Melvin Randall Boyd

Melvin Randall Boyd, 68, of Hernshaw, died July 26, 2010, at home after a short illness.

Born July 29, 1941, in Elkhorn, he was the son of Thelma and Clyde Boyd. He had two brothers, Robert and Johnny. He was preceded in death by his father, Elmer Clyde Boyd, 88.

He was married to Phyllis Boyd on Aug. 24, 1963, at Quinland Baptist Church, by Phyllis’ grandfather, James Ramsey. A lawn reception followed at the home of Paul and Dorothy Burns.

He graduated from McCains College in Princeton, from the School of Accounting and Financial Administration, and graduated from Morris Harvey in Charleston, with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business. He was the first in his family to go to college. 

He worked as a budgeting officer and later in real estate for the Department of Health and Human Services. He was a real estate agent for Hodges Realty.

In the mid-70’s, he opened R&P Family Clothing store in Marmet. After retiring from the state, he became the executive director of the Upper Kanawha Valley Economic Development Corporation in Montgomery.

He was raised in the small coal town of Elkhorn.

He was an active member of the community, often working behind the scenes to improve infrastructure and bring new business to eastern Kanawha County.

Shortly after moving to Hernshaw, some local boys asked him to coach baseball. He passionately accepted the challenge to teach boys about playing baseball and excelling in life for over 16 years. He was known to have practice in his basement on rainy days where he discussed baseball strategy and gave them books to read about baseball.

His children and grandchildren brought him much joy. His grandchildren affectionately referred to him as “Dadeo”. He was an avid New York Yankees baseball fan.

Surviving: his wife of 47 years, Phyllis Ann Boyd; son, Michael Boyd and his wife, Saundra, of Hurricane; daughters, Melanie Rae Cobb and her husband, Brad, of Fredericksburg, Va., and Janice Lyn Seacrist of Marmet; grandchildren, Zachary Keith Seacrist, Tyler Allen Seacrist, Matthew Ryan Cobb, Abigail Grace Boyd, Samantha Faith Cobb, and Lauren Elizabeth Cobb; mother, Thelma Virginia Rose-Vines of Princeton; and brothers, Robert Boyd and his wife, Charlotte, of Roanoke, Va., and Johnny Boyd and his wife, Cecilia, of Venice, Fla.

Funeral was July 30 at Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet. Burial followed at Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.

The family has requested that donations be made to the American Heart Association or the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Donations to the American Heart Association can be sent to 162 Court Street, Charleston, WV 25301. Donations to the Make-a-Wish Foundation can be sent to 1031 Quarrier St., Suite 401, Charleston, WV 25301

Arrangements by Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet.



Virginia Lee Cornwell

Virginia Lee Cornwell, 79, of Belva, died July 29, 2010, at Montgomery General Hospital.

Born Sept. 19, 1930, in Belva, she was the daughter of the late George W. Hill and Stella M. Morris Hill. She also was preceded in death by her brothers, George Jr., Ned, and Scott Hill.

She was a homemaker.

Surviving: her husband, Don Muriel Cornwell of Belva; brothers, Frank Hill of Lewisburg, Harry Hill of Belva, John Hill of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mike Hill of Pikeville, Ky., and Robert Hill of Belva; and sisters, Ruth Baughman of Lima, Ohio, and Rebecca Kaiser of West Harrison, Ind.

Funeral service was Aug. 2 at Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge, with Minister Arvin Hanshaw officiating. Burial followed in the Hill Cemetery, Belva.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.carlwilsonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge.



Mary G. Criniti

Mary G. Criniti, 86, died July 26, 2010, at home, after a long illness.

Born Feb. 8, 1924, at Paw Paw, she was the daughter of the late John and Cecelia Podelco. She also was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, James Criniti; brothers, Harvey Wilson, John Podelco and Richard Podelco; and sisters, Frances Levy, Judith Stanley and Madeline Price.

She was her family’s beloved, precious angel of God and she will truly be misse.

Surviving: children, James R. Criniti and wife Doris of Mt. Carbon, Rosemary Wills and husband Jim of Belle, and Connie Argento and husband Sam of Mt Nebo; grandchildren, Stephanie Lemmert and husband Ken of LaPlata, Md., Antoinette Johnson and husband Whitney of Hurricane, Maria Pennington and husband Tim of Lansing, Gina Gorisek and husband David of Canonsburg, Pa., Dina Criniti-Bates and husband Kent of Charleston, Mary Agnes Argento of Poca, Steve Wills and wife Misti of St. Albans, Jimbo Criniti and wife Amber of South Charleston, and Vince Argento of Scottdale, Pa.; great-grandchildren, Adam, Erica, and Kendall Lemmert, Abigail Johnson, Savannah and Isabella Gorisek, Samuel Fox, Jaden and Jaret Wills, Brock Bates, and Alyssa and Lyndsy Argento; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary and Guy Carelli of Charleston; several nieces and nephews; and her caregivers, Gladys Williams, Susie Nichols, and Yvonne Oliver.

