Popular Posts

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

NHS WV News, Updates, Obits, Interesting stuff, November 2011

Henry David Harrison of Nitro passed away on November 28, 2011. Mr. Harrison served in the U.S. Navy and was a retiree of Union Carbide, South Charleston, with 38 years of service. He was a member of South Charleston Masonic Lodge 168. He was preceded in death by his parents, Shirley and Darlena Harrison; brothers, Dallas and Edgar; and granddaughter, Megan Kathleen Harrison. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 63 years, Evelyn Harrison; three sons, Roger Harrison and his wife, Ginger, of Cross Lanes, Philip Harrison and his wife, Vickie, of Winfield and Mark Harrison of Nitro. Also surviving are grandchildren, Adam, Amber, Kendra, Tara, Monica and Eric; and great-grandchildren, Tyler, Braelyn and Landon.

Frances Roberta Knight, 88, of Nitro left her earthly body on November 26, 2011, and is now rejoicing in Heaven after her long battle with cancer. She was the daughter of the late Carl and Alice McDonald Thomas of Nitro. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Harold M. Knight; infant son, Eddie Ray; and sister, Genevive Asbury, all of Nitro. Frances is survived by eight children, Brenda Knight (Darrell) Sheets of Lynch Station, Va., Diana Knight Gillispie of Nitro, Sharon Knight (her primary caregiver) of Nitro, Phil Knight of Grandview, Ind., Jeanette Knight (Eddie) Casto of Cross Lanes, Stephen Knight of Culloden, Greg Knight of Nitro and Glenn Knight of Eleanor. She was also blessed with 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her only brother, Gene Thomas of Nitro; and sister, Pat (Gordon) Trainer of Bear, Del. In addition, she is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Frances was a devoted wife, daughter, mother, and grandmother, beloved by all for her love of God and family. She was well known for her cooking and baking skills and her quilting and sewing expertise. She was a founding member of Cross Lanes Bible Church and loved reading her Bible.

Mr. Patrick Jason Brown, 34, of Nitro passed away November 25, 2011. Patrick is a graduate of Nitro High School, attended Ben Franklin Career Center and served in the Air Force. He is survived by his parents, Tammy and Patrick Brown of Nitro; brother, Travis Michael Brown of St. Albans; and grandmother, Sarah Eloise Griffith of St. Albans.

Charles David "Charlie" Cobb, 60, of New Bern, N.C., died Thursday, November 24, 2011, at his home. Charlie was born on May 25, 1951, in Charleston, W.Va. He graduated from Nitro High School, Nitro, W.Va., in 1969. He served his country in the U.S. Navy for eight years and, most recently, worked at Mazda Kia of New Bern in both sales and service. He is survived by his wife, Janet G. Cobb; and son, Brian E. Cobb, both of New Bern; his father, James Robert Cobb; his mother, Georgia Persinger; two brothers, Robert "Ed" Cobb, all of Poca, W.Va., and Scott Cobb of Jacksonville, Fla. The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Glen Lesser, the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and friends of the North Carolina Anglers Association. A very special thanks goes to the Leslie Jones family for their care over the past five years.

One of NHS WV 1968 stars has died. Richard was always friendly, funny, and one of our academic stand-outs. Appears as though he led a wonderful and fulfilling life. Godspeed, Richard. You will be missed.

Richard G. Uglow, 60, of Leland, Mich., passed away Sunday, November 20, 2011, after a one-year battle with ALS.

He was born December 14, 1950. Rich grew up in Cross Lanes and was a 1968 graduate of Nitro High School. He graduated from West Virginia Institute of Technology and had an MBA from the University of Michigan. He retired in 2005 after a 33-year career in the auto industry.

After retirement he moved from the Detroit area to Leland, where he enjoyed restoring his 1972 Mustang, walks along the shore of Lake Michigan and hiking in the sand dunes of Sleeping Bear Dunes, National Lakeshore. The last few years he was especially happy to have renewed friendships with six of his best high school friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert "Bob" Uglow. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Uglow of Buckhannon; sister and brother in law, Lora Uglow and John Mathias of Buckhannon; nieces, Lisa Mathias of Gainesville, Va., and Paula Mathias of Durango, Colo.; and nephews, Jay Mathias of Washington, D.C., and Alex Rueckert of Gainesville. He is also survived by his life partner, Arlene Janks of Clarkston, Mich.

Reward Offered In Woman's Murder Reported by: Kallie Cart http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/111123_7474.shtml Reported: Nov. 23, 2011 5:23 PM EST
Eyewitness News Photo Charleston , Kanawha County , West Virginia

Police in Charleston are shining new light on a murder investigation. After several months, they're hoping someone will come forward with information that will lead to an arrest and the victim's family is now offering a reward.

