Obituaries

Mabel JoAnn Belcher Avis, 86, of Kenova, W.Va. passed away February 18, 2026 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House in Huntington, W.Va. Joann was born September 26, 1939 a daughter of the late Henry Beecher and Gladys Belcher. She was a graduate of Man High School and spent her life caring for her beloved family. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, John D. Avis, Sr.; one son, John D Avis, Jr. and his wife, Kathy; one granddaughter, Jordan Hannah Duhamell and her husband, Dominica; a great granddaughter, Brooke Duhamell; a sister, Ruth Graham of Dayton, Ohio and a brother, Mackie Belcher of, Low Ash, Buffalo Creek in Logan County, W.Va. JoAnn was a 50 year member of the Catlettsburg Harvest Church of God, Catlettsburg, KY. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. A graveside service will be conducted on Monday, February 23, 2026 beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Spring Valley Memory Gardens, Huntington, W.Va. There will be no visitation or procession to the cemetery. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

 

Ileta Hoosier Willis, born June 5,1934 went to see her Lord and family in Heaven, February 15, 2026 at the age of 91. She was the daughter of the late George and Eltha Hatten Hoosier. Also preceding her in death were her husband, Ernest “Bill” Willis; daughter, Tina Prince; granddaughter, Brandi Davis; grandson, Chipper Willis; sister, Rose Ellen Osborne and three infant siblings. She is survived by her sons, Ernie and Susie Willis of Kenova, W.Va., with whom she has made her home for the last ten months; Scott Willis, Tim and Angie Willis; and a son-in-law, Alphrey Prince, all of Prichard, W.Va. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great grandchildren who called her “Granny” and the rest of her family and friends. In addition she is survived by a special nephew, George Osborne; cousin, Nellie Jordan and her son, Steve Salyers; and her very best friend, Viola Bentley. Ileta will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Visitation will be conducted on Friday, February 20, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. when her funeral service will begin with Rev. Scott Byard officiating at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Nell Lorraine (May) Brumfield, 98, of The Woodlands in Huntington, WV, formerly a longtime resident of Ceredo, WV, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2026.

Nell was born on April 28,1927, in Kenova, WV. She was a proud graduate of Ceredo-Kenova High School, where she fondly remembered her time as a majorette in the school band. Nell received her Undergraduate and Masters Degrees from Marshall University, and enjoyed a 20-year elementary education teaching career.

She was married to her beloved husband, Glenn Earl Brumfield, for 65 years. Together they built a life centered on family, friendship, faith, and community. Glenn preceded her in death.

Nell is survived by her three children: G. David Brumfield of Hurricane, WV; James W. Brumfield (Anne), of Durham, NC; and R. Lynn (Brumfield) Adkins (Jerry), of Lavalette, WV. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Madeline Powell (Joseph), Houston, TX; Chris Brumfield (Shannon), High Point, NC; Jennifer Erwin (Matt), Richmond, VA; Mary Kathryn Souto (Lee), Durham, NC; Gretchen Adkins (Chris), Greensboro, NC; and ten great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immense joy.

Nell greatly enjoyed playing golf and cards, attending the Marshall Artist Series, and faithfully supporting Marshall University football and basketball—both home and away—alongside her husband and dear friends. After Glenn’s passing, she continued attending games, maintaining the traditions they loved together.

She was active in her community, serving on the Ceredo Beautification Committee and volunteering as a docent at the Huntington Museum of Art. Nell was also a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Kenova, where her faith remained an important and guiding part of her life.

The family wishes to offer special acknowledgment and heartfelt thanks to Barbara Ragland for her years of tireless devotion to Nell’s care, health, and happiness. The family also thanks April Scaggs, as well as the entire staff of The Woodlands for their compassionate care.