Mass of Christian burial was July 30 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Montgomery, with Fr. John Rice as celebrant and Fr. Tony Cincinnati as concelebrant. Entombment  followed at Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens at Glasgow.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.odellfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery.



Peter ‘Pete’ Joseph Lopez

Peter “Pete” Joseph Lopez, 94, died July 29, 2010, at Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston, following surgery and a brief illness.

Born June 29, 1916, in Boomer, he was the son of Italian immigrant parents.

For much of his life, he was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Boomer. When he moved to Nitro after retirement, he attended St. Francis of Assisi Church in St. Albans.

Mr. Lopez was an owner and operator of small business in Powellton from 1946 through 1980. He also worked for more than 50 years in support the Fayette County Board of Education, driving a school bus, and in later years worked to support special needs children. He never forgot the importance of education for his family and himself. He earned his high school degree in 1986 at the age of 70.

Pete Lopez was greatly loved by his wife, sisters, sons, stepsons, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and so many more who knew him. No one needed to ask for assistance, he always offered and gave of himself, particularly to his family.

He grew up as the son of Italian immigrant parents in the years of the Great Depression. He was fond of telling his family how his parents, sisters and he overcame every obstacle.

His life was filled with milestones. In 1932 his parents and family lost everything when their home in Elkridge was destroyed and washed away by a flash flood. Pete, although a very young boy, asked his father permission to leave school and join him in the coalmines to help support the family. By 1936 he had earned enough money to purchase his mother’s first new washing machine ($49.50) and a new Norge refrigerator ($69.50). Later that year, he bought the first family car, a new 1936 Plymouth, for $485. His payments were $18 a month.

He married his first wife, Juanita (deceased), in 1938 and his sons were born in 1940 and 1946. In 1946, he opened his own business, a Texaco gas station and a small adjoining restaurant. He retired from a very successful business in 1980 and continued to be employed by the Fayette County Board of Education.

In his spare time, he became an avid dancer and expert in clogging. While at a dance in 1986, he met his wife, Frances. They were married in 1987.

He retired from all employment at age 81 in 1997. He found new interests in manufacturing birdhouses and feeding and watching birds and small wild animals such as squirrels and rabbits.

Pete Lopez was at ease with people of all walks of life. He truly enjoyed engaging with family, friends, and people in business or social events. He imbued his sons and many others with a strong work ethic and a sense of patriotism and love of God, family and country.

His greatest enjoyment, however, was his interaction and support of his extended family. The words “no” or “why” were not in his vocabulary when any member of his family needed assistance. He was always there! He was admired by all who knew him and his love and support of all things “family” is a wonderful example to emulate.

Surviving: his wife, Frances; his sisters, Mary Cimino, Rosemary Hall, Reba White and husband Tete, and Lena LeRose; his sons, Admiral T. Joseph Lopez, USN (Ret.), and J. Michael Lopez and his wife, Susan; his stepsons, Jack D. Whitt and his wife, Shirley, Jason D. Whitt and his wife, Debora, and Jonathan D. Whitt and wife Cara; his grandchildren, Commander Tom Lopez, USNR, and his wife, Anne, Dominique Lopez-Lepse and her husband, Captain Jim Lepse, USN (Ret.), Tiffney Bess and her husband, David, Clay Lopez and his wife, Shannon, and Michael Brian Lopez (deceased); and his great-grandchildren, Cameron Miller, CMCR Zachary Miller, USN, Lauren Boudreau, Kaitlyn Lopez, Kristen Lopez, Brian J. Lopez, Tristyn Bess and Nicholas Lopez.

Memorial service was held at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Albans on Aug. 3, with Father Patrick M. McDonough officiating. Burial followed in Montgomery Memorial Park, London.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com.

Iit is requested that consideration be given to memorial contributions to St. Francis of Assisi School, 1023 Sixth Avenue, St. Albans, WV 25177.

Arrangements by Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, St. Albans.



Vona Violet Workman

Vona Violet Workman, 94, of Montgomery, died July 26, 2010, in Montgomery General Hospital.

Born Feb. 7, 1916, at Vanetta, Fayette County, she was the daughter of the late Harrison Allen and Edna Beatrice Wade.

She was a member of the Church of God having last attended the East Bank Church of God.

She was a retired LPN from Montgomery General Hospital and a more than 60-year resident of Montgomery.

Surviving: sons, Gerry “Don” Workman and his wife, Jean, of Charleston and Vernon Dean Workman of Whittier, Calif.; grandchildren, Danny Workman of Richmond, Va., and Andrea Workman Kroger and her husband, Chris, of Morgantown; and four great-grandchildren.

Service was July 30 at O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, with Rev. Jeff Floyd officiating. Burial followed in Montgomery Memorial Park at London.

Expressions of sympathy can be sent at www.odellfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by O’Dell Funeral Home in Montgomery.