Obituaries

Gus Poff, Jr.,72, of Nashville, TN., formerly of Huntington, WV. passed away Monday, June 3, 2019. Funeral service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 8, 2019 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Minister Chris Stevens officiating. Interment will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery. He was born February 22, 1947 in Wayne Co., WV. a son of the late Augustus and Josie Meador Poff. He was a former welder for CSX, L&N and C&O railroads. He retired as a tool crib manager at Greer Stop Nut. He was also a carpenter & an electrician.  He was a veteran having served in the US Army. Gus was a member of the Maple Street Church of God and he loved to write and sing songs. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers Roy Price Poff and Howard Poff and one sister Lorraine Felix. Survivors include his beloved wife Pamela J. Leslie Poff; one daughter and son-in-law Missy Christian (Jeff); two sons and a daughter-in-law Greg Poff (Angie) and Brian Poff; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three sisters Josephine Moore, Tina Crabtree, Wilma Jean Richard; three Brothers Bernard Poff, Norman Jack Poff and James Poff and a host of other family and friends. Visitation will be from 11:30 A.M.-1:00 P.M. Saturday at the funeral home. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

Elza Lee Snyder, Jr.,74, of Kenova, WV., passed away Sunday, June 2, 2019 at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Funeral service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Rev. Joe Wayman officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. He was born September 2, 1944 in Huntington, WV. son of the late Elza Lee Snyder Sr. and the late Sylvia Mae Altic Snyder. He was a retired janitor from St. Mary’s Hospital. He was a veteran having served in the US Navy. Elza was a member of the American Legion Post 93 whose Honor Guard will conduct military graveside rites. He was a lifetime member of the VFW 1064, DAV, Vietnam Veterans of America and a past member of the Honor Guard at Post 93. He is survived by his beloved wife Judy Thompson Snyder; one daughter and son-in-law Alberta “Toodie” Gue (Greg); two sons and one daughter-in-law Tom “Goose” Snyder and Zeek Snyder (Leann); nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 12-1:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

Pamela Sue Porter Rhodes, 60, of Huntington, WV., passed away Saturday, June 1, 2019 at St. Mary’s Medical Center.  Funeral service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Pastor Roger Perry officiating. Interment will follow in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. She was born December 5, 1958 in Huntington, WV., daughter of the late Palmer and Phyllis Ann Noel Porter. She worked in payroll and billing at the former Corbin Ltd. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Michael Clinton Rhodes and grandmother Mae Noel. She is survived by three precious daughters Heather Rhodes Staley (J.R.), Tamara Rhodes (Jennifer Lipscomb) and Sarah Rhodes Adams (Brandon); five cherished grandchildren Hannah Staley, McKenzie Adams, Paislea Adams, Madilynn Adams and Michael Adams; two sisters Cinda Lucas (Gary) and Ann Preston (Jerry ); one brother Craig Porter; three sisters-in-law Karen Bernhardt, Rosie Shiels and Angela Rhodes; longtime family friend Nancy Holley and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 12-1:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

 

Billie McAlister Hatten, 89, of Anderson, SC, widow of John Wilson Hatten passed away Sunday, May 26, 2019. She was born February 8, 1930 in Kenova, WV a daughter of the late, Robert B. McAlister and Ruby Hitchcock Gorst. Billie was a 1948 graduate of C-K High School. She was a homemaker who cared for her husband and children. Billie was also preceded in death by one brother-in-law, Claude Gilkerson.   She is survived by one son, John Hatten and his wife, Dara and their children, Christopher and Austin Hatten; one daughter, Rene’ McElveen and her children, Nicholas and Alexis McElveen. Other survivors include her brother and his wife, Robert D. and Rebecca McAlister; two sisters, Betty Gilkerson and Emma May Hurst and her husband, Gale; two brothers-in-law, Carl D. Hatten and Frank Hatten and his wife, Tiny; one sister-in-law, Eleanor Meadows and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be conducted from Noon to 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 31, 2019 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, W.Va. Funeral services will begin immediately following the visitation at 2:00p.m. Burial will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer Association. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Ernest Colegrove, 84, of Kenova, W.Va., passed away Monday, May 27, 2019 at the Cabell Huntington Hospital. Funeral service will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Pastor Danny Sansom officiating. Interment will be in Dock’s Creek Cemetery. Ernest was born October 9, 1934 in Lenore, W.Va. a son of the late George Washington and Lula McCoy Colegrove. He retired from AEP where he was a meter reader for 42 years. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Bonnie Fields Colegrove and a brother and sister-in-law Andrew and Carrie Colegrove. He is survived three children Cinda Endicott (Rick), Ernie Colegrove (Cindy Maynard) and Cheryl Booth (Leonard); grandchildren Adam Endicott (Eliza), Lizzie Endicott, Jacob Caldwell (Jennifer) and Chris Caldwell; 3 great-grandchildren, one sister Ida Stone and a special nephew David Daughtery. Friends may call one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

