More May 2011 Nitro High School WV obituaries

Colleen Kaye Huff Kortz, 47, of Charleston passed away Sunday, May 29, 2011, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born July 26, 1963, in South Charleston and was a daughter of the late Harry and Helen Stevens Huff. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by the father who raised her, Quentin Fisher; brothers, Steven Huff and Jeff Huff; and sisters, Beverly Huff and Debra Anne Huff Kortz.

She was a 1981 graduate of Nitro High School and graduated from West Virginia State University with a major in human resources management.

Colleen is survived by her husband, Tom; daughter, Jessica; sons, Adam and Colin; sister, Mindy (Jimmy) Lemon; brothers, Kevin Huff and Brian Huff; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Bobby and Susie Salisbury, Karla Huff and Stevie and Libby Kortz; nieces and nephews, Kelly, Jamie and Mary-Katherine Lemon, Robert, Andrew and Brittney Kortz, Kristopher Huff and Carmen and Frannie Salisbury; and faithful pets, Ace Von Churchill, Daisy Mae, Molly and Lucky.

To those of us who knew Colleen, she was a very special person. Her 10-year battle with breast cancer was fought courageously and without a complaint. The love of her life was her three children, whom she thoroughly enjoyed and cherished. She couldn't go a day without talking to them or at least thinking of them. Attending her kid's sporting events and coaching her oldest daughter, Jessica, in softball was her passion. Missing any event that her children were a part of was never an option. She did everything from spending weekends at the softball field to countless hours in the hot, steamy gymnasium for her youngest child, Colin's, wrestling matches. She proudly supported middle child, Adam's, decision to retire from sporting activities and focus on academics.

Colleen's love and acceptance for people spilled over into her career. She was employed by Target Corporation as a human resources manager. She was looked highly upon by her fellow employees as a loving and kind-hearted person who could relate to her co-workers on a more personal level than any other person inside of her industry. She was constantly rooting for the underdog and got great joy out of seeing them succeed.

When she wasn't at one of her own children's activities, she fully supported her six beautiful nieces and three handsome nephews in all of their athletic, educational and career endeavors.

Mary Edith Bird Hilleary, 89, of Cross Lanes moved to her new home in heaven on May 29, 2011, after a long illness.
Mary was born and raised in St. Albans and was the daughter of the late Silas and Savannah Bird. She met her late husband, Herbert Fred Hilleary, while he was working on old Route 60 in the St. Albans area. Fred served in the Army during WWII. Mary worked in Huntington in a tent factory, as she would say, “putting flaps on tents.” When Fred returned they were married and moved to Mill Creek, where they began raising five children, until his death in 1965 when she became a very single mom. She started working in a lumber mill until 1968 when she moved her family to Cross Lanes. She returned to school and received her GED and also had training as a teacher's aide. She worked in the Kanawha County school system as an aide and then as a cook until her retirement in 1962. Mary enjoyed being with her family, working in her church and quilting with her friends. She was an amazing Christian mother who sacrificed her time for her children. She will be greatly missed by all her family.
She is survived by her son, Herbert Hilleary; her daughter, Carol Hilleary; daughters and son-in-law, Yvonne Hilleary and Donald Ash, Susan Hilleary and Keith Perry and Mornalee and Clark Greene; grandson, Clark Anthony Greene; two granddaughters, Megan Perry Polly and Hillary Greene Billings; great-grandson, Brayden Billings; and a new great-granddaughter, Addison Ruth Billings, on the way.

