Obituaries from the Parsons Advocate,
24 June 2009
James Johnson
James Blonda "JB" Johnson, 90, a resident of Bob England Road, Montrose,
departed this life Monday morning , June 15, at his home. He had fought a long battle with cancer and heart disease but it never slowed him down. He passed away while hoeing in his garden.
He was born Thursday, Sept. 12, 1918 at Barbour County, a son of the late James Blonda Johnson and Sarah Arminda Powell Johnson.
On June 21, 1984 at Oakland, Md. he was married to the former Winona Denise Kisner Johnson, who survives.
Also surviving are four children Joseph Johnson and wife Annie, Janetta Beth Novack and husband Robert, all of Charleston, S.C., Jena Roy and husband Scott of Kerens and April Arbogast and husband Jeff of Montrose; six grandchildren Jennifer Novack and Joshua Johnson, both of Charleston, S.C., Alisha Arbogast, Emily Arbogast and Tyler Arbogast, all of Montrose; and Anna Roy of Kerens.
Preceding him in death are two children Joni Belinda Johnson and James
Blonda Johnson Jr.; three brothers Rufus, Frank and Junior Leonard Johnson; four sisters Hazel Delauder, Wanita Conn, Seebyl Cross and Willa Powell.
"JB" and his family moved to Montrose, where he worked many years as a timber cutter and at the family sawmill, hauling timberto the coal miners. The family lived on a large working farm raising livestock and harvesting.
The family received friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 5 to 8 p.m, Wednesday, June 17. Final rites were conducted at the funeral home chapel, Thursday, June 18 at 11 a.m. Pastor Joseph Johnson and Pastor Kevin Gainer officiated and interment followed at the Central Chapel Cemetery at Barbour County. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.
Clifford Martin, Sr. 
Clifford Alan "Red" Martin Sr., 76, a resident of Parsons departed this life early Monday, June 22 at his home, following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Thursday, Oct. 12, 1932 at Parsons, a son of the late Shirley C. and Flossie Strawderman Martin. He was twice married first to the former Helen Owens, who survives. On Nov. 18, 1973 at Parsons he was married to Marijane Delaney Foster Martin, who survives.
Surviving are two sons Clifford A. Martin Jr. and wife Debbie of Woodbridge, Va., Charles A. Martin and wife Sharon of Parsons; one step-son Benjamin C. Foster, Jr. and wife Patricia of Kingwood; two daughters Patty Roy and husband Butch of Parsons and Cathy Thompson of Smarr, Ga.; one stepdaughter
Bonnie Knotts and husband Steve of St. George; one brother Gary Martin and wife Bobbi of Washington, W.Va.; five grandchildren Marty Martin of Va., Chrissy Martin of Texas, Geoff Martin and wife Rae of Davis, Danna Higgins of Colo. and Nickie Thompson of Ga.; five great-grandchildren Elaina and Elyssa Le, Ella Renee Higgins, Peyton and Logan Rentz; five step-grandchildren Cindee, Wendy, Scott, Andria and Erica; and four step-great grandchildren Coty, Nicholas, Kaylee and Natalie.
He was preceded in death by one brother Bernard Martin; one son-in-law Kenny Hebb; and one step-granddaughter Melissa Hebb.
He was a graduate of Parsons High School with the class of 1950. He was a Veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the former Garnett Post #4322 Veteran of Foreign Wars. He was an employee of the former Dorman Mills for twenty years. He was a construction worker for the Local 984 of Clarksburg for 21 years, retiring in 1993. He was former Fire Chief of the Parsons Volunteer Fire Dept. He was an avid golfer. He was a lifetime member of St. John’s United Methodist Church.
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons on Wednesday, June 24 from 4 to 6 p.m., the funeral hour. The Rev. John Morrison will officiate and cremation will follow. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.
Sandra Knotts
Sandra ‘Sandi’ Snider Knotts, 61, a former resident of Parsons, and a resident of Wheeling, departed this life early Wednesday morning, June 17, at St. Joseph’s Hospital at Lexington, Ky.
She was born Wednesday, June 2, 1948 at Parkersburg, a daughter of the late Edward Lee and Grace Ashby Snider. On April 22, 1970 at Oakland, Md., she was married to Terry Andrew Knotts, who survives.
Also surviving are one brother Ralph Edward Snider of Parsons; one sister Nancy Snider Hershman and husband Dallas ‘JR’; two nephews Joseph J. Hershman and Kurt E. Snider and wife Olivia ‘Liv’; two nieces Devon Snider Berry and husband John and Ashley Hershman Clevenger and husband Chad; one greatnephew Kaleb Snider and two great-nieces Amara and Lillian Snider.
She was a graduate of Parsons High School with the Class of 1966. She was a graduate of Berea College of Berea, Ky., with a degree in Business and West Liberty State College in Wheeling with a degree in Education.
She was employed as a Teacher with Bishop Donahue High School for seventeen years and from 1998 to 2001, she was an employee of West Virginia Business College as a Business Teacher.
She was an avid traveler and WVU and Steelers football fan. She loved her nieces and nephews.
The family received friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons on Friday, June 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. Final rites were conducted at the funeral home parlor on Saturday, June 20 at 2 p.m. Reverend Pat Cassidy officiated and interment followed at the Parsons City Cemetery at Parsons. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.
Howard Poling
Howard S. Poling, 91, our beloved father passed away June 19, of natural causes.
He was born the third of four sons to Howard S. Poling Sr. and Ethel Grandstaff Poling on Sept. 26, 1917 in Parsons. He attended schools in Parsons and Auviltown.
In 1936 he married Grace Eckard to whom he was married until her death in 1988. They moved to Mullan, Idaho in 1939, where they lived until 1956 when they movedto Palo Alto, Calif. Howard worked in the mines in and around Mullan for many years, and worked for an adhesive bonding company in Calif. for 18 years. They moved back to Idaho and lived in Spirit Lake from 1973 until they moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1978. He was living at Guardian Angel Homes in Post Falls at the time of his death.
He is survived by James (Lonna) Poling of Missoula, Mont., Patricia K. Wilson and David H. (Pran) Poling of Coeur d’Alene, and Bernettie (Don) Gnegy of Hambleton. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, 11 great-grand children and four great-great grandchildren.
Private memorial serviceswill be provided by Howard’s Masonic brothers at a later date. He was a 50 year plus member in the Mullan and Spirit Lake Masonic Lodges. Memorials may be made to the Mullan Historical Society, P.O. Box 677, Mullan, Idaho 83846, or to a charity of your choice.
Julia Whitehair
Julia M. Whitehair, 89, of Horseshoe Run passed away June 16 at Garrett County Memorial Hospital in Oakland, Md.
She was born Jan. 17, 1920 in Davis, a daughter of the late Andy and Frances Arhar.
Surviving are one son Jimmy R. Whitehair of Eglon; two brothers Edward (Rosalie) Arhar of Concord Township, Ohio and Ernest (and Marion) Arhar of Dunkirk, Md.; and one grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lester Whitehair in 2001; and two brothers Andy and Joseph.
Mrs. Whitehair was a homemaker, she enjoyed cooking and baking. She was a member of Bethel Church.
Friends were received at Hinkle Funeral Home on Thursday, June 18 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services were held Friday, June 19 at Bethel Church at 11 a.m. with the Rev. John Foy officiating. Interment followed in the Texas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Bethel Church and Mt. Grove Volunteer Fire Department, 385 Maple Springs Highway, Eglon, WV 26716.
Obituaries reprinted courtesy of the Parsons Advocate.
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Copyright Notice2001, Janet Cooper
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