Louis Veres, 88, of St. Albans, WV, departed this life at Hubbard Hospice House on November 9th after an extended illness and joined Anitra, his wife of 66 years, at heaven’s gate.
He was preceded in death by his parents George and Julia Veres, his brother George, and sisters Olga, Annie, Mary, and Ruby.
Louis is survived by his son Gary and wife Brandie of St. Albans, grandson Micah and wife Julia and their 4-month-old daughter Ainsley Marie of St. Albans. Sisters-in-law Wanda Veres and Naomi Sebok both of Seth and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. His only surviving sibling is his sister Esther Petersen and husband Pete of Palm Springs, Ca.
Louis was born on August 21, 1930, in Dante, Va. His father immigrated to the US at age 16 from Hungary and was a coal miner. His mom was also of Hungarian descent but was born in the US. They lived in various coal towns in Va and WV, including Prenter, where they lived for several years before finally settling in Seth.
He was a 1950 graduate of Sherman High School where he excelled at playing football and was awarded a full scholarship to play for Marshall University. He decided against going to college and instead, he enlisted in the US Air Force in Dec of 1950 where he spent the next 4 years.
On October 3, 1951, he married the love of his life Anitra Kinder and she moved with him to Anchorage Alaska where he was stationed with the USAF. He was a radio operator and attached to the Military Air Transport Service, 54th Troop Carrier Squadron which was nicknamed the “Eager Beavers”. They flew extensively throughout Alaska and the Aleutian Islands supplying remote outposts with supplies and troops. He really liked to reminisce about his flying days and all the different planes he flew on especially the C 124’s which he loved, and all the adventures they had flying in such a remote and inhospitable climate in the winter.
After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, he and Anitra lived in several places before moving back to Seth, WV. He taught Sunday school at Healing Stream Baptist Church in Seth and in the later 50’s and early 60’s he became Scoutmaster of Troop 86 of Seth, where he served for 6 years. Over the years whenever we would run into boys he had when he was Scoutmaster they would tell us what a great mentor he was and what a positive impact he had on their lives.
He worked at several different jobs early on and later he became a salesman for American Greetings Corp where he worked until he became disabled. He traveled extensively throughout southern WV and made many lifelong friends during those years.
In 1968 he moved to St. Albans where he and Anitra lived until their deaths. He was involved with Scout Troop 75 in St. Albans and also helped coach the church league basketball team at Highlawn Baptist Church. He attended Church there until he was no longer able due to his illnesses. He also a member of the Beni Kedem Shrine, Scottish Rite Bodies, the St. Albans Masonic Lodge # 58 AF & AM and a very strong advocate for the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children.
He loved taking care of his home. He was an excellent carpenter and electrician. Loved gardening and kept a small garden in his backyard until he was no longer able. Louis cherished all the beach vacations we had over the years; he really liked being able to fish while there even if he didn’t catch anything. Later on, we would go on guided float trips on the New River and fish for smallmouth bass which he always looked forward to.
I recently had someone tell me that Dad was a man’s man. He set a Godly example of how a man was to live his life and he practiced it daily. He loved his wife and his family and he always put them above himself and most of all he loved his Lord and Savior. Even during his long illness when we were caring for him he never complained. His main concern was that he didn’t want to burden others with his illness. I never met anyone that knew him that didn’t say what a great man he was. He had lots of great lifelong friends that he kept in touch with till the end. He was active on his High School reunion committee and loved going to the reunions and rekindling those friendships. He was just a joy to be around. He is going be missed by everyone who knew him.
We would like to thank everyone who participated in his care over the last 18 months. From those that stayed with him some during the day to give his family a break, and to his Hospice staff who were so kind to him while he was at home and later all those at Hubbard Hospice House who took care of him. We don’t know what we would have done without their help and support.
Curry Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. His service will be at Highlawn Baptist Church in St. Albans at the corner of Vine St. and Jefferson Ave on Wednesday, November 14th with Pastor Jason Robbins officiating. Visitation beginning at 12 Noon and the memorial service at 1 p.m. Burial will be in the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery in Dunbar with Military and Masonic Graveside Rites.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to Hubbard Hospice House, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston, WV 25387.
Donald Eugene Randolph, 62, born May 30, 1956 went to be with his Lord Tuesday, November 6, 2018. He was born in Wooster, Ohio and resided in South Charleston, WV, with his wife of 44 years, Betty.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor Claire and Patricia Lou Randolph.
Donald was a truck driver for Reagent Chemical and Research in Institute, WV, and a member of Oakwood Baptist Church where he served as a Trustee and a Deacon.
He is also survived by his children, Chandra (Mike) Robinson of Beverly, Jennifer (Charles) Gibson of Elkview, Crystal (Larry) Brooks of Charleston, Joshua (Allyson) Randolph of South Charleston, Benjamin (Randall) Randolph of Charleston, and Gabriel (Kayla) Randolph of South Charleston; grandchildren, Miranda (Jacob), David, Porsha, Shelby, Kai, Jordan, Connor, Masen, Claire, Elijah, and Colton; great grandchildren, Benjamin, Rowan, Paxton and David; and brother Duane Randolph of Wooster, Ohio.
