Obituaries

Mark Edward Maddox ,63, of Wayne County, WV. passed away Sunday, January 2, 2023. A memorial service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 7, 2023 at the Buffalo Valley Missionary Baptist Church. Mark was born January 9, 1959 in Huntington, WV., a son of the late Patricia Alice McCallister Maddox and Jim Maddox. He was a 1977 graduate of Buffalo High School. He was competitive and enjoyed winning, he was a multiple time state champion runner. He was a free-spirited individual that loved life and never met a stranger. Mark was the crazy uncle that the kids could never get enough of. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his brother Michael Maddox. In addition to his father, he is survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law Gregg (Libbia), Jeff (Brenda) and Scott (Chaundra); sister-in-law Legh Ann Maddox and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial contributions may be made to the Michael Maddox Cancer Sux Memorial Scholarship on facebook. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Dossie Bowen Preece ,89, of Kenova, WV. went peacefully to her heavenly home surrounded by her loving family, Monday, January 2, 2023, at her home. Funeral service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Friday, January 6, 2023 at the Park Circle Freewill Baptist Church with Pastor Randy Jeffers and Pastor Bill Napier. Interment will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery. Dossie was born May 10, 1933 in Job, Ky., a daughter of the late Charley and Polly Ann Johnson Bowen. She was a member of the Park Circle Freewill Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bill Joe Preece; siblings Albert, Luster, Freelon Bowen, Virgie Bowen, Oma Fannin, Margie Marcum, Martha Clay, Eldia Elkins and special friend Donald Staley. She is survived by her children Joe Preece (Bibi), Ruth Ann Hankins (Gary), Loretta Stambaugh (Keith), Shelia Stender (Melvin) and Bruce Preece (Keith); brother Leo Bowen (Mary); sister Fondalene Hay; sister-in-law Fay Blackburn; grandchildren Danny, Jason, Jessica, Andrea, Barbie, Amanda, Seth, Chris and Hannan; 17 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved deeply. She was deeply loved and cherished by those who were blessed to know her. Visitation will be from 12-2 P.M. Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Park Circle Freewill Baptist Church 816 13th Street Kenova, WV 25530. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Garnet Bryant (85) of Ceredo, WV passed away December 28, 2022 at Madison Park Healthcare with family by her side. She was born in 1937, the youngest daughter of the late Charles and Eva Holland. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert L. Bryant, four sisters and one brother; Reba Hatten, Nada McKenzie, Bertie Holland, Charlotte Ullom, and Charles Holland Jr. Garnet is survived by two sons, Steve (Beth) Bryant of Charleston, SC and Roger (Ellie) Bryant of Ceredo, WV. Bob and Garnet have 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Garnet is also survived by seven nieces, two nephews, as well as all their families, whom she loved dearly. Garnet graduated from Ceredo Kenova High School in 1957. She was an employee of Inland Mutual Insurance Company for twenty-two years where she was a statistical coding clerk. Garnet was a member of the Marcum Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in Ceredo, WV. She loved the Lodge where she served as Worthy Matron and a presiding officer. Garnet wanted to express her gratitude to several dear friends who supported her during these last trying times, the late Rachel Lackey, Jeanie Stevens, and Juanita Kretzer. Funeral services will be held January 7, 2023, at 1:30pm at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, WV. Visitation will be one hour before the service and graveside services, for family and friends at Docks Creek Cemetery following the service at the funeral home.

Jacqueline Renee Pelfrey Maggard ,54, of Kenova, WV. went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 29, 2022 after a long battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family who loved her the most. Jackie was born in Huntington, WV. a daughter of the late Paul and Sondra Clay Hewlett. Jackie enjoyed being surrounded by her friends and family, especially her best friend of many years, Tonja Eplion. Jackie is survived by her husband of 16 years, Eddie Maggard; one daughter Heather Pelfrey of Kenova and one son Shane Pelfrey of Kenova; one sister Susan Anderson; one granddaughter, who was the light of her life, Presley Pelfrey and grandson Bentley Clark and a special niece Taylor Anderson. Funeral service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Monday, January 2, 2023 at Rollins Funeral Home with Pastor James Hodge officiating. Interment will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 12:00 – 2:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Huntington P.O. Box 464 Huntington, WV. 25709. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com. Continue reading “Jacqueline Renee Pelfrey Maggard”