IRA EUGENE “GENE” NOBLE, 71, of Kenova, W.Va., passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2019, at his home. Gene was born May 23, 1948, in Kenova, a son of Nora Stone Stewart of Kenova and the late Ira Noble. He was a 1966 graduate of C-K High School. Gene served his country as a member of the U.S. Air Force and was a member and former employee of American Legion Post 93, whose Military Guard will conduct graveside rites. He was a firefighter for the City of Huntington and retired after 27 years of service. The fire department will stand honor guard during visitation and will also conduct firefighter services. Gene has also been employed by the US Postal Service in Huntington, W.Va. He attended Liberty Baptist Church in Milton, W.Va. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Elsworth and Frances Stone. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Debbie LaFontaine Noble; one daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Aaron Diehl; one son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Tiffany Noble; grandchildren, Madison, Blaze, Leah, Erica, Hunter and Gavin; one brother-in-law, Jim LaFontaine and one sister-in-law, Melanie Gleason and a host of other family and friends. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Kim Stone officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

THELMA LEE HOWARD PELFREY, 76, of Kenova, W.Va., passed away Sunday, May 19, 2019, at her residence. Graveside service will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at Maple Hill Cemetery with Pastor Scott Byard, officiating. Thelma was born March 21, 1943, in Wayne County, a daughter of the late Severt and Mae Booth Howard. She was a member of the Post 93 Ladies Auxiliary and El Hasa Clownetts. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Marvin “Marvo” Pelfrey; a precious daughter, Shereen “Sherry” Pelfrey Woody; one sister, Mildred Davis and two brothers, Clifford and Jimmy Howard. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Angela “Angie” Whitney (Bill); a very special grandson, Lucas Tanner Whitney; one sister and brother-in-law, Violet Cornwell (Jennings); one brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and Vickie Pelfrey; several nieces, nephews and a host of friends. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to all of her caregivers and Hospice. There will be no visitation and no procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, if you want to remember her, plant a perennial in her honor. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.

Howard Curtis VanHoose,77, of Catlettsburg, Ky., passed away Saturday, May 11, 2019 at the Community Hospice Care Center. Howard was born December 25, 1941 in Huntington, WVa. son of the late Everette and Faye Arrowood VanHoose. He retired from AK Steel and was a veteran having served in the U.S. Air Force. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister Carol Billups. He is survived by his beloved wife Barbara Beckley VanHoose; three children Mark VanHoose (Sue), Sonja Lewis (Terry) and James VanHoose; three grandchildren Tia VanHoose (Tim Collins), Paige VanHoose and Madison VanHoose; two great-grandchildren Hunter VanHoose and Oakley Tate Hamm and one sister Jennie VanHoose Agee (Phil). Graveside services will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Saturday, May 18, 2019 at Hillcrest Cemetery. There will be no visitation and no procession to the cemetery. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.

Jack Finley passed peacefully from this life the morning of May 14th at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice house. Jack was born on March 24th, 1937 in Dunlow, WV. to the late George and Fannie Raines Finley. Jack loved his family. He was a father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, & friend. He is survived by his beloved son, Joshua Finley, his cherished granddaughter Sophie Finley, daughter-in-law Deborah Finley and siblings Laura Cole, Juanita Brown and Henry Finley. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Martha Finley. He will be dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is now at peace with his creator. Jack was known as a loving, patient and kind man whose positive influence affected everyone he knew. He worked in construction as a heavy equipment operator until his retirement. In his spare time, he enjoyed selling goods at the former Bus Barn Flea Market, Chesapeake Flea Market and in his shop, Jack’s Variety Store on Chestnut Street in Kenova. Jack’s Celebration of Life will be held 1:00 P.M. Thursday May 16th at Rollins Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Cantrell officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Rollins Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at rollinsfh.com.

PATRICIA S. BILLUPS, 88, of Ceredo, passed away at home on her birthday, May 9, 2019. She was born in Kenova, a daughter of the late Carl Staley and Rosalie Staley Ratcliff. Also predeceasing Mrs. Billups were her siblings, Mary Childers, John Staley, and Carl Staley. Pat is survived by her husband of 68 years, James T. Billups of Ceredo; her children, Paul A. Billups (Kathy), Leigh Ann Johnson (Richard), and Jon Andrew Billups; along with the grandchildren that she adored: Morgan Billups, Sarah Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Emily Billups, Jenna Marie Billups; and daughter-in-law, Lora Billups. Mrs. Billups held undergraduate and graduate degrees from Marshall University and had a deep passion for learning and education, spending her career as a classroom teacher and administrator in the Wayne County school system. She was most proud of the years she spent as a first-grade teacher and the many Ceredo and Kenova students she influenced with her love of reading. Pursuant to her request, a graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Crescent Hill Cemetery in Ceredo, with the Rev. H. Scott Byard officiating. In lieu of flowers it is requested that donations be made to the Town of Ceredo Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 691, Ceredo, WV 25507. Rollins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.