Deaths

• James Ralph Hendricks, 72, of Gilbert, died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007 at Logan Regional Medical Center, Logan. Mounts Funeral Home of Gilbert is in charge of arrangements.

• Evelyn Virginia Dompkey Lindner, 89, of GlenWood Park Retirement Village, formerly of Ann Arbor, Mich., died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007 at her residence. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton.

• Thelma Jones Perdue Melvin, 85, of Narrows, Va., died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007 at her home. Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows is in charge of arrangements.



Obituaries

Leon T. Harman

BLUEFIELD — Leon T. Harman, 90, of 1921 Cherrywood Lane, Bluefield, died Sunday, December 2, 2007 at his residence. Born March 11, 1917 in Tazewell County, Va., he was a son of the late E.G. Harman and Catherine Janutolo Harman.

Leon was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and was a retired Bluefield City Firefighter. He had worked for Allied Refrigeration, had operated his own business, and was last employed as maintenance foreman for the Sanitary Board treatment plant.

He was a life member of the Loyal Order of Moose, and served as past governor, and was also a life member of Bluefield Elks Lodge, the American Legion, and the V.F.W.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Laura Ruble Harman of the home; a son, Marcellus Wayne Harman of Bluefield; and several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Mercer Funeral Home with Dr. Allen A. Hammond officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following services.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Bluefield Union Mission, 2203 Bluefield Avenue, Bluefield, WV 24701 or to Community Hospice of America, 1033 Stafford Drive, Princeton, WV 24740.

Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com

Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory of Bluefield is serving the Harman family.

Washington W. (Wash) Hollis

BLUEFIELD — Washington W. (Wash) Hollis, age 81, of 245 Harry Heights Drive, Bluefield, died on Monday morning, December 3, 2007 at his residence.

Born on February 18, 1926 in Elkhorn, he was a son of the late Michael and Emma Barna Hallis. He had been a resident of Bluefield for 59 years and was a member of St. Marys Orthodox Church of Bluefield. He was a graduate of Elkhorn High School Class of 1944. He served in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946 in World War II in the European Theater, and was a member of the American Legion. He was a retired coal miner and was a member of the UMWA. He worked at US Steel at Gary No. 14 Mine for 34 years. He was an avid woodworker during his retirement. The love of his life was his family and church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Raeford W. Taylor; three sisters, Pearl Petkac, Anna Mae Griz, and Mary Valente; and two brothers, Mike Hallis and Andrew Hallis.

Survivors include: His wife of 59 years, Mary Clements Hollis of the home; daughter: Brenda Taylor and husband Donald of Randleman, N.C.; son: Robert W. Hollis and wife Bernie Baird-Hollis of Berea, Ky.; one grandson: Logan Randolph Hollis of Berea, Ky.; two sisters: Julia Byndas of Brooklyn, Ohio and Christine Phillips of Princeton; one brother: Nick Hallis of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Marys Orthodox Church in Bluefield with Father Mark Tyson officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell where military graveside rites will be conducted by the West Virginia Army Honor Guard. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Friends may call on Tuesday (today) from 6-8 p.m. at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell with a prayer service at 7:00.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Marys Orthodox Church in Bluefield.

Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the Hollis family.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

Gladys Marie Kirby

DUHRING — Gladys M. (Dillon) Kirby, age 87, of Duhring, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ surrounded by her loving family on Monday, December 3, 2007.

Born on August 6, 1920, in Goodwill, she was the daughter of the late Kelly and Molly (Dotson) Dillon.

She had been a resident of Duhring most of her life and was a loving housewife and mother. She was a long-term member of Deliverance Temple.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Kirby; son, Johnny (Larry) Kirby; granddaughter, Sandy Poore; great-granddaughter, Sandy Beggs; sisters, Pearl Goins and Bertha Haas.

Survivors: Sons, Ken Kirby, wife Betty, Tom Kirby, wife Marie, Randall Kirby, wife Sharon, Davy Kirby, wife Margaret, all of Bluewell, Freddy Kirby, wife Brenda and Dennis Kirby, wife Terri of Duhring; daughters, Connie Poore of Montcalm, and Donna (Sis) Lusk husband David of Bluewell; brother, Kelly (Tom) Dillon of Bucyrus, Ohio and sisters Beulah Shrader of Freeman, Janet Dale of Duhring, Helen Edwards and Opal Helmandollar of Bluefield; 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two step grandchildren. Special friends include Violet, Rick and Julie Kirby, Carline and Roger Woods and Rennie Wilson Sr. and wife Reda.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Deliverance Temple in Brushfork with the funeral following at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5 with Ministers David Lusk and David Kirby officiating.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 6 at Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Bluewell. Those wishing to attend graveside services are asked to meet at Deliverance Temple on Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Grandsons along with friends and honorary pallbearers, Allen Dale and Walter Goins will serve as pallbearers.

The family may be reached at the home place in Duhring.

Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the Kirby family.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

Ms. Violet M. Martin

PRINCETON — Ms. Violet M. Martin, 83, of 315 Courthouse Road, Princeton, formerly of the Pettry Road near Athens and of Johnson Street in Princeton, died Saturday, December 1, 2007 at her residence.

Born July 1, 1924, at Pettry, she was the daughter of the late John G. and Mary J. Coburn Martin.

Ms. Martin was a graduate of McClain Business College, Bluefield and had attended the Pettry Church of Christ. She had worked at Celanese Corporation at Narrows and retired as a secretary from Concord University in Athens.

Survivors: A host of cousins.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2007 from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Pastor Mike McGraw officiating. Burial will follow in the Athens Cemetery in Athens.

Friends may call today from 5 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

The Martin family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.

Marion “Wesley” Reed

BLUEFIELD — Marion Wesley Reed, age 74, a long time resident of 257 College Avenue, Bluefield, answered God's call on Sunday, December 2, 2007 in a Roanoke, Va. hospital following a long illness.

Born on May 28, 1933 in Raleigh County, he was a son of the late Ed and Virginia Graham Reed. He had been a resident of Bluefield for 12 years and was of the Methodist faith. He was a retired schoolteacher in Allegheny County, Va. with 33 years of service.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Frank T. Reed, Roy G. Reed, Fred H. Reed Sr., Archie E. Reed Sr., and one grandson, Brandon Bolyard.

Survivors include: Loving wife of 21 years: Doris S. Lane Reed of the home; three stepdaughters: Tammy Scott of Bluefield, Sharon Bolyard of Bluefield, Kimberly West and husband Bobby of Bluefield, Va.; six grandchildren: Jason Scott, Jessica Cooper and husband Joey, Alicia Bolyard, Bobby West II, Joshua Mooney, and Andrea West; four great-grandchildren: Alex, Olivia, Anna, and Laci; two sisters: Sadie McKinney of Beckley, Hester Evans and husband Joe of Roanoke, Va.; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell with Ministers Jim Mullins and Doreen Adkins officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Bluefield, Va. where Joe Evans, Charlie Evans, Jimmy Slaughter, Jason Scott, Joey Cooper, and Eddie Davis will serve as pallbearers. Bobby West III will serve as an honorary pallbearer.

Friends may call on Tuesday (today) from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the Reed family.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

Thomas W. Robertson

APEX, N.C. — Thomas W. Robertson, 49, of Apex, N.C., a former resident of Lashmeet, died Saturday, December 1, 2007. Born in Matoaka. August 23, 1958, he was the son of the late Thomas W. and Helen Davis Robertson.

Thomas was a 1976 graduate of Bluefield High School. Following graduation he entered the U.S. Navy and retired as a Lt. Commander after 20+ years of service to his country. He then entered Bluefield State College to complete his degree in Civil Engineering. He moved to Apex in 2006 moving there from Jacksonville, Fla.

In addition to his parents, one sister, Donna Robertson and the man he thought of as a father, Tate Edwards, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Connie Delp Robertson of Apex, N.C.; one son, Devin Robertson of Roanoke, Va.; stepdaughter, Candice Allen and her husband Jeff of Princeton; grandson, Brent Wayne Allen; woman he considered a mother, Clara Edwards of Bluefield; one brother, Kenny Robertson of Pearisburg, Va.; two sisters, Linda Terry of Lake Bottom and Tammy Cox of Jacksonville, Fla.; three stepbrothers, Charley Edwards and his wife Debbie, Ronnie Edwards and Randy Edwards and one stepsister, Debbie Hale and her husband Dave all of Bluefield. Also surviving Tom is the dog he loved, “Cody”.

In keeping with his wishes, the body has been cremated. A Memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. today (Tuesday, December 4, 2007) at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with Pastor L.A. Laurel Farmer officiating. Friends may call at Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton from 1:00 p.m. to the service hour today (Tuesday).

Memorial contributions may be made to Ridgeview Church of God, 1438 Reese Harmon Ridge Rd., Rock, WV 24747.

Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton is serving the Robertson family.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

Douglas Darrell Shoemaker

MONTCALM — Douglas Darrell Shoemaker, 66, of Montcalm, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, November 30, 2007 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center.

Born December 30, 1940 in Ashland, he was the son of the late James Dewitt Shoemaker and Bulah Mae Hodges Shoemaker. Mr. Shoemaker was a retired coal miner from Consolidation Coal Company and also Bluefield Regional Medical Center. He also was a member of the UMWA. He was a faithful member of Deliverance Temple Church in Brushfork and loved his pastors and church family.

Survivors include his faithful wife and companion for 44 years, Brenda Webb Shoemaker; daughters, Shelia Shoemaker of Bluefield, Va., Terri Kosinar and husband, Steve Kosinar of Montcalm; two grandchildren that were the light of his life and he loved with all of his heart, Stephanie Grace Kosinar and Keith Aaron Kosinar; special friend of the family, Cristie Witt of Bluefield, Va.

