Susan Marie Thompson Bess, 42, of Glen Ferris, WV, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, December 26, 2020, at Cleveland Clinic after a long illness.

Susan was a 1995 graduate of Duval High school. She was a former employee of area cemeteries including Cunningham Memorial Park. Susan also worked at Winchester Arms in St. Louis, Missouri. She was an outstanding cook and loved to craft.

She is survived by her husband, Aaron Bess; parents, Robert and Deborah Snyder Thompson; daughters, Aizlyn Grace Bess and Aurora Marie Bess; son, Ian Drezek; sister, Carrie Flanagan; and grandmother, Polly Thompson. Susan is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, and her loving biological family.

Due to COVID-19, a private service will be held with Pastor Jeff Floyd officiating. Burial will be at Mays Cemetery, Yawkey, WV.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, 1422 Kanawha Boulevard East, PO Box 2942, Charleston, WV 25330.

Rex Everett Dunlap, 71, of Sod, went home to be with the Lord Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2020, at home.

Rex was a retired construction worker and attended Ely Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Freer and Mabel Dunlap.

Rex is survived by his wife, Mary Dunlap; daughter and son-in-law, Madora and Brent Gibson; sister, Teresa (David) Brogan; and many nieces and nephews.

It was Rex’s wishes to be cremated. Due to the Covid situation, a private gathering for family will be held at a later date.

Carl Edward Brown, 82, of Alkol, went home to be with the Lord Friday, December 25, 2020, at Hubbard Hospice House West. 

Carl retired from Saul Construction as a truck driver.  He was a member, trustee, usher, former Sunday School Superintendent, and door keeper at Sycamore Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Alkol, WV. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emzie and Pearlie Smith Brown; infant sister Trilby Brown; and nephew, Jimmy Berry.

Carl is survived by brother, Claude Brown; nephews, Chad (Yuvonne) Brown and Justin (Haleigh Cooper) Brown; niece, Christy Berry; and a church family whom he dearly loved.

Service will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at Sycamore Grove Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Jody Pauley officiating.  Burial will follow at Brown Family Cemetery, Alkol, WV.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Sycamore Grove Missionary Baptist Church, PO Box 94, Alkol, WV 25501.

“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”  Hebrews 11:10

Melody Ann Lowery Roberts, 69, of Alum Creek, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 21, 2020, after suffering a long battle with liver disease.

She was born on April 25, 1951 in Charleston, WV. She was a 1969 graduate of Duval High School. She was a Christian and a member of Independent Missionary Baptist Church of Alum Creek. She loved church and her church family.

Melody was preceded in death by her father, Robert H. Lowery and her brother Bobby Lowery.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Johnny Roberts; her children, Chris (Rebecca) Roberts of N.C., Andy (Erin) Roberts of Nitro, and Lindsay (Stephen) Dunlap of Alum Creek; mother, Patsy Lowery of Charleston; sisters, Susan (John) Brininstool of Charleston, and Cindy Lowery of Alum Creek; and twelve grandchildren.

Private graveside service will be held Monday, December 28, 2020 at Graceland Memorial Park with Pastor Daniel Dent officiating. Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek is taking care of arrangements.

Carolyn Sue Barker, 74, of Chesapeake, went home to be with the Lord Monday, December 21, 2020 at CAMC Memorial Hospital.

Sue was a retired secretary for the City of Chesapeake with over 20 years of service.  She was a former hairdresser at The Diamond in Charleston and attending McCorkle Freewill Baptist Church in Sod, WV.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruby Eplin; grandparents, Everette and Goldie Edelman; and brother, Randy Radcliff.

Sue is survived by daughter, Leaha (J.D.) Elswick and Carrie (Bobby) Slack; four grandchildren, Sam, Ethan, Abby, and Skylar; sisters, Lisa Collins, Pam (Matt) Suder, and Tammy (Donald) Nelson; brother, Ray Eplin; and several nieces and nephews.    

Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 27, 2020 at Marmet Cemetery with Reverend Damron Bradshaw officiating. 

Oshel Bell, 87, of Yawkey, went home to be with the Lord Friday, December 18, 2020, after suffering a stroke on December 11, 2020.