James Addison Duffield Jr. of Cross Lanes died peacefully May 29, 2011, at the age of 90.
Jim was born November 30, 1920, in Charleston and was the son of the late James Addison and Esther Franklin Duffield. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Ravina Casto Duffield; and his grandson, Lawrence Duffield.
Jim graduated from Charleston High School in 1939 and entered the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCCs) in 1941, went on to specialize in radio operations and mechanics as a radio range and high power communications servicing engineer at several air bases and was a radio mechanics instructor at Scott Field, Ill. Jim followed his love for radios and his country and entered World War II for the Army Air Corps in 1945. Jim reveled in retelling stories of his days as a Staff Sergeant - radio operator and navigator with the 1st Troop Carrier Squadron of the 443rd Troop Carrier Group. Over his three years in the service, flying the China-Burma-India Theatre, known as “The Hump,” Jim accumulated over 2000 flight hours on 273 missions and, by the grace of God, survived many dangerous encounters. Following the war, Jim did a brief stint in Alaska as a radio technician but returned to the warmer climate of Charleston to marry his sweetheart, Ravina, and to begin his 35-year career as an electronics engineer with Appalachian Power.
Jim continued his avid interest in radios, was a licensed amateur radio operator and was a founder and curator for the Antique Radio Museum in Huntington. Jim's faith and his church were always an important part of his life. He was a founder, deacon and Sunday school teacher for the First Baptist Church at Tyler Mountain and a Gideon lay preacher at other area churches.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Dianna Duffield Illig and her husband, Howard, of Weirton and their daughter, Brenda, his son, Larry Duffield and his wife, Deborah, of Cross Lanes; his daughter, Cathy Duffield Chestnut and her husband, Michael, of Charleston; and his daughter, Shelda Duffield Thorburn and her husband, Ronald, and their sons, Grant and Kenneth.

Edward J. Canterbury, 67, of Cross Lanes passed away at his residence Saturday, May 21, 2011.
He was born in Charleston and was the son of the late Chester and Edith Lawson Canterbury.
After Ed's retirement from Eskew, Smith and Cannon as a long-term salesman, he was a self-employed contractor with Hickman Assembly.
Mr. Canterbury is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Michelle Canterbury and Gary White of Charleston and Elizabeth Canterbury and Ron Tornes of Cross Lanes; his sister and her husband, Olivia Canterbury “Libby” and Jack Kelley of Jasper, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Allison White, Corey Tornes and Ashley Tornes; and his life partner of 16 years, Johanna Garnes of Cross Lanes and her children, Mike Garnes, and Rick Bowling, and their families.

Gerald Eugene Page, 74, of Cross Lanes passed away May 22, 2011.
He was born May 15, 1937, and was a son of Eugene “Gene” and Faye Page, who preceded him in death. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Darold Page.
Gerald was a member of Teamsters Local 175 and was a retired truck driver from Praxair. Prior to working for Praxair, he hauled heavy equipment for R.L. Jeffries Trucking. He loved to fish and looked forward to his annual fishing trip to Pocahontas County. He also loved to raise a garden. Gerald was an Army veteran with five years of service.
Left to cherish his life and memory are his wife, Virginia Mabe Page; son, Gerald Page “JR” and his wife, Cindi, of Charlotte, N.C., and their three children, Montana and her two children, Trinity and Tristan, Laramie and Jacob; daughter, Gwendolyn Page of St. Albans and her three children, Anthony, Joshua and Jeremy; daughter, Deborah Page and companion, Fredrick Wilmore, of Oxford, N.C., and their two children, Miles and Shelby; son (grandson), Anthony Page and his two children, Seth and Alyssa; brothers, Harold Page and his wife, Betty, of Kellys Creek, C. L. Page and his wife, Linda, of South Charleston and Jerry Page and his wife, Dee, of Charleston; and sister, Brenda Bavle and her husband, Bob, of Kenna.

NHS WV obituaries update for May

Buel “Leonard” Gibson, 76, of Nitro was called to home to be with the Lord on May 27, 2011.
He was born May 5, 1935 in Fraziers Bottom, a son of Floyd W. and Mable Gibson.
Leonard was a retired meat cutter for NiteOwl Superette for 32 years.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Shirley; daughters, Barbara Gibson Rodrigo and her husband Herman of South Carolina, and Pamela Gibson Lemon of Nitro; grandson, Timothy Lemon and his wife Missy of St. Albans; great-grandchildren, Zachery and Merewyn; sister, Neada Pauley of St. Albans; brothers, Bobby Gibson of Poca, Floyd Gibson of St. Albans, and Darrell Gibson of Hurricane.

