Featured, Obituaries

Obituaries for Week of January 30

DREMA GAIL BAILEY
Drema Gail Bailey, 72 ,of Scott Depot, passed away Thursday, January 23, 2025, at home with her family by her side.
Drema is preceded in death by her parents Richard A. and Virginia “Elaine” Bowyer Walker; brother Richard “Rick” Walker; and son Melvin E. Bailey, Jr.
She is survived by her sons Tommy Bailey of Floyd, VA and Paul Bailey (Andriea) of Chloe, WV; sisters Barbara Burdette of Mantua, OH, Janet Arbogast of Kenna, Carolyn Fisher (Jim) of Paradise, and Linda Mrozinski (Doug) of Georgetown, DE; and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A tribute to the life of Drema was held Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel.

BLENDINE N. BLANKENSHIP
Blendine N. Blankenship, 89, of Leon, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Mountainview Care Center in Ripley. She loved to spend time outdoors gardening and enjoying nature. She loved watching sports, especially football. She never met a stranger and always enjoyed meeting people and making new friends.
Born January 8, 1936, in Clay County, she was the daughter of the late Lester Daubenspeck and Dana Parks Daubenspeck. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin G. Blankenship; son, Blaine Blankenship; daughter, Linda Blankenship; sister, Erline; brothers Buck and Bob.
Survivors include her sons, Robert Blankenship of Leon and Frank Blankenship of Leon; daughter, Angel McCoy of Leon; grandchildren, Jermy Blankenship, Cody Blankenship, Emily Blankenship, Timothy Blankenship, Zachary Blankenship, Billie White, Jessica McCoy, Carson Haynes and Bentley Haynes. She is also survived by numerous great grandchildren and extended family.
Funeral service was Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo,with Rev. Randy Parsons officiating. Burial was in Blankenship Family Cemetery, Maysel.

CHARLES T. BROWNING
Charles “Butch” T. Browning, 71, of Scott Depot, passed away unexpectedly at home on January 24, 2025.
He was born May 22, 1953, to the late Charles and Jackline (Wroten) Browning in Charleston.
Butch is survived by his brothers: Jerry of Hurricane and Bill of Scott Depot; aunt, Gaynell Tolley of Oakhill; nieces: Sarah Browning, Connie Carney (Dan), Tammy Snyder (Dawson); nephew, Mike Taylor (Kera); great nieces: Natalie and Harmony Browning; great nephews: Masen Carney, Evan Taylor, Owen Taylor, Isiah Browning, Trinton and Dakota Browning; uncle, John Wroten of Bluefield, WV and a host of family and friends who loved him dearly.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Friday, January 31, 2025, at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane.

ALICE BURGESS
Alice Burgess, of Hurricane, went to be with the Lord on January 19, 2025.
Alice Burgess, 90, of Hurricane, passed away Sunday, January 19, 2025, after a long illness. Alice was a member of Wesleyan Church in Culloden. Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Zell Rice; her husband of 55 years, Paul Burgess; 6 sisters and 1 brother Dorothy, Johnnie Mae, Barbara, Ellen, Betty, Carlene and brother Charles Thomas. She is survived by 1 brother and 4 sisters, Ernie Rice, Mary Rice, Fay Dunbar, Ann Chambers and Ruby Savage.

ELIZABETH DEMPSEY
Elizabeth Ann Veronica (Carey) Dempsey passed away peacefully Saturday, January 25, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Libby was born February 05, 1951, to James E. Carey Sr. and Arbutus “Boots” (Staats) Carey.
She made friends easily and found joy in the simple pleasures of investing time into those many friends and family members. Libby had incredible faith in God and a love of music that led her to a prison ministry in her early adult life. She also left her mark with extended employment at the Rite Aid Warehouse in Poca and then as a Floor Attendant at the Dog Track in Cross Lanes.
Libby is survived by her daughters, Amy Butcher and Lori (Scott) McCracken, both of Hurricane; grandchildren, Heather Hunt, Jonathan Butcher, Julius McCracken, Tanner (Alex) Butcher and Quinn (Kaytlin) McCracken; great grandchildren Madison Hunt, Larissa Huffman, Mason Ford, Killian McCracken, Bear Butcher, Khoen McCracken and Titan Butcher. Additionally, she is survived by brothers James (Peggy) Carey Jr., Rex (Bobbie) Carey and Sister-in-law, Sharon Carey. In addition to her parents, Libby was preceded in death by her brothers Dan and Pat Carey and her ex-husband Earl Dempsey.

