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.
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 
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.
Velma G. (Pratt) Bowen, 96, of Kenova, WV, passed away on July 6, 2021, at Stonerise nursing home in Bridgeport, WV.
George “Nick” Kiser, 91, of Kenova, W.Va. passed Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at his residence. Funeral service will be conducted 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 5, 2021 at the Sunshine Freewill Baptist Church, of which he was a member, with Pastor Willie May and Pastor Jody Fortner officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. Nick was born February 10, 1930 in Hubball, W.Va. a son of the late George and May Pellman Kiser. He was retired from Columbia Gas where he was employed for 40 years. Nick loved to fish and never met a lake he didn’t enjoy. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Edna Faye Kiser; son Melvin Dewayne Kiser; grandson Michael Dewayne Kiser; four brothers Willis, Harold, Doug and Billy Kiser; two sisters Joanette Hoover and Jennifer White and four sisters-in-law Maddie, Loretta, Lorene and Judy Kiser and a baby sister Mary Kiser. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law Shelia Tomblin (Tom); grandchildren Chris Tomblin (Cara), Stephanie Bell (Greg), Jessica Frye (Shannon), Courtney McLean (Scott) and Greg Kiser (Laura); great-grandchildren Nicholas, Mia, Hunter, Cora, Desmond and Baby McLean; daughter-in-law Donna Kiser; sister Ann Tabor (Dennis); brothers Jerry, Johnny and Marshall Kiser; brothers-in-law Terry White, Ed Burns (Shelia) and Bob Burns (Della); sisters-in-law Ann Kiser and Joann Kiser; special friends Willie May and Brenda Thacker and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 3:00 – 5:00 P.M. Sunday, July 4, 2021 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Hospice of Huntington P.O. box 464 Huntington, W.Va. 25709. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.