Arthur A. Akers Sr., 94, of Rainelle died Sept. 7, 2010. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at Wallace Memorial Mausoleum Chapel, Clintonville. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle.

Sara E. Alexander, 67, of South Charleston died on Sunday, September 5, 2010, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston, after a short illness.

She was a beautician, poll worker at election time, caretaker and good friend.

She is survived by one brother, Dan (Deanna) Alexander of Montgomery, Alabama; several nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John H. Alexander Jr. and Virginia Simms Alexander; and her brother, John H. Alexander III.

The remains have been cremated. There will be a private service at a later date.

Good Shepherd Mortuary, South Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.

Gene Atlee Blackshire, 85, of Sissonville passed away September 6, 2010, at home with family by his side.

He was born July 25, 1925, and was the eldest son of the late Virgil and Dollie Good Blackshire. He was also preceded in death by his eldest son Charles R. “Chuck” Blackshire.

Gene was a retired captain of the Charleston Fire Department. He had served in the Navy during WWII as an engineer on the USS Crosley in the Pacific. He was a truck driver for Kroger in his younger days and worked at FMC for a brief time before becoming a fireman. He also delivered mail in the Sissonville area for years, retiring at age 79. He loved his many careers and the people he met along the way.

Gene was a member of Grapevine Chapel Church in Sissonville. He loved to study and teach the scripture.

Surviving: wife of 57 years, Frankie Beatrice “Bea” Smith Blackshire; daughters, Fonda Jean Blackshire Meadows of Dunbar and Pamela Blackshire Anastasio and son-in-law, Ronald Anastasio, of Sissonville; son, Mark Allen Blackshire of Ironton, Ohio; brother, Richard Blackshire of South Charleston; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; of whom Justin Anastasio is the only one from Sissonville, along with his wife, Samantha, and their daughter, Albany.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, September 10, at Long & Fisher Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Good officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Hills Garden of Memories.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

The family would like to give special thanks to neighbors and friends, Larry and Pat Plumley, Tim and Stacy Smith, Larry and Cathy Jordan, Bill and Betty Marion and Pat Ross, Nurse Sherry Duffey of Gentiva Health Services, Samantha Shamblin Anastasio, Gene's granddaughter-in-law, for giving up her summer to help, sister-in-law, Kathy Anastasio, friends who kept in touch and, last but not least, Pam's co-workers, Anne, Elaine, Wanda, and Tera, for all of their help, thoughts and prayers through this tough time. We love you all.

Online condolences may be sent to the Blackshire family at longfisherfuneralhome.com.

Robert L. Bragg, 85, formerly of Point Pleasant, died Sept. 7, 2010. Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Deal Funeral Home, Point Pleasant. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Apple Grove Memorial Gardens, Apple Grove.

Glennis R. Brown, 61, of Crawley died Aug. 27, 2010. Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at Longanacre Funeral Home, Fairlea. Friends may call one hour prior to service.

Franklin P. Clark Sr., 78, of Kanawha Falls passed away September 7, 2010, after a long battle with heart disease.

He was born June 28, 1932, in Glenn Ferris and was the son of the late Harry and Celia Bibbie Clark. He was also preceded in death by five brothers and seven sisters.

Frank loved to trout fish and hunt at his cabin that he built himself on Cranberry Ridge. He retired from Elkem Metals, Alloy.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Annie Lee Groce Clark; son, Franklin P. Clark Jr. and wife, Montica, of Adena Village; daughters, Janice Darnold and husband, Skip, of Florida and Pamela Hall and husband, Mike, of Michigan; five grandsons, Ricky Keglor and wife, Misty, of Diamond, Jayme and Adam Keglor and Thomas and Jonathan Clark; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Zack and Evan Ballard; and sisters, Sue Kirby of Kanawha Falls and Imogene Jones of Boonville, N.C.

At Frank's request, a private service for immediate family only will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be sent to American Heart Association.

O'Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, is in charge of arrangements.

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

Alvin Woodrow Conner, 81, of Victory Point, Holden, passed away Wednesday morning, Sept. 8, 2010, at Logan Regional Medical Center following a short illness.

Born July 9, 1929, in Stollings, he was a son of the late Clarence E. and Beatrice B. Conner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles E. and Curtis W. Conner; his paternal grandparents, Kyle and Ida Conner; maternal grandparents, John and Lillie Booth; and his father- and mother-in-law, Phillip and Myrtle Stone.

Alvin was a graduate of Logan High School and the National Business College of Roanoke, Va., and served in the United States Marine Corps, where he attained the rank of corporal. He was a past Master of Aracoma Lodge 99, past High Priest of Logan Chapter 41 of Royal Arch Masons, past Commander of Logan Commandry 26, past Venerable Master, past Wise Master of Logan Scottish Rite Bodies, officer of the Red Cross of Constantine, past president of the Logan Shrine Club, a member of Beni Kedem Shrine and KRCH, a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and Logan Chapter 60 of the Order of the Eastern Star, where he held the office of warden, and a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Logan. Alvin was one of the volunteers when the food pantry was started at the church.

