Deaths

• Bernice Neely Clark, 92, of Roanoke, Va., formerly of Narrows, Va., died Friday, March 14, 2008 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows is in charge of arrangements.

• Ocie Taylor Lester, 91, of Big Rock, Va., died Thursday, March 13, 2008 at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn. following an extended illness. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Va. is in charge of arrangements.

• Michael Ray (Mo) Matney, 50, of Breaks, Va., died Thursday, March 13, 2008. Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy, Va. is in charge of arrangements.

• Justin Keith Matusevich, 21, of Bluewell, died Friday, March 14, 2008 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield, Va.

• George W. Nunley Jr., 71, of North View Estates, Bluefield, died Thursday, March 13, 2008 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Beckley. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell.

• Kermit T. Sigmon, 81, of Route 5 (Airport Road), Bluefield, died Friday, March 14, 2008 at his residence. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell.



Obituaries

Arthur Robert Barrett

BLUEFIELD — Arthur Robert Barrett, 86, of 826 Old Bramwell Road of Bluefield, W.Va., passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at his residence with his family by his side.

Arthur was born on December 24, 1921 in Augusta, Colo. to the late Arthur Glen Barrett and Bessie Tate Barrett.

He had been a resident of Bluefield for the past 84 years, where he was a member of the Bluefield Church of Nazarene. Throughout his life in Bluefield Mr. Barrett became known as one of the best brick masons and concrete finishers in the area while he worked in the construction field. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II receiving several medals while in service. Arthur was a member of the UMWA and a member of the VFW.

In addition to his parents, Arthur was preceded in death by four brothers: Jasper, Claude, Silas and Delbert Barrett and four sisters: Emma Lou, May Ellen, Nancy and Rosalie.

Survivors include: His loving wife of 61 years: Louella Ballard Barrett of Bluefield, W.Va.; three daughters: Judy Ann Carter and husband Arlie of Bluefield, W.Va., Linda J. Mitchell and husband Cecil of Bluefield, Va., Bonnie B. Duncan and husband Dale of Cary, N.C.; two brothers: Paul Barrett of Bluefield, W.Va., Alex Barrett of San Jose, Calif.; eight (8) grandchildren and nine (9) great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, W.Va. with the Rev. Harold Massey officiating the service. Entombment will follow at the Roselawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Princeton, W.Va. Where the West Virginia Honor Guard and Mercer County Veterans Council will conduct Military Rites.

Family and friends will be serving as pallbearers

Friends and family may call at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, W.Va. on Sunday, March 16, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Cravens-Shires Funeral home is serving the Barrett Family.

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

Clyde Lee Brooks

WENDELL, N.C. — Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Clyde Lee Brooks, 78 years old, died of congestive heart failure brought on by cancer at 1:15 a.m., March 13th 2008. He was the son of late John A. and Lakey M. Brooks of Glen Rogers, W.Va.

Clyde graduated from Grundy High School and worked for S&S; Corporation for eighteen years, and later retired from WW Garrison of Raleigh, N.C. He was a former deacon and member of Raven Assembly of God, and was currently a member and head usher of New Fire Ministries of Zebulon, N.C. He had moved to Wendell, N.C. three years ago to be near his daughters. He will be sorely missed.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Lois Potter.

He is survived by his loving wife, L. Agnes Brooks and two daughters, Sheliah Pruett and husband, James of Wendell, N.C. and Rhonda Grubb and husband, Curtis of Franklinton, N.C. He has six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel at Cedar Bluff, Va. with the Rev. Joe Copolo, the Rev. Barry Absher and the Rev. Jesse Terrell Jr. officiating. Entombment will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Va. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday (today) at Singleton Funeral Service at Cedar Bluff, Va.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.SingletonFuneralService.com.

Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Brooks family.

Mrs. Marie Mann

LINDSIDE, W.Va. — Mrs. Marie Mann, age 85, of Cooks Run Road, Lindside, W.Va., passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, March 12, 2008. She was born January 23, 1923 at Greenville, W.Va. She was the daughter of the late Henry and Sarah Canterbury Mann.

In addition to her parents, she preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Mann in 1998; two brothers, Clarence and Harvey Canterbury; one sister, Glenna Canterbury.

