Charles Roderick “Chuck” Hudson, 68, of South Charleston, passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 surrounded by his wife and kids at CAMC Memorial Hospital after a long illness. 

Chuck grew up at the end of Atlas Road on Davis Creek, one of eight children of Bob and Melvia Hudson. Chuck was a graduate of South Charleston High School class of 1971. It was in the school library that he met his future wife, Joyce Bethel. Chuck and Joyce were married while still in high school and after briefly living in Saint Albans, settled in South Charleston, where they have lived for the past 42 years. 

Chuck was very involved in youth sports in South Charleston, coaching football and baseball for years. He was an old school coach but respected by his players. It was not uncommon for him to run into men, now in their 30’s who still call him coach. We are also pretty sure he holds a record in the Kanawha Valley for being kicked out of the most youth football games for arguing with the referees. 

For many years, Chuck was a route salesman delivering to grocery stores throughout the state, and knew someone at every single one we passed. He eventually went to work for the City of South Charleston, retiring as the General Manager of Little Creek Golf Course. After retirement, Chuck continued to serve his city by serving on the City Council for the past few years. 

If you knew Chuck, you loved him. He was a character, who was always joking and cutting up. You never knew if he was serious or pulling your leg and it was impossible not to laugh when you were with him. 

Chuck and Joyce had three children, who they spaced out so much that they were raising kids for 35 years. He was extremely proud of his kids, but his greatest joy in life was being a papaw. He was so proud of his grandkids and enjoyed a special relationship with each of them. He loved taking them camping at Sherwood Lake and Summersville Lake and was lucky to enjoy one last vacation with all five of them to Panama City Beach, Florida this past August.

Chuck was proceeded in death by his beloved parents, Bob and Melvia Hudson, his brother Gary “Gator” Hudson, and his nephews Dennis and Justin Hudson. 

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years, Joyce Hudson, his three children Paula (Greg) Harvey, Lori (Tommy) Lipscomb, and Travis (Brittany) Hudson; his grandchildren Wyatt Lipscomb, Ryan Harvey, Brooklynn McDonald, Benjamin, and Jacob Hudson. Chuck is also survived by his sisters, Carol (Greg) Abbott and Linda (Jerry) Taylor; his brothers, Bob (Sue) Hudson, Jim (Charla) Hudson, Mark (Robin) Hudson, and Kevin (Shayna) Hudson; numerous nieces and nephews, who he loved and adored. 

Service will be 7:00pm Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Curry Funeral Home, with Pastor Chuck Pennington officiating.  Family and friends will gather two hours prior to the service. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Jubelirer and the nurses and staff at the CAMC Cancer Center, as well as all the hard working and compassionate nurses at CAMC Memorial Hospital. 

Paula, Lori, and Travis would like to especially thank Dad’s nephews, Rodney and Rodney Wayne Hudson and Jason Hundley, as well as Mom and Dad’s neighbors, Matt Durst and Steven and Alex Ballengee for all they have done to help Dad and Mom when we couldn’t be there. 

Joshua Elijah Holley, 32, of Griffithsville, passed away Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at home.

Joshua was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ed and Irene Holley, Wattie and Maria McCallister.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer; children, Aleigh, Elijah, and Zane Holley; parents, Gary and Donna Holley; brothers, Michael Holbert and Patrick Holley.

Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 20, 2021, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastor Darrell Searls officiating.  Burial will follow at Stowers Family Cemetery, Griffithsville.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to assist in offsestting the funeral cost to Curry Funeral Home, PO Box 9, Alum Creek, WV 25003.

CAROL JOYCE (BOWMAN) PARSONS, 85, of N. Olmsted, OH, died the afternoon of Friday, December 10th. She was born to the late Opal Bowman in Lincoln County, WV, on May 15th, 1936. Carol graduated from Duval High School (Griffithsville) in the spring of 1954; that summer, she married Fint Parsons, to whom she remained happily wed until his death in 2013. Carol moved with Fint to Cleveland, OH, in 1960, where she remained for the most part until her 2020 move to DeWolfe Place in Marion, OH.

Though Carol spent fifteen years as a preschool teacher at Gerber Preschool in Brookpark, OH, her primary occupation was that of homemaker. She raised two daughters—Cynthia and Molly—in their homes in Cleveland, and later, Miamisburg, OH. Carol and Fint eventually moved to the Cleveland suburb of North Olmsted—their home for more than three decades. Soon after, they discovered they joy of spoiling four grandchildren and, eventually, ten great-grandchildren.

Carol enjoyed traveling, trips to the beach, and watching her grandkids play baseball; in time, she developed into an avid gardener and something of a Christmas hobbyist. Holiday trips to Grandma’s meant lots of food, lots of giving, and a house full of laughter.
Carol remained for most of her days a world-class worrier; she kept tabs on all those she loved and was ready with advice in the event something went wrong. This love and worry were applied most profoundly to Fint, to whom she remained devoted always. They traveled to weddings and graduations together, cuddled newborns together, suffered through Cleveland sports heartbreak together. Fint was the object of Carol’s great and enduring affection, and their love proved a rock upon which a big and beautiful family was built. The memory of their union is cherished by those who knew them.

