Featured, Obituaries

Obituaries for Week of May 16

REBA BARNES
Reba Anne Barnes, age 76, of Hurricane, was called home to be with the Lord, on Tuesday, May 7”, 2024. She passed away peacefully in her home following a long illness.
She was preceded in death by her late husband Paul Barnes, her parents Albert “Buck” Qualls and Charlotte Estes Qualls, brothers Lee Qualls and Charles Qualls. She is survived by her two daughters, Rebecca “Becky” Barnes and Penny Barnes Anderson, granddaughter, Allison Perkins; sister Carol Jean (Olan)Toppings, brother Clinton (Anna Lorene) Qualls; sister­ in-law (Anna) Qualls along with many nieces and nephews.
Reba was born on February 17, 1948, she entered this world with congenital limb disease, that affected both her legs, it never held her back from living and enjoying her life. Unable to walk, it wasn’t till age 9 before she walked for the first time, thanks to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Lexington, KY. Later in her life when asked how she raised two children (double amputee) she’d reply “with the Lord’s help, his grace and mercy made it possible”. Reba was a devoted Christian and a member of Valley View Freewill Baptist Church.
Funeral service was Thursday, May 16, 2024 at Allen Funeral Home with Terry Call officiating. Burial was in Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

DALE WAYNE BRISCOE
Dale Wayne Briscoe passed away with family by his side on May 11, 2024, in his hometown of Scott Depot where he lived his entire life.
He was born July 30, 1953, to Glenn and Phyllis (Wick) Briscoe in South Charleston.
Dale graduated from Winfield High School in 1971 and dedicated over 35 years to Union Carbide as a valued millwright before retiring.
In 2009, Dale retired and could often be found on the golf course when he wasn’t spending time with his family. Dale’s grandchildren were the center of his life. He loved to cook for them, help them with their hobbies and never missed a sporting event. In addition to his passion for golf, Dale loved to ride motorcycles when he was younger, loved a good western and listening to Elvis Presley.
Dale will be remembered as a loving son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend. His family was the cornerstone of his life. He leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories with his children Marie Castro (James) of Midland, TX and Lisa Briscoe of Winfield, five grandchildren: Barkley, Braxton, Noah, Carson, and Rowan; siblings: Debbie Lacy (Rick) of St. Albans, Randy Briscoe (Debbie) of Winfield, Terri Parsons and Robin Brown both of Hurricane. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the coming weeks.

THOMAS WENDELL CYRUS
Thomas Wendell Cyrus, 63, of Culloden, entered God’s kingdom on May 3, 2024.
He was born on October 14, 1960, to the late Daymound E. and Bessie G. Byrd Cyrus.
Thomas, a man of honor and service, proudly served his country in the United States Air Force at the age of 22. He was trained as a construction equipment operator assigned to the 44th Civil Engineering Squadron, a role that laid the foundation for his successful civilian career as a heavy equipment operator with United Steelworkers Union Local 14614. His recent retirement marked the end of a fulfilling chapter in his life.
Thomas found the most joy in life, tending the land and sharing the bounty of his garden with his friends and church family. He was an avid reader, and his personal library was a testament to his love of literature, with volumes ranging from the classics to modern works. Yet, his treasured Bible held the most profound place in his heart and reflected his unwavering faith. Thomas was not just a member of Hurricane First Church of the Nazarene but a pillar of strength and love in the community. His absence will be deeply felt, as his contributions to the choir, his cooking at the Men’s Breakfast, and his volunteering during Bible School were cherished by all.
Thomas is survived by his loving wife of almost seven years, Narsie M. McVey Cyrus; stepchildren: Leslie (Harry) Farris of Lantana, TX, and James McVey of Barboursville, WV; step-grandchildren: Maxwell Farris, Kiersten Farris, Alex McVey, Tori McVey, and Andy McVey; and his sister: Carolyn Cyrus; as well as several cousins.
Funeral service honoring Thomas’s life was Friday, May 10, 2024, at Hurricane First Church of the Nazarene, with Pastor Paul Whiteford officiating. Thomas was laid to rest in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.

