Randall N. Ashcraft
SHINNSTON -- Randall Neal Ashcraft, 59, of Tempe, Ariz., died suddenly at 11:46 a.m. Monday, May 7, 2001, at the home of his mother in Wallace.
He was born Dec. 12, 1941, in Wallace, a son of Marjorie Ashcraft Ashcraft Dye and the late Ezra Randall Ashcraft.
Surviving is his wife, Suzanne Peterson Ashcraft, whom he married Sept. 25, 1964.
Also surviving are three daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa Ann Smithson, Mesa, Ariz., Lori Lynette and Darin Gene Nebeker, Layton, Utah, Linda Marae and Aaron Mason, Tempe, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren; one brother and sister-in-law, Roger Kelly and Lana Ashcraft, Tickfaw, La.; one sister and brother-in-law, Zeretha and John Ritchey, Mansfield, Ohio; several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Ashcraft was a computer analyst for the Motorola Co. with 27 years service. He was a 1959 graduate of Wallace High School and an active member of the Boy Scouts of America.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a member and very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Lakeshore 2nd Ward in Tempe.
Friends will be received from 6-9 p.m. today at Dorsey Funeral Home, Shinnston. The funeral service will be held on Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, Lakeshore 2nd Ward, Tempe. Interment will follow in Tempe.
Donald Berman
CLARKSBURG -- Donald Berman, 73, a resident of 417 East Main St., Clarksburg, died Monday, May 7, 2001, at Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa.
The owner of Mister B's Big and Tall Store, Mr. Berman was a prominent Clarksburg businessman.
He was born in Clarksburg, March 6, 1928, a son of the late Jacob Berman and Florence Rosenshine Berman.
Surviving is his wife, Marcia Samuels Berman, whom he married May 13, 1963.
Also surviving are one son, Martin Berman, Charleston; one daughter, Janice Berman, Arlington, Mass.; one brother and sister-in-law, Harry J. and Florence Berman, Maplewood, Bridgeport; nephews, Steven Berman, Huntington, N.Y., Robert Berman, Blue Bell, Pa., Richard Berman, Kalamazoo, Mich., Michael Samuels, Alexandria, Va., and Rob Samuels, Fairfax, Va.; nieces, Deborah Posner, Bethesda, Md., Steffe Scherer, Chicago, Ill., Tammara Alquist, Chicago, Ill., Susan Muck, San Francisco, Calif., and Tobi Bradshaw, State College, Pa.; brothers-in-law, Judge George Samuels, Burke, Va., Joseph Samuels, Silver Spring, Md., and Maurice Samuels, Chicago, Ill.
He was also preceded in death by his twin brother, Gerrard Berman.
Mr. Berman was educated at Carlisle Grade School, Central Junior High School and Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg. He then graduated magna cum laude from Ohio State University.
Following his formal education years he joined the family business, The Workingmans Store. Upon the retirement of his father, Jacob Berman, he became president of the landmark Harrison County retail clothing store. After the closing of the Workingmans Store he opened his own store, Mister B's Big and Tall Store.
Mr. Berman was a member and past president of Tree of Life Synagogue, where he also had served as cantor and board member. He was devoted to the Tree of Life Synagogue, became the leader of the Jewish Community, serving Clarksburg, Bridgeport, Elkins and various other communities in Central West Virginia.
He was a lifelong member of B'nai B'rith, serving as president of both Clarksburg and the West Virginia Councils.
An ardent advocate of human rights and unity, he gave several educational discourses on Judaism to members of many Christian churches, mostly at the Tree of Life Synagogue.
Friends will be received at the Davis-Weaver Funeral Home, 329 East Main St., Clarksburg, from 7-9 p.m. today. Rabbi Chuck Diamond of Congregation Beth Shalom, Pittsburgh, Pa., will conduct a funeral service in the funeral home at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Interment will be in the Jewish Memorial Cemetery, Bridgeport, following which the family will receive friends at the Tree of Life Synagogue Community Center, West Pike Street, Clarksburg.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that expressions of sympathy be memorial contributions to the Jacob and Florence Berman Jewish Heritage Fund or to the Tree of Life Synagogue.
Davis-Weaver Funeral Home, Clarksburg, is in charge of arrangements.
Timothy L. Brinkley
SPARR, Fla. -- Timothy L. Brinkley, 53, of Sparr, died Sunday, May 6, 2001, in an automobile accident near Ocala, Fla.
He was born May 27, 1947, in Clarksburg, W.Va., a son of Velma Douglas Brinkley, Nutter Fort, and the late Paul Brinkley, who preceded him in death in August 1999.
