” See, now is a time for courage. I guess you already know that there are angels masquerading as people walking around this planet and your mom was the bravest one of those.”

Melondy Kay Holtsclaw, 57, of Charleston, WV, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, March 21, 2020 after battling numerous illnesses.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles Holtsclaw, III and Richard Holtsclaw; mother, Esta Jane Holovic; grandparents, Gray and Nettie McCartney and Charles Sr. and Opal Holtsclaw; nephew, Joshua Holtsclaw; and sisters-in-law, Bonnette Hinton and Terri Knapp-Roush.

Melondy is survived by her children, Greg Holstein and Paula Kay Mooney; granddaughter, Anya Jane; father, Charles Holtsclaw; brother, Mark (Kristen) Holtsclaw; nephews, Aaron Holtsclaw, Casey Holtsclaw, and Cody (Beth) Holtsclaw; nieces, Christi Johnson, Kylie Holtsclaw, and Addison Holtsclaw; along with numerous great nephews, great nieces, and friends.

Melondy was a 1981 graduate of George Washington High School, where she participated in the band program. She worked for some time at the South Charleston Public Library as well as, at Capitol Mini Storage.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you wear pink, as it was her favorite color and find time to make a positive difference in someone else’s life.

“Codladh Samh”

Eugene “Goober” Adkins, born May 11, 1953 went to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at home at the age of 66.

He retired from the Lincoln County Board of Education and was also a sawmill worker.  Eugene was a member of the Mud River VFD for over 20 years and was also a member of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Spurlockville. 

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Lissie and Allia Richmond Adkins; sister, Elizabeth Adkins, Barbara O’Connor and Dottie Satterfield; brothers, Jackie and Jimmy Adkins; and son, George Gillman.

Eugene will be missed by all that knew him.  He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Janet Lynn; daughter, Maria (Thomas) Bailey; sister, Linda Layman; 2 grandchildren and Lisa Michelle Johnson, who was like a granddaughter; special family Herbie and Tammy Morgan, Roger and Vicky Richmond and their family, Frances Carnes; special friends that are like family, John Lovejoy and all the members of the Mud River VFD, Kenneth and Shirley Bailey and family, Vermal Cooper, Cecil Hager, David Johnson and all the members of the New Bethel Baptist Church.

Due to the Coronavirus a graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Miller Cemetery in Sweetland with Pastor Jeff Black officiating and honors conducted by the Mud River VFD. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions for funeral service.

Sidney Leon Adkins, 57, of Hamlin, WV, went home Monday, March 16, 2020.

Leon was a simple, humble man who gave more to others than he had.  He worked for many years as a handyman and could fix anything.  Leon also worked as a fuel truckdriver.  He loved to hunt, fish, and work around the house.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Garrett Leroy and Helen Louise Adkins; and brother, Hersey Mike Adkins.

Leon is survived by his wife of 31 years, Pauline; children, Melissa (Ralph) Hager, Allie (Tommy) Taylor, Michelle (David) Howell and Sidney Belcher; grandchildren, Megan (Cody), Brandon, Emily, Lauren, Alex, Jacob, Rylee and KayLynn; great grandchildren, Dakota and Gavin; brother, Rodney (Norma) Adkins; sisters, Connie (Ronnie) Stollings, Kristen Kirby and Amy Woodrum; many nieces and nephews and special friend, Ralph Hager, Sr.

Service will be 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service

Sharon Alice Oldaker, 62, of Alum Creek, WV, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2020 after a long illness.  She was born on July 19, 1957 in Charleston, WV to the late Garnith and Margaret Hughes.

She was a 1975 graduate of Duval High School.  She was a former employee of the State of West Virginia for over 20 years.

Sherrie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt.   She was so very proud of her son, Robbie and her daughter Emily.  “Mamaw Sherrie” cherished her grandchildren and loved them with all her heart.  Her happiest years were spent with them.

She was preceded in death by special nephew Eric Hughes.

