Richard Lee Lawson, 66, of Kenova, W.Va. passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland. He was born September 8, 1954 in Hamlin, W.Va. a son of the late Arthur and Ruth Pauley Lawson. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters Marcie and Mary Jane and one grandson Nathaniel. Survivors include his wife Jamie Bailey Lawson; children Michele Lawson, Melissa Cooper, Cindy McCoy and Tracie Thocher; two sisters Darlene Mason and Renee Strickland and grandchildren Parker, Andrew, Jordan, Bryce, Laycee, Baylee, Emma and Lilly. Services will be conducted at a later date. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.
Gilkerson, Brady H
Brady Herman Gilkerson, 43, of Kenova, W.Va. passed away Friday, January 8, 2021 at St. Mary’s Medical Center. He was born August 10, 1977 in Huntington, W.Va. a son of Gary “Sonny” Gilkerson and Kathy (Jay) Enterkin. Brady was a paratrooper in the United States Army for 17 years. He served in five combat tours, three in Afghanistan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. His first duty station was in El Paso, Texas where he met the love of his life, Tiffany Gilkerson. Together they spent a large portion of his military career stationed in North Carolina where his three daughters Haley Gilkerson, Emily Gilkerson and Izzy Gilkerson were born and raised. Once retired Brady and his family moved back to his hometown in West Virginia where he continued to serve his community by joining the Fort Gay Volunteer Fire Department and briefly worked for the Prichard EMS. He was preceded in death by a sister Drema Gilkerson; paternal grandparents Dora Frasher and Brady (Jim) Gilkerson and maternal grandparents Barbara Perdue and John Ellis and maternal step-grandmother Billie Blevins. In addition to his parents he is survived by his beloved wife Tiffany Gilkerson; four children Haley, Emily and Dora (Izzy) Gilkerson and Allison Peterman (Austin); two grandchildren Brooklyn and Elijah Peterman; brother Shawn Gilkerson; step-sister Kimberly Kuntz (A.J.) and step-brother Craig Enterkin. All services will be private. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.
Sarver, Perry W
Retired Captain Perry Wayne Sarver of the Huntington Fire Department passed away Tuesday January 5, 2021 at the Cabell Health Care Center. Perry was born July 22, 1955, a son of Carol Sue Childress Sarver Curry. He was a graduate of Huntington High School. Perry was employed by the City of Huntington. A member of Local IAFF 289, he was hired August 13, 1979. On June 9, 1980 he received his National Registry EMT certification. He was promoted to Lieutenant March 2, 1985 and then was promoted to Captain September 26, 1987 and finally retiring in 1994. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Berton & Lucille McCormick. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife Tina Louise Turner Sarver; one son, Kristopher Sarver; one daughter, Brittany Ann Atteberry. Grandchildren, Bella, Livy, Kinley, Weston; one special nephew, Emerson Pauley; two brothers, Jerry Sarver and Jonathan (Taite) Pauley; one sister, Camilla Brammer; two honorary granddaughters, Reagan and Reese Mooney; special friends, Christopher (Christa) Mooney and Fred Mellert and a host of other family and friends. Tina would like to thank the entire staff at Cabell Health Care Center for their loving and compassionate care, especially the Light House Unit. Funeral services will be conducted at Kenova United Methodist Church, January 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm with Eulogist Retired Captain Forrest Marshall, Huntington Fire Department. Visitation will be from 11:30-1:00 pm, January 13, 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ronald McDonald House, 1500 17th Street, Huntington, WV 25701. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.RollinsFH.com.
