Pamela Hope Chapman
Pamela H. Chapman, 67, of Culloden, passed away on March 3, 2026.
She was born on January 17, 195 to the late Elza Leonard and AnnaBelle Powell in Huntington. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sister, Debra Lynn Powell; and step-mother, Sonja Powell.
Pam is survived by her daughter and caretaker, Heather Kersey (Tim) of Culloden; best friend and former spouse, Norris Chapman of Milton; grandchildren: Hannah Kersey and Gavin Kersey both of Culloden; great-granddaughters: Amelia Adkins and Adelynn Hamlin; brother, David Powell of Inverness, FL; step-children: Tara Meadows (Troy) of Dumfries, VA and April Elliott (Barry) of Alton, NH; step-grandchildren: Gage Elliott, Olivia and Lila Meadows; her beloved furbaby, Tinkerbell, as well as a host of friends and extended family.
A Celebration of Pam’s Life was Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Ronald Long officiating.
Aubrey E. Erwin
Aubrey Erwin, 84, of Winfield, went Home to be with the Lord on March 2, 2026, to meet his loved ones and his Savior, Jesus Christ.
He was born on March 3, 1941, to the late Gilbert and Pearl Gillispie Erwin. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Ruby Carroll and brother, Odell Erwin.
Aubrey proudly served his country in the US Army and retired from G&G Builders. He was a devoted Christian, where his faith made him strong and shaped his life, therefore he was a faithful member of Adda Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for over 50 years. Aubrey was respected by all who knew him. He spent his retirement and the rest of his life working very hard on the farm where he enjoyed his animals, especially cattle, but most of all spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Aubrey is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mae Erwin; children: Buck Erwin of Winfield, David (Melissa) Erwin of Hurricane, Mark Erwin of Bancroft, Joyce (Michael) Wray of Winfield, John Erwin and Larry Mullett II both of Burlington, KY; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; sisters: Loraine (Frank) Billings of Gastonia, NC and Margie Carico of Galax, VA; several nieces and nephews, as well as a host of family and friends.
Funeral service for Aubrey was Saturday March 7, 2026 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Jerry Bonnett and Pastor Sam Morris officiating. Burial was in Lower Hodges Cemetery.
David Lowell Gillespie
David Lowell Gillespie, 52, of Hurricane, passed away February 28, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was preceded in death by his beloved Papaw Lowell, Memaw Millie and Grandma and Grandpa Groves; all of whose lessons and wisdom he carried with him throughout his life.
Dave is survived by his treasured wife Billie; sons: Justin and Andrew (Caitie) Gillespie; daughters: Allison and Ashley Beasley; brother, Scott (Michelle); his big sister, Miss, who always took care of him; mother, Becky, whose strength he admired; “The Aunts”; and lifelong friend, Brian Blount (Pamela).
Dave faced his battle with cancer as he did everything, with a positive attitude, kindness to those around him, and most importantly- with his Belisima by his side. Dave’s source of joy along with Billie, centered around his children and the immense pride he had in them-Justin’s humor and brilliance, Andrew’s heart and kindness, Allie’s passion and brains, and Ashley’s quiet love and deep thinking. They inspired, amazed, and gave him joy in a life he considered to be very blessed. DAVE RULZ
A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, March 7th, 2026.
Jason David Priestley
Jason David Priestley, 46, of Hurricane, went Home to be with the Lord on February 26, 2026, to meet his loved ones and his savior, Jesus Christ.
His life was a blessing, his memory a treasure. He was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure. Goodbyes are not forever are not the end; it simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again.
He was preceded in death by his Papaw, Rudy Priestley; his brother, Cody Priestley; his sister, Tammy Boyd; and his uncle, Bruce Priestley.
Jason is survived by his father, David Priestley of Hurricane; mawmaw, Judy Priestley, whom he resided with in Hurricane; mother, Sharon Warrix of Scott Depot; daughters: Brittany Perkins of Chapmanville and Katie Priestley of St. Albans; granddaughters: Kinley, Kyleigh, and Kelsie Cooper, and LaVada Williams; brother: Christopher Priestley of Hurricane; sisters: Amber Kinser of Chapmanville, and Tiffany Priestley of Hurricane; a host of nephews, as well as several other extended family and friends.
