Stella Frances Runyan, 85, of Alum Creek passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2014, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston.

She is survived by her husband, James Runyan; daughters, Linda Nelson (Edward) and Sandra Fletcher (Charles); grandchildren, Michele Milazzo, Jason Creech and Chad Fletcher; and great grandchildren, Leighton, Brooks and Emerson Milazzo.

Stella was preceded in death by her parents, Emma and Kenna Hill; brothers, Rex and Hurshel Hill; and her grandson, Jeremy Fletcher.

She was a lifelong resident of Alum Creek and a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Stella and James traveled widely as members of the Wally Byam Airstrream Organization and spent many winters in Melbourne, FL. Stella was always ready to volunteer to help others and her warm smile lifted the spirits of everyone. She was a devoted member of the Alum Creek Church of Christ.

The family would like to thank all of the many caregivers who helped Stella through her illness.

Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Friday, January 24, 2014 at Curry Funeral Home Chapel, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Minister Richard Runyan officiating. Burial will be at the Forks of Coal Memorial Park, Alum Creek. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. or by phone 1.800.272.3900 or by mail at Alzheimer’s Association, WV Chapter, 1601 2nd Ave., Charleston, WV 25387.

Josh Junior Allen, 76, of Sod passed away Monday, January 20, 2014, at home with family by his side.

He was a retired construction worker and member of Laborer’s Local #1353. He was a christian.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Joan; children, Gail (Curtis) Justice, of Alum Creek; GiGi (Prentice) Daniels of Sod; Terry (Dawna) Allen, of Yawkey; and Perry Ralph Allen, Sumerco; also survived by grandchildren: Amanda Pauley, Curtis Banks, Josh Allen and Michael Shirley; 7 great grandchildren; brother, Nathaniel (Rose) Allen of Litchfield, MI and sister, Doris Pryor of Eaton, Indiana and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be 3:00pm Thursday, January 23, 2014 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, with Pastor Roe Smith and Bub Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Anderson Cemetery at Pine Grove. Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Arthur Lupson, 92, passed away after a long illness, on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at Eastbrook Center, Charleston.

He was a retired carpenter and was a WWII Army veteran as a Technician, Fifth Grade. He served with the 76th Infantry Division, nicknamed “Onaway Division” 304th Infantry Regiment, AntiTank Company as an enlisted Infantry Soldier. Participated in the Ardennes Offensive “The Battle of the Bulge.” His decorations and awards include the American Theater Service Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge. He also has campaign stars for the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe Campaigns.

Arthur was predeceased by his wife, Betty, son, Roger and infant daughter, Diana.

He is survived by three daughters; Jean and husband, Ray Swach, Donna Harper and Brenda and husband, Tim Cogar all of Charleston; sons, Richard and wife, Michelle Lupson of Bridgeton, New Jersey; Steve and wife, Judy Lupson, Daniel Lupson and Timothy and wife, Dreama Lupson all of Charleston; sister, Imogene Stone; 26 Grandchildren; 22 Great Grandchildren; and 1 Great, Great Grandchild.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm Saturday, January 18, 2014, at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Pastor Butch Leadman officiating. Burial will be at Forks of Coal Memorial Park at Alum Creek. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Elizabeth Ann Songer, 66, of Alkol died Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at Hubbard Hospice House.

She is survived by son, Johnny Songer; daughters, Robin Hill, Melissa (Songer)Richards and Sally Mae Songer; brother, Eddie Kirk; grandchildren, Codey Cantrell, Brian Lynn, Shaina Lynn, Savannah Cantrell, Hunter, Summer, Gray and Greg Hill, JJ Songer and Heather Cooper; great grandson, Coltyn Cantrell.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions toward funeral services.

Deanna Carol Pauley-McKean, 73, of St. Albans went to be with the Lord Tuesday, January 14, 2014 after a short illness.

She was the daughter of the late Dennis and Doris Waldron. She was also predeceased by her husbands, Hugh S. McKean, Jr. and Paul Pauley; brother, Doug Waldron; grandson, Christopher Lee McCallister; and niece, Stephanie Sansom.

Deanna was retired from Young Brothers Restaurant in Charleston and a member of Hopewell Baptist Church, Alum Creek.

She is survived by son, Dallas Ray McKean (Deanna Seacrist); daughters, Patricia Carol Pauley-Bryant and Teresa K. McKean ; Daniel “Hoss” Harper, whom she loved as a son; grandchildren, Travis (Tera) Bryant, Jessica Bryant, Preston McKean, John Seacrist II, Belinda Russell; great granddaughters, Trinity Rain Campbell and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Waldron and Sandy Gerber.

Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Friday, January 17, Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Pastor Frank Chapman officiating. Burial will follow in Forks of Coal Cemetery, Alum Creek. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made for the funeral service.

James W. Lowery, Sr., 76, of Alum Creek, WV went home to be with the Lord Monday, January 13, 2014 at home surrounded by his loving family and friends.

