Obituaries

Dorothy Sanders Mathis, 88, of Ceredo, W.Va. passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023 at the Woodland Oaks Health Care Center. Graveside service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Dock’s Creek Cemetery with Pastor Scott Byard officiating. She was born February 4, 1937 in Kenova, WV. a daughter of the late Brigham and Luella Sanders. She was retired from Kenny Queen Hardware in Kenova. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister. She is survived one son James David Mathis; two daughters and sons-in-law Pamela “Pam” Lane (Rick) and Rebecca “Becky” Cochenour (Eddie); 4 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. There will be no visitation and no procession to the cemetery. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

James Herman Thompson, 88, of Huntington, WV. passed away Thursday, July 13, 2023. He was born February 20, 1935 son of the late Thurman and Lucretia Thompson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers Frank and Tom Thompson and three sisters Nellie O’Dell, Joyce Frazier and Dorothy Seay. Survivors include son James (Shirl) Thompson, daughter Kathy (Jack) McKinney, adopted daughter Jessica (Brian)Thompson-Hart; granddaughters Kim (Tommy) Wellman, Jeanna Thompson, Christa (Casey) Barta; great-grandchildren Aly, Ryder, Hannah, Bailee, Brynlee and Brylee. He is also survived by sisters Betty Knop and Peggy Smith; loving nieces and nephews and longtime special friend Bonnie. James was retired from Owens Illinois and following that he retired from Atalian as a security guard. There will be a Celebration of Life at noon on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at the Lavalette Faith Freewill Baptist Church 105 Carolyn Drive Lavalette, WV. 25535. A dinner will be served in the fellowship hall immediately after the service. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Rex Ashley Butler, 77, of Kenova, WV. passed away Thursday, July 13, 2023 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Rex was born April 8, 1946 in Melbourne, Australia son of the late Ashley and Dorothy Sandow Butler. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother Paul Butler and his sister Carole Coburn. He is survived by his wife Evelyn Butler; three sons, Ben Butler (Jenni), Jessie Butler and Toby Butler; sister Glenda Butler and four grandchildren Avery, Griffyn, Naomi and Owen. In keeping with Rex’s wishes there will be no public services. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Pamela Lynn Holley, 40, of Huntington, WV. passed away Monday, July 10, 2023 at her residence. Memorial service will be conducted 6:00 P.M. Friday, July 14, 2023 at Rollins Funeral Home with Pastor Greg Page officiating. Pam was born April 24, 1983 in Huntington daughter of Wanda Adkins Holley and the late David A. Holley. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Kenneth and Beatrice Adkins and her paternal grandparents Other and Maudie Holley. In addition to her mother, she is survived by two aunts Judy Adkins and Gloria Holley. Friends may call one hour prior to the service, Friday, July 14, 2023 at Rollins Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Charles McNeill Oshel, 92, of Huntington, W.Va., husband of Virgie R. Oshel, died at home on June 28, 2023. He was born July 28, 1930, in Gallipolis, Ohio, a son of the late Charles Waggoner and Reba Elizabeth Oshel. He is survived by his sister, Ruth Eleanor Boyd of Columbus, Ohio; stepdaughter, Delana M. (Randall) Keefer and grandson, Benjamin Scott Keefer of New Albany, Ohio. He was a member of Hickory Chapel United Methodist Church, Point Pleasant, W.Va. He was a graduate of Point Pleasant High School and graduated from Marshall University (College). He served in the United States Army, principal service was 440th Army Band, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was teacher/band director of Ceredo-Kenova High School 1952-1977 and was an AssistantSuperintendent for the Wayne County Board of Education. He was a 50 year member of Buena Vista Masonic Lodge, AF & AM, a life member of the National Rifle Association, life member Huntington Rifle & Pistol Association. He was conductor/arranger for the Ceredo-Kenova Alumni Band, a member of the Kenova Hall of Fame, honored as Ceredo Volunteer of the Year, Member of American Legion Post 93 Kenova. He was inducted in 2016 to the WV Director Hall of Fame. A celebration of his life will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Monday, July 3, 2023 at Rollins Funeral Home with Pastor Rodney Dishman officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to service time at the funeral home. A committal service will be held at 3:30 p.m., at Lone Oak Cemetery in Point Pleasant. Pallbearers will be, Charles Clarkson, Dusty Mills, Mark Dishman, Jonathan Steele, Floyd Watts and J.D. Steele. There will be no procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in honor of Charles Oshel to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN, 38101 or to the church of your choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Cecil Eugene Wilks, of Ceredo, WV, born on February 23, 1955, passed from this world to a better place in Heaven on June 27, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Cleta Stepp Wilks and his son, Jeremiah David Wilks. He left behind his wife of nearly 48 years, Faith Lyons Wilks, and their daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Michael Caldwell. He also left behind five grandchildren: Cadence and Evan Caldwell, Gatlin and Mason Wilks and their brother Rylan Vandyke, and daughter-in-law, Indi Miller Ramsey. Cecil grew up enjoying being the big brother of six siblings: the late Loretta Gail Halfhill, Claude Wilks, Lori Lambertsen, David Wilks, Susan Huff, and Jimmy Wilks. He loved family and will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. Cecil loved and will be missed by many friends, including two life long friends who were like brothers to him, Mike Saunders and Jerry Sutton. Cecil was an active member of the First Independent Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, and was loved and will be missed by his church family. He was a past member attaining the rank of Lieutenant, of the Ceredo Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a past member and president of the Huntington Archery Club. Cecil loved being outdoors in his garden or the woods, or hunting, fishing, and walking. He loved sitting around the campfire, laughing and sharing tales. He could definitely tell a story! You always knew where you stood with Cecil, even if you may not have wanted to know! Cecil was very sure of his beliefs and did not hesitate to express them. His belief, faith, and trusting God was strong and it was his desire that all his loved ones would be saved. Services will be conducted on Friday, June 30, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Kenova United Methodist Church with Pastor Scott Byard, Pastor Zach Johnson, Pastor Andrew Tennant and Mike Saunders officiating. Visitation will be two hours before the service. Cecil, we love you and miss you, but we know you are rejoicing in Heaven! In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the First Independent Missionary Baptist Church in Kenova. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

