Kerry Kim Matthews, 71, of Sumerco, WV, passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston after years of battling Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Kim was born on June 4, 1955 to the late Harold and Helena Matthews of Sumerco, WV. He is survived by his sister Joan Gerber of Alum Creek, WV and brother Bob (Nancy) Matthews of Sod, WV.

Carrying his memory in their hearts is his high school sweetheart, the love of his life and wife of 53 years, Brenda, his daughter Chastidy (Rod) Hoover of Sumerco, WV and his son KK (Marsha) Matthews of Yawkey, WV. His legacy will live on through his six grandsons, Kerry Matthews III, Eli Runyon-Hoover, Gage Matthews, Kyle Matthews, Klayton Matthews and Gabriel Lovejoy as well as one great grandson Holden Matthews. He will also be treasured by a host of nieces, nephews and friends whom he loved dearly.

Kim was a 1973 graduate of Duval High School where he excelled in sports as well as speech and debate winning various accolades for his performances. After graduation, Kim worked for Pennzoil for several years before attending Sunset School of Preaching in Lubbock, TX, where he later earned a Bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Sunset International Institute. In addition to his biblical studies degree, he attended Sunset Missionary school in Abilene, Texas. Kim served as a youth minister in Woodsfield, Ohio, as well as Danville, WV. He was a preacher and teacher in Peytona, WV, Wilmington, NC, and Griffithsville, WV. He was a painter by trade and member of the International Painters Union Local 970.

Kim’s ministry extended beyond the pulpit into the community as he was involved in coaching youth sports for many years and was instrumental in helping unite area congregations for the common goal of teaching Gods love and demonstrating it through their shared faith.

Kim was a singer/ songwriter and formed the Acapella group Barnabas in the late 80s and early 90s and the group traveled to various cities to spread the word of God. Kim had a great desire to serve the Lord and provide encouragement to others through his sermons and songs.

Kim was a phenomenal storyteller and writer. From the bedtime stories to his children and grandchildren to his published works, Kim had a knack for telling the most amazing stories. His first published book, Andyopagus The Happy Day, was featured in a non-profit children’s magazine in India where it was translated in 7 languages for children around the world to enjoy. Through many years of study and research Kim’s most recent work, A Mountain of a Sermon, was published in 2024, which focuses on the beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew Chapters 5-7.

Kim had a unique way of showing love to others. He had an infectious smile that would light up any room. He would never fail to ask you if anyone told you today that they loved you and if he wasn’t the first, he would tell you too. When he parted ways with friends he was quick to say I love you, Christians never say goodbye or we will meet again in the northeast corner of heaven. He never hesitated to tell folks about Jesus’ love and how they blessed his socks off. He loved his family, friends and community dearly.

It has been a great honor for us to call him Daddy, Poppy and Grandad. We would like to thank everyone for the generous support and outpouring of love for our family during this time. We would also like to thank his caregivers and the Hubbard Hospice House.

Services will be held at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek, WV. Visitation will be Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and the funeral will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 1:00 pm with a viewing one hour prior to the service. Charles McKinney will be officiating assisted by Richard McCallister, Tracy Matthews and Isaiah Hatfield. He will be laid to rest at Lively Cemetery in Sod, WV.

Delphia Jean Tudor, 93, of Yawkey, went to be with the Lord on September 10, 2026. She was born on October 24, 1932, to the late Bert & Lilly Arbaugh.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earnest Tudor; one son, Ralph Tudor; two daughters, Babara Richards and Connie Lilly; grandson, Richard Bias; sons-in-law, Danny Breedlove, Patrick Lilly, and Allen Doneff; two brothers and four sisters.

Delphia is survived by daughters, Doris (Gary) Sovine, Dorothy Breedlove, Ruth Tudor, Edna (Terry) Meadows, Judy Doneff; son, Jackie Tudor; daughter-in-law, Teresa Tudor; sixteen grandchildren, thirty-one great grandchildren, and twelve great great grandchildren.

She was a member of Joes Creek Missionary Baptist Church for 60 years.

Funeral service will be 2:00pm, Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Joes Creek Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Andy Gillenwater and Pastor Jimmy Lawrence officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Dunlap Family Cemetery, Joes Creek, Sod, WV.

