Published: September 03, 2008 11:34 am            

Obituaries -- Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Dr. Alberta R. Anderson

Dr. Alberta R. Anderson, a role model for many business educators and secretaries in West Virginia and throughout the state and nation, died Aug. 18, 2008.

Her motto that is remembered by every student or teacher with whom she came in contact was “If it is to be, it is up to me.” She instilled motivation, work ethic and an enjoyment of life into every presentation or seminar she taught, offering workshops and courses with great enthusiasm and professionalism.

Dr. Anderson, a WVU Tech Professor Emeritus, retired in 1978 after 25 years of service at Tech, where she was the chair of Business Education and Secretarial Studies. In 1977 she was named the year’s Outstanding Educator by the West Virginia Business Education Association.

She was active in many professional organizations throughout her teaching career, including the Southern Business Education Association and the National Business Education Association.

A native of Smithers, Dr. Anderson was a Tech graduate herself. She received her master’s in education from the University of Kentucky and her doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado. She received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from West Virginia Institute of Technology in 1979.

After her retirement, Dr. Anderson continued to serve Tech through the Office Technology Management Advisory Committee and the establishment of the Alberta Anderson Scholarship Fund. In 1996, she was named the Outstanding Advisory Committee Member of the Year by the West Virginia Vocation Education Association. Dr. Anderson also served as visiting professor at Memphis State, Central Washington University and Indiana State University after her retirement from Tech.

While a resident of Hugheston, Dr. Anderson was active in Montgomery Presbyterian Church and many civic organizations, including the Montgomery Women’s Club. In her extensive travels, she visited all but a very few countries. She enjoyed her life and shared that joy with everyone she came in contact with.

Dr. Anderson was born Dec. 12, 1923, in Smithers, the daughter of the late Bea and Albert Ray Anderson. She also was preceded in death by a brother, Willis Anderson.

Surviving: a sister, Midge Burke; nephew, Brent and wife, Pam Anderson, of Hugheston; and nieces, Rosalie and husband, Rick Thompson, of Bluffton, S.C., Willa and husband, Gene Haynes, of Columbia, Md., JoAnn and husband, Keith Batman, of St. Albans, and Marsha and husband, Rick Burke, of Glasgow; and many great-nieces and -nephews.

A celebration of her life was held Aug. 22 at Hughes Creek Community Church with Pastor Gary Tucker officiating. Burial followed at Montgomery Memorial Park, London.

Following the service, the celebration continued at The Haven.

Condolences may be sent to the family via www.cookefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Cooke Funeral Home & Crematorium, Cedar Grove.





Dewey C. Christian

Dewey C. Christian, 73, of Powellton, died Aug. 25, 2008, at CAMC Memorial after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Born Aug. 24, 1935, in Powellton, he was the son of the late Cleve and Lola Harris Christian. He also was preceded in death by his brother, Michael “Mickey” Christian.

Dewey was a proud and active member of the United Mine Workers of America, serving as the president of Local Unions #1054 and #2236. He was also a delegate to every international convention since 1976, and was a member of the constitution committee of the 1979 and 1981 conventions and worked three years for the International Union. He was retired from the Valley Camp Coal Company with 37 1/2 years of service.

Dewey was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting and camping with family and friends.

Surviving: his wife of 52 years, Deloris Barnett Christian; son, Fred Christian and his wife, Pam, of Marmet; daughter, Marsha Ryan and her husband, Mike, of Mt. Carbon; stepbrother, Howard Harris of Pratt; stepsisters, Vivian Deliea of Monroe, N.Y., Margaret Lanham of Summersville and Marvetta Dahir of Newport News, Va.; and grandchildren Jenny Christian, Josh Christian, Jesse Christian, Todd Ryan and Lauren Ryan.

Service was Aug. 28 at O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, with Rev. Fred Christian and Rev. Joe Darlington officiating. Burial followed in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow.

Arrangements by O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery.





Garland J. Groves

Garland J. Groves, 76, of Poca, formerly of Jodie, died Aug. 27, 2008, at home after a brief illness.

Born Nov. 23, 1931, in Greenbrier County, he was the son of the late Lester and Lena Hughes Groves. He also was preceded in death by his wife, Norene R. Groves.

