1. Stafford Funeral Home; Lynco, WV; Posted Obit.
"With heavy but grateful hearts, we announce the passing of Karen Lyn Akers Mathis, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. In her lifetime, Karen was distinguished by her devotional love to family. Her love for her grandchildren was magical and was visible in everything she did. She was the foundation of her family and an example of what we can all aspire to be. Her faith in the Lord leads us to cling to Him for comfort, in her absence, and know that we will be back together someday. Knowing that she is hugging her son Ronald, Jr., once again, is the ultimate consolation. Aside from family, Karen’s other love was teaching. She held a bachelor’s degree in education from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in education from West Virginia University. In Colorado, she taught Spanish but made a switch when she moved back to West Virginia in 1980. She became a kindergarten teacher at Berlin McKinney Elementary School, where she taught for 28 years. Her impact on tiny minds was significant, as she led with kindness and valued shaping children’s educational futures. Encountering her former students while running errands in town was one of her favorite things. Karen is preceded in death by her parents Eugene and Jeanne Akers, brother Dan Akers, as well as her only son, Ronald Mathis, Jr. Karen sis survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Ronald Mathis. They shared a love that started out with a wink at a football game, included quite a colorful story, and grew to include years of devotion to each other and their family. Also left to cherish her memory are her daughter-in-law, Jennifer Mathis and grandchildren Christin Young (Adam), Kelsey Mathis (Tyus Wood), Trey Mathis (Rachel, and Zack Mathis (Katie). She was a proud great-grandma to Kalyn Diegert, Miles Young, Delaney Wood, Karter Wood, and Clayton Mathis. Karen is also survived by brother Bill Akers (Sandy) and Mark Akers (Carla) as well as a host of close extended family, and friends. A funeral mass will be held at noon on Monday, June 8th, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in South Charleston, WV with visitation at 11 am. There will also be a celebration of life from 4-6 pm on Wednesday, June 10th in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Karen’s honor to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the Catholic Charities of West Virginia. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV."
1. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"Ronald “Buck” Hughes 77, of Avondale, WV, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at his home."Born on January 10, 1949, in Beartown, West Virginia, he was a son of the late Carl and Dona Addair Hughes.
"Buck was a proud Vietnam Veteran, having honorably served his country in the United States Army. Following his military service, he worked as a coal miner, dedicating many years to providing for his family through hard work and perseverance. More than anything, Buck loved the Lord with all his heart. His faith was the foundation of his life, and he found great joy in worshiping and singing in church. He was known for his kind spirit, strong faith, and unwavering love for his family. He also enjoyed golfing and treasured the time he spent with those he loved most.
"In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Ray Hughes, Roy Hughes, Raymond Hughes, and Roger Hughes, and his sister, Shirley Faye.
"Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 51 years, Rosetta Hughes, of the home; his daughter, Misty Shortt and husband Jim of Claypool Hill, Virginia; his grandsons, Cody Jewell and wife Chloe of Bluefield, Virginia, and Chase Jewell of Baptist Valley, Virginia; his brother, Ralph Hughes of Bland, Virginia; his sisters, Barbara Ann Pruitt of Bland, Virginia, Louise Brown of Lewis, Delaware, Lucille Russell of Elkton, Maryland, and Della Hatfield of Iaeger, West Virginia; and his special cat, Bo Bo. He is also survived by many other family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
"Funeral services will be conducted Monday, June 22, 2026, at 1 o’clock with Reverend Kenny Green and Reverend Johnny Stanley officiating at the Garland Church of the Living God in Garland, WV. Burial will follow in the Riffe Cemetery on Atwell Mountain near Atwell, WV with the VFW Post # 1144 conducting Military graveside rites. Serving as pallbearers will be family and friends.
"Friends may visit with the family Monday, June 22, 2026 at the Garland Church of the Living God 12 o’clock until the time of service at 1 o’clock.
"Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger is assisting the family.
"Online condolences may be sent to the family at fanningfuneralhomes.com"
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Junior Poca; E.D. 24-40; taken on 28 Apr
1948; Page 794B; Image 28 of 36; Household #185.
Listed as Leland Hall; age 23; born in WV; married; 1 yr HS education; lived in McDowell Co, WV on
1 Apr 1935; brakeman in coal mine; head of household.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 218; WV Archives Website.
Clarence Leland Hall; age 32; born at Capels, WV; widower; living at Havaco, WV; married on 5 May
1949 at Wilcoe, WV; Lucille, Mae Freeman; age 25; born in Johnson City, TN; divorced; living at
Havaco, WV.
3. FindAgrave.com Website; submitted by Donna Butler Sheaffer; 29 Sep 2010; maintained by Memory
Treasurer.
"Clarence Leland Hall
Birth 8 May 1916
Capels, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 8 Aug 1995 (aged 79)
Landisville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial Millersville Mennonite Cemetery
Millersville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA
Memorial ID 59409855"Additional Information Posted:
"C. Leland Hall, 79, who lived at 1329 Timothy Drive, Landisville, died August 8, 1995 at Lancaster General Hospital after a brief illness."A Lancaster resident since 1958, he formerly was employed by John G. Stumpf Inc., Brubaker Motors, Jones Pontiac and Fred F. Grofflnc. He was a member of First Assembly of God Church, Lancaster.
