Shuko "Sue" Paitsel
Shuko “Sue” Paitsel passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Charleston, WV, on October 1, 2025, joining her husband of over 50 years, Donald B. Paitsel, in their Heavenly home.
Shuko was born on October 20, 1933, in a small town near Sendai, Japan, and grew up in Japan during WWII, a daughter of the Yamaki family. Shuko met and married Don in 1958, while he was stationed in Japan with the United States Air Force. The two left Japan and lived in Spokane, Washington, San Bernadino, California, the Philippine Islands, and gave birth to their three sons, all before settling in Charleston, WV.
Shuko was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and will live on through the impact she made on her family and friends by sharing her memories, love, and generosity.
In addition to her husband, Shuko was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings in Japan. She is survived by her three sons: Teddy Paitsel (Carole) of Teays Valley, WV, Doug Paitsel (Susan) of Sissonville, WV, and Don Paitsel (Sheila) of Charleston; her grandchildren: Anthony Paitsel (Chelsea) of Ohio, Emily Williams (Tim) of Ohio, Mia Bailey (Marvin) of Sissonville, Zach Paitsel of Charleston, Nick Paitsel of New York, Jenna Paitsel of Dunbar, Ali Michelle Smith of Ohio, and A’mee Smith of Scott Depot. She is also survived by great-grandchildren: Mila, Emory, Hazel, Harper, Lexi, Mia, Lyndsey; and two great-great grandsons, Kohen and Krew.
A joint memorial service for Shuko and her late husband, Don, will be scheduled at a later date this fall.
Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.
Wanda Lynnette Carter
Lady Wanda Lynnette Carter 69, Transitioned peacefully on September 26th at 9:48 a.m. at the Hubbard House in Charleston, West Virginia after a long illness. Lynnette (Wanda) was born May 3rd, 1956, in Columbus, Ohio to the loving parents of Elder John and Mother Eula Sims, who preceded her in death. Lynnette lived a full and vibrant life from beginning to end and touched the lives of many people along the way.
Lynnette received salvation at an early age as a member of the Church of God MPGT, Springfield, Ohio under the pastoral ship of the late Bishop Charles Spurling. She Received water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Chrit for the remission of sin and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongue according to the Holy Scriptures Acts 2:4.
Lady Carter (as she is known among her church family) received her education at Central High school in Columbus Ohio and West Virginia State, Institute, WV. She Founded and successfully operated Gymboree Child Care Center for several years, touching the lives of many parents and their children. She was a teacher, choir director, soloist, counselor, served on the clergy wives and mother’s board in the Bible Way Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, World Wide, Inc. She Faithfully served as the first Lady of the local church alongside her husband for 48 years.
Lady Carter is preceded in death by her father and mother (Elder John and Mother Eula Sims, Brothers Richard and Barnard and sister, Carolyn). She leaves to mourn her husband of 54 years of marriage: Bishop James S Carter Jr, son, Prophet James S Carter III, (Prophetess Kimara Carter) daughter, Brandie Carter-Brown, (Jonathan P Brown) all of Charleston WV, sister, Elaine Lovett of Nashville Tennessee, brothers, Ronnie Sims (Cheryl Sims) of Texas, John Sims of Columbus Ohio, best friend Corlis Strauss of Cincinnati Ohio, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
We shall miss her beautiful smile, her signature songs: I Won’t Complain, Lamb of God, Trust and Obey as well as her singing and her words of wisdom. We shall miss her excellent flavor in dress while setting the fashion for many of the clergy wives whom she frequently worshipped with in international conferences. One message to the Rehoboth Church Family that we shall hold dear to our hearts and exercise daily is “Ready Yourself”. “Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not that the Son of man cometh”. Matthew Chapter 24:44
A service to Honor the Life of Wanda Lynnette Carter will be held at 12:00 Noon, Friday, October 3, 2025 at First Baptist Church, Shrewsbury Street, Charleston, WV with Bishop James Carter, Jr. and Prophet J.S. Carter, III officiating. A private committal service will be held in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston. Friends may visit one hour prior to the service beginning at 11:00 am until service time at the church.
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.
Virginia Ferguson
Virginia Frances (Frankie) Ferguson, 98, of Charleston, WV passed away on September 28 in the Arthur B Hodges Center in the wonderful Edgewood Summit retirement community.
She was born in Gamoca WV, a small unincorporated coal mining town in Fayette County, WV. After meeting her husband, Lines Ferguson, in an ice cream shop in Montgomery, WV they moved to Mount Hope WV, and then eventually to Charleston WV where she was a proud member of Baptist Temple faith community as well as the Kanawha City neighborhood community. Frances was an avid gardener with a love of rose bushes. Frances and Lines spent time traveling to various areas of the country and the world together. After raising their son Bob, Frances decided to become a licensed real estate professional in Charleston where she had her own agency, Frances Ferguson Realty. She and her fellow agents helped countless folks buy and sell their homes for over 20 years in the Kanawha Valley.
She was preceded in death by her parents: William Hess and Jessica Rae Hess.
Her husband of seventy-nine years, Lines R Ferguson Sr. Her only son: Lines R Ferguson Jr. (Bob)_Also preceding were 3 sisters: Betty Christian (Jack) and Rubyleigh Hyslop (Sam) and Phala Baldwin. Her 2 brothers: William Hess (Martha) and Leland Hess (Joyce).
She is survived by her daughter in law: Diane Ferguson & 5 grandchildren: Eric, Andrew, Christopher (Kasey), Meghann, and Mary Kathryne as well as 2 lovely great grandchildren: Audrey & Carter & a host of nieces and nephews.
A small service to honor the life of Virginia will be held at 1PM on Monday, October 6, 2025, in the mausoleum in Sunset Memorial Park at 4301 MacCorkle Ave SW South Charleston WV 25309, which is across from where her husband is buried.
Family and friends are welcome to visit from 12:30 PM – 1 PM on Monday Oct 6 at the cemetery to pay their respects.
Memories of Virginia can be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary.
The family would like to especially thank the staff at Edgewood Summit for their remarkable care of Frances for the last 7 years.
Virginia Lee Haddad Skaff
Virginia Lee Haddad Skaff, 96, of Charleston, WV, passed away on September 25, 2025, at the Teays Valley Center.
Virginia was born on September 25, 1929, in Madison, WV, and graduated from Scott High School in Madison, before attending Marshall University.
In the early 1950’s, Virginia was co-owner of The Bridal Shoppe with her mother, Sarah Hadad, in Charleston. She was also worked as a receptionist at the old Stone & Thomas Beauty Salon, and then later worked with Robert Greathouse at the Company Salon.
Virginia was a long-time member of the St. George Orthodox Cathedral, the St. George Ladies Guild, and the Shums ‘il Bir Club. For many years, she also volunteered at St. Francis Hospital.
Virginia was preceded in death by her late husband, Paul R. Skaff, Sr., to whom she was married to for 54 years. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Nathan and Sarah Haddad; brothers, Fred and Nathan Haddad, Jr.; sister, Mary Francis Ellis of Madison, WV; and godson, Douglas Skaff, Jr.
Virginia is survived by her children: sons, Paul R. Skaff, Jr. and John E. “Hadji” Skaff (Sarah Stephenson); and daughter, Karen L. Skaff, who was her caregiver in her later years in Charleston. She is also survived by her grandson, