Obituaries

LORETTA S. STEELE, 84, of Lavalette, W.Va., passed away on Sunday, December, 6, 2020, in Wayne Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wayne, W.Va. She was born September 16, 1936, in Wayne County, W.Va., a daughter of the late Clifford M. and Sadie Hazlett Smith. Loretta was a graduate of Buffalo High School, Class of 1954. She worked in banking for many years working for the First National Bank of Ceredo where she was a Teller Supervisor. She was a member of the Lavalette United Methodist Church. Loretta loved to sing and was a 30-year member of the River Magic Sweet Adelines. She was a past Worthy Matron of the White’s Creek Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. Loretta had many talents and was a member of the Kyova Quilters. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Gary A. Steele; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Lois Gene (Donald) Booth and Janet (Hiram) Rutherford; and her mother and father-in-law Shade and Recie Steele. She is survived by her daughter Robin (Jay) Dorfer of Columbia, S.C.; her son Robert (Penny) Steele of Rock Hill, S.C.; her granddaughter Meredith (Cody) Jones of Columbia, S.C.; two brothers, Sherrell (Barbara) Smith of Huntington, W.Va., and David (Bea) Smith of South Point, Ohio; two sisters-in-law, Lelia Smith of Las Vegas, Nev., and Marie Daugherty of Front Royal, Va., and a host of nieces and nephews. In observance of the CDC and State of W.Va. Covid- 19 regulations, her services will be private for family only on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at Cyrus Cemetery with Rev. Ray Stonestreet officiating. We ask you celebrate Loretta’s life by remembering the time you shared together. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Young Singers Foundation, P.O. Box 470168, Tulsa, OK. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the Steele family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be  expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Charles K. “Boots” Wright, 89, of Catlettsburg, passed away peacefully December 6, 2020 at the home of his daughter and son in law, Kay and Don Cole in Catlettsburg.

He was born on May 10^th, 1931, son of the late Mary Buckley Jordan. He was also preceded by a son, Joe Wright in 2013: and a daughter, Maleah Wright who died at birth.

Boots was a graduate of Thomas R. Brown High School.  Boots retired from the Boyd County Courthouse Property Valuation Office after 40 years of service. He was also the county land surveyor for many years.  Boots was an exception to the rule: very few people these days can say they were born, raised, married, and then worked their entire life in the same city.  Wright is a true son of Catlettsburg, Kentucky.

Boots married the love of his life, Betty McDowell Wright. They were married 65 years until her death in 2017.. He is survived by his daughter Kay (Don) Cole of Catlettsburg, Chuck Wright of Catlettsburg, and his fur buddy and best friend Bear that will miss him dearly, seven grandchildren, Russ (Amanda) Cole of Catlettsburg, Steven (Betsy) Cole of Ashland, Brandon Wright of North Carolina, Cody Wright of Flatwoods, Katti (Nathan) Tharpe of Hurricane, J. D. Wright of Catlettsburg, and Mindy McGinnis of Huntington: five great-grandchildren, Charlie and Violet Cole, Joseph Cole, and Kayleigh and Mia Jo Tharpe.

Boots loved going to his farm in Carter Co. to ride his tractor or sit by the pond. When home you could see him sitting on his front porch watching the traffic traveling up and down the road or gazing over at the park across the street. When inside you would find an old Western on TV which he loved to watch.
Graveside services will be Thursday, December 10 at 11:00 at the Catlettsburg Cemetery. Pastor Joey Kennedy will officiate.

Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, W Va is in charge of arrangement.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Community Hospice of Ashland, 1480 Carter Ave., Ashland, Ky 41101 or by calling (606) 329-1890. The family would like to thank Sheena Smith his Hospice nurse who took such great care of him and all the wonderful folks we met through Hospice.
Boots’ favorite passage was Psalm 23.

Letha Jane Hoover Haynie, 67, of Kenova, W.Va. passed away Saturday, December 5, 2020 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. Graveside services will be conducted 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at the Haynie Family Cemetery with her brother-in-law James Haynie officiating. Letha was born April 2, 1953 in Cabell County, W.Va. a daughter of the late Charles Everett and Jessie Jordan Hoover. She was a member of the Kenova United Methodist Church and ran the concession stand for 29 years for the Buffalo Girls Buddy League. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by three siblings. She is survived by her beloved husband Terry L. Haynie; one daughter April Morales; one son David Haynie; two grandchildren Evelyn Brown and Jae Morales; two brothers Harold Hoover and Ronnie Hoover and two sisters Sue Wilkerson and Wanda Gail Haynie. Visitation will be from 1:00-1:45 P.M. Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Social distancing and mask are required. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Ritchie Dale Fluty, 69, of Huntington WV, left this world for Heaven on Friday, November 27, 2020 in Huntington, WV at his home surrounded by loved ones.

