**Service will proceed as scheduled**

Ronnie Cline Miller, 80, of Sumerco passed away Saturday, March 1, 2025, at home.

Ronnie worked in the coal mines as an electrician and mechanic. He also installed septic systems with his son, Chad, all over Boone and Lincoln counties.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cline and Ruby Brewer Miller; son, Chad Miller.

Ronnie is survived by his son, Trent Miller (Angela); grandsons, Deven Miller, Avery Miller, Samuel Miller, and Jacob Miller; great grandchildren, Haidin Miller, Anna Marie Miller, and Raylei Miller.

Graveside service will be 11:00am, Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Miller Cemetery, Sod.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and patriarch, Roger Leroy Childress, 82, of Alum Creek who was suddenly called home into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, February 27th, after a short illness. His absence leaves a void in our hearts that this earth can never fill.

Roger was a graduate of South Charleston High School. He served his country in the United States Army and was a selfless and dedicated member of the 130th Airlift Wing Airforce Reserve Air National Guard and Company C 124th MAINT BN 2nd Army Division. He was stationed in Germany before returning to the United States. Roger continued his service to the community as an AEP substation mechanic, ensuring the lights stayed on for many years.

A devoted husband and father, Roger was the rock of our family. He dedicated his life to serving his country and his loved ones, always by our side. His presence brought comfort and warmth to all who knew him.

Roger’s life was devoted to his wife of 61 years, Sharon; his son, Darin; his daughter-in-law, Amanda; and his granddaughters, Maleigha Rachelle and Jadalyn Nicole. He was always there for us, offering unwavering support and love.

A member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Roger served his community alongside his wife for many years. He shared many special moments with cousins, Lyle (Deenie) and Gary (Naomi), who were as close as brothers. Uncle Glenn was a pilar in the Childress family, and Roger cherished his close relationships with family and friends. He was also a loving godfather to Tonya Gillispie and Chris Childress. There are so many cousins, nephews, and loved ones that Roger held dear to his heart, and his memory will live on in the many lives he touched. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Roger is preceded in death by his father, Darius James Childress; his mother, Edith Childress, who passed away at his birth; and his grandparents, Ray and Elisa Childress, who raised him while his father served in the military.

Private services will be held, and Roger will be laid to rest at Cunningham Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Emmauel Baptist Church Quilting Ministry, 1401 Washington St West, Charleston WV 25387.

Ruth Elizabeth Lutsy, 82, of Marmet went home to be with the Lord Thursday, February 27, 2025, at CAMC Memorial Hospital.

Ruth loved gospel music, playing many instruments, and singing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Connissee Holstine Barker; daughter, Teresa Barker, brothers, Danny & Pete Barker; and grandsons, Jason Clendenin and Brad Vickers.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Jimmy Lutsy; 9 children; 14 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; and brother Doyle Barker.

In fulfilling mom’s wishes, a graveside service will be 2:00pm, Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Barker Cemetery, Ashford with Pastor Jeff Howerton officiating.

Arthur Wayne McCormick, 75, of Sumerco, WV, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at home due to an ATV accident. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur “Archie” and Verda Tackett McCormick, and brothers, Kevin Brent McCormick and Allen Keith McCormick.

Arthur was a former delivery driver for the Pony Express and employee of Libby Owens Glass. He was a U.S. Army Veteran. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with Chaz, his devoted chihuahua.

He is survived by his children, Davey Joe McCormick, Brian (Lana) McCormick, Crystal Black, and Ronnie Clifton McCormick, grandchildren, Chase and Skylar. He is also survived by his siblings, Carletha (Frankie) Allen, Eric (Pam) McCormick, Ray McCormick, Ramona (Curtis) Cobb, Kathy (Paul) Green, and Mark McCormick and many nieces and nephews.

Service will be 1:00pm Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Sumerco Church of God with Pastor Richard McCallister officiating. Burial will be Monday, March 10, 2025, at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Dunbar, WV.

William Conn “Bill” Rock, 69, of Alum Creek, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at WVU Thomas Memorial Hospital.

