Betty Hughes
Betty Carol Hughes, 79, of South Charleston, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2026.
Born in Charleston, West Virginia, on July 14, 1947, to the late Alfred Earl Jones and Evangeline B. Jones, Betty dedicated her life to her family, her students, and her community. A passionate educator, she shared her love for life skills, cooking, and crafting as a Home Economics and Foods teacher at Stonewall Jackson High School and later at Capital High School. Over her career, she touched the lives of countess students and built lifelong, cherished friendships with her fellow teachers.
Betty was known for having the biggest heart, and her door was truly always open. Her home was a constant gathering place, frequently filled with laughter, conversation, and visits from neighbors and friends. A master of both the sewing machine and the crochet hook, she brought warmth and creativity into everything she made. Above all, she dearly loved her family and had a lifelong affection for all of her cats.
Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kessell Ray Hughes Jr., and her parents.
She is survived by her loving sons, Brandon Hughes and Marshal Hughes; her cherished grandsons, Eli Hughes and Owen Hughes; her brother, David Jones; and her sister, Barbara Skews; her cousin, Shirl Lake, along with many extended family members, former students, and dear friends who will miss her dearly.
A service to Honor the Life of Betty will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday October 30, 2026 at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston. A processional and graveside service will follow, with interment at Cunningham Memorial Park in St. Albans, West Virginia. Friends may visit from Noon until service time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Betty’s memory to the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association.
Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home.
Betty Jane Jones
Betty Jane Jones, 92, of Charleston, WV passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2026 at Sweetbriar Assisted Living following a long courageous battle with illnesses.
She was born August 21, 1934 in Corrine, WV and was the daughter of the late Jesse Lawrence Perdue and Margaret Emiline Bane Perdue.
Preceded in death by her husband Charles Edward Jones, sister Marie Bunda, brothers Lonnie, Charley and Herschel Perdue.
She is survived by a brother, Gene (Drema) Perdue; sister in-law Scarlet Perdue and cousin Gary Perdue and children.
Betty and Charles spent 57 loving years together and had one daughter Sharon Lynn Casto. Five Grandchildren Arden (Michelle) Casto with several great grandchildren. Asher Lee Casto and Hayden Jones Casto. Including other grandchildren Clint Bruce and Justin all of Charleston. Dr. Zachary (Alayna) Casto of Dallas, TX.
Betty worked at Stone & Thomas for 35 years in Charleston, she attended Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Charleston.
She was a lady of many admirable traits. Her strength and perseverance stand for all that knew her. A wonderful mother and grandmother that will be greatly missed.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Justin Cohen, Cancer Center, The Sweetbriar and staff. Also, Arden Casto who supported his grandmother greatly.
A visitation with the family will be held Saturday, October 24th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Snodgrass Funeral Home.
Graveside service will follow the visitation at Sunset Memorial Park with Pastor Jim Robinson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.
Condolences and memories can be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary.
The services are in the care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston.
Mary Ellen Spencer
Mary Ellen Spencer, 80, of Saint Albans, West Virginia went home to her lord on October 13, 2026. She was born and raised living in South Charleston with her mother, father and 5 siblings. Mary Ellen was a mother, a grandmother, and a friend to many. She was devoted to raising her children, stepchildren, and two grandchildren. She is proceeded in death by her mother Mary Ellen Atkins, Father Johnny Atkins, Daughter Suzette Wilson Bucklen and four of her siblings. She is survived by her loyal husband of 47 years Leonard Spencer, Son Brien Wilson, and grandchildren Kayla and Haley Bucklen; stepchildren, Brandie Spencer and Jason Spencer.
A celebration of Mary Ellen’s life will be held Tuesday, October 20th, 11:00am at Snodgrass Funeral Home with Rev. David Keeney officiating. A visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to bring cards for the family to hold onto through this time of healing.
Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston.
Frank Giardina
Frank Giardina, 72, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2026. He was born October 4, 1954 to Dennis and Leona Giardina in Bluefield, West Virginia. He grew up in a coal mining camp in McDowell County, West Virginia and later moved to Georges Creek in Kanawha County where he graduated from Dupont High School in 1972.
Frank graduated from Marshall University in 1976 and married South Charleston native, Cindy Bess, in 1977 and the couple would have five children together. He was involved in sports journalism for the majority of his career. Some of his stops included being the voice of the Marshall Thundering Herd, the radio voice of the Charleston Charlies (AAA Baseball), television play-by-play for the Cincinnati Reds cable TV with Hall of Fame broadcaster Lindsay Nelson, the radio voice of the East Carolina University Purple Pirates, and an athletics administrator and broadcaster for Penn State University Athletics.
