Category: Obituary

Carl Thomas “Tom” Knopp, 79, of Kenova, WV passed away on Monday April 22, 2024. He was born September 24, 1944 in West Columbia, WV, a son of the late Andrew Carl Knopp and Margaret Reynolds Knopp Bonham. He was a self employed barber. Tom was also the Director of the Good Samaritan Center for many years. He served on the City of Kenova Council for eight years. He is survived by his wife, Lynn Justice Knopp and their children, Michelle, Tim, Trisha, Leslie and Kevin and grandchildren, Jacynn, Ryann and Walker. Graveside services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Docks Creek Cemetery with Sam Colvin officiating. In lieu of flowers it was Tom’s request that memorial donations be made to the Good Samaritan Center, 1523 Chestnut Street, Kenova, WV 25530. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

 

Milda Jane Ross Akers Justice, 82, of Catlettsburg, KY, wife of Glen Justice, passed away Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Community Hospice in Ashland, KY. She was born February 22, 1942 in Huntington, WV a daughter of the late Floyd and Mamie Mae Tucker Ross. Milda had worked for New Concepts in marketing. She was a member of the Ross Sisters who sang all over the Tri-State area and also performed at the Grand Ole Opry. Milda was a member of Ceredo Church of Christ. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Withrow and Evelyn Waller. Milda is survived by her husband, Glen; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Richard Akers and Clifford (Tammy) Akers; four grand children, Brittany, Patrick, Breanna and Taylor; and one brother, Don Ross. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2024 from noon to 1:00 p.m. at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 with Minister Luke Goulds officiating. Burial will follow in Ceredo Crescent Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Willie “Pete” Robertson, Jr. passed away Friday, April 19, 2024 at his home. He was born October 29, 1946 in Huntington, WV a son of the late Willie, Sr. and Reba Robertson. Pete served in the US Army. In addition to his parents Pete was preceded by his beloved wife, Phyllis Jean Dillon Robertson and his son, David “Davey” Robertson. He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Christie Adkins Robertson; two adored grandchildren, David Mason and Jayden Marie Robertson; and his caregiver, Teresa Parsons. Pete loved to work in his wood shop. He also loved his time with his wife camping. He and his wife worked many years doing the beautification program for the Town of Ceredo. There will be a graveside service Monday, April 22, 2024 at Hillcrest Cemetery beginning at 2:00 pm with Pastor Jeff Canterbury officiating. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the Robertson family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Kathleen Elizabeth Morgan Brown ,66, of Ceredo passed away Friday, April 12, 2024 at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Bertram Riley and Mary Catherine Murray Morgan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Stephen Brown. Survivors include her daughter Misty Jensen; son Frank B. Lambert: five siblings Riley Morgan, Teresa Champ, Dennis (Midget) Morgan, Christina Adkins and Rebecca Stewart; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. There will be no public services at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

Esther Naomi Lycan Fairchild,100, of Ashland, Ky. passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Wurtland Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Esther was born May 23, 1923 in Ft. Gay, WV. a daughter of the late Wayne and Minnie Austin Lycan. She was a member of the Oaks Springs Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Roy Fairchild; brother Ed Lycan and two sisters Lillian Queen and Ruth Smith and a son-in-law John Stevens. Survivors include one daughter Judith Carol Stevens; three grandchildren Christe (Steve) Griffith, Greg (Leslie) Stevens and Mark (Lisa) Stevens; five great-grandchildren Emily (Justin) Pennington, Eleanor Stevens, Cameron (Brooke) Stevens, Sara (Collins) Youngblood, Skylar Morrison; six great-great grandchildren Carson Pennington, Cash Pennington, Layla Duffield, Roy Reed, Presley Youngblood and Heidi Stevens; three nephews Roy Allen (Rita) Smith, Tim Lycans and Randy Lycans; four nieces Kathy (Roy) Whitt, Marchelle, Tammy and Cheri. Funeral service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Monday, April 15, 2024 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Pastor Ron Riley officiating. Entombment will follow in Golden Oaks Memorial Gardens in Ashland. Friends may call from 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Monday, April 15, 2024 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com. 

Michael E. Stewart,73, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. He was a native of Ceredo, WV, the son of the late Doris Johnson and James E. Stewart. He attended Ceredo-Kenova High School and he served a tour of duty in Vietnam with the 1st and 5th Marine Divisions. He retired as a Lieutenant from the Federal Bureau of Prisons in December of 2000. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ceredo and he was virtually a life member of the Ceredo and Kenova Volunteer Fire Departments. He leaves behind his former wife Cynthia Ann Stewart; step-son Charles R. Eastham (Susan); four grandchildren Ryan Eastham (Sarah), Patrick Eastham (Jessica), Griffen Eastham and Ellie Eastham and two great-grandchildren Graveside service will be conducted 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Hillcrest Cemetery on Rt. 75 in Kenova. There will be no visitation and no procession to the cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

Terri Lynn Black Nicholas, 72, of Kenova, loving mother and grandmother passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at her residence. Terri was born September 21, 1951 in Kenova a daughter of the late Attlee P. and Reba Jean VanFaussien Black. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband James J. Nicholas. Survivors include daughter Gena Nicholas; son and daughter-in-law Jay (Misty) Nicholas; four grandchildren Katherine Nicholas, Stephanie Nicholas, Taitum Nicholas and Dalton Nicholas; brother and sister-in-law Dale (Connie) Black and sister and brother-in-law Nancy (Bobby) Hallman. A memorial service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the Fellowship of Grace Church 372 Main Street Ceredo, Wv. 25507 with Pastor Tom Baisden officiating. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

Janet Leigh Bullock Diamond, a cherished soul and devoted Christian whose love for family, literature and art, always enriching the lives of those around her, passed away at the age of 72, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky. A memorial service to celebrate her vibrant life will be held at 10:30 AM on April 8, 2024, at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, marking a moment to honor her legacy and the indelible mark she left on the world.