Bill retired from Lincoln Public Service District after many years of faithful service. He loved to hunt.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Hattie Rock; parents, Olive & Randolph Banks; daughter, Misty Dawn Rock; sister, Nancy Smith; and niece, Marissa Cline.

Bill is survived by his granddaughters, Sierra Boggs (Nicholas Feazelle) and Tierra Hill (Matthew); sisters, Beverly Rivenbark (Ricky) of NC, Jackie Hoover (Allen) of Harrisville, WV; brother, Wayne Banks of Alum Creek, WV; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be 1:00pm, Friday, February 28, 2025, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastor Daniel Dent officiating. Burial will follow at Pauley Cemetery on Joes Creek. Friends and family will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Mrs. Margaret Louise (Westfall) McCarthy, a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, walked into the arms of Jesus on February 25, 2025, in Tornado, West Virginia. Born on November 6, 1955, in Richwood, West Virginia, she lived a life filled with love and devotion to her family and faith.

Louise was a dedicated and caring presence in the lives of those who knew her. She cherished her role as a wife of 52 years to Terry McCarthy and as a mother to Gregory McCarthy and Terra Whittington (husband Jimmy). Her love extended deeply to her grandchildren-Kali (Caleb), Haley (Dakota), Gracie (Jayson), Isaiah, Lakota, Emma, Nathan, Alaza, Lily, and Jocelyn-as well as her great-grandchildren-Avory, Keelan, Kennedy, Myles, Josiah, Luka, August, Kason, and Kolby. She dearly loved her brothers and sisters, Martha, Ronnie, Kenny, Ricky and Betty along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding her in death were her granddaughter Kelsi Bree Wilkinson, her parents Harry D. And Geneva Westfall, and her brother Kenneth Westfall. Though she is no longer physically present, her memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

Louise’s unwavering faith was a cornerstone of her life. She loved Jesus wholeheartedly and carried that love into every aspect of her life. Her kindness and devotion left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her.

May her memory bring comfort to those who mourn her passing.

Funeral service will be 1:00pm, Friday, February 28, 2025, at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Tornado with Pastor Craig Gillenwater officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Tornado. Friends and family will gather one hour prior to the service at the church.

Thomas Rockne “T.R.” Stevens, Jr., 70, of Nitro, WV, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom & Lois Stevens, sister, Linda Clark and brother-in-law, Dale Pauley.

He was a 1972 graduate of Duval High School, and also graduated from Morris Harvey College and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He was a former member of Cobbs Creek Missionary Baptist Church.

T.R. is survived by his three children, Leslie (Clyde) McKnight, Rockne (Lauren) Stevens, and Olivia Beck, grandchildren, Gavin, Vivian, Fiona, Maverick, Luke, Jacob, Connor, Belle and Taylor, and Joy Taylor Stevens, mother of his children. He is also survived by his sisters, Beverly Pauley, Gail (Randy) Curry and Debbie (David) Bailey, and several nieces and nephews, special friend and dance partner, Linda Combs, and a great friend and encourager Ralph Caudill and family.

A private graveside service was held at Pine Grove Cemetery, Sumerco, on Sunday, February 23, 2025, with David Bailey and Ralph Caudill officiating.

Eloise Mae “Dovie ” Smith

On Feb 20, 2025 at Thomas Hospice House, Dovie left her earthly body to enter God’s kingdom. We find comfort in knowing she was a faithful Christian woman and she is no longer suffering with dementia.

Dovie was preceded in death by her husband of over 64 years, Carlos; parents, Carl & Janey Graley; and her 3 brothers and 5 sisters. 

Left to cherish her memory are her 3 sons, Mike (Susan) of Oklahoma, Jeff (Donna) and Kevin (Natalie) both of Charleston WV; her grandchildren,  Samantha (Joey) and Shannon (Jody) of Charleston WV, and Drake (Kat) and Crystal both of Oklahoma; her great-grandchildren, Derek, Kaylee, Landon, Ella, Bryson, Ashley & Tara.

Nana was a loving wife and mother and continued to spread her love to her grandchildren & great-grandchildren. There has never been a sweeter little lady.

