Category: Obituary

Lois Carol McKenzie Nichols,89, of Kenova, W.Va. passed away Friday, June 13, 2025 at her residence. Funeral service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Monday June 16, 2025 at Spirit of Faith Church, of which she was a member, with Pastor Tim Crabtree officiating. Carol was born March 2, 1936 in Wayne County, W.Va. a daughter of the late Estell and Anna Laura Jarrell McKenzie. She was a retired secretary from Tomkies. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death her beloved husband Charles Edward Nichols; three sons John Mark Nichols, Michael Ray Nichols and Jeffrey Alan Nichols; sisters Judy K. McKenzie, Beatrice McSorley, Mary Alice Osburn, Rosalie Myers, Rebecca Adams and Elaine Thompson; three brothers Glenn McKenzie, Wayne McKenzie and Thomas McKenzie and one grandchild. Survivors include two daughters Lois Jean Moore and Marcia Bertram; one son Charles Martin Nichols; two sisters Nancy Kennedy and Sheri Denise Douglass; 10 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com. 

Judge Robert Gordon Chafin,89, of Ceredo, W.Va. passed away Sunday, May 25, 2025 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Funeral service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Wednesday May 28, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Ceredo, of which he was a member, with Pastor Jeffrey Canterbury officiating. Bob was born August 27, 1935 in Kenova, W.Va. a son of the late Dorsey Bevin and Shirley Messer Chafin. He was a graduate of Buffalo High School, Marshall University and West Virginia University Law School. He was a former Prosecuting Attorney and Circuit Judge of Wayne County. Bob was a veteran having served in the U S Army and was an avid golfer and enjoyed every chance to play. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother Lafe C. Chafin and two sisters Doris Chafin Chun-Ming and Chloenette Chafin Amos. Survivors include his beloved wife of 65 years Alfredia Christian Chafin; cherished son R. Bevin Chafin; grandson Lyle Chafin and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service, Wednesday at the church. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

Kenneth Michael “Kenny” Walters,66, of Ceredo, W.Va. passed Sunday, May 18, 2025 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Memorial service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Thursday May 22, 2025 at the Kenova United Methodist Church with Pastor Andrew Tennant officiating. Kenny was born February 18, 1959 in Huntington, W.Va. a son of the late James Daniel and Delores Hope Fugitt Walters. He was a former salesman with the Airgas Store. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother Jolliff “Jolly” Edwards Walters and one sister Tamara Sue “Tammy” Walters. Survivors include his beloved wife Richelle “Richie” Eddy Walters; sons Jeremy Michael Walters (Jorden), Jad Anthony Walters (Erin), James “Jami” Patrick Walters and Dylan Smith; brother James “Jim” Donovan Walters (Bernetta “Bennie”); sister Patti Jones (Chuck); grandchildren Hannah, Cadin, Griffin and Jace; one great grandchild Josie and nieces and nephew Matthew, Morgan, Bradley and Brian. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com  

Joseph Lowell Wellman,83, of Kenova, W.Va. passed Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at the Wayne Healthcare Center. He was born August 12, 1941 in Fort Gay, W.Va. son of the late French and Ruth Sparks Wellman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Joseph Todd Wellman; one sister Mary Jane Runyon and a brother French Wellman, Jr. Lowell was a graduate of Ceredo-Kenova High School, retired carpenter from the Local 302 and was an avid golfer. Survivors include his beloved wife of 63 years Patricia Lawson Wellman; daughter Sherri Workman; brother Larry Wellman (Janice); two grandchildren Jared Workman (Stephanie) and Samantha Kirk and four great-grandchildren Kennedy Dillon, Madisyn Workman, Emmalyn Workman, Khloe Kirk. There will be no public visitation or funeral service.  Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

Bernard Michael “Mike” Meade,68, of Prichard, W.Va. passed Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Cabell-Huntington Hospital. Memorial service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Friday May 23, 2025 at Smith Memorial Church in Prichard where he was a member. Mike was born January 10, 1957 in Huntington, W.Va. son of the late Marvin and Norma Jean Davis Meade. Mike was a kind and jovial person who loved sitting on the porch and swinging. Survivors include numerous family members, friends and special friend Cindy Davis. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

Shelia L Tomblin,73, of Kenova, W.Va. passed Friday, May 9, 2025 at her residence. Funeral service will be conducted 12:00 P.M. Monday, May 12, 2025 at Rollins Funeral Home with Pastor Willie May officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. Shelia was born March 21, 1952 in West Hamlin, W.Va. a daughter of the late George “Nick” Kiser, Jr. and the late Edna Faye Burns Kiser. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Melvin Dewayne Kiser and nephew Michael Dewayne Kiser. Survivors include her beloved husband Albert “Tom” Tomblin one son Chris Tomblin (Cara), two daughters Stephanie Bell (Greg) and Jessica Ferguson (Bobby); three grandchildren Nicholas “Nick” Tomblin, Mia Tomblin and Hunter Tom Frye and three special friends Debbie Vance, Gail Ruble and Laura Kiser. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com. 