He went on to host Sports Spectrum, a nationally syndicated Christian sports radio show, that aired on Christian radio stations from 2005-2011 and has contributed sports columns to several West Virginia and Pennsylvania newspapers for the last several decades. He was honored with many awards and accolades over his lifetime: Two-time State Sportscaster of the Year, inducted into the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame, inducted into the Marshall University’s W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications Hall of Fame, and the WVSWA 2023 Morehouse Award, just to name a few.
He was, above all else, a natural storyteller. It didn’t matter if he was chatting at the office, relaxing on the couch at home, serving at church, exercising at the YMCA, broadcasting on the radio, or typing away at his latest column. He was drawn to stories of sports, faith, history, and the everyday people of West Virginia—and his favorites wove all four together. He took pride in shining a light on overlooked moments and preserving forgotten tales, but what brought him the most joy was hearing back from readers, particularly those with a personal connection to his work.
Frank never met a stranger. His family and friends always joked that everywhere he went, he found someone he knew or shared a connection with. He is survived by his wife, Cindy, his sister, Denise, his five children, Gabe (Wimberly), Erin Dore (Kevin Dore), Mary (Matt Preston), Anne Polendey (Ryan Polendey), and Jonathan (CJ), along with seven grandchildren, and many other extended family members. He was a devout Christian and an active member of River Ridge Church Teays Valley.
Frank’s family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the nurses and staff at the Putnam Center in Hurricane, WV, for the exceptional and compassionate care they provided him over the last few years.
A service to honor and celebrate Frank’s life will be held on December 19, 2026, at River Ridge Church Teays Valley (1 Saturn Way, Hurricane, WV 25526) with more details to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Marshall University W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications in his honor.
Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston.
Phyllis H. Tuckwiller
Phyllis Tuckwiller, 95, of Lewisburg, WV passed away October 2, 2026.
Phyllis to most, Phyl to some and Mimi to her grandchildren, was born April 12, 1931, in Charleston, WV the only child of the late Myrtle Kinder and Ola Phillip Howerton.
Phyllis’s life strongly revolved around family, friends, music, and real estate. Being an only child, she was fortunate to have a husband who had 6 siblings and a strong heritage in Greenbrier County spanning many generations. They welcomed her with open arms and she with them.
Phyllis was married to Eugene Anthony “Shine” Tuckwiller, Jr. for 42 years until his death in 1996. She was a strong woman who became even stronger with the support of those around her. She spent decades as a homemaker, Sunday school teacher, garden club member, and bridge player. Having 4 young children at home, Phyllis and Shine were long-time leaders of the Central Willing Workers 4-H Club, mentoring many future community and state leaders. Her interest in real estate began in the early 70’s by joining Stuart and Watts Real Estate as a part-time Realtor. She soon became a broker and her business evolved over the years, finishing with Stone Hill Realty located in the center of downtown Lewisburg. Phyllis was frequently seen every Friday having lunch with her friends or visiting around town engaging in conversation with multiple acquaintances without regard to time for which her license plate IBLATE, a gift from her late husband, gave notice. Always fashionably attired, she loved to dance whenever possible and joined the Greenbrier Valley Chorale in her late 80’s singing alto.
Surviving Phyllis are her children, Brad, E.A.” Tony”, III (Victor), Kevin (Nancy), and Pamela (Eric) Nelson, as well as grandchildren Elizabeth (Jeff) Vance, Kinder (Britt) and Leah Tuckwiller; Phillip (Amber), Mark and Jessica (JR Holliday) Tuckwiller, Matt Flood; and Heather (Cory)Gibbs, Tripp (Jess) Nelson and Sydney (Andy) Nelson DiNicola. Thanks to her husband’s family, there are many nieces and nephews and extended family who will miss her as well.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Old Stone Church, 644 Church Street, Lewisburg with the Rev. Julie Olt officiating. Reception to follow afterwards will be announced at the service.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Greenbrier Valley Theatre, State Fair of West Virginia Endowment Fund, or Greenbrier Historical Society.
Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston.
Janet Ruth Westfall
Janet Ruth Westfall, 88, of Charleston, WV passed away peacefully at the Hubbard Hospice House on October 1, 2026.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary “Whitey” Westfall; parents, Paul and Delma Hickman Dorsey.
Janet is survived by her daughters, Sandy Westfall and Susan Westfall Tate; son in law, Bill Tate; and “grand dog” Louis Tate.
Janet was a graduate of Gassaway High School and earned her Bachelor’s degree in education from West Virginia University. Janet enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and her neighbors. She was an avid bridge player, a game she enjoyed since college.
A celebration of life ceremony will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janet’s name to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., West, Charleston, WV 25387-2536 or to Mountaineer Food Bank, 484 Enterprise Drive, Gassaway, WV 26624.
Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, WV.
Patsy Dent Akers
Patsy Dent Akers, 89, passed away September 24, 2026 at Hubbard Hospice House.