Also surviving are two daughters, Krista and Jessica Brinkley, both of Bridgeport; one son, Michael Brinkley, Sparr, and one brother, Barry Brinkley, Seminole, Fla.
Mr. Brinkley was a 1965 graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School and a 1965 graduate of Alderson-Broaddus College.
He was a teacher and coached basketball and golf at North Marion High School in Ocala.
A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church, Ocala. Burial will follow. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Roosevelt-Wilson High School Gymnasium.
Rodger D. Broadstone
CLARKSBURG -- Rodger Dale Broadstone, 51, of 614 Hart St., Clarksburg, died at 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2001, at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center.
He was born in Harrison County, Jan. 16, 1950, a son of the late Leonard Broadstone and Virginia Howell Broadstone.
Surviving is his wife, Fay Pumphery Broadstone, whom he married Jan. 5, 2000.
Also surviving are two sons, Roger Broadstone, Elkins, and James Broadstone, Clarksburg; one daughter, Marsha Wasilewski, Lincoln Park, Mich.; three stepchildren, Jamie Yeager and Harold Yeager Jr., both of Clarksburg, and Samantha Yeager, Clarksburg; three brothers, Gary Broadstone, Warren, Ohio, Tommy Randall, Clarksburg, and Stephen Broadstone, Detroit, Mich.; eight sisters, Mrs. James (Alice) Moore, Mrs. Robert (Linda) Cano and Mrs. David (Tammy) Watson, all of Clarksburg, Mrs. Raymond (Dorothy) Atwood, Cleveland, Ohio, Mrs. Robert (Sharon) Stawicki, Brook Park, Ohio, Mrs. Benjamin (Shirley) Floyd, Wallace, Patricia Freeman, Ohio, and Mrs. John (Pamela) Byrd, Novelty, Ohio; one stepsister, Clara Jo Allman, Clarksburg; seven grandchildren, Kerston, Kenneth and Kyle Wasilewski, Heaven Broadstone, Trevor Moore, Mystic and Cody Broadstone; several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by two sisters and four brothers.
Mr. Broadstone was formerly employed at Continental Can Corp. and Anchor Hocking. He was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and had also served in Germany.
The funeral service will be conducted in the funeral home at 1 p.m. today, with the Rev. Delores White presiding. Interment will follow in West Virginia National Cemetery, Pruntytown.
Lessie G. Clennix
CLARKSBURG -- Lessie Gay Collins McVaney Clennix, 102, of Elk Avenue, Stonewood, died Saturday, May 5, 2001, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg.
Together with her husband, Mrs. Clennix owned and operated Norwood Garage on Buckhannon Pike in Nutter Fort for 40 years.
She was born in Sand Fork, Sept. 15, 1898, a daughter of the late Luther E. and Irena Howell Collins.
Twice married, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Thurman McVaney, on May 28, 1928, whom she married March 19, 1916, and also her second husband, John P. Clennix, on Feb. 9, 1991, whom she married Sept. 22, 1930.
Surviving are one niece, Freda Davis, Columbus, Ohio, and several additional nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by one infant son, Harold William; three brothers, Charles, Wayne and Duffy Collins, and one sister, Ersie Lynch.
Mrs. Clennix was a member of Quiet Dell United Methodist Church, where she was a past treasurer and also a member of the United Methodist Women.
She was a charter member of the Nutter Fort Woman's Club and the Clarksburg Stamp Club.
Friends will be received at the Davis Funeral Home, One Olen Thomas Drive, Route 98, Clarksburg, from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mary Ellen Finegan officiating. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.
John R. Courtney
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. -- John Robert "Bob" Courtney, 79, of Port Orange, Fla., died Saturday, May 5, 2001, at Ormond Beach Memorial Hospital, Ormond Beach, Fla.
He was born Feb. 2, 1922, in Fairmont, the eldest child of the late Grace McIntire Courtney and Amos Harold Courtney.
Surviving is his wife of 54 years, Mary Jo Snyder Courtney.
Also surviving are one sister, Alice Jane VanGilder, Shinnston; one niece and two great-nieces, Laura VanGilder Miller, Courtney and Carly Miller, Bridgeport.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Fleming and Amos Eugene "Gene" Courtney and one sister, Virginia Ruth Courtney.
Mr. Courtney was retired from the U.S. Postal Service in Fairmont. He was a veteran of World War II and a recipient of the Purple Heart.
He was a graduate of Shinnston High School and was Methodist.
Interment will be in Volusia Memorial Gardens, Ormond Beach, Fla.
Edith Gay Dotson
WEST UNION -- Edith Gay Dotson, 84, of Parkersburg, died Sunday, May 6, 2001, at Willows Nursing Home, Parkersburg.
