Category: Obituary

DANIEL L. WILLIAMSON, 75, of Kenova, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 18, 2021. He went peacefully surrounded by his family. Dan was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Williamson; mother, Eulah Ward Williamson; and brother, Jerry Williamson and sister-in-law, Elaine Williamson. Dan is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rebecca Stollings Williamson; sons, Rob Williamson (Lisa) and Joe Williamson (Sabrina); brother, Ted Williamson (Carol); and grandchildren: Sloane (Addison), Dakota, Mason, and Brock; as well as honorary grandchildren, Ethan and Caleb LeMaster and Marra Williamson; and many nephews and nieces. Dan was born in Huntington, and was the youngest of three children. He graduated from Buffalo High School and Marshall University with a master’s degree. After earning his CPA license, he owned and operated an accounting firm in Logan, W.Va., for close to 40 years and was well respected in the community. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. He loved being around family more than anything, especially with those who knew him as “Pops”. He enjoyed tennis, golf and his grandchildren’s sporting events. Dan was a devout Christian who served the Lord in many capacities, most often as a song leader. Special thanks go out to the staff at Cabell Health Care Center, who took great care with him. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Funeral service will be on Friday, July 23 at 11 a.m. at Rollins Funeral Home with Minister Jeff Garrett officiating. Burial to follow at Dock’s Creek Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.rollinsfh.com.

On Friday, July 16, 2021, Pastor Jim Richards, 62, died at his home in Kenova.  He passed peacefully, surrounded by family.  Jim was born August 3, 1958, in Parkersburg, W.Va., to Gene and Wyoma Richards.  He married Becky, his wife of 38 years, and together they had five children.  Nearly 30 years ago, Pastor Jim answered his call to ministry.  He has served United Methodist Churches in six West Virginia counties.  For the past ten years, he has served Kenova United Methodist.  He loved and was loved by many.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his wife, Becky; his sisters and their spouses, Jane and Rob Fink, Cathy and Steve Nesselrote, Cara and Randy Atkinson; his brother and his spouse, Mike and Debbie Richards; his mother-in-law, Alice Stanley; his daughter and her spouse, Morgan and Ashley Thompson; his sons and their spouses, Patrick and Amen Richards, Bill and Lindsay Richards; his son Benjamin; his son, Vincent; his grandchildren, Henry, Levi, and Conli; and many beloved nieces and nephews.  Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20 at Kenova United Methodist Church.  The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 21, also at Kenova United Methodist.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to a congregation of your choice.  Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Barbara Ann Smith fell asleep at home on July 10, 2021 and woke up in her new home with Jesus where she was reunited with Paul, her childhood sweetheart and husband of almost 59 years. She was 86 years old. Born in Roanoke, Virginia, Barbara was the oldest of the five Spradlin children.

After moving to Kenova, West Virginia it wasn’t long before she caught the eye of sixteen-year old Paul Smith who conveniently lived across the street. She was fourteen. After seven years of courtship, they married on January 11, 1957.

Barbara was not only a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Kenova until 1994, but also served as church secretary, church cook, and fellow youth choir trip chaperone with Paul for their own children and so many more. She led the children’s choirs for years. The two of them raised more Kenova kids than they could count. Their home was the hang out place for Michael, Kimberly, and their friends.

Her love for home and family filled Barbara’s heart to the point of overflowing to all who had the joy of knowing her. Making mealtime a priority for her own family, there was always room for one, two, three, or more chairs to pull up to the table. Family was her heartbeat, and hospitality was one of her many God-given gifts. Those who tasted them will agree that her recipes were heavenly and that her ability to serve meals at the perfect temperature to several hundred people at the same time was nothing less than miraculous.

Even more than her extraordinary recipes was the time and attention she gave to family, friends, and all who needed an ear to listen, a word to comfort, and a heart to care. Many found in her a mother, Mimi, and confidant. You always felt like a better you after being with her. And when she got tickled, you did too. Barbara was also scrappy enough to pull herself through a tough childhood and tender years as Paul’s caregiver.

After serving for more than twenty years as the church secretary of First Baptist Kenova, she and Paul moved in 1994 to Franklin to be close to their children and grandchildren. Their ministry together has touched the homeless at Room in the Inn and their well-fed but spiritually hungry neighbors. With Barbara, no one was homeless, and everyone was fed.

