Sandra K. Campbell Firth
Sandra K. Campbell Firth Born September 23, 1946 as the eldest daughter of the late Hale Campbell and Kathlyn “Biddie” Singleton Campbell Duckworth.
She grew up in the Exchange community and graduated from Gassaway High School in 1964. She went to St. Mary’s School of Nursing graduating in 1967. She joined the Army and did her basic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. She then was deployed to Vietnam and served as a nurse to most critically wounded soldiers for 14 months. She was exposed to Agent Orange and suffered PTSD for the rest of her life. She returned to Fort Knox, KY where she finished her commitment to the Army.
As a civilian nurse she worked at the “old” United Hospital Center and at Clarksburg Veterans Hospital. While working there she saw a spiritual need for the Veterans suffering with PTSD. Having relied on the Lord all her life she went back to college to get her degree in Biblical Theology and Counseling so she could become a chaplain. A requirement to be a chaplain is one must be a pastor. So she became a Methodist pastor to four small churches in Arnettsville, WV for 12 years. She served as chaplain at Ruby Memorial Hospital and Clarksburg Veterans Hospital until her retirement about five years ago.
Sandra was married to John William Firth and they had a son, John Christopher Firth. After her husband’s death, Sandra raised her son as a single mom.
Sandra went home to meet her Lord on June 14, 2022, Flag Day for the country she loved and served, at United Hospital Center. She leaves behind to mourn their loss her son John, her sister Brenda, six grandchildren (Brandon, Daniel, Shayne, Harmony, Joshua, and William), and aunt Imogene Martson and two brother-in-laws (Stanley Firth and Carl Gray), a host of cousins and many friends.
She met her life’s goals: to be a nurse, to be in the Army and to serve the Lord as best she could by serving others, “Well done thy good and faithful servant, enter into your rest.”
At Sandra’s request, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at 7:00 pm, July 21, 2022 at Quiet Dell Methodist Church as a gospel sing, singing hymns. She loved music and singing. She wants it to be a happy service.
Billy Lee Skidmore, Jr.
Billy Lee Skidmore, Jr., 75 of Webster Springs, passed away on Monday, July 4, 2022 at Ruby Memorial. He was born June 14, 1947 in Webster Springs to the late Billie Lee and Geraline Kathrine “Susie” Spencer Skidmore.
Billy was a member of Elk Valley Chapel; was a retired school bus driver for the Webster County Board of Education; a member of the Webster Springs Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years; a former police officer and Webster Springs Mayor; and was a former drum major at Webster Springs High School. He liked boating, skiing, and traveling to the ocean. He loved to cook and listen to music and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Linda Sue Comuzie Skidmore.
He is survived by his daughter Julie Lee (Nicky) Skidmore; brother Jimmy Skidmore; sisters Kathy (Buck) Hamrick, Marjorie (Reggie) Stewart, and Connie (Ken) Skidmore; and several nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.
Funeral Services to celebrate Billy’s life were held on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at 4:00 PM at Dodd & Reed Funeral Home. Interment followed in Holly River Baptist Church Cemetery, Diana. Friends joined the family for visitation two hours prior to service time at the Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doddreedfh.com.
Dodd & Reed Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Skidmore family.
Robert Preston “Robbie” Cook
Robert Preston “Robbie” Cook, 58, of Rosedale, WV, passed away on July 2, 2022, at his brother home in Strange Creek.
He was born December 31, 1963 in Hinton, WV to the late Boyd Preston & Martha Glenda Bragg Cook. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Carol “Sissy” Cook Huppenthall; brother, Ricky Allen Cook.
Robbie was a Environmental Inspector and a Christian by faith. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf, Netflix, cooking and grilling.
He is survived by his sons, Tyler Cook of Roanoke, VA, Cameron Cook of Heaters; daughters, Taylor Cook, Brittany Lowther both of Charleston, WV; brothers, Steve Cook, Sam Cook, Frank Cook; sister, Sandy Robinson; grandchildren, Brinly Lowther and Preston Lowther.
Upon request the body will be cremated.
Greene-Robertson Funeral Home is humbled to serve the Cook Family.
Online condolences may be sent to: greene-robertsonfuneralhome.com
Norma Lee Friend
Norma Lee Friend, 90, of Cynthiana, KY formerly of Tornado, WV, went home to be with her Lord on Monday, July 4, 2022, in Kentucky.
