Julia Catherine Cassell of MacArthur, WV departed this life Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at the home of her daughter in Alkol, WV surrounded by her loving children. She was in her 98th year.

Julia was born and raised in Green Island, NY, the daughter of the late Stefan and Mary Malciak Melicherik. The last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John J. Cassell, Sr.; son, John (Bud) Cassell, Jr.; infant daughter, Frances; grandson, Brian Hopkins; granddaughter, Margaret Vickers; great-grandson, Thomas F. Vickers III; great granddaughters, Lilly Rhode and Samantha Workman; sisters, Mary Speron, Anna Taulty, Eva Bohn, Irene Aquirre; brothers, Stephen and Joseph Melicherik.

Mrs. Cassell was a nurse, who retired from Pinecrest State Hospital. She worked preciously at Beckly Hospital, Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital, Raleigh General Hospital and had worked as a private duty nurse. She enjoyed crocheting, had made many Afghans for most of all her children and grandchildren. A terrific cook, she enjoyed preparing Sunday dinner for all her family. She would always greet her family and visitors with a big hug and a smile, “Honey, you must be hungry! What would you like to eat?” Her family specials included homemade bread, cabbage rolls, fried chicken and homemade noodles followed by fried pineapple pies or cinnamon rolls. She enjoyed singing. A Roman Catholic, she began each morning and ended each night with a prayer. Julia is survived by 135 direct decendants.

She leaves behind her children: Virginia (Ginny) Vickers Adkins of Alkol; Irene Rorrer Cantley & husband, John Floyd of Beckley; Patty Hall and husband, John of Columbus, OH; Larry
Cassell and wife, Carol of Strongsville, OH; Judith Cassell of Cleveland, OH; Antoinette Hatcher, husband, Ron of Shady Spring; Julia Catherine Blair & husband, James Sr., of Brunswick, OH;
& Susan Matheny of Beckley.

Julia was a loving, unselfish and caring Mother and grandmother who always put her children first. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

The funeral liturgy will be celebrated Saturday at 11:00 am at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with Fr. Samuel Sacus as celebrant. The Rite of Committal will follow in the Highlawn Memorial Park in Oak Hill. Visitation and tribute to our precious Mother will be from 6 to 10 pm today at the Melton Mortuary Chapel. 1200 Harper Road, Beckley, WV 25801.

Judy A. August, 64, of Charleston passed away at Hubbard Hospice House on Tuesday, October 17, 2006, after injuries received in an auto accident.

She was a dedicated wife, loving mother, doting grandmother, and adoring great grandmother, dependable sister, supportive friend and consistent Christian. Constantly praying that all she loved would meet her in heaven someday. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and church.
Preceding her in death, but meeting her in her heavenly home are her son, Gary W. August, Jr.; her father, Luther Crum; and her friend, Reba M. Smith.

She leaves behind her husband of 46 years, Gary W. August. She is also survived by her daughters: Kimberly Campbell-Dean of Charleston, South Charleston; and Becki Chambless of Charleston, West Virginia. Grand-Children: Chaz Campbell and Janessa Campbell of South Carolina, Melissa D. Campbell of South Carolina, Savannah Chambless of West Virginia. Great Grandson, Zachary Campbell of South Carolina. She will be deeply missed by her mother, Marie Crum and each of her three sisters and four brothers, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Special thanks goes to the “special” caring doctors and nurses of Charleston General Hospital; the caring and supportive staff of Hubbard Hospice House; the prayers from the South East Bible Missionary Church and the unfailing support of their new pastor and his wife, Rev. And Mrs. Steven Yancy; and to her brother, Pastor Ron Crum and his church family for food and support from the King’s River Church. A special thanks also to Regina Shaffer, whose meals came without fail and to those that came to stay the long nights.

Funeral Service will be 1:00 PM Thursday, October 19, 2006 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Pastors Steven Yancy & Ron Crum officiating. Final resting place will be Pineview Cemetery, Orgas, WV. Friends may call from 7 to 9 Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Hubbard Hospice House, 1001 Kennawa Drive, Charleston, WV 25311 or the South East Bible Missionary Church, 5701 Chesterfield Ave., Charleston, WV 25304.

Ethel Z. Carrier, 80, of St. Albans, formerly of Alum Creek, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, October 14, 2006 at Hubbard Hospice House Charleston after a long illness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emmitt Joseph Carrier, parents William and Leela Pauley and 11 brothers and sisters.

She attended the Independent Baptist Church at Alum Creek.