Irby, Juanita T
Juanita Trent Irby, 84, of Huntington, W.Va. passed away Monday, December 28, 2020 in Cabell Huntington Hospital. Funeral service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the Locust Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Greg Page officiating. Interment will follow in the Mount Vernon Cemetery. Juanita was born October 13, 1936 in Man, W.Va. daughter of the late Clifford and Della Lusk Trent. She was a 1957 graduate of Man High School. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by four brothers Henry, Bogle, Johnny and Gene Trent; two sisters Zona Jude and Wanda Trent; one brother-in-law Samuel Browning and one sister-in-law Gladys Trent. She is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years Robert Irby; two sisters Pauline Browning and Carolyn (Tommy) Looney-Miller; one brother Hebert (Della) Trent; special nieces and nephews Tina (Raymond) Spangler, Jennifer (James) Smith, Tommy Vance, Gunner Lambert, Brian (Preslee), Gabriel, Cheyenna, Isabella, Sabrina and Jade Looney, Jason Carter and numerous other family members and special friends Clint and Misty Maynard. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Saturday, January 2, 2021. Social distancing and mask are required. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com
Blevins, Alvin B
Alvin Baxter Blevins, of Catlettsburg, KY, passed away Friday, December 18, 2020 at the home of his daughter. The funeral service will be conducted at 12:30 pm Tuesday December 22, 2020 at the Kenova Church of God where he was a member. Reverend Paul Cantrell of Kenova will be officiating. Interment will follow at Spring Valley Memory Gardens. Continue reading “Blevins, Alvin B”
Damron, Paul “PD”
Paul “PD” Damron, 64, of Prichard, W.Va. passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2020 in Charleston, SC. Funeral service will be conducted 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at the Kenova Church of Christ, of which he was a member, with Minister Chris Stevens officiating. Interment will follow in the Ward-Lewis Cemetery. PD was born June 7, 1956 in Huntington, W.Va. son of the late Conrad and Billie Adkins Damron. He was a 1975 graduate of Ceredo-Kenova High School and attended Marshall University. PD spent 24 years as a paramedic for Cabell County EMS and was a former member of KFD and HFD. He retired from the St. Mary’s Medical Center in Remote Monitoring. PD was proud to serve the citizens of Wayne and Cabell County. He loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed the great outdoors. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Rita Faye Lewis Damron. He is survived by two sons and daughter’s-in-law Michael Damron (April) and Jay Damron (Katy); two grandchildren Liam and Chloe and a sister Sandy Poland. PD was a loving man that leaves behind a host of extended family members and a host of dear friends. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that you make a donation to the charity of your choice. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 22, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at the Kenova Church of Christ. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Social distancing and mask are required. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.
McLin, Minnie F
Minnie F. McLin, 94, of Huntington, WV. passed away Friday, December 11, 2020 at the Heritage Center. Funeral service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Pastor Matthew Christian, officiating. Interment will follow in Ceredo Crescent Hill Cemetery. Minnie was born July 13, 1926 in Wayne County a daughter of the late Millard and Mary Murphy Clark. She was a retired postal clerk. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by one daughter Yvonne Pridemore and one son Gary Thacker, Sr.. Survivors include one son James Douglas Thacker; one daughter Deborah Ann Carter; 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great grandchildren. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Social distancing and masks are encouraged. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.
Ward, “Coach” Carl K
CARL KENNETH WARD, 91, of Kenova, W.Va., uncle to Beth Willis and Cristy Franklin, passed away peacefully at his home on the evening December 9, 2020. He was born June 13, 1929 in Happy Holler, W.Va., son to the late Frank and Mabel Ward. After his service with the U.S. Army in the Korean War, Carl came back to finish his bachelor’s in teaching at Marshall University. He went on to contribute to the Ceredo-Kenova community immensely. Eventually garnering the most championships by a single coach in West Virginia history, Carl’s real contribution was his ability to bring the community together and help the younger generations succeed in every facet of life. C.K. High School’s Football Field was eventually named after both Carl and his best friend and assistant coach, Dale Craycraft. Carl was an avid church member at First Baptist Church of Kenova. He is preceded by his sister Wanda Ward Franklin, and his great nephews Seth and Corey Willis. He is survived by his nieces Beth Willis and Cristy Franklin as well as his great niece Meredith Ashlee Willis. Due to COVID restrictions the family held a private ceremony December, 17. A public celebration of life will be held on Ward-Craycraft Field on Carl’s birthday June 13, 2021.