She was born January 29, 1932 in Bickmore, WV, the daughter of Bernard & Bessie Holcomb Legg. Also preceding her in death were her husband, Ernest Lee Friend whom passed in 2009; sister, Opal Morton; a infant brother; sister-in-law, Pearl Legg.
Norma was woman who loved the outdoors. She would plant a garden every year only to give half the vegetables to neighbors, friends and family. She also liked hunting in the fall with her son John near the family homestead in Indore, WV. She loved her flower garden which she was proud to have a variety of flowers thru out her yard.
Norma was a Christian by faith and loved her neighbors, friends, and family. We will all miss her boisterous laugh.
She is survived by her son, John Friend (Bonnie) of Cynthiana, KY; daughter, Doris Jeffers (Steve) of Sutton, WV; grandchildren, Chad Jeffers of Sutton, Brandi Noble (Michael Maggard) of Cynthiana, James Friend (Rebecca) of Cynthiana, Cory Jeffers of Tornado; great grandchildren, whom she loved dearly, Jeremy Noble, Kylynn Noble, Brandin Noble, Kayden Friend, Jax Friend, Landon Morrison, Kinsley Morrison, Wyatt Caswell; brothers, Bill Legg (Sandra) of St. Albans, Harold Legg of Beckwith, WV; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Norma will truly be missed by all.
A graveside memorial service in Norma’s honor will be held at a later date.
On line condolences may be sent to: greene-robertsonfuneralhome.com
Artley “Art” B. Duffield
Artley “Art” B. Duffield, 81, of Gassaway passed away on Monday, July 4, 2022 at Glenville Center.
He was born on December 8, 1940 in Gassaway to the late Lala B. and Wilda L. Bean Duffield.
Art was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Sandra Mae Duffield; and his infant sister, Donna Lee Duffield.
Working on and tinkering with old cars was a favorite pastime of his. He enjoyed collecting guns and sport shooting. He was a certified public accountant and owned his own accounting business.
Art is survived by his son, Mark Lee Duffield of Gassaway; brothers, Terry Duffield and wife, Mary, of Gassaway; and Randy Duffield and companion, Carolyn Fisher, of Gassaway.
In keeping with his wishes he was cremated.
A private inurnment will be in the Sugar Creek Cemetery, Gassaway 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.
Frances I. Thompson
Frances I. Thompson, 93, of Gassaway, WV, passed away peacefully at the Laurels of Norworth nursing home in Columbus, Ohio on March 1, 2022 with her sons, Roscoe W. Thompson, Jr. and Lonnie G. Thompson, at her side.
Frances was born in Progress, WV on April 20, 1928 to the late W.W. Riffle and Madge Gerwig Riffle.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roscoe W. Thompson, her only daughter, Regina Thompson, and her six siblings.
Frances was a very special lady who was strong, independent, loving, smart, creative, and thoughtful. Although she had a warm and beautiful heart, she never failed to stand her ground. Frances worked many jobs after her husband passed in 1966 and she was best known as an excellent seamstress and for her 100% hand-made quilts that she loved to gift to family and friends.
Frances is survived by her older son, Roscoe W. Thompson, Jr. and his wife Patricia and their children, Roscoe III, Rosemary, and Robert, and by her younger son, Lonnie G., Thompson and his wife Ellen, and their daughter Regina. She also has 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Her Celebration of Life Service will be 1 P.M. Saturday, July 16, 2022 at Roach Funeral Home, 708 Braxton Street, Gassaway with her son, Reverend Roscoe W. Thompson, Jr., presiding. Inurnment will follow at Sugar Creek Cemetery, Gassaway.
Calling hours began at noon at the funeral home.
Words of comfort and fond memories may be extended to the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.
Shorty (Orlando Lee) Rader
Shorty (Orlando Lee) Rader, a lifelong resident of Gassaway, went home to be with Jesus after a long struggle with A.L.S.
He passed away peacefully, at his home, on Saturday, July 9, 2022 with his loving wife and family at his bedside.
Shorty was born in Gassaway on January 12, 1950 to the late Tink and Lola Bender Rader.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.
Shorty loved life and his hometown and always worked to better his community. He loved serving God and his church family. After graduating Gassaway High School in 1967, he was a barber for twenty years, then went on to own and operate Sports connection, which he truly loved, for over thirty years.
