. She had been looking forward to meeting her Jesus most of all.
Jackie was the youngest sibling of Frank Williams and Fanny Jane Kidd Williams and the last living sibling of that family. She was born on August 19, 1933 in Powellton, Fayette County. It was a small coal mining town where her dad worked in the mines. At the age of twelve, her family moved to Fraziers Bottom where she resided for the remainder of her life. She dearly loved this community and had lots of family and friends nearby. She was in the first graduating class of Winfield High School where she played the drums in the band which fit her spunky personality perfectly. Shortly after graduating she married and started her life as a young mother. She loved a clean house. Even though she did not have much, she kept the house spotless and welcoming. She loved sewing and making items with lots of color. Her favorite activity was singing in the choir at her home church Fraziers Bottom Church of God. She always said music was her testimony. As the family grew and she had more free time she worked off and on in the restaurant business which prepared her for owning the Fraziers Bottom Truck Stop for several years. She always loved people and was very sociable.
Most important of all to her was her family, she loved all the holidays and get-togethers. There will always be a special place in our heart for her.
Preceded in death by her husband: Cleabert Gillispie; grandson: Eric Gillispie; and son in law: Mike Gillispie.
Jackie is survived by her son: Stephen Gillispie at home, daughter: Pamela Gillispie of Fraziers Bottom; and son: David Gillispie (Pam) of Buffalo WV. She was blessed with eight grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren, whom each and every one were her very favorite.
Funeral service was Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, with Pastors Nathan Cain and Gary Hale officiating. Burial was in Fraziers Bottom United Methodist Church Cemetery.

James Ray ‘J.R.’ Griffith
James Ray Griffith (J.R.) (Breeze), 57, of Hurricane, left his earthly life on April 19, 2024 following a tragic motorcycle accident. J.R. was a part of the St. Albans community for over 50 years, he was retired from the City of St. Albans Municipal Utility Company. While his children were young, he coached midget league football for the Red Dragons, umpired baseball for the St. Albans Youth League and St. Albans High School – he wore many hats to be involved with the youth in the community.
J.R was a great man, to know him was to love him! He never met a stranger and had a sense of humor that you could not help but to smile when you were around him. J.R. loved his children and grandchildren more than anything, he also loved hunting, fishing, and being on his Harley. Whether he was with his brothers in black and gold, his son & buddies on the river, or alone in the woods J.R. saw the best in all situations. He would crack a joke anytime he could.
J.R. was preceded in death by his loving parents Brenda and Eugene Griffith, and his brothers Brian and Michael Griffith.
J.R. is survived by his wife, Loretta Griffith – Daughters Emerald McCallister (Jordan), Casey Postlethwait (Chris), Son Brian Griffith (Kelly), Stepchildren Lindsey Powell, Bradley Larch, Zachary Sowards, & Mia Fitzwater, Brothers Christopher Allen, David Young, & Matthew Young. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Eliza & Elauna McCallister, Calah & Raelynn Johnson, James Griffith, & step grandchildren Aubree, Macie, Colten, Addison, Kanden and Baldwin.
J.R. was a lifetime member of the Avengers Motorcycle family, he is survived by all of his Brothers in Black and Gold (AFFA). In addition to all those that he leaves behind, he is also leaves behind ex-wife Ellen Griffith whom he shared 20+ years.
A celebration of J.R’s life will be held at 7:00 p.m,. Friday, April 26, 2024 at Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, St. Albans.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7:00 pm before the service at the funeral home.

Della Mae Harrah
Della Mae (Miles) Harrah, 91, of Poca, went home to be with the Lord, April 18, 2024.
Della was born in May of 1932 in McBeth, West Virginia, to Allen and Blanchie Miles. She had 12 brothers and sisters. Della completed the 8th grade at Chambers Grade School and then went to work as a waitress in Logan. She later took a job as a waitress in Charleston and met her husband, Leo Richard Harrah. They enjoyed eating spaghetti at the Empire Diner on Summers Street in Charleston. The two married June 25, 1952. A friend drove them to Wheeling where they married at a preacher’s house. They had two children, Sandra and Leo. Della was a stay-at-home mom who loved to cook, bake, sew, garden, can vegetables, and spend time with her family. She also enjoyed attending Rock Branch Independent Church where she loved to sing hymns in the church choir and spend time with her best friend June Hawley.
She is preceded in death by her mother, father, 12 siblings, and her son Leo Richard Harrah II. She is survived by her husband Leo ‘Pete’, daughter Sandra Rucker and her husband Jim Rucker, grandson Matthew Rucker and his wife Emily Renzelli, granddaughter Christa Nutter and her husband Craig Nutter II, and great grandson Jackson Rucker who she loved so much.
Services were at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home in Poca on April 22, 2024, with Pastor Delbert Hawley officiating. Graveside service was at Tyler Mountain Memorial Gardens.