Sherrie is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Jim; son, Robert; daughter, Emily (Josh) Brumfield; beloved grandchildren, J. D., Sophia, and Mason Brumfield; sisters, Susan Hughes, Teresa Hudson, Tammy Woodall, and Rosalyn Anderson; brothers, Rick and Scott Hughes; several nieces and nephews whom she adored, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins; special cousin Doug Legg, and lifelong friends Bonnie Clark and Donna Holley.

Service will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastor Dan McCormick officiating.  Burial will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey.   The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.         

Sherrie helped us all be the best version of ourselves.  She was an Angel on Earth.  She is the good in all of us.  Our hearts are broken, but we are blessed beyond measure to have her in our hearts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Kathy Jean Stone, 57, of Morrisvale, WV, went to be with the Lord Thursday, March 12, 2020 at home.

She was a member of Cobbs Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Sod.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Essie Mallory; sister Linda Sue Walls; brothers Ike, Clifford, and Stevie Mallory; and niece Traci Walls.

She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Steve; daughters, Jessica and Mallory Stone; sisters, Brenda Walker (Calvin) Bowen, Virginia (Ronald) Collins, and Edna Arias;  grandchildren, Emma, Braylee, Braylon and Elliott; step-son Denny (Jamie) Stone; step-grandchildren, Marlee, Landon, and Roman; special brother-in-law, Ronnie (Rose) Walls; and nephew, Michael Walls who was like a brother.

Service will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 16, at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastor Darrell Searls officiating.  Burial will follow at the Miller-Mallory Family Cemetery, Alkol.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Donald Ernest “Donnie” Steele, 84 of Alum Creek, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at home surrounded by family.

Donnie was a Christian and a longtime employee of Griffins Pie and Spring Hill Donut House.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Effie Holstein Steele, wife, Peggy and his sisters; Velma “Nan” Staats, Linda Paul, and Eileen Shaffer.He is survived by three daughters; Joyce Ann Steele of South Charleston, Betty Kay Stanley of Sutton, and Donna (Ronnie) Kulkarni of St. Albans; brother, Stanley (Carol) Steele of Delaware; 8 grandchildren, Christopher, Travis and Donald Smith, Markita Foster, Andrew and Benjamin Stanley, and Mark and Michael Kulkarni; 4 great grandchildren, Atticus Chapman, Christian and Alazander Smith and Madelyn Foster.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM Friday March 13, 2020 at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastors Chris VanNatter and Dwight McClure.  Burial will be in Gillispie Cemetery, Alum Creek.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice Care, 1606 Kanawha Blvd West. Charleston, WV 25387.

Brenda Gail Adkins, 71, of Alkol, WV, born on May 11, 1948 to the late Frank and Hazel Adkins, departed this life on Monday, March 9, 2020 at the Lincoln Nursing Rehabilitation Center in Hamlin, WV.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend. 

Brenda was preceded in death by her first husband, Earl Smith, Jr.; father and mother, Frank and Hazel Adkins; and brother, Delain Adkins.

She is survived by her sons, Bryant (Tammy) Smith and Kevin (Carol) Smith; grandchildren, Savannah Smith, Brady Smith, Brittany Smith, Zach Dingess, and Kobe Smith; brothers, Charles (Linda) Adkins and Dwight Adkins; husband, Bruce Adkins; and a host of nephews, nieces, and friends.

Service will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastor K. D. Bragg officiating.  Burial will follow at Bear Branch Cemetery, Spurlockville.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

The family would like to express a special thanks to the staff at Lincoln Nursing Rehabilitation Center for their excellent care and love shown to Brenda and our family during her stay.                                                                                 

Rev. Eldon N. “J.R.” Fitzwater, 96, of Alum Creek, WV, a soldier of the cross has traded his armor for a new body on Saturday, March 7, 2020, at home surrounded by his family.  He truly was a servant of God and a Bible scholar.  He preached and pastored for over 60 years and was the founder of Faith Baptist Church in Jefferson and pastored there for over 40 years.