She was a lifelong resident of South Charleston and a graduate of SCHS class of 1955. She was a long-time member of the First Church of God in Spring Hill and a dedicated employee of Thomas Memorial Hospital for 25+ years. She also retired from Kanawha Valley Radiology after 15 years. Patsy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother with strong affection for her family and always helpful to friends and neighbors.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and the father of her sons, Allen Ross Dent; her husband Woodson C Akers; her son, Dale Robert Dent and stepson, Russell Akers.
She leaves behind her son, Dirk A Dent (Pam) of Gordonville, TX; granddaughter, Cristen Colodin (Jeff) of Flourtown, PA; grandson, Creighton (Katie) Dent of Bucks County, PA; daughter-in-law, Teresa Dent of Dunbar, WV; granddaughters, Briana Dent of Dunbar, WV and Holli Lucenti-Mobley of Spring Hill, WV; stepchildren, Timothy (Deborah) Akers of Parkersburg, WV; Frank Akers (Zecile) and Joni Copen both of St Albans, WV; several step grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as a host of many close friends. She will be missed by many.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 with Pastor Jerry Medley officiating at Snodgrass Funeral Home in South Charleston. Burial will follow at Cunningham Memorial Park in St Albans. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the funeral home.
Condolences may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home of South Charleston is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.
Dorothy Burford
Dorothy Ann Burford, 91, of Charleston, WV, passed away peacefully into eternal rest on Sunday, September 20th, 2026. As a cherished Mother, Grandmother, friend, and community servant, her presence will be deeply missed.
Mrs. Burford retired with over 30 years of service from both Montgomery Ward and H & R Block and in retirement enjoyed crochet, embroidery, and creating beautiful cross-stitched quilts for family and friends as part of the Finishing Autumn's Envy Quilting Club.
She was a 1953 graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School and a proud member of First Presbyterian Church of Charleston for over 60 years. Additionally she was a member of the Eastern Star, and a High Priestess with the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America. As a clown in the Shriner's Clown Unit she traveled and participated in many Shriner's Children's Hospital Burn Unit Toy Distributions.
Dorothy is survived by her son, David Burford (Terry) of Charleston, daughter Barbara Burford-Reusch of Charleston, Jay Burford of Charleston, grandchildren Christa Burford of Charleston, Kyle Burford (Natalie) of Hurricane, and Marisa Johnson (Kevin) of Kansas, and great grandchildren Knox Burford and Kevin J. Johnson III. She is preceded in death by her beloved Husband Bobby Burford, Father Charles Mallory, and Mother Virginia Mallory.
A service to Honor the Life of Dorothy will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, September 25, 2026 at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston with The Reverend Dr. William C. Myers officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston, WV. Friends may visit from Noon until service time. The Burford family invites all who knew her to attend in celebration of a life well lived.
Online condolence and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com. Snodgrass Funeral Home of South Charleston is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.
Steven "Little" Johnson
Steven "Little" Johnson, 53 of South Charleston, passed away on September 18, 2026, at home after a short battle with cancer.
He was born in South Charleston on September 26, 1972 to Martin and Jean Mallory Johnson.
Little attended South Charleston High School and worked for Ames, Kroger and Valley Bell. He was a lifelong resident of the Charleston area.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clark and Jeanette Pauley Johnson and Elmer and Hester Clark Mallory.
Surviving are his wife, Tamara Johnson of South Charleston; son, Jake (Miranda) Johnson of Tornado; daughters, Cierra (Alex) Shelton of Wheeling and Savannah Johnson of Elkview; 6 grandchildren; mother, Jean Johnson of South Charleston; brother, Vincent Johnson of South Charleston; aunts, Mae Walton of South Charleston and Rita Shaw of Leesburg, FL; along with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
A private family graveside service will be held in Mallory Cemetery, South Charleston.
Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, WV.
Roger Lee Haynes
Roger Lee Haynes, 76, of Cross Lanes, WV went to be with the Lord on September 17, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 29, 1950 in Clarksburg, WV, and spent 35 years at the WV State Capitol in General Maintenance. He was known for his love of camping, old cars, and his family.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Roena Haynes, brother Danny Haynes, and sister in law Beverly Haynes. Those left to cherish his memory include his companion, Donna Haynes, his children, Charlotte (Gill) Jacobs, Charles (Amanda) Haynes, and Heather Bundrage, his grandchildren, Johnny (Kiana) Lester, Eli Jacobs, Fabian Bundrage, Ezekiel Jacobs, Mikayla Bundrage, Paxton Haynes, McKenzie Haynes, Charlea Jacobs, Nathan Jacobs, and Jeremy Campanella, six great-grandchildren, and special pets, Flower and Cat.
The family will receive friends at Snodgrass Funeral Home in South Charleston from 5:00-7:00pm on Monday, September 21, 2026.