Gregory Scott Estes
Gregory Scott Estes, age 70, of Scott Depot, passed away on January 21, 2025, at home. Scott was born on November 19, 1954. He was the son of the late Clarence John Estes and Irene Grace Lovejoy Estes Gadd.
Scott was raised on the old Estes Farm in Hurricane. His Grandfather Grover Cleveland Estes was the Blacksmith for the local area.
Scott leaves behind a Daughter, Meagan L. Estes (Sean Bosworth); two Granddaughters, Mekaylah Bosworth and Peyton Bosworth; Grandson Scott Andrew Estes;
Brothers Rick Estes (Pam) and Jerry Estes (Sheila); Cousin Wendel Estes; and many cousins and extended family by marriage.
Scott was retired from ESC Carpet and Tile. He was a knowledgeable handyman and mechanic. He enjoyed helping people in need, rarely met a stranger and was quite the conversationist. Scott’s greatest enjoyment was spending time with his daughter and grandchildren. He enjoyed the quietness of hunting and fishing, and working in the yard was a peaceful labor of love. Scott had a great love for animals of any kind. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Scott would say he was the kindest, most caring, helpful man that they knew. His joy of a good sense of humor and laughter will never be forgotten.
A memorial service is being planned, however will be delayed due inclement weather.

Ricky ‘Rick’ Fields
Ricky “Rick” Fields, 70, of Scott Depot, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at CAMC General Hospital.
He retired from Walker Machinery with 40 plus years of service. He enjoyed fishing and the WVU Mountaineers and going to Cracker Barrel.
He was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Mary Boggess Fields. He is survived by his aunt Jewell Bailey of Charleston, and cousins Jeanette and Jerry Waller and their son Jeremy and Georgia Waller and their children Bohannon, Raelynn and Magnolia all of Hurricane and special friends Misty & John, David, Bobby and Lisa.
Funeral service was Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Allen Funeral Home with John McPhail officiating. Burial was at Emma Chapel.

Corduss Wilson Hammonds
Corduss Wilson Hammonds, 82, of Buffalo, passed away Friday, January 24th, 2025, at C.A.M.C. Teays Valley. He was a retiree of the Rite Aid Corporation, having worked at their former distribution warehouse in Poca. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed being in the outdoors. He loved his family most of all, especially his grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Hammonds, and a sister, Patricia Sykes.
Survivors include his wife, Judy Hammonds; sons, Tommy (Sheila) Hammonds of Buffalo, and Darrell Hammonds of Chattanooga, Tennessee; daughters, Lisa (Jack) Welch of Monterrey, Tennessee, and Teresa (Jeff) Gunther of Deer Lodge, Tennessee; 6 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Brooks of Tennessee; and special thanks to his granddaughter, Kayla, and great-granddaughters, Abagail, Emma, and Caroline for always helping with his care.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Dolores Jean Johnson
Dolores Jean Johnson’s beautiful soul left this earth peacefully on January 19, 2025 at 11:05p at HospiceCare CAMC.
“Jeanie” as she was lovingly known was a bright ray of sunshine to all that knew her. She was always smiling, always kind and always helping anyone in need. Her legacy will be remembered for the love and compassion she shared with so many all of her life.
Born on July 21, 1946, to Clarence & Ruby Bess of Cannelton, WV, Jeanie was the eldest daughter of thirteen children. She was the sister-matriarch of her family, the glue that kept them all together. In 1969 she met the love of her life Olaf ‘OJ’ Johnson at a high school football game. They happily married and spent their first years together in Gauley Bridge, where they welcomed their daughter, Jeanne Marie, in 1979. The family moved to Hurricane in 1984, where Jeanie dedicated herself as a devoted wife and mother. While her daughter was always her most cherished possession, her grandson Liam and grand-dog Truman quickly became her pride and joy.
In 2013, Jeanie lost her beloved husband, OJ. In 2023, she rekindled a companionship with her high school sweetheart, Dr. Danny Oakes, who has been by her side since.
Jeanie was preceded in death by her husband, Olaf Edward Johnson; her parents, Clarence and Ruby Bess; her sisters, Carolyn Sue Bess, Phyllis Myers, and Linda Lutes; and her brothers, Mark Bess and Clarence “Sonny” Bess.
She is survived by her daughter, Jeanne Marie Jones (Jamin) of Winfield, and her beloved grandson, Liam. Her sisters: Helen Schoolcraft (Richard) of Cannelton, Marie Comer (Mike) of Cannelton, Marilyn Butcher (Allen) of Ripley, and Vicky Moore of St. Albans; and her brothers: Richard Bess (Becky) of Cannelton, Gary Bess (Tina) of Cannelton, and Tim Bess (Debbie) of St. Albans. She is also survived by her sweetheart and companion, Dr. Danny Oakes. Jeanie also leaves behind numerous nephews and nieces, each of whom she loved dearly.
Celebration of Jeanie’s life will be Saturday, February 1, 2025 at New Millennium Full Gospel Church, St. Albans, from 2 – 4 P.M.

