Katherine Kensington, 56, of Charleston, W.Va., passed away peacefully on Friday, March 29, 2019 at Hubbard Hospice House of South Charleston, W.Va., after battling a long illness. As per Katherine’s wishes, she has been cremated and her ashes will be buried and planted, so that a weeping willow tree may take root and grow in her place at Pittman Family Cemetery, in Davis Creek, W.Va. There will be no formal service or visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made towards cremation expenses at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, W.Va
Dorothy Irene Whanger, 86, of Charleston (formerly of Alum Creek) passed away Sunday, March 31, 2019, at Hubbard Hospice House-West, South Charleston.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis & Norma Lambert Beach, husband, Paul Whanger, Sr., in 1980, and 5 brothers, Donald, Carl, Jack, Jerry and Denny Beach and special friend Allen Hyden in 2018.
Dorothy had many dear friends and was a member of the Alum Creek Church of Christ.
She is survived by daughter Paula Kay (Paul) VanMeter, Son, Paul (Cindy) Whanger, twin grandchildren, Janeene (Danny) Foster & Jamie (Shawna) Whanger and great-grandson, Lance Whanger. A committal service will be held at 1:00pm Wednesday, April 3, 2019 with Minister Kenneth Mitchell officiating at Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston.
Special thank you to Dr. Richard Hayes and Dr. James Perry for their wonderful care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1601 2nd Avenue, Charleston, WV 25387.
Mabel (Cantley, McDaniel) Wilson, age 89, of Orlando, FL died peacefully on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at Cornerstone Hospice with her daughter, Carol Morrison and caregiver, Shannon Sledge by her side.
Mabel was born June 16, 1929 the 11th of 13 children to the late Emma and Jacob Cantley of Brounland, WV. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband and love of her life, Ivan McDaniel. She was also preceded in death by John Wilson, her second husband.
Mabel worked over 40 years for the West Virginia Department of Employment Security. Mabel was a member of Brier Creek Baptist Church of Brounland, WV; First Baptist Church of South Charleston, WV; and St. Luke’s Methodist Church of Orlando. She was a faithful Christian and loved to sing old Hymns. She loved to work on her computer and was passionate about genealogy and spent many hours working Word Search puzzles.
She is survived by her beloved daughter, Carol Morrison of Orlando, FL; Robert Cantley of Spring Hill, her only surviving sibling; many nieces and nephews; and Tabby her beautiful cat of 10 years.
A celebration of Mabel’s life will be held at noon on Saturday, April 6th at Curry Funeral Home (2097 Childress Road) in Alum Creek, WV. Visitation will be from 11 am to noon, with services immediately following the visitation. The burial will be at the chapel at Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston after the funeral services. Gene Pauley will be officiating.
A special thank you to Shannon Sledge, her devoted Caregiver for 10 years. Shannon was by Mabel’s side around the clock during Mabel’s final days helping her prepare for her final journey to her heavenly home.
In lieu of flowers, Mabel always wanted to ensure her relatives and those they loved were taken care of. If you know someone that needs support, please offer your time or a donation in her honor.
Vince Rogers, 93, of South Charleston, WV, died by his wife’s bedside Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Valley Center in South Charleston.
Vince was a graduate of South Charleston High School and WV State College. He served in the U. S. Army during WWII. He was an Automotive Instructor at South Charleston High School and Ben Franklin Career Center and loved golfing, fishing and camping.
He was predeceased by his parents, Lib and Rachel Rogers, great-granddaughter Brooklyn Rogers, 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
Vince is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Wanda; sons Butch (Maureen) Rogers, Daniel A. (Carla) Rogers, Kenny Rogers and Mark (Kay) Rogers and daughter Gail (Chad) Wright; eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one on the way, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastor Dorris Walls officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Memorial Park in South Charleston with military graveside rites.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Georgia Lea Blankenship, 89, of Alum Creek, WV, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at Hubbard Hospice West in South Charleston.
She was born on January 23, 1930 in Alum Creek and was the last surviving child to the late James Q. and Mary “Suda” McClure Blankenship. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Carl, James Kyle, Avis, Connor, Alfred “Bug”, Jack, Henry and sisters Faye Waldron, Katherine “Daff” Miller and Christine Crawford.
Georgia retired from the McCrory Store in Savannah, GA. She was a member of the Independent Missionary Baptist Church of Alum Creek for more than 20 years.
Those left to cherish her memory include her nieces and nephews and two very special neighbors Edgar and Janie Hannah. Georgia also loved her church family and enjoyed their fellowship and visits. She will be greatly missed by many.
Service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2019, at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastors Frank Chapman and Daniel Dent officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Memorial Park in South Charleston. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Robert J. “Jim” Pauley, 81, of South Charleston, WV, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 18, 2019, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston.
