Obituaries-11/16/16

Published 10:17 am Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Henry Cooke VIII

Jan. 29, 1953 — Nov. 13, 2016

Henry Augustus Cooke VIII, born Jan. 29, 1953, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 13, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Verna Cooke of Kitts Hill; and his brother, Gregory Cooke, of Cincinnati.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa Beard Cooke; and his children, Gus (Chandra) Cooke, of South Point, his daughter, Dr. Bethany (Adam) Gonczy, of Athens, as well as “daughter”/niece, Becky (Jordan) McCoy, of Chesterfield, South Carolina. He had four beautiful grandchildren, Kacie Mendez, August Cooke, Brooklynn Gonczy and Bennett Cooke; and bonus grandchildren, Hayden and Kyle McCoy. He is also survived by his sister, Mary (David) Saunders, of South Point; his brother, Sam (Floye) Cooke and his sister, Judy (Tim) Kitchen, both of Kitts Hill; mother-in-law, Priscilla Beard, of Huntington; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Henry graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1971 and with his brother and father, established Cooke’s Farm Center. At the age of 30, he enrolled in Marshall University where he attained a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics. He taught at South Point High School until deciding to pursue a master’s degree in administration from Ohio University. After graduating, he became the principal at Rock Hill Middle School for one year before serving as the principal at South Point High School for four additional years. He discovered that he loved teaching more than administration, and returned to the classroom to teach until the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease with Lewy Body Dementia forced him to take an early retirement in 2009.
Henry will be most remembered for his quick wit and big heart. He loved a challenge and found the positive side of any situation. He saw the good in people to a fault, and sacrificed his own comfort regularly to be sure that others were taken care of. He was the definition of class, character, work ethic, humility, generosity, trust and love. The world has lost one heck of a man and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
A service is being held Nov. 19 at the First United Methodist Church, 1124, Fifth Ave. Huntington.  Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m. with a brief service at 4. The service will be in the downstairs fellowship hall due to the renovation of the sanctuary.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Woodland’s Gratuity Fund, as a way to thank the wonderful healthcare staff and other dedicated employees who have loved him and provided outstanding care for him during his last few years at Woodland’s Retirement Community. Donations can be sent to: Woodlands, One Bradley Foster Drive, Huntington, WV 25701. Memo: Cooke memorial.

Paula Anderson

Nov. 21, 1942 –– Nov. 14, 2016

Paula Anderson, of Ironton, left this world on Nov. 14, 2016. She was the daughter of the late Paul F. Anderson and Wanda Moreland Anderson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Paul F. (Rick) Anderson, Jr.
Paula was born in Ironton on Nov. 21, 1942, with a cleft palate and a birth weight of just two pounds. The local hospital was not equipped to care for such a small infant with eating issues, so she was bundled in blankets and put in the back seat of her father’s car and driven to a hospital in Cincinnati. Although no one really expected her to survive, she demonstrated the determination and iron will that became her trademark throughout life and not just survived but thrived, enduring over 20 surgeries throughout her lifetime.
She graduated from Ironton High School and Ohio University, earning her degree in Special Education.  She taught in the Columbus City School System and the Ironton City School System for 30 years. She loved all children, especially those who needed a little extra attention. She is survived by a sister, Mary Jo (Charles) Frazer, of Pedro; two nieces, Casey (Travis) Harbour, of Barboursville, West Virginia, and Chelli (Darren) Mannon, of Willow Wood; and three nephews, Bill Bruce, of Pedro, Daniel  (Christy) Harris, of Grayson, Kentucky, and Paul Anderson III, of Ironton; and many great-nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved as her own.
Hall Funeral Home in Proctorville is in charge of arrangements. A funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Lawrence of O’Toole Church, Ironton. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Minnie Dingus

Jan. 19, 1923 — Nov. 12, 2016

Minnie Florence French Dingus, 93, of Ironton, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at Sanctuary of the Ohio Valley. She was born Jan. 19, 1923 to the late Sherman and Nellie Barnhart French. She retired from Bowman’s Nursing Home. She attended The Ironton City Mission Church.
She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Charles and Dianna O’Leary, of Ironton, James and Margie O’Leary, of Ironton; seven grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. Graveside services will be at noon today in Lawrence Furnace Cemetery with the Rev. Jeff Cremeans officiating. O’Keefe-Baker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Clara Stephenson

Feb. 1, 1932 — Nov. 13, 2016

Clara Mae Stephenson, 84, of Ironton, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016.  She was born Feb. 1, 1932, in Lawrence County, a daughter of the late Hayward Nelson and Aleyssa (Tipton) Malone.
She is also preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Carl Edward Stephenson; and three brothers, Hayward, Frank and Kenneth Malone. She had worked in the Ironton School System for 25 years. She was a member of Ironton First Church of the Nazarene where she had served as missionary president for over 35 years, as well as working in the nursery department.
She is survived by two daughters, Virginia Carol (Richard) Lunsford, of Ironton, and Carla Mae (Rick) Lawhun, of Springfield; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild; two brothers, Forest Malone and John (Donna) Malone; and one sister, Carol Jean (Wayne) Bryant.
Friends may call from 10 a.m.-noon Friday at the O’Keefe-Baker Funeral Home followed by the funeral service. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery, Ironton, pastor Robert Hale will be officiating.

Minnie Chandler

Minnie Louise Grizzle Chandler, 93, of Flatwoods, Kentucky, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. on Friday at Bailey Family Funeral Home in Flatwoods with the Rev. Lloyd L. Bailey and the Rev. J.E. Smith officiating. Burial will be in O’Bryan Cemetery in Russell. The visitation will be from 11 a.m. until funeral time on Friday, at the funeral home.

Robert Crockrel

Robert “Bobby” Crockrel, 59, of Ironton, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, at Community Hospice Care Center, Ashland, Kentucky. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at the Tracy Brammer-Monroe Funeral Home, Ironton, with Elder J.D. Crockrel and pastor Jim Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery. Visitation will be 11 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday at the funeral home. www.tracybrammerfh.com.

Mark Rieder

Mark A. Rieder, 50, of Proctorville, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Huntington, West Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Susan Hall Rieder. Funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. Thursday at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville. Burial will follow in Rome Cemetery, Proctorville. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. tonight at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Robert Martin Jr.

Robert C. Martin Jr., 65, of Missouri, formerly of Lawrence County, died Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, in Missouri. A graveside service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Miller Memorial Gardens, Miller. Burial will follow. There will be no visitation. Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville, is in charge of arrangements.

Johnie Holley III

Johnie Lee Holley III, 29, of Huntington, West Virginia, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, at home. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville. There will be no funeral service. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

April Smith

April Elizabeth Wagner Smith, 37, of Paris, Kentucky, formerly of Russell, Kentucky, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Ashland, Kentucky. She is survived by her husband, Andy Smith, Jr. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Bailey Family Funeral Home in Flatwoods, Kentucky, with Bro. Jim Yates and Bro. Rick Harris. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park in Ashland, Kentucky. The viewing will be from 10 a.m. to funeral time at the funeral home.

Dale Vallance

Dale Vallance, 73, of Stafford, Texas, formerly of Ironton, died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016. Arrangements are pending at Tracy Brammer-Monroe Funeral Home, Ironton.