Alvin was a retired office manager from the Pittston Coal Company and formerly worked at Island Creek Coal Company for several years. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing softball and baseball with various teams in Logan and the surrounding areas.

Surviving are his loving wife of 56 years, Phyllis S. Conner; two daughters, Lisa M. Conner of Charleston and Rebecca Lynn (David) Alderman of Charleston, S.C.; one brother, James L. (Dorothy) Conner of Columbus, Ohio; one sister, Pauline C. (Jack) Fortune of Stollings; three granddaughter, Rebecca Nichole, Holly Rachel and Danielle Alderman of Charleston, S.C.; one great-granddaughter, Jessica Grace Alderman of Charleston, S.C.; several nieces and nephews; and a host of dear friends and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, Sept. 11, at James Funeral Home, Logan, with the Rev. Doug Craven officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Pecks Mill.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

The family requests that flowers be omitted and memorial gifts be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Logan or your favorite charity.

Ruby B. Craze, 93, of Marion, Ohio, formerly of WestVirginia, went to be with the Lord on Sunday afternoon, September 5, 2010.

On April 12, 1917, Ruby was born in Hughes Creek, W.Va., and was the daughter of the late James and Eliza Balser.

In 1943, Ruby found love in Thomas W. Craze. Together they lovingly raised one child together, Ann, and they moved to Mansfield in 1952. She has been widowed for many years, as he preceded her in death on July 4, 1972.

A loving homemaker, Ruby proudly moved to Marion with her daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Jim, in 1978.

She will be dearly missed by her daughter, Ann (Jim) Young of Marion; stepson, Ed (Marcella) Craze of Ariz.; two grandchildren, Lisa (Tim) Cluff of Marion, and their children, Ryan, Alex and Jacob Cluff and one more on the way, and Eric (Lori) Young of Dunn, N.C., and their children, Bailey, Lucas and Sam Young; and a sister, Irene White of Smithers, W.Va.

Graveside services will be held in Montgomery Memorial Park, London, W.Va., on Friday, September 10, at 1 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Vernon Avenue Church of Christ.

For more information or to express your condolences to Ruby's family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Mrs. Brenda Marie Withrow Dunlap, 61, of Red House went home to be with the Lord September 7, 2010, in CAMC Teays Valley Hospital.

Brenda was serving as youth director with YMCA at Confidence Elementary School Afterschool Program. She is a proud supporter of Poca High School Football, a 1966 graduate of Poca High School and a member of Winfield Church of God Mission, where she sang in the church choir and also taught Sunday school.

She was preceded in death by her father, George E. “Pete” Withrow Sr.; father-and mother-in-law, Dewell and Naomi Dunlap; and brother-in-law, Doug Dunlap.

She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Robert B. Dunlap; mother, Irene Withrow; children, Robert B. Dunlap Jr. and Jill of Red House, David B. Dunlap and wife, Crystal, of Red House, Chris H. Dunlap of Red House, Breanna L. Akers and husband, Shane, of Culloden and Austin L. Dunlap of Red House; brothers, Edgar Withrow of Leon, Jack Withrow of Ohio, George E. Withrow Jr. of Ohio and Robert “Bob” Withrow of Cross Lanes; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A tribute to the life of Mrs. Brenda Dunlap will be 11 a.m. Saturday, September 11, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastors Adam Null and Anthony Moss officiating. Burial will follow in Wade Chapel Cemetery, Red House.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hardingfamilygroup.com.

Gatens-Harding Funeral Home, 147 Main St., Poca, is serving the Dunlap family.

Thelma Louise “Cheena” Fruit, 59, of Charleston mounted the wings of a white dove on September 1, 2010, after a short illness and flew peacefully into the waiting arms of her Heavenly Father.

She was employed by Union Carbide Corporation where she retired with 35 years of service.

Left to celebrate her life and memory are her siblings, Francis (Delores) Fruit, Nancy Reavis, Mary (Bryant) Cyrus and the Rev. William (Martha) Fruit; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A memorial service in celebration of Thelma's life will be held on Friday, September 10, at Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church, 607 Shrewsbury St., Charleston, beginning at 1 p.m., where family will receive friends on hour prior to the service. The Rev. Larry Patterson will officiate and the Rev. William L. Fruit will deliver his sister's eulogy. Interment will be in Spring Hill Cemetery.

Walton and Breckenridge Chapel of Faith Funeral Home is humbly serving the Fruit family.