Megan Harrison's body was pulled from the Elk River in Charleston back in August. Police have yet to make an arrest in the case.

http://wvgazette.com/News/201108290747

"Obviously the family is left without closure, there's a suspect at large who's capable of committing a crime like that and of course we take it personally we work as hard as we can on it," Charleston Chief of Detectives Lt. Steve Cooper says.

Megan, who was 28 and from Cross Lanes, was staying at the Sojourners Shelter in Charleston prior to her death. Police do say they have a strong lead in her murder, but they need more information.

"The last person who saw her, someone who may have spoken to the suspect, we just ask that person come forward and give us what they have," Lt. Cooper says. Megan's parents say as the holidays approach, her murder is even more difficult to handle. They are now offering a $1,000 reward for any information that will lead to an arrest and conviction in her murder. Police say they want the case to be closed before the end of the year. Charleston has had only five murders in 2011. Arrests have been made in all of them, except Megan's.

"We're fortunate this year that the numbers are way down than before, that comes from the pattern of these types of crimes, peaks and valleys and the stepped up efforts on the part of the police department," Lt. Cooper says. "We're hoping if anyone knows anything they'll come forward during this holiday season to try and bring justice for Megan and her family."

Mark E. Reed, 58, of St. Albans passed away November 19, 2011, at his home. Born October 1, 1953, in South Charleston, Mark was a son of the late Samuel Everett Reed. Mark was a groundskeeper for the Nitro Moose Lodge Park and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose No. 565, Nitro. Mark is survived by his loving wife, Kay Reed; mother, Dorothy Virginia Whittington Reed of Nitro; children, Missi Reed and husband, Chris Saunders of Red House, and Crystal Reed Ward of South Charleston; stepchildren, John Harbert and wife Tina of St. Albans, Joshua Harbert of Nitro and James Harbert of Nitro; grandchildren, Jessie and husband, Trey Hedrick, Hannah and Isaac Saunders, Bailey Ward and Jayden and Tyler Green; step-grandson, Dakota Matthew; sisters, Linda McDaniels of Nitro, and Patty Cogar of Frame; and brothers, Raymond L. Reed of Madison, Thomas Reed of Buffalo, Robert Reed of Buffalo and James Reed of Huntington.

Ruby Mae Brown, 80, of St. Albans, formerly of Nitro, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 19, 2011, after a short illness. Ruby was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and was known to all her family as "Mom." She will be greatly missed. Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Charles S. Brown; son, Charles M. Brown; and parents, Charles M. Stanley and Mary Kathryn Stanley. Surviving are children, Connie Brown Santucci of Garden Grove, Calif., Cecil E. Brown and wife, Lana, of Apollo Beach, Fla., Michael D. Brown of High Point, N.C., Ray Brown and wife, Kathy, of Kansas City, Mo., John Brown and wife, Trena, of South Charleston, and Jim Brown of St. Albans; sisters, Josephine L. "Aunt Jo" Stanley and Barbara Jane Stanley Webb; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Juanita Pearl Smith, 79, of Cross Lanes passed away November 14, 2011, at CAMC Memorial Hospital. Juanita was born April 18, 1932, in Clendenin and was a daughter of the late William A. and Nettie Hively Withrow. She was a teacher's aide with the Kanawha County school system and loved to raise flowers, garden and was happiest helping and doing favors for others. Survivors include her husband, Benjamin Smith; sons, Terry D. Cavender of Atlanta, Benjie Smith of Nitro and Jeffery Smith of Fraziers Bottom; sisters, Virginia Arrington of Alum Creek and Doris Abbott of Wills Creek; grandchildren, David Smith and Kailyn Smith; and many nieces and nephews

A. Hugh Burton Jr., 82, of Cross Lanes passed away Friday, November 11, 2011, at Thomas Memorial Hospital following a short illness. Born February 10, 1929, he was a son of the late A. Hugh Burton Sr. and Georgia Ward Burton. Also preceding him in death were his wife, Geraldine "Jerry" I. Burton; and one sister, Lois Jean Burton Johnson. Hugh was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean War, and a retired schoolteacher for the Kanawha County Board of Education. Survivors include two sons, Stephen Burton (Christie) of Cross Lanes, and Michael Burton of Charleston; one daughter, Sonja Burton Hempstead (David) of Raleigh, N.C.; one brother, Jake Burton of Texas; one sister, Ruth Ann Burton Simms of Charleston; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a special nephew, Roger Lewis (Drema) of Poca

