LYNDA ALLEN
Lynda Gay Allen (Fizer), 80, of Hurricane, passed away peacefully August 23, 2025. Lynda enjoyed word search puzzles, coloring, drawing, reading the Bible and daily devotional books. She also enjoyed talking to family and friends.
Lynda was preceded in death by her parents, Dana and Martha (Sergent) Fizer. Brothers, Jim, Gene, Leonard, Dave, and Larry Fizer. Grandparents, James & Jenny (Curry) Fizer and Homer & Lucy (Salmons) Sergent.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Warren Ray Allen Sr.; daughter, DeAnna Hatfield (Dennis); son, Junior Allen (Christie); grandchildren, Jennifer Starkey (Al), Lynda McKendree (Chad), Emily Brisco (Isaiah) and Dennis Hatfield II (Jessica), 8 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren; sisters, Phyllis Rice, Bertie Fizer, Joyce Howerton, Christina Byrd (Ted) and Beverly Jones; brothers, Darrell Fizer (Doris), Curtis Fizer, Randell Fizer (Donna), Randy Fizer (Delores), Many neices, nephews, special friend Mary Bird and family.
Graveside service was Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at Sycamore Cemetery with Pastor David Vickers officiating.
REBA S. ASBURY
Reba S. Asbury, of Red House, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2025 on her 97th birthday at Hubbard Hospice House. She was a 1946 graduate of Poca High School and a lifelong homemaker. She formerly attended the Red House U.B. Church. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and embroidery.
Born August 21, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Dale Kerwood and Vernie Kerwood Dotson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandmother that raised her, Callie Shank; brother, Russell Kerwood; sister, Ruth Hickman.
Survivors include her loving husband of 78 years, Charles R. Asbury; son, Charlie (Linda) Asbury of Red House; grandchildren, Eric (Paula) Asbury and Chad Asbury; great grandchildren, Natalie (Eric) Craig, Blake Asbury (Ashley) and Jacob Shamblin; great great grandchildren, Landon, Holley and Adalynn.
Funeral service was Monday, August 25, 2025 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Pastor Woody Willard officiating. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
CAROLYN SUE BAILEY
Carolyn Sue Bailey, of Red House, entered into Heaven to be gathered with her people on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at the age of 78. She passed peacefully surrounded by her loving and devoted family. Days before her beloved husband entered Glory, she assured him that she would soon follow and so she did 161 days later.
Sue was a born-again Christian. She loved serving and worshipping her Savior and reading His Word. She was a devoted and loving wife to her husband Jackie. They adored each other and enjoyed a God-centered marriage for 59 years. Sue embraced motherhood and excelled in her role as Mom. She corrected, encouraged, entertained, guided, protected and loved fiercely. She was a teacher of Jesus and keeper of secrets (except from Dad). In her final days, she expressed to her children that she loved them more than life itself.
For those of us blessed to call her mom, grandma, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, you know what a God-loving, kind, generous, caring, sweet, spunky person she was. She will be sorely missed by all who loved her.
Born July 4, 1947, she was the cherished wife of the late Jackie Ray Bailey; beloved daughter of the late Homer K. and Lesta E. Criner; treasured daughter-in-law to the late Beechie L. and Ida W. Bailey; sister-in-law to the late Harold Lee “Leroy” (Linda) Bailey; sister to the late James (Mary) Criner, Tony Criner, Mary (Mack) Boggess, Agatha Curry and Beth Barnett.
Left to cherish precious moments and celebrate her life are her son Randy “Butch” (Debbie) Bailey of Eleanor; daughters, Jeanette (Shannon) Jeffers of Eleanor, Rebecca (Anthony) Miller of Poca and Pauline (Donovan) Beaver of St. Albans; brothers Dayton (Barb) Criner, Keith( Julie) Criner, Ronnie (Dinah) Criner, Tommy (Teresa) Criner, Mike (Diane) Criner; sisters Delores Barnes, Ruth (Brycil) Barnett, Nagene (Mike) Cable and Pixie Legg; brothers-in-law Arnold (Mary) Bailey and Belvin Barnett; grandchildren Brandon Bailey, Derek Bailey, Chelsea McBrayer, Elizabeth Bailey, Hannah Jeffers, Eathan Jeffers, Nathan Jeffers and Shawn Miller; great grandchildren, Connor, Ella, Tyler, Haley, Aubree, Hattie, Rory, Jovie, Piper and Scarlet; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral service was Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Pastor Ray Parsons officiating. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
ETHEL M. GIBSON
Ethel M. (Hoffman) Gibson, 86, of Eleanor, passed away Monday, August 25, 2025. She was a member of New Vision Church of God in Eleanor.