Gary Frye, 59, of Charleston died Sept. 8, 2010. Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet, is in charge of arrangements.

Brenda A. Fuller, 61, of Mount Hope died Aug. 2, 2010. A private memorial service will be held. Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope, is in charge of arrangements.

James R. Graley Sr., 76, of Charleston died Sept. 8, 2010. Cunningham-Parker-Johnson Funeral Home, Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.

Rebecca Hampton, 87, of Verdunville died Sept. 6, 2010. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at her residence. Burial will be in Frye Cemetery, Verdunville. James Funeral Home, Logan, is in charge of arrangements.

Ruth I. Hanshaw, 76, of Belva died Sept. 5, 2010. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge. Friends may call one hour prior to service. Burial will be in Hamrick Cemetery, Poe.

Lois V. Harless, 85, of Danville died Sept. 7, 2010. Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, in the Price family cemetery, Rock Creek. Handley Funeral Home, Danville, is in charge of arrangements.

Juanita Hartley, 86, of Huntington died Sept. 7, 2010. Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville. Friends may call one hour prior to service. Burial will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.

Betty L. Huscusson, 86, formerly of Beckley died Sept. 7, 2010. Service will be 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Rose & Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley. Friends may call one hour prior to service. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity.

James T. Jeffries, 86, of Fayetteville died Sept. 7, 2010. Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at High Lawn Funeral Chapel, Oak Hill. Friends may call 2 hours prior to service.

Henry C. “Hank” Keeling died Tuesday, September 1, 2010, at Hubbard Hospice House.

He was born in St. Albans on September 4, 1923, and was the son of the late Alma Mynes Keeling and Henry C. Keeling.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He then studied art at the Pratt Institute, the Art Students League, and the Brooklyn Museum of Art, all in New York City, and at Marshall University. He was a student of German abstract expressionist artist Hans Hofmann at the world-renowned Hans Hofmann School and studied with artists Leo Manso and Victor Kandell at workshops in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

He was employed by various businesses in New York City and Charleston before beginning a long teaching career at the University of Charleston. He was a strong force in molding the careers of many local artists as well as in the West Virginia art community.

He was preceded in death by his partner of 67 years, Felix Krasyk.

Family members include nephews, Fred Keeling of Fishersville, Virginia, and his wife, Tena, Dannie Keeling of Dickson, Tennessee, and Billie Keeling of Naples, Florida; as well as grandnieces and -nephews, Doug and Margie Keeling, Stacy Keeling, John and Mandy Byrd and Chris and Monica Byrd.

He was given much joy, care and comfort by his dear friends, Steve and Sarah Sawicki, Mark and Donna Moore and Joyce Moore.

Memorial service in Hank's honor will be conducted by the Rev. Steve Sawicki at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, September 12, at the Aquarian Universal Spiritualist (AUS) Church, 429 Third Ave., South Charleston.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston, WV 25312.

You may send condolences to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.

Barbara L. Long, 77, of Crooked Creek died Sept. 7, 2010. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at Central United Baptist Church, Logan. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the church. James Funeral Home, Logan, is in charge of arrangements.

Raymond L. Nugen II, 27, of Shady Spring died Sept. 7, 2010. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at Rose & Quesenberry Funeral Home, Shady Spring. Friends may call three hours prior to service. Burial will be in Okes Cemetery, Ellison Ridge.

Edward L. Peeks, 90, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, at home, after a courageous battle with prostate cancer.

He was born in Unabilla, Ga., the son of Rosa and Ed Peeks. After the seven years of public education which was the maximum that was afforded for blacks in Dooly County, Georgia, he finished high school at the Gillespie-Seldon Institute that was built and supported by the Presbytery, U.S.A. He attended the Catholic sponsored Xavier University, New Orleans, La., on a two-year scholarship, after which, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 366th Infantry Division with the Buffalo Soldiers in Italy, where he attained the rank of First Lieutenant and was honorably discharged in 1945.

He completed his education under the G.I. Bill and earned a B.A. in English and History from Roosevelt College, Chicago, Ill., and an M.A. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.

His career brought him from The Atlanta Daily World, the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Afro-American newspapers to The Charleston (WV) Gazette, from which he retired as business/labor editor in 1985.

He would often state that, "the height of his career was to work for a publisher W.E. "Ned" Chilton III who wasn't afraid of the Devil or J. Edgar Hoover and his F.B.I." His book, "The Long Struggle for Black Power", was published by Scribner and Sons in 1970.

He attended Riverview Baptist Church. Ed was a lifelong member of the NAACP, a pledged contributor to the Southern Poverty Law Center, (SPLC) and also served 20 years on the Board of Directors for The Salvation Army.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Eddye Mae and Ruth.