He was the son of the late John Ebon Lowery and the late Ousleen Lowery Samples.

Mr. Lowery was also predeceased by his brother’s Charles Lowery, Robert Lowery, Clarence “Pug” Lowery, Johnny Lowery and Jerry Lowery.

He is survived by his wife off 55 years, Donna Keeney Lowery; sons, James W. Lowery, Jr., and wife, Elisabeth of South Charleston, WV and Alan Scott Lowery and wife, Amy of Alum Creek, WV. He has five grandchildren, Steven, Kaitlin, Julianna, Trey and Caroline Lowery. Two great grandchildren, Chase Lowery and Makenzie Lowery. Brothers, Melvin Lowery (Kay) of San Diego, CA and sister, Mary Maroney of Orlando, FL. Sisters-in-law, Patsy Lowery of Alum Creek and Dottie Lowery of Little River, SC; brother-in-law, C. B. Keeney (Patsy) of Alum Creek and many nieces and nephews.

He was born in Kanawha County. He graduated from Duval High School in Griffithsville, WV and Morris Harvey College in Charleston, WV where he was a member of the football team. He was retired from Bayer CropScience in Insititute, WV. He worked for the past 19 years at Regulatory Training Center, South Charleston, WV.

He was one of the organizers of the Independent Missionary Baptist Church of Alum Creek, where he was a Charter Member, Deacon, Usher and Sunday School Teacher.

Funeral service will be 1:00 pm Thursday, January 16, at the Independent Missionary Baptist Church, Alum Creek with Pastor Frank Chapman officiating. Burial will follow in Forks of Coal Cemetery, Alum Creek. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 pm Wednesday at the church and also one hour prior to the service.

Erma Mae Wade, 93, of Griffithsville, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Hospice West, South Charleston, after a long illness.

She was a very loving mother and grandmother to her family, and a member of Sand Fork Baptist Church.

Erma was preceded in death by her husband, Emmitt; sons, Ricky and Robert Wade; parents, Cora and Mann Alford; brother, Virgil and sisters, Myrtle and Gladys.

She is survived by daughter, Janice (Bill) Fore; four sons, Freeman (Wilma) Wade of Tango; Bill (Sharon), Joe (Jeannie) and Dale (Frances) Wade all of Griffithsville; sister, Francis Torman of Sod; 20 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Pastor David Vickers officiating. Burial will follow in Samson Cemetery, Griffithsville. Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

The family wants to give a special Thank You to the staff at Hospice West for their loving and professional care.

Gillis Edward Oxley, 74, of Dunbar went to be with the Lord Monday, December 30, 2013 at home.

He was a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 625; a member of the Dunbar First Baptist Church; and formerly a barber in Hamlin, WV.

Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Lema and Glady Oxley, son, Michael and sister, Virginia Pauley.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Doris; son, Lanny and wife, Stephanie Oxley; granddaughter, Jessica and husband, Steven Baker; niece, Katherine (Frank) Kilburn; brother-in-law, Virgil Pauley and many other family and friends who will miss him including his very special buddy, Harley.

A gathering of family and friends will be Friday, January 3, 2014 from 4 to 6 pm at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Dunbar First Baptist Church, 311- 16th Street, Dunbar, WV 25064 in memory of Edward Oxley.

Thomas E. Rabel, 87, of Alum Creek went home to his Father in Heaven Saturday, December 28, 2013 at Valley Center, South Charleston, WV.

He was a former employee at Libby Owens in the Gas Department; a WWII Army Veteran, serving in the South Pacific and a charter member of the VFW Post 4768 at Alum Creek. He was the family caretaker and loved farming, hunting, fishing and ginsenging.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Maggie Rabel; brothers, John Benard
and Keith Albert Rabel; sisters, Phyllis Pauley and Charlotte McGraw.

He is survived by his sister, Shirley (Bobby) Holstine of Alum Creek and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Pastor Wallace York officiating. Entombment will follow in Graceland Memorial Park Mausoleum with military graveside rites conducted by the Alum Creek VFW Post 4768. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
The family would like to express a special thank you to his caregiver, Lori “Woody-Woodpecker” Grounds.

Nellie Brogan, 87, of Alum Creek, left us Sunday, December 15, 2013 at CAMC Memorial Division after a short illness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil H. Brogan and son, Stevie Ross Brogan and several brothers and sisters..

She is survived by her children, Ed and (Becky) Brogan of Hurricane, David and( Belva) Brogan, and Ronnie and (Judy) Brogan all of Alum Creek; grandchildren, Kristi Searls, David Brogan II, Kim Meadows, Brian, Randy, and Kevin Brogan and Kara Young, and 18 great grandchildren; brothers, Mike and Cameron Hager of Cincinnati, OH and many special nieces and nephews.

Service will be 12:00 noon Thursday, December 19th, at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Rev. David Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow at Hager Family Cemetery, Brounland Road, Alum Creek. Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.