JAMES EDWARD COBB
James Edward Cobb, 67, of Bancroft, passed away April 2, 2025.
He was born July 31, 1957 in South Charleston to the late Eugene and Helen Cobb. He is also preceded in death by his son Troy Cobb, sisters Patsy and Debby and brothers John and Steve.
Cobb is survived by his wife of 30 years, Kim Cobb; daughter Erica Garrison; and sister Libby and her husband Tom Steele.
At his request there will be no services.
NANCY LEE CYRUS
Nancy Lee Taylor Cyrus, 74, of Hurricane, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at her home.
Nancy grew up in South Charleston. She graduated from South Charleston High School, Class of 1968. She retired as the Front-End Department Leader/Customer Service Manager for the Kroger Company after 36 years.
Everyone enjoyed being around Nancy, because she was always the life of the party, with her vibrant personality and crazy sense of humor. She was a firecracker in a small package. She loved spending time at the beach with her friends and family.
Nancy was preceded in death by her mother, Dolores Bowman Taylor; her father, Julian R. Taylor; sister, Tina Gay Taylor; mother-in-law, Dorothy Adkins Cyrus; and father-in-law, Clyde S. Cyrus.
She is survived by her husband, Scott A. Cyrus; sisters: Shirley Young, Donna Arbogast (Paul), and Terry Miller (Jim); brother, Jerry Taylor; sister at heart, Peggy Kidd (Jim); nephew, Andy Arbogast; and nieces: Shelly Bowles, Jessica Miller, Erica Riley, and Taylor Reid.
A Service to Honor the Life of Nancy was held Friday, April 4, 2025, at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, with Pastor George Webb officiating. Burial was in Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston.
CLYDE WILLIAM ELLIS
Clyde William Ellis, 71, of Hurricane, passed away on April 4, 2025 surrounded by family at home.
He was born in South Charleston to the late Rosalie Garner Ellis and Homer Garrett Ellis. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Judith Arlene Ellis Scarberry.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Connie Handy Ellis of Hurricane; son, William Ellis (Carolina) of Encino, CA; daughter, Suzanne Ellis Woods of Hurricane; 3 grandchildren that he was extremely proud of: Nicholas Wayne Woods and Emily Nicole Woods both of Hurricane and Jackson Grey Ellis of Encino, CA; brothers: Charles Ellis of Decaturville, TN, Dave and Doug Ellis of St. Albans; sister in-law and brother in-law: Frances and Danny Knight of Hurricane; as well as many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
Clyde graduated from St. Albans High School Class of 1971, he was a proud Red Dragon and loved those WVU Mountaineers. He attended WV State and WV Tech College, afterwards he worked for 38 years at Union Carbide Institute Plant, retiring in 2013.
Funeral Service for Clyde was Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane. Burial was in Mt. Tabor Church of God, St. Albans.
DEBORAH C. ELLIS
Deborah C. Ellis, 46, of Bancroft, passed away Monday, March 31, 2025, in the Hubbard Hospice House West.
Deborah is a 1997 graduate of Poca High School and a homemaker. She loved music, photography, and her cats.
She is preceded in death by her parents James and Judy Quade, and sister Kimberly Willis.
Deborah is survived by her three children Jayson Ellis, William (Jaiden) Ellis, and Emalee Ellis and their father Lonzel Ellis, Jr.
A service will be held at a later date.
RODNEY WHITTEN LINVILLE
Rodney Whitten Linville, 82, of Hurricane, passed away on April 4, 2025 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington.
He was born on April 18, 1942, to the late D. Wilson and Katherine “Kitty” Safford Linville in Huntington. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara A. Simmons Linville and his grandson, Alexander Linville.
Rod retired as Branch Manager from Putnam County Bank Teays Valley Branch and was the former Owner and Operator of Linville’s Department Store in Hurricane. He also was a devoted and supportive parent, serving as a former President of Hurricane Little League Baseball and Hurricane Middle School Band Boosters.
He is survived by his sons and daughter in-laws: Martin (Shawna) Linville and Brian (Angela) Linville all of Hurricane; and his grandchildren: Andrew, Matthew, Christopher and Ian Linville.
Funeral service for Rod will be 1:00pm, Friday, April 11, 2025 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Jerry Losh officiating. Entombment will follow at Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
Linda Lou Mallett
Linda Lou Mallett, 72, of Poca, passed away April 3, 2025 at CAMC Memorial.
She was born January 2, 1953, in Nitro to the late Clem and Juanita Myers. Also, preceding her in death is her brothers, Donald Myers and Virgil Myers.
She loved camping, sewing, treasure hunting and spending time with family at Myrtle Beach.
Surviving is her husband of over 55 years, Steven Dale Mallett of Poca; children, Steven Dale Mallett Jr. (Anita) of St. Albans, and Penny Lynn Mallett (Terry) of Hurricane; grandchildren, Devan (Karsyn), Hunter, Emily (Austin) and Ashley; great grandchildren, Grayson and Nolan; and many extended family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Diana Kay Persinger
Diana Kay Grant Persinger, 75, of Culloden, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025 at home.
