Connie Lynn Gill born on April 3, 1955, in Gassaway, West Virginia to Murl and Meredith (nee Wood) Hall passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at the Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital at the age of 66.
She was a 1973 graduate of Clay High in West Virginia. Connie worked at Discount Drug Mart in Oberlin for 22 and a half years as a Pharmacy Technician. She really enjoyed her job and the people that she met.
Family gatherings, entertaining, cooking, gardening, traveling, playing the violin, her jewelry and her beloved yellow convertible Mustang brought her much joy. Connie was an exceptional painter. Her goal for her children and grandchildren was for them to receive a good education and to be prepared for their future.
Connie was a truly kind and generous soul and she always wanted to make others happy.
She is survived by her husband of 17 years, Jerry Gill; children, Meranda Millis, of Spencer, Bryan Gill, of LaGrange, Melissa (Joe) Striker, of Amherst, and Michael (Crystal) Gill, of Logan; grandchildren, Avery (Tiffany) Millis, of El Paso, Texas, Colton Millis, of Willard, Austin Gill, of LaGrange, Abby Millis, of Willard, Gillian Striker, of Amherst, Kylee Gill, of LaGrange, and Marin Striker, of Amherst; great grandson, Beau Millis, of El Paso, Texas; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Connie was preceded in death by her son, Jerry Gill Jr.; parents, Murl and Meredith Hall; and her brother, Larry Hall.
The family received friends on Thursday, February 3, 2022, from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. The family also received friends on Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. at Wilson Smith Funeral Home, 154 Main Street, Clay, West Virginia 25043. Funeral services immediately followed the visitation at 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home followed by interment at Keener White Cemetery.
Online condolences maybe sent to the Gill family at www.carlwilsonfuneralhome.com . Wilson Smith is honored to be serving the Gill family.
Former Supreme Court Justice Edwin F. Flowers died Thursday, January 27, in Morgantown. He was 91.
Chief Justice John Hutchison said, “I am terribly saddened to hear of the passing of one of our own. His exemplary career stands as a monument to his personal dedication to the law, as well as to the citizens of West Virginia. He was a true leader and will be sadly missed. I want to extend my sympathies to his family and to all of his friends and colleagues.”
Justice Tim Armstead said, “Former Justice Flowers has left such a tremendous legacy within our state government and judicial system, as well as our nation’s federal court system. He and his wife Ellie have also done so much to improve and advance his beloved alma mater, West Virginia University. Few West Virginians have had such a positive and lasting impact on our state, and he will be missed by so many. My thoughts are with his wife Ellie and his family through this difficult time.”
Justices Beth Walker and Evan Jenkins said they were sorry to hear of Justice Flowers’ death and sent their sincere condolences to his family.
“I knew Ed Flowers as DHHR commissioner, when he was a bankruptcy judge, and, of course, as a Supreme Court Justice,” said Justice William R. Wooton. “He was a friend and a genuinely good man. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”
Justice Flowers was born April 26, 1930, on the family farm in New Manchester, Hancock County.
He received a bachelor’s degree (Phi Beta Kappa) from West Virginia University in 1952 and a law degree from the WVU College of Law in 1954. While attending WVU, he served as president of the student body, president of his Sigma Nu fraternity chapter, and Cadet Colonel of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Wing. He was a member of the WVU championship debate team; the WVU Marching Band; and was active in numerous honorary organizations, including Mountain, the highest honor given to WVU students and graduates. He was awarded Most Loyal Faculty & Staff Mountaineer in 1999 and, in 2000, was inducted into the Order of Vandalia, an award for the most loyal servants to West Virginia University.
After law school, he was assigned to active duty in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps at Nellis Air Force Base in 1954. The following year, on April 9, 1955, he married Eleanor (Ellie) Ellis, his loving and supporting wife of 66 years.
After his military service, he returned to the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia to practice law.
In 1969, then-Governor Arch Moore appointed him Commissioner of Welfare for the State of West Virginia. In 1975, Governor Moore appointed him to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Justice James Marshall Sprouse. Justice Flowers’ term ended December 31, 1976.
In 1977, Justice Flowers became United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of West Virginia. From 1983 to 1997, he was Vice President for Institutional Advancement at West Virginia University, a position that embraced the government and public relations of the university and coordinated its communications, publications, alumni relations, and the fundraising efforts of its independent foundation.
He was a commissioner of Volunteer West Virginia, the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service, from 2009 to 2012.
In his retirement, Justice Flowers enjoyed writing and publishing books, attending WVU football and basketball games, being actively involved in WVU alumni organizations, studying the Civil War as a member of the Mason-Dixon Civil War Roundtable, and mentoring WVU students, especially his great-nephew Jackson Flowers.
He is survived by his wife, Ellie Flowers; daughters, Ann Flowers and Melissa (Ty) Newberry; grandchildren, Adam (Ashley) Flowers and Kathryn (Sean) Hendricks; and great-grandchildren, Matthew Hendricks and Jack Flowers.
Nixon Funeral Home in Newell is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be from noon to 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 21, at the Erickson Alumni Center at West Virginia University in Morgantown. The funeral will be Tuesday, Feb. 22 at the New Manchester Christian Church in New Manchester, WV.
Elda Jean Belknap, 91, of Glenville, WV passed away January 29, 2022. She was born on November 22, 1930 in Heaters, WV to parents Grant and Lottie Prince Blake. Elda was preceded in death by her parents; Husband: Farrell “Chick” Belknap; and Brother: Charles Blake.
She was a Christian by faith and attended the First Baptist Church in Glenville, WV. Elda resided in Lubeck, WV for 15 years prior to moving to Glenville, WV. She owned a pet store in Vienna, WV and enjoyed raising parakeets, canaries, hamsters and gold fish. Her other interests were gardening, canning and quilting.
Left to cherish her memory are her Brother: George Blake; Sisters: Alice Belknap and Lou Smith; Daughter: Shara Curry (Joel); Granddaughters: Andrea Curry of California and Alicia Miller of Florida; and 5-Great Grandchildren.
A grave side service was held on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Braxton Memorial Cemetery, Sutton, WV.
Porter Dale Thomas, 88, of Clarksburg, passed away on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at United Hospital Center. He was born March 19, 1933 in Bergoo to the late James E. Thomas, Sr. and Mamie Ellen Turner Thomas.
He was a devout Christian who took his religion seriously. He was a gentle, caring man who was loved by everyone he met.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, James E. Thomas, Jr., Max Thomas, and Paul H. Thomas; and sister, Imajean Thomas McCord.
Porter is survived by his nephew Stephen P. Thomas; niece Diana Thomas; and several other nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends to mourn his passing.
Graveside services were held on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Miller Cemetery, Webster Springs, with Pastor Butch Rose officiating.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.doddreedfh.com.
Dodd & Reed Funeral Home is honored to be serving Porter’s family.
Florence E. Walton, 91, passed away January 27, 2022 at her home. She was born June 19, 1930 at Bamboo, WV to Buster and Mary Hellems. She was an active member of Green Valley Baptist Church for over 50 years. After its closure she returned to her childhood church, Mt. Urim Baptist Church, and was a faithful, active member until her death.
She was a child of the Great Depression and was raised on a farm in Green Valley. The lessons learned during this time guided her throughout her life and were life-lessons she taught her children and grands! We lived by the motto “Waste not, want not” or “somebody might need it”. Mom once shared that she had two dreams in her life – to have a family and be nurse. She accomplished both and they were the purpose for all she did in life. She became an LPN in her 40’s and worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in Richwood, WV until her retirement.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her siblings, Eldridge, Ralph and Lonnie Hellems and Nellie Edds. Her beloved husband and partner in life, Ottie Junior Walton, passed away in 2003 and a day never passed that she didn’t think of him or talk about him.
She is survived by her sister, Lorene and Buck Nottingham; her children, Rhonda and George Tabit, Rick and Robin Walton, Dorcas and Clyde Sparks, Cindy and Rick Barker and Tony and Angela Walton. She has 8 grandchildren: Tiffany, George, John, Justin, Brandon, Zachary, Emily and Rebecca. She has 20 great-grandchildren, 3 great- great grandchildren and one on the way. She has several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she welcomed into her life and loved dearly.
Funeral service was held February 2, 2022 at 1 pm at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Chapel in Rainelle, WV. There was visitation for family and friends from 12 pm until time of service.
In lieu of flowers, in her memory you may make a donation to Samaritan’s Purse or St Jude’s Childrens Hospital. She supported both with frequent donations.
Covid 19 guidelines will be followed and the family requests masks be used.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Florence Elizabeth Walton, please visit our Tribute Store.
Edgar Lewis Short, 86 of Cowen passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at home. He was born August 15, 1935 in Camden on Gauley and was the son of the late Grafton and Callie Williams Short. Along with his parents he was also preceded in death by a son, Allan Short and siblings; Jim Short, Virgie Sill, Virginia “Jenny” Spence and Helen Short.
Edgar was a coal miner and had also worked in the woods; he and Wanda attended Arcola Community Church until his health declined. Edgar loved to go bear hunting with his bear dogs, coon hunting, camping, working in the garden or just about anything outdoors. He enjoyed going to his building to “ding”, which meant he was going out to work on his lawnmowers, weed eaters or whatever else he could find to “ding” on.
Surviving are his loving wife, Wanda Short; children, Landis (Teresa) Williams, Bernard Williams, Paul Sill, William (Jeannette) Sill, Treva (Arden) Williams and Kevin (Connie) Short; brother, Delmos (Marie) Short, several grandchildren and great grandchildren and also many nieces, nephews and other extended family members.
No services will be held at this time.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.adamsreedfh.com
Adams-Reed Funeral Home, Cowen is honored to be serving the Short family.
Velma “Lynn”
Clifton
Velma “Lynn” Clifton, 98, of Sutton, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 4, 2022 at Braxton Memorial Hospital, Gassaway.
