Nitro High School WV, Obituaries and News, Memories and Photos

Bob Robert Layton, NHS 68
Mr. Robert Lee "Butch" Layton, 67, of St. Albans, formerly of Nitro, left this earth to go to his eternal home on March 28, 2017. Mr. Layton retired from Dotson Pest Control and was a former employee of FMC. Butch had a spiritual musical gift from God and played in Spyce rock band. His brothers were the musicians. He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Louise Layton. He is survived by his loving wife Dee Layton; children Scott Layton, Gary Layton, Sierra Layton and Bryan Machowicz; sister Helena Reed and grandson Bodhi. Butch was also adopted and loved by Dee's side of the family. A tribute to the life of Butch will be noon, Saturday, April 1, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Richard Neal officiating. Burial will follow in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 Eighteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-3517. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hardingfamilygroup.com. Gatens-Harding Funeral Home, 147 Main St., Poca, is serving the Layton family.- See more at: gazettemail.com/Obituaries#sthash.tWN80ip2.dpuf


Ruth Santrock was a resident of Nitro for more than 70 years. She leaves a legacy of caring and support to her family, church and school. She was born October 11, 1921, in Kanawha City, and died in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on August 25, 2012. She became a member of the First Baptist Church of Nitro in 1938 and in the last several years had been its oldest member. For many decades Ruth was a soloist in the choir, singing not only in the choir each Sunday but also for numerous weddings and funerals. She also was an Elsie Kittlitz circle member and a deaconess at the church. She began working as the secretary at Nitro High School in 1944 and retired in 1975 when her husband, John, became superintendant of Kanawha County schools. She is fondly remembered by many people in the Nitro community, including parents and students, for her wide range of contributions to the school. For almost two decades, during summers Ruth also handled the managerial duties for the Pro Shop at the Charleston Tennis Club. In the late 1980s she and her husband, John, began living in Davie, Fla., during the winter months, where their daughter, Shauna, lives, and visiting their son, John, in Plano, Texas, every October, where she enjoyed celebrating her birthday, often with her relatives coming to join her in Texas. Ruth Santrock was a loving wife, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by two children, John W. Santrock (wife, Mary Jo) of Plano, Texas, and Shauna Hampshire (husband, Don) of Davie, Fla.; three grandchildren, Tracy Santrock of Cary, N.C., Jennifer Santrock of San Antonio, Texas, and Stephanie Hampshire of Rockville, Md.; and three great-grandchildren, Jordan Bowles of Dallas, Texas, and Alex and Luke Bellucci of San Antonio, Texas. William Gene Rhodes Sr., 69, of Cross Lanes, passed away at Hubbard Hospice House West on August 12, 2012. He was born in Charleston on March 21, 1943, a son of the late Matt Clair and Maggie Alice Fields Rhodes. He was a former employee of FMC Corp., where he was employed as a fabricator. Mr. Rhodes was a member of the Baptist church, the Moose Lodge and loved to build and race drag cars. He set many world racing records and was a member of the National Hot Rod Association. He is survived by a son and his wife, William "Bill" and Kim Rhodes Jr. of Cross Lanes; brother, Johnny Otmer Rhodes of Cross Lanes; sister, Frances Norene Rhodes of Cross Lanes; and his faithful companion, Thor "Pee Wee," his beloved dog. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Clyde Maford Rhodes and Matt Clair Rhodes Jr.; sister, Irene Rhodes; and nephew, Richard W. Rhodes. Junior Adam Withrow, 88, of Nitro, was called home to be with Jesus on July 30, 2012, after an extended illness. He was a born-again Christian and was a member of West Virginia Home Mission Church, Nitro. After his conversion at age 61, he liked to play bluegrass gospel music at local churches and nursing homes as long as he was able. Junior served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked at the Ohio Apex chemical plant in Nitro, which later became FMC, and retired from there in 1983. He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 55 years, Alma Jean Withrow, in 2004. He is survived by son and his wife, Richard Withrow "Ric" and Arleen Withrow; grandson, Jeffery Jividen; nephews, Carroll Withrow, Gary Withrow, Ronald Withrow, James Withrow, Lowell Withrow and Paul Withrow; niece, Bea Asbury; nephews, James Humphreys and Greg Haverty; niece, Ann Smithson; and his sister-in-law, Freda Haverty.

Linda Lee Plumley, 60, of Cross Lanes, was called to her eternal home on July 12, 2012. She was born in Charleston, a daughter of the late William R. and Irene Wallace. She was a 1970 graduate of South Charleston High School and retired from St. Francis Hospital in 1991. Linda was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was extremely proud of her only granddaughter, Samantha Leigh. Linda's life revolved around her family, pets and friends, who cherished her deeply. She was a member of Roxalana Gospel Tabernacle of Dunbar. Linda is survived by her devoted husband, Thomas Tom Plumley; her loving daughter, Shannon Wallace and her companion, Randy Fisher, of Given; cherished granddaughter, Samantha Leigh of Given; sisters and their husbands, Diana and Greg Brown of South Charleston and Phyllis and Roy Wolfe of Dunbar; brother, Dick Wallace of Charlotte, N.C.; her pet "babies," Precious, Daisy Mae and Callie; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who mourn her passing.

Juanita Ruth Williams, 89, of Nitro passed away on Friday, July 13, 2012, at her home.
She was born in Whitesville and was preceded in death by her parents; brothers; sister; and daughter, Deborah Sue Williams Casto. Juanita is survived by her husband, Charles Edward "Eddie" Williams. They would have celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary August 2, 2012. She is also survived by grandsons, Rusty Casto and wife, Bobbie, of Liberty, and Joey Casto and wife, Amber, of Cross Lanes; great-grandsons, Joshua, Dakota, Isaac and Elijah; and a host of other family and friends.

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Slater Miller was born October 16, 1924. On June 27, 2012, she went to be with her Lord and Savior. She was reunited with her beloved husband, Dick; her parents, Bob and Rosie Slater; her baby boy, Willard; and brothers, Sam and Darrel Slater. She is survived by her sons, Olden and Carolyn of Elkview and Kenny and Janet of Nitro; daughters, Linda and Bob Fields of Nitro and Gail and Jerry Bailey of Medina; grandchildren, Greg Miller, Jeanette Mikael, Todd Miller, Chris Miller, Jason Hicks, Josh Bailey and Jeremiah Bailey; and great-grandchildren, Dustan Miller, Chelsie Mikael, Cody Miller, Ivy Miller, Bratch Bailey and Trent Bailey.

Robert "Bob" Louis Dawson was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 23, 2012.
Bob was affectionately known as "Bear" to family, friends and all who loved him. When not wearing his handyman hat for family and friends to fix cars, boats or other projects, Bob enjoyed hunting and woodworking with his son, Mark, and mutual friends. At the end of the day, spending time with family was his most cherished pastime. Bob was born June 10, 1928, in Canton, Ill., to the late Arthur D. Dawson and Edith M. Dawson. He was educated in Beaumont, Texas and Toledo, Ohio, before joining and serving in the Merchant Marines from 1945-1946. Service being important to Bob led him to serve in the U.S. Air Force from 1946-1949. After serving his country, Bob moved to Nitro and spent 37 years working for Monsanto Chemical. Survivors include the love of his life and wife of 63 years, Dolly G. Dawson; children, Debra D. Debbie Dawson Houser and husband, Doug, of Scott Depot, Vicki Dawson D.D. Kiner and husband, Clarke, of Galena, Ohio, and Mark J. Dawson and wife, Pamella, of Scott Depot; grandchildren, Brandon Houser, Sierra and Jamison Kiner; great-grandchildren, Isabella, Olivia and Josiah; sisters, Natalie Mitchell of Michigan, and Sally Tittle of Ohio; and brother, Jerry Dawson of Alabama.

Mr. Timothy R. Boothe, 45, of Cross Lanes passed away on May 31, 2012, after a tragic accident at work.
He was born October 10, 1966, and was a 1984 graduate of Nitro High School. He was employed by WVDOH. He loved the outdoors and spending time with family and friends on many hunting trips in Pocahontas County during deer season. He was excellent archer and had recently started a small business "Natures Voice Game Calls," making turkey calls which have been sold and used successfully by hunters in many states across the U.S. and in professional turkey calling contests. Tim is preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Mary Neal and Carl "Chip" and Blanche Boothe; and father and mother-in-law, Dallas and Alice Smith. He is survived by his "high school sweetheart" and wife of 25 years, Beverly Smith Boothe of Cross Lanes; daughter, Jessica Boothe and soon to be husband, Justin Boyd, of Nitro; son, Justin Boothe and Brittany Layton of Cross lanes; parents, Carl and Beverly Boothe of Cross Lanes; sister, Angie and husband, Jody Moore, of Abington, Va.; brother, Mike and wife, Rachael Boothe, of Cross Lanes; grandsons, Jordan and Josiah Boyd of Nitro, and Carter Boothe of Cross Lanes; granddaughter, Jaylynn Boyd of Nitro; a grandson due in June; and a grandbaby due in November. He is also survived by nieces, Kayla Moore, and Kaci Boothe; nephew, Trevor Boothe; plus many aunts, uncles and cousins whom he dearly loved.

Samuel Mike Holleron Sr., 92, of Nitro passed away on Friday, June 1, 2012, at Hubbard Hospice House West in South Charleston. Mike was born in Jackson County on Cavin Fork on August 3, 1919, and was the son of the late Ebert and Elizabeth Craig Holleron. He was retired from American Viscose in Nitro with 36 years of service, was a Navy Veteran of World War II, and a member of Nitro Church of Christ. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Holleron, on March 20, 2011; and by eight brothers and sisters. Mike is survived by his daughter, Linda Holleron of Nitro; sons, Richard Holleron, Robert Holleron, and Samuel Holleron Jr., all of Nitro; granddaughters, Nancy Holleron Massey and Kristin Holleron Booth; grandson, Rich Holleron; and great-grandson, Michael Massey.

William "Bill" Henry Lanham, 77, passed away Monday, May 21, 2012, at Hubbard Hospice House. Originally a West Virginia native and graduate of Nitro High School, Bill spent 38 years in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., working for Pan American World Airways at Kennedy Space Center as an air conditioner and heating mechanic. After retiring, he relocated back to West Virginia, where he was a resident for the last 15 years. Bill was married to Lois Lanham, his "bride" of 55 years. He was a proud father of his son, French (Janet) Lanham of Florida; and daughters, Barbara (Marson) Kay of Clendenin, Delinda Funk and Greg Roboniwitz of Florida and Billie (Larry) Hall of Pennsylvania. He was a proud grandfather of 12 grandchildren, and proud great-grandfather of 11 great-grandchildren. Bill was a devoted Christian, a layman whose life centered around serving God, his church and his community. He fought a good fight, he finished the course and he kept the faith, and he has now received his crown of righteousness.

Mr. James Jimmie W. Dye, 57, of Bancroft passed away May 17, 2012, at CAMC Teays Valley Hospital. Jim was a retired chemical operator from DuPont; a member of Elizabeth Baptist Church; and a member of the Road Riders for Jesus. He was also a former volunteer for Bancroft Fire Department. He was preceded in death by his parents, Forrest and Flora May Dye; and brother, Ronnie Dye. Jim is survived by his girlfriend, Janice Gumm of Winfield; daughters, Kristen Bailey and husband, Kenneth, of Poca, Bethany Adkins and husband, David, of Milton and Melody Bailey and husband, Derek, of Nitro, and their mother, Tena Dye; brothers, Larry Dye and wife, Sharron, of Nitro and David Dye and wife, Cindy, of Dunbar; sister, Sue Dye Belcher and husband, Charlie, of Orlando, Fla.; and a host of nieces and nephews.


Mildred Marie Bockway, 93, of South Charleston passed away Sunday morning, May 6, 2012, at Thomas Memorial Hospital. She was born May 23, 1918, the daughter of Noah and Fairy Miller of Turtle Creek, Boone County. She was a retired teacher from West Virginia public schools, having taught for 24 years, most of it at Nitro High School. Mildred was educated in Boone County public schools and held a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Marshall University. Upon graduating from college she was a home economist for Appalachian Power Company in the early 1940s.
She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of South Charleston, its J.O.Y. Sunday school class, and the American Baptist Women Ministries. Her hobbies and joys included traveling, bowling, crossword puzzles, and participating in the water aerobics class at the South Charleston Recreation Center for over 20 years until her health no longer permitted it. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, William "Bill" Bockway; son, Paul; brother, Shelby Miller; sisters, Elta Abel, Lavely Cook, and Ersie West; and nieces, Patsy Cook McCarty and Carolyn West Lyons.

The late Rose Ellen Ramsey (NHS 66 and sister of deceased Richard Butch Ramsey NHS 68) Cline's husband passed on. James W. "Bill" Cline, 73, of Charleston died on April 23, 2012, at Thomas Memorial Hospital. James was self-employed, and was usually found tinkering around in the garage when he wasn't out visiting his buddies. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Ellen Ramsey; parents, Jesse O. Cline and Mollie Bell Schoonover Cline; and brother, Henry Cline.

April 17, 2012
Nitro Council meets roller girls by Mary Childress, For the Daily Mail
http://dailymail.com/News/201204170249
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Heart of Appalachia is rolling into Nitro.
Nitro City Council members were introduced to the Heart of Appalachia roller derby team during a meeting Tuesday. The women will compete in the rink starting at 7 p.m. April 28, at the Nitro Community Center. They will have a flat track, not a banked one, but promised to get rough and tumble during the games. The team will play at the community center for several Saturday nights in a row. Tickets are $10 per person and available at the door on competition nights.

Howard R. Cook, 82, of Nitro passed away at home Thursday, April 12, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. He was a lifelong resident of Nitro; a graduate of Nitro High School; former employee of American Viscose; former employee of Teague and Sons; a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War; and attended Nitro Church of the Nazarene. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Lena Mae Fowler Cook; his wife, Virginia Angell Cook; son, James Cook; brother, Harold Cook; and sisters, Betty Cook Sizemore and Dorothy Cook Buckenheimer. Howard is survived by his daughters, Rebecca Cook Martin and husband, Dana, Debbie Cook Rollyson and husband, Mark, Amy Cook Estep and Kim Cook Miller and husband, Kent; sons, Robert Cook and wife, Lucy, and John Cook and wife, Becky; sister, Viola Long and husband, Jay; 21 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Continuing Nitro High School WV news, obits, and updates Feb. 2012

Margaret June Lanham Jackson, 84, of Cross Lanes passed away March 14, 2012, at 1:20 a.m. at CAMC General. Margaret was born in Charleston, the daughter of the late Russell and Rev. Oma Parsons Lanham. She was a faithful and longtime member of Fairview Methodist Church, Cross Lanes. She loved the Lord, and lived a life of service to Him. Margaret was an avid reader, and enjoyed cross stitching "art" for each member of her family. Margaret has so many wonderful family and friends who will sorely miss her. She shared her entire life with her childhood friend, Dortha McNeil of Florida. Others who held a special place in her heart are Kathy Turley, Sherry Lucareli and Dr. Sarah Neace, who cared for her many years. Survivors include two sons and their wives, Jim Jackson and Suzan Jackson of Franklin, Tenn., and Eddie Jackson and Pat Jackson of Milton; brother and his wife, Bill and Dean Lanham of Cross Lanes; sister and husband, Doris and Clyde Ash of Greenville, S.C.; brother-in-law and wife, Harold and Dreama Turley of Cross Lanes; grandchildren, Margaret adored, Cindy, Jamie, Joey, David and Angie and their families. Margaret was the proud great-grandmother of eight great-grandchildren. She loved her nieces and nephews, Bev, Chuck, Lisa, Dreama, Bruce, Susan and Jane.

Mabel Louise Sizemore Finney, 87, of Nitro passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at Hubbard Hospice House West, South Charleston. Mabel was a 70-year resident of Nitro, and a former employee of Frankenberger's, Valley Bell and Nitro Church of God. She was a member of Nitro Church of God, the CWC and Friendship Sunday School Class. Mabel was also a member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Nitro Post of the VFW. She was the daughter of the late William and Caroline Riser Sizemore, and was also preceded in death by her sisters and brothers, Margaret Buckley, Virginia Akers, Mattie Jeffers, Owen, Guy, Eli, John, Danny and Bill Sizemore; and granddaughter, Tracy Ann Meadows. Mabel is survived by her daughter, Karen Finney Hartney and husband, Joe, of Scott Depot; son, Ivan Meadows and wife, Sally, of Nitro; grandchildren, Dean Meadows, Doug Meadows, Joe Hartney and Mary Beth Browning; and great-grandchildren, Zach Meadows, Bradley Meadows, Bryson Meadows, Ethan Hartney and Emma Hartney.