Service will be 12:00 p.m. Saturday, November 10, at the Oakwood Baptist Church, 855 Oakwood Road, Charleston, with Pastor David Moutz and Mr. Gary Midkiff officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in South Charleston. The family will receive friends 2 hours prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Oakwood Baptist Church Missions Fund.
Herb “Dale” Rakes, 56, of Griffithsville, WV, passed away Sunday, November 4, 2018. at home.
He was an Oil Rig Worker.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Caroline Audet and Herman Chesley Rakes; and siblings, Linda and Randy Rakes.
He is survived by his wife, Anna; children, Danny Adkins, Joseph Meadows, Samantha Rakes, Lottie Jones, Melonie Sheets, Eddie Adkins, Jr., Shane and Bradley Adkins; siblings, Stephanie, Melissa, Pearl, Pearly Jr., and Mitchell Rakes; and very many grandchildren.
Service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 9, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Minister Kim Matthews officiating. Burial will follow at Sand Fork Cemetery, Griffithsville. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service.
Lyle Ray Loftis, 86, of Alum Creek, WV, went to be with the Lord Monday, November 5, 2018 at home surrounded by his family.
He was a welder and member of the Pipefitters Local 625 and the Griffithsville Masonic Lodge #71. Lyle served as a Staff Sergeant in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean War and was a member of Cobbs Creek Missionary Baptist Church.
Lyle is survived by his wife of 63 years, Regina; children Ronnie (Crystal),
Troy (Melissa) and Liz (John) Adams; sister, Betty Perdue; grandchildren, Clint (Missy), Troy II “T.J.”, and Dakota Clay; and four great grandchildren including the love of his life, Lilly.
Service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 8, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastors Phil Suiter, Frank Chapman, Robert Leadman and Clyde Gwin officiating. Burial with Masonic Graveside Rights and Military Honors will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey. The family will receive friends 2 hours prior to the service at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.curryfuneralhome.org. Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, WV, has been family owned and operated since 1950.
Kermit Gene Hill, 82, of Charleston, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at home with his family by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Beverly & Madge Hill, sisters, Peggy Hoffman, Faye Hill, and Lindal Helmick, and brother, Gary Hill.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Charlotte, daughter Lawanna (Dr. Glen) Wright, son, Rex (Nancy Falin) Hill, sister, Kay Pursley, brother Boyd (Kay) Hill, step-sister Colleen Garnes and two grandchildren, Hannah Marie Wright and Nathan Alan Wright.
Kermit was co-owner for 44 years of Oakwood Exxon, and was saved in 1954 when he also became a member of Davis Creek Church of the Nazarene where he served as Sunday school teacher, board member, usher and he and Charlotte served as greeters for many years.
Service will be 1:00pm Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at the Davis Creek Church of the Nazarene, 102 Nazarene Dr., South Charleston, with Pastor Chuck Britt and Chaplain Pete Thompson officiating. Friends and family will gather two hours prior to the service. Entombment will follow at Graceland Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Davis Creek Church of the Nazarene or to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., W., Charleston, WV 25387-2536.
A memorial service with Navy military honors will be held at 3:00p.m. on Monday, November 5 at the Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek, West Virginia, with Pastor Frank Chapman officiating, to celebrate the lives of Wilmer Edward Creech and his wife of over 72 years Wanda L. (George) Creech. Their love story began with their marriage on April 10, 1946. These longtime partners passed away just 17 hours apart a beautiful portrayal of their love and devotion to each other.
Wanda was born February 10, 1928 in Olcott, West Virginia to the late Rome George and Sally (Turley) (George) Miller. She passed away on the evening of October 30 and the next day just a tad later, as he was at times, Wilmer went to be with her mid-day on October 31. He was born on April 23, 1924 in Dry Branch, West Virginia to Joseph Brooks Creech and Nancy (Caudell) Creech.
Wilmer left Washington District High School to serve his country during World War II as a sailor on the Battleship Pennsylvania and saw combat in some of the War’s biggest sea campaigns in the South Pacific. He returned after discharge to graduate and to marry Wanda, who also attended Washington District. Wilmer retired from FMC Corporation. They made their home in Alum Creek and until passing lived in the same home they built together seventy plus years ago.
They are survived by their two children; Randy (Linda) Creech of Kingwood, Texas and Regina (Joe) Bare of Alum Creek; four grandchildren, John ( Jennifer) Creech of Houston, Texas, Sara (Derek) Laws of Kingwood, Texas, Lisa (Larry) Fisher, Craig (Sherri) Bare all of Alum Creek; nine great-grandchildren, Nick (Emily) Bare, Hannah (Chuck) Wolfe, Brooks (Kelsey) Creech, Brady (Abbey) Creech, Brett (Cassie) Creech, Brennan Creech, Grant Laws, Davis Laws and Jacob Laws; two great-great-grandchildren, Zane Wolfe and Brantley Bare.