Donald W. Bowling, 82, of Cross Lanes went to be with the Lord on November 9, 2011, at Hubbard Hospice House after a long illness, leaving his beloved wife of 61 years, Frances Null Bowling. He was born on October 26, 1929, in Nitro. He was the son of Lottie and W. Ernest Bowling of Cross Lanes and, along with his parents, joins his infant son, Daniel Bowling; brothers, W.E. "Junior Bowling," Hershel Gail Bowling, Charles Delbert Bowling and Ronald Howard Bowling, with his Creator in Heaven. Besides his wife, Don, affectionately known as G-Dad, is survived by sisters, Phyllis Bowling Karnes, Mary Bowling Adams, Beulah Bowling (Ralph) Page, and Ethel Bowling (Rex) Parsons; children, Anita Bowling (Greg) Stonestreet and David Bowling; grandchildren, Andrew Stonestreet, Lauren Stonestreet, Stephen Stonestreet and Caitlin Stonestreet; and many nieces and nephews. Don was a veteran of the Korean War, worked at Kroger as a manager, at FMC Chemical Company, and retired from Monsanto Chemical Company in Nitro. He served as a church officer and treasurer for Main Street Church of God, now Southridge Church of God, as a treasurer, deacon and elder at Perrow Presbyterian Church, and was a friend to many neighbors, relatives, and fellow Christians. Don loved everything outdoors, hunting, camping, gardening, woodworking, and keeping up his beautiful five-acre home. He also thoroughly enjoyed being with his family, passing ball, vacationing at the beach, taking the grandchildren on mower rides and passing on his knowledge of life. He loved to sing and worship the Lord. He was an affectionate, humorous, loving and kind man, and will be remembered with gratefulness and joy.

http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/201110310217
Lawrence Pierce (photographer)

Charleston Gazette, November 1, 2011, October 31, 2011 Full circle for Nitro? Seniors were freshmen in 2008 state title run By Tommy R. Atkinson

Emily Ross, one of three seniors who started as freshmen on Nitro's state championship team in 2008, has five goals in three postseason games this season.

Nitro seniors Ashley Bowyer, Kaitlyn Gilham and Emily Ross are hoping the slipper fits one more time. Those three are the only players still holding down starting positions from the Wildcats' run to the 2008 state championship, the school's first and only girls soccer title to date.

Bowyer, Gilham and Ross find themselves back at the ball this week and are looking to close out their high school careers the same way it all began as freshmen four years ago when Nitro takes on Winfield at approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Class AAA semifinals at the YMCA Youth Sports Complex in Beckley. ....

Nitro finds itself just two victories away from another improbable title. "This year from the very first game we were fantastic,'' said Nitro coach Kim Aurelio, who guided the Wildcats to the championship in 2008 during her first season. "I was like, 'We're going to do this. We can go back and we can go all the way.' Then we started falling apart.

"We tried to decide with our captains what could be done to change things and we worked together as a team and put this team first. Finally they put it together and we're heading back. We have fought all the way to this. Every year I tell the girls every game leading up to tournament play is practice.'

There are several parallels between this year's Wildcats and the 2008 squad that played its best over the last three weeks of the season.

In 2008, Nitro entered states as the lowest-ranked team (No. 18) in the final state coaches association rankings, had the fewest victories (10) and was tied for the most losses among state tournament qualifiers.

The 2011 edition of the Wildcats (14-7-1) is again the lowest-ranked squad (No. 19), tied for the fewest victories and has the most losses. And both years saw Nitro pull out overtime victories in the sectional tournament. "We haven't been a unit like we were my freshman year, but this year we've gotten that back and I think that's really taken us far,'' said Gilham. "We had a lot of injuries and we learned how to get past them together. That's really brought us together as a team this year.

"You have to have a special group of girls to get the feeling we do, the camaraderie. The seniors were really our big sisters [in 2008] and I feel like that's how our underclassmen look up to our seniors this year. I just feel like this is our year and this is what we've been working for the past few years. I really think we have it this year.'

Ross said the family atmosphere has returned to the sideline. "Throughout the season we've all gotten to be really close as a team,'' said Ross, who has scored five goals in three postseason games and is the Wildcats second-leading scorer with 12 goals. "We're like a family and in that way we're the same [as 2008]. The past several games, we just think soccer now. It's really helped us.'

Bowyer said the nine seniors on this year's roster struck the right tone at the beginning of the season, which has been a mirror image of 2008. The other six seniors for the Wildcats this season are Samantha Gaten, Emilee Hrtyanski, Tiffany Newland, Megan Popp, Devin Randolph and Allison Scarbro, who started in the '08 title game.

"Our seniors were a big part of the team my freshman year,'' said the defender. "We expected we wouldn't be the same after they left. At the beginning of the season we all made [the underclassmen] feel like they're welcome and they're part of the team and help them at practice.