Visitation will be 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 P.M. Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Rollins Funeral Home with Pastor Chuck McCormick of Rt. 60 Freewill Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Spring Valley Memory Gardens. Arrangements are made by Rollins Funeral Home.

Ritchie Dale Fluty was born in Williamson, WV the only son to Dick and Bertha (Justice) Fluty on September 28, 1951. He was a carpenter and a coal miner for Wolfe Creek Collieries. He was a gospel song writer and enjoyed playing guitar and piano passing down his musical talent.

Ritchie Dale Fluty is proceeded in death by his father Dick Fluty, a granddaughter Skyler Jade Winnett and Sister Carol Sue (Fluty) Moore.

Ritchie Dale Fluty is survived by his daughters Angela (Kevin) Woods, Tamela (Butch) Caudill, Tangela (Jason) Winnett and sons Keith (Jackie) Hodge, Chandler Dale Fluty, Ryan Nicholas Fluty and Justin Kyle Fluty. Grandchildren Charlie Sr. (Traci) Woods, Mark (Lauren) Giffin, Ritchie Giffin, Sam (Molly) Winnett, Savannah Winnett, Tyler Winnett, Jaci Winnett, Jaylee Winnett, Jaxon Hodge and Jaron Hodge. Great grandchildren Caroline Woods, Cheyanne Woods, Charlie Woods Jr., Markie Giffin, Kaylee Giffin, Hailee Winnett and Mathew Winnett.

Three sisters Dea (James) Michael, Brenda (Dave) Hardin and Faye (Steve) Marple along with many nieces and nephews he loved dearly.

And a special friend Margie Merritt.

Aileta June Gilliam Preston, 86, of Kenova, W.Va. passed away Thursday, November 26, 2020 at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Graveside services will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Monday, November 30, 2020 at Spring Valley Memory Gardens with her brother-in-law Arvil Maynard officiating. June was born March 7, 1934 in Dunlow, W.Va. a daughter of the late Andrew J. and Bessie I. Thompson Gilliam. She was a member of the Spring Valley Church of Christ. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years Robert Lee Preston; one daughter Becky Ranee Preston at birth; one brother and six sisters. She is survived by two daughters Pandora Watts and Raymona Preston; several grandchildren, Tammy Watts, Jamie (Betty) Watts, Wendy (Dan) Tackett and Tiffany (Nicholas) McFann; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; one brother Alvie (Donna) Gilliam; three sisters Judy (Bob) Riggs, Joan (Arvil) Maynard, Justine Trogdon and several nieces, nephews and other family members. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. The family graciously request that no flowers be sent. Social distancing and mask are required. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Eric Scott McComas, 44, of Lavalette, W.Va., passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at home. He was born in Huntington, W.Va., on September 15, 1976, the son of the late Oscar Noah Jr. and Lorraine Eudora Cook McComas. Eric was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.  Survivors include life partner, Kevin Knowles; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ricky and Frances McComas of Huntington, WV, Tim and Tracey McComas of Lexington, KY, Kevin and Deide McComas of Barboursville, WV, and Brian Knowles of Barboursville, WV; nieces and nephews, Melissa McComas Senator of Man, WV, Samantha McComas and C.J. King of Barboursville, WV, Courtney McComas of Huntington, WV, Lauren McComas and J.R. Blevins of Cleveland, OH, Connor McComas of Huntington, WV, Jake McComas of Barboursville, WV, and Maddie McComas of Barboursville, WV; great nephew, Wyatt King of Barboursville, WV; in addition to a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. A memorial of life service is being planned. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Olive Jeanne Blevins, 87, of Catlettsburg, KY, passed away Monday, November 16, 2020 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. The funeral service will be conducted at 12:30 pm Saturday, November 21, 2020 at the Kenova Church of God where she was a member. Reverend Paul Cantrell of Kenova and Reverend Joe Wayman of Wayne will be officiating. Interment will follow at Spring Valley Memory Gardens. Jeanne was born December 18, 1932 in Logan, WV, and was the daughter of the late Brice and Della McCoy Hall. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three siblings; Juanita Sue Pennington, Anna Jo Golice and James Hall, 1 great grand-daughter, Hanna Stanley and her mother-in-law, Ova Blevins Plummer. Jeanne worked as a switchboard operator at Logan’s Mercy General Hospital where she met the love of her life and future husband, Alvin. She is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 71 years, Alvin Baxter Blevins, daughter Sherry Russell, and son, B. Ray Blevins (Ann). Two grandchildren from her daughter Sherry; Sherry Beth Copley (Jay) and Amanda Compton (Kyle); and 5 great-grandchildren; Justin Ellis (Autumn), Mallory Copley, Jaelyn Copley, Luke Durham, and Kylie Compton. Five grandchildren from her son B. Ray; Anisha Thomas, Shane Blevins (Dorothy), Cory Blevins, Amber Blevins, and Maggie Jean McDaniel (Cory); 11 great-grandchildren from her son, B. Ray; Coral McCaskey (Joseph), Logan Thomas, Wade Thomas, Leslie Terry, April DeLoach (Walt), Rowan Smyley, Michael Blevins (Jordan), Kelsie Blevins, Christopher Nettles , Vance Nettles and Bradley Nettles ; and 5 great-great grandchildren: Isaac and Emily McCaskey, Oliver Blevins, Lexy and Walton DeLoach. She is also survived by two brothers; Orison Hall, and David Hall (Melissa), and a host of nephews and nieces including beloved niece, Debbie Hall Phifer. Jeanne’s heart was one full of love and nurturing which was always felt, whether by word or deed, by those that were entrusted to her care. She is lovingly remembered for always singing around the house. We all can remember hearing her say so many times that “my arms just ache to hold a baby!” Her favorite bible scripture was Psalm 121, which she often quoted. She loved her Lord Jesus Christ and she loved her family. Definitely a unique combination of both Martha and Mary of the Bible, she will be greatly missed until we see her again in the Lord Jesus’ presence in Heaven. Continue reading “Blevins, Olive J”