Wilmer was one of eleven brothers and two sisters and was the last one to pass. Brothers were Earl, Homer, Arnold, Conrad, Ralph, Douglass, Eugene, Donald, Alvin and his identical twin, William. The two sisters were Wanda Kannedy and Ruth Flowers. Wanda was one of two brothers and three sisters. She was also the last to pass. Her brothers were Paul and Billy, and sisters were Genevieve Myers, Ruth Villane, and Katy Hill.
The family would like to extend its gratitude and thanks to caregivers: Mason, Debbie, Sis, Pam and Linda as well as HospiceCare. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., W., Charleston, WV 25387-2536.
Immediately following the service the family is inviting everyone to join us at a reception to honor Wilmer and Wanda at the Davis Creek Church of the Nazarene.
Joyce Ann Stone, 63, of South Charleston, WV, passed away Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at CAMC Memorial Division in Charleston, WV.
She is survived by her husband, Roger; children, Sheila (Terry) Holstein of Ashford, WV, Brandy Coleman of Akron, Ohio, Roger Stone, Jr., of South Charleston, WV, and Tracy Stone of Olcott, WV; 16 grandchildren and 5 grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.curryfuneralhome.org Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, WV, has been family owned and operated since 1950.
Edgar E. “Gene” Miller ended his service to his country and his family on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at the age of 88 when he went home to be with the Lord. He is preceded in death by his wife Daisy V. Miller, his parents Virgil and Lucy Miller, brothers Clarence and Johnnie Miller and sisters, Betty Thaxton, Aileene Miller, and Gail Parsons.
He was a founding member of Benny Padilla VFW Post #4768 at Alum Creek and a 32nd Degree Mason with 51 years service. Gene was retired from FMC Corporation and was a US Army Sergeant serving two tours in Korea.
He is survived by his children, Betty Thomas (Jerry), Helen Cook (Herbie), Ann Williams (Mike) and Larry Loftus (Sandra); sisters, Shirley Waldron (David), Opal Payne, and Kathy Reed; grandchildren April Cook, Mike Williams, Pamela Reising (Kenny), Paula Prager (Greg), Jennifer Smith (David), Jennifer Koenig (Mike), Tammy Woolridge, and Tonya Hayes (Raleigh); great-grandchildren, Tommy Williams, Sean Weatherford, Devin Loftus, Jazman Hayes, Garrett Koenig, Harley Reising, Emily Koenig, Kaleigha Hayes and Ninah Woolridge. Special family Kenneth and Edith Yates and close family friend Decker Elder and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Service with military honors will be 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 26, 2018, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastor Frank Chapman, Pastor Mark Thaxton and Bryant Bowman officiating. Family & friends will gather two hours prior to the service. A private family burial will take place in the Miller Family Cemetery, Alum Creek, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to HospiceCare 1606 Kanawha Blvd., W., Charleston, WV 25387 in his name or Bennie Padilla VFW Post 4768, 4443 Brounland Road, Charleston, WV 25309.
John Clinton “Jaybird” Bagley, 67, of St. Albans, WV, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, October 17, 2018.
He was born April 13, 1951 in Charleston, WV, to the late John V. Jr. and Eloise Bagley.
Like his father J. C. was a natural athlete. He participated in many groups, as well as, individual sports from grade school through high school and went on to receive a college baseball scholarship after he graduated from Saint Albans High School in 1969.
His friends knew him as stubborn, witty, bubbly, outgoing, loyal, bighearted, generous and would always radiate a good time.
He was a member of Highlawn Baptist Church at St, Albans.
J.C. is survived by sister, Betty Sue Bagley; brother, Ralph E. Bagley; uncle George; and aunt Bobbie Stone; and several 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th cousins.
Graveside service will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at Cunningham Memorial Park Lower Mausoleum Chapel in St. Albans with Pastor Jason Robbins officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to Highlawn Baptist Church 2304 Jefferson Ave., St. Albans, WV 25177.
Stephen Allen Barker, 54, of Nellis, WV, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, October 18, 2018 at CAMC Memorial.
He was born August 1, 1964.
Stevie was preceded in death by his parents, Linda Perdue and Jerry Barker.
He was sweet, funny, and tough as nails.
Stevie was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Hyla and Raymond Perdue, and Alice and Harvey Barker.
Stevie worked in the Hickory, NC, textile mills.
He is survived by his: siblings, Sheri Barker (Jerry Ryder) of Kanawha City, Sherra Barker of Emmons, Sean Perdue (Kathy) of Nellis, Scott Perdue (Tracy) and daughter Kayla of Belvedere, SC, Shannon Cain of Charleston, Ricky Byrd and family of St. Albans, Vicky Diaz and family of Pittsburgh, PA,; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and dear friends.
A special thanks to Rayni Michael, his devoted care giver.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 21, 2018, at the Dartmont Freewill Baptist Church, Dartmont with Pastor Michael Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at the Holstein Cemetery, Dartmont. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.