Braxton Citizens' News, Obituaries, The Braxton Democrat

Obituaries

Dolly Christena Clifton
Dolly Christena Clifton, 83, of Little Birch, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at her residence.
She was born July 25, 1939 in Bays, WV, the daughter of the late Floyd James & Nannie Marie Brown Rose. Also preceding her in death was her husband, Henry Robert Clifton; son, Tim Crites.
Dolly was a homemaker and attended Stump Chapel Baptist Church, Tesla.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan Murphy (Robert) of Little Birch; brother, Bernard Rose (Debbie) of Little Birch; sisters, Delores Shortridge of VA, Delcia Conley (Farrell) of OH, Debra Drake of Burnsville, Dorothy Banker of AZ; grandchildren, Matthew Murphy, Brian Murphy; great grandchildren, Alex Murphy, Angel Murphy, Kylee Murphy, Triston Murphy, Logan Murphy and Emma Murphy.
Memorial graveside service will be held 11:00 am, Monday, June 26, 2022 at Braxton Memorial Cemetery, Sutton with Rev. Linn Schiefer officiating.
Greene-Robertson Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Clifton/Murphy families.
Online condolences may be sent to: greene-robertsonfuneralhome.com

Michael Steven (Steve) Davis
Michael Steven (Steve) Davis, 69 of Sutton passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023.
He was born August 18, 1953 to the late Carl and Auda (Posey) Davis in Sutton, WV. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Jerry Davis and sister, Shirley Brown.
Steve loved to deer hunt. He had his own special “ramp” patch behind his house and he was always looking for mushrooms in the spring.
He is survived by his sons, Larry Davis and Ronald (Kim) Hilliard both of Elkins, WV; daughter, Mary (Kody) Hilliard of PA; 5 grandchildren, Ronald Jr., Nathaniel, Benjamin, Erica, Brittany, and D’Artagnan; 2 great grandchildren, Brayden and Brantley.
Also surviving Steve is brothers, Bill (Judy) Davis of Grafton, OH and Bernie (Judy) Davis of Lynchburg, VA; sisters, AnnaMae (Carl) Hamric of Sutton, Linda Davis of Sutton and June (Harold) Batton of Sutton
A graveside service will be held 1:00 pm, Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Boggs Cemetery, Sutton.
Greene-Robertson Funeral Home is humbled have served the Davis family.
On line condolences may be sent to: greene-robertsonfuneralhome.com

Lulabel Utt Hamrick
Lulabel Utt Hamrick, 77 of Webster Springs, passed away on Monday, June 12, 2023 at WVU Hospital – Ruby Memorial. She was born January 12, 1946 in Webster Springs to the late Earley and Stella McCauley Utt.
Lu was a server for Vickie’s for many years, a job she truly enjoyed. She was a loving and committed wife to her husband, Harry. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, whether they were good or bad, she still loved them. She touched everyone she met and had a big heart. She loved flowers, the beach, going to church, singing church hymns, and drinking Diet Coke. Lu would want everyone to think of the good times and not dwell on the bad. Remember her for who she was.
Lu is survived by her son, Jerry (Christine) Hamrick; daughters Lisa (Wallie) Price and Angela (Dwight) McCleary; grandchildren, Larry Pritt, Justin Pritt, Shalton Hamrick, Corey Hamrick, Tyler Hamrick, Tiffany Ritchie, and Elijah McCleary; numerous great-grandchildren; life-long friend, Florence “Hicky” Hicks; brothers-in-law, Roger (Missy) Hamrick, Jerry (Jeanette) Hamrick, and Ronnie Barbe; sisters-in-law, Sharon Hamrick, Betty Hamrick, Dora Hamrick, Belvia Langdon, Wilma Hamrick, Brenda Carpenter, Lorna (Bo) McCourt, Anita (Kent) Aleshire, and Drema (Wayne) Gray; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harry D. Hamrick; daughter Amanda Sue Ritchie; sister Thelma Williams; brothers-in-law Parris, Jimmy, and Larry Hamrick; and sisters-in-law, Ina Cogar and Velda Barbe.
Friends joined the family for visitation on Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 6-9 PM at Dodd & Reed Funeral Home. Celebration of Life Services were held on Friday at 12:00 PM with Pastor Curt Davis officiating.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.doddreedfh.com.
Dodd & Reed Funeral Home is honored to be serving Lu’s family.

Joanne Dunlap
Joanne Dunlap, 83, was called to join her husband, Teddy B. Dunlap, in their eternal home on June 16th, 2023 at Somerset Nursing and Rehabilitation, Somerset, Kentucky.
The eldest of three girls, Joanne was born to parents, Denver and Helen White, in Rosedale, West Virginia. The Whites moved to Ohio, where Joanne met her husband. Teddy and Joanne grew their family to include a son, Whitney Jay Dunlap, of Somerset, Kentucky and a daughter, Carol Ann Dunlap Geralds of Stanford, Kentucky.
During Joanne and Teddy’s married life, their residences encompassed many states, from Ohio, West Virginia, Florida, Arizona, California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Georgia to their final farm homestead in Somerset, KY. Joanne’s favorite location to live was Florida, being her most recent residency prior to relocating back to Kentucky.
From occupations in Real Estate to Retail Sales, she always enjoyed serving and meeting new people. She was an avid Red Hat Member while living in Somerset, Kentucky, appreciating the fellowship of the ladies group. Traveling was another activity that was always of great interest, along with learning new things through research, be it religion or politics. Books were truly a great source of enjoyment for her and the library was one of her highly frequented locations.
Joanne is survived by her sister, Patricia (Tessa) Yeager of Grafton, OH; children, Whitney Jay Dunlap, Carol Ann Dunlap Geralds; grandchildren, Kelly (Michael) Shouse of Versailles, KY, Cory (Abigail) Dunlap of Memphis IN, Carly Geralds of Charleston, SC; and great grandchildren, Logan and Savannah Shouse, Collin and Drue Dunlap.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Denver and Helen White; a sister, Mildred White and by her husband, Teddy Brooks Dunlap.
Her celebration of life service will be 2 P.M. Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Roach Funeral Home, 708 Braxton Street, Gassaway, WV with Austin White officiating.
Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the funeral home.
Committal service will follow at Sugar Creek Cemetery in Gassaway, WV across from Sugar Creek Baptist Church at 2409 Elk River Road, Gassaway, WV 26624.
In lieu of flowers, Joanne’s family requests memorial donations be made to Hospice of Lake Cumberland, 100 Parkway Drive, Somerset, KY 42503 or the Sugar Creek Cemetery Maintenance Fund, c/o Huffman Bookkeeping, 512 Elk Street, Gassaway, WV 26624.
Words of comfort and fond memories may be extended to the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.

