Janet Lee Priestley-Dent, 85, of Alum Creek passed away Monday, September 5, 2011 at Teays Valley Center, Putnam County, after a long illness.

Janet was born in Tango, WV, on October 18, 1926, daughter of the late Wilburn Chapman Priestley, Jr., and Alberta Jean Quigley. She was a retired Personnel Director of the WV Public Service Commission. Janet was a lifelong resident of Alum Creek and a member of the Forks of Coal Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as a youth director. She was a graduate of Duval High School.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Forrest Bertholomew Priestley, brother-in-law Rex R. Hill and sister-in-law Joyce Ann White-Priestley.

Janet was a loving mother and an avid gardener. She loved to travel and visit family.

She is survived by her Son: Max Dent and his wife Cathy of Winfield, WV, Daughter: Sherri Marie Dent of Alum Creek, Sisters: Jean Marie Johnson of Charleston, Trilba Faye Hill of Sod, Brother: Wilburn Chapman Priestley III of Hurricane, WV, Grandchildren: Julie Marie Sigmon (Jeremy), Kristin Lee Fridley (Gary), Great Grandchildren: Daka Marie Sigmon, Dylan Maxwell Fridley and Miley Gail Sigmon, As well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be 6:00pm, Monday, September 12, 2011, at Curry Funeral Home Chapel, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, WV with Pastors Keith George and Frank Chapman officiating.
Burial will follow in Forks of Coal Memorial Park, Alum Creek. Family and friends will gather two hours prior to service.

Dollie Woodrum 71, of Yawkey went home to be with the Lord after a long illness at Hospice West, South Charleston Friday September 2, 2011. There will be no services. Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek is assisting the family with arrangements.

Judith Lynn McGue, 58, of Yawkey went home to be with the Lord Monday, August 29, 2011.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel McGue; sister, Karen Lovejoy and brother, Denny Gillenwater. She is survived by her parents, Billy and Juanita Gillenwater of Yawkey Brothers: Steve, Billy Joe and Jason Gillenwater of Yawkey, Sister: Lorrie Cooper of Alum Creek

Graveside service will be 2:00 pm Friday, September 2, 2011 at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey with Rev. Richard McCallister officiating. Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek is in care of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made toward the funeral service.

After a long illness beloved husband and father, David Michael Gillian, 61, passed away in comfort and peace on August 20, 2011 at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, WV. A lifelong resident of the Mountain State, Mike was born in Charleston on September 4, 1949, grew up in St. Albans, and resided in Cross Lanes during his adult life, spending summers and vacations at Sandstone on the New River.

Following graduation from St. Albans High School in 1967, Mike attended Concord College in Athens, WV, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and met his future wife, Judy.

Mike found his lifework as a carpenter and owner of a small construction company involved in all trades for commercial and residential construction. He was an honest estimator, energetic worker and inspiring boss, willing to take on demanding jobs for the challenge of learning new skills and the satisfaction of providing good work at fair cost.

Highlawn Baptist in St. Albans was his church home as he grew up and Mike remained strong in faith, committed to doing the right thing as he knew it from an early age. Highlawn Baptist was also the place where his Boy Scout activities began, developing in Mike a strong character, practical skills, and a love of outdoor adventure.

After family and work, Mike loved pushing himself in many sports including racquetball, swimming, running, bicycling, kayaking, and flying ultralight planes. Most of all, Mike will be remembered as a fast and fearless enduro and dual-sport rider whose strenth, endurance, and amazing wins and wrecks provided endless tales, most of them true. A lifelong history enthusiast and voracious reader, Mike also experienced the richness of life through books, whether involving the past or present, fiction or fact, learning or entertainment.

Mike Gillian lived fully and purposefully; the indelible lessons he conveyed include determination and energy, happiness and wicked humor, courage and optimism, strenth and gentleness; lotalty and contentment, intelligence and faith, love and time freely given.