Mrs. Mann was a member of the Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Greenville, W.Va. for 51 years., she was an avid quilter, who quilted for Quilts Unlimited, and also a Caregiver for the Monroe County Council On Aging. Survivors left to cherish her memory includes two daughters, Joyce Christian and husband McKinley of Wikel, W.Va., and Donna Christian and husband Hobert of Lindside, W.Va.; three sons, Freddy Mann and wife Phala of Frametown, W.Va., Mr. Dickie Mann of Lindside, W.Va., and James Mann and wife Sherry of Wikel, W.Va.; nine grandchildren, Sarah Comer, David Christian, Keith Christian, and Brenda Page all of Wikel, W.Va., Linda Roberts of Ballard, W.Va., Mike Christian of Altamonte, Fla., Cynthia Boone, Angela Cadle, and Tina VanBuren all of Frametown, W.Va. Also surviving are fifteen great-grandchildren, McKinna, Kayla, Karissa, Kelsey and Heith Christian of Wikel, W.Va., Brian Comer of Greenville, W.Va., Brandon, Brad and Krystal Comer all of Wikel, W.Va., Abigail and Maggie Page of Wikel, W.Va., McKayla and Cordelia Boone of Frametown, W.Va., Ronica Cadle of Frametown, W.Va., and Alicia Mann of Frametown, W.Va., and one great-great granddaughter, Lily Comer of Wikel, W.Va.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2008 at the Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel, Peterstown, W.Va., with Elder Paul Williams and Elder Jimmy Boothe officiating. Burial will follow at the Mt. View Cemetery, Wikel, W.Va.

Friends may call from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday (today), March 15, 2008 at the Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home. Online guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com.

Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown.

Samantha Mullins Payne

BRADSHAW — Mrs. Samantha Mullins Payne, 99, of Bradshaw, went to be with her Lord on March 13, 2008. She was born on August 22, 1908, in Bradshaw, W.Va., a daughter of the late Joseph and Clara Osborne Mullins and was a lifelong resident of the Bradshaw area.

A homemaker and a willing worker for her Lord, family, and community, Mrs. Payne enjoyed sewing and preparing gifts for “her soldiers” as she called the veterans at Barboursville and Beckley hospitals. She was a 50-year member of the Bradshaw Rebekah Lodge, having served as Noble Grand and in several other offices. She attended the Raysal Freewill Baptist Church as long as she was able and enjoyed the fellowship of members who came to visit her at home.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Payne; one son, William Ray Payne; an infant daughter; a brother, Paul Mullins; and four sisters, Mary Jane Payne, Rebecca Asbury, Alice Hawks, and Lola Dunnigan.

Survivors include one daughter, Hester Anglin of Bradshaw, with whom she made her home; two sons, Charles Payne and wife, Helen, of Fruit Park, Fla., and Lowell Payne and wife, Beulah, of New Castle, Ky.; her daughter-in-law, Norma Jean Holcomb of Winston-Salem, N.C.; one sister, Grace Mullins of Paynesville; seven grandchildren, Dr. Donna Roberts and husband, Dr. Michael Hughes, of Louisville, Ky., David Payne and wife, Shelagh, of La Grange, Ky., Robin Lynn Payne of Montclair, Va., Sherry Austin and husband, Jeff, of Orlando, Fla., Bill Payne and wife, Tamara, of Winston-Salem, N.C., Dr. Kenneth Payne and wife, Dr. Susan Hagan, of Marysville, Ky., Jamey Payne and wife, Debra, of Lorton, Va.; three step-grandchildren, David Anglin, Freddie Anglin, and Judy Westbrook, eleven great-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren, twelve step-great-great-grandchildren, her special caregivers, Beverly Steele and Sharon Rose, and several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, March 16, 2008 at 12 o’clock at the chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger with the Reverend Herman Day officiating. Burial will follow in the Tom Sparks Cemetery on Bradshaw Mountain near Paynesville. Nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Friends may call at the funeral home, Saturday evening, March 15, 2008 from 6 to 9 p.m., where the Rebekah Lodge 86 will conduct an evening service at 7:30.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please make a contribution to the McDowell County Library, Bradshaw Branch, Bradshaw, WV 24817; or the WV Veterans Home, Barboursville, WV 25504.

Arrangements by Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger.

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

Donald Gene Ratliff

NORTH TAZEWELL, Va. — Donald Gene Ratliff, age 56, of North Tazewell, Va., died Thursday, March 13, 2008 at Bristol Regional Medical Center, after a short battle with cancer.

Born February 4, 1952 in Bluefield, W.Va., he was the son of the late Hyter Benjamin Ratliff and Ella Blanche Vanhoozier Ratliff. He was a veteran of the United States Army. Mr. Ratliff was currently employed as the manager of Save-A-Lot Foods in Tazewell, Va. and had previously worked as an assistant manager for the former Deskins Supermarkets in Richlands, Va. for seventeen years. He was a member of the Tazewell Pentecostal Holiness Church and was a loving husband, father, and grandfather; he adored his three grandsons.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one infant daughter, Melissa Dawn Ratliff.