Phyllis Nottingham Dawson, 82, of Nitro completed her earthly journey on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at Hubbard Hospice House. She has gone to be with our Lord God in Heaven to suffer no longer on this earth. Born May 13, 1929 in Swandale, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Coleman D. and Victoria Mae Nottingham. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Dennis E. "Tom" Dawson. She was retired from General Electric Credit Corporation, Heck's Inc. and the Poca River Hunting and Fishing Club. She was a 1946 graduate of Clay County High School, often riding to school in the steam engine of a logging train from Swandale to Clay. Phyllis' greatest pleasure in life was her family. Always sacrificing her needs and wants to take care of and provide for them through the good times and those that were sometimes difficult. She thoroughly enjoyed and loved cooking for her immediate family, as well as her extended family, which consisted of many, many people who she loved and cared for greatly. A complete master at culinary improvisation, she would cook any time you were hungry. It was well known by all who had the pleasure of experiencing her home cooking, if you ever left PD's house hungry, it certainly wasn't her fault. She was the consummate big meal specialist, always ready to feed the masses with a come one, come all attitude. Her love for cooking shall live on forever, as she spent many hours putting together and printing PD's Country Cooking Cookbook for her family and friends to enjoy. In her cookbook, one can find most of the ingredients for her top "secret" recipes. She leaves to cherish her memory her three children, Melanie and her husband, Allen Rader, of Eleanor, Dennis E. Jr., "Denny," and his companion, Mara Pauley, of Nitro and Larry and his wife, Debbie, of St. Albans. She also cherished and dearly loved her grandchildren, Carina Ferrell and husband, Thomas, Matt Dawson and wife, Angie, Elizabeth Morgan and husband, Scottie, Michael Dawson, Krysta Dawson and Mauro Medina, Eric Rader and wife, Stephanie, Rebecca and husband, Yonne McHenry, Jason Rader and Travis and Tony Stone. Just as special to her were her great-grandchildren, Cailey, Arika and Bubba Ferrell, Stephen and Norah Rader, Brandon and Jake Dawson and Maurito and Javier Medina.


Bridget Beth Melvin, 27, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2012, after a courageous battle with lupus. She was born September 24, 1984, in Charleston to Paul Robert and Patricia Melvin of Charleston. She was a first grade teacher at Troutman Elementary School, Troutman, N.C. She was a collegiate swimmer with Wingate University, and was also a member of the Nitro High School State Championship Swim Team, Nitro. She was a former member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Nitro, and attended St. Therese Catholic Church in Mooresville. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her fiance, Jarod William Demmons of Mooresville; sisters, Melissa Melvin of Raleigh, N.C., and Pamela Melvin and husband, Jacob Martin Morris, of Durham, N.C.; and her beloved dogs, Piper and Bailey.

William "Bill" P. Harris, 91, of Cross Lanes departed this life Sunday, February 19, 2012, at his home following a short illness. He was a loving and devoted father who will be greatly missed by family and friends. He was a retired World War II Seabee Navy veteran. Over the years, he had affiliations with the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a retired pipefitter, having worked at Union Carbide in South Charleston for over 43 years. Bill faithfully attended Calvary Baptist Church in Hurricane, where his wife is a member.
Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Ruby Harris; and three children, Pamela Harris Radford Anderson of Hurricane, Barbara Harris Jones of Catlettsburg, Ky., and Patrick Harris of Charleston. Bill is also survived by four grandchildren, Sara Austin of Saline, Mich., Missionary Nathan Radford of Kitale, Kenya, East Africa, Christy Reed of Mt. Orab, Ohio, and Michael Jones of Cincinnati, Ohio; as well as seven great-grandchildren.

Continuing Nitro High School WV news, obits, and updates Jan. 2012

Howard H. Stewart, 82, of Nitro entered into heaven's gate February 10, 2012. Born March 14, 1929, to Homer and Grace Stewart of Whitesville. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Evelyn and Delphia; brother, Roy Stewart; and grandson, Jeffrey Scott Hayes. Howard was a Korean War veteran. He was a Bell Lines driver for many years, and Teamster, before retiring from Smith Transfer. Howard was a former member of the Clown Unit with Beni Kedem Shrine, and a volunteer driver, transporting children to the Shriner's Hospitals. Howard is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty; loving father to son, Jeff Stewart of Nitro; son, David Stewart and wife, Sandy, of Nitro; daughter, Robin Stewart and husband, Jeff Hayes, of Scott Depot; granddaughters, Cassie Stewart and Katie Stewart of Nitro and Jennifer Stewart Stephens of Hurricane; and brother, Ronald Lyons of St. Albans. Howard was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Nitro where he enjoyed Sunday school, apple butter days and the men's fellowship breakfast.

Mr. Allen P. Burdette, 81, of Nitro went home to be with the Lord on February 13, 2012, at Hubbard Hospice House West. Allen was the former owner of Burdette Garage, and a member and trustee of Valley Drive Church of God Mission. He was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Ollie Burdette; brother, Robert Burdette; and sisters, Wilma Fore and Elizabeth Scarberry. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Mrs. Loretta Burdette; children, Randall and wife, Linda Burdette, of Fredericksburg, Va., and Sheila and husband, Bill Lewis, of St. Albans; brothers, Henry Burdette of Poca and Ray and wife, Louise Burdette, of Rock Branch; sister, Faye Grady of Rock Branch; two grandchildren, Dr. William K. Lewis IV and wife, Elizabeth, and Brandi Edens and husband, Allen; and three great-grandchildren, Allen Lee Edens, William Lewis V and Abigal Lewis.

http://dailymail.com/News/201202070249

Date of Nitro-St. Albans bridge closure announced by Mary Childress

NITRO, W.Va. -- The Nitro-St. Albans bridge will close Jan. 7, 2013, and the new span should be open by Thanksgiving of that year, Nitro Mayor Rusty Casto announced at Tuesday's city council meeting. Work should begin on shoring up the bridge piers by next week, Casto said. The current bridge will be imploded, but the piers will be kept in place. A new bridge will then be floated down the river and placed on the existing piers.

Rich Hively, Nitro historian, said the West Virginia Department of Transportation has agreed to give the city $20,000 to fund projects and activities associated with the closing of the bridge. "We will have a bridge dedication booklet that we'll share with St. Albans," he said, "and publish a history of the bridge booklet, among other things. "We've been told that the bridge will be imploded in the middle first," he said. "So, we hope to have a contest that would allow someone from Nitro and someone from St. Albans to push the buttons that would blow up the middle from both sides of the river."

Right now, Nitro depends on firefighters from St. Albans to assist in some emergency situations. Fire Chief Ernie Hedrick said he had contacted officials in the Dunbar and Tyler Mountain fire departments to assist the city after the closure of the bridge.

Seven-year-old Evie Hunt was honored as Nitro's citizen of the month. A first grader at Nitro Elementary School, Evie single-handedly raised $1,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The school had set a goal of raising $1,500 and she raised $1,000 on her own.

"I sang a song and my mom put it on Facebook and a whole bunch of people sent money," she said.

Evie is the daughter of Brian and Kimberly Hunt. She received a certificate and a $25 gift card to Dairy Queen.

The West Virginia Department of Highways has awarded Nitro a $25,000 Recreational Trail Grant to complete the walking trail around Ridenour Lake Nitro WV .

Councilman Craig Matthews said the city must also come up with $4,900 as part of the grant agreement. The city will use its own labor force for the work, Matthews said.

Mr. Albert Donn Richardson, 79, of Nitro passed away February 6, 2012, at Thomas Memorial Hospital. He was a retired electrician from Rhone-Poulenc with 38 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Hattie Richardson. Albert is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mrs. Gwendolia Richardson; children, Jim Richardson and wife, Jodi Richardson, Brenda Richardson Davis and fiance, Shannon Ratcliff, Shari Richardson and husband, Mark Wilson, and Roy Richardson; eight grandchildren, Kendra, Bobbie, Jami, Josh, Jimmy, William Keith, Morgan and Jay; and eight great-grandchildren.

Donald R. "Dick" Lewis, or "Nitro," as his friends called him, peacefully passed away from complications due to lung cancer on January 31, 2012. Dick was born December 2, 1938, in Nitro. After serving his country in the Navy for six years, he married his wife, Crystal, and settled in Titusville, Fla., where he retired from Florida Power & Light at the Port St. John Plant in 1994. Dick lovingly leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Crystal Lewis; son, Dana R. Lewis; daughter, Tracy Lewis Mascellino; six grandchildren, Lee Jones, Kyle Jones, Becca Mascellino, Dalton R. Lewis, Abby Mascellino and Danielle R. Lewis; one great-granddaughter, Jordan Jones; as well as his father, Mervin Gibson of Scott Depot; brother, Danny R. Lewis of Scott Depot; sister, Brenda (Ronnie) Matthews of Winfield; and many nieces and nephews who loved him and will miss him dearly. Let us not forget his faithful friend, Maggie, who loved her daddy. Dick was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Gibson; his sister, Carol Lewis Forloine; and his sister-in-law, Donna Lewis, also from Scott Depot.

Elizabeth A. Johnson Stalnaker, 45, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. She was born in Charleston, W.Va., on January 5, 1967, the daughter of the Rev. James L. and Nila Johnson. She was preceded in death by her father.

She is survived by her husband, Timothy Stalnaker of Nashville, Tenn.; her mother of Charleston; two brothers, MSgt. Rob Johnson and wife Keta Johnson of Valley Lee, Md.; MSgt. David Johnson and wife Ginny Johnson of Charleston; six nieces; and two nephews. She leaves behind her beloved Rottweiler, Baron.

Elizabeth was a 1985 graduate of Nitro High School, Nitro, W.Va., attended Concord College, and became a licensed paralegal. Elizabeth was a certified property manager (CPM) for H.G. Hill Realty Company, LLC. in Nashville, Tenn., and an active member and past officer with the Institute of Real Estate Management. She was an accomplished stained glass artist.

http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/120122_8092.shtml

Reported by: Send eMail Kristin Keeling Web Producer: Kristin Keeling Reported: Jan. 22, 2012 6:58 PM EST Updated: Jan. 22, 2012 7:14 PM EST

A woman's murder in Charleston remains a mystery and her family is desperate for answers.

Megan Harrison's body was found in the Elk River last August. Since then, investigators have followed every possible lead that could bring them closer to finding her killer.

"We have some evidence in the case and we hope to obtain more, and we have some witnesses. But we need one more piece to the puzzle," said Chief of Detectives, Lt. Steve Cooper.

One more piece that Megan's parents hope to find by offering a $10,000 reward for anyone who knows how she died.

"I'm just praying like we do several times a day that this ten-thousand dollar reward will help and it will help us in our hearts to know we've done a little bit more for Megan," said Megan's mother, Ginger Harrison.

Roger and Ginger Harrison spent Sunday afternoon posting reward flyers around Charleston's east end and talking to people about their daughter along the way. They chose that area because Megan spent the last month of her life at Sojourner's shelter.

"I always say this about Megan, even though she did make some wrong choices in her life, she had the biggest heart and she would do anything for anybody. But God must have had another plan for her," said Ginger.

No amount of money can bring the Harrisons' daughter back to them. Until then, they will hold her memory close to their heart. In hopes that someone will come forward with information on her murder.

"We just pray that her soul is in Heaven and that someday we'll see her again. That helps us get through each day," said Ginger.

If you have any information of Megan Harrison's death, call the Charleston Detective Unit at 304-348-6480.

Correction: The ad placed on January 16, 2012, in the name of Carolyn Sue Beckner Townsend was unauthorized. It did not come from the funeral home or her husband and companion of 30 years, who knows all the truth. For 4 1/2 months, in two hospitals, fighting for her life, she never got 'Get Well' cards, flowers or visits from 95% of the people named in that ad. The ad did not tell Susie's life, hurts, injuries or all the illnesses she fought since her teens. The ad was specifically designed to boast about people who never cared, and to hurt and degrade her time on earth. It was meant to be cruel, betrayal and outright lies about her hospital abuses and all the medical errors, negligence and mistakes that took my wife's life. Authorized by A.E. Townsend, husband and companion of 30 years. Carolyn Susie Townsend, 64, of Cross Lanes was called to Heaven by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 11, 2012, to stop the enormous pain she suffered for years. She was the daughter of Virginia and James Beckner, born May 22, 1947. Her accomplishments were many, but they did not compare to her love and devotion to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and her husband and constant companion of 30 years, Arnold E. Townsend. She fought a very long battle with many different injuries and illnesses, but it doesn't touch the enormous pain, suffering, mental anguish, worry and loss of sleep, her little body constantly being stabbed with needles, the chemotherapy, the hundreds of X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and on and on. She made me promise I would tell some of her life's story, because she trusted me to do it. In 1985, Susie was hit head on by a drunk driver, who almost killed her. She went through two-and-a-half years of physical therapy to save her left arm. Her husband was there every day, and God protected her. She hated drunk drivers, so she supported MADD. Then, in 2000, she found a breast tumor. She had a lumpectomy, and it was ductal carcinoma in "situ" enclosed and it had never spread. Now, her medical records branded her with a history of breast cancer. One time does not make a history. She wanted all women to know how they can brand you. So then, she joined the American Cancer Society, and we get a magazine called Cure. In 2009, she was sent to get 15 days of radiation. At the end, she was told she was in remission, and the tumor was 98% healed. This was about August 2009. She was told she needed a small dose of Herceptin as a maintenance drug. When she went back to her foreign oncologist, he refused to honor her request for Herceptin. He gave her several chemo drugs she was highly allergic to; the main one was Docetaxel. In January 2010, that started her health downhill, after she was in remission and almost healed. All of 2010, 2011 and 11 days of 2012, she suffered, cried, constant bleeding, fear, worry, nervous breakdown, enormous mental anguish from all the sickness and the mental, physical and medical abuse, tests, errors from some doctors and some nurses - but God protected her. Then, after contracting several UTIs, one caused by a sulfa drug she was highly allergic to and is listed in her medical files. Her little body was worn out. She told me she could no longer stand the pain, even though she loved me more than life. I told her I understand, and God's been good to us. She said, yes He has. Then, a few hours later, she was taken to Heaven by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I was loving and kissing her face at 11:10 p.m. when she took her last breath. Like all the 30 years we were together, at the end, she and I were alone. God gave us that. God gave Susie rest, peace and, most of all, she is now pain free. God again protected her, just in a different way. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Also, at Susie's request, anyone who would have sent flowers, please send a donation to a cancer research organization in their area. Thoughts, prayers and condolences can be sent to P.O. Box 7223, Cross Lanes, WV 25313. She is dearly loved by her husband, best friend, companion, sweetheart of 30 years. By me she is already missed. She cannot be replaced.

Phyllis Jean Burdette, 81, formerly of Nitro and Charleston, passed away Friday, January 13, 2012, at CAMC General Hospital. She was formerly employed by Omaha Insurance Company. Surviving are her sons, William L. Burdette of Rock Cave and Russell Ray Burdette of Raymondville, Texas; grandchildren, William L. Burdette Jr. and Nikki Utt; great-grandchildren, Derek Tucker, Reanna Tucker, Khori Tucker, Warren Tucker, Waylon Utt, Taylor Burdette, Jordan Burdette, Noah Burdette and Colin Burdette.

Guy Dewey Hedrick, 63, of Nitro passed away January 19, 2012, in the VA Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. He was a member of the 15th St. Church of God in Nitro, and an Army veteran. Dewey was preceded in death by his father, Arnie W. Hedrick; and grandmother, Rosa Ellen Hedrick. He is survived by his sisters, Loredda Hedrick Kelley of Austin, Texas, and Ann Hedrick Toms of Nitro; brother, Arnie Hedrick Jr. of Dallas, Texas; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Troy D. "Dennie" Stover, 63, of Cross Lanes passed away Saturday, January 14, 2012. He was born October 3, 1948, in Charleston, son of the late Troy and Martha Stover. Troy was employed at West Virginia Steel for nearly 40 years. He was a Vietnam veteran and was a proud Marine. Surviving him are his wife of 20 years, Jodie Stover; son, Bryan (Tonya) Stover of Nitro; daughter, Tina (Charlie) Heffner of Nitro; stepson, Vernon Edens of Charleston; stepdaughter, Heather Edens of Charleston; Matt and Ann McDaniel, who he considered a son and daughter; brothers, Otis (Mary) Stover, Jimmy (Sharon) Stover, Johnny Stover and Rome Stover, all of Charleston, Alan Stover Of Emory, Texas, and Victor (Sharon) Stover of New Concord, Ky.; sisters, Bonnie (Ron) Flowers of Elkview and Barbara (Warren) Keifer of Lady Lake, Fla.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous family, friends and co-workers.

Avis Sarah Sayre Quickle of Nitro passed away Sunday, January 8, 2012, at her home after a short illness. Avis was born January 7, 1920, and was one of the daughters of the late Floyd G. Sayre and Stella Crandal Sayre. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James F. Quickle; brothers, Stanley Sayre Roosevelt Sayre, Lincoln Sayre, Arnold Sayre and Gilman Sayre; and sisters, Macey Sayre Warner, Glady Sayre, Elsie Sayre Jones and Louise Sayre Pickens. Avis attended Nitro High School, and graduated from Point Pleasant High School in 1938. She was employed by American Viscose Corp. and Goodrich Gulf Rubber Plant until the plant closed. She was co-owner of Nitro Wholesale Electric Supply with her late husband, James F. Quickle. Avis was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star Nitro Chapter 153. She attended St. Paul's United Church in her early years. Left behind to cherish her memory are her son, Howard W. Janey Jr., who was her caregiver and was always there when she needed anything. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and great-nephews to cherish her memory.

