Curry Funeral Home, WV, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, WV (2026)

02/17/2026

Evelyn Pauline Kessinger, 78 of Nitro, passed away on Sunday February 15, 2026, at Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston.

Evelyn was a 1965 graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School. She was a former employee of Brewer and Company. She loved tea parties, comedy movies, and reading.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Louise Smith; her sister and best friend, Nancy Zagst: brother, Charles Smith.

She is survived by her husband, Victor Kessinger; daughters, Michelle Taylor (Alan), Noelle Phillips; sons, Mark Kessinger (JoAnn), and Jeff Kessinger. Grandchildren; Sheridan Newman, Tyler Young, Blake Newman, Bailee Kessinger, Savannah Moore, Brady Kessinger, Chase Phillips, and Olivia Kessinger. Great Grandchildren; Cassius Adkins, Blair Adkins, and Joslynn Moore. Evelyn is also survived by two sisters; Linda Bailey and Debbie Haynes.

A celebration of Evelyn’s life will be held at 6:00 PM Friday February 20, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek. Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.curryfuneralhome.org. Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, WV, has been caring for families since 1950.

02/16/2026

Mark Douglas Thaxton, 71 of South Charleston, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday February 15, 2026, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston.

Mark was a former quality control inspector at Volkswagen and South Charleston Stamping & Manufacturing in South Charleston. He was the Pastor of Mt. Tabor Church of God and was the Chaplain at Thomas Memorial Hospital for many years. He loved the outdoors and rebuilding gravelys and tractors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Betty Thaxton; sister, Bonnie Stewart; brothers, Roger and Randy Thaxton; niece, Jennifer Thaxton; and step-son, Harold Kuhn.

Mark is survived by his wife, Louise Kuhn Thaxton; nieces and nephews, Robbie and Beth Stewart, Stevie and Heather Thaxton, Tina and Christian Hill, Jason Stewart, and Jeff Reed and aunts Opal Payne and Kathy Reed. As well as great-nieces and nephews, Aden and Owen Thaxton, Stanton Hill, Lilly Green, and Chelsea Coffman.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday February 21, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastor Jody Pauley officiating. Burial will be in Thaxton Family Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 PM at the funeral home.

Special thanks to Mark’s friends Butch and Darlene Shultz and Sammy and Linda Oyler.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Tabor Church of God, 2413 Dry Ridge Road, St. Albans, WV 25177.

02/16/2026

Elizabeth “Betty” Rose Means, 78 of Yawkey, WV passed away peacefully on February 14,2026 surrounded by her loving family. Betty was proceeded in death by her husband Robert (Bobby) Means; parents, Walter and Mabel Webb; grandson, Jacob Allen Neal Craddock; 9 brothers and 1 sister.

Betty was a former member of Joes Creek Baptist Church, a Christian for 50 years and a retired Kanawha County Custodian and Caregiver.

Betty was known for her love of God, her beloved husband, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved gardening and being outdoors.

She is survived by her children, Mark Wilson and Misty (Jimmy) Hinton. Betty leaves behind a legacy of love in her 6 Grandchildren, Tyler (Kaila) Wilson, Caitlan Wilson, Whitney Morrison, Caleb (Destiny) Craddock, Isaac (Julia) Craddock, and Noah (Maddie) Craddock. As well as her Great- Grandchildren; Lily Wilson, Jayce Morrison, Paislee Wilson, Rockson Morrison, Madelyn Graley, Hadlee Wilson, Leila Craddock, Wylder Wilson, Oakley Craddock, Ruby Wilson and Bella Wilson . She also leaves behind numerous Nieces and Nephews, all whom she deeply loved.

A private service for family will be held on February 19, 2026 at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek, WV with Pastor Andy Gillenwater officiating. Betty will be laid to rest at the Means/Webb cemetery in Yawkey West Virginia.

02/15/2026

The incomparable — and perfectly imperfect — Kermit Lyle Lawson of Charleston, West Virginia, sank his final putt on the 18th green Wednesday, January 28, 2026… and with a grin on his face, advanced to Hole 19.

He is survived by his adoring and steadfast wife of 64 years, Connie Rae (née Rhoades); his two proud and resilient sons, John Lawson of Charleston, West Virginia, and Rick Lawson of Huntington, West Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida; and his son‑in‑law (and bonus son), Rusty Hefner, also of Huntington, West Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida.

Family isn’t defined only by blood, but by love, loyalty, and the people who show up for you throughout life. And by that measure, Dad’s family is even bigger than the one listed in the records. Janie Spencer-Turley and her daughter Leah held a special place in his heart — not as friends, but as family in every real and meaningful way. To Dad, Janie was another daughter, and Leah a granddaughter he adored. And the rest of us feel exactly the same. Their love, constancy, and presence enriched his life beyond measure.

