Freer Ray Oxley, 93, of Charleston, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Harmony at Southridge.

Freer was a member of Pipe Fitter Local 625 and a member of Trinity Independent Church in Ruth. He served his country in the United States Navy at the end of WWII on the USS Floyd B. Parks. He and Evelyn enjoyed over the years being an active part of the Holiday Ramblers Camping Club. They loved making their annual camping trip with all the grandkids to Myrtle Beach.

Freer was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Evelyn June Oxley; parents, Ray Oxley & May Hughes Oxley Pauley; three siblings, Hearl, Roger, & Kay Sheeley.

He is survived by son, Greg (Joyce) Oxley; daughter, Tami (Allen) Marker; sister, Lesta Knuckles; half-sister, Janet Woodin; grandchildren Courtney Pauley, Andrea Oxley-Price, Autumn (Patrick) Humphreys, and McKenzie Marker; great grandchildren, Madisyn, Reaghyn, Peyton, Lexi, Josiah, Henry, and Rory.

Graveside service with Military Rites by Alum Creek VFW Post 4768, will be 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Dunbar with Pastor Gary Gillispie officiating.

Stephen M. “Pierre” Eikleberry, 62, of Alum Creek, passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at CAMC Memorial Hospital after a short illness.

Pierre was a wonderful man, loved by so many family and friends. He will be missed by so many. He was a house painter and mechanic who worked hard until he became unable to work due to health issues. He was a good person who was a friend to everyone he knew. The world has lost a great, loving man and will never be the same without him. May he be with all those family and friends in Heaven. We left behind will miss him forever.

He was preceded in death by his stepson, Chris Geitz and his parents, Cecil and Grace Stephens Eikleberry.

Pierre is survived by his wife, Teri; brother Raymond; sister, Jo Ann; nieces, Shanna & Taylor; and nephew, Mitchell.

It was Pierre’s wish to be cremated, not put in the ground. There are no services scheduled.

Sue Jane Smith (Bowen), 85, of Melbourne, FL, formerly of Alum Creek, WV went to “the big house” on Sunday, January 23, 2022, with her children JD Smith (Toni) of Charlotte, NC; Kathy Roberts (Fred) of Decatur, AL and Leesburg, FL; and Cindie King Gilpen (Jim) of Elkview, WV at her side.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Reverend Arvil Smith, her parents, her brothers, Doug and Bob and her granddaughter, Amy Jane King.

She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren,1 great great grandchild, and 2 sisters, Phyllis and Virginia.

Sue’s greatest joy in life was entertaining and cooking for her family and friends. You knew you were deeply loved if she had one of her famous poundcakes ready upon your arrival!

Sue retired in 2004 from the State of WV where she worked as the Personnel Coordinator for Child Support Enforcement. She was a member of Forks of Coal Missionary Baptist Church in Alum Creek, WV. She also attended First Baptist of Melbourne Florida for the last 17 years. In later years she enjoyed the company of The Red Hat Society ladies.

A brief service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with her son, JD Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey, WV. Friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in her memory are made to either CitiIMPACT Ministries @ www.CitiIMPACT.org, or William B. Childs Hospice House 381 Medplex Pkwy, Palm Bay, FL 32907.

Roger Allen Atkins, age 65, of South Charleston, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, January 21, 2022.

Roger was born in Charleston, WV on June 16, 1956, to Shirley J. Atkins and the late Lyle R. Atkins. He was an Eagle Scout and graduated from George Washington High School in 1975. He was a current employee for Frontier where he had been employed since 1978 (44 years). Roger was an active member of TEROC and board president for over ten years.

He was preceded in death by sister, Merri Mallory (Bernie) and his father.

Roger is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Teresa B. Atkins; son, Dustin L. Atkins; son, Levi A. Atkins; mother, Shirley J. Atkins; sister, Sarah Jarrett (Jeff); brother, Jeff Atkins (Louann); sister, Janet Cogswell (Richard); nephew, B.J. Mallory; nephew, Jeffrey Atkins (Santana); niece, Amanda Malone; niece, Amber Woods (Troy); nephew, Phillip Malone (Tiffany); great niece, Angelynn Pauley; great niece, Oaklyn Woods.