Barbara’s life is celebrated by her children, Michael (Debbie) Smith and Kimberly (David) Bennett; eight grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren: Ryan (Patti) Smith and their four children; Whitney (Jack) Mooring and their four children; Tyler (Sarah) Smith and their five children; Anna Bovi and her two daughters; Emily (Sam) Hancock and their daughter; Mary Claire Bennett and her daughter; Caroline, and Sarah Kate Bennett. Barbara is survived by sisters Delores Brant and Janice (Paul) Clary.

As much as she loved and cared for her family, friends, and anyone who walked through her door and sat at her table, Barbara loved Jesus, and her heart beat for Him. You may honor Barbara by supporting Rocketown of Middle Tennessee and Adoration Hospice, Madison, TN. Visitation will be 2:00–4:15 pm Wednesday, July 14 with a celebration service to follow at 4:30 in the Theatre near Entrance B at Church of the City, 828 Murfreesboro Road, Franklin, TN.

Lula Mae Meade, wife of Ronald Meade, died peacefully at her home on July 10, 2021, surrounded by her family.  She was born on July 28, 1939 in Wayne County, daughter of Jarrett R. and Gracie Perry Maynard.  She graduated from Wayne H.S. with honors in 1954 and attended Marshall College from 1958 to 1960.  She and Ronald met while at Marshall and they were married in December 1961.  Ronald was then in the Army and she joined him at Ft. Knox, KY, living in officer’s quarters on the military post.  Ronald worked for the Corps of Engineers and Lula moved with him from Louisville, KY to Wabash, IN and finally returning to Huntington in 1968.  She has lived at her residence on the family farm in Wayne County since 1969.

Although dementia has taken her memory, it could not crush her spirit or ruin her smile.  Lula was a lovely lady, adored by all who know her.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend who will be greatly missed.  She epitomized what a parent should be – a caring mother, a wonderful homemaker and cook, and a strong role model for her children.  She supported her children and their activities from adolescence through college.  When her children were grown, she worked for several years as a personal assistant to Charles Neighborgal, President of Neighborgal Construction Co.  Lula enjoyed traveling, and with Ronald they made trips throughout the United States, Canada and several European countries, staying in wonderful mountain lodges and grand resorts.

She was preceded in death by a beloved son Brett, her parents Jarrett and Gracie Maynard, three brothers Gene, Clyde, and Lloyd Maynard and three sisters Almadith Workman, Alberta Queen and Thelma Baisden; three brother-in-laws Curtis Queen, Charles Grunloh and Tennis Maynard, and two sister-in-laws Gail and Shelia Maynard.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald, who was her caregiver throughout her long illness, sons Brian (Carrie) Meade of Louisville, KY and Barry (Stephanie) Meade of Huntington, grandchildren Caleb Meade, Hannah Meade (Luke Phillips), and Elizabeth Meade all of Huntington.  Kelsey (Dalton) Howell, Emily (John) Thompson, Brett Meade and Braeden Meade all of Louisville, KY and great grandchildren Hudson Howell and Roeby Jane Thompson of Louisville, KY. Brothers Glenn (Mimi) Maynard of Huntington, E.J. (Hazel) Maynard of Margate, FL and Dewey Maynard of Huntington; sisters Flora Maynard of Deland, FL, Delilah Grunloh of Johnson City, TN, Diane (Thurman) Rowe of Lavalette, WV, Gloria Maynard, Huntington; brother-in-laws Millard Baisden and Gary Meade (Patricia) of Huntington and sister-in-law Dremadale Maynard of Wayne and a host of nieces and nephews.  The family wishes to thank longtime caregivers Nikki Holley and Sarah Board for their service, and special niece Debbie Ball for her thoughtfulness.  Pallbearers will be Lula’s grandsons and nephews.