Kermit loved his wife. He loved his sons. He absolutely worshipped his beloved Boston Terrier, Jodie. But perhaps the passion that accompanied him through every season of his life was the game of golf — and the deep camaraderie he shared with the many friends who joined him on fairways, greens, and the occasional questionable lie.

He left us with a great deal of wisdom, but the lesson he repeated more than any other was this: “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Over the years, those words have proven true time and time again.

But today, we hope these words are wrong. Because we can see him now on the most beautiful course imaginable — sunshine over his shoulder, breeze at his back — raising a cold beer and saying, “Well done, boys. Well done.”

02/12/2026

James Richard “Rick” Dunlap, 76, of Sod went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at home.

Rick was a member of and deacon at Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church and was a former member of the gospel group, Canaan Land Boys. He was a 1967 graduate of Duval High School. He was a member of Local 970 Painters Union and retired from St. Frances Hospital in 2015 with 30 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William “Billy” Dunlap and Thelma Phelps Torman; son, Richard Dwayne Dunlap.

Rick is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judy McCallister Dunlap; daughter and son-in-law, Marketta and Joey Collins; son and daughter-in-law, Shawn and Andrea Dunlap; 4 grandsons, Adam (Audra), Nick (Kate), Micah, and Malachi; 4 great grandchildren, Chloe, Aiden, Ezra, and Asa; sister, Lillian (Dwayne) Gibson and Kathy (Bobby) Powell.

Funeral service will be 2:00pm, Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastors Mark Ruby, Richard Ruby, and Kurt Dragoo officiating. Burial will follow at Samson Cemetery, Garretts Bend. Friends and family will gather 2 hours prior to the service at the funeral home.

02/12/2026

Flora (Judy) Ann Connery, 86, of Red House, formerly of St. Albans, went home to be with her Savior, and to be reunited with her husband, Fred, on February 11, 2026.

She was born on July 19, 1939, to Leonard and Essie Crisp. Her husband, Fred, preceded her in death by seventeen days. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Butch and Barry Crisp, and her granddaughter, Emeri Connery.

She is survived by her only sister Lois (Jean) Johnson; her daughter Jo Barker (Doug), grandchildren Elliott Stevens, Savannah Corns, and Noah Barker; son Fred Connery, Jr. (Dianne), grandchildren Madison Trace, Klint and Kyle Connery; son, Dan Connery (Charles Kiriakos); great grandchildren Violet and Asa Corns, Boone Barker, Mason and Camden Trace, Chase Connery, and one on the way.

She was a graduate of Eastbank High School. She was a teacher at Faith Christian Church in St. Albans. She worked alongside her husband, Fred, in his various ministries, including founding and building Peoples Baptist Church of Scott Depot. She loved working with children in school as well as in church. Her heart was happiest in being a homemaker, which was evident if you ever stepped inside her home.

She loved her family fiercely, and her greatest love was her husband, Fred. You never saw one without the other. Theirs is a love story for the ages. Her heart did not want to be where he wasn’t, so she went to be with him.

There will be no services at this time.

02/10/2026

Timothy Allen Bell, 76, of Charleston, WV, passed away Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Thomas Memorial Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Freeman & Ruth Eskew Bell, brothers, Tony Bell and Terry Bell, and sister, Karen Gray.

Tim was owner of Bell Mechanical, Inc., in Dunbar, and a U.S. Army Veteran of Vietnam. He was an avid drag racer and antique car enthusiast, an active member of the Alum Creek Lions Club and a 1968 Graduate of George Washington High School.

He is survived by his daughter, Amanda (Ricky) Stivers, son, Terry Shannon Bell, grandson, Rhomas Stivers, granddaughter, Gabi Stivers, sister, Joyce McAllister, and ex-wife, Timmyle Bell. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and special friends, Kenny Lewis, Derick Foster, Ronnie Bell, Gary Smith, and Leonard Codispodi.

Service will be 10:00am Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes, WV.

Visitation will be from 6:00pm – 8:00pm pm Friday, February 13, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home.

02/09/2026

Sandra Lou “Sandy” Burgess, 63, of Alum Creek, WV, passed away Monday, February 9, 2026, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston, WV. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Burgess, son, Jonathan Burgess, and parents, George Morgan & Martha Baire Holstein.

Sandy was a homemaker and former day care worker at Heart & Hand. She loved to shop and to spend time outside with her animals.

She is survived by her daughter, Crystal Jones, grandchildren, Alexis Jones (Chase Dorsey) and Jonathan Jones, great-granddaughter, Charlotte Dorsey and brother, Danny Morgan.

Service will be 1:00pm Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home with Chaplain Ray Witmer officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Memorial Park. Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service.

