Rev. Ezra  Harold  Graley, Jr.,  83, of St. Albans, born May 6, 1929, son of Ezra and Sadie (Elshire) Graley, went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, December 29, 2012, at CAMC-Memorial Division after a long illness.

He served in the U.S. Army from May 1951 until September 1953.  Pastored for 50 years, serving at Summit Ridge Church of God, Amandaville and Lincoln Drive Church of God.  He was the owner of Graley Roofing for 35 years,

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Iwana Marie Graley, brother, William (Carol) Graley, Sister, Jenny Brown and Phyllis (George) Kinzer; sons, Michael (Connie) Graley, Greg (Joy) Graley and Tim (Beverly) Graley; grandchildren, Aaron, Josh, Britni, Joel, Alexander, Bryce, Ashton, Elysa, RuthAnn; great grandchildren, Kailey, Kaegan, Colton, Brennan, Haley, Kaeden, Richae, and Shai; and stepchildren, Nancy (John) James, Janet (Steve) Samples, and Don Hill; stepgrandchildren, Shawn (Jodi) Peterson, Brad Peterson, Stephen Peterson, Hannah Pettit, Jody Fisher, Jonathan Fisher,  Jeremy Fisher and Rachel Samples; step great grandchildren, Savannah, Star, Maryssa, Lyanna, Tanner, Koen, Cameron, Sophia, Landon, Lync and Layton.

Ezra loved the Lord, his country and his family.  He witnessed to people every day no matter where he was.  He loved to help people.  He fought a good fight especially since September.  He was in CAMC, OSU and St. Mary’s and CAMC where he passed away December 29, 2012.  Thank you to all the doctors and nurses that were so kind to him.

Services will be 12:00 noon on Wednesday, January 2, 2013, at Curry Funeral Home Chapel, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, WV, with Pastor Jackie Miller officiating.  Burial will follow at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Dunbar,  with military rites.

Visitation will be from 6:00 –  8:00pm on Tuesday, January 1^st at the funeral home.

Mildred K. Adkins

After another wonderful Christmas together, heaven gained another angel.  On Thursday, December 27, 2012 Mildred K. Adkins, 92, of Alkol, formerly of Yawkey, peacefully passed to her heavenly home while surrounded by family at the home of her daughter.

She was born April 13, 1920 and was loved and cherished by family and many friends; was a longtime employee of Lincoln County Schools, where she worked as a cook and  was a member of Bear Branch Church of Christ.

Mildred was preceded in death by her mother and father, Mary and Willard Miller; sisters, Opal Thurmond (Stilson), Betty Egnor (Junior), and Anna Gae Harless; brothers, Don Miller (Shirley), Dorsey Miller (Jewel), and Billy Miller.

She is survived by her three children, Glen “Wayne” Adkins of Alkol, Kay Adkins-Graley of Sumerco and Robert “Bob” Adkins (Portia) of Alum Creek.  “Momaw Mill” left behind eight grandchildren, Rod, Anthony, Kenneth, John and Glenda Adkins, Tara Graley-Riley, Amanda Graley-Elkins and Heather Pauley; eleven great grandchildren, Devon, Derek, Savannah, Heather, Natausha, Austin, Eric, Ashtyn, Brady, Kiara and Katie and three great great grandchildren, Kentlee, Nathan and Allie.  She was a very special aunt to many nieces and nephews.  Our precious angel will be dearly missed by so many.

Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Sunday, December 30, 2012 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Pastor Oshel Bell officiating.  Burial will follow in Bear Branch Cemetery.  Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank everyone at Dignity Hospice for all of their care and compassion.

Willetta Ruth Spresser (Stowers) of Griffithsville, West Virginia, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 26, 2012, at the age of 87.