Sandra Sue Vance Good, 64, of South Charleston went home to the Lord Thursday, May 19, 2011 at Hubbard Hospice House after a short battle with cancer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil V. And Melva Coffman Vance, and brothers, Michael Vance and Eddie Vance.

She was a former employee of Black Diamond Girl Scout Council and Robin Godfrey, attorney-at-law, and was very active in the Nitro High School Alumni Reunion.

She is survived by her companion of 30 years, Carl Edward Pauley; sons, Tony, Darrin and Steven Good; stepchildren, Jody Hensley, Becky Parker, Carl E. Pauley II and Tina Pauley Roberts; brothers, John, Pat and Sam Vance; sisters, Jackie Taylor, Sharon Layne and Terri Vance; and many grandchildren and friends.

Kimberly “Kym” Dawn Canfield, 43, of Cross Lanes passed away May 15, 2011, at UPMC Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., after a long illness.

Kym was preceded in death by her sister, Kelli Canfield Gilfilen; paternal grandparents, Edward and Bessie Canfield; and maternal grandfather, William “Bill” Graham, all of Clay County.

Kym attended Cross Lanes Elementary and Nitro High School. She also attended Community Chapel Church in her youth.

Kym is survived by her children: daughter, Nicole Canfield; and sons, Nathan Canfield of Duck and Josh Lewis of Nitro. Also surviving is a grandson, Thomas Lewis of Nitro.

Kym is also survived by her parents, Leonard Canfield and wife, Sandy, of Canal Fulton, Ohio, and Sharon Given of Charleston; sister, Krista Given Vallandingham of Cross Lanes; grandmother, Janet Graham of Indore; a niece and a nephew; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

George Lester Tinsley, 82, of Big Tyler Road passed away Sunday, May 15, 2011, at Cedar Ridge Nursing Facility, Sissonville, following a brief illness.

George was born February 24, 1929, in Charleston. He was preceded in death by his parents, James P. and Stella M. Tinsley; and sister, Louise Wood.

George was a shoe salesman from early on. He started working at Banks/ Matz department store in Nitro during high school. He went to Great Atlantic Shoe Company and later opened Classic Shoe Store in Dunbar. He also worked at Security America until December 2010 at the age of 81.

Survivors include son, Pat Tinsley and wife, Donna, of Cross Lanes; daughter, Lou Tinsley Dodd and companion, Rick Withrow, of Cross Lanes; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and PaPaw's “special boy,” Ricky Wilkerson.

George H. Beckwith Jr. of Nitro passed away peacefully May 12, 2011, after a very sudden and quick battle with cancer. He passed at Hubbard Hospice House, surrounded by his family.

George was born June 27, 1951, in Charleston and was a lifelong resident of the Nitro-St. Albans area. He was a graduate of St. Albans High School, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a Freemason, a former commanding officer in the American Legion Post 20 and was terminal manager for Essroc Cement, Nitro.

George worked at the Nitro terminal for 30 years. While owned by Essroc, he was awarded the highest honor in the corporation, the Essroc Service Above Self Award. George and the terminal received many other awards including the Essroc President's Spiral Award for Excellence, the Essroc Excellence in Service Award and the Distinguished Achievement Award from Essroc.

For 27 years, he was a loving and devoted husband and best friend to his wife, Linda Brown Beckwith of Nitro; and a loving and supporting father to Lisa Beckwith Smith and Anthony Smith, both of Annapolis, Md. In addition to his wife and children, George is survived by his father, George H. Beckwith Sr. of Nitro; sister, Cathy Beckwith Blankenship of Charlotte, N.C.; special pal, Jayden Zickefoose of Charleston; nieces and nephews, Michelle Blankenship, Bart Blankenship, Kandace McDonald, Noah McDonald, Brittney Beckwith and Brooke Beckwith; one great-niece and three great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lena Parsons Beckwith; and siblings Delores Beckwith Capehart, David W. Beckwith and Beth Beckwith McDonald.