There will be a private family memorial service to honor Roger’s life with Rev. Zach Young officiating. Burial will be at Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston.

Karen Lynn Hughes Dunlap, 66, of Sod, went home to her Heavenly Father on Saturday, January 22, 2022.

She was the daughter of Naomi Hughes and the late Jim Hughes and the granddaughter of the late Arizona Bell Ball Hughes.

Left to cherish her memories is her true love, best friend, and caregiver, her husband of many years, Justin Dean Dunlap; their two sons, Jamey (Lula) Dunlap and Jeremy Dunlap; and their only daughter, Justina (Gary) Linville. Karen was the proud grandmother of ten grandchildren: Garrison, Tori, Faith, Joshua, Brayden, Gabby, Malana, Austin, Ava, and Danny.

She is also survived by her only sister, Connie (Mike) Graley and was preceded in death by her three brothers, Eugene, Randy, & Kevin Hughes, as well as her father and mother-in-law, Dean & Nina Dunlap, whom she loved very much.

Karen was always a hard worker, very selfless, and always willing to help others. She worked as a medical assistant but more importantly to her, she served as a youth leader at Pine Grove Baptist Church for many years. She sang God’s praises at many different churches throughout the community. Karen will be missed by many and was loved by all.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with her nephew, Pastor Aaron Graley officiating. Karen will be laid to rest at a later date at Pine Grove Cemetery, Sumerco. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to offset funeral costs to Curry Funeral Home, PO Box 9, Alum Creek WV, 25003.

Billy Edward Jenkins, 76, of Alum Creek passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022, at home.

Born June 17, 1945, he was the son of the late Other & Dorcas Lovejoy Jenkins. He was also preceded in death by half-brother, Junior Messer; son, Michael Elkins; two nephews, Andy Worley & Mark Barker.

Billy was plumber for over 50 years and was the owner of an active business, B & B Plumbing, for 30 years.

Billy was one of a kind. He adored his wife Bev and always took such good care of her. He loved to spend time at camp with family and friends. He loved to go on his fishing trips with his good friend Lucky. He loved to work in the garden and hang out with his good friend Roger Bell. He also loved to fish and hunt. Most of all, he loved to argue and give everyone a hard time. He was always full of laughs and will be missed by so many.

Billy is survived by his wife of 31 years, Beverly Moore of Alum Creek, WV; daughter, Amy Jenkins of Lexington, KY; sons, Robert Jenkins (Noraya Gardner) of Orlando, FL and Chris (Diana) Jenkins of Charleston, WV; grandchildren, Ahvelle Jenkins of Orlando, FL, Makayla (Alex) Bostick of Lexington, KY, Christa Pepper of Charleston, WV, Xavian Pepper of Charleston, WV; step-grandchildren, James Horne, Jr. of Tampa, FL, Christie Belland of Summit Point, WV, Michael Burdette of Charleston, WV, Jessica Fisher of Elkview, WV; step-great-grandchildren, Lain Erskine of Lexington, KY, Stormi Carte of Elkview, WV, Lenox Dawson of Summit Point, WV, Addison, Abbey, & Aiden Burdette of Charleston, WV, Leigha, Arren & Brian Fisher of Elkview, WV; two sisters, Bonnie (Charley) Worley of Charleston, WV, Barbara (Jackie) Barker of Charleston, WV; several nieces & nephews.

He is also survived by one he claimed as his own daughter, Charlotte (Danny) Price of Alkol, WV; Charlotte’s kids/Billy’s grandkids, Danny Price, Jr., Lexi (Daniel) Linville, Josh Lovejoy; Charlotte’s grandkids/Billy’s great-grandkids, Briar, Bowen, Macie Price, Mason Adkins, McKenzie Aluelo, Ganan, Kiser, & Posie Linville, who all loved him very much; special friends; Susie & Michael Adkins and their kids, Megan, Zach, & Katlyn; and one special great great-nephew that Billy always looked out for, Peter Bays.