Survivors include his loving wife of thirty-five years, Linda Ratliff; two daughters, Angela D. Ray and husband, Jeff of Tazewell, Va. and Sarah Beth Ratliff of the home; three grandsons, Aaron Jackson Ray, Brandon Jacob Ray, and Lukus Kadyn Gage Anders; one uncle, Reece Ratliff of Christiansburg, Va.; one aunt, Delilah Vanhoozier of Tazewell, Va.; a host of family and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, Va. with the Rev. Jack Trigg and the Rev. Lawrence Hayes officiating. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell, Va. Pallbearers will be Jeff Ray, David Anders, Donnie Yates, Larry Blankenship, Rusty Ratliff, and Matthew Ratliff. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Rose and Danny Newman.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 - 8 p.m. Saturday (today), March 15, 2008.

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

Wilma Whitaker Stevenson

BENSON, N.C. — Wilma Whitaker Stevenson, age 75, of Benson, N.C., formerly of Vallscreek, W.Va., passed away at her home on March 13, 2008 surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Vallscreek, W.Va. and was the daughter of the late Thomas and Virgie Stafford Jackson, former McDowell County, W.Va. natives. She was former employee of General Instrument Corporation in Tazewell and was a former member of the Rebekah Lodge of Jacobs Fork W.Va. She had attended the Hartwell Church of God and had spent most of her life in the Vallscreek, W.Va. area.

Wilma was a loving mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, she will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Dock Whitaker; her second husband, Hubert Stevenson; one sister, Virginia Altizer; two brothers, Junior and Edward Jackson.

Those who remain to carry on her spirit are: Daughters: Mrs. Diane Hamilton and husband Ernie of Benson, N.C., Mrs. Crystal Carter and her husband Michael of Dunn, N.C.; sisters: Geneva Stevenson of Canebrake, W.Va., Ethel Patterson and husband, Calvin of North Tazewell, Va., Vada Norris and husband, Ray of Charleston, W.Va., Edna Carucci of Frazier, Mich.; very special niece, Margie Quesenberry; grandchildren: Caleb Carter, Misty Keene and husband, John, Dee Dee Cockrell and husband, David, Ernie Hamilton and wife, Julie, April Starling; great-grandchildren: John Garrett Keene, Madison Starling, Haven Starling, Justin Warren, Joshua Robbins, and Cody Hamilton.

Funeral services for Wilma Stevenson will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2008 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Va. with the Rev. Wade Quesenberry officiating. Interment will follow in Hartwell Cemetery at Hartwell, W.Va. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearer will be Justin Warren.

The family will receive friends at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Va. from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. Saturday (today).

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Liberty Home Care and Hospice, 105 Hunt Valley Drive, Dunn, North Carolina 28334.

Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Va. is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Daniel Lee Taylor

KETTERING, Ohio — Daniel Lee Taylor, age 61, of Kettering, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2008. Daniel was a United States Air Force Veteran, a long time employee of Countertop Connections in Dayton, and an avid golfer and fisherman. He was a loving and devoted husband, dad, and grandpa.

Daniel is survived by his wife of over 40 years: Lucille "Lou" Taylor; daughter and son-in-law: Annette and Archie "Chad" Bowling; sons and daughter-in-law: Shane and Erin Taylor, Shawn Taylor; #1 grandson: Branden Bowling; #1 granddaughter: Lauren Bowling; mother: Viola Taylor; sister: Patricia Lairson; brothers-in-law: Richard (Donna) Gosney, Richard (Mary) Vocke, Troy (Kim) Carmack, James Carmack, Fred Carmack, David (Annis) Gregory; sisters-in-law: Wanda (Kenny) Frazer, Vickie Taylor; and numerous favorite nieces, nephews, family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father: George E. Taylor and his brother: George E. Taylor.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Newcomer Funeral Home (South Chapel), 3940 Kettering Blvd., Kettering. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until time of services.

To send the family a message online, please visit www.NewcomerFamily.com.



Funerals

Funerals scheduled today include:

• Lillian D. Belcher: Noon, Elkhorn Regular Baptist Church on Belcher Mountain. Burial will follow at Elkhorn Church Cemetery, Belcher Mountain.

• Regina Lee Cabbell: Noon, Mercy Seat Baptist Church in Kyle. Entombment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Littlesburg, Road.

• Earnest Eugene Johnson: 2 p.m., Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, Va. Burial will follow in Johnson Cemetery, North Tazewell, Va.

• Wayne Justice: 11 a.m., Fanning Funeral Home Chapel in Welch. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton.

• Gregory Keith Kinzer: 2 p.m., Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Mausoleum, Bluewell.

• Elizabeth Laneeva “Mutt” Shultz: 1 p.m., Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel in Peterstown. Burial will follow at Ballard Church Cemetery, Ballard.