I am gone. My soul lives on, but in a better place: surrounded by the light of God in all His glory and grace.

Patricia “Pat” Sheppard Roberts departed the world to be with her Lord and loved ones Sunday, February 5, 2023. She was born to Holly “Jack” Sheppard & Geneva “Hope” Sheppard on December 15, 1948, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Gary Wayne Sheppard and grandson, Joey Roberts.

Pat retired from Gates Foundation with 30+ years and H & R Block where she worked for 42 years in various capacities including supervisor and office manager.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Joe (Lisa Gooch) Roberts, Lisa Roberts Clark, and their father, Paul Roberts; brother, Randy (Mary) Sheppard. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Katelyn Roberts (great grandson Xander), Jessica Clark (M. Nate Kuhn), Brook & Daisy Roberts; grandson, Jacob Clark. She is survived also by her fur baby, Dolly.

Her service will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 12, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastor Gene Pauley officiating. Friends and family will gather 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Donna Jane Samples, 74, of South Charleston passed away Sunday, February 5, 2023, at Dunbar Center.

Donna was a graduate of Dunbar High School. She made all feel welcome with her constant smile, generosity, and by always remembering the name of everyone she met.

She was preceded in death by her son, Kristopher, who she loved always; parents, Bob & Betty Knightstep; and father and mother-in-law, Walter & Bernice Samples.

Donna is survived by her husband of 54 years, Ken; sister, Robbie (Matt) Coleman; and multiple family members and friends.

Private services will be held Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek. Burial will follow at Samples Family Cemetery, Spring Hill Mountain.

Special appreciation to her exceptional, caring friend, Cindy Schoettker.

In lieu of flowers, Donna, who loved her furry friends, would appreciate contributions to Kanawha-Charleston Humane Society, 1248 Greenbrier Street, Charleston, WV 25311.

Diana Lois Dotson, 82, of Spurlockville, WV went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, February 2, 2023, at Hospice at CAMC.

Diana was a homemaker. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister.

She was preceded in death by husband, Franklin Delano Dotson; son, Frank Dotson, Jr.; brothers, Roger White and Charles White; sisters, Betty McDermett and Bonnie Ramsey; and parents, Denny & Altie Ward White.

Diana is survived by her children, Gail Dotson, Nancy (Frankie) McClure, Jeff Dotson (Peggy Miguet); brothers, David (Peggy) White; also, her grandchildren, Dana Dotson, Rena (Charlie) Linville, Ariel Dotson & Angel McClure; and great grandson, Bryce.

By request, Diana did not want a service.

Carolyn Ann Huffman, 75, of South Charleston, went to be with the Lord Sunday, January 29, 2023, at home.

Carolyn graduated from South Charleston High School. She was a long time employee of the Kanawha County Board of Education and retired from Garnet Career Center. She was a member of Hilltop Baptist Church and sang in many churches throughout the state with the Huffman Family. She was also a 9-year breast cancer survivor.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry & Helen Stanley Ervin; brothers, Danny & Sonny Ervin

Carolyn is survived by her husband of 54 years, Boyd “Buzzy” Huffman; children, Angela Ice, Boyd “Buzzy” Huffman, III (Ronda Rastle), Jeffrey Huffman; sisters, Diane Brown & Beverly Barker; grandchildren, Gary “Trey”, Christopher, & Hunter Hudson, step grandchildren, Christopher Ice & Mikayla Rua.

Service will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 2, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastor Jim Lennox officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston. Friends and family will gather 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Judy White, Jo Bailey, and the rest of the staff at Hospice for all the support and loving care they’ve shown the last few weeks.

Susie Kay Lambert Long, born July 19, 1954, passed away Monday, January 23, 2023. She left this world and was received by Jesus. She loved the Lord above everything. He was first in her life. She even had the faith that took her from Alkol, WV to Branchland, WV on an empty tank and made it.

Susie was a retired equipment operator from the United Steel Workers and was a former waitress at Lincoln Star, Virgil’s, and other local restaurants.

She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Just to be half the person she was would make you perfect. To remember her is to remember love, life, and unwavering faith. She brought love to everything. In times of darkness, we could count on her love.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Chelcie & Thelma Lambert; son, Jason Long; great grandson, Zac; siblings, Junie Lambert, Ersel Lambert, Audrey McCallister.

She left behind the love of her life, her husband of 32 years, Johnny W. Long; children, Kay Miller; Timothy (Melissa) Abbott, Steven (Jennifer) Abbott, Tony (Amy) Long, Travis (Kristi) Long, Adam (Michele) Long; grandchildren, Jeffy, Johnathan, Jordan, Kayla, Karlee, Kate, Chelsea, Kaylee, Lacey, Alex, John, Chloe, Katie, Kirsten, Taylor, Kacie, Avery, Cody, Kelley Jo; great grandkids, John Michael, Jayse, Ella and Eli, siblings, Patty (Raymond), Rita (Roger), Helen (Walter), Nona (Stanley), Angela (Eugene), Dwayne (Sheila), Alan (Sissy), Millard “Bimbo” (Veronica); and a host of very special nieces and nephews.

We love you mommy!!! Until we meet again…

Service will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 30, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastor Richard McCallister officiating. Burial will follow at Miller Cemetery, Ely Road, Sod. Friends and family will gather 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Arnold “Vic” Hughes, age 76 passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord on January 23, 2023. “Vic”, as he was affectionately known, was born April 12, 1946, to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Brown.