Jim was born on January 31, 1938, to the late Matt and Minnie Eskins Pauley and raised on Long Branch Dairy Farm at Davis Creek. He was a Christian and attended Ruth Community Church. He was a former truck driver for Williams Grocery and retired from the Surgical Housekeeping Department of Thomas Memorial Hospital with 25 years of service.In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Ada Mae Green; brother, David Pauley, brother and sister-in-law, Paul R. and Grace Pauley; and sister and brother-in-law Betty and Johnny Holstein.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Betty Jo Hitchcock Pauley; children, Robert Pauley (Deena) of Alum Creek and Debra Thaxton (Dennis) of Sissonville; sisters, Diane “Sissy” Cox (Ronnie) of South Charleston, Lena Mae Green of South Charleston, and brother, William “Bill” Pauley (Karen) of South Charleston brother-in-law, Earl Green; sister-in-law, Barbara Pauley, grandchildren, Andrew Thaxton, Katie Fisher, and Deanna Parsons; great grandchildren, Isaiah Parsons, Mason Fisher, and Eli Fisher.
Graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM Friday March 22, 2019, at Graceland Memorial Park Mausoleum, South Charleston with Pastor Butch Leadman officiating. Entombment will follow at Graceland Memorial Park Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions to Hospice Care, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W. Charleston, WV 25387.
Sandra Lynne Skeenes, 77, died at her home in Alum Creek on Friday, March 15, 2019.
Born October 16, 1941, Charleston, W.Va., she spent her entire life promoting music excellence in many communities in Colorado, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Maryland and West Virginia, including teaching voice, piano and instruments to numerous youth and adults. She served in many churches, finishing her service at Forks of Coal Missionary Baptist Church, Alum Creek, where she served as music director and accompanist. She graduated from Charleston High School, Carson-Newman University and Florida State University, and studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. Allen Skeenes and Lenora Miller Skeenes. Survived by siblings Jerry Skeenes (Kathern), Alum Creek; Edward Skeenes (Sharon), Maryville, Tenn.; Barry Skeenes, Charleston; and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The Funeral will be 2:00 PM Saturday, March 23, at the Forks of Coal Missionary Baptist Church, corner of Coal River Rd. and Route 214, with Pastor Keith George officiating. Visitors will be received from 12-2 PM at the Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Forks of Coal Baptist Church Music and Audio/Visual Department, P.O. Box 506, Alum Creek, WV 25003.
Jonathan Howell Akers, 21, formerly of Charleston, WV, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at his residence in Long Beach, CA.
Jonathan was a 2016 graduate of Hurricane High School, and most recently was a student at WVU and WV State University. We will cherish the memories of his adventurous spirit, his love of mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking and camping.
He is survived by his parents, Jon & Jeannie Akers, and grandparents, Fred & Karen Akers and Bob & Blair Howell all of Charleston.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek. A committal service will follow at French Cemetery in Charleston.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.mountainmission.com in memory of Jonathan.
Joshua Lee “Birdie” Mullins, 42, of Ashford, formerly of Chapmanville, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at home.
Joshua was the administrative operations clerk for the State of WV at the West Virginia National Guard Armory. He was raised in Trinity Freewill Baptist Church, Henlawson. He was a 1994 graduate of Chapmanville High School where he was a member of the baseball team all four years.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ricky Mullins.
He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Lou Mullins, mother Shelia Mullins of Chapmanville, brother Jeremy (Erika) Mullins of Mooresville, NC, sister Laura Mullins of South Charleston, father-in-law and mother-in-law Eddie and Wanda Holstein, nieces and nephews Braydon, Kaylee, Kaegan, Chace, Wyatt, Allyson, Aubrey, and Julien; he is also survived by his four fur babies.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 16, 2019, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastor Joey Kennedy officiating. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park, Chapmanville.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Friday at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek.
Christine Kay Thacker, 60 of Alum Creek, died March 9, 2019 at CAMC Memorial Hospital, Charleston.
Christine was born on December 11, 1958 in Chicago, IL to the late Sam and Margaret Wright.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands; Edward “Buck” Spencer and Michael Thacker; and two brothers, Dave and Joe Wright.
She is survived by her children, Christopher Spencer (Angie) and twins, Stephan Wright and Stephanie Roberts; grandchildren, Mark, Hannah and Natalie Wright and Lela Roberts; siblings, Rona (Tom) Schmidt, Twin Brother, Chris (Hope) Wright, Gary (Connie) Wright, Helen (Boone) Dawson, Verle (Teresa) Wright, Hubert (Cindy) Wright, and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Christine’s life will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek.