Vernon Murphy Jr.
Vernon Murphy Jr., 89, of Birch River, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on November 4th, 2022.
He was born December 17, 1932 near Dille (WV), the son of Vernon Murphy Sr. and Tressa Dix Murphy.
He grew up in the Dille area and attended Nicholas County schools, graduating from Nicholas County High School in the class of 1950.
After graduation he was a steelworker in Ohio and Pennsylvania until he enlisted in the US Marine Corps in January 1953. He spent four years as a Marine, attained the rank of sergeant, and received an honorable discharge in January 1957.
While serving with the Marines he completed his freshman year of college, attending night classes at Florida State University. After military service he attended Glenville State College and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1960. He later earned a master’s degree from West Virginia University and completed additional graduate studies at Marshall University. While attending WVU he was inducted into the Phi Delta Kappa education honorary.
He began a career in education as a teacher at Widen High School in 1960. He was a teacher and the basketball and baseball coach at Walkersville High School from 1962 until 1966, and then served as physical education director for Webster County schools until 1973. He accepted a position as Director of Guidance at Braxton County High School in 1973 where he remained until retirement in 1988.
After his retirement he was co-founder and manager of the widely known Bluegrass Connection Music Store in Birch River.
He was married in 1958 to Anna Mae Johnson of Herold, WV. They were the parents of two sons, Michael Vernon and Mark Alan.
Vernon was a member of Birch River Baptist Church. He was a charter member and retired chief of the Birch River Fire Department, and also served as an EMT with the rescue squad and ambulance service.
He was a charter member and president of the Birch River Ruritan Club and past president of the Birch River PTA. He was a coach for little league and pony league baseball for the youth of Birch River
Vernon was an athlete, a member of his high school football team, and played independent league baseball and basketball in the central West Virginia area. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, team sports, NASCAR and dirt track racing. He loved bluegrass and traditional country music and had many friends among bands and musicians.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Anna Mae, brother Charles Doy Murphy, and sister Opal Jones.
He is survived by sons Michael (Debbie) of Clarksburg MD and Mark of Birch River; Grandsons Cody (Samantha) and Luke Murphy of Summersville and Matthew (Bri) Murphy of Frederick MD; granddaughter Amanda (Nick) Lamont of Herndon VA, step-granddaughters Kelly (Tim) Martin of Pasadena MD and Katie (Ryan) Hill of Damascus MD and step-grandson Patrick Wetzel of Clarksburg MD, great-granddaughter Penny Murphy of Summerville and great-grandson Maxwell Lamont of Herndon VA, step-great-grandsons Jacob and Joshua Hill of Damascus MD, sister Joy Browning of Dille, several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and special family members Kathy and Larry Browning of Strange Creek.
Funeral service will be held at 11 am Saturday, November 12th, at the Greene-Robertson Funeral Home in Sutton with the Rev. James Murphy officiating. Burial will follow in the Keener-Wood Cemetery in Birch River. Friends may call from 6 to 8 pm Friday, November 11th, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Birch River Baptist Church, Birch River WV 26610, or the Birch River Fire Department, PO Box 183, Birch River WV 26610.
Greene-Robertson Funeral Home, Sutton is honored to be serving the Murphy family.
Online condolences may be sent to:greene-robertsonfuneralhome.com.
Ashley Ann Williams
Ashley Ann Williams, 31, of Upperglade, passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown following a brief illness.
Born April 27, 1991 in Summersville, she was the daughter of the late David Lee Williams and Rebecca (Chambers) Peyatt. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her grandparents: James Leroy and Goldie Chambers, and Rosalee Williams; and her uncle, Lawrence Chambers.
Ashley was a 2009 graduate of Webster County High School. She enjoyed spending time with her family, whether it be camping, fishing, swimming, or just taking a Sunday drive. Ashley loved listening to music. She had recently begun reading the book of Revelation in her Bible.
Left to cherish her memory are her mother, Becky (husband, Duane) Peyatt of Upperglade; daughter, Adalee Paige Gilles; brothers and sisters: Toby Williams and Shayla Williams, both of Cowen, Brielle (companion, Alex Morland) Williams of Craigsville, Brennan Williams of Rainelle, Dustin (companion, Katie Carpenter) Williams of Grassy Creek, and Cody Williams of Upperglade; and her companion, Gary Lee Simmons; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends whom she loved dearly.
Graveside services to honor Ashley’s memory were held 2pm, Friday, November 4, 2022 at Odd Fellows’ Cemetery, Cowen with Pastor Doug Martin officiating.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.adamsreedfh.com
Adams-Reed Funeral Home, of Cowen, is honored to be serving Ashley’s family.
Carol Ann Ray
Carol Ann Ray, 88 of Cowen passed away Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at Webster Nursing and Rehab Center. Carol was born February 4, 1934 down Givens Run and was the daughter of Pete and Cora Holcomb Barbe. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Virgil Ray, son Roger Ray, siblings; Golda Ruth Barbe, Elva Wilma Barbe, Minnie Merle Barbe, Erma Clarita Barbe, David Napoleon Barbe, Pauline Virginia Barbe, Twila Bernardine Barbe, Ruth Utt, Kay Matthews and Waitman Barbe.
Carol was a Christian by faith and had attended Cowen Baptist Church. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Carol enjoyed cooking, camping, quilting, watching the Grand Ole Opry, especially watching Roy Acuff. During family gatherings and holidays Carol enjoyed taking pictures and camcorder videos of her family.
Surviving are her children; Judy Lynch of Webster Springs, Ronnie Ray of Cowen, Terry Ray of Upperglade, Craig Ray, Randall Ray both of Cowen and also Rod Ray and his wife Shawna of Princeton; 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren; sisters, Betty Werner and Monnie Cogar and also a brother, Charles Barbe; several nieces, nephews and a host of children that she had babysat and cared for throughout the years.
Service were 2:00 PM, Sunday, October 30, 2022 at Adams-Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Keith Williams and Pastor Craig Williams. Burial was at West Virginia Memorial Gardens, Calvin. Friends joined the family for visitation two hours prior to the service at the funeral home on Sunday.
The family would like to give a special thank you to all the staff at Webster Nursing and Rehab Center for all their special care for Carol over the last several years.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the Webster County Nursing and Rehab Activities Department PO Box 989 Cowen, WV 26206
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.adamsreedfh.com.
Adams-Reed Funeral Home, Cowen is honored to be serving the Ray family.
Connie Gail Halstead Brown
Connie Gail Halstead Brown, 73, of Duck passed away on Monday, October 31, 2022 at Braxton County Memorial Hospital, Gassaway, WV.
She was born in Sissonville to the late Vincent Halstead and Ova Phillips Halstead.
Connie was a homemaker and loved taking care of her cats and dogs. She enjoyed watching TV and socializing on the phone. When she was not at home, she liked to dine out with her family and shop at K-Mart.
She is survived by her husband, Bufford Lynn Brown, of Duck; two daughters, Lori Cook and husband, David, of Liberty and Misti Silva of Cross Lanes; four grandchildren, Cody Rose and wife, Rachele, of Liberty, Justin Fields of Winfield, Kelsey Silva of Sissonville, and Sabrina Silva of Cross Lanes; and two great grandsons, Wyatt and Ryder Rose; stepdaughter, Ressie Phillips and husband, James of Summersville.
Her funeral service was 1 P.M. Thursday, November 3, 2022 at Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway with Reverend Danny Richardson officiating. Burial followed in the Baughman Cemetery, Dille.
Visitation was 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.
Norman Edward Nottingham
Norman Edward Nottingham, 90, went home to be with the Lord on October 31, 2022 at Clay Health Care Center surrounded by his family. He was born on September 23, 1932 in Servia, WV to the late Raymond and Darlie Nottingham. He attended Gassaway High School and graduated in 1950.
Norman served his community as a deacon at Villanova Baptist Church in Duck, WV and as a Braxton County Commissioner from 1989 through 1996. He was also an original board member of the Braxton County Memorial Hospital, a charter member and former president of the Servia Volunteer Fire Department, and a member of Strange Creek Masonic Lodge No. 130. He was co-owner of Nottingham’s Store in Duck from 1971 through 1991 and farmed all of his life.
He is survived by: beloved wife of 70 years, Rosalie (Hall) Nottingham, two daughters, Lois (Rocco) Milanese of Craigsville, WV and Brenda (Charles) Wright of New Martinsville, WV. He was a much-loved “Papaw” to four grandchildren: Erica (Cory) Craft of Uniontown, PA, Alex (Alicia) Milanese of Craigsville, WV, Jared (Katie) Wright of New Martinsville, WV and Jennifer (Eric) Piekarski of Paden City, WV and five great-grandchildren, Anthony and Joey Craft, Aubrey Milanese and Oakley and Meadow Wright.
He was young at heart, enjoyed spending time with his family and was always coming up with creative ways to entertain the grandkids. He loved farming, going to church, playing Friday night pinochle, the NY Yankees and eating Rosalie’s delicious cooking.
Norman’s visitation was 6 to 8 P.M. Friday, November 4, 2022 at Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway.
His funeral was 11 A.M. Saturday, November 5, at the funeral home with Pastor Joseph Truman officiating. Interment with Masonic Graveside Rites followed in the Sugar Creek Cemetery, Gassaway.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Servia Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 141, Duck, WV 25063.
Words of comfort and fond memories may be extended to the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com
The family would like to express sincere thanks to Clay Health Care Center for their compassionate care of Norman.