Mr. William H. "Bill" Jones, 85, of Poca passed away Thursday, January 12, 2012, at Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston. Bill loved to hunt, fish, golf and go camping. He attended Nitro Senior Citizens Center, where he was known to the kids at day care as The Cookie Man. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold Jones and Violet Smith; stepfather Herbert Smith; sisters, Drema Ferguson and Patty Miller; children, William Jones Jr. and Beverly Ann Jones; and great-grandson, Korey Jones. Bill is survived his wife of 63 years, Jane Tucker Jones; son, William "Jeep" and wife, Cindy Jones, of Rock Branch; daughter, Linda Jones and husband, Tom Adkins, of Cross Lanes; sisters, Wanda Jones of Hopewell, Va., Sharon Jones French of Liberty and Shirley Jones Rucker of Arizona; brothers, Marshall and Lewis Jones, both of Palm Bay, Fla.; stepmother, Charlotte Jones of Palm Bay; grandchildren, Timmy and wife, Valerie Jones, Jason and wife, Jindalay Jones, Tommy and wife, Tiffney Adkins, and Tominda Adkins; great-grandson, Jake Adkins; special friends, Joe Nunley and Clyde Fields; and a host of other family, friends and camping friends.

Quentin L. "Red" Miller, 87, of Nitro passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2012, after a lengthy illness with Alzheimer's. He was a graduate of Spencer High School, and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps, Squadron VMF 218, in the Philippines during World War II. Quentin retired from Columbia Gas Transmission with 34 years of service as a dispatcher and senior controller. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Miller; parents, Lemuel and Flora Miller; brothers, Everson, Early, Kermit and Archie Miller; and sisters, Emogene Burdette and Kitty Hannaman. Quentin is survived by sons, Glenn Miller of Hurricane and Orville "Butch" Miller of Nitro; grandchildren, Allen Thaxton of Mashpee, Mass., Eric (Deena) Miller of Poca, Casey (Donetta) Miller of Winfield, Mitzi (Joshua) Vince of Martinsburg and Kati (Steven) Harmon of Nitro; step-grandchildren, Jason (Angie) Dunlap of Eleanor and Heather (Alan) Goderre of Teays Valley; six great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and brother, Newton Miller of Spencer.

Richard A. "Dick" Wilson, 83, of Charleston passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at CAMC General Hospital after a long illness. His one desire was to hear his Lord say to him, "Well done thy good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter unto the joy of your Lord." Matthew: 25:21. Dick served his country with the U.S. Army, and was a veteran of the Korean War. He became a Christian at the age of 33, and his purpose in life became winning people to the Lord, which he did through his street and tract ministry in our area. He always saw the good in everyone. He was a longtime resident of Charleston, and attended Woodrow Wilson Junior High. Richard was self-employed as a dry cleaning salesman, and worked for many years. He was a member of the Covenant Christian Fellowship. Preceding him in death were both parents and a sister. He is survived by sons, Richard (Buddy) Miller of Cross Lanes and Doug Miller and Edra of Terra Haute, Ind.; daughter, RuthAnne Miller and Terry Payne of Cross Lanes; grandchildren, Jessica Gross, Dr. Zachary Wilson, Douglas Wilson II, Brandi Edwards, Cathi Sparks and Terri Davis; nine great-grandchildren; and cousin, Margie Kidd. As per his wishes, the body will be cremated. The family would like to express their special thanks to Sonny Campbell, Art Williamson, Ed Thomas, Chris and Lora Sands, Jim Loftis and many others who meant so much to our Dad.

Nitro High School WV News, Updates, Obits, Notable

Shelba Childers, 75, of Nitro went to be with her Lord and Savior January 10, 2012, at Hubbard Hospice West following a short illness. Shelba was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., June 13, 1936, a daughter of the late Samuel and Lillian Reed. Mrs. Childers and her husband owned Shelba's Dress Shops of Dunbar, Parkersburg, Beckley and Madison. Shelba's Dress Shops were the first fashion shop for plus-sized women established in West Virginia. Shelba was a longtime and faithful member of Cross Lanes Bible Church. She loved spending time with her family and friends, whether it was having lunch together or singing her favorite hymns. Shelba attended Tennessee Temple, University of Georgia and Radford College, and received her bachelor's degree in accounting from West Virginia State College. Shelba is survived by her son and his wife, Todd Childers and Carol Childers of Cross Lanes; and two granddaughters, Sydni Brooke Childers and Courtni Paige Childers. Preceding her in death are her husband, Dr. Robert D. Childers Sr.; son, Robert D. Childers Jr.; and infant brother, Mitchell Reed.

Cecil M. Spence, 74, of Cross Lanes passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2012, after a courageous nine-year battle with cancer. Cecil was born April 3, 1937, and spent his whole life in Cross Lanes. He was a proud U.S. Army Reserves veteran with 28 years of service. He was retired from the Federal Government, U.S. Army maintenance, where he worked as a supervisor at the Cross Lanes Army Maintenance Shop. He was a Christian and attended Cross Lanes United Methodist Church. Cecil loved to spend his Saturdays attending auctions and met many good friends this way. He was preceded in death by his parents, Goldie and Herbert Spence; sisters, Emilee Spence Denkins and Bessie Spence Schoolcraft; and brothers, Ronald Spence and Charles Spence. He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Roberta M. Spence; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Betty Lou Harrison, 80, of Nitro went home to be with the Lord on January 6, 2012, in Hubbard Hospice House West. Betty was a Christian and a member of Rock Branch Independent Church. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Mr. Robert E. Lee Harrison; children, Connie Harrison Chambers of Nitro and Bobby Harrison of Virginia; grandchildren, Nathaniel Chambers and Cody Harrison; and great-grandchildren, Alexxis, Brogan and Alden.

Mr. Robert L. "Bob" Summers, 95, of Cross Lanes passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2012, after a short illness. He was born May 9, 1916, in Fayette County. He attended Charleston High School and the University of Charleston, then Morris Harvey College. He served in the United States Army, and was a decorated World War II veteran. Bob was retired from the West Virginia Department of Highways, where he was a drafting supervisor. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Bob was an avid bowler, once bowling a perfect 300 game. He was also an avid golfer, once making a hole-in-one at the age of 79. He bowled and golfed until he was 89. One of Bob's greatest passions was used car shopping while taking his daily drive. Earlier in his life, other hobbies included tennis, ping pong, pool, semi-pro league baseball, basketball, softball, repairing stereo equipment and automobiles and collecting 78 RPM records. He loved music, and played the organ, piano, violin and ukulele. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Emma Summers; and brother, William Summers. He is survived by his wife, Eva Mae Summers; daughters, Barbara Summers Barnes of Cross Lanes and Pam Summers of South Charleston; grandchildren, Robert Summers Barnes and wife, Annemarie, of Dunbar and Malinda Barnes Kyrkos and husband, Vassili, of New York City, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Alice Legg of Cross Lanes; and great-grandchildren, Althea Maria and Robert Francis Barnes.

Joyce Ann Nickelson Cunningham, 59, of Flagler Beach, Fla., originally of Cross Lanes, died Dec. 17, 2011. She is survived by three children, Craig and Shawn Cunningham of Palm Coast, Fla., and Kristy Phillips of Covington, La.; one special nephew, Tim McDaniel of Palm Coast; and sister, Joan Nickelson Fulwider of Flagler Beach, Fla. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Dolly Nickelson of Cross Lanes.

The following article published by Kate White

http://wvgazette.com/News/201112240082

Bill Fortune, 67, places a frozen turkey into a grocery cart with other food that was distributed at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Nitro. He said they'd like to be able to provide for everyone but keeps their services more manageable by staying in Nitro.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- While many are inspired to help others who are less fortunate during the Christmas season, a Nitro couple has the holiday spirit of giving year-round.

Bill and Fran Fortune took over operation of the Nitro food pantry in 2007 and formed the Nitro Mission Team, where they are on-call 24 hours a day.

"I think this is our calling," said Bill Fortune, 67. "We've always liked to help people out in difficult situations, and we've always been organizers in anything we get into."

Fran Fortune, 68, said she remembers getting a call one snowy night last year from a lady who was stranded and didn't have anywhere to stay.

"It was so bad out there that we couldn't get out, so we called the local motel here in town and set up a room for her to stay," she said.

People around Nitro knew who to tell the woman to call.

"People know us around here, even the police and the churches tell people to call us," she said.

Bill Fortune was a teacher in the Nitro area for 33 years and still works as a substitute from time to time. Fran Fortune has lived in Nitro all of her life.

"We know about everybody in town," he said.

That knowledge allowed the couple to break the boundaries of church denominations and bring congregations in Nitro together for a good cause.

"In the whole town there are 19 churches, and we get a good amount of them participating financially or volunteering in different ways," Bill Fortune said.

To be able to make an impact where they live, the Fortune's focus on helping people in the Nitro area.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Mary Frances Crawford Bailey, age 87, died Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at the Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. She was born Jan. 17, 1924, in Charleston, W.Va., the eldest daughter of James Ernest Crawford Jr., and Frances Nash Crawford. She graduated from Nitro High School, in Nitro, W.Va., in the class of 1942. Mary Frances was a member of First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack L. Bailey, a former WWII Prisoner-of War, who died on Jan. 4, 2003; and a sister, Carol Ernestine Crawford Frye, who died in June 1998. Jack and Mary Frances were married for 60 years. They moved to Oak Ridge with their young children in 1951 from Nitro, W.Va. At one time she was a very active bridge player and always enjoyed hosting their many friends in their home. After retirement, they enjoyed travelling and visited 48 of the 50 states. Their favorite vacation spot was Long Boat Key, Fla. After raising her children, Mary Frances entered the work force and spent 24 years at Y-12 Federal Credit Union, retiring as loan services manager in 1986. She thoroughly enjoyed her career and the people she worked with during her time at Y-12 Credit Union. She was also a member of Altrusa International for a number of years. She is survived by her son, Jack l. Bailey Jr. (Pat), of Oak Ridge; and a daughter, Julia Ann “Judy” Bailey, also of Oak Ridge; sister, Patricia Crawford Logan (Tom) of Escondido, Calif.; three grandchildren, Kenneth H. Self Jr. (Carol) of Oak Ridge, Katherine Bailey Price (Todd) of Aiken, S.C., and Darrell Scott Bailey of Dallas, Texas; and three great-grandchildren, Madison Self of Oak Ridge and Charlie and Claire Price of Aiken, S.C.; and very special friend, Clifford Smith. Source http://www.oakridger.com/obituaries/x1658263762/Mary-Frances-Bailey

Thelma A. Harris Bailey, 79, of Cross Lanes passed away on Friday December 16, 2011, at Valley Health Center following a long illness. Born July 28, 1932, she was a daughter of the late Howard and Rachael Harris. Thelma was a retired office clerk for the WV Department of Highways, a homemaker and a lifelong resident of Cross Lanes. Also preceding her in death was her husband, Ray Bailey; and son-in-law, Mark Christian. Survivors include sons, Larry (Marsha) Bailey of Cross Lanes, and Garland (Janet) Bailey of Cross Lanes; "adopted" son, Robert (Jennifer) Harden of North Carolina; daughters, Karen Bailey (Bill Lemon) Lemon of Cross Lanes, Brenda Bailey (Larry) Miller of Cross Lanes, Glenda Bailey of Nitro, and Jeannie Bailey Christian of Cross Lanes; brother, Howard Denvil Harris of Ripley; sister, Talma "Dee" Turpin of Dunbar; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Ellawe Rebecca "Becky" Holmes, 87, of Nitro passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at Thomas Memorial Hospital after a short illness. She was a 57 year resident of Nitro; a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother; and a member of the Nitro Church of God, where she had lead a ladies exercise class for many years. Becky is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Eugene C. Holmes; her son, Gary Holmes and wife, Carol, of Eleanor; grandsons, Scott Holmes and wife, Amie, and Jeremy Holmes and girlfriend, Kim; and great-grandchildren, Jacob Holmes and Emma Holmes. A service to celebrate Becky's life will be held at noon Friday, December 16, 2011 at Cooke Funeral Home Chapel, 2002 20th St., Nitro, with Pastor Rob VanFossen and Pastor David McCormick officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar.

Christina Spanos, 80, of Nitro passed away early Friday morning on December 9, 2011, at Thomas Memorial Hospital following complications of a short, but hard fought, illness. She was born January 24, 1931, in Detroit, Mich., to her loving Greek immigrant parents, George Dallakouras and Katina Argiropoulos. Shortly after graduating from Wayne State University, where she played violin in the school orchestra, she met and later married Dr. Michael G. Spanos, the one and only love of her life, and eventually they settled in West Virginia as their permanent home. After his untimely death in 1964, she returned to school and earned her degree in education from West Virginia State College and later her master's at WVU. She taught in the Kanawha County school system at West Sattes Elementary and Nitro Elementary until her retirement in 1989. She continued to work after retirement, tutoring students in math and English and volunteered as an IRS tax return preparer through the 1990s. She is survived by her loving son, George Michael, and now peacefully resides in the house of the Lord, reunited after 47 devoted years with the one and only love of her life for all eternity.

Madaline Virginia Barnett Jones of Hurricane passed away on December 7, 2011. Born December 8, 1929 in Nitro, she was a daughter of the late Charles O. and Orpha Barnett. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ernest K. "Kenneth" Jones; her brothers, Grover Cleveland Barnett, Harold Barnett and Charles Barnett; sisters, Iva Mae Barnett Thomas, Genevieve Barnett Cottrill and Mary Jane Barnett Hill. Educated in Nitro schools, she was a former employee of W.W. Mack Company and Kroger, both of Nitro. In her later years, she was a dedicated homemaker and mother. She was a Girl Scout den mother and was a past president of the PTA at Rock Branch Elementary School during her daughters' school years. She was reborn March 18, 1959, and was a member of the WV Home Mission Church, East Nitro, where she was a former Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir. Surviving are her daughters, Linda Hoffman (John) of Winfield, and Sue Bailey (Stephen King) of Houston, Texas; a grandson, Ryan Hoffman (Emily) of Hurricane; brother-in-law, Dennis H. Jones of Hurricane; brothers, Franklin R. Barnett, Dempsey Barnett and Gene Barnett, all of Hometown; and several nieces and nephews.

Jo Ann Payne Hammond, 80, of Big Tyler went home to be with the Lord on December 8, 2011 surrounded by her loving family. She was a member of Perrow Presbyterian Church and was attending Nitro Presbyterian. Jo Ann retired from Kanawha Valley Radiologists in 1986 to care for her mother. In later years, she cared for her great-granddaughter while living in Florida with her daughter and family for months at a time. She was an avid bowler and a former West Virginia State Singles Champion. She shared her love of bowling as an instructor at Towne & Country Lanes. She was a devoted wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend and will be missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack H. Hammond; her parents, John T. and Martha Turner Payne; her infant twin daughter, Helen Jan; her sister, Maxine Payne West; and her brother, John R. "Jack" Payne. Jo Ann is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Nan Hammond and Randy Milholen; granddaughter, Nikki and husband, Don Heaton; and great granddaughter, Makenzi, all of Port Orange, Fla. Jo Ann is also survived by her brother, Ralph Payne and wife, Ginnie, of Pensacola, Fla.; and a host of nieces and nephews.

William L. "Bill" Cummings, 62, of Nitro died December 4, 2011 at Hospice West, South Charleston. He was born August 9, 1949 and was preceded in death by his son, William Jr. Bill was a former employee of the City of Nitro and Cunningham Memorial Park, and was a member of Nitro Moose. He is survived by his companion, Peggy Belcher; daughter, Tammy Cummings Harris; brother, Mike Cummings; sisters, Brenda Cummings Jeffers, Lizetta Cummings Withrow and Carolyn Cummings Taylor; four grandchildren; and many friends.

Dorothy Hill Shamblin passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2011. Born on June 10, 1910, She was a lifelong resident of Nitro. She was predeceased by her children, James 'Sonny' Jefferies of Nitro and Jacqueline Dayhaw of Tampa, Fla. She is survived by her grandchildren, Jeff Harbour of East Lynn, Janellen Knof of Oldsmar, Fla., John Harbour of Middleton, Wis., Donna Landan of Hurricane, and Michael Jefferies of Rock Hill, S.C.; and several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Nitro High School, WV, News, Obituaries, Noteworthy, October 2011 update

Franklin Reed Gibeaut, 77, of Nitro went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at home, surrounded by his loving family. Frank was retired from Republic Container Company, Nitro, and was a member of the United Steel Workers of America Local 5712, Nitro Masonic Lodge 170 AF&AM, Scottish Rite Bodies, and Beni Kedem Shrine. He was an active member of the Nitro Church of God, where he taught Sunday school, was a visitation minister, and a member of the Mission Team. Frank loved to sing gospel music and had sung in the Gospel Light Quartet. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Gibeaut; parents, Richard Dana and Flora Hill Gibeaut; sisters, Macil Gibeaut Morgan, Jean Gibeaut Lett and Lula Gibeaut; and brother, James Gibeaut. Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 60 years, Wanda Boggess Gibeaut; daughters, Gail Gibeaut Ball of Fraziers Bottom, Cathy Gibeaut Keene and husband, Bill, of Pinch, Hollis Gibeaut Claypool and husband, Loren, of Mequon, Wis., and Amy Gibeaut of Charleston; son, Robert Reed Gibeaut of Nitro; sisters, Mary Spears of Bancroft and Josie Warner of Red House; and brother, Charles "Shark" Gibeaut of Poca. Frank is also survived by his grandson, whom they raised, Jamie Layne; grandchildren, Ann Lockard, David Gibeaut, Jared Layne, Jason Ball, Sarah Cox, Stefan Claypool, Kathleen Claypool, Justin Wright and Dillon Wright; and great-grandchildren, Kerrigan Lockard, Samuel Lockard, Joshua Ball, Bailey Layne, Alana Cox and Seth Layne.