Vic’s passion was golf. He loved everything golf. He also loved to travel and knew his way around the bowling alley. However, it was his daily breakfast dates with his friends at McDonalds that brought him a great amount of joy. He loved his family and lived each moment for his grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his father, Harold and by his mother Nina and stepfather Forrest McCoy. Left to cherish his memory are his two sisters, Teresa Callahan and her husband, John and Beth Leontopoulos. His four sons, Harold and his wife Heather, Chris and his wife Misty, David and his wife Amber and Sean with his wife Devon. His adoring grandchildren, Eli, Ashlyn, Bree, Kyndall, Olivia, Xander, Aubrey and Jackson.

Funeral services for Vic will be held January 29, 2023, at 1:00 pm in the Life and Legacy Good Shepherd Chapel located at 6525 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail, NC 28079.

Graveside service will be 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Pine Grove Cemetery, Sumerco with Pastor Aaron Graley officiating. Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek is assisting the family with arrangements.

Frank Elkins, 84, of Alkol passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at home.

He was a timber worker, working for Dickie Hodge, the Harless’, & Jack Cooper. He loved to ride horses.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Brenda; daughter, Carrie Lynn Elkins; daughter-in-law, Jacquita, and his brothers & sisters.

He is survived by sons, Mickie (Tina), Rickie (Janice), Paul (Anna), & Harley “E.H.”; sister Maybell (Tandy) Stephens; 8 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Graveside service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Alamander Elkins Cemetery, Parsner Mt. with Pastor E.J. Dolin officiating.

Keith Alan Harris, 57, of South Charleston passed away Friday, January 20, 2023, at home. There are no services scheduled at this time.

EDWARD (EDDIE) LEWIS BELCHER II, 63, of Charleston, died on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at his home.  Eddie was born November 6, 1959, at McMillan Hospital. He was a 1978 graduate of George Washington High School.  He was an employee of the State of West Virginia, working in the past in the offices of the Secretary of State, the Governor, and the Attorney General.  He most recently served as the Supervisor of Supplies and Mail for the West Virginia Legislature’s House Clerk and Staff.   Decorating the Christmas Tree there was a joy for him and all who saw it.

Eddie was the son of Betty and Edward (Buss) Belcher of Alum Creek.  He is survived by his sisters:  Teresa (Michael) Singer of North Carolina, Cheryl Belcher of South Charleston and Carlye (Greg) Barnett of South Charleston; his step children Tonya (Ricky) Justice and Todd (Shannon) Egnor and their children and grandchildren; and his niece, Rachel (Michael) Whitfield of North Carolina and their sons, Bennett and Colin.  Family was important to Eddie, evident in his dedication to annual family reunions, his calls and visits to aunts, uncles and cousins and his love for his great-nephews.                                        

Eddie was the kind of guy that made friends everywhere he went. This was evident in the myriad of friends he had from across the nation and especially within West Virginia.  His collection of friends represented every walk of life, socio-economic group and political persuasion. He was known for his excellent cooking skills (even published a cookbook, Favorite Recipes from Mom to Me) and his gracious hospitality.  

Eddie always had a smile, a kind word and was willing to do what he could to help others.  He was known as a “Civic Warrior”, organizing fundraisers in times of crisis, collecting hats and gloves for the homeless, and advocating for his home community of Alum Creek.  In 2010 he was named the Citizen of the Century for the Alum Creek Centennial. He was instrumental in the installation of the traffic light at the dangerous intersection of Corridor G and Brounland Road, was a founding member of the former Alum Creek Alliance for Community Development, (which laid the groundwork for the community building nearing completion in Alum Creek), and most recently persisted in a dangerous situation on Bee Tree. Mountain, where the road was impassable, making it impossible for school buses to pick up children, until road crews were sent to make necessary repairs to secure the road’s safety. The story is told of a church in Alum Creek that suffered a devastating fire.  Eddie organized a gospel sing to raise funds to support the rebuilding.  When the offering was taken and the Head Usher gave Eddie the total, unfortunately Eddie’s expectations had not been met.  Eddie gave an impassioned speech from the pulpit, which concluded with him asking the Head Usher to pass the plate again.  By the end of the evening, Eddie’s goal had been surpassed.  

Eddie was certainly one-of-a-kind. Our family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from those who knew him.  We will cherish your kind words of condolence, the memories you have shared and our mutual loss of such a generous soul, who truly had the heart of a servant.

The funeral will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Curry Funeral Home with Reverend Michael Singer officiating, Ben Salango delivering the eulogy, and Eddie’s grandson Brandon Justice will offer a prayer during the service. Burial will follow at Forks of Coal Memorial Park, Alum Creek.  Friends and family will gather 2 hours prior to the service at the funeral home. 

Cleo Paul McCallister, 86, of Sumerco went to be with the Lord Friday, January 20, 2023, at home.

He retired as a heavy equipment operator.

Cleo was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Artie; parents, Vaden & Faye Miller McCallister; brothers, Vaden Jr.; sisters, Dottie & Juanita.

He is survived by children, Tresa McCallister, Penny (Alan) Skidmore, Paul (Mary) McCallister; grandchildren, Keith Jr. (Meghan) Newcomer, Justin (Emily) Skidmore, Jesse Skidmore (Shanen), Gatlin & Sarah McCallister; siblings, James & Eugene McCallister; Hilda (Larry) Griffith, Mildred (Denny) Clark, Richard (Mary) McCallister; sister-in-law, Billie Jean.

Service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastor Richard McCallister officiating. Burial will follow at Lively Cemetery, Sod. Friends and family will gather 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.