He is survived by his cherished wife, Sherry; daughter, Sherri Jack (Lane); grandson, Trey; daughter, Karri Jo Rousset (Ric); granddaughter, Adrianna; son, Kenneth Browning (Trina); grandsons, Kyle and Jakob; brother, Fred Rader (Bernice) and several nieces and nephews.
Shorty’s funeral service will be 2 P.M. Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway with Reverend Tom Harper officiating. Interment will follow in the Beall’s Mill Cemetery, Gassaway.
Visitation was four hours prior to the service at the funeral home.
A special thanks to all of the caregivers at Kanawha Hospice for their compassionate care of Shorty.
Words of comfort and fond memories may be extended to the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.
Richard Lane Black
Richard Lane Black, 86, passed away Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at his residence.
He was born Jan. 26, 1936, in Woodbine, W.Va., a son of Glen and Freda Casto Black.
Lane was employed by Youngstown Steel Door for many years, retiring in 1991, and then worked for the United States Postal Service in Youngstown until his final retirement.
Lane served his country during the Korean War in the Army.
Lane loved following basketball and stock car racing, and enjoyed bowling and playing cards, but his greatest joy was watching his grandchildren’s sporting events.
Lane is survived by his wife of 59 years, the former Delores “Dolly” Petrycki; three children and nine grandchildren.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandchild and a son-in-law.
Family called from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at the Lane Family Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, followed by a private service at 1 p.m.
Robert Van “Buck” Hamrick
Robert Van “Buck” Hamrick, 62 of Valley Head, passed away on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at Davis Medical Center in Elkins. He was born January 30, 1960 in Orrville, Ohio to Elzie and Linda McCullough Hamrick.
Buck enjoyed working with his hands, gardening, and spending time with his family.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Kathy Skidmore Hamrick; step-children Jerome (Salina) Greene and Stephanie (Scott) Holcomb; brother Steve (Carrie) Hamrick; sister Lavonna (Dave) Maxheimer; four grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
Private Services for the family will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.doddreedfh.com.
Dodd & Reed Funeral Home is honored to be serving Robert’s family.
B. Caroline Gillespie Cochran
B. Caroline Gillespie Cochran, 78 of Webster Springs, passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2022, seven days following the passing of her husband of 55 years, Melvin W. Cochran, who passed on June 23, 2022. She passed away of complications from pancreatic cancer, five days after learning of her diagnosis.
She was the tenth and last child, born to Clarence W. and Bertha Baughman Gillespie, on May 23, 1944, in Buckhannon. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers Eugene, Jimmy, Bernard and Felix and sisters, Helen, Louise and Lucille.
Surviving is brother David of Webster Springs and sister Sammie (Bob) Allman of Buckhannon. She is also survived by son Max (wife Sandra) Cochran of Webster Springs; four grandchildren, Eddie Cochran, Max (wife Christina) Cochran Jr., Matthew (wife Vicky) Cochran, and Jessica Cochran; along with four great-grandchildren, Desirae, Matthew Jr., Grace, and Lauren; a great-great-granddaughter, Elena; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
Caroline was a member of Emmanuel Assembly of God; she was a 1962 graduate of Webster Springs High School and Clarksburg Beauty Academy in 1963. After passing her WV state licensing exams, she operated her own beauty salon for 30 years in Webster Springs. She was originally hired by Charlie Dodd in 1969 as beautician for Dodd & Hurt Funeral Home and continued working when the business changed to Dodd & Reed Funeral Home.
She enjoyed traveling overseas and state side with her husband and grandchildren, and especially enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren at the beach. Caroline was a very competitive scrabble player. Reading historic fiction and WV murder mystery books was her pleasure.
Celebration of Life Services were held on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 12:00 noon at Dodd & Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Marty Cowger officiating and Eulogy given by Jack Alsop. She was laid to rest beside Melvin at Big Run Cemetery, Diana. Friends joined the family for visitation two hours prior to service time.
Friends joined the family for Graveside Services at 2:30 PM at Big Run Cemetery, Diana.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to Emmanuel Assembly of God, PO Box 839, Cowen, WV 26206.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.doddreedfh.com.
Dodd & Reed Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Cochran family.