Paris Gene Cooper, 88, of Alum Creek, WV, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, surrounded by his family.  Paris was born on August 8, 1938. 

Paris was a member of New Covenant Baptist Church, Alum Creek, WV. He was retired from Hobet Mining with many years in the mining industry. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Helena Cooper, brothers, Jack Cooper and Jolly Cooper, and sister, Sue Boggess.

Paris is survived by his wife, Mable Cooper and two daughters, Cathern (Jimmie) Smith and Ronda (Kevin) Linville, grandchildren, Jason (Erin) Lewis, Erica (Scott) Hall, Brad Linville and Brian (Morgan) Linville.  He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Kennedy Hall, Tyson Hall, Miles Linville and Max Linville, and sister Dottie Hill and brother, Larry Cooper.

Service will be 11:00am, Monday, September 14, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastors Bruce Copley and Don Tabor officiating.  Burial will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Stanley Gerald Bragg, 82, of Sumerco, WV, passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston, WV.

Stanley is preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Bragg, son, Stanley Bragg II, parents, Dennis & Ivy Guthrie Bragg, sisters, Ethel Barker, Christine Pauley, Stella Cecil and Janice Midkiff, and brothers, Leroy, Damon and Zenith Bragg.

He is survived by his son, Dale Bragg, and daughters, Lana (Matt) Bennett,   Tonya (Chad) Winebrenner, and Carrie Pruett.  He is also survived by his sister, Connie Raines, and brother Clinton (Dorie) Bragg, and several grand- children and great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was a member of Hamlin American Legion and worked in Construction.  He loved to hunt, fish and spend time with his kids and grandkids

Service will be 1:00pm Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home with Pastors Kenton Cecil and Kenny Pauley officiating.  Burial will follow at Lively Cemetery, Sod.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest donations to assist in offsetting the funeral expenses.

Diana Ruth White, age 79, passed away on August 21, 2026. Born on November 17, 1946, in Hamlin, West Virginia, Diana was a resident of Acworth, Georgia. Her life reflected a steady grace and quiet strength, expressed through a gentle, kind-hearted way of caring for others and a resilience that carried her faithfully through every season of life. She will be remembered as deeply cherished by those who knew her best and loved her most.

Diana graduated from Duval High School in Lincoln County, West Virgina, in 1964 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education from West Virginia State College. With a thoughtful nature and a generous spirit, she devoted herself to serving others in her work as a Teacher’s Aide for the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (B.O.C.E.S of Southern Westchester), where she supported multiple handicapped children with patient compassion and selfless attention.

After relocating to Westchester County, New York, Diana raised her children there, building a home shaped by love, steadiness, and a compassionate heart. She retired in 2006 and moved to Georgia to be with and help care for and raise her newborn twin grandchildren. In this role—as in all others—Diana’s gentle presence and enduring strength were felt in countless daily ways, offered without hesitation and given with sincerity. She was a great mother and the world’s greatest grandmother, and she remained a central, beloved figure in the lives of her family, especially her grandchildren.

Diana was a member of Cheatham Hill Baptist Church in Georgia. Prior to moving to New York, she was a member of Amy Baptist Church in Yawkey, West Virginia. Her faith and fellowship provided lasting comfort and meaningful connection throughout her life.

Diana held a very special place in her heart for her oncologist, Dr. Dean Kirkle; his physician assistant, Maggie Wray; and Natasha, the nurse who lovingly cared for her through many infusions. Diana loved them dearly, and the love, compassion, dignity, and kindness they showed went far beyond medical care. They became very special to her, and because of the extraordinary way they loved and cared for her, they will forever hold a special place in the hearts of her family.

She was predeceased by her mother, Thelma White; her father, Elmer White; and her brother, Richard White.

Diana is survived by her sons; Richard Diller (Caroline Cassidy), Matthew Diller (Sara); and Robert Diller (Catherine); and her beloved grandchildren; Rebecca Diller, Conner Diller, Devin Diller Morgan Robert, Mattox Randall, Macklan Rien, Maevis Ruth, Milah Ruby Diller, Hunter Peek & Tyler Peek (Savannah).

