And so it goes...here are more obits, etc.
The old frame building across from the old Nitro High School is slated for demolition. If readers would like to see photos of various areas of Nitro posted, leave a message! I'll give it a try.
There is a '67 NHS reunion being planned for July 2007. Contact Mike Randolph for details. There is also a Carbide Camps reunion planned for July; Cliffside, Carlisle, etc. Do a search for carbidecamps.
ciau
Treca G. Shank Rhodes
Mrs. Treca G. Rhodes, 77, of St. Albans passed away April 14, 2007.
Mrs. Rhodes attended Nitro High School and was a charter member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Women's Society of World Services.
She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Leon B. Rhodes.
She is survived by her sons, Dennis of St. Albans, Roger of Biloxi, Miss., and Victor of St. Albans; sister, Reda Kessell of Florida; brother, Clifford Shank of Nitro; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
The family would like to say a special thank you to Joanne and Steve Pauley for opening up their home to our mother and giving her excellent care for the last five years.
A tribute to the life of Mrs. Rhodes will be 1 p.m. Monday April 16, 2007, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Baldwin officiating. Burial will follow in New Antioch Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Gatens-Harding Funeral Home, 147 Main St., Poca, is serving the Rhodes family.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.gatensharding.com.
Dessie Naomi Slater
Dessie Naomi Slater, 99, of Cross Lanes, passed away Friday, April 13, 2007, at Valley Center.
She was born on June 30, 1907, in Harmon's Creek. Dessie was employed by C&P Telephone Company in Charleston for more than 35 years. She was a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Charleston, where she served as a Sunday school teacher and Deaconess. She then became a resident of Florida for 28 years, where she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte, Fla. In her later years, Dessie attended the Faith Presbyterian Church in Cross Lanes.
Preceding her in death were her husbands, Teddy Johnson Long and James R. Slater; her son, Teddy W. Long; granddaughter, Melanie R. Gillispie; and great grandson, Ben Slack.
Surviving are her daughters, Anne M. Gillispie and Frances L. Alwine; stepdaughter, Reba J. Huelson; grandchildren, Vickie Fosdick, Diana Bedell, Teresa Evans, Teddy W. Slack, Maria B. Dewhurst, Deborah L. Humphreys and Jeff Slack; great-grandchildren, Stephanie Buffington, C. J. Buffington, Daniel Slack, Jessica Humphreys, Christina Humphreys, Avery Slack and Jacob Slack. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Ann Williams Westfall
Ann Williams Westfall of Maxwelton, formerly of Poca, was born November 12, 1929, and passed from this earth Monday, April 16, 2007, at the age of 77.
Mrs. Westfall was the daughter of William E. Williams of Oregon and Gladys M. Williams Whittington of South Charleston, both deceased.
Ann was a member of the Rainbow Girls, a junior division of Eastern Star, and a baptized member of Poca United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Westfall graduated from Nitro High School in 1947 and married Bob L. Westfall of Nitro in October of that same year.
In high school, she worked for the Diversified Occupational Program at age 15 and 16 as a private secretary at Ohio-Apex Company of Nitro. Later she worked at the IRS in Charleston and Goodrich-Gulf at Institute. In later years, Mrs. Westfall also served as an ambassador for the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Ann's hobbies were many. She spent over 30 years researching the Westfall family genealogy and had these in the archives at the state capitol. She loved baking and decorating wedding and shower cakes and was accomplished in knitting, crocheting, embroidering, sewing, quilting, art, writing, gardening, and raising orchids in her greenhouse. Ann also loved flying with her husband, Bob, in their family plane.
Mr. and Mrs. Westfall retired from the Rock Branch Car Wash business that they owned to Maxwelton from Poca in 1996.
Surviving Mrs. Westfall are her husband, Bob L. Westfall; daughter, Belinda Westfall McCoy of Highland Springs, Va.; son, Wade Westfall of Lewisburg; sister, Jean Surbaugh of South Charleston; brother, Lee Williams of Texas; grandchildren, Shane McCoy of Sandston, Va., Rex McCoy of Elko, Va., Mrs. Sara Trimmer of Highland Springs, Va., Amy Cantrell of Culloden, Dustin Westfall of Lewisburg and Dakota McCoy of Highland Springs, Va.; and eight great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Ann's life will be 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, 5233 Rocky Fork Road, Cross Lanes. Entombment in her private mausoleum will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
Donald Clarence Hicks
Donald Clarence Hicks, 76, of Route 6, Charleston, passed away Friday, May 4, 2007, at CAMC Memorial Hospital.
Don was born in Nitro on April 16, 1931, and was a son of the late Armon and Alice Taylor Hicks.
He was retired from CAMC where he worked in maintenance. He was an avid golfer, bowler, fisherman, hunter and Mountaineer fan. He was a member of Campbells Creek Church of the Nazarene and the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 465, Nitro. He was a Korean War Marine Corps veteran and a life member of the Marine Corps League.