George will be remembered as a peaceful and laid-back man. He always had a smile, a wave, a kind word and a helping hand.

Michael David Miller II
Mr. Michael David "Mikey" Miller II, 28, of Nitro passed away unexpectedly May 6, 2011.
Surviving Mikey are his father, Michael "Mike" Miller of Nitro; mother, Deborah Perkins of Cross Lanes; sister, Tana Miller Burford and brother-in-law, Dale Burford, of Hurricane; special nephew, Cayden Briscoe; and grandparents, Joe and Gaynell Snodgrass of Scott Depot, Eddie and Kathy Hilbert of St. Albans and Ferriel Craigo of Eleanor. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who will always cherish Mikey's memory.
Mikey attended Winfield schools. His favorite things were listening to old rock and roll music and playing his guitar. Mikey was playing his new guitar at the time of his death.

Ralph R. “Mickey” Wallace Jr., 88, of St. Albans passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2011, in Tampa, Fla., surrounded by his family. Ralph was born on June 22, 1922, in Nitro. He was a 1940 graduate of Nitro High School, as well as a 1943 graduate of West Virginia University, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

As a longtime resident of St. Albans, Ralph was involved in civic organizations, including the Rotary Club, Catholic War Veterans and Knights of Columbus. He was a founding member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Nitro and a longtime member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in St. Albans. Ralph helped start the Winfield Rotary Club. He was a retired Colonel in the West Virginia National Guard where he served as Chief of Staff. He established Wallace Insurance Agency, which later became Insurance Exchange where he worked with his partners and friends until his retirement. During his career, he also acted as State Representative for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and served as president of the Professional Insurance Agents of West Virginia. Ralph also was active in the St. Albans Planning and Zoning Board. He was a longtime member and chair of the State Board of Risk Management.

Ralph is survived by his children; son, Michael Raymond Wallace of Cross Lanes; and daughters Barbara Wallace Pippinger and Ann Marie Wallace of Tampa, Fla.; son-in-law, Richard G. Pippinger of Tampa, Fla., and daughter-in-law, Lorna D. Wallace of Cross Lanes; grandchildren, Richard Brian Pippinger of St. Petersburg, Fla., Katherine Ann Pippinger of Orlando, Fla., and Benjamin Michael Wallace of Cross Lanes.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Mary “Marie”; and loving wife of 50 years, Mary Wallace.

Ralph spent much of his time with his friends and family in West Virginia and at the beaches of Anna Maria Island, Fla., where he spent many of his last years. He enjoyed spending time in the mountains at Snowshoe during the summer. Ralph could always be counted on for an insightful and amusing story about times gone by and the relevance that it still held today. Ralph's greatest joy in life was always his friends and family, and sharing his wisdom, opinions and secrets on how to live a successful and happy life. He will be greatly missed, but those who were touched by his life will carry a piece of him wherever we go.

Arthur V. King

Arthur V. King, 71, of Nitro went home to be with the Lord May 6, 2011.

Arthur was the devoted husband of his childhood sweetheart, Ruby D. King (Jones), now deceased, and faithful father of two children, Debbie King Bush (Joe) of Simpsonville, S.C., and Brian King (Michelle) of Caldwell, Ohio. He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Sarah Bush French, Kerri Bush, Jeanna Bush and Joshua King.

Arthur was retired from and a member of the Cross Lanes Bible Church.

There will be a memorial service at the church at 10 a.m. Monday, May 9.

Arthur requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to HospiceCare.

