Register Herald Obituaries for February 15, 2000 Tuesday, February 15, 2000 ---------- Clyde L. Baker RONCEVERTE - Clyde Leon "Hoochie" Baker, 71, died Monday, Feb. 14, 2000, in the Greenbrier Medical Center, Fairlea, following a long illness. Born Aug. 1, 1928, at Ronceverte, he was the son of the late Andrew Clyde and Eva Green Baker. Hoochie was a member and deacon of the Ronceverte Presbyterian Church. He was retired from RIPCO and the Greenbrier County Board of Education. In the past he was active in the Ronceverte-Fairlea Little League System serving as coach. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Alta Phillips and Margaret Garner; and a brother, Paul Baker. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Kirby Baker; two daughters, Kay and Rick Bennett of Ronceverte, and Gee Gee and Stuart Roberts of Ronceverte; four sons, Ronnie and Sharon Baker of Ronceverte, Kenny and Connie Baker of Organ Cave, David "Crocky" and Pam Baker of Ronceverte, and Darrell and Ruby Baker of Ronceverte; a brother, Basil Baker of Ronceverte; 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Ronceverte Presbyterian Church with the Revs. Philip Graber and Gary Baker officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Ronceverte. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to Ronceverte Presbyterian Building Fund. Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Ronceverte. ---------- ---------- Dr. Liberty Casali BLACKSBURG, Va. - Dr. Liberty Casali, 88, died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000, in Kroontje Health Care Center, Blacksburg, Va. Born Oct. 15, 1911, at Vivian, she was a daughter of the late Antonio and Minnie Casali. Mrs. Casali attended Welch High School, Welch. She graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Duke University in 1933 and received a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Colorado in 1952. In 1955 she traveled extensively in Italy to study art centers and visit relatives. During World War II Dr. Casali worked as a chemist for General Electric Corp. in Pittsfield, Mass. The remainder of her career was devoted to her first love of teaching. First, she taught math and science in the public schools of southern West Virginia, later instructed at Wheaton College and then, after receiving her doctorate, was on the faculty at Russell-Sage College, Winthrop College and Bridgewater College. In 1977 she retired as professor of chemistry at James Madison University in Harrisburg, Va., and subsequently remained as professor emeritus. In 1994 she moved to Blacksburg, Va., to be closer to a brother, the late John Tony Casali of Blacksburg. As she touched the lives of countless young people through her teaching and friendship, many of her former university students continued to visit and correspond with her after retirement. Dr. Casali was active in the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi research honorary, and Theta Chi Delta. She also volunteered for Girl Scout work, loved to play bridge, and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Harrisonburg, Va. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Elsa Casali Payne and Virginia Casali McGuire; and a brother, John Tony Casali. Survivors include a brother, Odi Casali of Beckley; a niece, Susan J. Schwab of DeBary, Fla.; three nephews, Dr. John G. Casali of Blacksburg, Va., Harold O. Casali of Carmel, Ind., and A. Blaine Casali of Panama City, Fla.; and a sister-in-law, Mrs. John Tony (Shirley) Casali of Blacksburg, Va. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at George W. Seaver Funeral Home Chapel, Princeton, with the Rev. Clifford Schell officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Bluewell. Friends may call 12:30 p.m. until time of the services Wednesday at the funeral home. Arrangements by George W. Seaver Funeral Home, Princeton. ---------- Gala M. Clackler ANSTED - Gala Mae Clackler, 72, died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000, at the Hidden Valley Nursing Home, Oak Hill, following a long illness. Born May 26, 1927, at Ansted, she was the daughter of the late Edna Nutter and Thomas Grimmett. Mrs. Clackler had been a resident of Ansted her entire life, was a member of the Ansted Baptist Church and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond R. Clackler; three stepchildren, Shirley Page, Kenneth Clackler, and Brenda Barness; and a sister, Vouna DuFour. Survivors include three daughters, Lynn Carol Wall and her husband, John A., of Salem, N.H., June Skaggs and her husband, Barry F., of Bluefield, and Ramona Garrett and her husband, P. Tim, of Ansted; a son, Charles R. Clackler of Salem, N.H.; four sisters, Betty Taylor of Elkhart, Ind., Hazel Mills of Winchester, Va., Norma Nell Goad of Winchester, Va., and Peggy Pridemore of Ansted; a brother, Thomas "Mann" Grimmett of Ansted; nine grandchildren, four stepgrandchildren, six great-grandchildren and nine stepgreat-grandchildren. Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home Chapel, Ansted, with the Rev. Barry F. Skaggs officiating. Burial will follow in Westlake Cemetery, Ansted. Friends may call noon until time of the services Wednesday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Ansted. ---------- Levi B. Cobb Sr. Levi Bertie Cobb Sr., 58, of 108 Sixth St., Beckley, died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2000, at his home following a short illness. Born Jan. 1, 1941, in Wilson, N.C., he was the son of Viola Evans Cobb of New York City and the late Norris Cobb. Mr. Cobb was a mechanic for the city of Beckley and was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He was preceded in death by his wife, Christine A. Cobb, on Feb. 1, 2000. Other survivors include two sons, Levi B. Cobb Jr. of Roanoke, Va., and Clennel P. Cobb Sr. of Beckley; a daughter, Vaundra M. Cobb of Jacksonville, Fla.; three grandchildren, Julian D. Ransom, Channel Cobb and Clennel P. Cobb Jr.; two sisters, Rosa Robinson of New York, N.Y., and Helen Ballinger of Bronx, N.Y.; and a brother, Norris E. Scott of Atlanta, Ga. Services will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Thomas Steelman officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Arrangements by Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley. ---------- ---------- Jane Taylor Ellison Jane Taylor Ellison, of 906 S. Fayette St., Beckley, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000. Born at Talcott, she was the daughter of the late William and Frances Taylor. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Willa Berger and Frances Taylor. Mrs. Ellison was a graduate of Stratton High School, Beckley, and attended West Virginia State College, Bluefield and Alabama State Colleges. She was a licensed beautician and graduated from Erma Lee's Beauty School of Cosmetology. Mrs. Ellison was an outstanding soloist in gospel as well as contemporary music. She once sang with the famous musical group the "Sugar Tones" of New York City and had appeared on the Arthur Godfrey Show in New York City. She was a member of the Beckley Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Survivors include a sister, Carolyn Taylor Allen of Oakwood Village, Ohio, and many other relatives and friends. Her remains will be interred at Talcott Cemetery, Talcott. ---------- Mabel G. Gilbert CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Mabel Gamble Gilbert, 81, formerly of Mabscott, died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, in a Cleveland hospital following a long illness. Born Aug. 20, 1918, at Mabscott, she was the daughter of the late Jennie Gamble. Mrs. Gilbert was a member of the Church of God in Cleveland, Tenn. Survivors include three daughters, Diana Gilbert of Cleveland, Tenn., Shelby Fredenburger of Stafford, Va., and Janet Newhouse of Rivesville; a sister, Edith Basham of Beckley; and seven grandchildren. Services were held Friday, Feb. 11, in Cleveland, Tenn. Committal services were in Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, with burial following in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. ---------- Ruby (Hall) Jackson Ruby Mae (Hall) Jackson, 75, of Mabscott, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, in a Princeton hospital following a short illness. Born July 27, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Archie Hall and Leitha Brown Hall. Mrs. Jackson was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren E. Jackson; four brothers and five sisters. Survivors include a son, Danny E. Jackson of Irvington, Va.; a daughter, Barbara Kidd and her husband, Eddie, of Mabscott; two grandsons, Michael Hylton of Grandview and Bryan Hylton of Beckley; a granddaughter, Amy Miller of Spotsylvania, Va.; a sister, Gladys Critz of Highland Springs, Va.; two great-grandsons, Bryce Hylton of Beckley and Cooper Miller of Spotsylvania, Va.; and a great-granddaughter, Morgan Hylton of Grandview. Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum of Peace, Beckley, with Pastor Edward Garten officiating. Entombment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Beckley. Friends may call one half hour before the services Wednesday at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley. ---------- Azil Kenneda SIMON - Azil Kenneda, 77, of 305 Foundation Fork, died Friday, Feb. 11, 2000, in a Logan hospital. Born Feb. 25, 1922, at Simon, he was the son of the late Albert and Nancy Harper Kenneda. Mr. Kenneda was a member of the Apostolic Faith Church, Simon, member of the UMWA Local 7970, and worked as a coal miner for 42 years. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Regina Kenneda; a sister, Edie Daughtery; six brothers, Jason, Mason, Edgar, Virgil and two infant brothers, Jessie and Ervin Kenneda. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Ethel Morgan Kenneda of Simon; a daughter, Carnetta and her husband, Bennie Cline of Simon; eight sons, Winiford and wife, Pauline Kenneda, Ott and wife, Carol Kenneda, Brad and wife, Dora Kenneda, Charlie and wife, Bonita Kenneda, Dexter and wife, Kim Kenneda, all of Simon, Tom and wife, Tara Kenneda of Hanover, and Tony and wife, Sandra Kenneda, and Denver and wife, Dovie Kenneda, both of Lynco; 33 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Raymond and Alex Kenneda, both of Simon. Services will be 2 p.m. today at Upper Room Jesus Name Church, Simon, with the Revs. Barry Brooks and Rocky Morgan officiating. Burial will follow in Kenneda Cemetery, Foundation Fork of Simon. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends called after 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the church. Arrangements by Mounts Funeral Home, Gilbert. ---------- Howard Martin CALDWELL - Howard M. "Buck" Martin, 70, died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000, at the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Fairlea. Born July 18, 1928, at Ronceverte, he was the son of the late Herman and Eva Lockhart Martin. Mr. Martin was retired after 12 years from C&O Railroad and from the city of White Sulphur Springs with 29 years of service. He was a member of the Caldwell Pentecostal Holiness Church. He was preceded in death by a brother, his stepmother and an infant daughter. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Dorothy Wykle Martin of Caldwell; a son, Roger Martin at home; two daughters, Judy Campbell of Caldwell and Jennifer Ward of Hinton; three grandsons, Justin Campbell, Jerrimiah and Levi Ward; and a granddaughter, Karla Campbell; a sister, Mattie Alexander of White Sulphur Springs; two brothers, Jack Brie of Rainelle and Calvin Martin of White Sulphur Springs; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Caldwell Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Rev. Cleveland Harrison and the Rev. Everette "Hat" Defibaugh officiating. Burial will follow at the Adwell Cemetery, Ronceverte. The family will receive friends 7 to 9 p.m. today at Morgan Funeral Home, Lewisburg, and one hour before the services Wednesday at the church. Arrangements by Morgan Funeral Home, Lewisburg. Submitted by Karen Monk **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************