Pauline Jane Rymer, 77, of Alum Creek passed away Thursday, April 28, 2011, from lung cancer. She was a faithful and loyal member of the Forks of Coal Missionary Baptist Church since 1972, where she served as youth director, Sunday school teacher, and secretary.

She retired from the Lincoln County Board of Education in 1993. She began teaching in a one-room school in 1957, and taught every grade during her 36-year teaching career before retiring as the principal of Midway Elementary School. She was voted as Citizen of the Century by the Alum Creek Centennial Committee in 2010.  She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 58 years, William Ray Rymer, infant son James, and daughter, Tiffany Sloan, formerly known as Bill Rymer.

She is survived by her daughters, Donna (Eric) Saul and Cindie Beach and partner, John Flowers; grandson, Josh Saul and partner Jennifer Hughes, Jake (Jennifer) Saul, Zachary, Austin and Jesse Beach; brothers, Bill (Emily) Cornette, Jesse (Nell) Cornette, Arthur Cornette, Fred Jowett, Jr.; sisters Lucille Ross, Lorine Gore, and Shirley Woods; brother-in-law, Jimmy (Anna Gae) Rymer,; sister-in-law, Betty McComas, and many nieces, nephews and family members.

Visitation with the family will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 pm Sunday, May 1, 2011 at the Forks of Coal Missionary Baptist Church, 4002 Childress Road, Alum Creek. Service will follow at 2:00 pm with Pastor Keith George officiating. The eulogy will be delivered by former student, Lisa Graley with other former students and teachers participating: Robert Moore, Brenda Pistore, Dreama Pauley, and Dinah McCallister. Interment will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey.

The family wishes to express a special thanks to dear friend and neighbor, Marietta Lovejoy; loving niece, Nancy (Larry) Pauley, loving sister-in-law, Anna Gae Rymer, brother-in-law, Jimmy Rymer, HospiceCare of Charleston, and her many caring and compassionate neighbors, friends, and church family.

Pauline will be remembered for her loving spirit; her kind, compassionate, and accepting nature; her laughter and warm, welcoming smile.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Forks of Coal Missionary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 506, Alum Creek, WV 25003 or HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston, WV 25312-2536. Arrangements are in care of Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, WV.

Larry Joe Weddington, 58, of Alum Creek died Tuesday, April 26, 2011,  from injuries sustained in single car auto accident at Yawkey.  He was a member of Pipefitters Local #625, former bass singer for the gospel group Genesis.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Emory Weddington and Nora Saul; brother, David “Bear” Weddington.

He is survived by: Son: Rusty (Missy) Weddington of Yawkey; Daughter: Merri (Matt) Pauley of South Charleston; Sister: Gail (Bill) Stamper of Sod; Step-sister: Nancy (Larry) Pauley of Sod; Step-brother: David (Diana) Saul of South Charleston; Sister-in-law: Norma Weddington of Alkol; and 5 Grandchildren: Emilee, Ashley, Caleb, Kassandra & Mattie

Funeral service will be held 2:00 pm Friday, April 29, 2011 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, with Pastor John Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey.  Family and friends will gather from 6 to 8 pm Thursday at the funeral home.

Charles Alford Simmons, 63, of Sod, passed away at home Monday, April 25, 2011.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek is assisting the family with arrangements.

Anna Mae Breedlove, 78, of Yawkey went home to the Lord Friday, April 22, 2011 at CAMC Memorial Hospital Charleston after a short illness.  She was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Nancy Tudor, step-mother Lilly Stone Tudor, sons Timmy and Bill and husband Jerry.

She is survived by:  Daughter: Pamela (Eugene) Hughes;  Sons: Merdith Jr. (Kathy), Robert (Sandy), Kevan (Samantha), Rick (Sherry), and Chuck (Sarah) Breedlove; 19 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 1:00 PM Tuesday April 26, 2011 at Curry Funeral Home 2097 Childress Road Alum Creek with Pastor Richard McCallister officiating. Burial will follow in Orchard Hill Memory Gardens Yawkey. Family and friends will gather from 6 to 8 pm Monday at the funeral home.