Johnny Bill Goodall, 88, of Nitro passed away Friday, October 14, 2011, at Thomas Memorial Hospital. Johnny was born April 10, 1923, and was the son of the late Cecil and Beulah Goodall. Johnny retired from Monsanto Chemical Company with 35 years of service. He was a Navy veteran of WWII. Johnny was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Nitro, where he had served as a trustee. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Franceline Goodall; son, Scott Goodall and Dee Goodall; son, Mark Goodall and wife, Suzy Goodall; grandchildren, Loren Goodall, Blake Goodall, Blair Goodall and Bryce Ritter; sister, Maryann and husband, Gene Brightwell; and brother-in-law, Walt and wife, Dee Showen.

Denvil Glassco "Plum" Plumley, 88, of Cross Lanes went home to be with his Lord on Oct. 11, 2011, at Hubbard Hospice House West after a four-month battle with illnesses. Denvil was born Jan. 5, 1923, in Pear, Raleigh County. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Tyler Mountain, where he served as a trustee and worked hard in his church. His mission was visiting the sick and you could always count on him when in need. He also worked for many years with Tyler Mountain/Cross Lanes Community Service, collecting and distributing food to those in need. He retired from Union Carbide, South Charleston, in 1985 with 46 years of service as a heavy equipment operator. You could see him from long off, running the largest crane in the plant. He and his wife were 50-year charter members of the Nitro Antique Car Club. This was the love of his life; he had many cars and was always gathering with the fellows to work on somebody's. He took his family on lots of rides, picnics, camping and trips in those cars. Denvil served in the CCC camps as a young man. He went straight into the Army as a sergeant. He served his country, building lots of things. One he talked about was working on the Boulder Dam in Colorado. Denvil was a 52-year Master Mason of Nitro Lodge 170. He also was a 50-year 32nd degree Scottish Rite Shriner in the Beni Kedem Shrine, Charleston. Denvil was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Mary Anna Summers Plumley; parents, Marion and Dora Kincaid Plumley; a brother, Olden; and a sister, Doleta "Tootsie." He is survived by his four children: daughter, Virginia Plumley NHS 1968 Martin and husband, David; and sons, Freddie Plumley and Thomas Tom Plumley and wife, Linda, all of Cross Lanes, and David Wayne Plumley and wife, Libby, of Poca. Also surviving are grandchildren, Annette Good and husband, Raymond, and David Martin and wife, Rebekah, all of Cross Lanes, Anna Church and husband, Wesley, of Morgantown and David Plumley II of Poca; stepgrandchild, Shannon Wallace of Sissonville; great-grandchildren, Joshua, Rachel, Matthew and Joseph Good and Zachary Martin; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Lillian O'Dell and Samantha Wallace.

Toby Jon Buel Jr., 26, of Cross Lanes passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 8, 2011 Our beautiful son went home to be with God. We are crying for ourselves, while we know he is safe and cared for in the arms of Jesus. We will see him again when we depart this world. Please remember Toby as a truly good and kind person. He had compassion for people who were less fortunate than himself. He was never content, he always pushed for bettering the lives of others around him. Toby will be sadly missed by his family and many friends. Toby was born in St. Petersburg, Fla., son of Toby and Tamara Knox Buel Sr. of Cross Lanes. He was a member of Cross Lanes Baptist Church. He was a 2003 graduate of Nitro High School, 2007 graduate of West Virginia University with an undergraduate degree in political science and a 2010 graduate of WVU College of Law with JD and MBA degrees. He practiced law in Charleston. In addition to his devoted parents, he is survived by his brother, Sean Michael Buel; and sister, Rachel Kathleen Buel.

Charles Leonard Murphy, 84, of Nitro, formerly of Cottle, passed away Thursday, October 6, 2011 at Hubbard Hospice House after a long illness. Leonard was born October 29, 1926 in Morris (Braxton County) to the late Edmund and Lucy Adkins Murphy. He is also preceded in death by his brothers, Herald Murphy, Bernard Murphy, Herman Murphy and Buren Murphy; sister, Evelyene Murphy Long; and grandsons, David Southall and Barry Southall. Leonard proudly served in the Army during World War II. He was a coal miner for 40 years and a member of the UMWA. He had a love for gospel music and genealogy. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lucille Johnston Murphy of Nitro; daughter, Joyce Murphy Southall and husband, David Southall, of Nitro; son, Charles Murphy and wife, Patricia, of Charleston; sister, Margie Murphy Crislip and husband, Terry, of Burnsville; grandchildren, Jason and wife, Erin Southall, of Barboursville and Bennett Murphy and Mikalyn Murphy of Charleston; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Jaxon and Ryanne Southall, all of Barboursville; and eight step-great-grandchildren.

Ronald Foster, 45, of Cross Lanes died Tuesday, September 13, in Huntington. He was a graduate of Nitro High School and was formerly employed by Fletcher Enamel, in Dunbar, and Wendy's. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Sylvia Foster of Rocky Fork. He is survived by his children, Vaylena Foster of Akron, Ohio, Billy Foster of Nitro and Crystal Foster of North Carolina. He is also survived by his sisters, Geraldine Foster Legg of St. Albans, Virginia Foster Bailey of Ashland, Ky., and Michael Foster of Charleston. He is also survived by a host of friends in the Rocky Fork/Cross Lanes area.

Loretta M. "Dumpy" Halley Westfall went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 29. She was born December 14, 1930, to Jesse Walden and Marie Martin Halley in Nitro. Loretta graduated from Nitro High School in 1948 and went to work at the telephone company in Nitro until her marriage to John T. "Buddy" Westfall in 1950. Loretta was active in several groups at Poca Methodist Church, including serving as Girl Scout leader for many years. She was school secretary at Rock Branch Elementary and a teacher's aide at Poca High School before going to work full-time with John in his State Farm Insurance office. Loretta attended Judson Baptist Church, Nitro Church of the Nazarene and, most recently, Rock Branch Independent Church. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Buddy. Survivors include: brother, Bill Halley of Colleyville, Texas; children, Linda Halliday of Winfield, Larry and Kathy Westfall of Nitro and Cheryl Farrington of Winston-Salem, N.C.; grandchildren, Lori Farrington and Stephen Surrell of Pilot Mountain, N.C., Chad and Carol Westfall of Winfield, Niki Farrington of Pilot Mountain, N.C., and Nathan Westfall of Poca; and great-grandchildren, Maci, Amee, Michael, Carly and Connor. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

O.E. "Jack " Russell Jr., 86, of Nitro finished his race September 29, 2011, at his home, surrounded by his family. Jack was a decorated U.S. Army veteran who served in Europe during WWII and was a member of the VFW. He worked as a general contractor until he retired at 82 years old. Jack was a faithful member of Victory Baptist Church in Cross Lanes, where he was a member of the Board of Trustees and served as Sunday school superintendent for many years. He also faithfully ministered in the Visitation Program of the church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ode Russell and Nancy; his brothers, Joe Harry Russell, Willard Russell, Miles Russell, Donald Russell and RobertRussell; and his sisters, Margaret Russell, Betty Jean Russell and Lillian Russell. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mona Russell; his brother, James Russell and spouse, Edra, of Spring Hill; his five children and their spouses, Barbara Russell and Ben Alt of Louisville, Ky., Elaine Russell and Roger Harrison of Nitro, Jack and Suzie Russell of Nitro, Julie Russell and Terry Slater of Cross Lanes and Jennifer Russell of Nitro; his nine grandchildren, Jeff, Jessica, Jason, Lisa, Emily, Joshua, Breanna, Bethany and Caleb; and six great-grandchildren.

September 2011 Nitro High School WV, Updates, Obits, and Info

Jeffrey "Poochie" Magoun, 57, of Nitro passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at Hubbard Hospice House West, South Charleston, after a long illness. Poochie was a 1972 graduate of Nitro High School, a graduate of WVU with a degree in chemical engineering, and a former employee of Bayer Crop Science and Clearon. While in high school, he played football, basketball, and was a hurdler on the track team. He was a true blue and gold Mountaineer fan. Jeff is survived by three children, Joshua Magoun, Jeffrey Magoun Jr. and Jade Magoun, all of St. Albans; sisters, Nancy Magoun Risch of Nahant, Mass., Terri Magoun Tedesco of Troy, N.Y., and Melody "Dee Dee" Macoun McCormick of Nitro; stepmother Bobbie Magoun of Stephens City, Va.; stepbrothers, Tiny Arthur of Hurricane, Robin Arthur of San Diego, Calif., and Mike Hudson of Nitro; and stepsisters, Lanie Arthur of San Diego, Calif., and Patty Hudson of Nitro. He was preceded in death by his father, Warren Magoun, in 2010; and his mother, Delores Stallman, in 2007. A memorial service for Poochie will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 17, at Cooke Funeral Home Chapel, Nitro

William L. Cummings Jr., 38, of Nitro died at home on Sept. 8, 2011. He was employed by Lowe's of Nitro. He is survived by his son, William Blaine of Michigan; his father, Bill Cummings of Nitro; his sister, Tamra Cummings of St. Albans; and a host of family and friends.

Jeanie M. Workman Young, 77, of Nitro passed away Saturday, September 10, 2011, at Thomas Memorial Hospital following a short illness. She was employed for over 30 years at the Nitro Moose Lodge as a waitress. She was a member of the Women of The Moose, Nitro. Born February 11, 1934, she was the daughter of the late John C. Workman and Betsey Burd Workman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, William E. Young Sr.; daughter, Joyce Jean Young Irick; and son, William E. Young Jr. Survivors include: son, Keith Young of California; brother, Clifford Workman of Columbus; grandchildren, David Byrd of Cross Lanes and Billy Young III of Florida; and great-grandchildren, Kourtney Byrd, Sebastian Young and William Young IV.

Peggy Henson Taylor, 60, of Cross Lanes, formerly of South Charleston, passed away Saturday, September 10, 2011, at Thomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Enid Henson of South Charleston; and sister, Jane Henson Strother of Cross Lanes. She is survived by husband, John Taylor of Cross Lanes; sons, James Taylor (Wendy) of Cross Lanes, and John Thomas Taylor of Pittsburgh, Pa.; niece, Ellen Strother of Cross Lanes; grandson, Thomas Taylor; and great-niece, Reagan Strother. She was active in numerous community organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, the Nitro High JROTC and football programs, Boy Scouts of America, and the Cross Lanes Junior Woman's Club. Friends and family knew Peggy for her selfless attitude and commitment to civil service. In keeping with this philosophy, Peggy elected to participate in the WV Human Gift Registry. While no formal viewing or funeral will be held, friends are invited to gather beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday, September 17, at the First Presbyterian Church of Dunbar, 1414 Meyers Avenue, Dunbar.

Anna Lee Shamblin French, 57, of Nitro passed away Monday, Sept. 5, 2011, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston, following a long illness. Born May 30, 1954, she was a daughter of Juanita Shamblin of Nitro and the late Grover Shamblin. Anna was a Christian and attended Cross Lanes Church of Christ, where she taught Sunday school class and the children were beloved by her. Anna was a mortgage loan officer for Poca Valley Bank. Survivors include two sons, Brian French and Brandon French, both of Cross Lanes; two brothers, Gary Shamblin of Hometown and Dale Shamblin of Nitro; two sisters, Kay Shamblin Casto of Cross Lanes and Vickie Shamblin and David Skyles of Nitro; and two grandchildren.

This is in loving memory of Paul Tincher, loving husband, father and grandfather, who passed away at home on Monday, Sept. 5, 2011. Paul was born May 4, 1929, and was a lifelong resident of Nitro, where he was a graduate of Nitro High School with the class of 1948. He was a retired teamster. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Faye Tincher; and his son, Shawn Tincher. Surviving are his wife of 62 years, JoAnn; daughter and her husband, Genie Tincher and John Scott of Nitro; sons, Jeff Tincher and Timmy Tincher of Rocky Fork; grandchildren, Jodee and Bobby Martin of Nitro, Jason Thomas of Cross Lanes, Amber Tincher of Charleston, Branden Tincher of Virginia and Ashley Tincher of Rocky Fork; great-grandchildren, Jeremy Martin, Luke Martin and Rosie Martin of Nitro; and his special dog, Fancy.

Connie L. Cooper Whittington, 98, of Nitro passed away Friday, September 2, 2011, at Thomas Memorial Hospital. She was a lifelong resident of Nitro and member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Nitro and the Women's Society of Christian Service, the Kanawha Valley Medical Assistants Association, Nitro Women's Club and the Nitro Senior Citizens. Connie was a medical assistant for Dr. George Hogshead for over 30 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Whittington; sister, Nell Vera Cooper Gott; and her parents, Earle H. Cooper and Erma M. DeWolfe Cooper. Surviving are niece, Sue Ann Gott Null and her husband, Ed of Poca; nephew, James E. Gott and his wife, Judy of Alexandria, La.; three great-nieces, Missy Benoit, Meredith Tucker, and Casandra Null; one great-great-niece, Melanee Tucker; and two great-great-nephews, Lee Tucker and BJ Benoit.

Myrtle L. Adkins, 96, of Nitro passed away Sunday, August 28, 2011, after a short illness. Myrtle was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church of Nitro. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fran D. Adkins; sons David K. Adkins and Charles G. Adkins; and sister, Betholene F. Love. Surviving: sons, Clyde F. Adkins of Christiansburg, Va., and Frank D. Adkins of Nitro; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Violet Alexander of Connecticut and Lillian Wilson of South Carolina.

Megan Harrison: Searching for answers and their daughters killer, the family of a murdered Cross Lanes, WV, woman is speaking out. Ginger and Roger Harrison say they want to know what happened to their daughter Megan. The body of the 28 year old was found Saturday in the Elk River. While no motive or cause of death has been released, police are treating the death as a homicide. Rumors about Megan's checkered past and drug use have painted a picture of a young woman her parents say wasn't the real Megan. They say she was a kind hearted girl whose life changed because of drugs. The Harrisons' say Megan would have done anything for anybody and was a free spirit. They say Megan was staying at Sojourners after she stole from their home. They wanted her to get help and say although she had flaws they still loved her very much. Here is link to WCHS video/story http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/110831_6453.shtml

Here's a video re: Megan on News Report

August 2011 Nitro High School WV News, Events, and Obits....

Megan Harrison, beloved daughter, was granted her angel wings on Saturday, August 27, 2011. Megan was born in Charleston on September 13,1982, grew up in Cross Lanes and graduated from Nitro High School in 2001. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Newt Coleman; and her aunt, Jill Miller. Megan is survived by her parents, Roger and Ginger Harrison of Cross Lanes; brother, Adam Harrison of St. Albans; grandparents, Margaret Coleman of Charleston and Evelyn and Henry Harrison of Nitro; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. With Megan's passing, we remind others that life is to be celebrated and held precious. Although we will miss her every day, we know she is at peace with the angels and will remain in our hearts forever.

Betty A. Cook Sizemore, 79, of Nitro passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, August 19, 2011, after a short illness. She was born in Nitro on March 8, 1932, a daughter of the late Charles S. Cook and Lena Mae Cook Painter. She was married on July 11, 1947, to William "Bill" Sizemore Sr. After raising a large family, she worked as a cook and custodian in the Nitro schools for several years. She was a good friend, mother, and grandmother and will always be missed by her family. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and a daughter, Lisa Ann Sizemore. Also preceding her are one sister, Dorothy Cook Buckenhimer; and one brother, Harold L. Cook Sr. She is survived by six sons and their families, William E. Sizemore Jr. and wife, Pat of Eleanor, Charles D. Sizemore and wife, Mary of Rock Branch, George A. Sizemore and wife, Tina of Red House, Timothy S. Sizemore and wife, Angie of Flatwoods, Thomas L. Sizemore of Red House, and Michael J. Sizemore of Nitro; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Howard Cook of Nitro; sister, Viola V. Cook Long and husband, Jay of Nitro.

Eileen Hern Morgan, 95, of Nitro passed this life to live in eternal glory with her Heavenly Father on August 21, 2011. She was lovingly cared for at home by her loving daughter, Jacqueliine Morgan White, where she was surrounded by her family and friends. She was born December 6, 1915, in Acme to Bessie and Vernie Hern. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cledith Morgan; and her daughter, Wilma Charlene Morgann Beane. Eileen was a member of the Church of Christ in Nitro and devoted her life to serving Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was very faithful to her church and her family and community. A lifelong resident of Nitro, she was very active in the Senior Citizen's Organization in Nitro, where she made many lasting friendships. An avid gardener, Eileen spent many years with her husband on the family farm in Frazier's Bottom growing flowers and vegetables, which she canned and shared with family and friends. Her devotion to her family, her church, and her Lord defined her life and she will be missed by those who were fortunate enough to share that life with her. Left behind to cherish her memory are her daughter, Jaci Morgan White and husband, Harold of Nitro; daughter, Betsy Morgan Plott and husband, Robert of Sarasota, Fla.; grandchildren, Tracy White, Troy White and wife, Beth, Todd White and wife, Cathy, Trina Rueckert and husband, David, Jeff Beane and wife, Cindy, Eric Beane, Beth Nolan and husband, Rick, and Bobby Plott; 17 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; sister, Erma Stanley of Orgas; brothers, Gene Hern and wife, Doma, Richard Hern and wife, Nancy of Point Pleasant; and many nieces and nephews.