William Edison Kyle
William "Bill" Edison Kyle was born on March 10, 1927 in Peytona, Boone County. Bill passed away on May 4, 2011 after a serious illness.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Kyle and Pearl Keiffer Kyle; his two sisters, Virginia Shepard of Tucson, Ariz., and Betty Olmes of Florida; and his two brothers, Charles Kyle of Charleston and Lt. Darwin Kyle, who was killed in the Korean War and awarded the Medal of Honor for his service. Bill was also preceded in death by his first wife, Lois Kyle.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Rose Kyle of Cross Lanes. He is also survived by his three sons, Michael (Joanne) Kyle of Cross Lanes, Patrick (Ginny) Kyle of Birmingham, Ala., and Dennis (Debra) Kyle of Hurricane; his two step-daughters, Catherine Gilbert of Scott Depot and Elizabeth (Tony) Benedetto of Elkview; his seven grandchildren, Brianne Kyle Taylor, Kimberly Kyle, W. Brent Kyle, Matt Kyle, Megan Kyle, Bre Erin Kyle and Brittany Kyle; his two great-grandchildren, Jayden Taylor and Neva Marie Kyle; and many nieces and nephews. Bill is also survived by his sister, Mabel Foster, of Chatsworth, Ga.

Bill was the owner of Carpet Mart in St. Albans. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served his country in World War II.

Well toned Nitro High School WV legs!

From '67 NHS Yearbook; Gym Helpers

Faces I recognize include
Patty Craigo, Suzanne Roberts, Pam McCown, Diane Portz, Vickie Higginbotham, Pam Lett, Chris Sales, Pam Davis, and Patty Patten....

I wasn't aware that so much help was needed! I would have volunteered!

Young women taking a Giant Stride

Capt. Don's Habitat dock. These two aquanauts joyfully cooperated with this shot. The wonderful Bonaire reef creatures await their visit.

My little ones

A day in the mountains of Clay County, WV....they both slept very well that evening!

Nice NHS band photo 2009

Nitro sure produces some beautiful young people!

Emily's Song

Written by John Lodge, Moody Blues, upon the birth of his daughter, Emily....

Wonderful! Thank you John.

Emily's Song Lyrics:

Lovely to know the warmth
Your smile can bring to me.
I want to tell you,
But the words you do not know.
Sing me a lullaby
Of songs you cannot write
And I will listen for there's beauty
Where there's love.

And in the morning of my life,
And in the evening of my day
I will try to understand in what you say.

Rivers of endless tides
Have passed beneath my feet
And all too soon they had me
Standing on my own.

Then, when my eyes were closed,
You opened them for me
And now we journey through our lives
To what will be.

And in the morning of my life,
And in the evening of my day
I will try to understand
In what you say

Through all that life can give to you
Only true love will see you through
And we'll stand beside you now
In what you say.

And in the morning of my life,
And in the evening of my day
I will try to understand
In what you say

Take me into your world,
Alone I cannot go
For I've been here so long.
You're leaving me behind.
Walk with me now
Into your land of fairy tales
And open up that book of pages in my mind
And open up that book of ages in my mind
And open up that book of pages in my mind
And open up that book of ages in my mind...

Osama's last facebook post

sweet tarts and more!

Here's a link to a candy history site.

www.oldtimecandy.com/1960s-Candy_c_79-3-3.html

You can explore the most popular candies of each decade. At Nitro High School here's what I enjoyed:

1. Payday
2. Sweet Tarts
3. Sugar Babies
4. Beeman's chewing gum
5. Heath bars (they were too small though!)
6. Brown Cow?

A special treat was to put peanuts in an RC Cola (or Vernor's)....made for a great last sip!

A day in 2011

What was today like here in water logged West Virginia?

I rescued a lost elderly dog with rhinestone collar and no ID.....will post her photo around the neighborhood tomorrow. Meanwhile my Jack Russell Terrier will keep her company.

Then participated as a judge in the Special Olympics at Laidley Field, Charleston, WV....heart warming to feel the love and happiness. Thankfully the weather cooperated!

Update! A nice lady Michelle appeared to reclaim her beloved little dog Blaney! It has been a cold rainy day but the heart warming reunion was great!

1973

1973: 5-6 hours/day training/day in Tiger Style Kung Fu in Columbus Ohio.....I miss those days!

Barry Soetoro, how about a REAL biography??