JAMES ARNOLD ROBINETTE, 82, of Chesapeake, OH, passed away May 6, 2025, at River Run Healthcare of Coal Grove.  He was born November 5, 1942 in Kenova WV, the son of the late Arnold Robinette and Clara Margaret Williams.  He was also preceded in death by his sister, Judy Gale Newman, and his stepfather, Forrest Williams.  He was retired from Special Metals in Huntington WV with 48 years of service.

He loved Marshall University, fishing, hunting and hiking.  Blackwater Falls WV, Davis and Elkins WV, and Lake Murray, SC were all his second homes.  He loved to take his family on vacations to historic and beautiful places and of course—the beach. He also loved tinkering in his garage with his MGBs, Austin Healeys, his purple muscle car and ice cold Yingling.

But above all, he lived for his family.  He was a loving husband, father and papaw.  He was a good provider and a fierce protector.  He loved his wife, he was a strong and loving father to his kids, and he was the very best papaw to his all grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He was his children and grandchildren’s biggest fan, no matter what.  They held his heart. Continue reading “James Arnold Robinette”

Sandra Hewlett Hatten, 82, of Kenova, WV. passed away Monday, May 5, 2025 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Funeral service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Thursday, May 8, 2025 at Rollins Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Dock’s Creek Cemetery. Sandra was born March 31, 1943 in Rittman, Ohio a daughter of the late Frank Lofton and Addie Parsley Hewlett. Sandra was the very definition of grace and compassion. She was the unwavering source of support, strength, and selfless love. Her life was a testament to the power of kindness and quiet resilience. She gave everything to her family, not out of duty, but out of deep and abiding love, and extended that same warmth to everyone who crossed her path. As we continue our journey through this life we will carry her constant presence with us. Survivors include her beloved husband of nearly 64 years David Hatten; two sons and daughters-in-law Brian Hatten (Sharlee) and Sean Hatten (Jana) and a daughter and son-in-law Jennifer Spade (Matthew); seven grandchildren Tiffany Scragg, David Joseph Hatten, Ashley Baranack, Emiley Hatten, Andrew Spade, Emma Spade and Will Spade; one great-grandchild Sage Baranack and one sister Janice “Kay” Fine. The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Tammy Salmons for all of her love and care. In lieu of flowers the family would like you to consider making a memorial donation to the Hospice House of Huntington 3100 Staunton Road Huntington, WV. 25702 or the Good Samaritan Center 1523 Chestnut Street Kenova, WV. 25530. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com. 

Mary Ann Collins Saunders,84, of Huntington, WV. passed away Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Woodland Oaks Health Care. She was born October 19, 1940 in McConnelsville, PA. a daughter of the late Cecil Everett and Rachel Harden Collins. She graduated from the Pittsburgh School for the Blind and the Indiana State Teachers College in Indiana, Pa. She tutored and taught sighted people to read with the literacy council and held a variety of volunteer positions with the National Federation of the Blind at the local, state and national level including being the chairperson for the WVNFB scholarship committee. She played the handbells in the church choir, was an avid reader, lover of animals and enjoyed working with her flowers. She faithfully attended both Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church and later Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church. She and her husband were very civic minded and spent many hours advocating for the rights of the blind. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 47 years Willis G. “Buck” Saunders and an infant sister Laura Lee Collins. Survivors include two daughters Laura Bowen (Eli Riggs) and Teri Booten (Bob); three grandchildren Luke Bowen (Chelsea Adkins) and Eli and Zane Booten; two sisters Lynne Edwards (Bill) and Donna Stiers; brother and sister-in-law Keith Saunders (Glenna) and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 5:00 – 6:30 P.M. Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at the Mount Union United Methodist Church 3931 Mount Union Road Huntington, WV. 25701. The funeral will follow at 6:30 P.M. with Pastor Amy McNeil officiating. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com. 

Virginia Louise Caldwell Combs,86, of Kenova, WV. passed away Sunday, May 4, 2025 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Graveside service will be conducted 1:00 P.M Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at Maple Hill Cemetery with Pastor Greg Page officiating. She was born January 31, 1939 in Kenova, WV. a daughter of the late John Caldwell, Jr. and the late Marie Fortner Caldwell. In addition to her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by her beloved husband Taylor Combs; sister Betty Caldwell and five brothers Donald Caldwell, Ronald Caldwell, Billy Caldwell, Harry Caldwell and Johnny Caldwell. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law Danita Hicks (Jim); two granddaughters and grand-sons-in-law Jenna Visco (David) and Jamie Hobbs (Craig) and two great-grandchildren Lily Visco and Dalton Hobbs. There will be no public visitation and no procession to the cemetery on Tuesday. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.