Carol was preceded in death by her mother, Opal Bowman, and her beloved husband, Fint Parsons; her sister, Beverly Ryan, and her brother, Charles Bowman. She is survived by her two daughters, Cindy (Tris) Cooper, and Molly Neider; her four grandchildren, Adam (Kate) Turner, Brandon (Rebecca) Turner, Cole (Sarah) Ackerman, and Jill Hutchinson; and her 10 great-grandchildren: Henry, Jamie, Georgiana, and Beatrice Turner; Sadie and Dash Turner; Samuel and Odessa Hutchinson; Lucy and Alexander Ackerman; and, finally, her sisters, JoAnn Loftis and Lillie Bowman.
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastor Daniel Dent officiating. Burial will follow at Lively Cemetery, Sod. The family will receive friends 2 hours prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Union Mission, 503 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, WV 25301.

The afternoon of Monday, December 6, 2021, Virginia Groves Dodrill, 97, of St. Albans, WV, entered the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, at CAMC Hospice.

Throughout her life, God chose to build and refine Virginia’s character into His image and for His glory through hardships and sorrows that are unfathomable for most of us.  She was courageous, diligent, and dedicated.  She was resilient, humble, warm, witty, and at times ornery (in a good-natured way).  She possessed a servant’s heart, always putting the interest and well-being of her family and friends above her own. She was a fabulous cook, a skill which she used to bless not only her family, but most of the children of St. Albans, from her position of supervisor at the high school cafeteria.

Virginia was one of seven children to the late Richard and Mary Tyree Groves of Canvas, WV.  She was a long-time member of Highlawn Baptist Church, St. Albans, serving on the Deacon Board and Hospitality Committee.  She retired from the Kanawha County Board of Education.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren H. Dodrill, parents, Richard and Mary Tyree Groves, six siblings, Nita Bell, Virgil Groves, Verner Groves, Heber Groves, Vada Baker, Vurl Groves, and granddaughter, Rebecca Robbins.

Virginia is survived by her children, Ron (Cynita) Dodrill, Mike (Kathy) Dodrill, Janet (Richard) Robbins, and Janice (Terry) Harvey.  She was blessed with eight grandchildren, Nicki Thompson, Stephen Dodrill, Joel Harvey, Ryan Harvey, Nathan Harvey, Sarah McGraw, Rachel Henshaw, and Heather Robbins. She was also blessed with ten great-grandchildren.

Many knew her as a strong woman. Those who were closest to her also knew the source of her strength. May the legacy of her love, her life of sacrifice, endure through the future generations of her family.  We love you, Virginia.  Until we are united with you again in the presence of our Savior, you will be sorely missed.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.  Proverbs 31:30-31

Celebration-of-life service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 13, 2021, at Highlawn Baptist Church, 2304 Jefferson Ave, St. Albans, with Pastor Jason Robbins officiating. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m., in the Dodrill Family Cemetery, Birch River, WV. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Highlawn Baptist Church, 2304 Jefferson Ave., St. Albans, WV  25177.

Betty Jane Via, 94, of South Charleston, WV, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 4, 2021.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Willis G. Via. Betty was born August 18, 1927 and raised on 7th Avenue in North Charleston, WV. She was resting at home at the time of her passing. She was retired from the Kanawha County Board of Education.

Betty was an active member of the Trinity Independent Baptist Church and the Lady’s Auxiliary Post 4768 of the Alum Creek VFW. She also enjoyed sharing her love with others by baking and volunteering at a local clothing mission. She treasured her church community and her VFW friends.

Betty is survived by her children Joe Via, Kathi Thaxton (Randy), and Rose Thevenin (Mike); grandchildren Stevie Thaxton (Heather), Jennifer Green (Chris), Jason Via, Bethany Via, Stacey Horn, Blake Via, Brooke Cunningham (Bradley), and Jessica Thevenin (fiancé Grant Wooten); great grandchildren Sean Green, McKenzie Mullins, Ryleigh Horn, Aden Thaxton, Ryder Horn, Owen Thaxton and Lilly Green; very special niece and caregiver, Jean Browning; and several loving nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude towards her Hospice Care of WV Angels – Tammy, Kelly, Andrea, Libby, Norissa and Jenny; and a special thanks to Dr. James Pettit for his wonderful care.

Per Betty’s wishes a private family graveside service will be held at the Via Family Cemetery with Pastors Gary Gillispie and Dan McCormick officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alum Creek VFW Post 4768, 4443 Brounland Road, Charleston, WV 25309 or the charity of your choice.

Raelynn and Madelynn Hughes, identical twin daughters of Hailie Hughes and Jacob Abbott were stillborn, Saturday, November 27, 2021, at Cabell Huntington Hospital. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston.

