Category: Obituary

Delbert Drown, III, 67, of Ceredo, W.Va. passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Graveside service will be conducted 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at Dock’s Creek Cemetery with the American Legion Post 93 Honor Guard officiating. Delbert was born April 27, 1954, in Huntington a son of the late Delbert Drown, Jr. and the late Gloria Small Drown. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister Lula Mae “Lulu” Sharp and a brother John Wesley Drown. He is survived by three brothers and a sister-in-law Jeff Drown (Donna), Robert Drown and Davey Drown; two sisters and brothers-in-law Linda Richards (Fred) and Dorothy Mount (Gary) and a host of nieces, nephews and family and friends. There will no visitation and no procession to the cemetery. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Kenneth Michael Gray, 72, of Ashland, Kentucky passed away at his home on March 7, 2022.  Mike was born in Cambridge, Ohio, the son of the late Kenneth and Erie Gray.  He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judy Scott Gray of Ashland; his son Nathaniel  Ryan “Nat”Gray and his wife Melissa; Abigail Foster Gray, his only granddaughter; and two grandsons Caleb and Carter Gray.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Sarah Gray.

Mike was a graduate of Ceredo Kenova High School, Class of ‘67 and earned both Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Elementary Education  from Marshall University.  He served 37 years in Wayne County Schools teaching at Prichard, Wayne, Kenova, and Kellogg Elementaries, and CK Middle School.  Mike really enjoyed coaching the CK High School Girls’ basketball team and took particular pride in their successful season when they played in the state tournament.   He always enjoyed catching up with former students and took great pride in the good people they had become.

Mike was a devoted father to his son, Nat.  In Nat’s younger years they were always together fishing, running, & camping.   Five of the most enjoyable years were watching  Nat be Center/Nose Guard for CK Wonders Football Team.

After retirement he enjoyed coaching the Dodgers Little League team at Fraley Field. Mike was devoted to his family and the best part of his life was being a “Grumpsy”  to his grandbabies.  Whether he was playing tea party with his granddaughter or pirates on the beach with his grandsons it was his favorite thing to do as long as they were there.  Later you could find him in the stands at Boyd County watching his grandsons play ball or at the Ashland YMCA pool watching his granddaughter compete.

To honor Mike’s wishes a private service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Victorie Animal Rescue 3589 Wire Branch Rd. Ona, WV. 25545. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

Margaret Lee Copley Gilliam, 88, of Kenova, WV. passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Thursday, March 3, 2022 at her residence. Funeral service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Sunday, March 6, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, WV. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. She was retired from Wal Mart in South Point with 21 years of service. She was born September 10, 1933 in Kenova, WV. daughter of the late Clarence P. and Gladys Johnson Copley. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death her by husband Glen Gilliam. She is survived by her children Steve Gilliam (Mary), Mark Gilliam (Mary), Lisa Campbell and Lori Duty (Mark); grandchildren Kelli, Shaun, Sean, Zach, Andi, Ryan, Amy, Amanda, Kelly and Kyle and 14 great-grandchildren and a loving caregiver Trish Simpson. The family wishes to thank the nursing staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center and Hospice of Huntington. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Huntington P.O. Box 464 Huntington, W.Va. 25709. Friends may call from noon-2:00 P.M. Sunday, March 6, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, WV. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Randy Lee Eskew, 61, of Kenova, WV. passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at his residence. Funeral service will be conducted 3:30 P.M. Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, WV. with Pastor Scott Byard officiating. Interment will follow in the Adkins Family Cemetery Oak Hill, Ohio. He was a Machinist with Engines Inc. Randy was born November 2, 1961 in Huntington, W.Va. son of the late Charles Edward and Juanita Merritt Eskew. He is survived by his wife Laura Eskew; son Anthony Eskew and numerous other family members. Friends may call from 1:30-3:30 P.M. Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, WV. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com. Continue reading “Eskew, Randy L”