John Harvey Clise
The writer’s pen stopped and the notebook closed too soon when John Harvey Clise, 57, of Weston, joined the cosmos, as he loved to say, on June 16, 2023, his family by his side, following a four-year battle with NASH liver failure.
Born September 21, 1965, in Charleston, West Virginia, John and his family lived in several places, eventually settling in Vincennes, Indiana, where he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1984. After moving to Flatwoods, West Virginia, John went on to attend Glenville State College, studying English and journalism, working for The Glenville Democrat and Pathfinder, and creating West Virginia Words. In addition to his time at the Glenville newspaper, John worked for several other publications including The Wheeling News-Register, The Weston Democrat, The Inter-Mountain in Elkins, West Virginia, and as editor of both South Gibson Star-Times in Fort Branch, Indiana, and The Record Delta in Buckhannon, West Virginia. He also created and maintained The Central West Virginian and Clise’s Cornucopia, online publications that he loved.
John spent his life living loudly and boldly, often giving the establishment heartburn with his unfiltered opinions and progressive ideas, but, for better or worse, he never backed down. His first job as a child, delivering newspapers on his bike for The Republic in Columbus, Indiana, sparked a love for the news that would last until his last days. With a 30-plus year career in the media spanning radio, print, and Internet, John never met a story or topic he would not cover. He believed the news needed to be told and that people deserved to have their voices heard. His work won awards in two decades, and he interviewed everyone from Barry Williams of Brady Bunch fame to Mike Pence and Senator Joe Manchin, yet he always treated everyone the same when it came to a story.
John’s love of travel always made for an adventure, including the time his Garmin managed to route him over the Mississippi River on the Dorena-Hickman Ferry, a trip he would recommend to anyone that would listen. His travels took him to Branson, Missouri, several times, and he made many friends there including Terry Wayne Sanders; once he returned home to Weston, John did his best to never miss a Taco Tuesday broadcast by Terry. A lifetime Cincinnati Reds fan, John was finally able to attend opening day this year at the Great American Ball Park to see his favorite team play, a dream he and his best friend were able to share together. On that same trip, John and his wife were able to meet Fiona the hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo, something they had spent six years wanting to do. Finally, John loved to fish, and he loved to tell stories, whether verbal or written, and they will be greatly missed, especially his pieces about the old man in the apartment. He was a bright light to those close to him, and the world is a much quieter and darker place without his voice and presence.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley Ivan Clise and Irene Margaret “Peggy” (Harvey) Clise of Flatwoods, and lifetime friend Everett Lee Pritt of Burnsville. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca June (Pickens) Clise of Weston, who he described as the love of his life; his sister Camille (Clise) Murray and husband Brant of Pittsburgh; best friend Brian Piret and wife Tracy of Vincennes; and his two beloved cats, Felix and Smokie, all who miss him deeply.
It is most appropriate that the words of Jack London should so beautifully sum up the life of John: “I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”
John’s wish would be that everyone would live their days like there was no tomorrow, to be bold and authentic, and to love with all your heart.
Per his request, John has been cremated, and there will be no service. Online condolences and life stories in memory of John may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston considers it an honor and a privilege to serve the family of John Harvey Clise.

James Calvin Cogar
James Calvin Cogar, 76, of Crawford, took his Heavenly rest on June 11, 2023.
Born on December 13, 1946, in Braxton County, he was the son of the late Arden and Sarah Cogar. James was a man of faith, devoted to his family, and a hardworking farmer. He was a proud member of the Pentecostal Church.
James is survived by his daughter, Melinda Cogar of Mt. Clare; four sisters: Wanda Fisher, Shirley Harris, Lucy Cogar, and Linda Lee and husband, Denzil; brothers: Hoarld “Gene” Cogar and wife, Retha, and Randall Cogar; and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his second family, Diana Atkins; Sonja James and husband, Danny; Lorrie McCord; and their respective children.
James was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley Lee Ann Cline Cogar in 2009; three sisters: Olive Jordan, Georgia Townsend, and Patsy Cogar; and three brothers: Spencer Cogar, Arden Cogar, and Richard Cogar.
James was a successful crop farmer in California and was employed in the agriculture sector throughout his life. A man of many interests, he was known as a “Professional Collector” of lawn mowers, weed eaters, and more. James also enjoyed hunting and fishing in the Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a pillar of strength for his family and friends.
James’s request for Cremation has been honored. A Graveside Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Green Hill Cemetery in Braxton County.
We, at Clutter Funeral and Cremation located at 21 Elnora Circle in Buckhannon, are honored and privileged to serve the family of James Calvin Cogar. Online condolences may be expressed at www.clutterfuneralhome.com.