Bobby Lee Gibson
Bobby Lee Gibson, age 87, left this Earth to his heavenly home on May 7, 2024, at the Hubbard House in Charleston. Bobby was born on March 31, 1937, to Floyd and Mabel Gibson in Charleston. He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Floyd, Neda, and Leonard; his loving wife, Ramona; and son, Mark.
Bobby was a graduate of Nitro High School and joined the U.S. Army following graduation. He worked many years at John Amos Power Plant and retired with a fishing pole in his hand. He loved to hunt, fish, work in his garden, do puzzles, and watch old westerns and the Mountaineers play football. Taking yearly trips to the Outer Banks and leaf peeping in the fall were activities he and his wife, Ramona, did for many years. Ultimately, he loved spending time with his family.
He is survived by his brother, Darrell of Hurricane; son, Charles (Beverly) of Nitro; son, Aaron (Sheila) of Winfield; daughter, Melanie (Greg) of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren, Matthew, Anthony, Seth, Rebecca, and Owen; and great-granddaughter, Annaclaire.
A tribute to the life of Bobby Lee Gibson was held Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tom Moore officiating. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.

Norma Johnson
Norma Lynn Bays Johnson, born November 25, 1958, passed away peacefully at home on May 8th, 2024, at the age of 65.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Nellie Nicole Johnson.
She is survived by her loving husband Owen Johnson. She is also survived by her children Marvin (Deaven) Payton, Sabrina Payton Barnes, Page Johnson, Tanna Johnson, Coal (DeAnna) Johnson. Her grandchildren Dallas, Skylena, MaryJane, Damein, Chloe, Paige, Shelby, Kelcyn, Tristan, Aaron, Willow, Turner, Christian, Coal II, Gracelynne and one great grandson Dominique.
She will be buried on her property on Clymers Creek. Graveside funeral service will be 3:00 Friday, May 17, at Johnson Cemetery and friends may visit one hour prior to the service at the cemetery.

Dianne Kelly
Dianne Marie Kelly, age 70, a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and faithful servant of God, peacefully entered eternal rest on May 10, 2024, in Hurricane. After an extensive battle with an illness, Dianne emerged victorious, leaving behind the trials of this world to rejoice in the presence of her Lord, free from pain and suffering.
Born on May 7, 1954, in Charleston, Dianne was the beloved daughter of James Slater and Hazel Comer. Throughout her journey, Dianne was preceded in death by her siblings, Hubert Jr., Judy Ann, Carolyn Mildred, Brenda Lorrine, Leroy “Inky,” Beverly Kay, Rosemary Ruth, and Janice Lilly.
Dianne’s life was marked by love, devotion, and service to her family and community. She shared an inseparable bond of love and companionship with her devoted husband of 50 years, Franklin Lee Kelly, of Hurricane. Together, they weathered life’s storms with unwavering faith and unconditional love.
Dianne leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion through her children: daughter, Michelle (Brad) Burton of Culloden, and son, Franklin (Christy) Kelly, of Ona. Dianne’s grandchildren, Brady (Danielle) Burton of Hurricane and Carter Barrett of Ona, were the pride and joy of her life, and she cherished every moment spent with them. In addition, many nieces, and nephews that she loved dearly, as well as a slew of friends.
Dianne was a member of Liberty Baptist Church and found solace and strength in her unwavering faith in God. She and her husband Franklin shared a deep love for worship and service, inspiring all those around them with their dedication to their faith.
Services honoring Dianne’s life and legacy were held Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Allen’s Funeral Home in Hurricane.