David N. Hunter of Key West, formerly of Nitro, died August 5, 2011, at Key West Rehabilitation Center, following a struggle with cancer. David grew up in Nitro, where he graduated from Nitro High School. He served in the U.S. Navy for two years before marrying. He had four children with his first wife, Carolyn Claar, settling eventually in the Tampa, Fla., area. David trained as a computer programmer and worked for several technology companies, including EDS and McDonnell Douglas, where he spent the bulk of his career. In later life, he moved to the Chicago area, where he continued to work as a computer consultant. In Chicago, he grew a garden, indulged a taste for antique cars and developed a passion for the city's two iconic sports teams, the Cubs and the Bears. He made a practice of regularly seeking out new churches to attend Mass, and volunteered at his local VFW post. David's musical tastes ranged from classical to soft rock. While visiting a friend in Key West, he was so taken by the relaxed tropical culture; he decided to spend his retirement there. Known for his prodigious memory, he was the final arbiter within the family on questions of births, weddings, moves and other key information. David is survived by his twin sister, Mary Hunter Reppert; brother-in-law, John Reppert of St. Albans; brother, Joe Hunter of Newton, Mass.; daughter, Suzanne Pearl of Tarpon Springs, Fla.; son, Todd of Albuquerque, N.M.; sons, Patrick and Matthew of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and six grandchildren. An informal "celebration of life" was held on August 7 at Harpoon Harry's, a Key West hangout where David often enjoyed his favorite brew, Budweiser.

Mrs. Emogene "Jean" Hanna Kilgore, 75, of Charleston passed away Thursday, August 11, 2011, at Hubbard Hospice House. Jean was a member of Community Chapel Church in Cross Lanes. She graduated from Nitro High School class of 1953. She lived her whole life in the area with the exception of a brief stay in Sanford, Fla., giving care to the elderly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence N. and Beulah Dooley Hanna; husbands, James H. Kilgore and William Lee Lanham; son, James H. Kilgore Jr.; sister Marie Hanna Saulton; brothers, Wilmurth Hanna and Clarence Hanna; and daughter-in-law, Myoung MI Kilgore. Jean is survived by two sons, Bill Kilgore and wife, Leslie Kilgore, of Keene, Texas, and Charles Kilgore of Clendenin; two daughters, Yolanda Sue Kilgore and husband, Greg Honaker, of Deltona, Fla., and Kimberli Kilgore and husband, Brad Means, of Clendenin; sister, Louise Hanna and husband, George Skidmore, of Poca; 11 grandchildren, Michelle and husband, Kyle Green, Meredith and husband, J.D. Ravenscroft, Jim and wife, Amber Kilgore, Josh Kilgore, Matthew and wife, Rhonda Honaker, Charles and wife, Lora Means, Ron and wife, Rachel Means, and Mike, Daniel, Josh and Mindy Means; great-grandchildren, Andrew Means, Desiree Kilgore and soon-to-be-born Logan Means. Jean is also survived by a host of other family and friends.

Orville R. Carney, 91, passed away after a short illness in Charleston. He was a retired school board employee, an Army veteran, serving his country during WWII and a member of Lake Wood Church of God, Cross Lanes. Orville was saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and will be missed by all. We will meet you on the other side. Surviving are his children, Gary Carney of Poca and Nancy Ann Carney (Ron Thaxton) of Cross Lanes; granddaughter, Amy G (Kevin) Heath of Muncie, Ind.; great-grandchild, Boaz Carney Heath; granddaughter, Angela R (Ryan) Dearian of Scott Depot; great-grandchildren, Alyssa R Murphy, Spencer M Murphy, Zada G Murphy and Landen Dearian; granddaughter, Charessa Dawn (Bob) Thaxton Wilkinson; great-grandchildren, Stormie Payne Wilkinson, Starr Parker Wilkinson and Che River Wilkinson; and granddaughter, Amber Elizabeth (Brandon) Thaxton Mouser.

Elaine Marie Stonestreet, 85, of Charleston went to be with the Lord on August 6, 2011, after she had suffered a recent stroke. She was married to the late Denzil W. Stonestreet, her beloved husband for over 60 years. She was born on November 25, 1925, in Battle Creek, Mich., the daughter of Stephen Lawton and Ethel Chapin Lawton. She was preceded in death by her brother, Leon Lawton. She is survived by her six children and their families, who include Wayne Stonestreet and Cindy, Greg Stonestreet and Anita, Dana Stonestreet and Jana, Marilyn Stonestreet, Jan Stonestreet and Mark Liberati and David Stonestreet and Mireille; 15 grandchildren, Bryan, Matthew, Charles, Andrew, Lauren, Stephen, Caitlin, Joanna, John, Daniel, Nathan, Natalie, Jenna, Evan and Liam; and two great-grandchildren, Micah and Sofia. Elaine graduated from Salem College in Salem, W.Va., with a four-year degree in education, majoring in English with a minor in music. She played the clarinet and piano and sang in various choirs. Early in her career, she taught English, shorthand and typing, and worked as a legal secretary. Later, between caring for and raising their six children, she worked as a bookkeeper and secretary for her husband's various business concerns. She loved music, gardening, canning vegetables, reviewing house plans for her dream retirement home, which her husband built for her, and worshiping God at Perrow Presbyterian Church. She started a library at Perrow, sang in the choir, worked with various ministries and especially enjoyed housing missionaries on furlough in the U.S.

James Junior "Doc" Wolfe of Nitro passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2011, at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston. Jim was a veteran of the Korean War, a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Nitro, and a retired millwright from the Union Carbide Institute Plant. He was preceded in death by his father, James O. Wolfe; mother, Lottie Mae Wolfe; and daughter, Jeanne Wolfe Mallory.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Lou Wolfe of Nitro; his daughter, Jennifer Wolfe Coffman and son-in-law, Randy, of Scott Depot; sisters, Donna Wolfe Foster of Charleston and Frances Wolfe Fortune and her husband, Bill, of Nitro; grandchildren, Kip Merrifield, Cody Merrifield and his wife, Tiffany, Molly Merrifield and Kevin Holliday, all of North Carolina, and Tanner Coffman of Scott Depot; three great-grandchildren; and various beloved nieces and nephews.

Owen Lee Carney, 71, of Cross Lanes passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 30, 2011.
He was born in Charleston on May 13, 1940, the son of the late Paul and Lelia Carney. He was also preceded in death by his sons, James Paul Carney and Matthew Paul Carney, and by his brother, Paul Allen "P.A." Carney.
He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Margaret "Maggie"; son, Andrew Owen "Andy" Carney; daughter, Alana Carney Williams and her husband, Brian; granddaughter, Leela Joann Carney Williams; a grandson due to arrive in November of 2011; and Robert (Beverly) Duff, who was as close as a brother to Owen. Owen was a graduate of Greenbrier Military School, class of 1959, and West Virginia University. He was formerly employed by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources; was vice-president of Dunbar Lumber Company; and retired from Ace Center Hardware, St. Albans. Aside from his wonderful extended family and friends, working on his art was his next great love. Words cannot even begin to express how loved Owen was and how missed he will be. Family and friends will forever cherish every memory they had with Owen and will never forget the smile he brought to everyone's face.

NHS WV 2010 Color Guard

Great looking Nitro High School Color Guard!

More Nitro High School posts

PAGE TWO

Nitro High School, WV, Student obits/posts/news

The nitroalumni.com forum has been discontinued. This is sad as many excellent posts and memories went with it. Thank you Timothy Davis NHS '77 for your gift to us all. Perhaps one day it can be recovered.

I will try to create a new nitro high school forum type presence, but until then here is a list of obituaries and notable items about our classmates:

Use the Find Function under EDIT (Windows toolbar) to look for NHS class members. You might try just the last or first name to be successful. The find function is case sensitive. I have posted obituaries, miscellaneous info, updates, teacher notes, old forum postings, and announcements for our classmates.

Tick-tock-tick-tock

by Donna Ogburn Hedrick Donna Ogburn Hedrick - DonnaH7692@aol.com

The original Nitro High School was built near the end of World War I, when the town of Nitro, West Virginia was built. Nitro is a boomtown that came into being due to a critical shortage of gunpowder during the War. The War Department decided to build plants to produce the gunpowder for American troops and one of those plants was built in Nitro. The type of gunpowder to be produced was Nitro-Cellulose; hence, the name Nitro. Construction began in late 1917 and, in only eleven months, 90 percent of the town and the powder plant had been constructed. Many of these structures are still standing, including the gymnasium from the original Nitro High School. A complete history of the town of Nitro can be found in the book Nitro The World War I Boom Town by William D. Wintz.

The new Nitro had an independent school and its first graduate was in 1921. The school survived until 1954 when it was razed to make way for a new modern school. Many watched as the old school was slowly demolished. One such observer was Mr. Fay Harper, a chemistry teacher at the school for many years. Mr. Harper noticed that the old clock that hung over the gymnasium was still there as the demolition began. He contacted the school principal, Mr. Walter F. Snyder, who gave him permission to remove the clock. He rescued it and kept it in his care until his death. Mr. Harper’s daughter, Fannnie Harper Brown, brought the clock to one of her class reunions where she offered it for auction to raise money for future reunions. This writer purchased the clock at that time.

One day, the old clock grew tired and simply stopped. It was taken to an antique clock shop where a caring clock restorer took an interest in it. He called, after seeing the clock, and asked about its history. He was given the above story and became excited at the prospect of the old clock’s age. He suggested that an attempt be made to contact the maker.

A letter had been written previously to the maker of the clock, Cincinnati Time Recorder, but no response was received. However, a search on the Internet found a company named Cincinnati Time Systems and an inquiry was sent. Mr. Michael Lahm replied that Cincinnati Time Systems is the branch office for the original Cincinnati Time Recorder Company and that he could probably provide some information on the clock and requested pictures. Pictures were sent and Mr. Lahm answered, “Your clock is very interesting. I suspect it was manufactured in the early 1920s. It may have been used as a program timer to ring bells at the school. The serial number will indicate the year in which the clock was manufactured.” The clock maker was contacted to locate the serial number; however, the plate with the number was missing from the old clock. Consequently, proof of the exact manufacture date is unavailable at this time. It is known when the school was built and Mr. Lahm suspects the clock was manufactured in the early 20s. Also, after this story was posted at this class site, an e-mail was received from Karen Blasing Pradham who was employed by Cincinnati Time Recorder for many years. She did quite a bit of research on old clocks and the company history. She agrees with Mr. Lahm’s opinions and adds that, from her experience, she suspects the clock was manufactured prior to 1921 due to the fact that it is not electric, but runs on a pendulum. Cincinnati Time Recorder retrofitted its pendulum clock models to run on electric starting in 1921. She guesses from the design and function that the clock was manufactured between 1916 and 1921 and it is very possible that it was installed as original equipment when the school was constructed.

So, is it likely the steadfast old clock was placed in the original Nitro High School when it was built? The clock still looks magnificent, runs as though it were still hanging in the old school ringing bells for class changes, and it ticks so loudly that it can be heard throughout the house. During quiet moments, the loud tick-tock-tick-tock reminds one of bygone days at the original Nitro High School.
Brenda Coiner Burke-Cremeans ’94 is president of
Hurricane High School Alumni and lives in Hurricane with
her husband of six years, John Cremeans, Sr. Last summer
she coordinated Hurricane’s first all-school reunion, which
started two scholarships for Hurricane High School
graduates. Mrs. Burke-Cremeans currently teaches in her
“home county” of Putnam spending the a.m. at Buffalo
High and the afternoon at Winfield High. Upon graduating
from GSC, she taught in South Carolina schools for 5 years
then returned to West Virginia where she taught at Nitro
High School for 6 years before taking the positions in
Putnam County. She proudly tells the Alumni News that
several of her former students from Nitro have attended or
are attending GSC at the present time. Additionally Mrs.
Burke-Cremeans is still a student herself – a grad student at
Marshall in South Charleston.

CLASS OF 69:

Joan Crawford-Bumgarner
1969
Thomas (Tom) Snyder II
Class of 69
Cathy Davis-Ison
Hello
Lynn Cole-Neal
Hello everyone!
Kathy Morris
Winin' and Dinin'............class of 69
Debby Derrick-Reese
Hi
David Williams
A Lot of Time Has Passed Since Sixty-Nine!
Bobbie Bailey
Would love to hear from other alumni
Dan Higgins
Start every day with a smile and get it over with.
Greg Milam
Greetings From Chicago
David Dempsey
Would love to hear from some former classmates!
Marilyn Boggess Flack
Transplanted from one Charleston area to another
Nancy Oseien
definitely be one of my "favorite" sites.
Jack Bess
Hello from the Houston Texas Area
Billy Javins
BJ
Gloria Wills-Johnston
Would love to hear from old classmates and friends!
Judy (Duling) Huck
Looking for old friends
Amy Rust-Sullivan
Hello


Class of ’70:

John Paff
John Paff


bill bird
this is a wonderful country


John Collins
John "HARV" Collins


Patricia Roberts
I like sunshine better than snow!!!


Doug Davidson
West Virginia is still home!

Class of 71:
Stanley Carper
HI! to great class of 71

Robert Hurley
Bob Hurley

Debra Elkins-Keith
Great memories of NHS!!

Stephen Yoho
Mellow

NOLA COLE-COTTRELL
LETS GO WILDCATS

Margie Allison
What happen to the 30th reunion?

NINA YOUNG-SAUNDERS
HELLO FELLOW 1971 GRADUATES!

Scott Williams
Still shaggy...

arnold wehrle
where did everybody go?

Marian Davis-Jones
Attended West Sattes Elementary in 1964-1965 (Graduated 1971 in Ohio)

Class of ’72:
Carl Landers
One day at a time !

Shauna Santrock Hampshire
Cheer for Nitro High School!

David King
Never Let The Idiots Get You Down!

Barbara Allen-Smith
Hello Wildcats-and all classmates...............

Joyce Brick-Fay
NHS 72

Connie Duncan-Snyder
I Believe Friends are Friends Forever!!

Margaret Brannon-Williams
M-M-M lives!

Garry Parsons
I missed the graduation

Pam Bryan-Laurenzo
I Love Reunions!

Kay Rust----Underwood
Life is Good

Butch Willard
Hello Nitro Wildcats

Class of 73:


David L Walker
I am still alive and kicking
Don Keener
Still Rockin'
Randy Gilbert
Hope To Hear From You
Doug Miller
Hello all - from Pennsylvania
Tonsi Ann Winter-Scolish
How are you?
Rusty Casto
Greetings from the mayor's office...
Kathy Lowe-Legg
Kathy Lowe-Legg
Sandy Lowther-Massey
Oklahoma Hillbilly
Steve Davis
Still Here in Cross Lanes


Class of ’74:

Jaci Jarrett Masztal
Keep in touch!
Gaye Galloway Murphy
Gaye Galloway Murphy - Class of 1974
Rebecca Smith Woodson
Greeting to all!
Jeff Knadler
Still Crazy after all these years
Denise Asbury
Hello from the Lone Star State
Lynn Summers
Hi guys!
Randy McClain
Hello from the Windy City!
Sherri Brewer/Sutherland
It's still home. Great friends to love.
Debbie Boggess-Dempsey
Hey, would love to hear from some of you!
BILL WARNER
BILL WARNER CLASS OF 74
gary stover
drownin' in the sea of love, where everyone would love to drown.....
Whitney Darby
Whit NHS 74

Class of ’75:

Teresa Hill-Lamb
Hello everyone
David Callihan
A little closer to home.
al boch
Go HERD !!!
Ray Brown
Another hillbilly living out of state
Lynn Duvall-Belcher
Lynn Duvall
Jerry Bailey
Who is that guy in my yearbook photo!
Duke Hudson
Hello from Big Orange Country
Randy Wheeler
LIFE IS GOOD!
Carl Addison
Hey from the Show-Me State
Jim Waybright
HI EVERYONE!
Teresa Hill
Hello friends
William Phillips
Hi again....
Class of ’76:

Jay Parker
Most distant alumni?


Fred Petry
Hello from Florida


mark tyson
loving life in south florida


Claudia Hechesky Fisher
Still Me After All These Years!!!!


Verea Ash - Cravens
is there anybody out there?


Cathy Duffield Chestnut
Hello from Nitro, WV!


David Higgins
Calgary may be further, but San Diego sure is warmer.......


Pamela Mattox-Walker
Whats Uppppp class of '76?


Jeff Nibert
Howdy from Dallas Texas. Sure glad for y'all to see me!


Roxann (Rocky) Burch-Carle
Alive and Well and Living in Amish Country!