She is also survived by her beloved sister, Sherry Smith (Lester); her nephew, Brice Smith (Shelly); her special grandniece, Karah Smith; her special grandnephew, Kade Smith; and her closest friends, Audrey Locker and Joan Sorrells and her beloved yorkie “Kody.”

Diana will be remembered with deep affection and lasting gratitude—for her compassionate presence, her thoughtful ways, her generous spirit, and the love she gave so freely to her family, her friends, and all those whose lives she touched.

A celebration of life will be held at Yawkey Missionary Baptist on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 2:00pm with burial at Forks of Coal Memorial Park, Alum Creek.

Carolyn J. Griffith Means (Carley Jo), 87, a retired Johns Hopkins Hospital nurse, and former resident of South Charleston, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 6, 2026 with her family by her side.

Known as a strong, happy individual with many skills and passions, Carley Jo was born on August 28, 1939, in Charleston, WV. She attended Alum Creek Elementary, Washington District High School, Anne Arundel Community College, and the University of Maryland at Baltimore where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Carley Jo was successful in three different career paths. She worked as a secretary at Washington District High School and later for the Westinghouse Corporation. She was a successful hair stylist for Hoschild Kohn department Store in Baltimore and as an independent stylist. During her career at Johns Hopkins Hospital, she worked as a nurse and assisted in research conducted by Dr. Ed Bernacki throughout the Johns Hopkins System. One notable project that she worked on was determining the value of Thermo Care Heat Therapy products in treating workplace injuries. Her final position as a nurse was as the Manager of the Johns Hopkins Hospital Occupational Injury Department. She organized and directed a large clinic that provided services to over 40,000 Johns Hopkins Employees worldwide.

Carley Jo had many hobbies and interests, including a major interest in quilting. For over a dozen years, she and her sisters faithfully participated in the annual West Virginia “quilt hops”. Carley Jo also loved sports and group activities. In high school, it was 4-H club at Jackson’s Mill, and in high school it was basketball. In Severna Park, MD, she loved to attend her son Merlin’s football and baseball games. As a longtime fan of the Baltimore Ravens, her name is listed on the monument outside Johnny Unitas Stadium, which honors those who fought to bring football back to the city after the Colts were stolen out of town in 1984. She was a fierce Ravens fan who loved to attend games and witnessed some of the best games in team history, including the road to Super Bowls 35 and 47.

Carley Jo was most proud of the successes of her immediate family. She was very proud of her son’s successful career as a high school history teacher and coach in football, lacrosse, wrestling, and baseball; her grandson’s career in law enforcement in MD; her granddaughter’s career as a Nurse at UMD Shock Trauma and beyond; and her daughter-in-law’s career as a senior vice-president with M&T Bank Realty Capital Corporation and later with the Department of Defense.

Carley Jo was preceded in death by her parents, J.K. (Kenner) and Bremen Wood Griffith; six sisters: Betty Riling (Bob), Jewell Haddad (Phil), Fay Yerrid, Phyllis Griffith, Patty Dimock (Don), Jeannette Reick (Bob); two brothers: Kenny Griffith (Ann), and Douglas MacArthur Griffith; and nieces and nephews, Susan Riling, Cindy Dimock, Jimmy Griffith, Kevin Griffith, and Leslie (Haddad) Meadows.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Dale Means of Severna Park, MD; her brother Jack Griffith of Kanawha County; her son Merlin Means (Sherri) of Pasadena, MD; two grandchildren: Nicholas (Dawn) Means of Pasadena, MD; Bremen (Morgan) Waterman of Seattle, WA; two great-grandchildren: Arsenios Elijah Waterman of Seattle, WA; Marshall Merlin Means of Pasadena, MD. She is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews: Richard Riling (OH), Katrina Riling (Charleston, WV), Steven Yerrid (FL), Michael Griffith (MS), Julie Ann Boehman (LA), Janet Lynn Claus (TX), David Haddad (TN), Susan Dimock (MA), Sandra Tippins (WI), Matt Dimock (MA), Amy Lutz (FL), Jason Griffith (WV), Cody Lilly (NC), and Derek (Julie) Reick (PA).