Don is survived by his wife, Carroll Holliday Hicks; children, Carolyn Blocker of Tucson, Ariz., Becky Woods of Campbells Creek, Terry Woolwine of Charleston, Robert Withrow of Sissonville and Cindy Kaib of Elkview; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Joe Coalter, NHS 1968’s family:
Ruby May Coalter
Ruby Mae Coalter, 77 years old and longtime resident of Nitro, died on Sunday, May 6, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. Having learned of her disease, she embraced a spirit of trying to enjoy each remaining day of her life. Her faith in God was her constant companion and comfort.
Ruby and her late husband, Joe, were longtime owners of Coalter's Feed and Seed Company, West Main Street, St. Albans. When Joe retired, they sold the business and, not long thereafter, Ruby started working at Stadler's Greenhouse, Nitro. Ruby worked there for 25 years, until the time of her death. In her last months, her work at Stadler's offered her a chance to share her love of flowers with her many customers and gave her an opportunity to laugh with friends and share her joy of life.
She began life as Ruby Mae Fletcher and was raised in Putnam County, on Big Hurricane Creek, near Coal Mountain, with grandparents living on nearby Brown's Creek and on Fletcher Road. She was a graduate of Hurricane High School, and later worked as a telephone operator before joining her husband in the feed and seed business. In her early adult life, she enjoyed playing women's softball. Ruby and Joe enjoyed 47 years of marriage before Joe's sudden death in the fall of 1996.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Y.W. and Nellie Fletcher of Hurricane, and her brothers, J.C. Fletcher of Hurricane and F.D. Fletcher, who died as an infant.
She is survived by her brother, W.L. Fletcher of Hurricane; her son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Margaret Coalter of St. Albans; and grandchildren Jack Coalter of Texas, Marianne Peyton of Hurricane, and Rusty Coalter of St. Albans. She is survived by four great-grandchildren.
Ruby was known for her kindness, and willingness to lend a helping hand to others in need. She was very active as a member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, St. Albans for over 50 years. Ruby never met a stranger and she was blessed with many wonderful and caring friends whose generosity and help during her final months is greatly appreciated by her family.
Phillip David Smith Sr.
Phillip David Smith Sr., 44, of Nitro died suddenly Sunday, May 6, 2007, at home.
He was a self-employed carpenter and a member of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Scott Depot, where he served as a deacon.
He was a lifelong resident of the Kanawha Valley.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clair M. Smith Jr., and a brother, Stephen Mark Smith.
Phillip was known for his willingness to help others in need and will be sadly missed by his loving family and friends.
Surviving: wife, Tammy; sons, Phillip David Smith Jr., Adam Smith, Andrew Smith and Jon-Michael Smith; mother, Ann Negstad and stepfather, Raymond, of Newark, Del.; brothers, James Maxwell Smith of Charleston and Larry Maxwell Smith of Cross Lanes; sister, Lisa Beth Lloyd of Kennedyville, Md.; and in-laws, Rowan and Ruth Ann Hunt and Mark Hunt.
Maxine V. Meadows
This is in loving memory of Maxine V. Meadows who was called by the Lord on April 10, 2007, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Maxine was a beloved mother, sister, wife and friend to all.
Maxine was born on November 24, 1929, in Mullens and was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Gray Meadows.
Survivors include daughter, Cecelia Meadows of Nitro; son, Robert and his wife of South Charleston; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren; five brothers and one sister.
Maxine was one of God's masterpieces, always trying to be of service to others. Maxine embarked her career as owner of Kountry Kitchen. She later opened M&M Mini Mart. Even when she was battling cancer, Maxine gave to her community as a volunteer at Thomas Hospital and the Nitro Community Center. Maxine's generosity and gift of gab endeared her to all. Maxine didn't know a stranger.
This world is certainly a better place because Maxine touched the lives of so many. She will be missed by her family and friends.
Pearl Barnes
Pearl Barnes, 79, of Cross Lanes, passed away Friday, May 18, 2007, in Thomas Memorial Hospital.
Pearl was a chef who was employed by several different restaurants, including Berry Hills Country Club and most recently Kanawha Country Club, she was an Air Force veteran, and was the first lady at George Air Force Base in California to fly solo. Pearl was a loving and giving sister that will be greatly missed by all.
She is survived by brothers, Cecil D. Barnes and wife Dorothy of Cross Lanes, Arling and wife Delores of Midway; sisters, Elsie Litton of Cross Lanes, Chloe Mayes of Bristol, Ind., and Burndenia Speigelburg of Melbourne, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 21, 2007, at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home with the Rev. Ray Humphreys officiating. Burial will follow in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Georgia A. Lanham
Georgia A. Lanham, 87, of Dunbar, passed away Thursday, May 17, 2007, at her home.