Shaunie Lou Sullivan, age 71 of Ona, West Virginia left this world on November 9, 2020. Shaunie loved her job as a nurse at Huntington Health and Rehab where she had worked for 26 years. Shaunie was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. Her family and friends will miss her more than words can describe. In addition, Shaunie loved all the animals she has had a pleasure of caring for over the years and made her own children during that time. She was an amazing caregiver to anyone that had the pleasure of knowing her. She is preceded in death by her mother and stepfather Avis and Melvin Schaffer; father Joseph Hughes; and brother Samuel Hughes. She is survived by her sons Matthew (Kellie Collins) Sullivan and Patrick (Tami) Sullivan; grandchildren Kylie (Heather) Trimble, Allee (Hunter Allison) Sullivan, Brooke Sullivan, Joshua Sullivan, and Hunter (Clara Bernthold) Robbins; great-grandson Ethan Mitro; nephew Chris (Kara Gettman) Hughes and her large loving group of co-workers. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Cabell Huntington Hospital for all the love and care they put into taking care of this incredible woman. Due to Covid-19 the family has decided to hold a private visitation. Friends and family will meet at Dock’s Creek Cemetery at 12:15 Friday, November 13, 2020 for a graveside service. In lieu of flowers donations to One by One or The Humane Society would be appreciated. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences my be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

James Michael Blankenship, 68, of Ceredo, W.Va. passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at the Herschel “Woody” Williams VAMC. Funeral services will be conducted 3:15 P.M. Sunday, November 8, 2020 at the Ceredo Crescent Hill Cemetery with the American Legion Post 93 Honor Guard conducting military rites. James was born February 13, 1952 in Huntington, W.Va. son of Eldred Handy Lloyd and the late Jennings Blankenship. He was a veteran having served his country in the U.S. Army. In addition to his father he was preceded in death by a sister Carolyn Blankenship Thompson. In addition to his mother he is survived by his love and lifetime friend Jettie Adkins; sister Linda Lloyd Eastham; nieces Leslie Ann Eastham and Laura Beth Eastham and several other nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 P.M. Sunday, November 8, 2020 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. The family respectfully requests the observance of facemasks and social distancing. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.