Jack Russell Dunlap Jr., 76, of Catlettsburg, Ky. passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Monday, February 28, 2022 at his residence. Funeral service will be conducted 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 4, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, WV. with Pastor Frank Hulett officiating. Entombment will follow in Golden Oaks Memorial Gardens with military rites being conducted by the American Legion Post 93 Honor Guard. Jack was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army and a former member of the laborers local 1445 in Catlettsburg. He was born February 1, 1946 in Ashland, Ky. a son of the late Jack Russell Dunlap Sr. and Laura Ann Johnson Dunlap. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter Jackie Renee Dunlap Farley; brother Jim Dunlap and his beloved four-legged friend Buster. He is survived by his beloved wife Vickki Lynn Nelson Dunlap; two daughters and a son-in-law Heather Castle (JR) and Carrie Hoffman; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother John Dunlap; one sister Patty Dunlap and special friends an neighbors Meghan Fischer and family. Friends may call from 6-8 P.M. Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, WV. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Michele Mourning Hay, 52, of Huntington, passed away at St. Mary’s Medical Center on February 28, 2022. She was born on December 28, 1969, in Huntington W.Va., a daughter of the late Michael Mourning Sr., and Virginia Caperton Mourning Dean. Michele was a graduate of Buffalo High School. She was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking and making crafts. She enjoyed time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Michele loved the outdoors and fishing with her husband. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by one sister, Sherry Powell. Michele is survived by her husband, Kenneth Lee Hay II; four daughters Kayla Marie Hay (fiancé Austin Ryan Copley) of Huntington, Rachele Michele (John) Tipton of South Point, OH.; Sarah Henson of Prichard (fiancé Roy Ward); Emilee Elizabeth Hay of Cincinnati, OH. (fiancé Louis Enriquez); one brother, Michael R. (Angie) Mourning Jr of Kenova; grandchildren, Abby and Hunter Henson; Thomas Tipton; Tucker, Cindy, Gracie, and James Ward; and one coming in July 2022, Alaina Michele Copley; sister, Kathy Wilson of Proctorville, OH.; step-father, Allen Dean of Cannonsburg, KY. The funeral service will be conducted at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2022 with Pastor Dennis Romans officiating at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Visitation will be two hours before the service. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com

Michael Lee Straley, 74, of the Villages, FL, formerly of Kenova, passed away at his home on February 20, 2022. He was born on March 31, 1947. Michael served honorably in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was also employed as a truck driver and later retired from the Toyota plant in Georgetown, KY. He had a passion for many things such as boating, fishing, and hot dogs. Later in life he enjoyed attending Countryside Baptist Church with his wife Rose and playing pickleball. For many years he lived at Lake Cumberland, KY. Other places he called home included Kenova, WV; Florence and Georgetown, KY; and finally, the Villages, FL. Michael was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife of 49 years, Evella Chaffin Straley; his parents Lauris and Sallie Friley Straley; his mother and father-in-law, Polly and Gilbert Chaffin; and a sister, Jeanette Curnutte. He is survived by his wife, Rose, sons Michael Lee Straley, Jr., Steven Dwayne Straley (Carrie), and Jeffrey Brian Straley (Peggy); grandchildren Chad, K.C., Courtney, Hannah, Cody, and Chylee Straley; three great-grandchildren with one on the way; and brother and sister-in-law, David and Sue Straley. The visitation will be on Sunday, February 27 from 12:00 to 1:30 pm, at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, with the funeral to follow immediately, and a military graveside service will be conducted afterwards at Hillcrest Cemetery in Kenova.

Donald Ray Jarrell, Esq., 65 of Ceredo, W.Va. passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, February 16, 2022, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House following his battle with lung cancer.  Don was born December 12, 1956, in Huntington W.Va., the son of Betty Joan Morris Jarrell and the late Dr. Mack C. Jarrell.  Don was a very bright student and achieved many academic honors.  He was a member of the US Army.  He attended West Point.  Don then graduated from Marshall University.  Don was an Honor ROTC graduate.  He attended Stetson University College of Law where Don obtained his Juris Doctor (JD) degree.  Don then returned to W.Va. and began to practice law.  For over 30 years, Don maintained his private law practice and represented numerous clients in a wide variety of legal matters.  He was a brilliant trial attorney who loved what he did, and he was proud of the impact his career had on the lives of so many people.

