Category: Obituary

Kenneth Miller Smith, Sr. age 79, of Huntington, W.Va. passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at Heritage Center in Huntington. He was born October 10, 1940 in Kenova, W.Va. a son of the late, Lacy Miller Smith and Rosemary Gault Smith. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Kay Smith Lovett and one grandson, John Kenneth Walker, II. Ken had worked as a truck driver. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He is survived by one son, Kenneth Miller Smith, Jr. and his wife, Mary Jane; one daughter, Roxanne Smith; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral services. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the Smith family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Donald “Don” L. Wilson, 79, of South Point, OH. passed away Sunday, August 30, 2020 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Funeral service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 5, 2020 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Don was born November 6, 1940 in Kenova, W.Va. a son of the late Henry and Lorna Mae Michaels Wilson. He was a retired service employee with Calgon Carbon Corporation. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Stanley Wilson and step-daughter Cathy Marie Gross. Survivors include his wife Dona L. Smith Wilson; step-daughter Cynthia Dunford; step-sons Jeffery Smith and Tommy Harris; two brothers Harry David Wilson and Mike Wilson and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from noon-2:00 P.M. Saturday September 5, 2020 at the funeral home. Social distancing and mask are encouraged. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

Linda H. Pelfrey, 78, of Huntington, WV. passed away Sunday, August 30, 2020 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Funeral service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Thursday, September 3, 2020 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Pastor Ray Stonestreet, officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. Linda was born July 7, 1942 in Huntington, W.Va. a daughter of the late Ralph and Louise Ray Hutchinson. She was a retired teacher having taught math at Vinson High School and Spring Valley High School. Linda was a member of the Westmoreland United Methodist Church and the Alpha Delta Kappa teacher’s sorority. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bennie Pelfrey and two sisters Carol Parker and Sally Huss. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law Robert Pelfrey (Elaina), Timothy Pelfrey (Susan), five grandchildren Madison, Thea, Ian, Carson and Emma; three great-grandchildren Penelope, Ivy and Milo and a step-sister Gloranne Napier. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. Thursday, September 3, 2020 at the funeral home. Social distancing and masks are encouraged. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

DANA GAIL FOSTER, 80, of Ceredo, W.Va., entered the gates of Glory, August 30, 2020, after a short illness. He was born April 8, 1940, in Milton, W.Va., a son of the late George Luther and Neva Evelyn White Foster. Dana was also preceded in death by his mother-in-love, Warelda Walters McCloud. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Donita McCloud Foster; one daughter, Shawna Foster of St. Albans, W.Va.; one son and daughter, Zane and Rhonda Leffingwell Foster of Lavalette, W.Va.; grandchildren Kayla Foster and Anthony Vance of Huntington, W.Va.; a brother Jimmy (Juanita) Foster of Milton, W.Va.; three sisters, Carolyn Foster (Blane) Perry of Milton, W.Va., Marlene McCloud Simmons of Springfield, Mo., Katrina McCloud (Kenny) Childers of Huntington, W.Va.; nieces and nephews whom he loved very much and many special “children” and “grandchildren”-in-love. Dana was a retired Paint Department Supervisor for ACF Industries, Huntington, W.Va., and Milton, Pa. He was a member of Christ Temple Church, where he sang in the choir. He was Continue reading “Foster, Dana G”

Shirley Wyatt Plymale, 74, of Ashland, KY passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday August 15, 2020. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be missed by all those who knew and loved her. Shirley was born June 27, 1946 in Ashland, a daughter of the late James Robert and Mary “Kate” Wyatt. Shirley graduated from Ashland Paul G. Blazer High School. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two husbands, James Early and Ricky Allen Plymale and one daughter, Katherine “Katie” Plymale. She is survived by one son, Michael Early; two grandchildren, Kamryn and Kalen Finley and a brother, Ronnie Waldron. Shirley worked hard and had a zest for life. She worked for the First Bank of Ceredo and then Rocco’s Ristorante until she retired to take care of her mother. She was kind hearted and would do anything she could to help her family or friends. Shirley was one of those people if you hadn’t seen for months and then ran into her, it was like you’d never been a part. She will always be remembered with love. There will be a graveside service Monday, August 31, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Golden Oaks Cemetery in Ashland, KY. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, WV is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Jerald Grafton Bowen, 74, of Huntington passed away Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the Imogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Funeral service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at the Jefferson Avenue Church of God with Pastor Greg Tomlinson officiating. Interment will follow in Spring Valley Memory Gardens. He was born December 23, 1945 in Huntington, W.Va. a son of the late Harry Grafton and Mary Cook Bowen. Jerald was a retired supervisor from service machine company. He was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army, member of the American Legion Post 93, VFW, DAV and Huntington Masonic Lodge #53 AF & AM where he was a 32^nd Degree Mason. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Alice Ruth Hutchison Bowen and one brother Raymond Bowen. He is survived by two sons Gary Dale Bowen and Joseph Mark Bowen; four grandchildren Amanda Bowen Hay (Joseph), Cody Bowen (Kristin Brooke), Olivia Bowen and Alex Bowen; four great-grandchildren Jayden Furr, Kaylee Furr, Hadley Bowen and Gracie Smith; two sisters Karen Sue LeMaster and Ramona Gale Custodio and one brother Rodney Erick Bowen. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at the Jefferson Avenue Church of God. The family respectfully request the observance of face covering and social distancing. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