"Born in Capels, W.Va., he retired in 1957 from Consolidated Coal Co., located in Capels and Havaco, W.Va. He was the son of James H. and Laura Miller Hall.
"Survived by his wife Doris M. Hall; sons, Thomas L., Lloyd N. and Ken Alexander; daughters, Phyllis J. (James R) Compton, Marcella (Gerald R) Cain and Terry S. Rauls; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren."
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 218; WV Archives Website.
Clarence Leland Hall; age 32; born at Capels, WV; widower; living at Havaco, WV; married on 5 May
1949 at Wilcoe, WV; Lucille, Mae Freeman; age 25; born in Johnson City, TN; divorced; living at
Havaco, WV.
2. "Intelligencer Journal"; Lancaster, PA; Monday; 3 Feb 1975; Newspapers.com Website.
Mrs. Lucille M. Hall, 507 Hill St, Mount Joy, died at 10;25 p.m. Friday at Lancaster General Hospital
after an illness of three months. She was 52...."
3. FindAgrave.com Website; submitted by Donna Butler Sheaffer; 29 Sep 2010; maintained by Memory
Treasurer.
"Lucille Mae Freeman Hall
Birth 1922
Death 1975 (aged 52–53)
Burial Millersville Mennonite Cemetery
Millersville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA
Memorial ID 59409864"
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Junior Poca; E.D. 24-40; taken on 28 Apr
1948; Page 794B; Image 28 of 36; Household #185.
Listed as Leland Hall; age 23; born in WV; married; 1 yr HS education; lived in McDowell Co, WV on
1 Apr 1935; brakeman in coal mine; head of household.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 218; WV Archives Website.
Clarence Leland Hall; age 32; born at Capels, WV; widower; living at Havaco, WV; married on 5 May
1949 at Wilcoe, WV; Lucille, Mae Freeman; age 25; born in Johnson City, TN; divorced; living at
Havaco, WV.
3. FindAgrave.com Website; submitted by Donna Butler Sheaffer; 29 Sep 2010; maintained by Memory
Treasurer.
"Clarence Leland Hall
Birth 8 May 1916
Capels, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 8 Aug 1995 (aged 79)
Landisville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial Millersville Mennonite Cemetery
Millersville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA
Memorial ID 59409855"Additional Information Posted:
"C. Leland Hall, 79, who lived at 1329 Timothy Drive, Landisville, died August 8, 1995 at Lancaster General Hospital after a brief illness."A Lancaster resident since 1958, he formerly was employed by John G. Stumpf Inc., Brubaker Motors, Jones Pontiac and Fred F. Grofflnc. He was a member of First Assembly of God Church, Lancaster.
"Born in Capels, W.Va., he retired in 1957 from Consolidated Coal Co., located in Capels and Havaco, W.Va. He was the son of James H. and Laura Miller Hall.
"Survived by his wife Doris M. Hall; sons, Thomas L., Lloyd N. and Ken Alexander; daughters, Phyllis J. (James R) Compton, Marcella (Gerald R) Cain and Terry S. Rauls; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren."
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 219; WV Archives Website.
Carlos Ellery Phillips; age 24; born in Innam, VA; single; living at Maitland, WV; married on 6 May
1949 in Welch, WV; Nina Mae Fitch, age 23; born in Hurley, VA; single; living in Welch, WV.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 219; WV Archives Website.
Carlos Ellery Phillips; age 24; born in Innam, VA; single; living at Maitland, WV; married on 6 May
1949 in Welch, WV; Nina Mae Fitch, age 23; born in Hurley, VA; single; living in Welch, WV.
1. Pittsylvania Co, VA; Marriage License #9375; Ancestry.com Website.
A.G. Tarpley; age 18; born in Pittsylvania Co, VA; single; colored; truck driver; living in Danville, VA;
son of Scott and Leanner (Towler) Tarpley; married on 14 Apr 1945 in Chatham, VA; Letitia Hairston;
age 16; born in Pittsylvania Co, VA; single; colored; living in Chatham, VA; daughter of Theo and Jesse
(Wilson) Hairston.
2. Pittsylvania Co, VA; Divorce Decree #1531; 20 Mar 1949; Ancestry.com Website.
A,G. Tarpley; age 22; born in Pittsylvania Co, VA; colored; works for furniture store; living at Rt 1,
Martinsville, VA; was granted a divorce from Leticia Hairston Tarpley; age 20; born and living in
Pittsylvania Co, VA; housewife; colored; marriage occurred 14 Apr 1945 at Chatham, VA; seperated
occurred in September 1945; one minor child; $30.00/mo granted for support of child; grounds,
desertion by mother..
3. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 220; WV Archives Website.
A.G. Tarpley; age 22; born and living in Filbert, WV; single; colored; married on 16 May 1949 in
Filbert, WV; Kitty Hairston; age 21; born in Henry Co, VA; single; colored; living at Gary, WV.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 220; WV Archives Website.
A.G. Tarpley; age 22; born and living in Filbert, WV; single; colored; married on 16 May 1949 in
Filbert, WV; Kitty Hairston; age 21; born in Henry Co, VA; single; colored; living at Gary, WV.