MARSHA BLACK
Marsha Lee Keefer Black, (82), of Teays Valley, left us to be with our Lord and Savior on July 31, 2025 at Genesis Healthcare.
Marsha was the daughter of Leroy Keefer and Inez Billups Keefer.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Gary Keefer (81) of Tennessee, and her little brother (Dwight D. Keefer; 6 months).
Surviving is her sister, Sharon Horton Wood of North Carolina, her nephew, Jason Horton of North Carolina, her uncle and aunt, Ed and Carol Billups of Texas, as well as Gary’s two sons, Gary Keefer and Greg Keefer.
Graveside service was Thursday, August 7, 2025 at Valley View Memorial Park Cemetery with Reverend Rick Carey of Impact Ministry Center officiating.
JASON ADAM BLACKBURN
Jason Adam Blackburn, 45, of Bancroft, formerly of Hardy, Kentucky, was called up to the big leagues in heaven on July 28, 2025, following a lingering illness.
He was born December 17, 1979, in South Williamson, Kentucky, the son of Anna Blackburn Herbst of Hardy and the late Jimmy Dean Blackburn.
He was a 1996 graduate of Belfry High School, attended Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College, and was employed as a purchasing manager for Total Distribution Inc.’s Nitro, West Virginia location. He was saved and baptized into membership at the Hardy Church of Christ at an early age.
To know Jason, you either loved him or hated him – there was no in between. He was a straight shooter and always spoke his opinion. Jason did many things in life, but the one thing he got absolutely correct was being a loving dad to his son, Colton Dean Blackburn. He took on that role on Feb. 2, 2011, and that has been the absolute best title he has ever been given – Dad.
During his time on Earth, Jason played other roles as well. He was a son, brother, nephew, cousin, grandson, friend, husband, and coal miner, but his calling was coaching baseball. His love for the sport shows in Colton every time he steps onto the field. Although, near the end he was not a coach, he was Colton’s biggest fan.
In addition to his father, Jason was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Lacy and Virginia Childers Blackburn and his maternal grandparents, Willard and Lou Coleman Baker.
Left to cherish Jason’s memory in addition to his mother and son are: His stepfather, Rich Herbst; his co-parent and Colton’s mother, Marilyn Lusher; one brother, Michael (Jackie) Blackburn of Conroe, Texas; three sisters, Stephanie Cron of Conroe, Texas; Leigh Ann (Chuck) Ray of Williamson; and Terri (Paul) Mills of Hardy; two nephews, Matthew Mills of Huntington and J.T. (Una) Mills of Bloomington, Indiana; two nieces, Charlotte Blackburn and Genevieve Blackburn, both of Conroe, Texas; and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral service was Friday, August 1, 2025 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home, Poca, with Shane Lockard officiating. Interment was in Mt. View Memory Gardens, Huddy, Kentucky.
MARY MARIE (ROSE) BURDETTE
Mary Marie (Rose) Burdette, 78, of Winfield, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston.
Marie was born in Charleston on December 26, 1946, to the late Raymond and Mary Katherine Nunley Rose. She was a 1964 graduate of DuPont High School; she was a loving wife, mother and grammy; and attended Bible Center Church, South Charleston.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Freda Johnson.
Marie is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Skip Burdette; daughter, Donna (Scott) Tittle of Teays Valley; son, Matthew (Lori) Burdette of Cross Lanes; grandchildren, Brendon Tittle of Milton, Allyssa Tittle and Brayden Tittle both of Teays Valley, Mason and Morgan Burdette of Cross Lanes; great-grandchildren, Levi and Dylan Bates; sisters, Linda (John) Sword of DuPont City, and Sharon O’Daniels of Charleston; cousins, Marilynne Perrine, Judy Hodge and Alice Collins, all of Charleston and Philip Keyser of Winfield.
Funeral services was Monday, August 4, 2025, at Stevens & Grass Funeral Home, Malden, with Pastor Richard Thompson officiating. Burial was in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
OATIS BRAXTON COBB, JR.