Chester “Bill” Allen, 93, of Newberry, FL, formerly of Alum Creek went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, January 19, 2022.

Born in Alum Creek on December 27, 1928. Chester was one of 17 children, son of the late Andrew J. Allen and Violet Marie Miller Allen. He joined the Army and courageously served his country in the Korean War. After his tour of duty, he joined the National Guard as Master Sargent. He served in the 3rd Armory Cavalry regiment and went to school at the Armory in Fort Knox, KY. He went to tank school at Fort Irwin, California. After service, Chester drove for the Capital Transit and Charleston West Hamlin bus line. He was the owner of Allen Parking Lot on Lee & Laidley Streets. He worked for FMC before moving to Miami, FL. He spent 45 years in Miami. He retired from Miami Dodge Chrysler Corporation in 1985. Chester returned to Charleston upon the death of his wife Elizabeth Emma Beasley Allen in 2003. He married Geneva (Beard) Goodwin in 2004. Geneva passed away in 2018. In 2019, he returned to Florida. He is survived by his third wife, Frances Willis of Newberry, FL.

Chester was a member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Charleston. The church members provided love and fellowship on many of the days when he could not attend due to Geneva’s health. He loved feeding the birds, cats, and everyone!

Chester is also survived by his daughter, Dr. Deborah Ashraf and her husband Mohammad of Alachua, Florida; six grandchildren, Aisha Abram (Scott) of Missouri, Samina Dillihay (Richard) of Oklahoma, Shawna Ashraf of Florida, Wally (Molly) Ashraf of Florida, Tahira Ashraf of Florida, and Shaan (Nicole) Ashraf of Missouri; eight great-grandchildren; step-children, Devi Wronske, Connie Coleman, Woody Willis, Denese Clark, Angela Jackson; sisters-in-law, Lucy Allen, Lynda Veski (Lenny); brother-in-law, Earl Hackworth, Jr.; nieces, Shirley Thompson, Joan (Fred) Lane, Janet (Ben) Swartz, Judy Allen King (Mark); nephews, Giles (Sara) Bowman, Bryant (Barbara) Bowman, James David Allen (Debbie); and many cousins.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Reverend Gary Hall and Bryant Bowman officiating followed by military rights by Alum Creek VFW Post 4768. Burial will follow at Miller Family Cemetery, Alum Creek. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Bennie Padilla VFW Post 4768, 4443 Brounland Road, South Charleston, WV 25309.

Linda Faye Priestley, 70, of Hurricane passed away Saturday, January 15, 2022, at CAMC Teays Valley Hospital.

Linda was born in Hurricane on February 1, 1951, to the late Calvin Curtis and Esta Kathryn Sowards Thomas. In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her brothers, Clinton Thomas & Alvie “Pete” Thomas; sister, Shirley Davis; and son, Zack Edward Priestley.

Linda is survived by her life partner of 30 years, Larry Aleshire; son, Charles Priestley of Charleston; daughter, Loretta Smith of Alum Creek; granddaughter, Madison Cobb of Alum Creek; and sister, Jean Meickles of Alum Creek.

Graveside service will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 21, 2022, at Priestley-Pate Cemetery, Sumerco with Pastor Chris VanNatter officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to offset the funeral expenses to Curry Funeral Home, PO Box 9, Alum Creek, WV 25003.

John Lee Witt, 70, of South Charleston, passed in peace, Monday, January 17, 2022, at home with family.

John was born in Charleston, WV on November 4, 1951, to the late Willie L. & Louise Witt. He graduated from George Washington High School in 1969 and retired from American Electric Power in 2005. John was a member of Davis Creek Nazarene Church where he served on the board for several years.

John is survived by his spouse, Cynthia L. Witt; son, John L. Witt, II (Erica); daughter, Jami N. Witt-Lewis (Jamie); siblings, Billie Jo Burdette of South Charleston, Sharon Perkins of Milton, & Michael Witt of South Charleston. He was proud grandfather of granddaughters, Haley Marie Lewis, Miley E. Witt, and grandson, Zain Witt.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastor Rick Gardner officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.