Parsons Advocate Obits, 24 Jan 2007

Obituaries from the Parsons Advocate,

24 January 2007

Mardean Lee Boyles Barb, 88, a resident of Parsons, departed this life Monday evening, Jan. 22, 2007, at her home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and are under the direction of Lohr & Barb Funeral Home for Mardean Lee Boyles Barb. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com. From 24 Jan 2007.

Mildred Doerr Gilmore, 84, a former resident of Parsons, and more recently a resident of Shipman, Va., departed this life Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, at Charlottesville, Va.

She was born, Tuesday, March 14, 1922, at Elkins, a daughter of the late Roy Jennings and Iva Hester Moore Doerr. On Dec. 24, 1944, at Oakland, Md., she was married to Robert R. Gilmore, who preceded her in death Nov. 21, 1987.

Surviving are one daughter, Diana Gilmore Salmon and husband James of Charlottesville, Va.; and one grandson, Greg Salmon and wife, Amie of, Gordonsville,Va.

She was a graduate of Elkins High School with the class of 1940. In 1942, she graduated from Strayer College in Washington, D.C. She was employed by U.S. Health Service in Washington, D.C., and U.S. Marine Hospital in Baltimore, Md. She managed Wilfong’s Dress Shop in Parsons and was later employed and retired from the WV Dept. of Health and Human Resources of Tucker County. She was past president of Parsons Women’s Club, served on the Tucker Senior Citizens Board of Directors and the North Central Community Action Board. She was a member of the Parsons Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deaconess and also on the council of Mt. Valley Parish of the Presbyterian Church. She was a member of Heritage House Co-Op and served on the Interfaith Community Action Council.

The family received friends at Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons Tuesday, Jan. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. Final rites will be conducted at the funeral home parlor Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m. The Rev. David Bowers will officiate and interment will follow in Parsons City Cemetery at Parsons. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to Tucker County Senior Center, 206 Third St., Parsons, W.Va. 26287 or Hospice Care, P.O. Box 193, Parsons, W.Va. 26287. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mildred R. Doerr Gilmore. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.

She was born Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1948 at Location, a daughter of Harold Stewart VanMeter and Vonda Hebb VanMeter, who survive at Parsons. On May 28, 1966, at Red House, Md., she was married to Jerry Lee Hardy Sr., who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Jerry Lee Hardy Jr. and wife Linda of Belington and Michael Shawn Hardy and wife Robin of Parsons; six grandchildren, Jeffrey Scott Hardy and Amber White of Davis, Heather Hardy of Belington, Hunter and Hannah Hardy of Parsons, Brooks Ray and Shelley Shockey of Belington; and one great-granddaughter, Jessie Shockey of Belington.

She was preceded in death by one brother, Jack Stewart VanMeter.

She was formerly employed as clerk for the city of Parsons. She was a 25-year employee of First National Bank of Parsons as a Teller and Loan Officer. She worked at Tucker County Senior Center, was an independent Insurance agent for Insurall, LLC of Elkins and at the time of her death she was employed as Billing Clerk for the City of Parsons.

The family received friends at Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons on Monday from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Final rites were conducted at the funeral home parlor on Tuesday, Jan, 23, at 1 p.m. Pastor Allan Dale Crosten and Pastor Robert Hebb officiated and interment followed in Mountain State Memorial Gardens at Gilman. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangement for Linda Faye Vanmeter Hardy. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com. .

Blonda 'June' Nestor Miller, 88, a resident of St. George, departed this life early Monday morning, Jan. 22, at the Davis Memorial Hospital at Elkins. She had been in declining health for the past three years.

She was born July 6, 1918, at St. George, a daughter of the late Roy Braxton and Emma Columbia Kelley Nestor. On April 12, 1938, she was married to Clair A. Miller, who preceded her in death Jan. 18, 1985.

Surviving are three sons, Jack B. Miller and Sandra of Annapolis, Md., Jerry B. Miller and Barbara of Belington, and James B. Miller and Deborah of St. George; daughters; Joy Miller Fansler of Hambleton and Janet Miller Tully and Dick of Louisville, Ky.; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, haveing been preceded in death was one brother, Kenneth 'Bliss' Nestor.

She attended Murphy School at Texas Mountain. She worked for the former Hinebaughs Restaurant of Parsons and operated the Parsons Service Station for many years. She was a member of Sugar Grove Church at Texas Mountain. She cared for and loved people. She was an avid gardener and a noted cook.