Mitchell Grant Gibson, 39, beloved son of William “Butch” and Leslie Lynn Murphy Gibson of Lavalette, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2022. He was born October 29, 1983 in Huntington, W.Va. He was a graduate of Spring Valley High School Class of 2003. Mitch was employed by the Wayne County Board of Education as a day custodian at Ceredo Kenova Elementary School. He truly loved his job and the staff and children at the school. Always quick to share a smile, made him one of the favorites at CKES where he will be greatly missed. With his outgoing personality and love for music, he also enjoyed working as a DJ. Mitch was a good cook and liked cooking for his friends and family. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Mitchell and Roberta Gibson; his maternal grandparents, Grant and Eloise Murphy; two aunts, Brenda Rutherford and Beth Murphy; two uncles, John Gibson and Larry Rowe and his great grandmother, Virgie Gibson. In addition to his parents, Mitch is survived by three aunts, Joannie Wilks, Mary Ann Rowe and Pam Gibson; one uncle, Mike Murphy; several cousins and other family and a host of friends. Visitation will be Monday, January 2, 2023 at Rollins Funeral Home from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 7:30 p.m. with Pastor Scott Byard officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ceredo Kenova Elementary School, in memory of Mitch Gibson, at #1 Wonder Lane, Kenova, W.Va. 25530. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

A stream of services can be found here:  rollinsfh.com/stream

James Robert McComas ,82, of Kenova, WV. passed away Sunday, December 25, 2022, at his residence. Funeral service will be conducted 12:00 P.M. Friday, December 30, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Pastor Phillip Stapleton officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. Jim was born October 20, 1940 in Pilgrim, Ky., a son of the late Dawie and Mary Stepp McComas. He was a graduate of Ceredo-Kenova High School and retired from BASF. Jim was a member and Past Master of the Kenova Masonic Lodge #110 AF & AM whose members will conduct masonic graveside rites. He was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 93 Honor Guard. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Hazel McComas; sister Doris McComas Hill; brother-in-law Robert Hill, Sr. and brother Donald Eugene “Gene” McComas. He is survived by nieces Wanda Hill Edwards (Brian), April Scaggs (Clark) and Amy Hamm; nephews Robert Hill, Jr. (Monica), Donald Hill and Lawrence Hill; great nephews and a great niece who considered Jim as a grandfather, Christopher Burke (Sarah), Alex Burke, Brianna Edwards Coleman (Gavin) and Zachery Edwards and several other great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Donald L. “Papaw” Harrison

Don was born on January 4th, 1928, in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He was raised on a farm near Clarksville, Indiana and attended high school in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisville and a Master of Science degree from Indiana University.
After college Don served in the U.S. Army where he was assigned to Fort Belvoir in Virginia. This is where Don met his wife Larissa who was originally from Riga, Latvia, and was very proud to become a naturalized citizen of the United States. Don and Larissa were married in 1957 and later blessed with a beautiful son and daughter.

After an honorable discharge from the Army, Don worked for the U.S. Government as a nuclear physicist at the Bettis Atomic Power Research and Development Laboratory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Don was a member of an exclusive surface ship nuclear design and analysis group responsible for the design and development of nuclear power for the U.S. Navy.

His responsibilities included the development of detailed, written, step-by-step processes and procedures for refueling the eight nuclear reactors that powered the longest naval vessel ever built, the USS Enterprise and the nuclear reactors on aircraft carrier Nimitz.

Don also oversaw the startup and testing of the nuclear reactors at the Idaho nuclear reactor test site, nuclear reactors on the nuclear cruiser Long Beach, and nuclear reactors on the aircraft carrier Enterprise. He ultimately managed a nuclear design and testing group and a radiological control plant safety group.

Don served as councilman of the 5th ward of the Municipality of Bethel Park for 48 years through December 31st, 2021, at the age of 93. Early in his tenure, Don was appointed to the Bethel Park Home Rule Charter Study Commission where he personally and very meticulously authored many sections of Bethel Park’s Home Rule Charter that is still in use by the municipality to this day. His leadership roles included: Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Chairman of the Health, Safety and Welfare Committee, and Liaison to the Bethel Park Municipal Authority. Don’s spirited advocacy for the live and taped broadcasting of municipal council meetings resulted in Bethel Park being one of the first communities in Allegheny County to do so. Don’s long tenure on municipal council was recognized by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs with the presentation of both their Presidents Award and their Trustee Award.

Don also volunteered his time as a Boy Scout leader and senior assistant scoutmaster of Troop 228, the Thunderbirds, for 42 years. He coordinated and participated in many scout-related community service projects, construction and clean-up projects, summer camping trips, fund raisers, and educational trips to historical places such as Gettysburg, Williamsburg, and the Ford Museum. He also personally guided many Scouts in the process of becoming Eagle Scouts.