With calloused hands and a heart filled with loving memories, Oatis Braxton Cobb, Jr., 73, of Buffalo, passed away at his home of 45 years. Born February 7, 1952, to Gladys Rae Coon and Oatis Braxton Cobb, Sr., he is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cathy Lynn (Martin) Cobb, his daughter Katrina Renea Harmon (Joe), his grandchildren Tyler Cobb, Hannah Cobb and Nathaniel Harmon, and his sister Sharon Kay Cobb Keen.
His heavenly homecoming reunited him with his son Nathan Matthew Cobb, his siblings James Robert, “Dotti” and Debbie, and many other cherished family and friends.
As a young boy, Oatis and his brother proudly served community neighbors with a bicycle newspaper route covering Hometown and Bancroft homes. He cherished the memory of being chosen by Charleston Newspapers to attend the Indy 500 for his hard work.
A 1970 graduate of Poca High School, he sacrificed and worked after school and summer breaks to make a little needed money rather than playing sports. After high school, he balanced work while taking night welding classes. He was short the tuition payment, but his instructor paid it forward for him to finish.
He was a proud blue-collar member of Pipefitters Local #625 and traveled with union brothers until shifting to the Institute Plant jobsite in 1988, and his “930 crew” buddies, in order to stay home and raise his children.
A family historian, he proudly tracked his ancestry back to the first settler, Henry Cobb of Kent, England. He traveled to Barnstable, Massachusetts several times where he was honored by the historical society when he placed a monument outlining our family heritage and the significant influence ancestry had within the town. He honored his father’s WW2- USS Alderamin military service with several trips to DC and a contribution of a memorial plaque in the US Naval Museum.
Dozens of family Christmas pictures and home videos include him joyfully playing Santa Claus to suspecting nieces, nephews, church family and friends, and cheerily ringing his loud Christmas bell for all to hear.
Funeral service was Monday, August 4th, 2025 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Pastor Joe Rogers, Pastor Joe Scarberry, and Pastor Fred Sparks officiating. Burial was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
DANNY LEE DEAL, SR.
Danny Lee Deal, 74, of Poca, passed away peacefully at CAMC Memorial following a short illness.
Danny found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He loved feeding the birds and spending quiet moments on the porch, especially watching his son mow the grass—moments that brought him great comfort and peace.
He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Leonard and Kathleen Deal; his sons, Shawn Allen Deal and Jonathan Matthew Deal; and his brother, Ray Deal.
Danny is survived by his loving wife of 35 years Josephine Faye Deal, son, Danny Lee Deal, Jr.; sister, Kathleen Hughes; and brothers, Paul Deal, Charles Deal, and Eugene Deal. He also leaves behind a host of other cherished family members and friends.
Graveside service was Saturday, August 2, 2025 at New Antioch Cemetery, Red House, officiated by Pastor George Webb.
JAMES LEWIS HINES
James L. “Jim” Hines, of Poca, passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Rolling Meadows Place, Scott Depot.
Jim was born and raised in Nitro. He graduated from Nitro High School and was the Drum Major of the marching band. He went into the U.S Army Signal Corp and was stationed in Germany, where he obtained the rank of Sgt. before he was discharged. After the service he went to work at Goodrich Gulf, known as the rubber plant for 10 years. Then he worked at OK Trucking for 10 years and Schwerman Trucking Co where he was a terminal Manager.
Jim found his purpose in life helping other people when they were suffering loss. He went to work at Gatens Funeral Home & Gatens Harding Funeral home for 20 years before retiring. Then, he went to work at Chapman Funeral Home returning for another 10 years. He was a member of Poca United Methodist Church where he held various offices and was a certified Lay Speaker and conducted many funerals for families that did not have a pastor. Jim loved the history of Putnam County and one of his prized possessions was an arrowhead that was found locally. Jim was responsible for getting the Putnam County Courthouse on the national register and spearheaded the saving of the Hoge House. He was a former member of the Putnam County Historic landmark committee. A member of the Reed Organ Society where he collected, restored and repaired many pump organs in the area and even as far as Florida and Cincinnati, OH. A member of the Vandalia Historical Society, former member of the Putnam County Historic Commission, he also volunteered at the five loaves and two fishes food bank. He was a member of Winfield Post 187 American Legion, he liked to travel and fish and go to the beach with his grand kids.