One could say he was like the Prodigal Son in the Bible because as a young man he left home and went to a faraway country where he squandered his wealth and time for a period, but returned home to his family and soon met and married the love of his life, Ella Rae.  Soon after they were married he got saved and went into the ministry and once made the comment, “he stopped running from God and started running with God.”

Those that knew him affectionately called him, “the Gadget Man” because he loved anything new in the technology world and would have to purchase it.  He was quite remarkable in that he was building computers in his 90’s and working 3 days a week up to about a year and one-half ago.  He loved WVU sports and would listen to the games with both the TV and radio blaring.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ella Rae, son, Rev. Michael Fitzwater and parents, Rev. Eldon & Katie Backus Fitzwater and several siblings.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Nancy (Joe) Taylor, Janet (Dennis) Dunlap, Jackie (Mark) Lanham and Mary Fitzwater; 10 grandchildren, Rob (Denise) Dunlap, Angela (Bob) Pritchett, BJ (Kris) Taylor, Jay (Sarah) Dunlap, Anita (Dave) Sturgill, Chaplain Matt (Alex) Lanham, Katie Fitzwater, Allison (Derek), Wesley and Shae; 9 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandson.  He is also survived by two brothers, William and Tom Fitzwater, sister, Audrey Meickles and daughter-in-law, Chaplain Phyllis Fitzwater.

Service will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek. Entombment will follow at Graceland Memorial Park Mausoleum, South Charleston.  Family and friends will gather from 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Special thanks to Lisa Queen, NP, and the Hospice nurses and staff.  Loving thanks to Barret & Diane McDonald, and Nova Rubber Co., and also to Sissy Kirk Pauley who helped care for our father.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., W., Charleston, WV 25387-2536.

Vallie Lea Cobb, 79, of Yawkey, WV,  went home to be with her Savior on Thursday, March 5, 2020

She was a member of the McCorkle Freewill Baptist Church and also attended Emmons Freewill Baptist Church.

Vallie is preceded in death by her father, Onal Miller; mother, Dorothy Hughes; brother, Bernard Miller; sisters, Dean McCallister, Sadie Miller and Arbutus Clark; and son, Paul McCallister.

She is survived by her husband Ross (Sam) Cobb; children, Charles McCallister (Amy), Angel Chinn (Steve), Sandie Davidson (Jimmy), Sarah Breedlove (Chuck), Robert McCallister (Rita), Kerry McCallister (Darlene), step-children, Bo Cobb (Kim) and Brenda Kidd; brother, Johnny Long; daughter-in-law, Meghan; 25 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey, with son and Pastor Robert McCallister officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston, WV  25387.

Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, WV, has been caring for families since 1950.

William Joseph “Joe” Estep, 73, of Griffithsville, WV, went to his heavenly home Thursday, March 5, 2020.

Joe was a 1965 graduate of Guyan Valley High School and served in the U. S. Navy from 1965-1970.  He worked as a Chief Train Dispatcher with CSX Corp., and was a member of the Yawkey Methodist Church where he taught Bible Class.  Joe Loved to garden and spend time outdoors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Thomas and Flo Eloise Bailey Estep, and sister Sue Smith.

Joe is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Yvonna; daughters, Britt (Patrick) Woodrum of Yawkey, WV, Dru (Robert) Bailey of Frenandina Beach, FL, and Cecily Cox of Macclenny, FL; son, Reese Estep of Glen St. Mary, FL; eight grandchildren, Kirk Woodrum, Waylon (Selena) Alford, Clova (Eric) Fitzhugh, Jeslyn Estep, Jillian Cox, Isaac Estep, Melanie Dickson and Luke Dickson; two great grandchildren, Clayton Alford and Marshall Walker, and one on the way; and sisters, Linda Scruggs of Griffithsville, and Dora Lee Preston of East Lynn, WV. 

Service will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, with Pastor Butch Loftis officiating.  Burial will follow at Sansom Cemetery in Griffithsville.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.