CHARLES ‘CHUCK’ ELKINS II
Charles Everett “Chuck” Elkins, II, 74, of Putnam County, died peacefully at home on April 1, 2026 following a nine-year journey with Frontotemporal Dementia.
Born December 3, 1951 in Buckhannon, to the late Charles Everett Elkins and Rose Marie Black Elkins of Hamlin, Chuck is survived by his wife of 41 years, Deborah Boese Elkins; his three daughters, Megan (Justin) Hannah, of Winfield, Lindsay (Christopher) Rotella of New Albany, OH, and Emma (Ryan) Rexroad of Hurricane; his six grandchildren, Parker Hannah, Carson, Roman, and Braxton Rotella, and Charli Kate and Scout Rexroad; and his brother, Bill (Sonda) Elkins of Hamlin.
Chuck was a 1970 graduate of Hamlin High School and a 1974 graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College where he was a football and basketball athlete and a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. Chuck began his teaching career with Pendleton County Schools and retired from Putnam County Schools in 2015 following a 41 year career as a high school math teacher and 42 year career as a coach. Chuck is currently the fourth winningest high school basketball coach of all time in the Kanawha Valley with 440 wins. He coached two North-South all-star high school basketball games and received numerous other honors and awards throughout his coaching career. Following his high school basketball retirement, he spent two years as an assistant men’s basketball coach at West Virginia Wesleyan College. In the course of his teaching career, Chuck touched thousands of lives, and the family appreciates the many fun stories and memories that his students have shared.
Chuck was an avid fly fisherman, spending most of his spare time tying his own flies and fishing the trout streams of West Virginia. In 2022, he took a lifelong-dream fly fishing trip to Bozeman, Montana, with a follow up trip in 2024 to Sunlight Basin, Wyoming. He also enjoyed golfing, vacationing in the Smoky Mountains, lending a helping hand to his neighbors and taking walks with his dog, Cash. He had a deep love for his Home Among the Hills at West Virginia Wesleyan College, and he was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren.
Over the last nine years, Chuck’s family has spent a great deal of time learning about and advocating for those impacted by Frontotemporal Dementia. Early in his diagnosis, Chuck agreed to donate his brain to the Brain Support Network, where his brain will be studied at the Mayo Clinic in an effort to help advance Frontotemporal Dementia treatments and a future cure.
Per his wishes, Chuck will be cremated with the opportunity to enjoy his favorite trout streams one last time in a private family service.
EVELYN GRITT
Evelyn Gritt, 74, of Red House, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
Evelyn was a woman whose love was most clearly shown through her cooking. She could prepare just about anything, and every meal she made carried with it warmth, comfort, and care. Known lovingly as “Granny,” she found her greatest joy in her grandchildren and devoted her life to caring for her family. Her home was a place of gathering, where no one ever left hungry and everyone felt loved.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Opal Dotson; and her brother, DeWayne Dotson.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Martini Gritt; four children, Veronica Hasty, Lisa Bird, Johnny Gritt, and Johnny Coel (Kimberlee) Gritt; great-granddaughter, Emerlyn Gritt; and a host of other family members and friends who will miss her dearly.
In honoring Evelyn’s wishes, there will be no services.
DANNY D. KNAPP
Danny D. Knapp, 49, of Leon, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday March 30, 2026. He was a 1994 graduate of Pt. Pleasant High School. He was a current employee of the West Virginia Department of Transportation and a lifelong farmer. He loved spending time outdoors hunting and farming. Danny was a loving husband and father. He will be remembered as a person who would do anything for anyone.
He was born on May 1st 1976 in Pt. Pleasant to Darrell Knapp and Shirel Tucker Knapp of Leon. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving wife of 23 years Renee Knapp; daughter, Olivia Knapp (Zach McDaniel) of Leon; son, Bryce Knapp of Leon; sister, Susan (Randy) Durst of Pt. Pleasant; niece, Kristen (Austin) Beaver; nephews, Caleb (Kamille) Durst, Joshua Durst and Obadiah Durst; special cousin, Brett Higginbotham. Danny is also survived by his best friend, Steve Blouir; special friends, Harold Matheny and Billy Barton; several cousins, extend family and friends.