02/06/2026

Marietta Mae Lovejoy, 89, of Elloree, SC, formerly of Alum Creek, WV, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Magnolia of Santee, SC.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernie B. Neal & Mabel Plumley Neal, and her husband, Dorsel “Tuck” Lovejoy; one brother and one sister.

She was a member of the Forks of Coal Missionary Baptist Church, Alum Creek, WV, and retired as a cashier for Bob’s FasChek.

Marietta is survived by her sons, Greg (Violet) Lovejoy and Keith (Debbie) Lovejoy, grandchildren, Neal Lovejoy (Katie), Krista Lucas, Cody Lovejoy (Somer), Addison Briggs (Judy), and Krystal Hamilton (Blake). She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Jacey Lovejoy, Clay Lucas, Kylie Lucas Lewis, Alyssa Briggs, Collin Briggs, Camille Briggs, Madison Briggs, Isabella Briggs, Blakely Hamilton, and Liam Hamilton; brother, Ralph Neal; sisters, Gloria Adkins and Emma Stewart.

Service will be 1:00pm Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home, with Pastor Keith George officiating. Burial will follow at Forks of Coal Memorial Park, Alum Creek, WV.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

02/03/2026

***Due to current weather conditions, burial will now occur 1:00pm, Monday, February 9, 2026, at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens WV Mausoleum. Funeral service will proceed as scheduled.***

Vicki Pauley Hess, 74, passed away peacefully Monday, February 2, at CAMC Memorial Hospital, after a brief battle with cancer. She was born November 15, 1951 to Otto and Betty Pauley, who preceded her in death. She was a lifelong resident of Alum Creek and a graduate of Duval High School and Marshall University.

She was the devoted and loving wife of Kenneth Reed Hess for 53 years and leaves behind her only daughter, Paige Hill, her beloved son-in-law, Rex Hill III, and two grandchildren that she adored, Serena and Hunter Hill. She also leaves behind the dog that stole her heart, and often part of her bed, Ollie. She was part of a close-knit family that includes her two sisters, Kim Kelly and Dawn Pauley, and her sister-in-law, Susan Conner, and she loved their husbands (Dave Kelley, Joe Foley, and Jack Conner) as brothers. She also never missed an opportunity to shower her nieces and nephews (Brooks and Logan Gillenwater, William Jose Foley, and Eric and Stephanie Conner) with love and attention, which was often expressed through perfectly wrapped presents and incredible meals.

To many though, she will always be known as Mrs. Hess. She taught at Bible Center School for 43 years where her calm, disciplined, and loving instruction guided the lives of hundreds of children. She viewed her work at Bible Center School as her life-long ministry and worked to show every child she met with the love that comes from the Lord and Savior. When she wasn’t teaching at Bible Center, she was serving as an Awana leader of working the help desk during church.

While family, school, and church were incredibly important parts of her life, her other love was travel. She travelled the world with her husband; spending her 60th birthday ziplining over the rain forest, riding camels in Mexico, and playing with the dogsled puppies in Alaska are only a few of their adventures. She also fostered that love of travel in her family, sharing many trips with her daughter, grandchildren, and extended family to New York City, Disney World, and many other locations.

She will be profoundly missed.

Service will be 1:00pm, Friday, February 6, 2026, at Bible Center Church with Pastor Richard Thompson officiating. Friends and family will gather 2 hours prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.

02/02/2026

Deborah “Debbie” Gwyn Vance, 63, of St. Albans, passed away Friday, January 30, 2026, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston.

Debbie was a former manager of Electric Beach Tanning Salon. She loved the beach, being outside in her flower garden and most of all spending time with her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Vance; parents, Donald and Phyllis Hughes Hoffman; sister, Anita Hoffman; brothers, Tommy Hoffman, Rodney Hoffman, and Curtis Hoffman.

Debbie is survived by her daughter, Ashley Abdo (Magdi); sons, Brent Vance (Kristen) and Cole Vance; grandchildren, Liam, Carly, Rowan, and Atlas; cousins, Teresa Callahan and Beth Leontopoulos.

There are no services scheduled.

01/28/2026

Larry Andrew Adkins, Jr. “Dickie”, 46, of Ridgeview passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026, at home.

Dickie was a 1998 graduate of Sherman High School. He loved to be outside, hunting, fishing, and landscaping.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Donna Pauley Adkins; grandparents, Ethel & Herbert Adkins, Raymond & Emma Pauley.

He is survived by his father, Larry Andrew “Andy” Adkins (Shelley Slagle); sister, Misti (Miguel) Urquidi of TX; nephews Ethan, Elijah, & Miguel Jr.; nieces, Alanna, Isabella & Penelope; great niece, Valentina.

Service will be 2:00pm, Friday, January 30, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home, with Pastors Randal Kinder and Miguel Urquidi officiating. Friends and family will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Curry Funeral Home, WV

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