Hollis Darrell Searls, 89, of Woodville, WV, born April 9, 1934, went to be with the Lord with his family by his side at his home on Friday, June 30, 2023.

His sense of humor never met a stranger and he opened his home to anyone who might need a place to sleep or a bite to eat.

Hollis retired from tree & lawn service. He was a member of Sycamore Grove Missionary Baptist Church since 1976. He also served his country in the United States Army.

Hollis was preceded in death by his wife, Rosetta Gail Searls; stepchildren, Tommy Hammock & Debbie Evans; and parents, Virgil & Flossie Nelson Searls.

He is survived by his three sons, Darrell (Patricia) Searls of Julian, Steven (Drema) Searls of Sardis, OH, Dee (Laura) Searls of Alkol; two daughters, Belinda Adkins of Yawkey and Rena (Michael) Kirby of Woodville; stepdaughter, Gertie Treadway of Lester; friend, Midge Massey; sisters, Janive Trolio and Donnie Ray; brothers, Lester & Virgil Searls; grandchildren, Alicia Ann (James) Lambert of Julian, Bridget (Justin) Chafin of Danville, Christina (Chris) Terry of Winfield, Ashley Searls of Sardis, OH, Stephanie (Brandon) Harris of New Martinsville, Josh (Erin) Searls of New Jersey, Natasha (David) Sorongon of Woodville, Matthew (Katie) Searls of Alkol, Samantha (Jackie) Asbury of Alkol, Emily Adkins of Yawkey, Amanda Breeden of Woodville, Meranda (Josh) Green of Logan; step grandchildren, Nicholas Treadway of Lester, Bobby (Rebecca) Treadway & David (Shannon) Treadway both of Eccles, Annagail (Shawn) Goff of Lester; several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Service will be 3:00 p.m., Sunday July 2, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home with Evangelist Roger McCallister and Pastor Darrell Searls officiating. Burial with Military graveside rites will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey. Friends and family will gather 2 hours prior to the service at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank Kanawha Hospice for their wonderful care.

Harlan Russell Roberts, 68, of Griffithsville, WV, went to be with the Lord Saturday, on June 24, 2023, with his family by his side at St. Mary’s Hospital, Huntington, WV. He is preceded in death by his parents, James “Tuck” & June Barrett Roberts and infant brother, James Harry Roberts.

He was formerly employed as an oil field worker for Pennzoil Company, Yawkey, and pastored in several area churches and currently attended Forks of Coal Missionary Baptist Church, Alum Creek, WV. He was a 1973 graduate of Duval High School and was a member of Griffithsville Masonic Lodge #71, Scottish Rite, Charleston, and Teamsters Local 175. Harlan also worked as an EMT and was a member of Duval Volunteer Fire Department.

Harlan is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mitzi, daughter, Jenny Lea Lawrence, sister, Cleta (Bill) Gillenwater, and a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Forks of Coal Missionary Baptist Church, Alum Creek, with Pastor Keith George and Minister Kim Matthews officiating. Burial will follow at the Miller Cemetery, Sweetland, with Masonic Graveside Rites.

Family & friends will gather at the church two hours prior to the service.

Ralph E. Lee, 75, of Sod went to be with the Lord Thursday, June 22, 2023, at CAMC Hospice.

Ralph was a 1965 graduate of Duval High School. He was a boiler maker & retired from the United States Postal Service. He officiated high school football games in the Kanawha Valley for 15 years. He was a member of Elizabeth Baptist Church. Ralph served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and was also a member of Griffithsville Masonic Lodge No. 71 & Hamlin American Legion No. 111.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil & Shella Bird Lee; and brother-in-law, Robert Ruby.

Ralph is survived by his son, David Lee (Carrie) of Culloden; grandchildren, Tyler & Elizabeth Grace Lee; sister, Helen Ruby of Garretts Bend; nephews, Steve (Chelsea) Ruby & Mark Ruby; great nephews, Robert & Thomas Ruby; and great niece, Caroline Ruby.

Service will be 1:00pm, Monday, June 26, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastors Richard Ruby and Homer Hensley officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey. Friends and family will gather 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Denver Rex “Buck” McCallister, 68, of Sod, WV, suddenly left this world for his heavenly home on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents Denver Guy and Inis Thelma Dragoo McCallister; sisters Thelma, Maxine, Nelly, Erma “Pondy” and Mary.

He is survived by his wife, the love of his life, of 46 years Lois Gail Pauley McCallister, daughter Holly (Frank) Hitt, grandchildren Elena, Fin and Emelia; sisters Sylvia Bird and Sue (Butch) Griffith; brothers Junior “Buddy” McCallister and Billy (Linda) McCallister. Buck had a host of nieces and nephews whom he also loved dearly.

Buck was a member of the Painters Local 970 from 1973 until he retired in 2018. Buck lived his life to serve others. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. He had the greatest sense of humor and was a quick wit. His smile and laughter would light up a room. Buck had a work ethic that was rare these days. He worked hard to help provide for his family. He loved them unconditionally and made sure they had everything they needed. Family was important to Buck and he always made time for family.