Friends may call from 6-8 PM Wednesday, July 14,2021 at Rollins Funeral Home. Funeral service will be conducted 1:00 Thursday, July 15, 2021 at Rollins Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Dock’s Creek Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

HAROLD “HAD” DALE, 96, of Kenova, passedaway peacefully at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House in Huntington, on Friday, July 9, 2021. He was born July 7, 1925, in Roanoke, Va., a son of the late John and Ressie Musselwhite Dale. Had was a graduate of Iaeger High School. He was a Signal Maintainer for the Norfolk & Western Railroad for forty-two years. Had was a modest and quiet man whom enjoyed volunteering in the Ceredo-Kenova youth sports programs throughout his lifetime. On June 12, 2021 the towns of Ceredo and Kenova honored him for his lifetime of volunteer work at the C-K Little League, by naming the youth sports fields, “The Had Dale Youth Sports Complex”. Had also received the Little League International Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Kenova Hall of Fame. He was a member of Kenova United Methodist Church. Had’s greatest joy were his great-grandkids. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of more than seventy-one years, Frances Michael Dale; a son, Tom Dale; a granddaughter, Meredith Dale; three sisters, Audrey Dale, Joan Mannix, andJanet (CG) Morrison; four brothers: Bob, Tom, Ron (Anita), and Larry Dale. Heis survived by one daughter, Terry Booth of Kenova; one daughter-inlaw, Holley Dale of Huntington; one sister-inlaw, Vada Dale; three grandchildren, Olivia Friary, Danielle (Tracey) West, and Brittany Booth; eight great-grandchildren: Ella, Braeden, Maggie, Emma, Taliyah, Lucy, Holden, and Markai. Had will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends. Visitation will be Monday, July 12, at Kenova United Methodist from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the funeral to follow at 1 p.m., officiated by Rev. Scott Byard. Interment will follow at Davis Cemetery in Prichard, W.Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eric Sparks Memorial Golf Outing, 22 Nana Lane, Kenova, WV, 25530. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting with arrangements. Condolences May be expressed to the family at www.rollinsfh.com.

Zelda Mae Smith Hatten, 87, of Kenova, W.Va., passed away on July 9, 2021 at her home. She was born July 14, 1933, in Kenova, W.Va., to Edward and Maxine Yost Taylor Smith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Carlton Hatten and son, Eddie Dale Hatten. She is survived by grandson, Scott (Sherri) Hatten of Baltimore, OH; granddaughters, Allison Dale Smith-Hatten of Ceredo, W.Va. and Angela D. Stewart (Shane Hammock) of Charleston, W.Va.; daughter-in-law, Sandra Hatten; 8 great-grandchildren: Christopher Dale Hatten, Kierstin Hatten, Jonathan Dale Smith, Katherine Nicole Smith, Samuel Edward Smith, Kaitlin Stewart, Madison Stewart and Emily Stewart; sisters-in-law, Katherine Trivette of Florence, KY., Wanda June Eastham of Ocoee, FL; brother, George Ed (Dody) Smith of Kenova, W.Va.; sister-in-law Marion (Walter) Sansom of Barboursville, W.Va.; brother-in-law, Larry (Charlene) Hatten of Ashland, KY. and many other family members and friends. She was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Zelda loved to play Bingo, to garden, to cook, and enjoyed making cakes and decorating them for anyone who asked. Most importantly she loved her family and they were her life. Friends and family will be received at Rollins Funeral Home, 1822 Chestnut Street, Kenova, W.Va., on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, from noon to 2 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. with her great nephew, Larry Larson officiating. The internment will follow at Hatten Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Darrell Austin Steed, II, 37, of Proctorville, Ohio passed Friday, July 2, 2021. Memorial service will be conducted 2:00 P.M., Sunday, July 11, 2021 at the 26th Street Baptist Church 2510 10th Ave. Huntington, W.Va. 25703 with Pastor Tim Arthur officiating. Darrell was born August 15, 1983 in Huntington, W.Va. a son of Laura Eskew Adkins. In addition to his beloved mother he is survived by his stepfather Randy Eskew and brother Anthony Eskew. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.
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Nellie Mae Hatten Dean Gilkerson, 79, of Kenova, W.Va. passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at her home. Nellie was born September 5, 1941 in Wayne County a daughter of the late Harvey Creed and Garnet Meredith Hatten. She was the owner of Giovani’s in Prichard, W.Va. In addition to her parents, Nellie was also preceded in death by her husbands, Glen Dean and Edward R. Gilkerson; one daughter, Susie Charles; one son, Gary Dean; and two grandchildren, Matt Charles and Amanda Fannin. Nellie is survived by two sons, Glendal Dean and Kevin Dean; several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also surviving are one brother and sister-in-law, Cullie (Jonnie) Hatten; two brothers-in-law, Roger (Diana) Gilkerson and Ike Gilkerson, and a host of other family and friends. The family would like to express a special thanks to, Hospice of Huntington; special caregivers, Darcy, Angie; her granddaughter, Samantha and nephew, Stacy. Visitation will be on Friday, July 9, 2021 from 11 to 1 p.m. at Rollins Funeral Home with funeral services immediately following at 1:00 p.m. with Brother Roy Akers and Brother Terry Meredith. Burial will follow in the Davis Cemetery on Davis Branch, Prichard, W.Va. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Velma G. (Pratt) Bowen, 96, of Kenova, WV, passed away on July 6, 2021, at Stonerise nursing home in Bridgeport, WV.

