Dr. Frederick Morton Cooley, 91, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, April 26, 2024, after dying of congestive heart failure. Fred was born in Charleston, WV, on March 6, 1933.

After graduating from Nitro High School in 1951, he joined the United States Air Force, serving as a preventative medicine specialist during the Korean War as a Staff Sergeant, until he was honorably discharged in 1955. He then entered the Pre-Med undergraduate program at West Virginia University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1959, and then continued on to be a member of the first graduating class of the WVU Medical School in 1962.

After receiving his medical degree in Family Practice, he went into private practice and then joined the Charleston Medical Group, continuing there until 1970. He was then hired by the Charleston Area Medical Center, where four years later he became the president of the CAMC Emergency Department. In 1975, he was appointed by Governor Arch Moore to the position of Medical Director for the Office of Emergency Medical Services for the state of West Virginia. Fred was also a WV Department of Health Consultant, which involved traveling to various parts of WV to instruct others on how to set up emergency rooms and how to apply for federal grants to gain much needed medical equipment. He was an innovator in the EMS organization by developing the regulation and operations manual for EMS offices, developing a state EMS communications plan, and preparing the equipment specifications for the statewide system. He began the EMT Mine Training program, began the EMT-Paramedic and Trauma Nurse training, developed the Trauma Center Designation rules and regulations, helped to develop the WV Hypertension Control Program, helped start the Black Lung Clinics Program, and was instrumental in beginning the Medevac Helicopter Program for West Virginia.

Fred was a champion for those in need, as was evidenced by his becoming the Medical Advisor for the Health Organization Development Project in Southern WV from 1980-1982. He also served as a Center Physician at the Charleston Job Corps Center from 1965-1985 and was also a practicing physician at Doctor’s Urgent Care in Charleston from 1983-1986.

In addition, he served as a Clinical Associate Professor for both the WVU and Marshall Schools of Medicine.

Fred was also a licensed Electronics Engineer, and enjoyed building television sets, computers, intercom and security systems and more in his spare time. He also earned his Real Estate License, dabbling in repairing older homes to make them suitable for selling.

As if all the aforementioned were not enough, Fred loved playing golf and tennis, and won many Public Courts Championships with his 4.0 ranking. He was known for his booming serve and doubles play with his friends and partners Dr. Danny Taylor and Don Tate.

Even though Fred had many titles, the greatest one of them all was “Born Again Christian” after asking Jesus to be his Savior. He was a loving husband who cared for his wife Peggy as long as he was physically able, while she suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease.

He was the “best daddy in the whole wide world” who showed much love and care for his three daughters and their families. We are so very thankful that the Lord blessed us with the greatest parents in the world.

Perhaps one of the greatest comforts to his daughters over the past few days has been the overwhelming outpouring of love and appreciation that so many who knew him in his later years have expressed. He touched the lives of so many, especially ours. It gives us immeasurable joy to know that not only is he with his Savior, but that he is reunited with our momma once again.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife Peggy Joyce Cooley, his father Cecil Cooley, and his mother Wanda Morton Cooley. He is survived by his three loving daughters, Lauren Monk (Mike), Heather Ritchey, and Kerri Milgram (Craig); six grandchildren: Katie Cumberledge (Steven), RJ Ritchey, Dr. Micah Monk, Christopher Milgram, Cassidy Redden, and Cade Flanagan, as well as seven great grandchildren, his brother Charles Jennings Cooley of Charlotte, NC, and sister Marion Haye of Bluefield, WV, and several nieces and nephews.

We would like to especially thank the second-floor staff at Harmony at Southridge, who cared for and loved our Daddy in the last few months of his life. The recounting of their interactions and love for him gives us great comfort.

No service will be held.

Roger David Waldron, 89 of South Charleston, passed away on Friday April 26, 2024, at Riverside Nursing Home.

Roger was retired from the United States Air Force and was a former 12-year employee of FMC.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Ann Waldron, Parents; Manuel and Hallie Peters Waldron; brothers, Charles and Jimmy; his sister, Barbara.