George Emerson Jividen
George Emerson Jividen, 77, of Winfield, passed away April 20, 2024.
George is retired from the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local # 625 and a former employee of Monsanto. He is a 1964 graduate of Buffalo High School and enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, boating, gardening, and motorcycles.
He is preceded in death by his wife Sandra Rowh Jividen; parents Gilbert and Alma Jividen; and brothers Dick and Denny.
George is survived by his son Jason and his wife Marcie Jividen; daughter Nicole Dunkle; grandchildren Wesley, Rebecca, and Andrew; brother-in-law Max Rowh; sisters-in-law Margie King and Sue Jividen and a host of nieces and nephews.
A tribute to the life of George Jividen was Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Delbert Hawley officiating. Burial was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens.

Sandra M. Priddy
Sandra M. Priddy, 75, of Buffalo, is by exalted reservation, now visiting with the loved ones that have gone on before her. Her passing occurred at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Huntington, on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Sandra has lived a full life as an Army wife, having traveled the world, where she met life-long friends that have become like family.
Born June 27, 1948 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Thomas DiMaggio and Alma (Martel) DiMaggio. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by many aunts, uncles, cousins, military friends, and “military brats” Denise Myatt and Karen (Myatt) Hasch.
Sandra was a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, “nana”, and friend. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Emmitt F. Priddy; her children, Jennifer Priddy of Canadaigua, New York, Meredith Dempsey of Buffalo, and Timothy (Amanda) Priddy of Ona; 6 grandchildren, Nichole, Scott, Bryan, Ethan, Connor and Isabella; her brother, Thomas “Butch” (Sandra) DiMaggio of Candia, New Hampshire; 2 nephews, Tad and Jimmy; sisters-in-law, Lorna, Eleanor, Esta-mae Ann, Barbara, and Patricia; many nieces and nephews on the Priddy side; “life-long boyfriend” Richard (Gail) Hoyt of Spencer, Massachusetts; her “partners in crime” Sandra Ward and Debbie Collins; her “military brats” Brian and Chad Cooper, Samantha and Meredith Myatt, Joseph, Vincente, and Crystal Lyman, Scott and Kim Alexander, Tasha Pegram, Jennifer Trainer, Brandi Whited, Bridgett Kersey, and so many more along the way.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, April 26, 2024 at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with Pastor Sherri Shamblin officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home in Buffalo.

John Raymond Sutphin Jr.
John Raymond Sutphin Jr., 66, of Hurricane, passed away unexpectedly on April 15, 2024.
He was born October 22, 1957 in Charleston to Linda Robbins Jones and the late John Raymond Sutphin. In addition to his father, John was preceded in death by his grandparents: Raymond and Evelyn Sutphin, and DeWitt and Erma Robbins; brother: David Sutphin and father-in-law: Jim Matovich.
John was a 1975 graduate of East Bank High School and had just recently retired from John Amos Power Plant after a hard-working 47 years. In his spare time, he was an avid reader, enjoyed bowling, and loved watching Marshall, WVU, and Steelers football. His happy place though, was being at “The Camp,” sitting around the campfire with his closest friends.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Margie Matovich Sutphin; son: John Raymond Sutphin III; daughters: April (Billy) Vaughn and Jessica (Jason) Smith; grandchildren: Christopher Setliff, Ryan and Jordyn Smith; mother and step-father: Linda and Teddy Jones; sister: Lea Ann (Marlon) Gutierrez; mother-in-law: Jean Matovich Murrill; best friend of 60 years: Bryan (LaCrista) Peters; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A Celebration of John’s Life was held Monday, April 22, 2024 at Kings River Worship Center, St. Albans, with Pastor Chris Kimbro officiating.

Cyrus Wilbur Young
Cyrus “Cy” “Bill” Wilbur Young, 74, of St. Albans, passed away on April 14, 2024.
He was born on June 29, 1949 to the late Joseph and Ellen (Taylor) Young in Hurricane. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his sisters: Charlotte Call and Sandra Rayburn.
Cyrus was an electrical engineer from Bayer Material Sciences, having worked 31 years prior to retirement. He was a member of the Blue Lodge, #58 Washington Lodge in St. Albans, a fifty year 32nd Degree Mason, Beni-Kedem Shrine, and a fifty year member of the Nitro Moose Lodge.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nancy; step-children; Russell Scott (Dr. Debbie Henry “Triple D”) Ripley of Milton, and Walter (Kim) Ripley of Charleston; sisters: Rose (Lovell) Walker of Hurricane, Penny (Jerry) Cox of Pittsburgh, PA, and Jody (Roy) Wriston of Elkview; brothers: Joseph (Nancy) Young of St. Albans, James (Connie) Young of Hurricane, and Chuck (Mary) Young of Ripley; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly and was affectionately known as “Poppy”.
A Memorial Service for Cyrus was held Frida,y April 19, 2024 at Teays Valley Church of the Nazarene, Hurricane, with Pastor Charles “Sonny” Williams officiating.