Register Herald Obituaries for November 4, 1999 Vessie 'Boots' Bolen Vessie "Boots" Bolen, 82, of Josephine, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, in a Beckley hospital following a long illness. Born June 30, 1917, in Lillybrook, he was the son of the late George and Della Lilly Bolen. Mr. Bolen spent his childhood in Lillybrook and had been a resident of Josephine since 1975. He worked for C.A. Thornstrom, a construction company in Chicago, for 22 years and for Westmoreland Coal Co. at Riffe Branch for six years. He was a member of Rhodell Gospel Baptist Church and in his leisure time he enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandsons. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Tammy Yolanda Bolen, Oct. 29, 1990; a brother, Dave Bolen; and a sister, Janie Leach. Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Sarah Jane Ferguson Bolen; two grandsons, Jack Aaron Bolen and Jameson Townsend Bolen, both of Josephine; five halfbrothers, Bob, Brent, Floyd, Jim and Clifford Bolen; and a sister-in-law, Betty Jo Shrewsbury of Toledo, Ohio. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Lewis Higginbotham officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be family members and friends. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley. ---------- ---------- Joseph Cunningham GAP MILLS - Joseph Lee "Joey" Cunningham, 32, of HC 83, Box 77A-1, died Monday, Nov. 1, 1999, at Stonewall Jackson Hospital, Lexington, Va., as a result of a construction accident on his job. Born Aug. 16, 1967, in Bluefield, he was the son of Robert Cunningham of Gap Mills and Sue Yates Sybert of Manassas, Va. Mr. Cunningham had been a resident of Gap Mills for 3 1/2 years, having formerly made his home in Bluefield. He was employed as a construction worker for Hammond-Mitchell Construction Co. of Covington, Va., and was a member of Union Lighthouse Church of God. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Maurice and Rose Cunningham. Survivors include his father and stepmother, with whom he made his home, Robert and Bonnie Cunningham of Gap Mills; his mother, Sue Yates Sybert of Manassas; a sister, Cindy Chibuzo of Manassas; a stepbrother, Michael Butt of Elkins; a stepsister, Mrs. Larry (Vicki) Dunbar of Union; a nephew, Zachary Chibuzo; and two nieces, Megan Whited and Jessica Pearson. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel, Bluewell, with the Revs. James Allen and Mike Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Donnie Miller, Bruce Cameron, Larry Dunbar, Milton Curry, Tommy Martin, John Akers and Kevin Rolen. Arrangements by Cravens-Shires Funeral Home, Bluewell. Jeanette C. Drennen HINES - Jeanette Catherine Drennen, 67, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, at her home following a short illness. Born July 17, 1932, in Marfrance, she was the daughter of Pauline O'Dell Ray of Hines and the late Rev. William "Bill" T. Ray. Mrs. Drennen was a homemaker and an active member of Hines Baptist Church for the past 50 years. She was preceded in death by a sister, Karen Ray Crum; and a grandson, Greg Sevigny. Jeanette will be deeply missed by her husband, Cecil Drennen of Hines; a daughter, Debbie Sevigny and her husband, Paul, of Yorktown, Va.; a son, Larry Cecil Drennen and his wife, Donna, of Hines; a brother, Gary Ray of Roanoke, Va.; four grandchildren, Crystal Drennen Alley of Hines, Melinda Drennen of Hines, Larry Leon Drennen of Hines, and Kevin Sevigny of Yorktown, Va.; two great-grandchildren, Christian Alley of Hines, and Michael Drennen of Hines; several nieces and nephews; and all her dear friends and neighbors who lived close by. Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at the Hines Baptist Church, Hines. Entombment will follow in Wallace Memorial Mausoleum, Clintonville. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle. Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle. ---------- Beatrice M. Frazier HARVEY - Beatrice Marie Holman Frazier, 85, of 2055 Harvey Rd., Oak Hill, died 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, at her home. Born Sept. 15, 1914, in Morris Creek, she was the daughter of the late William Holman and Alice Neighbors Holman. Mrs. Frazier was a homemaker, a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church, Harvey, where she served on the Missionary Society, and was a member of the New River Ministers and Wives Auxiliary, where she served as treasurer. Survivors include her husband for 68 years, the Rev. Steward Frazier Sr.; three sons, Dr. Steward Frazier Jr. of Ellicott City, Md., Clarence Frazier of Fort Washington, Md., and Daniel E. Frazier of Omaha, Neb.; two daughters, Beatrice Estep of Rantoul, Ill. and Mary Rush of White Sulphur Springs; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. A.L. Simms officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park. Friends may call one hour before the services Friday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Ritchie and Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley. ---------- George Hendricks Sr. George W. Hendricks Sr., 72, of Sophia, died Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1999, in a Charleston hospital following a short illness. Born May 24, 1927, in Riddle, Oreg., he was the son of the late William C. and Zina Bowman Hendricks. Mr. Hendricks was a retired railroad mechanic and a U.S. Army veteran. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Cecil, Carl and Clyde Hendricks. Survivors include two sons, Gary Hendricks of South Carolina, and George W. Hendricks Jr. of Beckley; a daughter, Kathy Gebbie of Cleveland, Ohio; three sisters, Elva Cook of Sacramento, Calif., Madeline Bennett of Hinton, and Ora Mae Mullins of Seminole, Fla.; and seven grandchildren. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Sophia. Burial will follow in the Shannon Cemetery, Baileysville. Friends may call one hour before the services Friday at the funeral home in Sophia. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia. ---------- ---------- Elmer 'Cotton' Korman Elmer "Cotton" Korman, 70, of West Hedrick Street, Beckley, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, in a Beckley hospital following a short illness. Born Nov. 3, 1928, in Filbert, he was the son of the late Mack and Anna Lowatchie Korman. Mr. Korman spent his childhood in Stanaford and was a 1947 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in Korea and received the Purple Heart. He was a 1958 graduate of West Virginia University School of Pharmacy. He began his career at Big 4 Drug in Hinton, then working at Colony Drug and Eppys. After semi-retirement he continued to work for Krogers, Big 4 and Rite-Aid. He was of the Christian faith and had lived on West Hendrick Street since 1961. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael David Korman and a brother, Frank Korman. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Julia Alice Wray Korman; a daughter, Mary Korman Gragan and her husaband, David, of Austin, Texas; a son, Mark Korman and his wife, Carma, of Alderson; two grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth and Julia Ann Gragan; a sister, Margaret Julio of Shelbytownship, Mich.; two brothers, Albert Korman of Apache Junction, Ariz. and Mack Korman Jr. of Santa Rossa, Calif.; a brother-in-law, Dr. E.B. Wray of Beckley; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Gray of Richmond, Va. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Melton Mortuary Chapel with the Revs. William J. Bozeman and Daniel Johnspon officiating. Burial will follow in St. Stephens Columbarium, Beckley. Friends may call one hour before the services Friday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley. ---------- Russell A. Lilly JUSTICE - Russell Allen Lilly, 79, formerly of Piney View, died 1:10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, at Logan General Hospital following a short illness. Born Feb. 8, 1920, he was the son of the late Allen Lilly and Cindy Shrewsbury Lilly. Mr. Lilly was retired from Cabot Gas Corporation, and was a U.S. Army veteran serving in the Panama Canal. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen Lilly; and a grandson, Paul Lilly. Survivors include two sons, Ronnie Lilly and his wife, Susie, of Justice, with whom he made his home, and Darrell Lilly and his wife, Jackie, of Raleigh; three daughters, Kathy Marsh of Beckley, Carolyn Summers and her husband, Danny, of Beckley, and Darlene Weis and her husband, Roger, of Bolt; and several grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel, Beckley. Entombment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Beckley. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Family members will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley. ---------- J. Frank Maddy OAK HILL - J. Frank Maddy, 82, died Saturday, Oct. 30, 1999, in a Marlinton hospital following an apparent heart attack. Born Jan. 27, 1917, in Talcott, he was the son of the late Joseph Frank and Hannah England Maddy. Mr. Maddy was a retired furnace operator for Union Carbide, Alloy, with 37 years of service. He was a member of the Oak Hill United Methodist Church, Oak Hill Lodge No. 120 AF and AM, Sewell Chapter No. 24 RAM, Mt. Hope, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Charleston, Beni Kedem Temple A.A.O.N.M.S., Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 17, Oak Hill, Fayette County Shrine Club, Odd Fellow Lodge, Montgomery, OHHS/CHS Alumni Association, Oak Hill and American Legion Post No. 149, Fayetteville. Mr. Maddy was a graduate of Talcott High School Class of 1936, and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Cavell Burdette Maddy on March 14, 1999; four brothers and two halfsisters. Survivors include a son, Delane W. Maddy of Oak Hill; a daughter, Cynthia Lee Maddy Ashford of Frost; two grandchildren, Natalie Joan Ashford McKinnley of Huntington, and Laura Beth Maddy Cummings of Centerville, Va.; and a great-grandchild, Sean Frederick McKinley of Huntington. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Oak Hill United Methodist Church, with the Rev. James Shepherd officiating. Visitation will follow the service in the church fellowship hall on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association, 1319 Quarrier St., Charleston, W.Va. 25301. Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill. ---------- Ruby M. McCutcheon CANVAS - Ruby Mae McCutcheon, 75, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, at her home following a long illness. Born Oct. 6, 1924, in Carl, she was the daughter of the late Watt O'Dell and Annee Jones O'Dell. Mrs. McCutcheon was a 43-year resident of Canvas, a member of the Olive Branch Baptist Church, Nettie, and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallie W. McCutcheon on Sept. 28, 1999; a sister, Ella Vee Amick; and two brothers, Bob O'Dell and Gennisee "Boots" O'Dell. Survivors include three daughters, Alma Jean McMann and her husband, Gerald, of Canvas, Linda Orndorff of Canvas, and Loretta Shaffer and her husband, Paul, of Mount Lookout; a son, Jack McCutcheon and h is wife, Dorothy, of Canvas; four sisters, Leon Amick of Nettie, Luvella Amick of Carl, Reva Spencer and Rosie Thomas, both of Leivasy; seven grandchildren, Tammy Rader, April McMann, Michelle Vickers, Jack McCutcheon Jr., Shawn Orndorff, Lori Jones and Larry Jones; and two great-grandchildren, Alyssa McMann and Jeffrey Rader. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Olive Branch Baptist Church, Nettie, with the Revs. Larry Gawthorp and Ed Hughes officiating. Burial will follow in the Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery, Carl. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Olive Branch Baptist Church. Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle. ---------- Robert R. Minnich OAK HILL - Robert Ray Minnich, 73, died Monday, Nov. 1, 1999, in a Beckley hospital following a short illness. Born April 20, 1926, in Minden, he was the son of the late William Minnich and Lena Pearl Spencer Minnich. Mr. Minnich was a member of the Summerlee Wesleyan Church, Oak Hill, a member of the Oak Hill Gospel Tabernacle, Oak Hill, and he co-pastored with his wife, the Rev. Alene Minnich for churches in West Virginia and Kentucky. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during World War II. He was a retired printer for Beckley Newspaper and Fayette Tribune and Publishers Printing in Shepherdsville, Ky. He was preceded in death by two sons, David Edward and Samuel Ray Minnich; a sister, Janet Faw; and a brother, Bill Minnich. Survivors include his wife, the Rev. Alene Dean Minnich of Oak Hill; a daughter, Martha Mason and her husband, Mitchell, of Roanoke, Va.; a grandson, Sammy Mason of Roanoke, Va.; four sisters, Lucille Smith of Oak Hill, Loretta Tennent of Mullens, Dorothy Flinner of Long View, Texas, and Fay Piotrowski of Lochgelly; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at High Lawn Funeral Home, Oak Hill, with the Revs. Darrell Prater, Ben Peyton and Allen Gallimore officiating. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the High Lawn Funeral Home, Oak Hill. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Oak Hill VFW Post No. 3110. Donations of sympathy may be made to the Summerlee Wesleyan Church or the Oak Hill Gospel Tabernacle Building Fund. Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home, Oak Hill. ---------- ---------- Alma L. Phillips CAPE CORAL, Fla. - Alma Lillian Payne Phillips, formerly of Beckley, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999. Born March 26, 1942, Mrs. Phillips was the daughter of the late Charles Henry and Rose Payne and the granddaugter of the late Edward Malcolm Sr. and Alma Payne. Mrs. Phillips was raised by her grandmother, Alma Payne. She spent her childhood in Beckley and was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in the class of 1960. She attended Concord College and was an author of two novels, including Eagle and Amber, as well as numerous works of poetry. She was politically active in World causes and was a serious environmentalist, supporting protection of the Earth. Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Roger Joseph Phillips of Cape Coral; a son, Gregory Seth Phillips of Tampa; a daughter, Leslie Catherine Phillips Barger, and a granddaughter, Virginia Bryce Barger, both of Roanoke, Va.; and her first cousins, E.M. Payne III and his wife, Susan, Phillip W. Payne and his wife, Nancy, and John Payne Scherer and his wife, Sharon, all of Beckley, and E.L. Scherer of Belle. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday in Cape Coral, Fla. The body will be cremated. ---------- Earl C. Smith WOODRUMTOWN - Earl C. Smith, 63, of Woodrumtown, near Hinton, died 6:20 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 2, 1999, at a Beckley hospital following a short illness. Born March 27, 1936, in Rock Ridge, he was the son of the late William Young and Sadie Maude Morgan Smith. Mr. Smith had lived most of his life in Summers County. He was preceded in death by a son, Marty Smith in 1964; a daughter, Jerida Lynn Hoyle in 1994; a grandson, Zachary Trey Smith in 1990; two halfbrothers, Gerald and Hestel Wilson; and a halfsister, Madeline Yeatman. Survivors include four sons, Jerry William Smith of Pearisburg, Va., Terry Smith of Woodrumtown, Cecil L. Smith of Woodrumtown, and Eary E. Smith of Woodrumtown; a daughter, Angela Bowers of Hanover, Pa.; a stepson, Rev. A. Earl Brewer of Matheny; two sisters, Janice Cooper of Pipestem, and Annie Price of Joliet, Ill.; a halfsister, Mary Ethel Fortner of Verner; 12 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors Chapel, with the Rev. Curtis Monk and Rev. Tom Shaffer officiating. Burial will follow in the Smith Family Cemetery at Woodrumtown. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors, Hinton. Arrangements by Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors, Hinton. ---------- Gary A. Thomas PAGE - Gary Allen Thomas, 33, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, from injuries received in an auto accident near Page. Born April 26, 1966, in Elkhart, Ind., he was the son of Gary L. and Helen Lanham Thomas of Kincaid. Mr. Thomas was disabled and attended Healing Waters Church at Page. Other survivors include a brother, Eddie Lee Thomas of Hickory, N.C.; a sister, Melissa Leann Thomas of Oak Hill; and his grandmother, Dolly Lanham of Page. Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at the O'Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, with the Rev. Jeff Floyd officiating. Burial will follow in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the O'Dell Funeral Home. Arrangements by O'Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery. ---------- Richard H. Wilcoxen Richard Hewett Wilcoxen, 76, of Prosperity, died 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, in a Beckley hospital following a long illness. Born May 18, 1923, in New York, he was the son of the late Rosie Wilcoxen. Mr. Wilcoxen was a retired cook, and had been a resident of Prosperity for the past 25 years. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marjorie Dawson Wilcoxen; and a son, William Wilcoxen. Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Dallie Meador Wilcoxen; a son, Thomas Wilcoxen of Clinton, Md.; a daughter, Linda Minor and her husband, Richard, of Ellicott City, Md.; five stepchildren, James Lucas of Daniels, Jennings Lucas and his wife, Margaret, of Shady Spring, David Lucas and his wife, Frances, of Cool Ridge, Betty Lucas of Daniels, and Barbara Showalter and her husband, Earl, of Mulberry, Fla.; five grandchildren; 12 stepgrandchildren; and 13 stepgreat-grandchildren. There will be no services or visitation. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley. 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