She was a retired office manager for Ferguson Enterprises with 30 years of service and was a member of Fairlawn Baptist Church. Mrs. Lanham had been a resident of Dunbar for 63 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy E. Lanham.
Surviving are her sons, Ronald Moss of Cross Lanes, Stephen Moss and his wife, Mary Jean, of South Charleston and Phillip Moss and his wife, Bonnie, of Louisville, Ky.; special friends, Libby, Renee, Evonne and Ray; and her caregivers, Joyce and Joy. Also surviving are her six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 21, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, with the Rev. Warren Kelly officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Memorial Park.
Geraldine Isabel Burton
Mrs. Geraldine Isabel Rowley Burton, 79, of Cross Lanes, went home to be with the Lord, Friday, May 25, 2007, in Hubbard Hospice House.
Geraldine was retired from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. She was a well-loved lady of the Charleston area, a dear Christian lady who will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years A. Hugh Burton Jr.; daughter, Sonja Hempstead and husband David of Raleigh, N.C.; son, Roger Lewis and wife Drema of Nitro; stepson, Stephen Burton and wife Christie of Cross Lanes; stepson, Michael Burton of Charleston; sisters, Beulah Lewis of Charleston, Audra Carrothers of Alum Creek, Coreen Hall of Winfield, and Ruth Ann Minner of Indiana; brothers, Anderson Rowley of Charleston, Eugene Rowley of Dunbar, and Pete Rowley of South Charleston. Geraldine is also survived by five grandchildren, Katie, Madison, Allyson, Rylie and Ryan; three step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren.
Blaine Cummings
Blaine Cummings, 88, of Nitro passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at Hubbard Hospice House after a short illness.
He was born Feb. 1, 1919, and was a son of the late Hibbert and Eddy Cummings.
He was retired from True Temper and was a member of the Nitro Moose Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alma Barnette Cummings; daughter, Shelia Ann Riffle; brothers, Joe, Roy, Oral and Cecil; and sisters, Nellie, Margaret and Isabelle.
He is survived by daughters, Brenda Jeffers of Nitro, Lizetta Withrow of Palm Bay, Fla., and Carolyn Taylor of Nitro; sons, Michael and his wife, Debbie, of Charleston and Billy of Nitro; brother, Hibbert and his wife, Erma, of Charleston; sister, Genevieve Berry of St. Albans; sisters-in-law, Jessie Cummings and Violet Cummings, both of Charleston; 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; and beloved nieces and nephews.
Howard "Toney" Lanham
Howard “Toney” Lanham, 58, of Elkview passed away Friday, June 1, 2007, in CAMC Memorial Hospital.
Howard was a 22-year resident of Elkview. He was a 1967 graduate of Nitro High School and was a disabled sprinkler fitter, having worked out of Local 669 of the Sprinkler Fitters Union and especially for Brewer and Company.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Kathryn Lanham; one brother, Danny Lanham; and one nephew, Justin Wygal.
Howard is survived by his wife, Pamela Stover Lanham; daughter, Emily Lanham of Elkview; and sister, Patti Wygal of Poca.
A celebration of Howard's life will be 2 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, 5233 Rocky Fork Road, Cross Lanes. Burial will follow in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens.
Randy Lee Spencer
Randy Lee Spencer, 50, of Nitro passed away suddenly on Sunday, June 3, 2007, at his residence.
Born July 2, 1956, in Charleston, he was a son of the late Hiram Dale and Mary Virginia Stone Spencer. He was also preceded in death by his grandmother, Elizabeth Stone, and his nephew, JR Spencer.
Randy was a former truck driver and was currently employed by Belcan, South Charleston. He was a 1974 graduate of Nitro High School and attended West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Montgomery, as well as West Virginia State University, Institute. As a lifelong dog lover, Randy was also very attached to his faithful canine companion, Danté.
He is survived by his son, Jason Spencer of Cross Lanes; his sister, Sally Carroll and her husband, Keith, of Hurricane; his brother, Greg Spencer and his wife, Cherrie, of Hurricane; Jason's mother, Terri Casdorph and her husband, David, of Cross Lanes; former sisters-in-law, Libby Steele and Judith Harris, both of Elkins; his girlfriend, Tonya Lovejoy; his nieces, Misty Mallett and Marah Carroll; and his nephews, Dusty and Dylan Carroll.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 7, at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, 409 Sixth Ave., St. Albans, with the Rev. David Thaxton officiating. Burial will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at www.bartlettchapmanfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to either the Putnam Animal Shelter, 1 Sable Drive, Winfield, WV 25213, or to the Kanawha-Charleston Animal Shelter, 1248 Greenbrier Street, Charleston, WV 25311.