James R. “Butch” Powell, 69, of Kenova passed away Thursday, August 6, 2020. Butch was born October 14, 1950 in Huntington, W.Va. a son of the late James H. and Betty J. Perdue Powell. He was a 1969 graduate of Buffalo High School. Butch retired after 43 years of driving coast to coast out of the Teamsters Local 505 with over 2 million safe driving miles. He was a member of the Buena Vista Masonic Lodge #60 AF & AM. Over the years his hobbies included racing dirt track cars, trail rides on his horses with friends and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Kathy Ann Hall Powell. He leaves behind his two daughters and sons-in-law Freda Lynn Lycans (Jason) of Genoa, W.Va. and Myra Jane Hammond (Gerry) of Prichard, W.Va.; three grandsons James “Jay” Thompson (Kimberly) of Kenova, Jarek Allen of Connellsville, PA. and Tucker Hammond of Prichard and one great-grandson Giancarlo Herrera of Kenova. There will be no visitation and a private service will be held for the family. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

James “Jim” W. Bledsoe, 77, of Huntington passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at Cabell-Huntington Hospital. Funeral service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at the Kenova Church of Christ, of which he was a member, with Minister Ronnie Ross officiating. Interment will follow in Spring Valley Memory Gardens. Jim was born October 16, 1942 in Huntington, W.Va. a son of the late James Clyde and Pearl Irby Bledsoe. He was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army National Guard. Jim was a retired Mold Maker from Owens-Illinois and a member of the Buena Vista Masonic Lodge #60 AF & AM. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one sister Betty Plaster, brother Jack Bledsoe, nephew Bill Plaster and nephew Greg Shy. He is survived by his beloved wife Judy Lewis Bledsoe; the light of his life, daughter and son-in-law Kristie Swann (Mark), very special granddaughter Madison Adkins; great-grand puppies Maggie and Ace; sister Carolyn Nelson and brother Fred Bledsoe and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at the Kenova Church of Christ In lieu of flowers the family request donations to the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, Inc. P.O. Box 111180 Nashville, TN. 37222-1180. The family respectfully request the observance of face covering and social distancing. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Paul Edwin Dempsey, Jr, RPT, 73, of Barboursville passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Paul was born April 20, 1947 to Paul Sr. and Lucille Dempsey. He graduated from Huntington East High School and Marshall University, where he was the piano technician for the music department for over forty years until retiring in 2013. He also tuned and maintained pianos privately throughout his career up until his death. He was a trusted and well-respected registered piano technician and musician, and his skill and expertise will be missed by many. Paul was a mainstay of the barbershop music community and founded the River Magic Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International which he also directed for many years.

When Paul wasn’t rebuilding a piano in his work shop, he loved to do woodworking. He bonded with his fellow woodworkers over dove tail joints and wood grain, and his clamp collection is the stuff of legend. He was never without his hat and a nondescript food stain on his shirt. He cussed like a sailor and never missed an opportunity to say “Sorry, we can’t stay for the drawing” when he got the check at a restaurant. Paul was known for his sardonic sense of humor and thought himself to be the funniest person ever born. Most of the time it was hard to disagree with him on that.

A much adored husband, father and grandfather, Paul is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Barbara; his four children Helen (David) May, Joe (Leigh Ann) Ratcliff, Heather (Philip) James, and Paul (Sara) Dempsey III; and his grandchildren Keifer and Joe May, Skyler and Lexie Ratcliff, Skylar Reizman, Mia Bowen, Owen, Elliott and Oliver James, and Aiden and Phillip Dempsey. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Violet Dempsey. He will be deeply missed by his sisters Stephanie (Jerry) Gray and Cindy (Mark) Smith; his brothers-in-law Tom (Doris) Myers and Russell (Patty) Myers; and too many nieces and nephews for him to ever keep up with. He also leaves behind his close friends John and Mary Hare.

Paul requested no service, and in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to an organization of your choice in his memory. “Everything that needed to be said has been said, we just wanted to go on saying it.”

Leslie Gene Bryan, 70, of Kenova passed away Saturday, July 25, 2020 at his residence. Funeral service will be conducted 7:30 P.M. Friday, July 31, 2020 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Pastor Roy Jones officiating. He was born August 26, 1949 in Kenova, W.Va. a son of the late Buford and Virginia Morrison Bryan. Les was a self-employed contractor and attended the Victory Baptist Church. He was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army for 8 years where he also served in Vietnam. He was a member of the American Legion Post 93 for 46 years. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one son Leslie Charles Bryan and one brother Eskel Bryan. He is survived by his beloved wife Lois Gail Jones Bryan; two daughters and one son-in-law Angela Damron (Chad) and Cheryl Webb; four sons and one daughter-in-law John and Freland Bryan, Troy Cain ( Mary Ann) and Randall Cain; ten grandchildren Joshua Bryan (Kerri), Jeremiah Bryan, Seth, Evan, Damron, Darius, Daeshaun, Toria-Webb, Troy II and Miguel Cain; two great-grandchildren Rylan and Mylah Bryan; special friends Clark and April Scaggs; two nieces Ellen and LeaAnn and one nephew Edward. Visitation will be 5:30-7:30 P.M. Friday, July 31, 2020 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.