"We had a team sleepover. We do a lot of different activities, we go to movies, we go out to eat and we eat together at lunch. It's really helped to get to know each other, especially the freshmen. We're all really good friends and we try 100 percent at practice and every game. We do it for each other.'

Bowyer said she didn't think much about winning it all in 2008, but now that she is a senior the journey has meant more.

"As a freshman it really wasn't a big deal to me then, but now that I'm a senior the last game, it's a big deal,'' she smiled. "It's definitely more exciting. Hopefully we'll go out the same way we came in.'' "I think it's cool to start with states and end with states,'' added Ross. "It's an awesome feeling.'

Reach Tommy R. Atkinson at tatkin...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4811.

Here's an update and video at WCHS http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/sports/bbs/bbs111103_799.shtml

Hilda O'Dell Linville, 92, of Nitro went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, October 28, 2011. She was a 1937 graduate of Nitro High School and also a graduate of Charleston School of Commerce. She was employed over 40 years with American Viscose, Nitro, in the Personnel Department, and a lifelong member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Nitro, having been received there on the cradle roll. Hilda served in many capacities at the church, which included: Sunday school teacher of many ages, and choir member, in which she received special recognition of having sung in the church choir for over 70 years. Hilda was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Garnet O'Dell; brother, Jake O'Dell, sisters, Ruby O'Dell, Ruth O'Dell, Garnie O'Dell, Florence O'Dell, and Hazel O'Dell; her husband, Ralph; and son, Bernard Linville. Left to cherish her memory are her sister JoAnn O'Dell Jividen of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; daughters, Mary Linville Church of Austin, Texas, and Beverly Linville Bailey of Willis, Texas; daughter-in-law, Patty Linville of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Jody (Diane) Young of Brownsville, Texas, Eric Young of Austin, Texas, Matthew Dorsen and Kim, Tammy, and Scott Linville; and great-grandchildren Gracie, Annie and Jack Young of Brownsville, Texas. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

Timothy Pollitt article.... Here is a quote of the article written by Julie Robinson, Charleston Gazette, November 2, 2011: "CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A neon "Open" sign glowing on the newly renovated historic Quarrier Diner excites both local residents who remember the restaurant's heyday and passers-by who look forward to a new downtown dining option. The restaurant's opening last week was bittersweet for Anna Pollitt, who owns the restaurant with her husband, David.

The Pollitts purchased the dilapidated restaurant in September 2010 at the urging of their son Tim, who worked at Murad's in Kanawha City. "He told us that if we would purchase a restaurant, he would make it work," she said.Here is a nice photo from the Charleston Gazette story of his Mother and included photo of Tim:


Gary W. Botkins, 64, of Nitro passed away Sunday, October 30, 2011, at Thomas Memorial Hospital following a long illness. He was born May 18, 1947, in Kanawha County. He was the son of Glenn Botkins Sr. and Shirley Spaulding Massey. Gary was a truck driver for Corey Brothers Wholesale Company. He attended Maranatha Fellowship for years. His greatest love was his wife and family and his Lord. He was an avid outdoorsmen and loved to fish. Surviving are his loving wife of 46 years, Mary Redman Botkins; two sons, Christopher Wayne Botkins and wife, Jeanine, of Nitro and David Alan Botkins of Nitro; daughter, Kimberly Botkins Doss and husband, Herb, of Nitro; brothers, Mike Botkins of North Charleston and Glen Botkins Jr. of Florida; sister, Christine Botkins Cunningham of Nitro; grandchildren, Matthew, Brianne and Nikki Toler and Christian and Joey Botkins; and two great-grandchildren.

Deanna Kay Landers Johnson, 66, of Nitro left this world to begin her journey with Jesus after a short battle with brain cancer. Deanna was a childcare provider for many children in her home. She was a Christian and was a member of the Nitro Church of God for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, John F. Johnson Jr.; her mother, Mildred Landers; grandmother, Vina Arthurs; and niece, Karen Smith. Those left to cherish her memories are her children, Kimberly Johnson(Anthony) Loveday of South Charleston and Stephanie Johnson (Alex) Bennett and Jay (Samantha) Johnson, all of Hurricane; four grandsons, Trey Mattox of Hurricane, and Patrick, Michael and John Loveday of South Charleston; three granddaughters, Kinslie (Devin) Knicely of Georgia and Lily Jo and Emma Jean Johnson of Hurricane; sisters, Rhonda Landers Stewart of Cross Lanes and Debbie Landers Metten of Dunbar; brothers, Jerry Priestly of Georgia, Norman Fowler of Charleston and Craig Landers of Charleston; best friend and sister-in-law, Betty Jo Johnson of South Charleston; and brother-in-law, David Johnson of Florida.