Stephanie Dawn Kidd
Stephanie Womack Kidd, 50, of Hurricane, passed away January 10, 2025, unexpectedly.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Helen; and the love of her life, Michael Kidd.
Stephanie grew up in St. Albans and resided in Hurricane for the last three years. She had a strong love of helping people, especially the elderly and was a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys.
She is survived by her children that she adored: David Lee Harmon Jr. (Victoria Bennett) of South Charleston, Haley Harmon (Cameron Hale) of Hurricane, and Whitney Walker (Joshua Walker) of Hurricane; loving grandchildren: Bentley Harmon, Valac Hale, Axl Hale, and Gracie Walker, all of who she loved more than life; father, Roger Womack of St. Albans; mother, Becky Harper of Charleston; sister; Sabrina Stutler (Shane Stutler); brother, Brian Womack (Morgan Guthrie); nieces and nephews: BJ Munsey, Taylor Oldaker, Victoria McClure, Morgan, Madison, Colson Womack, and Lilly McCormick.
A Celebration of Life for Stephanie was held Saturday, January 25, 2025 at The Garage, Scott Depot.

Laura Ellen Pauley
Laura Ellen Campbell Pauley, 69, of Winfield, passed away January 17, 2025.
She was born November 1, 1955 in Charleston. She is preceded in death by her husband Richard L. Pauley; parents, Everett and Juanita Campbell; sisters, Helen Smith, Linda Shumaker and Sally Murphy; and brother, Dean Campbell.
Laura was a graduate of St. Albans High School in 73/74, with a vibrant spirit in her band membership. As a devoted sports and cheerleader mom, she embodied the true essence of community, and her presence was deeply felt in the city of St. Albans before she embarked on a new adventure to Winfield with her beloved late husband Richard Pauley.
Laura’s heart was overflowing with kindness, compassion, and love for everyone around her; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and fur babies held a special place in her heart, and her love for them was boundless.
Laura’s passions were a testament to her zest for life. She was an ardent fan of Mountaineer football, and her enthusiasm was contagious. She reveled in the beauty of nature while camping, nurtured her green thumb through gardening, and found solace in the pages of a good book. Her culinary skills were legendary, and her baked goods and cooked meals brought joy to all who savored them.
What made Laura truly special was her gift for connecting with others. Her infectious smile and laughter had the power to illuminate even the darkest of rooms, and her presence was a blessing to all who knew her. Her legacy will live on, and her memory will be cherished by all who loved her.
She is survived by her children, Jason Cleek (Kelli) of Culloden and Karrie Sowders (Jimmie) of Winfield; sister, Janet Shingler of St. Albans; grandchildren, Alex Rogers (Hannah), Kayleigh Cleek (Javan Simmons), Tyler Cleek, Cameron Cleek, JD Sowders, Bella Sowders and Brody Sowders; 6 great grandchildren; and many other extended family and friends.
Funeral service was Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, St. Albans.

Gary Franklin Sovine
Gary Franklin Sovine, 70, of Cleveland, Georgia, formerly from Culloden, passed away on January 11, 2025. Gary was preceded in death by his parents Emzie Sovine and Mildred Edwards Sovine and one sister Linda (Sovine) Bird.
Gary is survived by one daughter, Sierra Sovine, and sons Josh (Karen) Sovine and John (Courtney) Sovine.
Gary has seven grandchildren and is also survived by two brothers Rick (Shay) Sovine and Bruce Sovine, and one brother-in-law Vernon Bird.

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