He was born July 29, 1933, at Bernie, WV and was a 1950 graduate of Duval High School. Oshel served his country in the United States Army and was a former employee of Pennzoil Company. He was a Christian and pastored several churches in Lincoln and Putnam Counties, including Merritts Creek Freewill Baptist Church, Pine Grove Baptist Church, Joes Creek Baptist Church, and Beech Grove Baptist Church. He most recently attended Yawkey Methodist Church, Beech Grove Baptist Church, and Independent Missionary Baptist Church of Alum Creek.

Oshel was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary (June 2018); parents, Tom and Merle Bell; infant daughter, Belinda Bell; daughter, Teresa Lowery; sons-in-law, Bobby Lowery, Max Hill, and Frank Chapman; siblings, Hercie Bell, Docie Morrison, Irene Bias, and twin sister Opal Baylous.

He is survived by daughters, Debbie Hill of St. Albans, and Kim Chapman of Alum Creek; grandchildren, Rob (Lauren) Lowery of Charlotte, NC, and Melinda (Brian) Greathouse of Dunbar; nieces and nephews, Sonya Stickler, Lowell Bias, Janet Tully, and Susie Agee all of WV, Brenda Birchett of VA, Sharon Wilson of FL, and Phil Richardson of OH.

Service will be 2:00 Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at Curry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jimmy Lawrence officiating. Burial will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey. Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service. Social distancing and masks will be required as mandated by the Governor during COVID.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that you provide a Christmas dinner for someone in need.

Mary Lu Ellyson Rymer, age 90, of St. Albans, WV went home to be with the Lord on December 17th, 2020 at CAMC Teays Valley Hospital after a battle with COVID-19.

She was born in Gilmer County, WV. Her parents were the late Odbert and Ruth Ellyson.

Preceding her in death were her son, William A. “Skip” Rymer II; sisters, Colleen Collins and Roberta Wright; and brother, Gene Ellyson.

Surviving are her husband of 69 years, William A. “Bill” Rymer; three grandchildren, Mamie Laura Rymer of St. Albans, WV, Sarah Brenon and husband Kyle of Manassas, VA, and Maryellen and husband Nic of Hurricane, WV; sister, Lorene Cunningham and husband Douglas of Tennessee; and ten great-grandchildren.

Mary was a member of Highlawn Baptist Church and a 60-year resident of St. Albans. She formerly worked at Kanawha Union Bank (now United Bank) in Glenville, WV and Waverly National Bank in Waverly, Ohio. She enjoyed reading, sewing, cooking, and baking for her grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all friends and neighbors for their love.

Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek is handling arrangements. There will be no funeral services due to COVID-19 precautions. Private burial will be at Stalnaker Cemetery in Glenville, WV.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Highlawn Baptist Church, 2304 Jefferson Avenue, St. Albans, WV 25177.

“Life is worth the living just because He lives.” -Bill Gaither

Emma Mae Thaxton, of South Charleston, passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Valley Center, South Charleston. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Thaxton; and siblings, Mary Scott, Clinton Shaffer, and Charles Pete Scott.

Emma is survived by her son, Kevin Thaxton; daughter, Denise Martin; four grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. 

There will be no services and private burial will be at Thaxton Family Cemetery, South Charleston. 

Emma Jane Miller, 90, of Alkol went home to be with the Lord Sunday, December 13, 2020 at Teays Valley Center in Hurricane, WV.

Emma was a retired Lincoln County teacher with over 30 years of service.  She was also a member of Left Fork Baptist Church.

Emma was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace “Gus” Miller and son, Gregory Miller.

She is survived by nephew and niece, Stanley and Anita Miller, along with other nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Graveside service will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey with Lonnie Lovejoy officiating.

Carey “Lee” Stevens, 73, of Varney, WV, died Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at home.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Stevens and Loie Carey Sears.

He was a residential carpenter, a disabled Vietnam Veteran, and a friend to everyone he met. 

Lee is survived by his brothers, Bill (Debbie) Bowes and Garrell (Irana) Stevens.

In accordance with Lee’s wishes he will be cremated and there will be no services.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kanawha Charleston Humane Association, 1248 Greenbrier St., Charleston, WV 25311.