His survivors include his wife, Eulalia (Yankee) of 40 years; daughter, Quetta Muzzle; sons, Walter and John M. Rogers; five grandsons, Edward (Pete) Straughter, Johnathan and Jason Rogers, Allen Muzzle, and Nathan Williams; great-great granddaughters, Brittany Ross and Chante' Straughter; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010 at Grace Bible Church, 800 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston, W.Va., where the family will greet friends from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral at 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that contributions to be made to Hope Community Development Corp., in care of Grace Bible Church and the Garnet Foundation Alumni Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 864 Charleston, WV 25323.

The family offers thanks to HospiceCare, the Veterans Administration and Kanawha Valley Senior Services, with special gratitude to their caregiver, Sandy Simms.

Kenneth A. “Kenny” Poe Jr., 69, of Charleston passed away on September 5, 2010, at home. He had been in failing health for several years.

Kenny was a retired car salesman and made many friends over the years through his work.

He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth A. Poe Sr.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Mary M. Poe; son, Allen (Kim) Poe of Ripley; daughter, Jamie Poe of Destin, Florida; brother, Eugene (Sylvia) Poe of Scott Depot; sister, Dee Dee (David) Walls of Hurricane; sister, Lucille (John) Lutz of Charleston; granddaughters, Lindsey and Briana Poe of Ripley, Hunter Edge and Alexis Fredrick of Destin, Florida; stepgranddaughter, Ashley Bird; niece, Darla Pence; nephews, Dwight Walls, John Lutz Jr. and Bill Lutz; and several great-nieces and -nephew, Special friends, Sherry Goff, Julie Dawson and Kaylee, and Jenna Truslow and son, L.J., also survive.

A service to honor the life of Kenneth “Kenny” Poe Jr. will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, September 10, at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, with the Rev. Rick Perrine officiating. There will be no graveside services.

Family and friends may visit from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memories of Kenny may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary icon.

Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.

Beverly A. Simley, 48, of Charleston died Sept. 7, 2010. Elk Funeral Home, Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.

Carlton Revere Spicer Jr., 65, died September 2, 2010, at his home in Fredericksburg, Va., following an extended illness.

He worked as an educator for 40 years.

According to his wishes, his body was donated for research and organ recovery to the University of Maryland Anatomical Registry.

Mr. Spicer was born October 23, 1944, in Gauley Bridge. He graduated from Gauley Bridge High School and Glenville State College and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He earned his master's degree in education administration from West Virginia University. He taught business, coached high school basketball, and served as a school principal in Fayette County. He also served as a school administrator at Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley. Carlton served as a facilitator with the North Central Accreditation Commission for the West Virginia Board of Education. After moving to Fredericksburg in 2000, Mr. Spicer served as a high school administrator at Chancellor High School and Riverbend High School in Spotsylvania County. He retired in 2007. During his retirement years, he enjoyed working at Macy's.

Carlton was a Christian who loved God and considered his family his greatest blessing. He was a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Fredericksburg.

Carlton was an avid sports fan. He excelled in track and basketball, having played in high school and college. His ability to run and score earned him multiple awards. He was also an accomplished drummer, earning all-state recognition in high school.

Mr. Spicer was preceded in death by his parents, Carlton and Grace Spicer; his sisters, Betty Kania and Doris Waldeck; his brother, James Spicer; and his niece, Jennifer Vincent.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rebekah; children, Johna Rutledge, Grace Synan and her husband, Clay, and Carlton Revere "Chip" Spicer III. He has four grandchildren, Jordyn, Judson, Jaren, and Brooks. In addition, he is survived by siblings, JoAnn Vincent, Marita Reed and her husband, Tom, and Steve Spicer and his wife, Carole. He is also survived by his brothers in-law, Joe Kania and Bill Waldeck; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family received visitors at their home on from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 7.

A memorial service in his honor will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 W. Evergreen Ave., Suite 303, Chicago, IL 60642.

Violet M. Teter, 93, of Point Pleasant died Sept. 7, 2010. Graveside service will be in the Teter family cemetery, Point Pleasant. There will be no visitation. Deal Funeral Home, Point Pleasant, is in charge of arrangements.

Gloria Thomas, 65, of Oak Hill died Sept. 7, 2010. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at High Lawn Funeral Chapel, Oak Hill. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Mabel W. Walker, 87 of Campbells Creek died Sept. 7, 2010. Stevens & Grass Funeral Home, Malden, is in charge of arrangements.

Denvis Williams, 56, of Omar died Sept. 4, 2010. The body will be cremated. There will be no service at this time. Honaker Funeral Home, Logan, is in charge of arrangements.

Harry T. Zika, 95, of Charleston died Sept. 7, 2010. Harding Funerals & Cremations, Kanawha City, is in charge of arrangements.