She was born on January 7, 1950 to the late Mervin A. and Vonda I. Washington Grant in Winfield. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Arnie Persinger Jr.; daughter and son in law: Lisa A. and Greg Sowards; granddaughter, Kathy Jo Sowards; great grandson, Hunter; and sisters: Ima McDaniel, Shirley Whitt and Patty Lewis.
Diana retired from McDonalds after several years of service and was a hairdresser prior to that.
Diana is survived by her son: Shawn (Joy) Persinger of Hurricane; grandchildren: Gregory (Christy) Sowards of Culloden, and Jessica (Matthew) Freed of Hurricane; great grandchildren: Hayley, Xander, Troy, Mason, Lindsey and Mikie; caregiver and sister, Carolyn Stanley of Southside, WV; sister, Debbie Forth of Hurricane; brothers: Billy (Mary Jane) Grant of OH and Jimmy Grant of Hurricane; several special nieces, nephews and other family members; as well as special friends: Leon Williams and Mary Young.
Funeral service for Diana was Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
Virginia L Rock
Heaven gained another angel with the passing of Virginia L Rock, 83, of Winfield, on March 31, 2025. She was born in Weston on June 5,1941 and was preceded in death by her parents, Grover and Geraldine Nicholson.
Virginia, who was affectionately known as Ginny, was also preceded in death by her very loving husband of 57 years, Franklin D Rock.
Virginia’s journey in life was marked by love, compassion, forgiveness, and an unwavering love for God.
Ginny was a member of the Boulevard Church of Christ since 1953 and later a member of the Pine Grove Church. She was a graduate of Charleston High School. Virginia retired after many years as the property manager of Carlton Court Apartments.
Virginia was a devoted mother to daughters Karen Hartwell of St Albans, Elaine Brady of Charleston and Lisa Rock from Florida. Ginny always said that their births changed her life for the better and there was not greater love.
Virginia adored her grandchildren: Samuel Hartwell (Theresa) of Winfield, Sean Brady (Rachel) of St Albans and Nick Brady (Kat) of Alaska.
Ginny had 7 great grandchildren: Bryson and Austin Hartwell; Rachel, Lydia and Natalie Brady; and Conner and Kaylee Owen.
Ginny loved to read, but her greatest enjoyment came from her family.
Virginia was a Godly woman, and her passing has left a void in the hearts of anyone who was fortunate enough to know her.
Celebration of Ginny’s life was held Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at Tyler Mt. Funeral Home. Burial was in Tyler Mt. Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
Debra Jean Shamblin
Debra Jean Shamblin, 65, of Nitro, passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in the Hubbard Hospice House West.
She is retired CNA from Genesis Teays Valley with 25 years of service. Debra loved her family, especially her grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents Acie and Nancy Call and her son Rusty.
Debra is survived by her loving husband of 35 years, Boyd Shamblin. She is a loving mother to Nancy “Nick” and husband William Briscoe, Boyd “Bub” Shamblin, II, Gaige Shamblin, and Reagan Shamblin; a loving granny to Shannon (B.J.), Bodie, Jamie, Braydon, Colin, Carter, Taylor, Brandi, and Marissa and 8 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Terry Call; sisters Connie McNeil, Dreama (Carlton) Caines, and Pam Boggs and a host of other family and friends.
A tribute to the life of Debra was held Friday, April 4, 2025, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Travis Bradley officiating.
Mae Lee Watson
Mae Lee Wymer Watson, 88, of Pt. Pleasant, passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Cabell Huntington Hospital.
She was born on August 23, 1936 in Winfield to the late Edward and Erma Holcomb Wymer. She grew up in a home filled with love, laughter and eleven siblings.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Jim Watson; siblings: Donald, Paul, and Norma; as well as her great grandson, Matthew.
She married James Carl Watson and began a life of adventure, his career led them to moves in multiple states including: Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Georgia and South Carolina.
Mae Lee was a mom to every neighborhood child who needed love and support, she will be forever missed by those she leaves behind. May we have the strength she exhibited throughout her life.
She is survived by her siblings: Jim (Belinda) Wymer of Scott Depot, David (Janie) Wymer of Fraziers Bottom, Ruth Ann Hayzlett of Red House, Gary Wymer of Eleanor, Ron Wymer of Scott Depot, Doris Arthur of Marlinton, Rick Wymer of Grover, NC, and Karen Wymer of Winfield; daughters: Mari Anne (Ronnie) Royston of Elberton, GA and Anita Newman of Pt. Pleasant; grandchildren: Erin (Connor) Royston of Grovetown, GA, Christa (Justin) Denard of Tignall, GA, Kaitlin Royston of Elberton, GA, Allen Newman of Pt. Pleasant, and Michael (Penny) Newman of Smyrna, GA; great grandchildren: Wyatt (Abby) Newman of Pt. Pleasant, and Aidyn Newman of Smyrna, GA; great great grandson, Waylon Newman of Pt. Pleasant.
Funeral service for Mae Lee was Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Rev. Billy Wymer officiating. Burial was at Fraziers Bottom United Methodist Church.