BENNIE ALBAN SPARKS, 73, of Huntington, WV. passed away Sunday, June 18, 2023 at the Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center. Funeral service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Saturday June 24, 2023 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Pastor Zach Johnson officiating. Bennie was born December 21, 1949 in Louisa, KY. a son of the late George Washington and Beatrice Damron Sparks. He was a heavy equipment operator out of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 132. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of the American Legion Post 93 whose Honor Guard will conduct military rites. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a son Brett Allen Sparks; siblings, Ann Clemons, Beulah Mogue, Doug Sparks, Virginia D. Bailey, Norma D. Deskins, Nora Edwards, Nancy Blake and a granddaughter Cambrie Walls. Survivors include his wife Debbie Dishman Sparks; one daughter and son-in-law Leslie Sparks (Brandon), one step-son and daughter-in-law Alex Walls (Brianna); ten grandchildren Zachary Sparks, Vinny Sparks, Addison Walls, Jada Sparks, Jocelyn Roney, Jude Sparks, Barrett Walls, Teagen, Kenadie and Raelynn Walls; siblings, Joe Sparks, Millie Mills, Ray Sparks and James Sparks. He also leaves a special nephew who was more like a brother Harrison Bailey (H.L.); a host of nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends. The family wishes to extend their most heartfelt thanks to the staff in the ICU at the VA Medical Center for their love and care of Bennie. Friends may call from noon – 2:00 P.M. Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

George Edward Cooper,53, of Kenova, WV. passed away Saturday, June 17, 2023 at the Imogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. George was born October 3, 1969 in Huntington, WV a son of Thelma Cooper and the late Andrew Cooper. Besides his father he was also preceded in death by two sisters Linda Cooper and Kathy Cooper. In addition to his mother, he is survived by three sisters Rebecca Frye, Dianne Justice and Jamie Hartley; five brothers Sam Cooper, James Cooper, Andrew Cooper, Jr., Ronald Hartley and Raymond Adkins and several nieces and nephews. A memorial gathering will be held for family and friends from 6:00-7:00 P.M. Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Continue reading “George Edward Cooper”

Raynelle Woods Williams, of Cincinnati, Ohio, formerly of Kenova, W.Va. passed away and was received into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Friday, June 9, 2023 at Bethesda North Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio after residing in a nursing home for 12 years. Visitation will be Friday, June 16th from Noon to 2:00 p.m. at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, W.Va. The funeral service will begin immediately following visitation with Pastor Zach Johnson officiating. She was born May 10, 1936 in Jean, KY, a daughter of the late Roy and Elizabeth Wellman Woods. In addition to her parents, Raynelle was preceded in death by her siblings, Ernestine Haszard, Hope Blake, and Eugene Woods; brothers-in-law, Arthur (Hap) Haszard, Junior Blake, and nephew, Arthur Alexander Haszard, II. She is survived by her children, Larry Dale (Jill) Williams, of Kenova, W.Va., Linda Williams (Bruce) Hanson of Milford, OH, and Mark (Patti) Williams of Fishers, IN. In addition she is survived by grandchildren, Dustin Williams, Aireal Ferguson, Erich Williams, Mia Williams, Josh Hanson, Corey Hanson, Mallory Hanson, Halee Rae Williams and Bennett Williams; great grandchildren, Shannon, Angelina, Delaney, Elaina, Aizen, and Vivian; and nephews, Bob Blake, John Haszard, Tim Haszard, Allen Haszard and several great nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Warren G. “Bossy” Spry, 67, of Kenova, WV., gained his heavenly crown, Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Funeral service will be conducted 3:00 PM Sunday, June 11, 2023 at England Hill Freewill Baptist Church with Pastor Willie May officiating.  Interment will follow in Dock’s Creek Cemetery. He was born April 23, 1956 in Huntington a son of the late Warnie G. Spry and the late Donna Jean Staley Spry May. Bossy was a retired electrician from the IBEW 317 and was the former president of the IBEW 317 Credit Union and a member of the England Hill Freewill Baptist Church. He was a member of the Buena Vista Masonic Lodge whose members will conduct graveside rites. Bossy was a Wayne County Democrat Executive Committeeman for District 2 and a member of the River Cities Hog Chapter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Terry Ray “Topper” Spry and baby Ryan G. Spry an step-grandchild Cambrie Walls. He leaves behind his wife, Barbie Turner Spry; children Amber Walker (Danny) and Bryan Spry (Katy); step-children Brittney Sims (Tommy), Brandi Adkins (Mark) and Brianna Walls (Alex); two sisters Herma Lynn Davis (Bill) and Jean Robertson (Bill); sister-in-law Ellen Spry; 16 grandchildren Sheyenne, Cole, Faith, Rylee, Kate, Macy, Landon, Lane, Corey, Presleigh, Bryce, Addison, Barrett, Kenadie, Teagen and Raelynn; great grandchild Knox and a special family member Stacey Sammons. Visitation will be 1-3 PM. Sunday at the church. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.