She was born Feb. 28, 1917, in West Union, a daughter of the late Oscar B. and Maude G. Perine Bonnell.
Her husband, Francis H. "Friz" Dotson, preceded her in death.
Surviving are two daughters, Connie Griffith, Parkersburg, and Barbara Epply, Waterford, Ohio; one sister, Violet Doak, and one brother, Paul "Bub" Bonnell, both of West Union; five grandchildren, Angela Stewart, Columbus, Ohio, Mark Griffith, Belpre, Ohio, Tammi Weigand, Findlay, Ohio, Scott Milner and Lori Milner, both of Waterford, Ohio; and three great-grandchildren, Taylor Stewart and Joe Stewart, both of Columbus, and Todd Griffith, Belpre.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Page and Bob Bonnell.
Mrs. Dotson was a homemaker. She was a member of Bible Baptist Church, Parkersburg.
Rena M. Godfrey
FLATWOODS -- Rena Mae Godfrey, 73, of Copen, died Sunday, May 6, 2001, at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, Weston, following a brief illness.
She was born Aug. 2, 1927, in Copen, a daughter of the late Ernest Carl Huffman and Ida Riffle Huffman.
Her husband, Gordie L. Godfrey, preceded her in death July 10, 1997.
Surviving are one daughter, Linda Smith and her husband, Johnny, Copen; two sons, Johnny Godfrey and his wife, Brenda, Ripley, and Richard Godfrey, Copen; three sisters, Bonnie Riffle, Copen, Mary Keller, Lynn, and Martha Godfrey, Burnsville; three brothers, Carl and Raymond Huffman, both of Copen, James and Russell Huffman, both of Cedarville, and Chester Huffman, Gem; five grandchildren, Jonathan, Samantha, Justin, Jami and Joni; one great-grandchild, Dylan Singleton.
Mrs. Godfrey was a homemaker and member of Copen United Methodist Church.
Myrtle C. Green
GRAFTON -- Myrtle Collins Green, 89, formerly of Stealey, Clarksburg, died Saturday, May 5, 2001, in Ohio following an extended illness.
She was born March 23, 1912, in Freed, a daughter of the late Seth R. and Iva Duvall Collins.
Her husband, James E. Green, whom she married July 10, 1983, preceded her in death.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Mason W. and Jean Green, Columbia Station, Ohio, and daughter-in-law, Carolyn Green, Quiet Dell; seven grandchildren, Warren Green, Quiet Dell, Cheryl Posey, Nashville, Tenn., Sheila Hartley, Fairmont, Rebecca Underwood/Green, Dunmore, Debra Gray, James Green and Misty Abbey, both of Ohio; nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; two brothers, Jesse R. Collins and Joe Collins; and one sister, Marguerite Hardman, Ohio.
She was also preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.
Mrs. Green was a member of Stealey United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Queen Esther Chapter No. 11, Order of Eastern Star, and the Harrison County Senior Citizen.
She had been employed for a number of years by the W.T. Grant Co. and worked 15 years as an agent for the former Helmick Insurance Agency.
Phyllis C. James
GLENVILLE -- Phyllis Carol James, 57, of Glenville, died Saturday, May 5, 2001, at her residence following an extended illness.
She was born Feb. 17, 1944, in Gilmer County, a daughter of the late Almond Wilson and Allie Beall James.
Surviving are several cousins.
Miss James was a retired school teacher in Lewis and Gilmer counties. She was a graduate of Normantown High School in 1961.
She attended and graduated from Glenville State College in 1965 with her A.B. degree in elementary education.
Miss James was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, Iota Chapter and a member of the West Virginia Education Association. She was a member of Lower Steer Run Missionary Baptist Church, Normantown.
William T. Johnston
GRAFTON -- William Terry Johnston, 49, of West Boyd Street, Grafton, died Friday, May 4, 2001, at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center, Clarksburg, following an extended illness.
He was born in Grafton, June 3, 1951, a son of Leo Chester Johnston, Grafton, and the late Evelyn Ables Harris.
His wife, Norma Jean Johnston, preceded him in death April 29, 2000.
Also surviving are one daughter, Dawn Michelle Moleins and husband, William J., Browns Mills, N.J.; one son, Isaac Sean Johnston, Bath, Maine; two grandsons, Colin and Billy Moleins, Browns Mills, N.J.; one brother, Michael Johnston, Odessa, Fla.; two sisters, Lisa Clinnard, Tampa, Fla., and Kathy Downey, Odessa.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, Tom Clinnard.
