Annette Robinson Ferrell, 92, died peacefully at The Hodges Center in Charleston WV, Monday September 10, 2018.
Betty Annette Robinson was born at home in Mannington, WV on July 9, 1926, the daughter of Nelson “Net” Robinson and Hazel Shull Gooding Robinson. Net was a mining camp housing contractor and Marion County Delegate to the WV State Legislature. During the Depression the family moved to their country farm south of Mannington and later to Enterprise, WV where they operated a gas station and grocery store. Annette graduated from Shinnston High School and obtained her BS in Home Economics at West Virginia University. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority.
In 1947 she met and married fellow student William “Bill” Ferrell of Danville, WV, who had served in the Navy during WWII. In 1949, William graduated with a BS in Petroleum Engineering from WVU. The couple moved to Charleston, WV where Bill was hired by the United Fuel Gas Co. as a pipeline engineer. The company became a part of the Columbia Gas System and Bill rose through the ranks to become Chairman and CEO of Columbia Gas Transmission.
Annette was an exceptional home maker, seamstress and devoted mother to a daughter and two sons. She was a member of Charleston Baptist Temple and several garden clubs; she loved to play bridge and travel.
To the end she was a Mountaineer Fan – listening to radio play-by-play while watching the game on a muted TV with pictures of team stars on her dresser alongside those of family and friends.
She was preceded in death by husband Bill; half-brothers Ralph and John Gooding and half-sister Brooksie Robinson Stewart.
She is survived by her daughter Barbara Ferrell Whitaker of Mobile; two sons: Bill and Cynthia Ferrell of Los Angeles and Rob and Martha Ferrell of Charleston; four grandchildren: Dr. Chase Ferrell of Washington DC, Tess Ferrell of New York City, John and Ann Ferrell of Alexandria VA, and JW Ferrell of Washington DC.
A graveside service will be held at the Forks of Coal Cemetery at a later date.
Annette was my aunt, my mother Brooksie’s half sister. We have lost touch over the years, however, I want to express my condolences for Annette’s family. I ask the Lord to comfort her family and friends during this time and also know that Annette is with the Lord. I remember that she and her mom and dad were a great comfort to me when I lost my mom.
My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences for Annette’s family and friends. Losing someone we love is truly heartbreaking. I want to take a moment and share something that has given me much personal comfort and hope. It is the scriptural promise at Daniel 12:2 “And many of those asleep in the dust of the earth will wake up, some to everlasting life.” Losing a loved one in death is not the end, we have a beautiful hope just ahead. How we long to see them again and be reunited forever.