Of the 50+ grandchildren of Albert Griffith (1856-1933) of Olcott WV, Carley Jo was one of the last two surviving grandchildren, with Jack Griffith remaining.

Service will be 2:00pm, Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek. Burial will follow at Means Family Cemetery, Alum Creek. Friends and family will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Jack William Dugan left this world September 6, 2026, surrounded by his family at home. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and uncle.

His favorite thing in life and greatest JOY was his family – those he loved, shared laughs and love with including so many far and near.

Jack served 2 years overseas in the Army in Germany. When he returned home, he worked his way to Facility manager at JC Zobrist where he stayed for 40 years. In the meantime, Jack spent his time on his beloved farm where his wife, Marilyn, and him raised their family in Alum Creek, WV. They enjoyed square dancing together for 25 years.

Jack was preceded in death by his son, Jack W. “JD” Dugan, II; parents, Charles and Victoria M. Dugan; siblings, James P. Dugan, Thomas M. Dugan, Linda (Tom) Tincher, Mary Jane “Kitty” (Paul) Gearhart.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn Huffman Dugan; daughter, Victoria (Barry) Stollings; son, Todd (Christine) Dugan; 7 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Shirley Dugan and several nieces and nephews all loved dearly.

A special thanks to Charleston Hospice for their support and wonderful care over the past 3+ months, especially Melanie, Libby, and Tiffany for their extraordinary care and devotion.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donation to HospiceCare, Charleston WV.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3pm, Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek. Visitation will be from 1-3pm prior to the service at the funeral home.

David Grant McCallister, 85, a lifelong resident of Sod, WV, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

David was a retired mechanic from Pepsi Cola with 36 years of service. He was a 1960 graduate of Duval High School. He loved the outdoors, farming, all his critters, and his old tractor.

David was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Jean McCallister; parents, Delbert “Boo” & Mearl Kidd McCallister; grandparents; Robert and Carry McCallister; his grandson, Timothy McCallister; his brother, Roger McCallister; and sisters, Jewel McClure, Dinah Chandler, and Carol Dooley.

He is survived by his children; Robert (Yvonne) McCallister, Kimberly (Richard) Kollmeyer and Gary (Rosemary) McCallister; sisters, Kathy (Bob) Judge and Linda (Tom) Settle. Grandchildren, Bradley, Shane, Anthony, Adam, Shonna and Madison. Great grandchildren, Mattison, Ashton, Avery, Lexy, Laylee, Nicolas, and Rowan.

The funeral service for David Grant McCallister will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastor Charles Kidd officiating. Burial will follow the service at Pine Grove Cemetery, Sumerco. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Lena Pansy Young Holstein, 87 of Alum Creek, passed away September 2, 2026, at Hillcrest Healthcare Center, Danville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Bessie Hanson Young; brothers, Larry, Bob, and David.

Pansy is survived by her children whom she cherished, Robert (Dreama) Holstein and Wayne (Robin) Holstein; sister, Vada Young, and nieces; Debbie (Mike) Quintrell, and Lisa Young. 

Graveside service and burial will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday September 5, 2026 at Forks of Coal Memorial Park, Alum Creek with Rev. Jack Cummings officiating.  

Patricia Jean Curry, of South Hills, Charleston passed away peacefully at home on August 27, 2026, at the age of 56.

Patricia was a 1989 graduate of George Washington High School. She was a photographer and owner of Shutterbug Photography, former insurance agent, administrator of the YMCA, and was a loving caregiver.

Patricia’s passing leaves a deep emptiness in the hearts of her family and loved ones. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

Patricia was preceded in death by her loving Husband, Jodi Curry, her mother, Victoria Simmons, and her in-laws, Jean and Russell Curry.

She is survived by her loving son, Nolan Curry, daughter-in-law, Chelsea Akers, grandkids, Arizona and Amelia Akers, her father, Jerry Simmons, Sr., her siblings, Dorris Harper and Jerry Simmons, Jr, and her sisters-in-law, Demettria Curry and Jennifer Dunlap Chambers. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be at 8:00pm, Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home. Friends and family will gather 2 hours prior to the service.