Born on September 17, 1951, Janet’s early life was nurtured by the love and values of her late parents, Olan Herman Bullock and Betty Jo Porter Bullock, setting the foundation for a life of passion, education and care. As a dedicated educator, she illuminated the minds of countless students, guiding them with a blend of wisdom drawn from her beloved books and the creative flair inspired by her appreciation of learning. Janet’s classroom was more than a place of to expand the mind; it was a gallery where the art of understanding and the literature of life were displayed in full color.

In the tapestry of her life, the brightest threads were her beloved husband, Ronald Wilson Diamond, whose memory she held dear following his passing last year and their four children and their spouses: Ronald W. “Ronnie” Diamond, II (Brent), Timothy Eric Diamond (Millie), Matthew Scott Diamond (Dorthy) and Elizabeth Anne Diamond-Eplin (Justin). The joy of her heart was further multiplied by her love for the Church of Christ and her three grandchildren, Preston Carter Eplin, Greyson Cruz Eplin and Aniston Grace Eplin, who brought new chapters of love and laughter into her story.

Janet’s legacy is a mosaic of love for her family, a profound connection with the world of literature, and a lifelong affair with art and music, which painted her world in bright, unforgettable colors. Her teachings went beyond the classroom, instilling in her children and students a deep appreciation for the beauty of storytelling, the power of education and the importance of cherishing each moment.

In addition to all her children and grandchildren, Janet is survived by her dear sister, Joyce Bullock, her brother, John Bullock, as well as many cherished loved-ones and relations. Friends and family are invited to gather for visitation from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM, Monday, April 8, 2024, at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, to share memories, offer condolences, and celebrate a life beautifully lived. Janet’s memory will also live on through the pages of the books she adored, the art and music she reveled in and the hearts of the family she loved so dearly. Online condolences and tributes can be shared at rollinsfh.com, a space for all to express the impact Janet had on their lives and the void her departure leaves behind.

Wallace Edward Dean, 89, of Lavalette, WV. husband of Kathleen Ross Dean, passed away Sunday, March 24, 2024, at his residence. He was born July 12, 1934, a son of the late John and Laura Oneta Buskirk Dean. Wallace was a member of the graduating class of 1952 at Ceredo-Kenova High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Western Illinois University and his Masters of Science from Marshall University. Wallace retired from the Army Corp of Engineers after 35 years of service. He had also worked for the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources and briefly taught at Ceredo-Kenova High School. He served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1976. He had the distinction of being WV’s first Certified Wildlife Biologist in 1978. Wallace became a member of the Professional Wildlife Society in 1989. He received the Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service from the Boy Scouts of America in 1991; the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service Dept. of the Army in 2001 and Superior Civilian Service Award Dept. of the Army in 2006. In 2005, Wallace was the Environmental Project Director for the Dolly Sods UXO Project receiving a Telly Award for film “Enjoying Dolly Sods Safely.” He was also a founder of the Wilderness Rangers Program in 1984 sponsored by the American Legion Post 93 in Kenova, WV. In addition to his wife, Wallace is survived by his son, Shaun A. (Deborah H.) Dean and their children, Jacob A. (Angie) Dean, their children, Fischer, Sawyer and Henlee; Luke P. (Stephanie) Dean, their daughter, Paige; and Randie (Javey) Vance and their daughters, Lillie and Rose May; his daughter, Jinah J. (Robert) Cook and their sons, Robert T. and Ryan M. Cook; son, Sonny (Wendy, deceased) Haren and their children, Ethan (Azure) Haren; Lydia C. (Brandon) Louth and their daughter, Sloan; daughter Gina Stevens, deceased, (Tim) and her daughter, Callie B. (Tony) Cicenas and their children, Shelby, Shay Tanner (Ricky), Sydney and Asher; many nieces, nephews and other family members. Wallace loved the outdoors. He and Kathleen enjoyed traveling and finding a good place to share a meal. He liked being with his family and will be missed by all who loved him. Friends may call from 11 to 1 on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, WV. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Wilderness Rangers Program and mailed to Grady Brewer, 95 Feely Drive, Ona, WV 25545. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Bonnie Sue Hayton Ekers, 80, of Prichard, WV., passed away Monday, April 1, 2024 at the Madison Park Assisted Living Center. Funeral service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Thursday April 4, 2024 at Rollins Funeral Home with Pastor Zach Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the Hayton Cemetery. Bonnie was born in Prichard, WV. a daughter of the late Ezra and Victoria Bowen Hayton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Willis Vinson Ekers; sisters Pauline Rodgers, Clara Hayton, Roberta Hayton, Sadie Mullet, Ida Belle Wetherall, Bertha Skeens & Beulah Oney and brothers Mack Hayton, Benjamin Riley Hayton and William S. Hayton. She is survived by two daughters and one son-law Tammy Ekers and Kimberly (Ray) Messer; one sister and brother-in-law Jo Ann (Buford) Smith; grandchildren Brittany Messer and Jared (Abbi) Messer and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Barb VanHoose; neighbors Judy and Kathy and Cindy Cooper for loving on her Mamaw. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.