Don was incredibly talented in so many aspects of his life.  He enjoyed acrylic and watercolor painting, wood turning, and learning new crafts.  He loved to travel and explore new places with those he loved.  He was an avid fisherman who loved being on the water, and he enjoyed starting the garden every year.  He loved to grill and would cook to feed an army.  Don was a firm believer in the theory if anything was worth doing, it was worth overdoing.  He knew the most valuable thing in life was time.  Don would always say, on their deathbed no one wants an extra five thousand dollars, you only want five more minutes with those you love.  He always put his family first and took care of us no matter what he was going through.  Don lived his life to the absolute fullest, and his legacy will live on through all the lives he touched.  We will always remember him for the man he was.

In addition to his mother, Don is survived by his beloved wife and best of friend, Lisa “Missy” Hale Jarrell; his children and their spouses, Eric Tomblin (Sheri), Chad Kilgore (Jessica), Cayman Jarrell (Ron), and Laken Wolfe (Billy); his grandchildren Ellie, Jackson, and Isabelle, with more to come; and two brothers Shawn Griffith and Andy Jarrell.  The family will be having a memorial service to honor and celebrate Don’s life at a later date.  Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

James Kelly Mathis, Jr. , 86, of Ceredo, W.Va. passed away Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at the Woodland Oaks Health Care Center. Graveside service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Monday, February 21, 2022 at Dock’s Creek Cemetery with Pastor Scott Byard officiating. He was born September 6, 1935 in Hardin County, Ky. a son of the late James Kelly Mathis, Sr. and the late Retha Mathis. He was a retired truck driver with Wheeler and Williams Wholesale Company. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters. He is survived by his beloved wife Dorothy Sanders Mathis; one son James David Mathis; two daughters and sons-in-law Pamela “Pam” Lane (Rick) and Rebecca “Becky” Cochenour (Eddie); 4 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. There will be no visitation and no procession to the cemetery. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Carl Chadwick Jr. passed away at his home and was reunited with his wife Rosalie in their heavenly home on February 12, 2022. Services will be Friday, February 18, 2022 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Rollins Funeral Home, Kenova with Pastor Mike Blankenship officiating. The family will receive friends two hours before the service. Burial will be in Cyrus Cemetery. Carl was born in Cyrus on January 6, 1929 a son of the late Carl Chadwick Sr. and Tressie Ray Chadwick. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Rosalie Chadwick and their son Gary Dale Chadwick. He was a member of Madison Avenue Christian Church in Huntington. Carl spent 40 years touching the lives of students at Fort Gay and Ceredo-Kenova High Schools where he coached and taught. Not one to sit still he spent his free time in his garden. He took joy in watching things grow. His neighbors often benefited from his gardens excess when he delivered fresh fruits and vegetables to their doors. Another passion was fishing and he was always ready to go to Lake Erie. He was a man of many talents including carpentry which he used to build his as well as his daughter’s homes among others. Surviving family includes his daughter, Jeanette and Mike Billups of Kenova, one brother, Keith (Freda) Chadwick of Texas; two grandchildren, Aaron (Sochill) Billups and Allison (Ryan) Kazee; four great grandsons, Elijah, Blaine, Harrison and Brooks as well as several nieces and nephews. Carl’s family would like to express their thanks to his cousin Brenda Damron whose weekly “pizza party” visits in his last two years brought him such pleasure and company. The family would also like to thank his caretakers, Becky, Shirley, Jennifer, and Hannah who took such wonderful and loving care of Carl and the whole family. Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Huntington, who assisted with his care, at P.O. Box 464, Huntington, WV 25709. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.