Funeral service for Jason was Monday, March 9, 2026, at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Jim Dennis officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
Thomas Smith
Thomas Edward “Tom” Smith, 77, of Eleanor, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2025, at Thomas Memorial Hospital following a sudden illness. Known simply as “Tom” to his family and friends. Tom grew up as a member of the first generation of children born into the town of Eleanor. After graduating from Buffalo High School in 1966, he attended West Virginia State College. A year later he was drafted into the US Army. Soon afterward, he married the love of his life, Alice Cathrine “Allie” Rogers. After basic and advanced combat training, he and Allie moved to Fort Carson, Colorado. Sgt. Thomas E. Smith was assigned to the US Army’s 5th Mechanized Infantry Division. He served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era and later had a long and successful career at Monsanto Chemical Company / Flexsys in Nitro.
Tom loved to hunt and fish in the streams, hills and hollows around Eleanor, and on their farm in Mason County. He also enjoyed working with his hands. His workshop was his sanctuary. He spent many hours creating projects out of oak, walnut, persimmon, butternut. All of the wood came from his and Allie’s property in Eleanor. Most of all he loved his family. Like his father and namesake, he was a man of few words, possessed a calm and gentle demeanor, and was respected by everyone who knew him.
He was born in Buffalo to the late Thomas Harold Smith and Grace Mae Milhorn Smith Lewis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jeffery L. Lewis.
Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Allie Rogers Smith; son, Michael (Jamey) Smith of Eleanor; daughter, Becky Lynn Gray of Eleanor; sister, Debbie (Pat) Lee of Platte City MO; brothers, John W. (Judy) Smith of St. Charles MO and Roger C. Lewis II of Charleston; grandchildren, Caroline, Carli, Annie, Gavin, Owen and Colin; great grandchild, Axel Lee.
Tom is also survived by several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Funeral service was Monday, March 9, 2026, at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Pastor David Panaro Jr. officiating. Burial was in Beech Grove Cemetery, Eleanor.
Russell Leonard Watson
Russell “Russ” “Pop” L. Watson, 87, of Winfield, passed away on February 27, 2026.
He was born to the late James and Elva (Scarberry) Watson on May 22, 1938, in Winfield. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Carolyn; sister, Phyllis McClanahan; brothers: Leo, Henry and Roger Watson; sister-in-laws: Maxine Kessler, Lois Brewer and Sally Colwell; brother-in-law, Bob Colwell.
Russ was a retired Pipefitter from Monsanto Chemical Company. After retirement he became a full time caregiver to his wife until she passed. He enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, raising his cattle, collecting antiques, and going to flea markets. Pop loved his family immensely, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was their biggest fan at all of their local sporting events.
He is survived by his daughter, Julie Smith (Bob) of Elkview; son, Rusty Watson (Denise) of Winfield; grandchildren: Travis Massey (Karen), Tyler Watson (Jenny), Wesley Massey (Jessica), and Courtney Scarberry (Josh); great-grandchildren: Isaac, Graham, Sawyer, Harrison, Daniel, Eleanor, Hannah, and Banks Massey, Noah, Sam, and Jude Watson, Micah and Moriah Scarberry.
Funeral service for Russ was Wednesday, March 4, 202,6 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, with Pastor Josh Scarberry officiating. Burial was in Winfield Cemetery.
Janet Carolyn Young
The evening of February 27, 2026, Janet Carolyn Young peacefully entered the gates of glory.
Janet was born in Clendenin on June 6, 1935, to the late Carl and Lona Bird. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Willam J “Bill” Young; and her brothers: Donald “Buck” and Dana Bird.
After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, Janet moved to Charleston, where she worked at Nationwide Insurance. Charleston is where she met her husband to be, Bill Young. They married and started a family with sons Jennings, Mike and John. Janet was blessed to be a stay at home mom with their boys and later became the bookkeeper for Bill’s company, Remco Sales & Service.
Janet enjoyed going on family vacations, bus trips to Amish country, traveling overseas and spending time with her grandchildren. She was a longstanding member of Riverlawn Presbyterian Church in St Albans.
Janet is survived by her sons: William Jennings Jr. of Scott Depot, Mike (Vicki) of Epping, NH, John (Denise) of Teays Valley; grandchildren: Ashley (Adam) of Scott Depot, Jamie (Lydia) of Athens, OH, Tyler Young of Boston, MA; great grandchildren: Anna Blair, Noah, Ivy and Wesley of Scott Depot, and Jacob of Athens, OH; her siblings: Darrell (Becky) of Dublin, VA, Joyce of Daniels, WV, Judy (Randy) and David (Barbara) both of Beckley; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Although she will be dearly missed, we take comfort in knowing that we will see her in Heaven one day.
Funeral service for Janet was Friday, March 6, 2026, at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Chris Kilbert officiating. Burial was in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Hurricane.