He is survived by his sons, Curtis (Marsha) and Michael (Iris); grandchildren, Sarah (David), Lindsey (David), and Grant (Erica); great grandchildren, Brock, Reese, William, Harvey, Leo, Maddie, Charlie, and Andy.

Graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM Monday April 29, 2024, at Forks of Coal Memorial Gardens, Alum Creek.

Harold A. Hood, 95, of Charleston, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Thomas Hospice after a long illness.

He was born in Corbin, KY on May 22, 1928, to the late John Alexander and Mary Frances Early (Dollie) Hood.

After graduation high school, he did a short stint on the railroad before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during WWII in 1946, where he was stationed in the photography lab at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Chincoteague Island, VA.

Upon completion of the military, he attended Furman University in Greenville, SC where he played basketball. After suffering a career-ending knee injury, he transferred to Kentucky University where he majored in accounting and remained a loyal Big Blue fan till his passing. After completion of college, he started a very prestigious career as a salesman for several companies in KY, OH, and WV. His business savvy and tenacious salesmanship prompted him to start his own company and retired in 1985. He and his wife Norma enjoyed taking numerous trips to vacation hotspots through the years.

He was an avid golfer, loved to do word puzzles, sing, tell stories, and watch KY basketball.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Norma Lee; brother, William “Bill” Arnold Hood; and sisters, Edith Mabel Norvell and Mavin Elva Skaggs-Endris.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Gayle Hood of DeWitt, MI; three grandchildren, Dustin, Matthew, and Jacob Hood.

Graveside service with military rites will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston.

Mr. Larry Richard Seabolt, age 78 of Griffin, GA passed away on Monday April 15, 2024, at Brightmoor Hospice.

Mr. Seabolt was born on October 15, 1945, in Montgomery, WV. He was the son of the late Willard Jesse Seabolt and Exie Opal Tucker Seabolt. Mr. Seabolt retired from the United States Airforce after 21years of service. He was a member of Berean Baptist Church in Griffin, Ga. Serving in church was always a large part of his life. Over the years Mr. Seabolt served in several churches as deacon, choir member, helped with church maintenance, Sunday School and CEF teacher, and in many other areas with the church. He loved to camp and travel, woodworking and spend time with his family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Beth Amber Seabolt; brothers, Vernon Butcher and Donald Jones.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Drumheller Seabolt; children, Kelly Seabolt, Terri Seabolt, Jamie Seabolt, Stephanie Seabolt, and Timothy Seabolt; grandchildren, Kamron, Angel, Trevonne, Nevaeh, D.J., and Savanna.

Funeral services with military honors for Mr. Larry Richard Seabolt will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 2:00 PM in the sanctuary of the Berean Baptist Church 2677 Hwy 41, Griffin, GA. Pastor Mark Davis will officiate. The family will visit with friends on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 1:00 PM until the service hour at the church. Entombment will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Cunningham Memorial Park Upper Mausoleum in St. Albans, WV under the direction of Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, WV. Tim Campbell will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations be made to the Berean Baptist Church Missions Fund, 2677 Hwy 41, Griffin, GA 30224, Bethany Baptist Church, 2504 Grant Ave. St. Albans WV 25177, or to the Gideon’s International.

Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Road, Griffin, GA is in charge of arrangements.

Donna Jean Gibson, 74, of St. Albans, passed away Monday, April 22, 2024, at home.

She was a member of Dartmont Freewill Baptist Church. She loved the Lord and her church family and is now finally home. Earlier in life, Donna was a nurse’s aide for Kanawha Valley Memorial Hospital and provided home health for Thomas Memorial Hospital. She loved spending time with her family, going on family trips to various destinations, especially Hawaii.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Larry Seacrist and Betty Staggs Stone and brother, Samuel “Sambo” Stone.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Michael R. Gibson; daughters, Tina (Steve) Boland, Michelle (Billy) Smith, Tamatha (Wesley) Kirk; son, Michael (Shannon) Gibson, Jr.; brothers, Dempsey Browning, Roger Stone; grandchildren, Ericka Kirk, Bryan Kirk, Steven (Brittney) Boland, II, Andrew Gibson, Nathan Gibson; great grandchildren, Hayleigh Flowers, Regan Flowers, Bentley Boland.