Mr. Shoemaker is also survived by six brothers, George Law of Bluewell, Harold Shoemaker of Princeton, Earnie Shoemaker of Bluewell, Calvin Shoemaker of Bluewell, Kelly Shoemaker of Lynchburg, Va., and Glenn Shoemaker of Clarksville, Tenn.; four sisters, Lucy Stone of Oklahoma, Myrtle Dew of Michigan, Dorthy “Dot” Thorton of Oklahoma, and Melvina “Coo” Comer of Maryland.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ozel Law Williams of Falls Church, Va., and Priscilla Shoemaker of Oklahoma.

The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, December 3 at Deliverance Temple Church in Brushfork with funeral services on Tuesday (today), December 4 at 3:00 p.m. with the Rev. Omar Burns, the Rev. David Kirby, and the Rev. Brian Cochran officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.

Serving as pallbearers: Mark Hudgens, Steve Webb, Frank Neice, Bryan Perkins, Chris Shoemaker, Harry “Buck” Williams, Jonathan Gills, Percy Lambert and alternate AW Carver.

The Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the Shoemaker family.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

Lillie Thomas

MATOAKA — Lillie Thomas, 90, of Arista Mountain, died Sunday, December 2, 2007 at Princeton Community Hospital in Princeton. Born September 6, 1917 in Mercer County, she was the daughter of the late King Tilley and Cozetta Howerton Tilley.

Mrs. Thomas was a member of the Garwood Church of God. She was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harry S. Thomas in 1990; one son, Wayne Thomas; five brothers, James Edward Tilley, Albert Tilley, Elmer Tilley, Claudy Tilley and Lacy Tilley; and four sisters, Pansy Bailey, Lomie Grose, Mary Sigmon and Lora Catron.

Survivors include one daughter-in-law, Barbara Shepherd Thomas of Arista Mountain; one granddaughter, Dianne Bailey and her husband Kevin of Lake Shawnee; one great-grandson, Terry Wayne Shrewsbury and his wife Meghan of Southport, N.C.; one brother, Ray Tilley and his wife Judy of Princeton; and three sisters, Daisy Crist and her husband Joe of Princeton, Faye Rose and her husband Wilson of Green Valley and Violet Price and her husband John of Princeton.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with the Revs. Ricky Shrewsbury and Charles Bullins officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Friends may call today from 6-8 p.m. at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. To view a video tribute to Mrs. Thomas, or send the family online condolences, please visit www.bailey-kirk.com.

Oberita Hazelwood Wade

PRINCETON — Oberita Hazelwood Wade, 83, of Spruce Drive (Sunny Meadows), Princeton, formerly of Mullens, died Sunday, December 2, 2007, at Princeton Community Hospital.

Born October 29, 1924, at Narrows, Va., she was the daughter of the late John Floyd Hazelwood and Macie Gray Lucas Hazelwood.

Mrs. Wade was a former employee for the Celanese Corporation in Narrows, Va., and the G.C. Murphy Company and was a telephone operator with the C & P Telephone Company, both of Mullens, this was a job she truly enjoyed. While living in Mullens, she was an active member of the First Baptist Church on Highland Avenue in Mullens where she was a member of the Church Choir. Upon moving to Princeton in July of 1990, she became a member of the First Baptist Church in Princeton.

Mrs. Wade loved her family, she was a devoted wife and mother, early on in the life of her family, she enjoyed making clothes for her children and grandchildren. She was an avid Princeton Devil Rays fan, while her health permitted, she did quilting and ceramics and loved to read.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond and Hobert Hazelwood.

Survivors: Her faithful and loving husband of 58 years, Lindy Charles Wade; four daughters and their spouses, Sandra Kay and Luther Blankenship of Lynchburg, Va., Susie and Dean Morgan of Princeton, Annette and Stan Presley of Shady Springs, Teresa and Nick Nicholson of Mullens; nine grandchildren, Wendy Elder, Lee Blankenship, David Simmons, Noel Morgan, Brian Presley, Jessica Morgan, Christopher Presley, Dustin Nicholson and Jacob Morgan; one sister, Lena Mae Clemons and husband Bobby of Glen Lyn, Va.

Services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Wade will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2007 from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Pastor Gilbert Dodson officiating. Burial will follow in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens on the Courthouse Road in Princeton.

Friends may visit with the family Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour. Family and friends may share messages of love and condolences via www.memorialfd.com

Mrs. Wade’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

The Wade family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.



Funerals

Funerals scheduled today include:

• Jo Ann J. Graham: 11 a.m., Cane Branch Baptist Church in Loris, S.C. Burial will follow in Cane Branch Cemetery.

• Ricky A. “Rooster” Mann: 11 a.m., Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel in Peterstown. Burial will follow at Peterstown Cemetery.

• Lisa Michele Nelson: 11 a.m., Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Bluewell.

• Caden G. Rowe: 11 a.m., House of Prayer Church in Bramwell. Burial will follow at Buckeye Cemetery, Jolo.

• Sylvia Wiley Smith: 2 p.m., Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel in Peterstown. Burial will follow at Sunrise Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Rich Creek, Va.

• Leroy Spangler: 7 p.m., memorial service at Tharp Funeral Home in Lynchburg, Va.