Arnold “A. J.” Manns 73 of Ashford went home to be with the Lord Tuesday April 19, 2011 at home after a short illness.  He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Eva Manns, daughter Terrie Manns, daughter-in-law Dreama Manns, grandson Michael Chandler, great grandson Marcus Manns, brothers Dallas, Billy and Ollie Manns and sister Violet Workman.

He was a retired construction worker and Army veteran.  A .J. was a very loving father of five children.  He is survived by; Tommy (Tera) Manns, Jerry Manns, Kathe (Michael) Kirk, Janie (Matt) Perdue, Anna (Jamie) Belcher and their mother Mary Payne all of Ashford, brother Clovis Manns, sisters Phyllis Tomblin , Sara Salyers and Nita Vance, grandchildren Adam Chandler, Thomas Manns, Christopher “Moose” Manns, Cora Pennington, Cody Kinder, Andrew Joseph Manns, Brandon Perdue, Jeremy Perdue, Lacie Manns, Trey Belcher, and Alexis Belcher, and great-grandchildren; Mikayla and Michael Chandler, and many friends and neighbors who he dearly loved.  A .J. enjoyed gardening, fishing and camping. He loved spending time with his family and friends.

Funeral service will be 1:00 pm Thursday April 21, 2011 at Curry Funeral Home 2097 Childress Road Alum Creek with Pastor Richard Harold officiating. Burial will be at Manns Knob Cemetery at Harts Creek. Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  In lieu of so many flowers, any donations may be sent to: 255 Baptist Lane, Ashford, WV 25009.

Wilma Lee Sowards, 79, of Charleston went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 16, 2011 after a long illness.  She was born on October 10, 1931, the daughter of the late Cebert and Amma Pauley of Brounland.

She is preceded in death by her son Donald “Donnie” Ray Sowards, Jr., grandson Zachary Alan Sowards, and sister Shelby McCormick.

She was a woman of faith and trusted in the Lord. She was also a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved to do what she could to care for others, that is what she lived for each day.  Wilma’s greatest love was for her family. Her pride was so evident in her smile when she spoke their name and her soft laugh when telling a story.

Wilma made you an immediate friend upon meeting her. She possessed a quick, shy smile with bright blue eyes shining for all to see. She was quiet, but you could see the kindness, love and acceptance in her heart. She loved deeply and without limits.  Wilma leaves behind a large, loving family which includes her loving and devoted husband of 60 wonderful years, Donald R. Sowards, Sr.; Son: Mark Sowards and wife, Jami; Granddaughter: Kyla Lanham and husband, Chris; Grandson: D.R. Sowards III; and 3 Great Granddaughters: Chloe LeAnn, Alara Shae Bailey, Heidi Nichole Sowards all of Sissonville; Sisters: Sister and also best friend, Wanda Gillispie and husband Harry of South Charleston; Donna Fizer and husband, Joe; Brother: Cebert “Jr.” Pauley and wife Dorinda, of South Charleston.  She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. Especially, one of her nephews, Jay Pauley, whom she thought of like one of her own sons.

Services will be on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at 1:00pm with visitation for family and friends one hour prior to the service at Curry Funeral Home Chapel, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, with Al Mendez officiating. Burial will be at Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston.  The family would like to give a special thanks to the Doctors and Staff at CAMC-General NSICU for all the care and love they showed during her illness.

Helen Maude Lewis, (Crick), 75, of Alum Creek went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 14, 2011, after a long illness.   Born May 11, 1935 to Arnold & Ester Midkiff. She was a homemaker, Mother, Grandmother & Great-Grandmother. She was a member of Independent Missionary Baptist Church of Alum Creek.

Preceding her in death along with her parents were three daughters, Robin, Sherry & Cherry, and brother Bill Midkiff.  Left to cherish her memory are her Husband: Bill; Sons: Kenny (Mona) Lewis, Tony Lewis; Grandchildren: Stephanie, Jessi, Jason, Erica & Heather; Great Grandchildren: Hannah, Haley, Kennah, Alleigh, Luke. Kennedy, Tyson and Daisy; Brothers: Jim & Jerry Midkiff;and  Sisters: Patsy Lowery and Mary Ann Maurer.