The Obama records which have not been released include; Passport records, Obama kindergarten records, Punahou School records, Occidental College records, Columbia University records, Columbia thesis, Harvard Law School records, Harvard Law Review articles, University of Chicago scholarly articles, Illinois State Bar Association records, Illinois State Senate records/schedules(said to be lost), Medical records, Obama/Dunham marriage license, Obama/Dunham divorce documents, Soetoro/Dunham marriage license, Adoption records and of course the long-form Certificate of Live Birth (the copy of the photoshopped copy has been discredited as a fraud by all major intelligence agencies including Europe, China, and Russia).

Soetoro has spent 2.2 millions of dollars to date to keep all of his records secret.

Truth is the enemy of this cabal.

What does hyperinflation look like?

Demise of a devil.....

"Ooops, Intel Came From . . . Gitmo
By Joy Tiz | Published: May 2, 2011

Libs will be deeply disturbed to know that the intel leading our magnificent SEALS to the compound where Binny was kickin it in the ‘burbs for God knows how long came from a Gitmo detainee.

We’ve listened to nearly a decade of liberal caterwauling about the sinister uselessness of the seaside resort known as Club Gitmo which wrongfully houses a bunch of harmless do gooders. Yet, their beloved president never did get around to shutting the place down.

As in all things, liberals had it completely wrong."

Posted in American Politics, American Society, Homeland Security, Islam, Radical Left, Terrorism

Great book about music

"This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession"

Author: Daniel J. Levitin

Incredible book that illuminates why we like music! Understanding why notes sound off (and in) key, what is rhythm and why do we respond like we do, and what is music? ...how the brain works when exposed to music, and why music is essential. The author is a musician, recording engineer and producer, and research neuro-physiologist.

Every paragraph is worth consideration and reflection.

http://www.amazon.com/This-Your-Brain-Music-Obsession/dp/0452288525/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304340607&sr=1-1

Just a random page of the '68 Yearbook....my recollections:

1. Connie Burke: sophisticated, reserved, very smart, and great red hair!
2. Paula Burnett: She and I went to the Prom (my car broke down and my cousin David Cavender '67 generously let us accompany his entourage for dinner at Humphrey's Pine Room)...Paula was probably the smartest person in the '68 class; we had French class together with Ms Amos...I was a pretty poor date and purchased a too small corsage for Paula. After the prom, Paula hardly spoke to me!! My bad.
3. Judy Cadle: Attended Point Harmony Elementary, N Jr High and High with Judy...in the 5th grade she (or was it Ann Wandling?)brought several books about the Bobsey twins for Brit Ms Litchfield to read aloud...at the end of one book, I asserted that I was tired of the Bobsey Twins and that I would bring in a great Nancy Drew mystery; Ms Litchfield did NOT like my attitude and verbally humiliated me....I was properly shut down, and we proceeded to the next Bobsey Twins go to the Beach! Judy's mother taught the 6th grade at Point Harmony....I was in her class. Judy's father sponsored a Little League team that I was on, along with Butch Long (a great friend), Mike Mattea (Kathy Mattea's big brother), and several other NHS illuminaries.
4. Nancy Cadle: Cute, friendly, energetic, and always fun to be around. A class star!
5. Cary Caldwell: A great guy; self effacing humor, reserved, and always ready to smile...smart as a tack.
6. Carla Carnes: I didn't know her well, but found her attractive and always upbeat and fun.
7. Janet Carney: Didn't know her well either...she was a solid, fun member of our class.
8. Judy Carpenter: Always smiling, joking, and ready to have a good time! One of the essential members of '68.

Videos: Beautiful afternoon in Nitro April 2011

Lots of action at the old Nitro High School..live band and dancing!

This is a clip I took riding on my scooter, shows Bill Storage's The Corner (great times there!), Nitro High and Elementary schools....Note the green lawn across from the High School....the old WWI frame building (remember the little candy store?) had to be removed. The WWI museum is now located in the old High School as is the Nitro Police Department. A Seniors' program is also available there.



Here's a view going the opposite direct (from Nitro Elementary)



A ride along Main Avenue including Valentine Circle....