Gale Clendenin
Class of "76"

Class of ’77:

Melissa Addison-Kistler

Tim Allen

Beth Anderson-Kimble
Beth Anderson Kimble
Karen Andruzis

Donald Ash

Ronald Ash

Tonya Ashley-Cooper

Eddie Atkins

Leslie Auer-Bailey

Donald Austin

Cheryl Bailey-Bowen

Jeff Balser

Robert Barker

Pam Barnard-Middleton

Judy Barnes-McCutcheon

Kim Bateman-Butler

Debbie Bibbee-Ransom

Rebecca Boggess-Massey

Sherry Boggess-Shahan

James Bone

David Bonnett

Kristine Borash-Michaloski

Linn Boswell

Inger Bothwell-Kennedy

Mary Bowen-Stone

Nora Bowen-Ward

Kenneth Breece

Robin Brick-Smith

John Brown

James Burdette

Patrice Burford-Banker

Tina Burford Bowling

Rodney Burke

Danny Burns

Judy Busch-Stogdon

Lisa Buttrick-Poehner

Wendell Cadle

Glen Caines

Kenny Campbell

Cheryl Carney-Arthur

Mellisa Carney-Onks
Just moved to Texas!
Tim Cart

Mark Casto

Tim Casto

Angela Childers-Harrison

Bill Clark

Richard Clendenin

Earl Jr. Cobb

Steve Cobb

Willie Coffman

Susan Coiner

Tonya Cook-Huffman

Lee Coon

Sherry Copen-Cobb

Todd Cox

Robert Craigo

Keith Crewdson

Debbie Cunningham

Kathy Curry-Morris

Janet Dabney-Booker

Timmy Davis

Timothy K. Davis
I have lived in Minnesota since 1985
Mark Dawson

Kim Derrick-King

Bob Donahoe

Calvin Dorsey

Don Doss

Kenny Duffield

Mike Dupay

Jim Eckenrode

Michael Elder

Tim Erwin

Carla Fenniken-Gentry

Mark Ferris

Dorcas Ferris-Losh

Karen Fink-Kouns

David Fisher

Kippy Fisher

Tammy Fisher-Rucker

Rhonda Francisco-Huffman

Karen L. Frazier-Kelley

Kitti French

Mark Galloway

Terry Gandee-Shelton

Amelia Gerkin-Bailey

Cathy Gibeaut-Kenne

James Gibson

Cozzetta Gibson Lyons

Curtis Godbey

Kim Goff

Debbie Goff-Clark

Scott Goodall

Jim Haley

Mark Halton

Dana Harper

James E Jr Harper

Karen Harris-Hill

Mark Harrison

Vickie Hart-Crouch

Dwight Hemme

Lisa Hendricks-Jarrett

Julie Henson-Morgan

Tim Higginbotham

Rick Hill

Brenda Hissom Anglin

Teresa Hogan

Pam Horton

Paul Howard

Cindy Hudson-McGuire
Kiss!
Brian Huff

Vernon Huffman

Loretta Hurley-Bitner

Gina Hutton-Underwood

Kevin Jarrett
I'm attending Seminary School...
Mike Jefferies

Penny Jett-Scarberry

Blair Johnson

Kathy Johnson

Kim Johnson-Karam

Debbie Jones-Goff

Mark Jordan

Delores Jordon-Staats

Ron Karnes

Bernd Kaufman

Kathy Keatley-Miller

Jeffrey Kelley

Marsha Kessel-Bailey

Melanie Kessel-Hunt

Joseph Kidd

Tom Kirby

Kathy Kitts Saunders
I work at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio
Steve Knight

Dennis Knopp

Karen Kolb-Hager

Jane Kraft-Darby

Charles Kyle

Greg Landers

Tim Lane

Brett Legg

Jeff Lemon

Keith Lilly

Michael Lilly

Charles Lovejoy

Gary Lowther

Howard Martin

Mary Martin-Price

Jeff Matheny

Martha Matheny

Robin Mathes

Bruce Mattox

Lynn McClung-Thorne

Josie McCormick

Jack McCune

Cathy McKinney-Jones

Terri McLaughlin-Wilkinson

Terri Meadors

Steve Meadows

Pamela Meadows-Harvitt

Chris Merritt-Mayberry

Selena Middleton-Rice

Wesley Milam

Brian Miles

Duane Miles

David Miller

Ricky Mitchell

Debbie Moody
I live in Florida now, but will always be a Mountaineer at heart!
Cindy Moody-Coburn

Leslie Moon-Cardenas

Jeff Morrison

Cindy Morse

Tammy Mullins-Davis

Keith Myers

Eric Nease

Mark Newcome

Alma Norris

Binky Null

Robert Null

Wade Null

Donna Nutter-Evans

Nancy O'Dell-Rutledge

Rebecca Parrish-Lester

Susan Parry-Knisely

Carma Parson-Goff

Lindsay Parsons

Ralph Parsons

Beth Peal-McDowell

Jerry Pernell

Terry Pernell-Williams

Debbie Perry-Shrewsbury

Meg Pettit-Jackson

Jill Phelps-Ellis

Mary Phillips-Moles

Ricky Pioch

Rose Pontier-Martin

Terry Poston

Brian Pratt

Darlene Price-Schultz

Danny Pritt

Carla Pyles-Campbell

Mark Rader

Cheryl Randall-Boyd

Rick Ransom

Tim Ray

Greg Raynes

Eugene Reveal

Cindy Rice-McGuill

Claudia Riffe-Kathes

Tim Riggs

Jeff Sadler

Pam Santmyer

Anne Santrock-Wallington

Kenny Schaffer

Kevin Schoonover

Gail Schuman

Rob Sellers

Dennis Sergeant

Debbie Sergeant-Casto

Paul Shaffer

Dale Shamblin

Neil Shamblin

Rusty Shamblin-McWhorter

Debbie Shelton-Dean

Mickey Short

Bill Simpson

Lee Ann Skaff

Ronald Skeens

Pam Slater

Jack Slaughter

Kim Smith

Mark R. Smith

Marty Smith

Stephen Smith

Martha Smith-Parr

Chuck Snyder

Danny Snyder

Eddie Snyder

Dale Southall

David Southall

Scott Spaulding

Jimmy Staats

Mike Stati

David Steele

Susan Stephens

Jimmy Stewart

Jan Stonestreet-Liberati

Donna Stype-Bailey

Mike Taylor

Tony Taylor

Teresa Taylor-Shaffer

Jeff Teetor

Johnny Thaxton

David Thomas

Karen Thomas-Lewis

Jay Thompson

Lori Tillinghast-Ferrell
Retired from AT&T
Bruce Tincher

Vicki Tincher-Stone

Jimmy Tinsley

Linda Titcher-Saulton

Anna Toler-Frazier

Joe Townsend

Lemoune Tustin

Teresa Tyson-Scott

Kim Vanater-Bailey

Jeff Vanmeter

Kenny Varney

Annette Wade-Thornton

Karen Walker

Stephanie Walls-Stinnett

David Walters

Melinda Welch

Duane West

Tim West

Charlotte Westfall-Reed

Tracy White

Debbie White-Smith

Terry Whittaker-Watkins

Ernie Whittington

Claude Wigglesworth

Kenny Wilkinson

Susan Williamson-Quick

Charlie Winter

Terri Wood-Godbey

Robin Woods

Ellen Woods-Ramey

Judy Woodson Browning

Greg Young

Nancy Young-Robinson

John Zitzelsberger

Tim Zobrist

Tom Kirby
HELLO TO ALL
Teresa Tyson Scott
*Smile*
Paul L. Shaffer II
Hi, everyone! I'm still here in Cross Lanes!
DALE SHAMBLIN
DALE SHAMBLIN
Mike Taylor
Hello from Nitro
Bruce Tincher
Still Stunningly Handsome!
Cindy Hudson-McGuire
Kiss!
Annette Wade Shamblin
Class 1977
Kenneth Varney
Back Living in good ol Cross Lanes, WV
William Simpson
Drop me a line.
Julie Henson Morgan
Hi! Class of 77
glen caines
life is good

Class of ‘78

Linda Hodges Paren
The Years Go By So Quickly
lisa aeby
hello everyone
Holly Wagner

Mark Guinn
Hello from South Pacific (MO)!
Debbie Gates Cart
Hello
Susan Trawick-Roberts
Susan Trawick Roberts
Sandy Williams - Hayne
Early Graduate - went to NHS with the class of 1979
Elizabeth - Beth Dabney-Page
Greetings from Richmond!
kevin young
greetings from atlanta
Becky Boggess-Asbury
Would love to hear from old friends.
Mark Dill
Mark Dill
Valerie Loving-Melton
Hi Nitro
Marjorie Nibert
Marjorie Nibert
TRUDY MILAM-CLARK

Class of ‘67

Mike Randolph
The class that was more like family than friends


Bill Young
Class of 1967


David Chapman
Wildcat Forever!


Priscilla (Pris) Callihan
Always, Able and Ready to Party...Class of 67!!


Peggy Lemon-Wallace
Hello to everyone. Glad to be back in touch with friends and classmate


Caroline Rhodes-Greenlee
Hello to everyone!


Patti Utt-Molin
1967...The Class that was always ready to PARTY!


Bobby Ward
I would rather be sailing!


Alice Stahl
Where ever you are, be there with all your heart.


Julia Caines-Byrge
So Cheer for Nitro High School!


Andrea Thaxton Pease
Class of 67


Ken Mannix
1967 The class that was a party.


Chuck Davidson
Class of 67'


Nancy C. Boggess Hill
HELLO TO EVERYONE!!


Roy Miller
hi people


Greg Martin
Greetings to all !

Class of ‘66

barbara rhodes
1966 Graduate
Karen Gates-Wilcox
Karen Gates Wilcox -Class of 66
Nancy (Magoun) Risch
I would love to talk with old friends.
MARY HUMPHREY-JACKSON
FROM THE GREAT CLASS OF '66'
Doug Bess
Take me home country roads to the place I belong, NITRO
Kenneth Luikart
Hello from Blakes Creek Holler!
Pam Cavender-Curry
Nitro High School was a big part of our lives.....
gail Roberts
There is no place like home --- except the Beach!!!
Beverly Boggess
17th Street Native Fondly Recalls Nitro Days
C. Rodney Lynch
Let the good times roll for 1966 grads
Brenda Morgan-Haning
W.Va. Girl follows husband to Florida

Timothy K. Davis http://web.archive.org/web/20020603153833/www.infinetivity.com/t_k_davis/t_davis_memory.html
In memorium

1977 NHS Annual Page by Page; photos included! Thank you Tim Davis!
http://web.archive.org/web/20020527154211/www.nitro77.com/