Gail was Buck’s most cherished love. The pair were true soulmates and inseparable. Where you saw Buck, you were sure to find his Lois close by. He was her rock and made her dreams, her reality. Buck adored his daughter Holly. She was his “Daddy’s Girl.” He loved her like no other and spent his life raising her to also serve others and love family by his example.

His pride and joy were his grandchildren. Buck adored his Princess Elena, Huckleberry Fin and Emelia his baby. He took many adventures with Gail, Holly and his precious grandchildren. From hayrides to picnics, roping and riding and even driving, he taught them not only the importance of life’s lessons but the importance of family. He built a lifetime of memories in each of their young lives.

Buck was a man of few words but if ever there was a time to say goodbye he would say, “If I ain’t here I’ll be somewhere else and when I get to heaven look for me on the country road.”

Private Graveside Service will be Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Lively Cemetery, Sod, WV, with Minister Kim Matthews officiating.

Arwanda “Wanda” Fay Miller Quinn, 77, of Collins, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at CAMC Memorial Hospital.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Reynolds Quinn; son, Larry Patrick Quinn; grandson, Nickolas Quinn; sisters & brothers, Vennie Holsten, Shirley Dunlap, Larry Miller, Elize Miller, and Lila Miller; and nephew, Johnnie Thompson.

She is survived by sons, Jay (Lisa) Quinn, Larry Myers (Lisa Kinnunen); grandchildren, Jessica Quinn-Nico, Devin Quinn, Amanda (Kyle) Marquis and Kayleigh (Jade) ; great grandchildren, Brandley, Allysia, Elijah, Isaiah, Jesslynn, Noah, Keith, Blaike, Brady, Allyanna, Knox, Jaleigh, and Cleo all of Missouri; nephew, with whom she resided, Ronnie (Gail) Thompson of Sod, WV; nieces, Dottie (Lonnie) Dunlap of Sod, WV and Ladybug Terri Dunlap Jenkins of NC; sister, Phyllis Dunlap; brother, Bill (Dorie) Miller; several other nieces and nephews; special friends, Evelyn Ball of WV and Vicky Ashton of MO; and her fur baby, Lily Ann Quinn.

Keeping with Wanda’s wishes, she will be cremated and there are no services scheduled.

GENEVA LOVEJOY BALDWIN, 86, a native of Mud River in Lincoln County, West Virginia, and formerly of Ashford, West Virginia, went to be with the Lord on June 12, 2023, at Hospice House in Savannah, Georgia, after a long illness. She did not succumb to cancer after several battles and was cancer free at her death. Complications from Covid ultimately caused her decline.

Geneva was the daughter of the late Mitchie Lovejoy and Daisy Bell Lovejoy. She was the widow of Paul David Baldwin. They lived in White Oak Hollow for many years. She was a lifelong gardener, enjoyed singing bluegrass and gospel, and loved animals.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Donnie and Jeannette Murphy and their daughters, Caitlin Korff and Stephanie Hoover; daughter and son-in-law Jennifer Baldwin Davis and Eric Davis and their two sons, Jacob and Lucas; sisters Jaunita Lovejoy, Evelyn Lovejoy, Norma Smith, and Ella Atkins, and brother Curtis Lovejoy; great-granddaughters Brianna Harber and Freya Korff.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Dean Adkins and Violet Carson, and two brothers Bobby Lovejoy and Cleo Lovejoy.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Barkers Cemetery, Ashford, West Virginia, with the Pastor Reggie Woodrum officiating.

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel, Savannah, Ga., are directing arrangements.

Local arrangements are by Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, W.Va.

Grace Joan English, 93, of South Charleston went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at Thomas Memorial Hospital.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee L. and Pearl M. Buck, husband, Richard English, son, Richard J. English and her sister Phyllis L. Cavins.

Grace is survived by her Daughter-in-Law Zhara Zwerling, Nieces – Linda Messer (Alvin) and Estella O’Dell (Michael), Nephew, Steve English and Family, Grand Nieces – Rose Messer, Vanessa Boysel and Reachel Messer, Grand Nephew, Phillip O’Dell (Michelle) and her Great Grand Niece, Elizabeth Boysel. As well as many extended family members and friends.

Grace was an active charter member of Davis Creek Church of the Nazarene, where she was able to watch Gods’ work grow from the ground up. 

Living in both Ohio and West Virginia, Grace called West Virginia home for the majority of her life in her family home built by her father in the early 1900’s. She spent her days loving Christ, teaching others about His Glory, caring for her beloved dogs, cats, raccoons and all of the other wildlife that flocked around her and her home. 

Service will be 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Davis Creek Church of the Nazarene, South Charleston with Pastor Rick Gardner officiating.  Friends and family will gather from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service.  Burial will be 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Worthington, OH. 