Funeral services will be held at the Rollins Funeral Home, 1822 Chestnut Street, Kenova, WV, on Saturday, February 14, 2026. The family will receive visitors beginning at 12:00 noon, wiith services to follow at 1:00 p.m. Internment will follow at the Woodmere Cemetery in Huntington at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Nell Brumfield to the Marshall University Foundation, Inc., 519 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV, 25703. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Josie Mae Merritt, passed away January 31, 2026 in the home that she loved so very much. She was born February 4, 1939, the daughter of Clyde and Vesta Graham. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband, Bruce Merritt; a son Randy Thompson and a son-in-law, John Daniels. She is survived by two daughters, Pamela (Roger) Nelson and Kimberly Daniels; two step daughters, Marsha (Bill) Keyser and Janice (Larry) Disk; six grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren; neighbors, Todd and Keri Davis that were like family. A private family celebration will be held at a later date. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Bernard Wilson Skean, 74, of Kenova, WV peacefully passed away on January 28, 2026. Bernard, known lovingly as “Bernie” was born on July 17, 1951 at Rife Hospital in Kenova and was raised by his parents Irena and stepfather Glen Irons. In life, he served our country faithfully as a Master Mechanic in the Navy for 18 years. The Navy fostered a lifelong love for aviationexemplified through his personal love of flying and constructing aircrafts in his spare time. His enthusiasm for flying could only be matched through his love of music. He could be heard playing music with his band “The Country Boys” at the former diners known as “The Chatterbox” in Kenova and “Dorthey’s” in Steptown. It was not uncommon to hear the twang of his guitars and banjos any day of the week, playing the melodies ofanything from Johnny Cash to Lynyrd Skynyrd. Bernie was the foundation of his family, personifying what it means to give your life to your loved ones. The workday never ended, and neither did the love for his family. He will be greeted in Heaven by his mother and father, his brothers Franklin and Gary Skean, his eldest daughter Crystal, and his beloved wife Ida Carol. In life he is survived by his daughters Courtney (Rhodney Kholer) Skean, Julia (Pat) Maloney, and Debra Freeman, his grandchildren Mackenzie Reffitt, Michael Reffitt, Hayden Wright, Parker McComas, Preston Tolliver-Skean, Zion Burnes, Malachi Burns, and Naomi Burnes, and his great-grandchildren Riley Reffitt, and Bentley Wright. He is also survived by many friends, fellow service members, bandmates, and loved ones who will forever sing a song and share in his memory. Continue reading “Bernard Wilson Skean”

Aught Kenneth “Ken” Walker, 91, of Huntington, WV. passed away Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at his home. Ken was born March 5, 1934 in Huntington, WV. son of the late Aught and Lilly McGinnis Walker. He was retired from the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Freda Fuery Walker; son Jeffrey Scott Walker; grandson John Kenneth (JK) Walker, II.; sister Gail Patricia Tweel and brother David M. Walker. He is survived by two sons John Kenneth “Kenny” Walker (Kim) and Dwayne Walker (Kathy); granddaughter Lacey Walker; grandson Stephen Walker; five great-grandchildren Beckham, Bronson, Bristol, Sawyer and Lennix and his beloved dog Griz. In keeping with his request all services will be private with interment taking place in the Walker Family Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Bradley G. Heck, 54 of Ceredo, WV passed away Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington after a sudden illness. He was born September 24, 1971 a son of JoAlice Bradley Heck and the late Larry J. Heck. Bradley was a graduate of Ceredo Kenova High School and earned his Masters Degree at Marshall University. He had been employed by the Wayne County Board of Education where he was a teacher for 16 years at Wayne High School. In addition to his beloved mother, he leaves behind a devoted wife, Heather Figlar Heck, cousins, a nephew and nieces. He is deeply loved and will be sorely missed. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family with private family services. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Ethel Christine Dean, 88, of Prichard, W.Va. passed away January 9, 2026 at Cabell Huntington Hospital. She was born November 5, 1937 in Crum, W.Va. a daughter of the late Grant and Juanita Perry. She was a loving mother and grandmother and took great pride in her family. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe Dean; daughters Lorie Nelson and Vicki Taylor; sister Barbara Ferguson; and a grandson Joe Hite. She is survived by two daughters Mary (Tim) Marcum and Sue Gillispie, as well as a host of grandchildren. There will be a memorial service held at 3:00 P.M., Saturday January 24, 2026, at Spirit of Faith Church on 18^th & Sycamore St. Kenova, W.Va. with Rev. Tim Crabtree officiating. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Nancy Ellen Fannin, 78, left this earthly home for paradise at the Emogine Dolin Hospice House on Friday, January 9, 2026. She leaves behind to mourn her passing her husband of 58 years, Ronnie, a daughter Rhonda Fannin-Burks, grandchildren Kayla Burks and Hunter Fannin.  Nancy was proceeded in death by her beloved son Ricky Fannin, parents Elmer Stewart and Edna “Frosty” Duncan, stepfather Homer Duncan, twin sister Ruth Eaves, brothers James “Fred” Stewart and Ernest “Butch” Stewart.  Additional survivors include her sisters Cookie (Jack) Stevens and Dottie Hatten, daughter-in-law Bridget Fannin, many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. She was a member of the Oakview Baptist Church, Kenova and attended faithfully until her health prevented her from doing so.  Moses wrote in Exodus 35:25, “the skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun” as a free-will offering to God. And that was Nancy. She loved to cross-stitch, and her immense joy was working alongside her twin sister Ruth and their mother as they made custom drapery.  They would continuing the work after the mother’s passing at Edna’s Custom Drapes until Ruth’s passing. She loved much and will be missed much.  Services will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Kenova Church of Christ, 1801 Chestnut Street, Kenova, WV, with her nephew Minister Chris Stevens officiating.  Visitation will begin at 11:30 AM and funeral services will begin at 12:30 PM.  Graveside services to follow at Spring Valley Memorial Gardens. The family wishes to thank the staff at Rollins Funeral Home for their assistance and care during this time. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.