The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons on Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. Final rites will be conducted at the funeral home parlor Thursday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Leon Hevener will officiate and interment will follow in Pifer Mountain Cemetery at St. George. The family suggest that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to Hospice Care, P.O. Box 193, Parsons, W.V. 26287. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Blonda June Nestor Miller. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.

Dennis Elliot “Denny” Murphy, 86, a former resident of Spruce Street, Parsons, and more recently a resident of Cortland Acres Nursing Home at Thomas, departed this life Wednesday evening, Jan. 17, at the home.

He was born Tuesday, Feb. 15, 1920, at Parsons, a son of the late Robert Murphy and Mary Elizabeth Godwin Murphy. He was reared by the late Boyd Murphy and Bertha Parsons Murphy. On Oct. 14, 1948, at Parsons, he was married to the former Helen Jean Calvert Murphy, who preceded him in death Feb. 6, 1993.

Surviving are one daughter, Jeanette M. Crosten of Parsons; one granddaughter, Mary Kathryn Louk and Josh of Centreville, Va.; and one great-grandson, Sean Michael Louk of Virginia.

He is the last surviving member of his immediate family having been preceded in death by one son, Michael Sean Murphy; two brothers, Robert G. Murphy and Burton H. Murphy; three half sisters, Rae Beckner, Lessie Repair and Elizabeth Murphy Wilson; and half brothers, Boyd, Cecil and Clint Murphy.

He was a graduate of Parsons High School with the class of 1937. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II having spent time in France, Egypt and Sicily, was in the Normandy invasion, and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge for which he received the Purple Heart. He was a high rise engineer near Silver Springs, Md., and he worked for the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. at the Parsons Store for 29 years and six months. He worked hard all of his life for his family and his community. He loved and was loved very much by his family.

The family received friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons from 5 to 7 p.m. today. Final rites were conducted Saturday, Jan. 20, at 1:30 p.m. The Rev. Neil Parsons officiated and interment followed at the Parsons City Cemetery at Parsons, where H.W. Daniels Post #29 American Legion and Tygart Valley Post #3647 Veterans of Foreign War conducted full military rites. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Dennis Elliot Murphy. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.

Jack Parsons

Jacque "Jack" Parsons of Sherwood died at a local hospital following a sudden illness.

Jack was born Nov. 23, 1934, in Canaan Valley, the son of Cecil and Sadie Virginia (Cooper) Parsons.

Jack was raised and educated in West Virginia receiving his B.S. Degree in Horticulture from West Virginia University, and a M.S. in Horticulture form the University of Maryland.

He was employed by Oregon State University as an extension agent for 25 years. He helped promote innovative production on fruits and vegetables. After retiring from O.S.U. he farmed successfully throughout the tri-county area to supply roadside fruit stands.

Jack enjoyed his grandchildren, travel, classic western movies and following developments on horticulture. He enjoyed his vacation home in Astorai, where he watched ships come into the harbor.

He married Jennifer Newth in West Linn, Ore., on Sept. 23, 2003.

He is survived by his wife Jennifer of Sherwood, Ore.; his mother Virginia of Canaan Valley; a sister Sharon also of Canaan Valley; sons Michael & wife Marte of Portland, Ore., Timothy and wife Leticia of Dayton, Ore., Douglas and wife Kim of Halethorpe, Md., Cliff and wife Cheryl of Canby; the mother of his sons Judy Parrack Parsons; step-sons Marshall Martell, Jacob Curtis and step-daughter, Jenessa Roberti; and seven grandchildren.

Memorial services were held on Monday, Jan. 15, at the Sherwood United Methodist Church 22280 SW Washington St., Sherwood, Ore. Those who wish may send memorials in his memory to the National Federation for the Blind directly or thorugh the funeral home. Alternative Burial & Cremation of Oregon PO Box #202 Sherwood, Ore. 97140. There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Feb. 17 at Buena Chapel in Canaan Valley.

Elpha Tewell

Elpha Pauline Tewell, 94, of Crystal Springs, passed away Jan. 14 in Nella's Nursing Home.

She was born Feb. 27, 1912 in St. George, a daughter of the late John E. Williams and Ann Margaret Auvil Williams. Her husband James Leonard Tewell preceded her in death Nov. 21, 2005.

She is survived by two daughters Darla Tewell of Westminster, Md. and Kathy Tewell of Manassas, Va.

Mrs. Tewell was a housewife. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star of Hambleton and the Hambelton Women's club. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed flower arranging and painting. Mrs. Tewell was Protestant by faith.

Graveside services were held on Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Davis Cemetery with Rev. James Martin officiating. Hinkle Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Obituaries reprinted courtesy of the Parsons Advocate.

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