A celebration of his life was held Tuesday, April 7th, 2026, at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with Pastor Chris Thomas officiating.
JOHNIE WAYNE SMITH
Johnie Wayne “John” Smith, 76, of Scott Depot, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at Hubbard Hospice House. He was a 1968 graduate of Buffalo High School, and worked as a union construction worker for many years. John enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and enjoyed taking side-by-side rides with his wife. He will be sadly missed by his family and those who knew him.
Born June 1, 1949, he was the son of the late Gerald G. Smith and Emma Williams Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Gerry Smith and Ronnie Smith.
Survivors include his loving wife of 13 years, Diana Lynn Smith; his son, Donald “Bub” (Tiffani) Smith of Red House; his daughter, Andrea (Michael) Landers of Louisville, Kentucky; his grandchildren, Trevor Landers, Jordyn Larch, Caitlyn Smith, and MacKenzie Smith; his great-grandchildren, Holland Larch and Brian Adams; his brothers, Steven Smith, Tom Smith, and Jimmy Smith; and his sister, Debbie Hall.
There are no services planned.
JOHN RAY SNYDER
John Ray Snyder, 49, of Scott Depot, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
John was a graduate of Winfield High School. He had a creative spirit and was a talented artist who found joy in painting. He also loved cooking, often expressing his creativity through the meals he prepared for those he cared about.
He is survived by his loving parents, Rebecca and John Snyder; his sister, Elizabeth “Libby” (Doug) Gates; his brother, Dawson (Tammy) Snyder; and a host of extended family and friends who will cherish his memory.
At his request, there will be no services.
BRENDA S. THOMAS
Brenda Sue Perry Thomas, 76, of Hurricane, passed away on March 31, 2026 at Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, KY.
She was born on August 2, 1949 to the late Bill and Mildred M. Kerr Perry. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sister, Bonnie Perry Bogle.
Brenda was a 1967 graduate of Winfield High School, then graduated from Charleston Beauty College and then opened Glamour Nook in 1969 in Scott Depot.
Brenda is survived by her loving family with husband, Jim Thomas; daughters: Sommer (Chris) Dosier and their sons: Blake and Andrew; and Autumn (Courtney) Tusing and their sons: Noah, Jack and Hunter; great grandson, Alden. She is also survived by her special niece and nephews, whom she loved as her own: Brad (Kim), Travis (Nicky), and Kara; and their children: Krystell, Hunter, Nichole, Bryce, Tyler and Chase.
A Celebration of Brenda’s Life will be 2:00pm Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Rev. Dr. John D. Smith officiating.
WILMA FAYE WILLIAMS
Wilma Faye Williams, 83, of Winfield, passed away Monday, March 30, 2026, at Genesis Putnam Center. She was a member of Elmwood U.M Church and attended Winfield Community Church. She was a talented alto singer and loved to sing in church. She had a deep love for gospel music. She was an interior decorator and sold Home Interior for many years. She enjoyed gardening, canning and working in her flowers.
Born May 25, 1942 in Mason County she was the daughter of the late Robert Lee Stutler and Effie Alice Tribble Stutler. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Edison Stutler and Eugene Stutler; sister Joyce Stutler and grandson, CPL. Jordie Lee Kidd.
Survivors include her children, Cindy Richardson of Pt. Pleasant; sons, Bruce (Crystal) Williams of Apple Grove and Brian (Tonya) Williams of Pt. Pleasant; daughter, Debra (David) Elswick of Winfield; brothers, Dana (Alice) Stutler of Buffalo and Tony (Julie) Stutler of Eleanor; grandchildren, Brandi Kinder, Lacinda Womack, James Richardson, Kory Williams, Natasha Calhoun, Kelsey Williams and Megan McCallister. Wilma is also survived by nine great grandchildren, extended family and friends.
Funeral service was Friday, April 3, 2026 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