Carol McCallister
Carol McCallister, 91, of Culloden, passed away on May 9, 2024 at the Hospice House in Huntington after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She always said, “you can handle anything as long as it’s fair” and cancer is not fair, but she was a trooper. She loved life and always saw the good in everyone. She will be so missed.
Carol was born to Harold and Mary Butcher of Detroit, Michigan. She was a 1950 graduate of Redford High School,. At 17 she went to work as a technician for Dr. L.H. Sampson where they made optic prisms for the military and mirror coatings for NASA, holograms for credit cards, among many other fascinating projects. A co-worker introduced Carol to her husband’s brother, a WV lineman who was in Detroit for storm work and on a cold December night they went bowling. Soon he got called back to West Virginia but by February he was back with a ring to get the love of his life. They were married on the 10th. Together they started a family. She lived the life of a lineman’s wife in Michigan, Connecticut, New Jersey and eventually settled in West Virginia to raise and love their family. She was such a valued employee to Dr. Sampson she continued to work for him throughout her life and at times he would personally fly his plane down and pick her up on Monday morning and return home come Friday.
She was also a manicurist, a Sunday school teacher and a treasure shopper extraordinaire. She was an avid reader and loved books, she said the Bible was the greatest of them all. She also loved doing puzzles and getting her 10,000 steps in every day. Her favorite thing to do was go to the woods and cut and clear brush then have a good bonfire. Her grandkids called her firewoman. She was beautiful and sweet with a heart of gold. She loved completely and she lived with no regrets.
She is preceded in death by her parents and husband Charles ‘Jeff’ McCallister and son Jeffrey McCallister and sister Gene Miller of New Smyrna Beach, Florida and her bff Marie McCallister of Culloden. She is survived by daughters Sheri (Dave) Aquilina of Newark, California and Susan (Zac) Carter of Culloden, sister Nancy High of Detroit, Michigan. Grandsons Jeremy, Cody (Maira), Rhett, Tyler (Emme) Great grandchildren Ranen, Ivan, Riley and Orianna.
There will be a celebration of life later. (Revelation 21:4)

Shirley Ann Meadows
Shirley Ann Meadows, 85, of Eleanor, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Optimized Senior Living in Lebanon, OH. She was a 1958 graduate of Buffalo High School. She attended Center Point Church for many years. She retired as Director of Senior Volunteer Services in Putnam County.
Born April 2, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Gordon Reedy and Ina Whittington Reedy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant sister, Phyllis Reedy.
Survivors include her loving husband of 65 years, Leroy Meadows; daughters, Debby Meadows Easter Salmon of Poca and Susan (J.C.) Curry of Lebanon OH; brother, Raymond (Edna) Reedy of Buffalo; grandchildren, Charles (Kelly) Hedrick of Chambersburg PA and Jessica (Matthew) Click of Lebanon OH; great grandchild, River Click.
Funeral service was Friday, May 10, 2024 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Rev. Randy Parsons and Jason Witt officiating. Burial was in Beech Grove Cemetery, Eleanor.

Paul Edward Milhorn
Paul Edward Milhorn, 65, of Hurricane, passed away May 6, 2024, in CAMC Memorial Division.
Paul was a truck driver and a 1977 graduate of Poca High School. He enjoyed cars, his job, and especially spending time with his family.
He is preceded in death by his mother Majorie Milhorn.
Paul is survived by the love of his life, Diane Milhorn of 38 years; father Johnny Mack Milhorn; four children Paul Milhorn, II, Dalton Milhorn, Brandi Milhorn, and Amy Clore and her husband Randy; brother David Milhorn and his wife Kathy; grandchild Blake Clore; niece Miranda Rutledge and her husband Jason; and nephew David Milhorn, II.
At his request there will be no services.

Kenneth Ramsey
The Passing of Kenneth R. Ramsey of Hurricane. Born June 27, 1949, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he is survived by his wife Kim Ramsey, sister Elizabeth Ramsey Hunter, nephew Victor Hunter and 2 stepchildren Julia Peacock and Theodore Francis both living in Southern California. He was a kind and loving person, enjoyed playing Canasta with his sister Elizabeth, nephew Victor and his wife Kim. He loved to joke around and would always help anyone in trouble. We will all miss him! He is now with God, Jesus and the Angels. God Bless him always. He passed on May 6, 2024, after a challenging illness.
Graveside Funeral Service was Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery.

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