Obituaries

Bernard David Riggs, 81, of Huntington, WV, passed away at UK Medical Center and was united with his Savior Sunday, September 18, 2022. Funeral service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Friday, September 23, 2022, at Rollins Funeral Home with Pastor Jeffrey F. Canterbury of First Baptist Church Ceredo, officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Dock’s Creek Cemetery. Bernard was born November 11, 1940, in Kenova, WV, a son of the late Andrew Wayne and Reba Ball Riggs and raised in Happy Hollow outside Kenova. He was a graduate of Ferndale Elementary School and C-K High School, class of 1958, where he played on both the baseball and football teams. Bernard was a career-long employee and supervisor at Ashland Petroleum and retired from Marathon Petroleum in 2000. Bernard was a faithful man who loved the Lord. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, always caring for his family and others. An avid gardener, he loved being outside doing all the chores necessary to produce a big garden and beautiful plants and flowers. His greatest love though was taking care of and providing for his wife, parents and in laws, siblings, children, and grandchildren. His devotion for those closest to him cannot be replaced. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his three sisters Elaine Craycraft, Marsha Riggs, and Wilda Milam. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Nancy Lou Norman Riggs; son and daughter-in-law David Riggs (Tamela); daughter Lora Billups; four grandchildren Emily Billups, Andrew Riggs, Kathryn Riggs, and Jenna Billups; a brother-in-law Willie Milam; a sister-in-law Margaret Kizzee; two aunts Katie McCallister and Mary Ball; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and good neighbors. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Janet L. Melnyk Cicenas, 76, of Catlettsburg, Ky. passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at King’s Daughters Medical Center. Funeral service will be conducted 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 19, 2022 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Ashland with Pastor Andrew Canon Garner officiating. Interment will follow in Dock’s Creek Cemetery. Janet was born June 25, 1946 in Gary, IN. a daughter of the late Walter and Dorothy Vander Meulen Melnyk. Janet was one to consider others before herself. She loved learning about people and was a second mother to all of her sons’ friends. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and discussing politics with any and all. Janet was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and her legacy lives on through all the lives she touched. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a sister Carol Eberhardt. Survivors include her beloved husband Robert “Bob” Cicenas; four sons Anthony “Tony” Cicenas (Callie), Jason Cicenas, Ryan Cicenas (Susan) and Blake Cicenas (Maria) and eight grandchildren Shelby, Shay, Sydney, Asher, Elle, Nadia, Belle and Vivian. In lieu of flowers the family ask that memorial donations be made to the National Right to Life Committee at donate.nric.org. Visitation will be from 2-4 P.M. Sunday, September 18, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Kenneth E. Rutt, 68, of Kenova, W.Va. finished his course, Thursday, September 8, 2022 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Funeral service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Kenova, of which he was a member, with Pastor Kevin Hay officiating. Interment will follow in Dock’s Creek Cemetery with military rites being done by the American Legion Post 93 Honor Guard and Masonic rites by the Proctorville Lodge No. 550. Kenny was born October 14, 1953 in Piqua, OH. a son of the late Marvin M. and Bertha A. Myers Rutt. He was a retired truck driver and was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Robert Rutt. Survivors include his beloved wife Kelli L. Mosser Rutt; two precious daughters Nicole Spurgeon (David) and Lauren Rutt; two brothers Harold Rutt (Roberta) and Marvin Rutt, Jr. (Jennifer) and four grandchildren Bethany, Olivia, Isabella and James Spurgeon. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Mabel Irene Perry Smith, 83, of Kenova, a caring wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt, passed away peacefully at home on September 4, 2022. Born in Whitewood, VA, on July 7, 1939 to the late A.J. Perry and Thelma Tipton Perry, she spent most of her childhood in Kenova’s Park Circle, a neighborhood she remembered fondly throughout her life. She married her high-school sweetheart, Larry Jack Smith, who became her husband of 67 years. Mabel went on to earn an LPN and work as a private-duty nurse. She was a dedicated caregiver who showed an unparalleled level of compassion for her patients. She loved dancing, walking in Ritter Park, and trips to the beach, but most of all, she enjoyed spending time with family-immediate or extended-at little league or high school games, at reunions and family gatherings, at church, on the phone, and at home. She is preceded in death by her parents; her daughter Debbie; her siblings, Albert, her twin sister, Barbara Morrone, David, and Jim; her granddaughter, Rachel Lavalley; and her nephew, David Allen Perry. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Lavalley (Mick) Benton; her sons, Ted (Patti Lakin), Mike, and Jad (Staci Provezis); her grandchildren, Jessica Smith (Mason), Joey (Laura) Smith, Michael Smith, Randy (Tonia) Lavalley, Ryan (Ben Hershey), Staz Smith-Provezis, and Zackary Smith; her great-grandchildren, Gavin Lavalley, and Maddie Majors (Mel); her siblings, Richard Perry and Juanita Staten; and her many nieces and nephews including, Cyndi Morrone Ranson, Jeanie Morrone Sullivan, Perry, Rick and Trey Morrone; Jim, John, Lenny and Rich Perry, Don Peslis; Jeanne Adkins, and Marci Franklin; Dana Ferrence, Jamie Hardwick, and Terri Hopkins; Beverly Morrison and Charlie and Chris Staten; Luanne Boyce and Ron Perry. Mabel attended the Ceredo Congregational Church and she was active in the Backpack Ministry. Funeral services will be held at Ceredo Congregational Church at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 10, 2022 with Pastor Marty Gute officiating. Visitation will be two hours before the funeral at the church. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to the Backpack Ministry in Mabel’s name and mailed to Kenova United Methodist Church, 503 15th Street, Kenova, WV 2530. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family and online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Virginia Louise Wilson Endicott, 85, of Kenova, W.Va. finished her course, Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at her residence. Funeral service will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Friday, September 9, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Pastor Dan Priest officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. Louise was born August 25, 1937 in Kenova, WV. a daughter of the late Anthony and Garnett Robertson Wilson. She was a former self-employed beautician and attended the Victory Freewill Baptist Church. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jan Eugene Endicott; precious daughter Misty Dawn Endicott and 7 siblings. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law Rick Endicott (Cinda); two grandchildren Adam Endicott (Eliza) and Lizzie Endicott and one brother Clyde Jack Wilson. The family wishes to extended a special thanks for their loving care to Cheryl and Leonard Booth; April Scaggs and hospice medical director Dr. Michael Amos. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Friday. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Robert Edwin “Robbie” Layman, 41, of Kenova, WV. passed away Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at UK Healthcare Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington, Ky. Robbie was born May 7, 1981 in Huntington, WV. a son of the late Edwin Lee Layman and the late Michele Lynn Lawhon. He was employed with the West Virginia Department of Highways with the Survey Crew. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Ron and Ruth Layman; maternal grandfather Dranon Dunn and step-mother Kim Layman. He is survived by his beloved wife Danielle Smith Layman; son Bryce Layman; daughter Kyla Karzun; brother Dave Layman; two grandchildren Carolina and Lennon Steele and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Mrs. Lois Ilene (Conley) Blankenship, 94, of Boiling Springs, SC passed from this life on August 29, 2022. Public visitation will be at 9:30AM, Tuesday September 6th at Hampton Vaughan funeral home, with 10AM graveside services at Crestview Memorial Park, Wichita Falls, TX., with Dr. Ike Butterworth presiding.