Steele, Loretta S
LORETTA S. STEELE, 84, of Lavalette, W.Va., passed away on Sunday, December, 6, 2020, in Wayne Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wayne, W.Va. She was born September 16, 1936, in Wayne County, W.Va., a daughter of the late Clifford M. and Sadie Hazlett Smith. Loretta was a graduate of Buffalo High School, Class of 1954. She worked in banking for many years working for the First National Bank of Ceredo where she was a Teller Supervisor. She was a member of the Lavalette United Methodist Church. Loretta loved to sing and was a 30-year member of the River Magic Sweet Adelines. She was a past Worthy Matron of the White’s Creek Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. Loretta had many talents and was a member of the Kyova Quilters. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Gary A. Steele; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Lois Gene (Donald) Booth and Janet (Hiram) Rutherford; and her mother and father-in-law Shade and Recie Steele. She is survived by her daughter Robin (Jay) Dorfer of Columbia, S.C.; her son Robert (Penny) Steele of Rock Hill, S.C.; her granddaughter Meredith (Cody) Jones of Columbia, S.C.; two brothers, Sherrell (Barbara) Smith of Huntington, W.Va., and David (Bea) Smith of South Point, Ohio; two sisters-in-law, Lelia Smith of Las Vegas, Nev., and Marie Daugherty of Front Royal, Va., and a host of nieces and nephews. In observance of the CDC and State of W.Va. Covid- 19 regulations, her services will be private for family only on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at Cyrus Cemetery with Rev. Ray Stonestreet officiating. We ask you celebrate Loretta’s life by remembering the time you shared together. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Young Singers Foundation, P.O. Box 470168, Tulsa, OK. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the Steele family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.
Wright, Charles K “Boots”
Charles K. “Boots” Wright, 89, of Catlettsburg, passed away peacefully December 6, 2020 at the home of his daughter and son in law, Kay and Don Cole in Catlettsburg.
He was born on May 10th, 1931, son of the late Mary Buckley Jordan. He was also preceded by a son, Joe Wright in 2013: and a daughter, Maleah Wright who died at birth.
Boots was a graduate of Thomas R. Brown High School. Boots retired from the Boyd County Courthouse Property Valuation Office after 40 years of service. He was also the county land surveyor for many years. Boots was an exception to the rule: very few people these days can say they were born, raised, married, and then worked their entire life in the same city. Wright is a true son of Catlettsburg, Kentucky.
Boots married the love of his life, Betty McDowell Wright. They were married 65 years until her death in 2017.. He is survived by his daughter Kay (Don) Cole of Catlettsburg, Chuck Wright of Catlettsburg, and his fur buddy and best friend Bear that will miss him dearly, seven grandchildren, Russ (Amanda) Cole of Catlettsburg, Steven (Betsy) Cole of Ashland, Brandon Wright of North Carolina, Cody Wright of Flatwoods, Katti (Nathan) Tharpe of Hurricane, J. D. Wright of Catlettsburg, and Mindy McGinnis of Huntington: five great-grandchildren, Charlie and Violet Cole, Joseph Cole, and Kayleigh and Mia Jo Tharpe.
Boots loved going to his farm in Carter Co. to ride his tractor or sit by the pond. When home you could see him sitting on his front porch watching the traffic traveling up and down the road or gazing over at the park across the street. When inside you would find an old Western on TV which he loved to watch.
Graveside services will be Thursday, December 10 at 11:00 at the Catlettsburg Cemetery. Pastor Joey Kennedy will officiate.
Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, W Va is in charge of arrangement.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Community Hospice of Ashland, 1480 Carter Ave., Ashland, Ky 41101 or by calling (606) 329-1890. The family would like to thank Sheena Smith his Hospice nurse who took such great care of him and all the wonderful folks we met through Hospice.
Boots’ favorite passage was Psalm 23.