Services will be 3:00pm on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at Curry Funeral Home Chapel, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, WV, with Pastor Frank Chapman officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be two hours prior to the service on Sunday.  Burial will be at Forks of Coal Memorial Park at Alum Creek.   A special thanks to Dr. Lamb, Tracy and Kelly at the Greater Charleston Kidney Dialysis Center for all their care and the love they showed our mother during her illness.

Howard Tracy Clark, 46, of Alum Creek passed away Tuesday April 12, 2011 at home.  He was a field technician for Verizon Wireless.

He is survived by his daughter: Sierra Clark and her mother, Stacy; Parents: Howard and Portlee Clark; Sister: Evelyn Clark; Nieces: Mandy and Lisa Moore and many other friends and family.  A celebration of Tracy’s life will be 2:00 pm Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Pastor Frank Chapman officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Tracy was a true family man and the best friend someone could ask for. His daughter was the love of his life and the light in his eyes. Tracy had a love for the outdoors, as an avid fisherman and hunter – he shared his passions with those he loved. He brought so much joy to the people’s lives that were blessed enough to know him. On an average day, Tracy always made it a point to chat with his best friend – his sister, Evelyn; watch westerns with his best buddy – his dad, Howard; and never forgot to tell his favorite woman – his mother, Portee, that he loved her. Tracy brought laughter to this world and the memories he made with loved ones will last in their hearts forever.

His daughter “Sierra Clark” said, “this seems like a bad dream, I pinch myself but I can’t snap out of it.” “This summer is going to be different with him out of my life.” “We used to do everything together.”

Carmel Eugene Dunlap, 52, of Alum Creek departed from this Earth Thursday April 7, 2011 at home.  He was born September 13, 1958 to Janice “Midge” Settle and the late James G. Dunlap.  Carmel was a retired steel worker and a Veteren of the U.S. Army , a loving Father, Pa-paw, Son, and Friend.  Left to cherish his memory is his loving Mother: Janice “Midge” Settle of Yawkey; Daughter: Michelle and Son in law Travis Price; 2 precious granddaughters Hannah & Hayden; Brother: James Dunlap; Sister: Kristi and brother-in-law Travis Long and lifelong devoted friend Kitty Dunlap :2 Nieces Kirsten And Katie :1 Nephew Shannon and many friends.

A celebration of his life will be held 2:00 PM Monday April 11, 2011 at Curry Funeral Home 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Pastor Frank Chapman officiating Burial with military rites will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery at McCorkle.  Family and Friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers family request contributions be made toward funeral expenses.

Bobby Lee Adkins, 78, of Ashford went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 11, 2011 at CAMC Memorial Hospital after a long battle with black lung disease.  He was a longtime member of the Rumble Community Baptist Church in Ashford. There he previously served as Deacon, Sunday school superintendent and choir leader. He also sang with the Rumble Four gospel group and later, played bass and sang for the Bobby Adkins Family, which he founded.

A longtime UMWA member, Bobby retired from Omar Mining in Uneeda in 1988 to spend more time with his grandchildren. Bobby also was a U.S. Army Veteran, stationed in Alaska during the Koean War. He was a member of the Ashford-Rumble Lions Club.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Nellie Adkins-Lutsy; stepmother, Patsy Lutsy and sister, Brenda Lutsy.

Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Evelyn; daughter, Tammy (Richard) Harold, of Ashford; son, David (Jane) Lovejoy of Chapmanville; grandson, Zack (Whitney) Harold of Ashford; granddaughter, Genna Harold of Ashford, granddaughter Cindi (Ron) Poe and daughter, Hanna Filipek of Marion, VA.  He is also survived by his brother, Lowell “Bo” Adkins of Ashford; brother, David (Christy) Lutsy, and daughter, Madison, also of Ashford; sister, Elizabeth (Glenn)Peters of Winifred; and his beloved granddog, Jack; as well as many friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, April 13, 2011 at Rumble Community Baptist Church with Pastor Richard Harold and the Rev. Charles Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Rumble Heights Cemetery, Rumble, WV. Family and Friends may call at Rumble Community Baptist Church between 6 and 8 pm Wednesday at the church.