After her husband’s passing in 2019, her sons Jeff & Kevin became her primary caregivers, allowing her to stay in her house with her routine as her dementia progressed. Her great-granddaughter Kaylee was also her special caregiver for the past several years. It took our entire family to help care in the end. She didn’t always know our names, but she knew we were her family.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00pm, Monday February 24, 2025 at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek officiated by Pastor Mike Long. Visitation will begin at noon. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the nurses and aides at Thomas Hospice House for their care. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W, Charleston WV 25387. 

Jacqueline “Jackie” Stowers, 93, of Alkol, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend passed away peacefully to Heaven at Meadowbrook Acres Nursing Center, Charleston, on February 17, 2025 after a long illness.

She was a member of Sycamore Grove Missionary Baptist Church where she sang in the choir, taught Bible School for many years, and directed numerous Christmas plays through the years.

She graduated from Duval High School in 1949 where she played basketball, was a cheerleader and participated in the senior play.

Jackie loved her family and anytime they could celebrate with a good meal she was ready to provide from her classic recipes which included angel food cake with peanut butter icing along with her famous chili.  She had the opportunity to travel over the years throughout the world and from coast to coast.  She loved a good game of putt putt, gin rummy, and aggravation.  She always had a great time playing “gotcha last” with all the kids.  She was a devoted WVU fan and attended many football games including the 2006 Sugar Bowl in Atlanta, GA.  She was a devoted housewife but also helped out with the family business, Stowers and Sons, when needed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Denzil Stowers, and 6 siblings:  Curtis, Jake, Bernard, Charles, Crete and Arminta.

She is survived by her children:  Gerard (Ann), Barry (Brenda), Phil (Terri), and Amy; grandchildren:  Steven (Carmen), Josh (Jenny), Travis (Samantha), Sarah, Andrew and Allicen(Austin); great grandchildren: Reilly (Brandon), Everett, Ellen, Joshua, Issac, Bennett, Janson, Aleah and Lowry.

Services will be at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Clint Craddock officiating.  Friends may call at 1:00 p.m.  Following the service a private burial for the family only will be at Orchard Hill Memory Gardens, Yawkey.

Special thanks to Meadowbrook Acres Nursing Center for their exemplary care of Jackie over the past seven years.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Sycamore Grove Missionary Baptist Church, PO Box 94, Alkol, WV  25501.

Betty Messer Chandler, 89, of Alum Creek, WV passed peacefully to Heaven at Hospice House, following a brief illness.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Carl Chandler, parents Joseph(Jody) Messer and Stella(Cubby) Messer and infant brother Carl.

She is survived by her daughters at heart, Kelly Kinsolving (Athel) and Cathy Childress Busch. Other survivors include; brother in law, Doug (Lowell) Chandler (Ivonne), sister in law, Ruth Vickers (Jack), special nephew, Barry Smith (Marsha), nieces, Renee Ryan, Michelle Ferri and Katrina King.  Also survived by several great nephews and nieces as well as numerous beloved friends, including Arvata Kinder, Barbara Slone, Maxine Cooper, Betty Curry, Brenda Frazier, Norma Blankenship, Jean Lloyd, and Pat Hunter.

Betty was a 1953 graduate of Sherman High School.  She retired from Travelers Insurance Company and later Union Carbide Corporation.

Betty enjoyed shopping, travel, sending greeting cards and buying gifts for others. She was a member of the G&L Travel Club, Forks of Coal Church, where she sang in the choir, The Red Hats of Jackson, Ohio and The Alum Creek Lions Club.

After residing in Jackson, Ohio for 17 years, Betty most recently relocated to Harmony Southridge where she enjoyed the many social activities, bingo and church services with Alum Creek Independent Missionary Baptist Church.

Service will be 1:00pm, Tuesday, February 18th at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek. Visitation one hour before the service, presided by Pastor Daniel Dent.  Burial will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey. 

Betty requests no flowers, as she enjoyed them while living.  Donations can be made to Alum Creek Independent Missionary Baptist Church, or the Alum Creek Lions Club.