She is survived by her two daughters, Lynn Cook of Dunbar and Karla Arcy of Dublin, Ohio and two sons, James Carrier of Nitro and Dwayne Carrier of Deland, Florida.

11 Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at 1:00 PM at Curry Funeral Home 2097 Childress Road Alum Creek, with Pastors Frank Chapman, Bill Egerdahl and Jason Carrier officiating. Burial will be at the Orchard Hill Memory Gardens at Yawkey. Visitation will be 6 to 8 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.

James W. Hess, 80 of So. Charleston, passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at home after a short illness.

He went to heaven to be with his mother Etha Lee Tayloe-Hess, father Charles Edward Hess, brothers Fred ,Charles, Glenn Eugene Hess and his daughter Donna Jean Hess.

He was a WWII Army veteran and former owner of the Hess Brothers Service Station at Alum Creek and was a natural storyteller and gifted mechanic, loved spending time with his family and his beloved grandchildren. He also enjoyed his two little dogs, Pepper and Tiger.

He is survived by his wife, Georgia. Daughters Linda and husband John Skrobak, Kay and husband Martin Minske. Son, Mike and wife Cindy Hess.

Stepchildren, Terri Mollohan and husband Mike and Jerry Lee Wood.

Grandchildren, Dr. Jocelyn Kelly Bockelmann and husband Andreas, Joshua Ian Holley and wife Sara, Jamie and Jessi Hess, Stephanie Mollohan and one great grandchild Sai Holley.

Brothers, Kenneth, George and Joe Hess.

Funeral service will be 8:00 PM Thursday at Curry Funeral Home 2097 Childress Road Alum Creek with Pastor Frank Chapman officiating. Burial will be at 11:00 AM Friday at the Hess Family Cemetery in So. Charleston with Military Rites conducted by the Benny Padilla VFW Post 4768 . Friends may call two hours prior to service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Kanawha Hospice Care 1143 Dunbar Ave. Dunbar, WV 25064 or Kanawha-Charleston Humane Assoc. 1248 Greenbrier St. Charleston, WV, 25311.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Hospice, Barbara Wilson and Sandra King for their care and assistance.

Maurice Monroe “Pete” Murphy, 90, of Cape Coral, FL formerly of St. Albans, WV passed away Monday, October 9, 2006 in New Port Richey, FL., after an extended battle with cancer.

He retired from FMC Corporation, So. Charleston on March 1, 1978 after 42 years of service.
He was a founding member of the East End Church of Christ, St. Albans, WV.
He was preceded in death by:

Wife: Marie Murphy; Parents: Hugh & Della Murphy; Brother, Lester Murphy; Sisters: Margaret Murphy & Mildred Hirst.

He is survived by:

1 Daughter: Marguerite Buckalew, Cape Coral, FL

2 Sons: Hugh Murphy (spouse Bobby), New Port Richey, FL
Michael Murphy (spouse: Sally), Cape Coral, FL

1 Sister: Madge Lore, St. Albans, WV

7 Grandchildren
11 Great Grandchildren
3 Great -great Grandchildren

Service will be 1:00 PM Friday, October 13, 2006 at the East End Church of Christ, 2235 MacCorkle Avenue, St. Albans, WV with Minister Sean McCallister officiating. Burial will be at Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Friends may call from 6 to 8 PM Thursday at the East End Church of Christ, 2235 MacCorkle Avenue, St. Albans. Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek is in charge of arrangements.

Thurman “Fat”Stickler, 93, of Yawkey went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday October 3, 2006 at Meadow Brook Assistance Living Home at Camp Creek after a long illness.

He was preceded in death by his wife Muriel Hill Stickler, twin brother Kermit, brother Cyphas, sister Bessie and parents James and Stella Stickler.

In the early 50’s he started to Morris Harvey College to get a teaching degree and began teaching grade school. Married Muriel Hill in December 1958. He did carpentry work, worked hard in the fields, fox hunted on the hills and never gave up.

His dad told him after his leg was amputated-now you’re not going to be able to do what other boys do now-but that spurred him on, he worked, played ball, fox hunted lived a great life and always had a positive attitude.

Ask him how he was and he would always answer, “fit as a feddle”.

He was a Christian all his life, Loved music, knew the musical notes and taught at many churches. Led singing and was a member at the Porter Fork Baptist Church all his life where his mom and dad were charter members.

He lived all his life on the Stickler farm in Yawkey, except for a short time in Griffithsville while he built his house.