Born October 10, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Jesse R. Hoffman and Macel Campbell Hoffman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.
Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Ronald Gibson; daughters, Teresa (Mike) Lilly of Buffalo and Rhonda Gibson of Eleanor; granddaughter, Christa (Dicky) Henline of Culloden; great grandchildren, Jameson Henline and Alessa Henline.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Pastor Denny Lambert officiating. Entombment will follow in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
GARY LEE HIGGINBOTHAM
Gary Lee Higginbotham, 81, of Buffalo, passed away Sunday, August 17, 2025. He was a 1965 graduate of Buffalo High School, and a United States Army Veteran. Gary retired as a Chief Engineer from AEP River Division. He was a member of Kanawha Valley Lodge No. 36 A.F & A.M. in Buffalo.
Born September 29, 1944, he was the son of the late George Ezra and Alma Buck Higginbotham. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Anna “Cricket” Workman; a brother, Charles Higginbotham; as well as other extended family.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Mariwana J. Higginbotham; his sons, Joseph Ezra “Jody” Higginbotham, Daniel Boone “Boonie” Higginbotham, and Gary Lee (Sam) Higginbotham; a daughter, Cynthia (Michael) Beckett; 13 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.
In accordance with his wishes, his body was cremated. There are no services planned for the public at this time.
BERNARD DEAN LEGG
Bernard Dean Legg, 62, of Fraziers Bottom, passed away on August 20, 2025 at CAMC Teays Valley surrounded by family after fighting a long health battle.
Dean was born to Kenny and Linda Akers Legg on May 10, 1963. He was preceded in death by his brother, Anthony Legg.
He loved to hunt and spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren, as well as his numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he is also survived by his wife, Mona Stocks Legg; sons: Dean Legg and Albert (Latosha) Legg of Winfield; stepchildren: Daniel Sovine and Elizabeth Sovine both of Winfield; grandchildren: Cambrie, Aubrie, Liam, Ava, Levi and River; sister: Anita (Steve) Fowler of Apple Grove; brothers: Darrell Legg of Fraziers Bottom, Tim (Paula) Legg and Brian (Shanna) Legg both of Winfield; a special cousin, Shane Akers of Fraziers Bottom; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and other loving family members.
Funeral service for Dean was Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery in Fraziers Bottom.
MARGARET ANN MILLER
Margaret Ann Miller, 80, of Buffalo, passed away Thursday, August 21, 2025 at Hubbard Hospice House. She was a Christian and loved to read books.
Born June 23, 1945 in Buffalo, she was the daughter of the late Charles Franklin Harris and Margaret Marie Harris. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Charles “Pete” Harris; nephew, Charles “Petey” Harris; brother-in-law, Jimmy Young.
Survivors include her son, Kenneth D. Stover (Robin) of Liberty; daughter Melissa D. Henry (Daniel) of Leon; sisters, Mary (Arnold) Bailey of Red House and Cora Young of Red House; grandchildren, Eden (Cody) Birchfield, Shayli Henry, William Henry, Shelbi Henry, Ashley Stover, Hunter Dillon, Morgan Dillon and Madison Dillon; niece, Amanda (Danny) Watson; nephews, Jimmy Young Jr. and Doug Young; great nieces and nephews, Bailey Jocie, Dillon, Macie and Nick. Margaret is also survived by 3 great grandchildren, extended family and friends.
Graveside service was Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at Buffalo Memorial Park, Buffalo, with Pastor Darren Persinger officiating.
TERESA MOORE
Teresa Moore, resident of Fraziers Bottom, a devoted family woman and respected member of her community, passed away at the age of 63, leaving behind a legacy of love and service.
Teresa is preceded in death by parents Judy and Freddie Seals. She is survived by her loving daughter, Katlynn Westfall, and her husband Tim; her son, Daniel Moore and Hanna Hunt; and her cherished granddaughters, Dawsyn, Parker, and Paisley; sister Patty Lunsford; nephew, Justin and Maria and children.