Ilene was born on June 27, 1928 to the late Minnie Mae Tuttle (Conley) Harless and Hershel David Conley. She spent her childhood in Lucasville, Ohio with her beloved Grandmother, Jane Boldt. Ilene married Jesse L. “Bud” Blankenship (deceased) on September 18, 1948 in Russell, KY. She owned and operated Blankenship Plumbing and Heating for over 40 years with her husband in Kenova, WV. Following their retirement, she lived in Wichita Falls for over 20 years. She was a member of the Eastern Star for over 40 years, a member of Floral Heights United Methodist Church, Wichita Falls, a volunteer with Ceredo-Kenova Ministerial Association, St. Mary’s Hospital, Huntington, WV, and Bethania Hospital, Wichita Falls, TX.

Her family includes a daughter, Lois L. Segers and son-in-law Ellie Segers (deceased) of Wichita Falls, TX. A son Jesse L “Bud” Blankenship, Jr and daughter-in-law Carol of Boiling Springs, SC., three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to go to the Good Samaritan Fund at Presbyterian Manor, Wichita Falls, TX. Online condolences may be made at hamptonvaughancrestview.com

Esther Lou Justice Hale, 94, of Kenova, WV. passed away Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Graveside service will be conducted 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Dock’s Creek Cemetery with Pastor Andrew Tennant officiating. Esther Lou was born January 4, 1928 in Ragland, WV. a daughter of the late John P Justice, Jr. and the late Martha Chapman Justice. She was a member of the Kenova United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Frank R. Hale and one brother and three sisters. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law W.B. Hale (Cathy); a daughter and son-in-law Debbie Mills (Dusty); two grandchildren Jennifer Renne (Mike) and Juli Dean (Jay) and three great-grandchildren Bailey Ferguson, Claire Ferguson and Peyton Dean; one brother John P. Justice (Patty) and two sisters Charlene Winters and Vella Payne. There will be no public visitation and no procession to the cemetery. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com. Continue reading “Esther Lou Justice Hale”

Vida Jeanette (Varney) May of Kenova, W.Va. passed away peacefully at the age of 84 on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House in Huntington, W.Va. Vida was a graduate of Belfry High School in Belfry, KY and was born in Sidney, KY to the late Ballard and Myrtle Mae Varney of South Williamson, KY. She was also preceded in death by sisters, Phyllis Ann King of South Williamson, KY and Aletha Pinson of Turkey Creek, KY. Vida is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 64 years, Estil; daughter, Sherrie (Terry) Webb of Chattaroy, W.Va.; son, Keith (Summer) May of Winfield, W.Va.; grandsons, Chad Webb of Charleston, W.Va., Tyler May (Megan) of Eleanor, W.Va. and Matthew Wright of Winfield, W.Va.; granddaughters, Haley Manns, (Dustin) of Goldsboro, NC, Madison Bailey (Derek) of Altus, OK, Amy Zacarias of Pikeville, KY, Mary Wright, and Natalie Wright of Winfield, W.Va.; two great-granddaughters and two great-grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews. Vida was a devoted wife and mother who put her family above all else. She was also a long-time member of the 20th Street Baptist Church of Kenova where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and was the church financial secretary for several years. Funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. A graveside service will be held on Friday, September 2, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Smith Family Cemetery in Sidney, KY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vida’s honor to Hospice of Huntington. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com