Don Harrison was a proud veteran that believed in the American dream. He was never afraid to show his pride and pay it forward throughout his long tenure of public service and never-ending volunteer efforts. Don’s surviving family members are: his daughter Donna (Steve) Hamer of Huntington, WV, three loving grandchildren whom referred to Don as “Papaw” including Dr. Christina (Dr. Adam) Highberger of Indiana, PA, Stephen (Madison Chapman) Hamer and Matthew Hamer of Huntington, WV and his five beautiful great grandchildren Greyson, Weston, (twin boys 4 yrs of age), Arie (two yrs old), Adalee (2 yrs old), and Evie (3 months old), and another little one on the way.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts / donations to be sent to Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, P. O. Box 105, Glenolden, PA 19036 or go to “cmtausa.org” on line.

Private funeral services will be held on December 27th, 2022.

Cecil Lee “Skip” Henderson,76, of Kenova, WV. passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2022, was a loving husband and father. The funeral service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Monday, December 19, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Pastor Scott Byard officiating. Interment will follow in Ceredo Crescent Hill Cemetery. Skip was born January 25, 1946 in Kenova, WV., a son of the late Marvin Lee and Mary Maxine Caldwell. Skip was a graduate of Ceredo-Kenova High School and worked for Columbia Gas Transmission for 39 ½ years as a maintenance mechanic. He was a volunteer firefighter and paramedic for 40 years with the Kenova Volunteer Fire Department. It was Skip’s passion to help people. He was a minister in the community for 48 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter Angel Henderson. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years Donna “Kris” Henderson; two daughters and sons-in-law Kelly (Larry) Robinson and Kathy (Darron) Nelson, two granddaughters Jessica (Craig) McCormick and Riley Nelson; great grandson Alex McCormick; two brothers Chester (Dee) Henderson and Steve (Kim) Henderson and one sister Marvine (Claude) Hurst, and his precious puppy Honey. Visitation will be 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. Monday at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com. Continue reading “Cecil Lee “Skip” Henderson”

James David Conley,52, of Catlettsburg, Ky. passed away Sunday, December 11, 2022. Funeral service will be conducted 12:30 P.M. Friday, December 16, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Pastor Franklin D. Hulett officiating. Interment will follow in Golden Oaks Memorial Gardens. David was born May 27, 1970 in Ashland, Ky. a son of the late James Earl and Ethel Faye Miller Conley who raised him and loved him with everything she had. He was a maintenance inspector with special metals. He was a member of The Fraternal Order of Eagles, Loyal Order of Moose and Patriot Guard. He was also a member and treasurer of the KMA/ District 5. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Thelma Kay Castle and two sons Casey Garrett Conley and Clayton Don Goble. He is survived by his children Catherine “Grace” Conley, Conner Benjamin Goble and Chase Meade Goble; two brothers and sisters-in-law Mike (Doodle) Conley and Dale (Linda) Conley; one sister and brother-in-law Liz (Charles “Dee’) Coberly; two nephews he loved like brothers JR Castle and Mike Conley, Jr. and 12 nieces and nephews. The most important title in David’s life was being the dad of five amazing kids. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300 Jacksonville, FL 32256 or supportwoundedwarriorproject.org. Visitation will be 10:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. Friday at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Marcella Ann Morris Wolfe,76, of Kenova, W.Va. passed away Thursday, December 8, 2022 at her home. Funeral service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at the Jefferson Avenue Church of God, of which she was a member, with Pastor Greg Tomlinson officiating. Interment will follow in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. She was born May 26, 1946 in Kenova, WV. a daughter of the late Delores Thompson. She was a 1965 graduate of C-K High School. Marcella was one of the first employees hired and one of the last to go at the former Harts and Big Bear in Ceredo. She was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by all that knew her. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Timothy Morris “Tim” Wolfe; son, John E. Wolfe; three brothers Bill “Cowtracks” Thompson, David Abernathy and Marshall R. Thompson and sister Gladys Young. She is survived by a daughter Dee Anne Wolfe Kennedy and two grandchildren Justin Tyler Giuffrida and Victoria Anne Giuffrida and a very special niece Jeris Ann Fry and other numerous nieces and nephews. Flowers will be appreciated or contributions may be made to the Jefferson Avenue Church of God, 2039 Jefferson Ave. Huntington, WV. 25704. Visitation will be 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at the church. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.