Willetta was born on May 15, 1925, the youngest of the eight children of Andrew Stowers and Mattie Stowers (Richardson). Willetta graduated from Duval High School in Griffithsville and was so proud that she shared her alma mater with Chuck Yeager who graduated ahead of her. When WWII broke out, she trained as a draftswoman where she honed her design skills. Willetta married Paul Spresser and had three children, Paul, Jeanne and Susan, whom she raised in Toledo, Ohio, where Paul worked as a top engineer for Owens-Illinois Glass Factory. In 1971, Willetta moved to Phoenix, Arizona where she developed a successful career as a kitchen designer and became the sole proprietor of a kitchen and bath company. She was an amazing artist, designing beautiful kitchens for many high-end homes in the Phoenix area, and running her own business for 20 years before returning to her home in Griffithsville where she helped care for her two aging sisters. She was also proud to have been instrumental in getting a proper bridge built connecting Stowers Road to Highway 3 after she returned, and for helping organize a fundraiser to put in a community walking track behind Duval school.

Willetta attended the Alum Creek Church of Christ along with her sister, Alberta Stowers, who preceded her in death as did her other siblings, Helen Fennel, Opal Plott, Vena Gartin, Herman Stowers, Harold Stowers, and Ronald Stowers.

Willetta is survived by her three children, Paul “Tim” Spresser, Jeanne Kyle, and Susan Miller; thirteen grandchildren, Mary, Jacynth, Leila, Joy, Deborah, Timothy, Steven, Jonathan, Lara, Timothy, Sarah, Amorette, and Brendan; and by ten great grandchildren. Her family is spread out around the country and around the world, living in California, New Mexico, Washington, Texas, as well as France and England. Willetta’s homestead in Griffithsville will be maintained by her daughter, Jeanne.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Hospice and all the staff at Cedar Ridge Center where she received the kindest, most compassionate and attentive care for the last two years. With the geographical obstacles, it was a great comfort to know she was so lovingly cared for. Also heartfelt thanks to Victoria Hudson for the many years of faithful work she did for Willetta and the numerous times she went far beyond the call of duty to look after and care for Willetta when she was in need. Also, many thanks to Landin Harper and his family for caring for Willetta’s homestead in our absence – it is an enormous comfort to have him there.

A graveside service will be held at Powell Cemetery Hamlin, weather permitting, at noon on Monday December 31st, where Willetta will be buried next to her parents and siblings.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please only send cards to 66 Stowers Road, Griffithsville, WV 25521 or make a donation to http://strikedebt.org/ a charitable organization that helps people who otherwise would lose their homes due to hard times and missing mortgage payments.

Lauren Elizabeth Swann, 13, of Charleston went home to be with Jesus Sunday, December 23, 2012  at Cabell Huntington Hospital ER.

She was a member of Ivydale Baptist Church, where she was saved and baptized, and was an 8^th grade student at South Charleston Middle School.    Lauren was known for her long dark hair, her big blue eyes, and a very caring and giving spirit which was demonstrated by her last act of being an organ donor.

She is survived by her family, whom she dearly loved, Mother and stepfather, Kelly and Bobby Barron; father and stepmother, Jeff and Chrisse Swann; brothers, Landon and Bryson Swann; stepsister and brother, Jasmine and Jacob Bartholomew; grandparents, Delbert and Paulette Huffman, John and Sharon Barron, Greg and Marci Swann and Ronnie and Carol Robinson; great grandparents, Paul and Doris Hudson, Elizabeth “Libby” Huffman and Lewis and Nancy Swann; uncles and aunts, Tony (Johna) Huffman, Scott (Missy) Swann, Chris (Jamie) Swann, Josh (Cara) Swann, John (Alice) Barron, Sondi (Brad) Sutton, Nicky Hutchinson and Sarah Goheen.  Honorary Uncle Al James; cousins Luke and Olivia Huffman, Ty and Hailey Swann, Jacob Barron and Ashly Hardin; and special friend, Hailey Lemon.

Service will be 1:00 pm Friday, December 28, 2012 at Oakwood Baptist Church, 855 Oakwood Road, Charleston, with Pastor Basil Hudson officiating.  Burial will follow in French Cemetery on Berry Hills Drive in Charleston.  Family and Friends will gather from 6 to 8 pm Thursday evening at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Lauren Swann Memorial Fund, c/o Ivydale Baptist Church, 1859 Middle Fork Drive, Charleston, WV 25314.

Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek is assisting the family with arrangements.

Albert Ross Clark of St. Albans, West Virginia peacefully completed his journey Home on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012.  He was eighty nine years young.

Albert was born on New Year’s Day in 1923 in Princeton, West Virginia.  He was the third child of Emma Ruth Harvey Clark and Albert Ross Clark, Sr.  Albert graduated from Hinton High School in 1941.  He served with the United States Navy during World War II.  He retired from Union Carbide in Institute, West Virginia (Dow Chemical), in 1986. Albert was an artist working in wood, oil painting, glass painting and pen and ink.

Albert was a dedicated member of Highlawn Baptist Church in St. Albans, West Virginia.  Albert served on various committees at Highlawn.  There are numerous memories that will live on in Highlawn Baptist Church in the form of stained glass and building work that Albert created for the church.

Albert was preceded in death by his parents, Emma and Albert Clark Sr.  He was also preceded in death by four siblings, Mary Helen Clark, Frances Clark Horst, Thomas Nathan Clark, and the Rev. Harvey Clark.

Albert is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Perry Clark.  Albert is survived by sister Geraldine Beshears (Charles) and brother, Ralph Fulton Clark (Jane). He is survived by daughters, Reba Clark Denzie (John) and Ellen Clark (Richard Williams).  Also surviving are five grandchildren:  Vanessa Adkins (Frank), Meghan Quillen, Audrey Ray (Greg), Robert Denzie and Olivia Denzie.   Whitney Jade Smith and Richard Adkins are surviving great grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the staff on 4- West at Charleston Memorial Hospital.  Their kind, compassionate care during the last days of Albert’s life will always be remembered.

Services will be held at Highlawn Baptist Church in St. Albans, WV on December 29, 2012, at 1 p.m., with Pastor Mark Stauffer officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.   Burial will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans, WV.

The family requests that family and friends make donations to the charity of their choice in lieu of flowers.

Our little angel, Destiny Faith Smith, 9, of Sumerco went home to be with Jesus, her sister and her daddy on Thursday, December 20, 2012.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Smith; her sister, Sidney; grandparents, Dewey and Geneva Smith grandfathers, Sidney Junior Allen and Allen Hill.

She is survived by her mother, Rita; brothers and sisters Matt Smith of Sumerco, Chrissy Smith (Colin Jelacic) of Charleston; Shawn of Sumerco, Ashley of Alkol; Ming of Kentucky; Roy and Justin both of Charleston; Walter, Kimberly, Timothy, Karen, Kristina, Dakota, Joseph, Jeremy, Christian, Alex, Yana, Anna, Emily, Teaghan, Tyler, Isaiah and infant sister Lindsay all at home; one niece, Olivia Jelacic.

Service will be 3:00 pm Sunday, December 23, 2012 at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Minister John M. Gillenwater, II officiating.  Burial will follow in Midkiff Cemetery, Sumerco.   Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made toward the funeral services at Curry Funeral Home.

Teresa Lynn Wentz, 45, of Brounland died Monday, December 10, 2012 at home.

She was preceded in death by her father, C. J. Wentz and brother, Jeffrey Wentz.

She is survived by her daughter, Jessica Lynn Wentz; mother, Arlene Larck; brothers, C. A. (Amy) Wentz and Roger (Amber) Larck; her grandson, Austin Lambert, who was the light of her life; nieces Kelsey and Madeline Larck and Abby Wentz.

Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Pastor Michael Graley officiating.  Burial will follow in Holstein Cemetery, Dartmont, WV.   Friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions toward the funeral service at Curry Funeral Home, PO Box 9, Alum Creek, WV 25003.

Edward Richard  Lincoln, Sr., 83, of Brounland Road, Alum Creek, now at rest in the loving arms of the Lord. He passed Saturday December 8, 2012 after a long illness at Valley Center’s Transitional Care Unit South Charleston after a long illness.

He attended Stonewall Jackson High School and Morris Harvey College; he served in the U. S. Army Air Corp / Air Force for more than 22 years.  He also retired from Sears after 19 years in sales.