Mike is survived by his wife of forty years, Judy Rhule Gillian; son and daughter-in-law, Gregory Michael and Krista Evans Gillian of Bountiful, UT; daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Elizabeth and Gregory Carlton of Cary, NC; grandchildren, Owen and Ella Gillian; sisters, Lisa (John) Simmons of Sandyville, WV; Emily (Erick) Boles and Amy Gillian Jarrett of St. Albans, WV; brother, Matthew (Jill) Gillian of Hohenwald, TN; nieces, Chelsea Simmons, Erica and Elyse Boles, Melissa Jarrett, Jennifer Anders Giseburt, Liz Rhule, and Kelslie McKuhen; nephews, Timothy Simmons, TJ Jarrett, Brad Gillian-Thompson, Geoff Gillian, Justin Gillian, and Wesley Coiner; brother-in-law Tom (Judy) Rhule of Charleston, WV; sisters-in-law, Donna (Matt) McKuhen of North Charleston, SC and Pamela (Aaron) Abend of Buffalo, WV; paternal aunt, Remona (Alva) McMillion and cousins Joe, Paul, and Kay; paternal uncles, Brooke (Jeanie) Gillian and cousins Brad and Melody, and Tom (Anne) Gillian and cousins, Teresa, Cheri and Rebecca; maternal uncles, Joseph Mudd, Andy Mudd, and David Mudd and their spouses and children.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver Jack and Elizabeth M. Gillian; sister, Julie Ann Gillian; paternal grandparents, Clyde and Anna Gillian; and maternal grandparents, Owen (Ardis) Meehling and Garnet (Clarence) Mudd.

As he requested, Mike was cremated and funeral service will not be held; instead, family and friends gathered on August 20, at Someday Farm, his home in Cross Lanes to celebrate and give thanks for Mike’s life. His ashes will be interred at a later date in the Richmond Cemetery at Sandstone, WV. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Mike’s memory be honored through volunteering at or donations to Kanawha Hospice Care, American Diabetes Association, Center for Organ Recovery and Education, or Kanawha Charleston Humane Association or a local animal rescue organization.

The family would like to express special thanks for help, friendship, prayers and support throughout Mike’s illness to friend and family physician Richard Hayes and wife, Lora; to Jeri Lynn Maynard and Tina Nutter from Kanawha Valley Senior Services; to Carla Zielinske, Peggy Davis and other nurses, nursing assistants, respite providers, and social workers from Kanawha Hospice Care and Hubbard House; to those who visited Mike at home and at Hubbard House; and to dear friends Doc and Lora Harless, Larry Layne, Kevin Thomas, and others too numerous to mention.

Carolyn Sue Harper, 66, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at home after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, and her parents, Robert & Audrey Parcell. She was a member of McCorkle Freewill Baptist Church.

She is survived by Sons: Jeff (Jackie) Griffithsville, Dwight (Elisa) Georgia, Daniel (Keta) & Mike (Mandy) both of Alum Creek. Brothers: Charles E. Smith, Washington, DC, Robert Lee Kinder, Charleston, Roger Parcell, Alum Creek. Sister: Brenda Kay Howard, FL and 6 Grandchildren: Britney, Landin, Breanna, Brook, Nicholas & Danielle

Services will be at 2:00pm Saturday, August 27, at the Curry Funeral Home Chapel, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, with Pastors Russell Wright and Roe Smith officiating. Burial will follow at the Lively Cemetery, Sod. Friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hubbard Hospice House, 1001 Kennawa Dr., Charleston, WV 25311.

Denzil J. “Pen” Turley, 84, of South Charleston, formerly of Alum Creek, went home to see Jesus Tuesday, August 23, 2011.

He was retired from the Local Laborers Union and was a Christian. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elisha and Laura Smith Turley; brother, Nathan and sisters, Macil Perdue, Lucy Green and Lillian Nicholas.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Opal ,Step-son: Ted Keys and Step-grandson: Alan Keys, who is serving in the U. S. Army

Funeral service will be held 12 Noon Friday at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, with Pastors Frank Chapman and Elmer Stowers officiating. Burial will follow in Forks of Coal Memorial Park. Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service.

Kathleen S. Sammons, 93 of Pinch went home to the Lord Wednesday August 24, 2011 at the home of her son Carmel L. Sammons after a long illness. She was born February 1, 1918 at Cabin Creek to the late George and Mary Spaulding was also preceded in death by twelve brothers and sisters.She retired from the West Virginia State tax department after 25 years of service.