She was born December 26, 1923 in Sutton, the daughter of the late John William & Lula Mabel Facemire Woods. Also preceding her in death was her husband, Harry Clifton; son, Gary Clifton; sisters, Lilly “Mae” Facemire, Gladys Johns, Evelee Woods; brother, Lee Facemire.
Lynn attended the Southern Baptist Church, Sutton, she loved her family and enjoyed her friends and community.
She is survived by her son, Larry Clifton (Dorlis) of Sutton; daughter-in-law, Drema Clifton; grandchildren, Ryan Clifton (Brittany), Michael Clifton; great grandchildren, Grayson, Hayden and Ava .
Funeral service were held 1:00 pm, Monday, February 7, 2022 at Greene-Robertson Funeral Home, Sutton with Rev. Shane Boggs officiating. Burial followed at Hoover Cemetery, Bug Ridge Rd. Sutton. Friends called 1 hour before the service at the funeral home.
Clifton family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Braxton Memorial Hospital for their excellent care.
Greene-Robertson Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Clifton family.
Online condolences may be sent to: greene-robertsonfuneralhome.com
Guy Engel, Jr. , 81 of Gassaway passed Monday, January 31, 2022 at Braxton County Memorial Hospital.
He was born September 28, 1940 at Chapel, WV a son of the late Guy Engel Sr. and Orma Fisher Engel.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret “Marge” Ann Engel and brother, Chris Engel.
Guy drove the milk truck for the Gerwigs to Summersville. He worked on rigs in the oil fields. Guy hauled pulp wood for Farris and Zampa Brady. He was employed with the State Road from 1969 to 1981. He also drove a coal truck for Lee Facemire at Centralia and had several odds and ends jobs. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed deer hunting and fishing. On the television he loved watching wrestling and westerns. He enjoyed talking to his neighbors and people in his community.
Guy is survived by his son, Guy Engel III (Donenicia) of Ettrick, VA; daughter, Mary Walker of Frametown; grandchildren, Liz and Matthew Walker and Atalaya and Artorius Engel; great grandson, Blake Leonard.
Funeral service was 2 p.m. Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway with Pastor Joe Bob Truman officiating. Interment was in the Engel Family Cemetery, Chapel.
Friends called one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Words of comfort and fond memories may be extended to the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway.
Marjorie Ruth Hall, 86, of Gassaway passed away on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at Braxton County Memorial Hospital.
She was born February 15, 1935 at Riffle, WV to the late Lee L. and Floda Douglas Perkins.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Lee “Bud” Hall, Jr.; daughter, Cheryl Hall; great grandsons, Christian Santmyer and Liam Mellert; sister, Pauline Mosherr; and brothers, Dana Perkins, Denver Perkins, Thorton Perkins, Herbert Perkins, and Ernest “Buddy” Perkins.
Marjorie was a homemaker. Her favorite channel on the television was ESPN. She watched college basketball and was a WVU Men’s basketball and football fan. She also enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. From her windows in her house she enjoyed watching the deer and birds in her yard. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was the last remaining sibling in her family.
She is survived by her son, David Hall of Gassaway; daughters, Susan McCloud of St. Albans and Alecia Cline and husband, Andrew, of New Iberia, Louisiana; grandchildren, Andrea Mellert and Shawna (Phillip) Ennis, Zachary Hall and Taylor Hall, and Anna Cline and Michael, Benjamin and Nicholas Cline; great grandchildren, Amani Ellis, Jacob Santmyer, Aiden Santmyer and Weston Mellert.
In keeping with Marjorie’s wishes she was cremated and a service will be held at a later date.
Words of comfort and fond memories may be extended to the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway, WV.
Edwin Garfield “Sonny” Williams, age 83 Harrisville, WV. Went to meet his heavenly father on February 5, 2022. He was born on October 26, 1938, a son of the late Claude and Frances Cowan Williams.
Edwin was a 1957 graduate of Cairo High School. He proceeded with a barbering career at Huntington Barber school, worked for the state road for one year and retired from DuPont Washington Works, with 30 years of service.
He spent his entire life serving the lord and was a member and deacon of the Cantwell Church of Christ, Cantwell, WV.
He spent his retirement hunting, fishing and gardening, all of which supported his love for the outdoors.
Edwin was married to the late Letha Patricia Lanham Williams. He is survived by two daughters, Kelly Pletcher, Sutton, WV and Christy Duty, Saint Marys, WV; three grandchildren, Adrian Speed II, Lexi Pletcher and Drake Duty; two brothers, Jerold Williams, Harrisville, WV and Gregory V. Williams, Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
In addition to his Wife and Parents he was preceded in death by a brother Leon B. “Buzz” Williams.
In accordance with Edwin wishes, a private graveside service will be held at the Log Church Cemetery, Cantwell, WV. Arrangement are being handled by the Raiguel Funeral Home, Harrisville, WV.
In lieu of flowers donations may be given to your local Animal Shelter.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcculloughraiguel.com.