She was born December 30, 1924 in Kenova, WV to Garland and Hazel Ward Pratt.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James D. Bowen in 2000, her sister Jenny LeMaster, and brother Warren Pratt.

She is survived by her loving son James Darrell Bowen and wife Kay of Bridgeport, her loving, daughter Barbara J. Boren and her husband Doug of Charlotte, N.C. Surving also is her younger brother Buddy Pratt, Kenova, WV, grandchildren: Amy Brown(husband John), and Andrea Williams (husband Darren) of Morgantown, WV; Stephanie Smith, of Indian Trail, N.C., Melody Belcher, husband Jason of Mint Hill, N.C.; great grandchildren Justin, Drew and Kate Williams, Sophia and Sarah Brown, Tyler Webb, Audrey Smith, Owen and Mackenzie Belcher.

Velma was a 1942 graduate of C-K High School, and business college. She was Executive Secretary for The Huntington Hospital where she retired after 44 years. She was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Kenova. She enjoyed family dinners, playing golf, cards with longtime friends, dancing, attending Marshall football games and visiting with friends at The American Legion.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Stonerise (formerly Meadowview Manor) in Bridgeport for their care and kindness.

Friends and family will be received at Rollins Funeral Home, 1822 Chestnut Street, Kenova, WV on Saturday, July 10^th, 2021 from 12-2 pm. Funeral Service will held at 2 pm with Dr. Mike Hopkins officiating.

The internment will follow at Docks Creek Cemetery.

Mildred “Mickey” Rutherford Hardwick, 94, of Kenova, W.Va. passed away on Saturday July 3, 2021 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House in Huntington, W.Va. Funeral arrangements are through Rollins Funeral Home, Kenova, W.Va., with visitation beginning Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a 1:00 p.m. funeral service conducted by Rev. Scott Byard. Burial ensuing at White Chapel Memorial Gardens. Mickey was born March 29, 1927, in Sydney W.Va., a daughter of the late George B. and Ona Rutherford. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her four siblings and her husband of 50 years, Lace Vinson Hardwick, Sr. She is survived by her three children, Jeannie (Tim) Perry, Lace (Jamie) Hardwick, and Paula (Philip) Blatt. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews, including special nephew, Robert “Bobby” Rutherford, and sister-in-law, Lucy Rutherford. Six grandchildren; Timothy Perry, Jr., Matthew Vinson Perry, Brett (Amanda) Bocook, Blair (Kevin) Thomas, Barkley (Chad) Young, and Jacob (Sierra) Blatt. Nine great grandchildren; Haleigh (Mike Burrell) Perry, Daniel Perry, Addy Bocook, Ava Bocook, Simone Thomas, Myles Young, Graem Young, Harper Blatt, and Hazel Blatt. One great, great granddaughter, Linnea Grace Burrell. The family would like to express gratitude to all caregivers at Grayson Assisted Living, Dr. Winger, nurses and staff at Hospice, and to Phyllis Mahon, friend, and caregiver. Mother loved her children. She retired from Wayne County schools as a kindergarten aide. A long time member of First Baptist Church of Kenova. Her special gift from God was her love for little children, they always brightened her day. Our family and friends were always welcome at our home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House, 3100 Staunton Road, Huntington, W.Va. 25702. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.