She is survived by her sons Carmel L. Sammons, Charles E. Sammons and William J. Sammons, grandchildren, Kim Payne, Suzanne Wilson, Jason Sammons and Clint Sammons, great grandchildren, Joah Payne, Abby Payne, Alaina Wilson, Evan Wilson and Ryan Sammons.

Service will be 3:00 PM Friday at Curry Funeral Home 2097 Childress Road Alum Creek with her son Rev. Charles E. Sammons officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park South Charleston. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice Care 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston, West Virginia 25312-2536

Mrs. Huffman, 86, of Alum Creek, formerly of Alkol, went home to be with the Lord Friday, August 19, 2011.

She was preceded in death by Charlie, her husband of 65 years. She is survived by four children: Betty (Shannon) Dotson of Julian; Danny (Audella) of Ruth; Benny (Pauletta) of Alum Creek and Bobby (Peggy) of Baltimore, Md. She is also survived by a brother, Rexel Egnor of Morrisvale; 8 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

She was a member of Sycamore Grove Baptist Church at Alkol.

A special thanks to Jane, Sharon and Jim, her caregivers at the River of Life Personal Care Home at Ruth, and to the wonderful folks from Hospice. Thanks also to Bruce Tully of Alkol, a great neighbor and friend for over 30 years.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at the Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM Monday, August 22^nd and one hour prior to the funeral service. Service will be conducted by the Rev. Gene Pauley, her Pastor and best friend for the past eight years, and assisted by Rev. Clint Craddock, Pastor at Sycamore Grove. Burial will take place at the Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Sumerco.

Music will be provided by her great granddaughters, Erin amd Lindsay, and great grandson, Kyle. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 731, St. Albans, WV 25177 or the The Hubbard Hospice House, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston, WV 25387.

Lucy Gay King Tackett, 89, of Gordon, Wisconsin, formerly of Lincoln County, WV, went home to be with the Lord Friday, August 12, 2011. Gay was the wife of the late Troy Columbus Tackett and was also preceded in death by her parents Olen Crown King and Martha Ann Lake King, daughter, Daisy Sowards, two sons, Troy and Elbert Tackett, stepson, Junior Tackett and stepdaughter Sybil Lovejoy. She leaves behind a huge family that love her and will miss her very much.

She is Survived by 5 Daughters: Sharon (Bill) Finney, Shinnston, WV Marcella (Steve)Richetta, Gordon, WI Dottie Jude, Mt. Sterling, KY Rosemary (Craig) Smith, Frostproof, FL Sue (Larry) Carroll, Sod, WV.  Sons: Tommy (Patty) Tackett, Sumerco, Eddie (Donna) Tackett, Alum Creek  Brother: Albert King, Ohio, 33 Grandchildren, 49 Grant Grandchildren, Several Great, Great Grandchildren

Services will be held 11:00am on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at the Curry Funeral Home Chapel, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek,  with Pastor Frank Chapman officiating.  Burial will be at the Barker Cemetery at Ashford.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 6:00 to 8:00pm on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Dewey Andrew Harvey, 68, Sumerco, WV, passed away on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Huntington, WV, as a result of injuries received in a single car accident in Kentucky on August 4^th.  He was predeceased by his parents Cesco and Virginia Harvey.He was a driver for Quality Mine Control

 He is survived by:  Daughters:  Renee Harvey, Sumerco Tina (Chris) Holley, South Charleston.  Brothers:  Harry(Barb) , Harold (Joan), Cesco (Joy)  Sisters:  Jane Harvey Schaeffer and  Mae (Guy) Schultz  Grandchildren:  Cody & Justin Holley and Alyssa Harvey-Falls.

 Services will be at 11:00am on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at Curry Funeral Home Chapel, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, with Pastor Billy Silva officiating.  Burial will be at the Miller Cemetery on Ely Road at McCorkle.

 In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to the Madison V.F.W., Memorial Building, Washington St., Madison, WV 25130.

 Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00pm on Tuesday, August 16^th at the funeral home