Mr. Groves was retired from Stevens Excavating Company, St. Albans, and attended Nitro Church of the Nazarene. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Surviving: his wife, Shelba Jean Groves of Poca; daughter and her husband, Pam and Mike Roberts of Poe; sons and their wives, Steve and Grace Groves and Aaron and Tammy Groves, all of Mount Nebo; half-sisters, Barbara and Betty Jo; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Service was Aug. 30 at the Pennington Funeral Home Chapel, Gauley Bridge, with the Rev. James Daily officiating. Burial was in Rich Creek Cemetery, Jodie.

Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home Chapel, Gauley Bridge.





John William Long

John William Long, 51, of Charlton Heights, died Aug. 28, 2008.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Edmond Long of Boomer; paternal grandparents, Gilbert and Ethel Long of Montgomery; and maternal grandparents, Mac and Elsie Childers of Kopperston.

Always jovial, John was well liked and carried a soft spot in his heart for children, animals and the elderly.

Surviving: his wife, Cindy Girimont Long of Charlton Heights; mother, Loretta Long of Boomer; brothers, James E. “Butch” Long of Mayville, Tenn., and Robert Long of Cannelton; sister, Ginger Long Smettey of Hilliard, Ohio; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service was held Aug. 31 at O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, with Mr. David West officiating.

Arrangements by O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery.





Barbara Wriston Nottingham

Barbara Wriston Nottingham, 68, of Dixie, died Aug. 28, 2008, at home after a short illness.

Born Aug. 8, 1940, in Vaughan, she was a daughter of the late Farley and Stella Dickson Wriston of Vaughan. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Junior Claude Nottingham of Dixie; her brothers, James Wriston of Vaughan, Earl Wriston of Ohio and Franklin Wriston of Illinois; and sister, Violet Humphrey of Montgomery.

Mrs. Nottingham was a retired homemaker, after working several years as custodian at Dixie Elementary School. In later years, she also worked at Smith’s Diner, Dixie, where she finally retired to spend time with her family.

Surviving: her four children, Norma Nottingham Moore and husband, Billy, of Smithers, Jimmy Nottingham and wife, Angie, of Hurricane, Rebecca “Becky” Nottingham Hodge and husband, Duke, of Jodie, and Master Sgt. Ricky Nottingham and wife, Melissa, of Dixie; 10 grandchildren, Vincent Dumrongkietiman and wife, Natalie, of Dixie, Victor Scott Dumrongkietiman and wife, Alisha, of Teays Valley, Allen Dumrongkietiman and Nicki Estep of Smithers, Jeremy McClain of Smithers, Justin Nottingham and wife, Michelle, of Gilbert, James Nottingham of Hurricane, Brandon Hodge of Jodie, Amanda Hodge Nix and husband, Joey, of Auburn, Ga., Christopher Nottingham of Dixie and Ryan Nottingham of Dixie; great-grandchildren, Douglas Anthony Nix of Auburn, Ga., Hunter Dumrongkietiman of Crookston, Minn., Claudia Dumrongkietiman of Crookston, Minn., Chloe Dumrongkietiman of Smithers, Byron Nottington of Gilbert, Riley Jean Dumrongkietiman of Teays Valley, and soon-to-arrive Sophie Dumrongkietiman of Dixie; a brother, Junior Wriston of Tilden, Ill.; sisters, Margaret Buzzard of Seth and Helen Underwood of Sylvester; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was Aug. 31 at Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge, with Jason Smith officiating. Burial followed in Johnston Family Cemetery on Dutch Ridge.

The family has asked that donations be made to HospiceCare.

Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge.



Charles H. Williams

Charles H. Williams, 92, of Boomer, died Aug. 28, 2008.

Born March 8, 1916, in Lincoln County, he was the son of the late Earl and Nora Hill Williams. He also was preceded in death by his daughter, Loretta Fay Riggins; and sisters, Audrey Deck and Verna Forlone.

Mr. Williams was a faithful member of the Church of Christ with special appreciation for minister Don Perry of Shrewsbury for his kindness and many prayers.

He was retired from Union Carbide at Alloy.

Surviving: his wife of 68 years, Olive Williams; son, Mark Williams and his wife, Ann, of Ravenswood; daughter, Charlotte Coleman and her husband, Ken, of Boomer; special son-in-law, Carlton Riggins; grandchildren, Jason Williams of Ravenswood, and Matt Riggins and his wife, Genienne; great-granddaughter, Jacie Riggins; sister, Ruby Gumwell; cousins, Bill and Henry Williams and their families, Mary Norman of Texas and many nieces and nephews.

Service was at Cunningham Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel in St. Albans with Rev. Grady Scott officiating. Entombment followed in the memorial park.

Arrangements by O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.