Teresa’s family was her greatest joy, and she dedicated herself to their well-being and happiness. Her military service as a Chief Master Sergeant in the Air National Guard demonstrated her bravery, discipline, and commitment to serving others.
In her professional life, Teresa was a certified residential appraiser, known for her attention to detail and expertise in her field. She also worked with the WV State Police as a start to her career path.
Dreama L. Muck
Dreama L. Muck 80, of St. Albans, formerly of Heizer Creek, Poca, passed away Saturday, August 23, 2025.
Dreama was born and raised in Nitro, and was a proud graduate of Nitro High School. She dedicated her life to her family as a homemaker and was a woman of faith, previously attending Lett Creek Community Church.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Donnie Muck; her son, Matthew Muck; her parents, Roscoe and Dimie Nichols; and her sisters, Sylvia (Frank) Spaulding and Ruth Casdorph.
Dreama is survived by her nephews, Allen (Lynn) Spaulding and Jason Spaulding, who will forever cherish her memory.
A tribute to the life of Dreama as held Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House, with Pastor Delbert Hawley officiating. Burial was in the memory gardens.
Joseph ‘Joe’ Michael Muto
Joseph Michael “Joe” Muto, 89, died on August 23, 2025 at Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston.
He was born in Fairmont on March 19, 1936, the second child of the late Frank Pasquale Muto and Louise Mainella Muto. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Domenick Muto.
He lived in Fairmont until 2008, when he and his wife moved to Scott Depot to be near their sons and some of their grandchildren.
He completed his public school education at Fairmont Senior High School in 1954. In 1958, he graduated from Fairmont State College (now University) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education with a major in Mathematics and Science. He later received a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling and Guidance from West Virginia University.
Prior to graduating from Fairmont State in his last semester of college, Joe was hired by the Marion County Board of Education to fill an emergency teaching position in Science courses at Barrackville High School. He immediately loved teaching and the high school students. He also taught mathematics at Fairmont Junior High School and Fairmont Senior High School. He then served as Guidance Counselor at Fairmont Senior until his retirement in 1988. He also served as the freshmen basketball coach and the varsity tennis team coach for several years.
Joe was a natural athlete, having played both basketball and football at Fairmont Senior High. After taking an elective class in tennis to the late Deacon Duvall at Fairmont State, Joe learned the game quickly and earned the number one spot on the college’s varsity tennis team. He gained a great love of tennis and was responsible through the Marion County Playground Association for teaching tennis during the summers to hundreds of Marion County students at the clay courts at Twelfth Street.
While teaching mathematics, Joe met another math teacher, the love of his life, Anne Virginia Drane of Piedmont, also a Fairmont State graduate. They were blessed with five children: Jennifer Muto of Fairmont, Mary Beth (Mike) Briskey, of Annapolis, MD, Dr. Joseph Michael Muto of Hurricane, Wendy Gilpin of Morgantown, and Dr. Frank (Dr. Deidre Naylor) Muto of South Charleston. Their children blessed them with ten grandchildren: R.J. Yanero (Rachel), Alex Briskey, Matthew Briskey, Nick Muto, Joseph Muto, Gianna Muto, Anna Gilpin (David) Buch, Julia Gilpin, and twins: Anthony Muto and Christopher Muto. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Joe is also survived by his sister, Lois (Bill) Laughlin as well as several cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial Service for Joe was conducted Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at Ascension Catholic Church in Hurricane, with Fr. Shaji Thomas officiating.
Jimmy Ray Nelson
Jimmy Ray Nelson, 55, of Scott Depot, passed away unexpectedly August 21, 2025.
Born in Charleston, on October 18, 1969, he was the son of the late Gloria and Jimmy J. Nelson.
Jimmy spent his free time outdoors; camping, fishing, and shooting guns. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Tina; step-daughter, Ashley Foster (Aaron Moody) of Ripley; grandchildren: Braxton Hancock-Nelson, Gavin and Arabella Foster; best friend, Phil Faulkner; and his loving furry companions: Rip Wheeler, Daisy Mae, Axel, Tux and Luna the Cat.
A private family gathering will be held at a later date.