Mr. Johnston was a retired Air Force veteran having served as an Aerospace Maintenance Craftsman, a member of Post No. 3081, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Grafton, and Grafton Masonic Lodge No. 15, Order of Scottish Rite.
A service of remembrance will be conducted at the convenience of the family. At Mr. Johnston's request his body was cremated.
Bartlett Funeral Home, Grafton, is in charge of arrangements.
Edna E. McCumbers
GLENVILLE -- Edna Ernie Hardway McCumbers, 94, of Spencer, formerly of Glenville, died Monday, May 7, 2001, at Miletree Health Care Center, Spencer, following an extended illness.
She was born in Gip, Braxton County, Oct. 2, 1906, a daughter of the late James Anis and Rebecca Vaughan Hardway.
On Feb. 2, 1924, she married Thomas Andrew McCumbers, who preceded her in death Jan. 3, 1992.
Surviving are one daughter, Miss Edith Florence McCumbers, Spencer; one daughter, Velma F. Norman, Glenville; one son, Rondle Lee McCumbers, Letter Gap and daughter-in-law, Voilet "Kathy" West, Spencer; one son, Preston V. McCumbers Sr. and wife, Hazel, Burnsville; son-in-law, Haymon Cottrill, Glenville; one sister, Icie Criner and one brother, Emory Hardway; 37 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Vera Mae Cottrill; one daughter, Thelma Gay and son-in-law, William David Low; son-in-law, Walter J. Norman; four grandsons, Gary David Low, Melvin Low, Preston V. McCumbers Jr. and H. Lynn Cottrill; one granddaughter, Sandra Faye Low and one great-grandson, Frederick Leroy Craigh; two sisters, Cora Hardway Tanner and Olie Hardway See; seven brothers, Chris Dempsi, Okey, Matt, Lonnie, Dessie and Clydie Hardway.
Mrs. McCumbers was a retired hospital cook and homemaker. She was Baptist.
The Rev. Alma L. Sandridge
BELINGTON -- The Rev. Alma Lee Sandridge, 65, of 510 Southern Ave., Stonewood, formerly of Route 1, Belington, died at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 6, 2001, at her home following an extended illness.
She was born March 23, 1936, in Wendel, Taylor County, a daughter of the late Clarence and Mary Ethel Marteney McCauley.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond B. Sandridge, on Aug. 24, 1982, and one precious grandson, Timothy Lee Bosely II, on Sept. 27, 2000.
Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Roland (Patty Ann) Nelson, Bridgeport, Mrs. Peggy Jo Campbell, Belington, Mrs. Kevin (Penny Sue) Price and Mrs. Tim (Michelle Diana) Bosely, both of Belington; one son, Ricky Ray Sandridge and wife, Fay, Belington; one stepson, Raymond B. Sandridge Jr. and wife, Barbara, Kerens; three sisters, Margurite Ball, Toledo, Ohio, Louise House, Canton, Virginia Benedict, Deer Park, Texas; 13 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren and four stepgreat-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by three sisters, Geneva Poling, Genevieve Sigley and Dorothy Jean McCauley and three brothers, James McCauley, Paul McCauley and Ronald McCauley.
The Rev. Sandridge was a homemaker and an Evangelistic minister. She had formerly pastored the Hunter's Fork Full Gospel Church and the Highland Park Full Gospel Church.
Derek J. Shomo
PHILIPPI -- Derek James Shomo, 18, a resident of Route 1, Philippi, passed away Saturday morning, May 5, 2001, as a result of a hunting accident.
He was born March 11, 1983 in Elkins, a son of "Butch Shomo, Philippi, and Kelli L. Ketchem Shomo, Philippi.
He was united in marriage July 5, 2000, to the former Deanna Leigh Johnson, who survives.
Also surviving are one son, Tyler James Shomo, at home; one sister, Rachelle Lynn "Shelly" Shomo, Philippi; his stepmother, Joanne Swecker Shomo, Philippi; his paternal grandparents, Luther and Connie Weese, Belington; his maternal grandmother, Glenna Ketchem, Philippi; his maternal grandfather and stepgrandmother, William and Elsie Ketchem, Philippi; his maternal great-grandmother, Mary Eva Ketchem, Philippi; his maternal great-grandfather, Donald James Delauder, Philippi; his stepgrandmother, Edith Corder, Philippi.
Mr. Shomo was a member of the senior class of Philip Barbour High School, National Honor Society and Philip Barbour Baseball Team.
He was a three-year letterman and a member of the Future Farmers of America where he served as vice president.
He played basketball his freshman year at the school and played in the Jerry West League and City of Philippi League. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and attended the Southern Baptist Church of Philippi.