‘77
· I need help with my yearbook page - Cindy Hudson 19:08:20 8/31/2002 (0)
· Reunion - Kitti French 08:07:13 8/02/2002 (1)
· Re: Reunion - Rob Sellers 22:44:33 8/04/2002 (0)
· How is the weekend going??? - Rob Sellers 15:35:14 7/27/2002 (2)
· Re: How is the weekend going??? - Kathy Kitts Saunders 16:52:11 7/28/2002 (0)
· Re: How is the weekend going??? - Rob Sellers 15:36:31 7/27/2002 (0)
· Don't Forget - Plans this weekend (7/26-27) - Kathy Kitts Saunders 16:17:29 7/22/2002 (0)
· Who is coming to the reunion? and Lake Chaweva? - Terry Pernell-Williams 19:51:16 7/13/2002 (0)
· Reunion Cancelled - Alternate Plans - Kathy Kitts Saunders 12:54:06 7/03/2002 (4)
· Re: Reunion Cancelled - Alternate Plans - Bear Stearns Mortgage Capital Corporatin 13:56:19 7/03/2002 (2)
o Re: Reunion Cancelled - Alternate Plans - Kathy Kitts Saunders 14:00:45 7/03/2002 (0)
o Re: Reunion Cancelled - Alternate Plans - Beth Anderson Kimble not Bear Stearn 13:57:30 7/03/2002 (0)
· Re: Reunion Cancelled - Alternate Plans - Gregory R Veazey 13:22:25 7/03/2002 (0)
· test - Abby 12:43:00 7/03/2002 (0)
· Reunion Mailings - Beth Anderson Kimble 15:01:58 2/22/2002 (0)
· Tim Davis - Sue Parry Knisely 07:46:33 2/05/2002 (0)
· Tim Davis - Melissa Carney Onks 07:57:39 2/02/2002 (0)
· 25th reunion - Tom Kirby 19:42:05 1/26/2002 (1)
· Re: 25th reunion - Kim Smith 08:53:37 3/06/2002 (0)
· 25 Year Reunion - UPDATE - Kathy Kitts Saunders 12:20:19 1/01/2002 (0)
· Happy New Year! - Teresa Tyson Scott 10:30:50 1/01/2002 (0)
· Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - Carla Pyles Campbell 21:02:30 12/24/2001 (0)
· Remembering Tim - Karen Frazier Kelley 19:35:17 12/11/2001 (1)
· Re: Remembering Tim - Terry Poston 11:57:29 12/12/2001 (0)
· Remembering Tim - Judy Busch Stogdon 19:58:21 12/04/2001 (0)
· Remembering Tim - Terry Poston 09:09:54 12/04/2001 (0)
· Tim Davis Passes Away - Beth Anderson Kimble 22:40:10 12/02/2001 (5)
· Re: Tim Davis Passes Away - Ellis R. Davis 04:33:18 12/04/2001 (4)
o Re: Tim Davis Passes Away - Teresa Tyson Scott 10:10:31 1/01/2002 (0)
o Re: Tim Davis Passes Away - Beth Anderson Kimble 09:58:03 12/04/2001 (0)
o Re: Tim Davis Passes Away - Kathy Kitts Saunders 07:41:21 12/04/2001 (0)
o Re: Tim Davis Passes Away - Ellis R. Davis 04:37:43 12/04/2001 (0)
· 25 Year Reunion - Kathy Kitts Saunders 19:20:44 12/01/2001 (1)
· Re: 25 Year Reunion - Beth Anderson Kimble 22:42:22 12/02/2001 (0)
· Hello Class of 77 - Kevin Jarrett 16:39:24 11/13/2001 (1)
· Re: Hello Class of 77 - Teresa Tyson Scott 10:24:17 1/01/2002 (0)
· Daughter-in-Law ! - Cindy Hudson etc. 13:21:51 9/02/2001 (2)
· Re: Daughter-in-Law ! - Jeff Sadler 02:20:35 9/05/2001 (0)
· Re: Daughter-in-Law ! - Kathy Kitts Saunders 18:33:18 9/04/2001 (0)
· hi - rhpithva 02:44:29 8/29/2001 (0)
· Hello Everyone - Tina B 05:27:39 8/14/2001 (0)
· Tammy Shamblin - Tim Davis 03:37:16 7/24/2001 (0)
· Thanks Tim - Judy Busch Stogdon 02:30:54 7/23/2001 (1)
· Re: Thanks Tim - Tim Davis 03:39:51 7/24/2001 (0)
· 25th reunion! - Cindy Hudson McGuire 23:51:56 6/25/2001 (8)
· Re: 25th reunion! - Cindy Hudson 16:17:10 12/01/2001 (1)
o Re: 25th reunion! - Cindy Hudson 16:34:23 12/01/2001 (0)
· Re: 25th reunion! URGENT! - Cindy Hudson 19:11:20 10/19/2001 (0)
· Re: 25th reunion! - Carla Pyles Campbell 22:05:12 9/24/2001 (0)
· Re: 25th reunion! - Teresa Tyson Scott 03:16:46 7/06/2001 (3)
o Re: 25th reunion! - Sue Parry Knisely 11:49:28 9/04/2001 (0)
o Re: 25th reunion! - Cindy Hudson McGuire 22:49:20 8/23/2001 (1)
§ Re: 25th reunion! - SKnisely (Sue Parry) 11:52:08 9/04/2001 (0)
· Hello!!! - Karen Frazier Kelley 00:52:19 4/24/2001 (0)
· thay come & go - sheila class of 83 03:20:12 4/05/2001 (0)
· Catching Up with Ya'll - Teresa Tyson Scott 00:48:57 3/03/2001 (0)
· Congratulations Anne! - Teresa Scott 00:34:44 3/03/2001 (0)
· Congratulations Anne on the birth of your baby girl. - Rick Hill 11:40:46 2/01/2001 (0)
· Congratulations on the birth of your baby. - Anne Santrock Brewster 16:55:02 1/29/2001 (1)
· Re: Congratulations on the birth of your baby. - Maureen Foster 16:58:23 1/29/2001 (0)
· Hi - Tom Kirby 15:33:56 12/10/2000 (1)
· Re: Hi - RICK RANSON 13:21:37 12/14/2000 (0)
· HELLO EVERYBODY!!!!!!! - Ken Varney 06:45:54 11/20/2000 (1)
· Re: HELLO EVERYBODY!!!!!!! - RICK RANSON 15:07:16 12/01/2000 (0)
· Anne Santrock Brewster - Tim Davis 13:32:02 10/16/2000 (0)
· KIPPY FISHER - Tim Davis 21:14:55 8/14/2000 (0)
· Classmate - Beth Anderson Kimble 12:09:13 7/27/2000 (0)
· HIYA YALL! - Lori Tillinghast Ferrell 15:38:32 7/05/2000 (2)
· Re: HIYA YALL! - Lori Tillinghast Ferrell 15:40:11 7/05/2000 (1)
o Re: HIYA YALL! - BAnderson Kimble 08:29:23 9/12/2000 (0)
· hello - RICK RANSON 18:34:06 6/19/2000 (0)
· NHS photos - Terry Pernell Williams 18:41:23 6/15/2000 (0)
· THANKS, THANKS! - Beth Anderson Kimble 10:22:53 5/30/2000 (3)
· Re: THANKS, THANKS! - Tim Davis 13:02:49 5/30/2000 (2)
o Alumni Webpage - Tim Davis 13:18:48 5/30/2000 (1)
§ Re: Alumni Webpage - Kris Borash Michaloski 12:04:24 6/02/2000 (0)
· All Class Reunion - Neil Thunder (NHS Class of '88) 09:13:54 5/26/2000 (0)
· all class reunion - Jim Burdette 18:47:29 3/16/2000 (1)
· Re: all class reunion - RICK RANSON 15:28:54 3/19/2000 (0)
· Check out www.highschoolalumni.com - Kris Borash Michaloski 22:35:25 3/03/2000 (7)
· Re: Check out www.highschoolalumni.com - george bush 08:06:06 2/10/2001 (0)
· Re: Check out www.highschoolalumni.com - Jean Hall 15:31:54 8/22/2000 (3)
o Re: Check out www.highschoolalumni.com - Trey Collum 13:33:03 12/11/2000 (2)
§ Re: Check out www.highschoolalumni.com - BETH SMITH 13:34:57 12/11/2000 (1)
§ Re: Check out www.highschoolalumni.com - robertstarkey 19:50:19 2/01/2002 (0)
· Re: Check out www.highschoolalumni.com - Beth Anderson Kimble 20:02:41 3/06/2000 (1)
o Re: Check out www.highschoolalumni.com - Jeanine Rau 19:41:20 1/13/2001 (0)
· ALL YEAR REUNION - JULY 14, 2000 - Beth Anderson Kimble 13:47:03 2/29/2000 (0)
· Guess what? I got married... - Karen Frazier 19:57:48 2/28/2000 (3)
· Re: Guess what? I got married... - Tim Davis 23:33:35 3/04/2000 (0)
· Re: Guess what? I got married... - Beth Anderson Kimble 13:41:10 2/29/2000 (1)
o Re: Guess what? I got married... - Beth Anderson Kimble 07:37:57 3/01/2000 (0)
· Just a 'lil update - Duane Miles 23:01:49 2/14/2000 (0)
· hello - RICK RANSON 23:28:33 2/03/2000 (0)
· MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! - Tim Davis 10:37:46 12/23/99 (0)
· Shoe Boxes for Bosnia - Terry Pernell Williams 17:42:10 12/22/99 (0)
· Karen Fink - Patrice Burford Banker 18:31:36 9/26/99 (0)
· Karen Fink - Tim Davis 10:19:16 9/20/99 (1)
· Re: Karen Fink - Tim Davis 03:38:22 9/27/99 (0)
· Cobwebs - Tim Davis 19:09:16 9/08/99 (1)
· Re: Cobwebs - Beth A. Kimble 11:08:50 9/10/99 (0)
· This place is great! - Scott 12:48:16 6/22/99 (0)
· HELLO - RICK RANSON 12:37:49 5/21/99 (2)
· Re: HELLO - Terry Pernell Williams 20:16:24 8/16/99 (0)
· Re: HELLO - Tim Davis 11:09:57 5/22/99 (0)
· Hello Nitro - David A. Chapman 20:28:01 5/04/99 (2)
· Re: Hello Nitro - Mike Randolph 14:30:23 3/03/2000 (0)
· Re: Hello Nitro - Beth Anderson Kimble 10:35:02 6/25/99 (0)
· Turning 40! - Tim Davis 22:04:54 4/26/99 (4)
· Re: Turning 40! - Laura Pichler 15:04:09 10/07/99 (0)
· Re: Turning 40! - Kathy Kitts 16:07:52 4/27/99 (2)
o Hello again - Terry Pernell Williams 17:15:12 12/22/99 (0)
o Re: Turning 40! - Terry Pernell Williams 20:19:31 8/16/99 (0)
· hi - Billy Fore 02:43:16 3/25/99 (0)
· ALL YEAR REUNION SCHEDULED - Beth Anderson Kimble 08:23:16 3/19/99 (1)
· Re: ALL YEAR REUNION SCHEDULED - Tim Davis 21:44:23 3/19/99 (0)
· Feeling old? - Debbie Moody 19:52:58 3/09/99 (2)
· Re: Feeling old? - Rob Sellers 23:28:02 3/30/99 (0)
· Re: Feeling old? - Tim Davis 22:13:09 3/21/99 (0)
· 78 grad - Mike Thompson 11:09:43 1/12/99 (5)
· Re: 78 grad - lisa aeby 13:58:22 1/06/2000 (0)
· Re: 78 grad - Valerie Loving Melton 13:00:06 9/24/2000 (0)
· Re: 78 grad - Valerie Loving Melton 12:58:50 9/24/2000 (0)
· Re: 78 grad - Terry Pernell Williams 17:18:55 12/22/99 (0)
· Re: 78 grad - Tim 21:11:30 1/29/99 (0)
· Hello - Rick Ranson 10:46:30 12/29/98 (0)
· ALL YEAR REUNION - Beth Anderson Kimble 11:52:00 12/15/98 (0)
· Congratulations to the '98 wildcats...14-0 State Champions!! - Tom McLane 07:43:38 12/14/98 (1)
· Welcome Class of '83 - Tim Davis 23:27:00 12/18/98 (0)
· HI TO THE CLASS OF 77 - RICK RANSON 13:56:16 12/07/98 (9)
· Re: HI TO THE CLASS OF 77 - John Zitzelsberger 11:35:03 12/09/98 (0)
· Re: HI TO THE CLASS OF 77 - John Zitzelsberger 11:33:49 12/09/98 (0)
· Re: HI TO THE CLASS OF 77 - John Zitzelsberger 11:30:44 12/09/98 (0)
· Re: HI TO THE CLASS OF 77 - John Zitzelsberger 11:29:25 12/09/98 (0)
· Re: HI TO THE CLASS OF 77 - John Zitzelsberger 11:28:29 12/09/98 (0)
· Re: HI TO THE CLASS OF 77 - Tim Davis 20:01:06 12/07/98 (3)
o Re: HI TO THE CLASS OF 77 - RICK RANSON 07:55:41 12/08/98 (2)
§ Re: HI TO THE CLASS OF 77 - Tim Davis 09:37:23 12/10/98 (1)
§ Re: HI TO THE CLASS OF 77 - RICK RANSON 13:38:53 12/10/98 (0)
· MERRY CHRISTMAS - Tim Davis 09:54:31 12/06/98 (1)
· Re: MERRY CHRISTMAS - Beth Anderson Kimble 12:15:16 12/10/98 (0)
· Who else checks this page? - Debbie Moody 17:17:17 8/25/98 (6)
· Re: Who else checks this page? - Judy Busch Stogdon 20:52:04 11/13/98 (0)
· Re: Who else checks this page? - Debbie Shelton Dean 08:51:12 10/22/98 (0)
· Re: Who else checks this page? - Rob Sellers 22:42:24 10/06/98 (0)
· Re: Who else checks this page? - Terry Poston 12:15:34 9/29/98 (0)
· Re: Who else checks this page? - Tim Davis 20:07:52 9/22/98 (0)
· Re: Who else checks this page? - Beth Anderson Kimble 12:53:00 9/11/98 (0)
· Address - Gregory Veazey 07:38:59 8/23/98 (0)
· Hello to 77 - Gregory Veazey 20:40:15 8/21/98 (3)
· Re: Hello to 77 - Beth Anderson Kimble 12:49:37 9/11/98 (2)
o Re: Hello to 77 - beth anderson kimble 13:10:43 9/11/98 (1)
§ Re: Hello to 77 - Gregory R. Veazey 20:05:10 9/19/98 (0)
· Awesome - matt flenner 21:36:58 7/17/98 (2)
· Re: Awesome - Tim Davis 16:09:45 10/13/98 (1)
o Re: Awesome - Rob Sellers 22:07:31 10/28/98 (0)
· THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE - SALLY 20:03:06 5/26/98 (0)
· OOPS! - Pamela Harris 12:03:47 2/05/98 (0)
· Hello! - Pamela (Smith) Harris 12:01:22 2/05/98 (0)
· E-MAIL - MARK SMITH 19:54:49 2/04/98 (0)
· Class of 58 - M Taylor 17:32:39 1/05/98 (0)
· 20 Yr. Pics - Teresa Tyson Scott 14:45:03 1/04/98 (0)
· 20 Year Reunion Pictures - Tim Davis 12:06:40 12/24/97 (0)
· CLASS OF 68 - HAROLD CRAWFORD 18:54:22 12/12/97 (1)
· Re: CLASS OF 68 - Beth 11:37:32 12/23/97 (0)
· reunion/photos - terry Pernell Williams 16:59:30 10/28/97 (0)
· reunion/photos - terry Pernell Williams 16:58:31 10/28/97 (1)
· Re: reunion/photos - julie rowh 11:01:17 5/29/2000 (0)
· Great time! - Teresa Tyson Scott 23:43:14 8/12/97 (1)
· Re: Great time! - Teresa Scott 19:11:27 8/14/97 (0)
· Great time! - Teresa Tyson Scott 23:37:27 8/12/97 (0)
· REunion - Sue Parry 19:33:36 8/11/97 (0)
· 20 Year Reunion Photographs - Tim Davis 16:09:08 8/06/97 (1)
· Re: 20 Year Reunion Photographs - Jim Bone 08:17:25 8/07/97 (0)
· IT WAS GREAT! - Candi (Wood) Riggs (wife of Tim Riggs) 17:27:01 8/04/97 (0)
· Reunion TOMORROW! - Melanie Kessel Hunt 23:06:00 7/31/97 (0)
· Dr. Suess - Ken Campbell 13:28:35 7/31/97 (2)
· Re: Dr. Suess - Andrew Slade 06:38:24 11/26/98 (0)
· Re: Dr. Suess - lima bean 11:16:37 5/01/98 (0)
· Hello from North Carolina - Tim Riggs 22:38:27 7/27/97 (0)
· Reunion - Beth Anderson Kimble 19:42:35 7/27/97 (0)
· Updated information - Cathy McKinney Jones 00:27:18 7/26/97 (0)
· Updated information - Cathy McKinney Jones 00:25:29 7/26/97 (0)
· water tower - Eddie Snyder 23:29:14 7/23/97 (0)
· Nitro Reunion - Karen Frazier Dillion 20:28:53 7/20/97 (0)
· Hey, guys! - Karen Frazier Dillion 20:25:58 7/20/97 (0)
· water tower - Cindy Hudson Smith 20:36:37 7/16/97 (1)
· Re: water tower - Rick Messer 18:18:52 7/31/98 (0)
· GREETINS - TERRY PERNELL WILLIAMS 12:29:43 7/09/97 (1)
· Re: GREETINS - rave 01:47:06 7/02/99 (0)
· Final Plans - Reunion Planning Committee 08:55:57 6/26/97 (2)
· Re: Final Plans - CINDY HUDSON 18:45:32 7/05/97 (0)
· Re: Final Plans - Debbie Moody 16:05:22 6/28/97 (0)
· Is any one else bald? - Eddie Snyder 19:39:28 6/22/97 (0)
· Hi Everyone! - Lisa Buttrick Poehner 12:41:59 6/22/97 (0)
· Upcoming reunioin - Jim Burdette 20:48:55 6/16/97 (1)
· Re: Upcoming reunioin - Duane Miles 22:41:37 6/20/97 (0)
· Let's Do It AGAIN!!!! - Tim Davis 22:24:12 6/02/97 (0)
· Up Date - Martha Smith Parr 13:56:39 5/31/97 (1)
· You gotta come - Eddie Snyder 13:52:52 6/23/97 (0)
· Chat Fest!!!!! - Tim Davis 10:25:03 5/30/97 (0)
· Photographs and Memories - Kathy Kitts Burke 19:56:03 5/29/97 (0)
· Update - Neil Shamblin 19:23:26 5/26/97 (0)
· Update - Neil Shamblin 19:19:52 5/26/97 (1)
· Re: Update - Neil Shamblin 19:21:53 5/26/97 (0)
· Hi everybody! - debbie and cindy moody 13:35:13 5/25/97 (0)
· Twenty years - Jeff Sadler 09:56:24 5/23/97 (0)
· Update - Teresa Tyson Scott 11:01:34 5/15/97 (0)
· update - Mark Jordan 12:15:48 5/06/97 (0)
· Looking forward to August 1 - Mark E. Jordan 10:39:17 5/06/97 (0)
· I'm Gettin' Married in the Mornin'! - Duane West 17:53:49 5/05/97 (1)
· Re: I'm Gettin' Married in the Mornin'! - Tim Davis 19:01:40 5/05/97 (0)
· chat room times? - Cindy Hudson Smith 16:19:34 5/04/97 (2)
· Re: chat room times? - ken 05:19:09 7/24/98 (0)
· Re: chat room times? - Tim Davis 01:17:08 5/05/97 (0)
· Hello Everybody - Terry Poston 13:38:53 5/02/97 (0)
· Current Photo's - Claude Wigglesworth 20:11:08 5/01/97 (2)
· Re: Current Photo's - SATISH KUMAR 07:18:25 4/22/98 (0)
· Re: Current Photo's - Tim Davis 21:38:31 5/02/97 (0)
· reunion attendees - Kris Borash Michaloski 12:51:21 4/30/97 (0)
· Reunion!!! - Cindy Hudson Smith 20:26:36 4/23/97 (0)
· Reunion!!! - Cindy Hudson Smith 20:24:23 4/23/97 (0)
· Updated Information - Claude Wigglesworth 18:48:38 4/23/97 (0)
· Updated Information - Jeffrey Mallett 08:36:52 4/23/97 (1)
· Re: Updated Information - Lisa 05:26:54 8/14/2001 (0)
· Hello Class of 1977 - Jeffrey Mallett 08:30:58 4/23/97 (0)
· Nitro Class of '77 - Carla Pyles Campbell 07:21:37 4/21/97 (0)
· Updating information - Claude 19:40:34 4/19/97 (1)
· Re: Updating information - Tim Davis 04:02:46 4/21/97 (0)
· New stuff on the Page! - Tim Davis 14:53:18 4/18/97 (0)
· Hello, class of '77! - Kris Borash Michaloski 22:17:44 4/17/97 (0)
· Friends Far and Away - Steve Smith 14:19:45 4/15/97 (0)
· Hi Everybody! - Kathy Kitts Burke 08:08:33 4/14/97 (0)
· Reunion - Beth Anderson Kimble 17:38:29 4/13/97 (1)
· Re: Reunion - Glen Caines 14:31:53 5/03/97 (0)
· I always knew 'ol Tim would make it! - Duane Miles 20:08:58 4/11/97 (0)
· We're not getting older, we're getting better! - Kim Bateman Butler 17:18:34 4/11/97 (0)
· Great Web Page - Rick Hill 12:51:43 4/11/97 (0)
· Hat's Off to Tim - Rob Sellers 01:18:07 4/09/97 (0)
· 20 Years? No way. - Brett Legg 01:25:22 4/07/97 (0)
· hello after all this time - Neil Shamblin 21:22:13 4/02/97 (0)
· Class of 77 - Sherry Copen Cobb 11:27:01 4/02/97 (0)
· CHAT ROOM!!!!! - Tim Davis 00:42:58 4/02/97 (0)
· what a world!! - Pam Meadows Harvit 19:49:11 4/01/97 (0)
· Hi Class of '77! - Debbie Shelton Dean 07:51:22 4/01/97 (0)
· Hey Wildcats! - Debbie Moody 17:53:51 3/31/97 (0)
· Hello Class of '77' - Martha Smith Parr 16:00:37 3/31/97 (0)
· Thanks - Claude S. Wigglesworth 13:08:38 3/29/97 (1)
· Re: Thanks - Tim Davis 14:41:02 3/29/97 (0)
· Hello NITRO '77 - Tim Davis 12:11:36 3/14/97 (1)
· Re: Hello NITRO '77 - Cindy Hudson 23:45:39 6/25/2001 (0)
Memorials Class of ‘77
The following pages are memorials to our classmates who have passed away.
For some of you, this may be the first you've heard.
These pages are dedicated to you.


Allen Mallett Allen Lee Mallett, 36, of Cross Lanes died Saturday, Nov. 4, 1995 in Putnam General Hospital after an apparent heart attack.
He was an employee of Valley Rich Dairy Company, Nitro, and was a member of Nitro Moose Lodge.

Bobby Brohard http://web.archive.org/web/20001215030300/www.nitro77.com/students/Bobby_Brohard.html

Christy Casebolt http://web.archive.org/web/20001010075844/www.nitro77.com/students/Christy_Casebolt.html

Julie Rowh http://web.archive.org/web/20001010104541/www.nitro77.com/students/Julie_Rowh.html

Karen Fink Kouns http://web.archive.org/web/20010217013553/www.nitro77.com/students/Karen_Fink_Kouns.html

Randy Williams http://web.archive.org/web/20010217014007/www.nitro77.com/students/Randy_Williams.html

Richard Hardwick http://web.archive.org/web/20001215091800/www.nitro77.com/students/Richard_Hardwick.html

’77 email addresses:
Nitro High School '77
Name Email Address
Anderson Kimble, Beth blak40_99@yahoo.com
Bateman Butler, Kim KymButler@aol.com
Borash Michaloski, Kristine Michaloski@earthlink.net
Bothwell Kennedy, Inger IBOTHWELL@aol.com
Burdette, James JDB062786@aol.com
Burford Banker, Patrice TWEETYPB@aol.com
Busch Stogdon, Judy Jane1West@aol.com
Buttrick Poehner, Lisa poehner@mindspring.com
Campbell, Kenny campbelk@ix.netcom.com
Carney Onks, Melissa onksma@alltel.net
Clark, Bill A-1-CLARK@worldnet.att.net
Davis, Timothy K. tim@swdata.com
Frazier Kelley, Karen L. nitro92734@aol.com
Gerkin Bailey, Amelia ameliagb@concentric.net
Goodall, Scott SDGOOD59@aol.com
Halton, Mark DaseinMDH@AOL.com
Hill, Rick rdh1cpa@aol.com
Hudson McGuire, Cindy seekingthestars@aol.com
Jarrett, Kevin kjarrett@cjmw.com
Jordan, Mark mjordan@co.botetourt.va.us
Kelley, Jeffrey jkelleywv@aol.com
Kirby, Tom wtkwtk2000@yahoo.com
Kitts Saunders, Kathy saunders.kl@pg.com
Legg, Brett JBL0404@aol.com
McClung Thorne, Lynn klondike01@msn.com
Meadows Harvitt, Pamela pharvit@ix.netcom.com
Miles, Duane dmiles@atlantic.net
Moody, Debbie J. dmoody@cfl.rr.com
Moody Coburn, Cindy cindy.coburn@usa.net
Parry Knisely, Susan SKnisely@aol.com
Pernell Williams, Terry TEPernell@aol.com
Poston, Terry TPO@jacksonkelly.com
Pyles Campbell, Carla Carla4040@aol.com
Riggs, Tim Timmyriggs@aol.com
Sadler, Jeff JSAtvman@AOL.com
Santrock Brewster, Anne abrewste@SU.edu
Sellers, Rob rsellers@texsysrd.com
Shaffer, Ken M kenmshaffer99@hotmail.com
Shaffer, II, Paul L PLSII9959@aol.com
Shamblin, Dale sham@tsxw.com
Shamblin, Neil nshamblin@charter.net
Shelton Dean, Debbie CDean1982@aol.com
Smith, Mark R. pharris@wvinter.net
Smith Parr, Martha rikparr@wvinter.net
Snyder, Eddie EDDIE@FITZCO.COM
Stype Bailey, Donna dnbailey@access.k12.wv.us
Tillinghast Ferrell, Lori WVslingoer@aol.com
Tyson Scott, Teresa tscott1@excite.com
Varney, Kenneth Kenvwv@aol.com
Veazey, Greg R. veazeyg@hotmail.com
West, Duane DWest80502@aol.com
Wigglesworth, Claude loboWW@aol.com
Williamson Quick, Susan squick@glamour.com
Zitzelsberger, John jsj@3lefties.com
Testimonials for Timothy Davis
Testimonials

Tim Davis was my husband and my best friend. He was a beautiful, loving man and I am going to miss him more than words can express.