He was preceded in death by his Mother Beulah Hines, Foster Parents Ted and Pearl Rhodes, twin infant daughters, his Son David Barry Hines and his Wife JoAnn Greene Hines.
He is survived by his daughter Tondra Valenzi and husband Rich of Manassas VA, Grandchildren Jimmy Valenzi & Andrea Valenzi of Manassas VA
A memorial Celebration of Jim’s life was held Friday, August 1, 2025, at Cooke Funeral Home, Nitro, with Pastor Delbert Hawley officiating.
Helen Kayser
Helen Marie Kayser, 88, of Milton, passed away August 3, 2025. Daughter of the late Virgil and Edith Miller Mitchell, she is survived by her husband Hallie Kayser and son Ricky Ray Kayser both of Milton, her extended family consisted of sister, Louise Fizer and her children Peggy and Daniel, Fay Toppings and her children Harold, Shelia, Sharon, Paul and Johnie, her brother, Okie Ray Mitchell and his children Lorrie and Casey.
She was a member of the Chestnut Grove Baptist Church on Dry Ridge in Milton.
Funeral service was Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at Allen Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Hesson officiating. Burial was in Sycamore Cemetery.
Sebastian Kane Martinez
Sebastian Kane Martinez, age 3, of Poca, passed away unexpectedly on July 27, 2025.
Sebastian brought joy to everyone around him with his bright spirit and deep curiosity. A child who found happiness in the little things, he was full of energy, intelligence, and wonder. His days were filled with play, laughter, and a spark that touched the hearts of many in his short but meaningful life.
He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents and is lovingly survived by his mother, Crislynn Rollins (Cody), and father, Kane Martinez (Tracy); a brother and sister both expected soon; grandparents Laura and Sidney Rollins, and Christopher Calvin; and uncles Taylor King and Migel Martinez.
A celebration of life for Sebastian was held Friday, August 1, 2025, at Gatens–Harding Funeral Home with Pastor Matt Davis officiating. Burial was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens in Red House.
Nicholas Theodore
Nicholas Theodore, 88, of Hurricane, passed away on July 18, 2025. Born on December 23, 1936, in Fallowfield Township, of Washington County, PA, he was the son John Tividor and Anna Ondich.
Nicholas dedicated over 30 years of his life to the United States Marine Corps, exemplifying unwavering commitment and service. To enhance his skills, he completed Special Warfare School and Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Identification, Detection, and Decontamination courses. He was a member of the Marine Corps Shooting Team and earned the Expert Pistol Badge (15th Award). Nicholas served three tours in the Vietnam War, earning the distinguished honor of receiving two Bronze Star Medals with Valor. Beyond active duty, he remained deeply connected to the military community as a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, Marine Corps Association, and Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, where he continued to honor and preserve the Marine Corps’ legacy while fostering camaraderie among veterans.
He is survived by his children, Lisa A. Theodore of Hurricane, Nicholas Theodore Jr., and wife Gail of Cincinnati, OH, and Rodney D. Hardesty and wife Nida of Greenville, SC; several grandchildren; a special brother in law and sister in law, Sheridan Green and wife Carol and Ellanorah Mayle and husband Vince Genco; special nieces and nephews, Lynn Sewell and husband Spencer, John Tividor, Karen Brown and husband Jim, and Ruthie Lucas; along with a host of other nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth (Green) Theodore.
Funeral service was Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Fredlock & Fenner Funeral Homes, P.A. with Pastor Barbara Rexroad officiating. Interment was in the Tasker Family Cemetery.
Berman Lloyd Wallace
Berman “Lloyd” Wallace, 90, of Milton, passed away on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Emogene Dolen Jones Hospice House after declining health. He was born December 8, 1934, the son of the late Haskell (Hack) and Freda Billups Wallace, he was also preceded in death by infant daughter, Selena Wallace and he is survived by his son, Andrew Wallace and his Extra special lady friend Doris Chaney.
Lloyd was retired the Cabell County Sheriffs Department, and had previously worked as a handcraft glass blower at Biscoff Glass, Sloan’s Glass and Rainbow Art.
Funeral service was Friday, August 1st, at Allen Funeral Home with David Vickers officiating. Burial was in Lunsford Cemetery, Milton.