Elmo “Alton” McClure, 84, of Alkol, WV, was ushered into the arms of Jesus on June 13, 2023, at 1:10 p.m., by a host of loved ones who went on before him. He was surrounded by his family as he smiled and took his final breath.

Alton was greeted at the gates of heaven by his loving son, Brian McClure; parents Boyd and Barbara McClure; brothers Cecil, Averrill, and Randy McClure; brother-in-law Wayne Roberts; sister-in-law Martha McClure; nephews John Eric and Andrew McClure; mother-in-law Florence Smith; and father-in-law Homer Bell.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 55 years, Barbara; his daughter Blaire (Robbie) Anderson; granddaughter Gracelyn Anderson; grandsons Tyler (Jane) McClure and Tanner Hughes; great grandson Atlas McClure; brothers Buddy (Abby) McClure and Mickey McClure; sisters Helen Roberts, Chloetta (Larry) Booth, Marian (Mack) Stone, Carolyn (Chuck) Adkins, and Teresa (Jerome) Adkins; sisters-in-law Barbara Ann, Gale, and Sandra; along with a multitude of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Born on July 31, 1938, as the second oldest of the McClure family’s 11 children, Alton lived most of his life in Alkol. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, proudly serving in Korea with the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Cavalry.

Alton was a Christian who loved the Lord with all his heart and served Him for 47 years. He loved to tell others about the goodness of God. He was a member of the Sumerco Church of God. Alton adored his family; one of his favorite pastimes was bragging on his children and grandchildren. He was so proud of them. Alton was always thinking of others, and he was the first to help in any situation.

An avid sports fan, Alton especially loved the Cincinnati Reds. He was president of the Duval Raiders for more than 20 years, where he worked tirelessly to build and improve the program and secured grant funding for a new scoreboard, sound system and the construction of a new concession stand. He also coached little league and pony league for many years. He dedicated much of his life to youth sports and left a significant impact on the lives of countless children.

While Alton will be greatly missed, we are so thankful he is no longer suffering and that he is now walking in the presence of Jesus… he has finished the race, and he has made it home.

The family would like to thank friends and neighbors for all the love, prayers, and food. A special thank you to Thomas Blair and Stephanie with Dignity Hospice.

Service will be 4:00 p.m., Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastors Richard McCallister and Brandon McClure officiating. Burial will follow at McClure Family Cemetery, Alkol. Friends and family will gather 2 hours prior to the service at the funeral home.

Johnny W. Long, of Sod, went home to be with the Lord and his wife Susie on June 12, 2023.

Johnny was known by many to be many things. He was that rarest of men who never saw a job he could not do if it needed done. He found joy in doing for others. He was a carpenter, a plumber, electrician, mechanic, concrete finisher, steelworker and operator of anything that ran on diesel.

Johnny was a veteran of the Vietnam War where he served with the 1st of the 7th Cavalry “AirCav”. He was a decorated soldier including the Bronze Star for outstanding valor under fire. He came home to West Virginia to raise four sons with his first wife and to be a Dad to two more sons and a daughter.

Johnny was a coal miner like his father and later began a career with the United Steel Workers building bridges for Orders Construction Company where he retired after 27 years. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, and fishing with his friends and family.

Johnny was proceeded in death by his father, William; mother, Dorothy; wife, Susie; sons Jason and James.

He is survived by his children, Tony (Amy) Long; Travis (Kristi) Long; Adam (Michele) Long, Timmy (Melissa) Abbott; Steven (Jennifer) Abbott and Kay Miller. Grandchildren Jeffy, Johnathan, Jordan, Kayla, Karlee, Kate; Kirsten, Katie Beth; Taylor, Kacie, Avery; Kelley Jo, Cody; Chelsea; Alex, Chloe, John; Kaylee, Lacey. Great grandchildren John Michael, Jayse, Ella and Eli.

Service will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, June 16, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home with Pastor Richard McCallister officiating. Military rites will follow the service and burial will be at Miller Cemetery, Ely Road, Sod. Friends and family will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Claudia Gail Parsons, 73, of Alum Creek, WV, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 11, 2023. She was born on February 22, 1950, to the late John & Margaret Gillispie. In addition to her parents Claudia was preceded in death by her husband Wayne “Eddie” Parsons and her mother and father-in-law Dola & Bertha Parsons.

Those left to cherish her memory are sons, Wayne (Merissa) Parsons, Alum Creek, WV, John (Jennifer) Parsons of Chapmanville, WV, Scott (Aleshia) Parsons of Charleston, WV, grandchildren, Zachary, Tristan, Alexus, Aaron, Bailey, Sidney, and Ashton, her great-grandchildren, Everleigh and Ellianna, and baby boy Parsons on the way that she would have loved to have met.

She is also survived by her sisters, Carol Jean Banks, and Diane Spurlock, and brothers, Curtis Gillispie, Michael (Donna) Gibson, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. She also leaves behind her beloved fur baby, Zelda.

Service will be 11:00am on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastor Gene Pauley officiating. Burial will at 2:00 p.m., at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Dunbar, WV.

Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.