Ruth Elizabeth Lawrence Simmons of Charleston, WV, departed this earthly life on September 5, 2018 after 82 years of faithful service to Christ.

Ruth was born July 11, 1936 to Bradley R. and Estelle Moore Lawrence. She grew up in a full house having 8 brothers (2 surviving) and 8 sisters (7 surviving).

She was a licensed social worker having served in that role for various agencies throughout her long-distinguished career.

Ruth was a member of the Abounding Grace Church of God, Chesapeake, where she enjoyed leading, singing and teaching. She loved helping people. Her life was truly one of dedicated Christian service.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband of 63 years, Rev. John H. Simmons; children, John (Lisa), Henry, Charles (Jennifer), James (Glenda) and Mary Beth (Allen); 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Services to celebrate Ruth’s life will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 9, 2018, at the Abounding Grace Church of God, 12047 MacCorkle Ave., Chesapeake. Burial will follow at Witcher Cemetery, Belle.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Saturday, September 8, at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek and also one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Ruth’s name be sent to the New River Ranch Children’s Home, PO Box 178, Fayetteville, WV 25840.

Justin R. Clark, 42, of Nitro, WV, went to be with the Lord Saturday, September 1, 2018.

He was a 1994 graduate of George Washington High School and a 1999 graduate of WV State College. Justin was a former employee of Rite Aid Distribution Center and currently employed at AWP in Nitro. He was a member of Cobbs Creek Missionary Baptist Church.

Justin was loving and caring, and so loved by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert Clark and Robert and Carol Antolini; great grandparents, Bob and Ruth Foleno, Carmen and Pauline Antolini and Helen DiDonna; and aunt, Linda Clark.

Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Dave and Robbie Clark; grandmother, Betty L. Clark; uncles Thomas A. Clark and Kenny (Michelle) Antolini; cousins, Corey (Dawn) Clark, Kristin Clark, Brooklyn and Presley Antolini; along with many great aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 8, at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastors Butch Leadman and Clyde Gwin officiating.  Burial will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey.

The family will receive friends 2 hours prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may  be made to Gideon’s International, PO Box 731, St. Albans, WV 25177 or Boone Animal Rescue Coalition, PO Box 536, Danville, WV 25053.

Richard Lynn “Dick” Rabel, 60, of South Charleston, WV went to be with the Lord Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at the home of his brother, Ronnie Rabel.

He was a graduate of George Washington High School. Dick worked as a heavy equipment operator through the years for E.E. Moore Co., Orders & Haynes Paving Co., WV Paving, Inc., and retired from Wiseman Construction Co. in Charleston, WV. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Local 132 and also a member of Hopewell Independent Missionary Baptist Church.

Dick dearly loved hunting, fishing and shooting long ranges of 600 yards or more. He won several state competitions hitting several shots within one inch of the target. He also killed a black bear at a distance of 600 yards.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Violet Rabel and stepmother, Betty Rabel.

Dick is survived by his daughter, Gina (William) Gunnoe; father, Hubert; brothers, Hubert Lane (Susan), Ronnie (Teresa), Terry, and Chuck (Anita) Rabel; grandson, Reese Gillispie; and nieces and nephews, Rachel, John H. (Emily), Jonathan Lane, Will, Elizabeth, Bailey, McKenna, Jessica and Anna.

Service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 1, at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastor Charles Kidd officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date on the Rabel Farm. The family will receive friends 2 hours prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha  Blvd., W., Charleston, WV 25387-2536.

At Dick’s request, please dress in camouflage for the service.

Marceline Nena Ryan Smith, age 88, of Charleston, WV, went home to be with the Lord, after a steady decline of her health for several months.  She passed away Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 7:20 p.m.  in her home where she wanted to be at her time of passing.

She was the most loving, caring, kind-hearted person that one could ever ask for.  We will cherish all the good times, laughing about all the silly things that would happen.  We will remember the sad times together too.

Marceline was the daughter of the late Bernie & Lillie Ryan of Alkol, WV.  She was married to Leffie Smith, Jr., who passed December 3, 2013 of Charleston, WV.  She has a daughter, Robin Mann, Richmond, VA, and her husband Conklin Mann IV; son, Barry Smith, Charleston, and wife Dottie Smith, son, Kevin Smith, Charleston, and her grandchildren, Trevor Smith, Charleston, WV, Melissa Dryden, Richmond, VA, Rick Boogher, Richmond, VA, and Brian Mann, Richmond, VA, and one great-grandchild, Sydney Dryden, Richmond, VA.

Marceline has two surviving sisters, Marteena Burdette, Charleston, WV, and Loretta Pauley, Mason, WV, and a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers we would like you to make a contribution to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., W., Charleston, WV 25387-2536.

WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK MOM.

Services will be 2:00 p.m.  Monday, August 27, 2018, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastor Gene Brooks officiating. Burial will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey, WV. Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Eric Wayne Williams, 68, of Alum Creek, died on Sunday, August 19, 2018 at CAMC – Memorial.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rondal & Patricia Williams.

He was owner and operator of Hess’ Garage.

Eric is survived by his wife, Carolyn, children, Holly, Rebecca, Samuel and Sarah, and brothers, David and Todd.

There will be no service.

Barbara Jean Hansen, 80, of Charleston, WV, went peacefully to be with the Lord Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at Hubbard Hospice House West in South Charleston.

She was born on September 16, 1937 in Scranton, PA, to the late Arthur and Catherine Freeman.

Barbara was a member of the Grace Church of the Nazarene in South Charleston. She retired from Paul’s Trucking in New Jersey, and was the first woman to join the Winfield Park Volunteer Fire Department in New Jersey.

She was also predeceased by her husband, Thomas Hansen, Jr.; son, Stephen Hansen; brother, Dana Freeman; and sister, Martha McDonald.

Barbara is survived by daughters, Tami Kascic and Sandy (Dan) Burdette; son, Thomas (Tina) Hansen; and 13 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Service will be 6:00 p.m. Saturday, August 18, at the Grace Church of the Nazarene, 499 – 2nd Ave., South Charleston, WV with Pastor Sandra Burdette officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Burial with graveside service will be Tuesday, August 21, at the Rosedale Cemetery, Linden, New Jersey.

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

Sandra Kathleen Gillliam, 71, of South Charleston, died on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at her home where she resided with her life partner of 15 years, John Myers.  She was preceded in death by her husband, James M. Gilliam, and sisters, Sharon McCloud Williams and Shirley Johnson and brother, David McCloud.

She was owner and operator of Sandy’s Tavern, Alum Creek, WV, from 1990 to 2007.

She is survived by her son, James E. (Vanessa) Gilliam, sisters, Susan (Terry) Whitlock and Sherry (Rod) Johnson-Williams, brothers, James (Patty) McCloud II, Ronald (Lois) McCloud, Robert McCloud, Earl Johnson, Daniel (Kay) Johnson, Joseph Johnson and Douglas (Juanita) Johnson.  Also survived by grandchildren, Joshua Cruz Gilliam, Amber Nicole Gilliam, and Spencer Anderson Gilliam, great-grandchild, Jade Lin Temple, and numerous nephews and nieces.

It was her wish that her body be donated to the WVU Gift Registry.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hubbard Hospice House, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston, WV 25387.

Per Sandra’s request there will be no service.

Aubrey James Cottrill, 82, of Tornado, WV, passed away Thursday, August 9, 2018 at Valley Center in South Charleston.

He retired as a pipefitter from Union Carbide. Aubrey also served with the U. S. Marine Corps.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hoy and Thelma Cottrill.

Aubrey is survived by his wife, Betty; sons, Thomas and James Cottrill; and sisters, Phyllis Meyers and June Frederick.

Service will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 13, 2018 at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastor Frank Chapman officiating.   Entombment will follow at Cunningham Memorial Park in St. Albans, WV.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 12th, at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, WV.

Jacqueline Sue Smith Drake, 57, of Chapel Hill, TN, went home Monday, July 30, 2018 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro, TN, surrounded by her family.

Sue was the daughter of the late Willie and Inez Smith of Alum Creek. She was also predeceased by her siblings, Sandy Priestley, Cathey Sproles and Willie Warren Smith.

Even though she earned her living in the service industry, her heart and calling has always been helping and taking care of others.

While her husband, Anthony, was serving in the U. S. Navy they enjoyed traveling and living in many different places, but she has always found her way home to West Virginia.

She is survived by her husband, Anthony; son, Jonathan Gillispie; daughter, Jennifer Drake; granddaughter, Peyton, who was the light of her life; siblings, Patricia (Clyde) Wooten, Sharon (Phillip) Wiggin, Robin Garton, Carolyn (Herman) Yeager and Eric (Debbie) Smith; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

Service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 4, at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastors Frank Chapman and Richard McCallister officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Sumerco. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Marietta Joyce Meadows, 86, of Alkol, WV, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2018 at CAMC General Division.

Joyce was born on May 4, 1932, the daughter of Wesley and Pearl Coleman of Bald Knob.

She was a member of Sycamore Grove Baptist Church.

In 1951, Joyce met a young, handsome coal miner at the Nazarene Church of Bald Knob, Billy Meadows, who became the love of her life. The family they made together are left behind to cherish her memory.

Joyce is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, Billy Joe Meadows; daughters, Julie Miller of Alum Creek and Linda (Butch) Brogan of Sod; sons, Billy (Brenda) Meadows of Alkol, Brian (Stephanie) Meadows of South Charleston and Barry (Alice) Meadows of Sumerco; 6 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

Service will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Sycamore Grove Baptist Church in Alkol with Pastors Darrell Searls and Gene Pauley officiating. Final resting place will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Sumerco. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

A memorial dinner will follow graveside service at Sycamore Grove Baptist Church.