Service will be 1:00 pm, Friday, April 26, 2024, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek. Burial will follow at Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston. Friends and family will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Cecil Ray Davis, 56, of Alum Creek, formerly of Racine, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024, at home.

Cecil was a longtime employee of Boone Hydraulics. He was an avid poker player. He never met a stranger and had a good heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice, Sr. and Deloris Ann “Lois” Cooper Davis; brother, David Gibson; sister, Alice Gibson Mollet; and grandson, Cameron Davis.

Cecil is survived by his daughter, Deborah Leann Workman (Brandon); son, Terry Lee Davis; sister, Thelma “Che Che” Miller; brother, Maurice V. “June Bug” Davis, Jr.; grandchildren, T.J., Kayden, Paul, Maci, Ezra, Alexa, and Camilla. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and special friends, John and Jessica Worley.

In keeping with Cecil’s wish, he will be cremated and laid to rest at a private service.

Rommie Charles Eastman, 57, of Eskdale, WV went to his final resting place on April 12, 2024, at CAMC Memorial where he joined his father, Homer Eastman and mother, Barbara A. Linville, mother-in-law, Nancy Webb, his fishing buddy, Foster Webb and nephew, Eric Alley.

Leaving behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Denise Raylene Eastman of Eskdale; his pride and joys, Harli Eastman, Iziah Eastman, and Resci Eastman all of Eskdale; brothers, Charles Eastman(Betty), Jimmy Eastman(Darlene) Terry Eastman(Mae), Homer Eastman all of Ansted, Andy Eastman(Dianna) of Pax and Ronnie Eastman(Tonya) of Marmet; sister, Marlene Butler(Randy) of Gauley Bridge; nephews, Zach Eastman, Roy Jr. Eastman(Maddie), Josh Eastman, Curtis Martin(Kiri), Brad Alley(Colton); nieces, Bethany Gillespie(Bo), Frosti, Martina, and Erica Gouty(Andrew); and many dear friends that he cherished and work buddies of the City of Charleston.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek from 2pm to 4pm with private graveside service on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Webb-Means Cemetery, Yawkey, WV.

Special thanks to the City of Charleston, Street Division, for the love and support through the years.

Susan Denise Harmon, 53, of St. Albans was reunited with her dad, Darrell and sister, Tammy on Monday, April 8, 2024.

She was a graduate of Arcadia High School in Ohio and held several college degrees. She worked for Frontier Communications for more than 20 years.

Susan is survived by her mother, N. Pearl Lovejoy Harmon; lifelong friend, Sandy Lynn Cunningham; close friend, Patt; and many aunts, uncles, family, and friends.

Funeral service will be 2:00 pm, Friday, April 12, 2024, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastor Craig Gillenwater officiating. Burial will follow at Adkins & Cummings Cemetery, Sias. Friends and family will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105, or at www.stjude.org.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Susan’s friends and coworkers for all their kindness during this difficult time.

Bobby Baire, 72, of Emmons, WV, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Hubbard Hospice West, South Charleston.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Haden H. & Mary Magdalene Selbe Baire, sisters, Greathel and Martha, brothers, Adam, Willie, and David.

Bobby is survived by his daughter, Jessica, siblings, Basil (Joyce) Baire, Junie (Buddy) Kirk, Linzie (Janet) Baire, Bawfurd Baire, William (Donna) Baire, Joyce (Danny) Pauley, Hazel (Terry) Rabel, Mary (Barney) Johnson, special nephew, Rocky Baire, and several other nieces and nephews and family.

Service will be 1:00pm Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Curry Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Sisk. Burial will follow at Brounland Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.