Kimberly Ann Barker, 55, of Charleston passed away Friday, November 26, 2021, at CAMC Memorial Hospital.

Kimberly was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Peggy Barker; sister, Janet Barker.

She is survived by brothers, Jimmy Barker, John Barker, and David Barker; cousin/sister, Hope Spaulding; aunts, Chris Reid and Ches Bauer; several nieces and nephews.

Service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 3, 2021, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek. Burial will follow at Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Kimberly was an animal lover, especially her beloved dog, Fluffy and cat Shadow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association, 1248 Greenbrier Street, Charleston, WV 25311 or to the charity of your choice.

Patricia Ellen “Pattie” Strickland, 60, of Charleston, passed away Thursday, November 25, 2021, at CAMC Memorial Hospital.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents Harley and Hilda Falls.

She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Jonathan; daughters, Hope Marie Taylor and Gessica Harper; son, Roy Wayne Harper; ten grandchildren; and many other children and grandchildren that she helped raise like her own.

In keeping with her wishes, Patricia will be cremated and there will be no services.

Harley Howard Clark born November 5, 1942, went home to be with his Heavenly Father and to reunite with his wife and son on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.

Born to his loving parents, Harley Clark Sr. and Stella Young.

Preceded in death, is the love of his life, Alice Portlee Clark, and his loving son, Howard Tracy Clark. One thing about Howard – from those that knew him, knew how much he loved his family.

Those that ask what true love is like – saw it in Howard and Portlee. It was a love story for the ages. Beginning on April 20, 1963. Every day we would hear “Portee and Hired”.

One thing Portlee and Howard did was love with their entire being. When it came to their grandkids, he showed love beyond belief. He showed, Mandy, Lisa, Shyann, Christy, Eric, and Sierra how to fish, how to shoot, and how to laugh. And those kids will forever remember being called Potlickers.

He truly loved his daughter Evelyn “Sissy” Clark so very much. And what a blessing she was to him. Especially the care she showed him til the very end.

Howard also had a special bond with his son Howard Tracy – his namesake. They would watch westerns together and sure did treasure those moment with his son.

Howard also showed his adopted daughter Pamela Carson so much love and nicknaming her “Big Lou” when she was pregnant with their first grandchild which he adoringly called her even after! As well as a special love for Sierra’s mother Stacy Porter.

And he treasured and loved his dear sisters Bessie, Mary and Shirley and Shirley’s wonderful husband Kessil.

Howard also adored his relationships with his dear friend Ross Gillenwater, other son “Biggen” Bobby Clark, Jr and his good buddy Austin McGraw who was like a grandson to him.

It was Howard’s wish to be cremated and a celebration of his life was held Saturday, November 27, 2021, at his sister’s house.

Glenn Keith Parsons, 95, passed away on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Born on January 17, 1926, in Olcott, WV, he was a lifelong resident of Charleston. Glenn was known throughout the community as a person of integrity, service, and a long-standing and faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Charleston.

He is predeceased by his grandfather, Kellis Frazier (Cap) Griffith, his mother, Iris Griffith Parsons Wood, his father, Harvey H. Parsons, brothers, Dean Parsons, Kelly Parsons and sister, Vivian Parsons Maraman.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Mary Parsons to whom he was married for 72 years, his son, Jack Parsons (Leland Derryberry) of Asheville, NC. and his daughter, Vicki Parsons Duling (Thomas) of Springfield, VA. as well as two grandchildren, Sarah Parsons Duling Ferringer, Thomas Scott Duling and great grandson, Jordan William Ferringer.

Glenn Parsons graduated from Washington District High School in 1943 and then immediately joined the United States Marine Corps. He served from 1943-1946 during World War II in the Pacific Theatre and China. He returned to the Charleston area and began his 38-year career with the C & P Telephone Company in Charleston where he served as the manager for telephone security for the entire state of West Virginia and a section of western Virginia. One of his unique experiences was supervising the communications for the secret underground bunker located at the Greenbrier Resort. Upon retirement from the telephone company, he ran his own private detective agency in Charleston for several years. Glenn was a member of the Masonic Lodge 159, Dunbar and a thirty second degree member of the Scottish Rite and Beni Kedem Shrine Charleston.

Glenn’s life of volunteer service began as a young man; coaching little league teams, serving on PTA boards, and delivering meals to the needy. He served as a Scoutmaster where he influenced and guided the young men of Troup 5 at First Presbyterian Church for over ten years. He received many honors in scouting including the Silver Beaver Award. He loved people and demonstrated a strong sense of honesty, integrity, and dedication to family and friends throughout his life.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 4, 2021, at the First Presbyterian Church, 16 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, WV with Reverend Doctor William C. Myers officiating. The family will receive friends directly following the service in the Ruffner Room. A graveside ceremony to include military honors will be held at the Forks of Coal Memorial Park at 3:00 PM. (Located near Curry Funeral Home)

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 16 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, WV 25301, or the charity of your choice.