I would like to express my thanks to friends, employees and business colleagues and associates who have expressed their sympathy both to me and to Tim's family over the past few weeks. The outpouring of love and respect for Tim has been overwhelming, and I am grateful for it.

Tim had so much pride in the company he built up, and that pride will live on in infinetivity.


Ellis R. Davis



Very few times in life do you meet a man who is larger than life. Tim was such a man and I am a better man for having had the opportunity to know and share in his life. Of all the things that I remember and appreciate about Tim was his intense desire to engage life, in all its facets. To live life to its fullest, to take risks and to achieve goals. He could take us from our day-to-day concerns and open up a vision of what could be. And he gave us the chance to share in his visions and to create with him. In this way he honored life and in the same way we can honor his memory.

I first met Tim 10 years ago when he was consulting with a company where I used to work. I was their senior programmer / analyst and the company were going through a conversion to a new system. An accounting project I had designed needed to be programmed, but our staff was busy with other duties so we looked for outside support and contracted with Tim for the project. The first day I met him, I showed him the 20+ page specification for the accounting project. He came back an hour later with 2 questions. From that day forward until the project was completed and installed he handled it 100%, interfacing with the department managers and other individuals as if he had been with our company for several years. I was, and am still impressed by his technical expertise, and his 'dive in, get the job done, can do' attitude.

Tim's example and his zeal for life, will live on through each of us whom his life has touched. Let us reflect upon that in the days that lie ahead, and keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers. I will. Tim, thank you for being a part of my life, you're a great man-and that's not a joke!


Peter Miller-Russo
President



Writing this has been extremely difficult�mostly since in doing so I have to acknow-ledge that Tim is really gone. Losing my big brother has been more difficult than I could have ever imagined, and although I have such wonderful memories of him, it's hard to accept that there will be no more e-mails, phone calls, visits or great big "bear" hugs.

Tim took me to my first rock concert when I was 10 years old.

He entertained me with skits and shadow puppets when I was suppose to be in bed asleep.

He let me drive his ugly Nova long before I was legally able.

He assisted me on my first major hangover.

He took me to the movies, gave me grief about anyone I dated, took great pleasure in scaring the #$%@ out of me anytime he got the opportunity, gave me loving advice and never ever let me down.

I'll never forget Tim's "Jethro Bowl" he used for cereal (a huge serving bowl that he could fit about a half a box of Fruit Loops and a quart of milk into).

I'll never forget his extremely loud laugh. I'll never forget how he could speak volumes to you with just an expression.

I'll never forget how seriously he took his job as my brother.

I'll never forget how he always called me "Bird" instead of Kathy and how special it made me feel to have a pet name.

All of the beautiful things that I have read about Tim over the past few weeks can't come close to what a truly incredible person he was - however I for one appreciate and treasure every word! Tim touched so many people in such a positive manner, that I am still in awe of what he was...the best!

For those of you reading this, I ask that you do three things in Tim's memory:
1. Decide what your true passion is in life and live it!
2. Take a chance on something or someone! Life can get really boring at status quo!!
3. Laugh every single day!
Tim may have left this world much too soon. However, he left a truly happy man and when its all said and done...how could you ask for anything more? He lived, loved, and laughed every single day with enthusiasm and excitement. May we all take that to heart!

Take care of yourself and each other,


Kathy Handy
Sister



I met Tim in 1992. Over lunch once I mentioned I'd never seen "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." We got a bunch of people together to go see it. The day before people stopped by my desk telling me how much they were looking forward to going and couldn't wait to see my house. I had no clue what the 'see my house' meant. I called Tim: "It's a surprise party. The 'surprise' is it's at YOUR house."

In 1994 Tim and I sat down to talk about me becoming his Office Manager. He told me my job description consisted of "take care of everything so all I have to do is program." That's been my job ever since. He introduced me as "This is Jane, around here that's both a name and a job description." That's the highest praise I've ever earned.

The worst kept secret in the office for about 3 years was a five pound bundle of energy called "SPIKE." He was the 'office dog' and stayed under Tim's desk during the day. One day clients were due in and Tim handed me the dog (my desk was in his office) and told me to keep him quiet and not let the customers know he was there. Spike didn't make a peep and Tim conducted the meeting successfully. When they left I praised the dog's manners. "Tim, they never had a clue." Tim corrected me. One time when I left the room one of the clients needed a sticky note and went to my desk. Instead of leaning over the desk, they went around. "Tim, she has a dog under her desk." To this day he and I regret that his response was "I know, he's mine". He should have responded, "She does???"

I've never met anyone who had the level of energy and optimism that Tim did. He worked harder and played harder than anyone I know. It's a tribute to his personal life that so many people honestly cared about him. That was also balanced by the fact that he cared deeply for those around him. It was never one sided.

He will be missed in so many ways.


Jane Runyon
Office Manager



Years ago when we first worked with Tim, he was always stopping by my desk eating handfuls of my tictacs. He loved the dark green and when I bought the white ones he refused to eat them (which saved me money).

Along came April Fools day and the night before, I spent over an hour carefully dying the white tictacs with food green coloring. The next day came along and he stole my keys and moved my car and thought he was so funny. Well, out came the green tictacs with no guilt at all and I set them in the normal spot on my desk.

It wasn't long before he threw a handful in his mouth. I started laughing and he couldn't figure out why. His mouth teeth and lips turned dark green. I have never come close to pulling something like that off again.

Tim and I had some really good times and some really bad times, but through it all I called him my friend.


Karol Jensen
Sr. Programmer Analyst



I can't say that I knew Tim an extremely long time or that he was my best friend or even that I knew him very well. He did touch my life though. I have been an employee here for about 6 months now and I have seen Tim's personality but also his generosity. My husband and myself work for Tim and Ellis and we are thankful for the opportunities we have been given.

One thing that I would say describes Tim is that he never asked for more than he was willing to give of himself. If you understood that about him, and you strived for that in working for him and with him, there was a mutual respect. That was what I felt and still feel for him.

Rachel A. Lake
Receptionist



I met Tim several years ago when we started to workout together. We spent a lot of time together playing pool and cards together, I always said "you are so lucky at cards, It seems like you always catch the card you need to make your hand". His reply was always the same. " I've been working on being lucky my whole life". He loved his wife Ellis very much, he would tell me how much he "lucked out" by meeting her. His children were the world to him and his business was his passion. Tim touched many people's lives, he truly cared about people and for that he will never be forgotten. You are a wonderful friend. I'll miss you.

Todd Herman
Sales



Tim Davis was one of a kind. He was an incredible human being and such a lovely man. When I received a phone call from my friend Ellis at 2:37am on that fateful night with the words that Tim had died, I absolutely could not believe my ears. Surely there must be some mistake; surely this could not be HER Tim, OUR Tim. Even now, the events of the last week seem surreal.

Tim had such immense spirit and determination; he was goal oriented, ambitious and driven. He could definitely test your patience and sometimes make you want to scream, but that was his energy, his intense being. He lived every day as if it was his last and because of that, he was the happiest person you could ever meet.

He was a success in every aspect of his life because he would never see it any other way. He gave his all to everything, he thought positive and flourished because of it. That was the Tim we all knew and you couldn't help be envious of his incredible outlook towards life.

I have kept saying to my husband, Jorgen, that I imagine wherever Tim is right now, he's bloody angry that he had to leave so soon. We really need him here because a life without Tim just won't be the same. You hear of any death and it's tragic, but in the case of Tim, it just seems like such a waste. He was only 42, but he still has a wife that loves him dearly, children that love and need him desperately, parents and brothers and sisters that want their family to remain complete, and geez, I want Tim back because he was one of my closest friends, our best man, our Timmy. No one else can fill this void, nobody.

BUT, Tim did leave us with something that will help us to continue on. He gave us strength and the passion to live life to its fullest. We know that he would want us to carry on happy, not wallow away in sadness. Tim's persona was such that he would want us to heal and prosper, learn from what he had taught us and keep his memory alive - that is what we will do. He is gone and that is something we cannot change, but we are all better for having known him and his memory will never die.

Tim was my friend and he helped me in many ways. I loved him dearly and I grieve for him deeply, but I will continue on. I would like to think that we have an angel on our shoulders now.

Thank you for everything dear friend, now rest in peace.

Tracy Run�s
Friend



The words that come to mind when we think of Tim: SO FULL OF LIFE.

He was full of spirit, full of compassion for all the people and things he held dear to his heart.

Tracy and I met Tim and Ellis online in late 1996 as "chat friends", but our friendship blossomed into a deeper connection after meeting face to face at Heathrow airport in London in May, 1999. We traveled by car to a Queen Convention in Wales as a group and spent the next 4 days together. It was the beginning of many of our visits to Minnesota and their visits to Toronto and we treasure all our time spent together.

The 4 of us have one unique common bond. Tim and Ellis were the 1st couple to meet and marry from our chat site; we were the second and our times together were full of fun and friendship. We were deeply honored to have Tim as our best man at our wedding in July, 2000.

One of the most inspiring sides of Tim was his love for children. He was "Uncle Tim" to our Holly and James. They just loved their TIMBO. He was the #1 FUN GUY in their lives and they spoke of him often asking when we would see Timbo and Elbo again. Tim was great interacting with them and involved them in so many activities. Just this past August, at a Queen convention in Cleveland, Holly was so thrilled to be asked to be "Great King Rat's" entourage. Photos of the two of them together show Holly with a beaming smile. When told of Tim's passing, she was upset that she never had the opportunity to say goodbye and give him a big hug.

Tim was immensely proud of his own children, speaking of them all the time. Their loss is inconceivable, but Tim's guidance and love will have a lasting impact on them for the rest of their lives. He was a great father and we know that they will live their lives knowing that Tim loved them more than life itself. Our deepest sympathies lie with Keith, Lindy, Katie and Amy.

As a friend, you couldn't help but notice his generosity with both his time and money. At a gathering last year in Detroit, Tim took Holly and James out for a late night ice cream but came back with enough Tacos and Drinks to feed ALL the participants in the convention room. That was just a typical gesture from Tim.

He helped me to launch a new career when my employment ended earlier this year. He was a source of business knowledge giving me wonderful ideas and strategies. I spent just last weekend with him and Ellis on a combined business and pleasure trip where he took time out to discuss further developing the business I had started. He was full of ideas and gave so much of himself. A better BEST MAN could not have been hoped for.

Tim was a good person to all of us and loyal to all he called friend; he was a dear brother and son; very much family oriented; he was a loving father, so proud of his children; and he was an adoring husband, so much in love with Ellis.

Tim's physical presence is no longer with us and our grieving has only just begun. It is unbelievable that we are gathered here today to say goodbye to the man we knew and loved as Tim Davis, but his larger than life character, his goodness and his love for all of us will live on in our hearts, minds and souls forever. We don't know why sad things happen, we can only know that nothing beautiful in this world is every really lost because all precious things live on in our memory forever.

We will miss you dear Tim, your huge smile, care and work hard/play hard attitude. You were taken away from our daily lives but our memories still live on and you will never EVER be forgotten.

"In Norwegian" � "Vi lyser fred over ditt minne", or directly translated to English from Norwegian: We wish peace over your memory.

We love you.

J�rgen Run�s
Friend & Client
Global Sports Leagues



Tim Davis impacted and touched the lives of so many people and I am humbled and honored to have known the man who meant so much to so many of us.

Tim is someone I will always admire for his intelligence, leadership, and willingness to start early and work late to accomplish his objectives. I will always respect him for his creativity, honesty, and genuine desire to help other people.

Tim's life is a glowing testimony of a man who set goals, followed them through with determination, used innovative methods in a creative manner, and placed his dreams high above his fears.

Tim Davis was truly, "An American Original" and I will miss him greatly, but I will never forget him and the impact he has had on my life both personally and professionally.

Rest in Peace my Friend.

Tony Whitcomb
WebQuest2000



I used to work for Tim at WV Inter.net. Tim was nothing but good to me through the time that I worked there. And even when I decided to move on to another job he told me there would always be a place there open for me. I will greatly miss him as not only my employer but as my friend.

I send my deepest sympathies to his wife, children and the rest of his family. He will always be remembered by me and his family I will hold you up in my prayers.

Christi Roush
Friend



For my friend, Tim and his wife, Ellis

My family moved into West Gate in Cross Lanes, W.Va. in 1966. It was a fairly new development with houses springing up here and there along West Karen Circle with new families moving into them as they were being completed. Tim was one of the first people I became friends with there. I got to know his whole family.

I became instant friends with Tim and Ronnie. However, I saw their oldest brother Steve, just like I saw my oldest brother Doug�.too tall to deal with and better to stay out of his way. Of course, as little sisters go, I can only sympathize with Kathy, because my little sister had it the same growing up with nothing but boys around, but I'm sure Kathy got her licks in just like my sister did.

As time went on, other families moved in and our little entourage became a rather large contingency of neighborhood kids that would roam the entire area together, in large groups, small groups or pairs�every street, every wooded path, every stream or hill. What we were looking for, it sure beats the heck out of me, but we always did it together and would have fun doing it.

Of course, we would do the usual kid things�play touch football, King of the Hill, baseball, basketball at Tim's, wiffle ball, collect and trade baseball cards.

We also did some unusual kid things. We would dig these enormous holes in the ground, stick in some support beams, put plywood over it, leave a small space on top and then jump in to have our own little private "dens". I still wonder today if people in West Gate are finding these enormous holes in the earth and wondering, "what the heck is that?"

We would make our own bows and arrows and then have target practice. It was almost like being inducted into a rag-tag special forces military group. We had our group leaders and sub-leaders and, of course, Tim was out there in front.

I remember in elementary school, they had a talent show and guess who was the showstopper�.who else but Tim. He was lip-syncing the words to this funny song � he was hilarious. That was Tim, but he wasn't up there for himself, it was for everybody else. That was just Tim's way.

Tim taught me a great deal growing up, but he did it in such a way, that I never really had to ask him anything. He just did it by being my friend. Over the years, we'd occasionally hear from each other. In 1985, he attended my wedding at the St. Albans Church of God. I was so glad he was able to be there. We have him on our wedding video. He later went out with my brothers and sister.

In the year 2000, I wanted to know what Tim was up to, so I was able to track him down through an Internet search and found him through an infinetivity email address. From then on we were able to catch up by phone or email. He had asked me after I found him again if I had heard from one of our old buddies from West Gate. I said I hadn't, but that I would see what I could find out. I found our old friend, John Ehlinger, through Classmates.com and was able to get John back in contact with Tim. When Tim found out that I had found him, he said, "Okay, wiseguy, where's Jimmy Hoffa?" I'm still working on that one. I was glad that John had a chance to see Tim on his way out to the Northwest, where he lives now. John let me know how grateful to me he is for taking the initiative to find him and allowing him and Tim to be together one last time. Hey, what are friends for?

That's the amazing part of all this. Even with Tim gone, he continues to teach and inspire me. I've realized that every minute of every day is a precious gift and the people we come to know and love are precious as well. Tim has left me a wonderful gift as well, that I will continue to give to others. His laugh, his warmth, his smile and his friendship.

Thank you, Tim for being my friend! Thanks also to Ellis, Wilma, Steve, Ronnie and Kathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Brian S. Miller
Friend

Dale Shamblin's wife passed away on July 17th. Here's the obituary from the Charleston Gazette.
NITRO - Mrs. Tammy S. Shamblin, 41, of Nitro died July 17, 2001 at home.
Tammy is a graduate of Nitro High School and a former employee of General Seafood.
She was preceded in death by her father, Darrell Gene Dickerson.
She is survived by her husband, Dale Shamblin; two children, Andy and Brandy Shamblin; and her mother, Mary Dickerson.