He is survived by his Niece, Joan and her husband Kenneth Mitchell of Yawkey and many friends and loved ones.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, October 6, at Curry Funeral Home 2097 Childress Road Alum Creek with Minister Kenneth Mitchell officiating. Burial will be at Orchard Hill Memory Gardens at Yawkey. Friends may call from 7 to 9 PM Thursday at the funeral home.

William H. Byrd, 100 of Yawkey, went home to be with the Lord Monday, October 2, 2006 at St. Francis Hospital Charleston after a short Illness.

He was a member of the Coal Mountain Church of God St. Albans and was retired from the AFLCIO Local Labors Union 1353 in Charleston.

He is survived by his:

Wife: Coltus

3 Sons: Freeman Byrd of Yawkey;
Calvin Byrd of Sod;
Herman Byrd of Baton Rouge, Louisiana;

Daughter: Bertie Lou Gearheart of Shelby, OHIO;

Sister: Lucy Roberts of Alkol;

21 Grandchildren
33 Great Grandchildren
11 Great- Great Grandchildren

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Pastor Brian Haber officiating. Burial will be at Orchard Hill Memory Gardens at Yawkey. Friends may call from 7 to 9 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.

Virginia Ferguson, 87, of St. Albans, passed from this life to a “pain free” home with her Lord on Saturday, September 23, 2006 at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston.

Ginny was born on January 15, 1919 in South Charleston and was the daughter of the late George and Garnet Belcher Turley.

She was a youth and adult Sunday School teacher and served on many committees and boards during her 58 years as a member of Highlawn Baptist Church. She loved her church and her many Christian brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her daughters, Dinah Johnson and husband, John of St. Albans, Kathi Refosco and husband, Art of Maryland; step-daughter, Lynda Baldwin of Texas; sisters, Alice Downey and husband, Lee and Betty Spradling all of St. Albans.

6 Grandchildren Kelly Tinsley & husband Mike of Hurricane, Vickie and Jay Johnson of St. Albans, Angie Bosley and husband Danny of Maryland, Joe Refosco and wife Jodie of Maryland, Tony Refosco and wife Michele of So. Carolina. Five Great Grandchildren, Mitchell Tinsley, Torie, Emillee and Kambrie Bosley and Nick Refosco.

Ginny was a kind, sweet and gentle soul and was our angel here on earth.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at Highlawn Baptist Church, 2304 Jefferson Avenue, St. Albans, with the Pastor Rev. Joe Hyde officiating. Burial will be at Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Family will receive friends from 6 to 9 PM Tuesday, at the Highlawn Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Highlawn Baptist Church Building Fund, 2304 Jefferson Avenue, St. Albans, WV 25177 or Hubbard Hospice House, 1001 Kennawa Drive, Charleston, WV.

Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, is in care of arrangements.

Jo Jean Wass Sullenberger, 84, of Charleston, died Thursday, September 21, 2006 at Valley Center South Charleston after a long illness.

Graveside service and burial will be 4:00 PM, Saturday at Bethany Cemetery, Goffs in Ritchie County, West Virginia. Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek is in charge of arrangements.

Sharon “Hopey” Whitten Baisden, 61, originally from Lincoln County, resident of Elkins, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 16, 2006 at Davis Memorial Hospital in Elkins after a long illness.

She was born November 15, 1944 in Lincoln County. She attended Duval High School, as well as, Morris Harvey College, and was a member of the Faith Baptist Church. She worked at the State House for the Department of Motor Vehicles and worked as a deputy in Lincoln County. She helped her father in his general store from a very early age. She was a very successful self-employed business owner. She was a very creative seamstress, especially known for her beautiful quilts. She was very talented at the piano and in mathematics. She brought joy to those around her and will always be remembered for her selfless love and generosity. She was enjoyed for her wit and humor and admired for her intelligence. She had unconditional love for her children and grandchildren, who will miss her greatly.

She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Whitten.

She is survived by her three daughters, Angie Tiffner of Charleston, Bridget Tiffner of Kentucky, Cynthia Tiffner Marontate and husband, Barry of Ontario, Canada; mother, Hazel Whitten of Woodville, brothers, Barry Whitten and Chiquita of Woodville, Roger Whitten of Woodville, Ronald Whitten and Katherine of Griffithsville and Donald Whitten and Charlotte of Griffithsville; grandchildren, Brandon Tiffner, Chris Eggleston, Jennifer Eggleston, Shane Perry and James Marontate and great granddaughter, Kaylee Phillips. She was much loved by Denny Baisden of Elkins and Delores Hall of Elkins, who was also her caregiver.

Services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2006 at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastor Arthur Hensley and Pastor Oshel Bell officiating. Burial will be held in Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey. Friends may call on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.