He was the son of the late, William and Elizabeth Evans Lincoln. He was also preceded in death by his dear sister, Carol Clark.  Ed loved hunting and often hunted with his friend Carl Adams in Ripley on Carl’s property.  Ed, Carl, and Eldon Jones, also of Ripley, had some big conversations.  His neighbor and friend, Jackie Blankenship, were very close ….’there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother,”  Proverbs 18:24.  Jackie is special to all the family”.

Ed loved God, his family, and his country.  He enjoyed family and church activities, camping, traveling, photography, and yardwork.  He enjoyed shooting and reloading.  He was a member of the NRA and the Putnam County Shooting Range.

A member of the Alum Creek Church of Christ for 29 years and  loved reading his Bible.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and Christian.  He loved the church and prayed for his brothers and sisters in Christ daily.  His kind, affectionate, and grateful spirit will be missed by all those who loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Hazel McKinney Lincoln, and he raised eight children, Tarah Jones and husband, Tony, Eric Stringer, Rhonda O’Daniels and husband, Roger, Susan Lincoln Dempsey and husband, Stephen, V. Lorraine DeLeon and  husband, Larry, Carrie Ann Newman and husband, Kent, Edward Lincoln, Jr., and wife, Joyce,  Beth Kingery  and husband, Alan; brother, Frank Lincoln and sister-in-law Phyllis,  and sister, Mary Lincoln Beam and husband, Joe; grandchildren, Ceciliah Haizel, Chloe, Josh, Robert Pierce, Brandy, Shane, Bronson, Carrie, Chris Edward, Elizabeth, Christian, Courtney, Derek, Lauren, Alex, Matthew and Sarah; great grandchildren, Anna, Emma, Thomas, Aurora, Heath Allen, Alaina, Keyan, Kieran, Deacon, Harrison and Alexandra.  He is survived by many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Ed’s Doctors Loren and Scott Smith, Mali Kayi, Julio Espiritu, Manual Franco, Marciano Lee and Jason Tackett.  They also want to thank Valley Center TCU’s staff for their care.

Ed especially appreciated Albert’s humor and tender care.

Many thanks to Curry Funeral Home.  The staff served with excellent care and concern for the family.

Funeral service will be 9:00 AM Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at the Alum Creek Church of Christ with Ministers Joseph Watts and Richard Runyan officiating.  Nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Burial with military graveside honors will follow in the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Dunbar, WV.  Friends will gather from 6 to 8 pm Tuesday at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, WV.

Thomas Eujean Evans-Clifford was stillborn on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

He was the infant son of Thelma Jean Evans and Mark David Clifford; maternal grandmother, Betty Javins; maternal grandfather, Leonard Evans and wife, Patricia; paternal grandparents, Fred and Donna Clifford; aunt and uncle Pearl and Ben Noble.

Memorial service will be 1:00 pm Friday, December 7^th at Rumble Community Baptist Church with Pasor John Harden officiating.

Friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the church.

Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek is assistiing the family with arrangements.

Gary Lee DeBord, 49, of Alum Creek passed away Tuesday December 4, 2012 at home.

He was a coal truck driver for Alpha Natural Resources  Black Castle Mine.  He was also a Sargent 1^st Class serving in the U.S. Army Reserves for the last 29 years, he had also served in Iraq for a period during that time.

He is survived by his loving family,  parents, Gene and Yvonne DeBord of Alum Creek; son, Justin Debord;  sister, Paula (Greg) Meikle of Alum Creek; favorite nephew and niece, David and Julie Meikle, whom he loved with all his heart and many cousins.

Gary was a loving son, brother and father.  He loved his family and was loved by all who knew him.  He touched many lives with his kindness, always having a smile for everyone.  Those who knew Gary will remember him as a proud soldier during the war on Iraq.   He was a pitch-in helper wherever he was needed, and a generous hugger who loved spending time with his family and friends.

A tribute to Gary’s life will be 2:00 pm Saturday, December 8, 2012 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Pastor James McQuerrey officiating.  Burial will follow in Graceland Memorial Park South Charleston .  Friends will gather from 6 to 8 pm Friday and also one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.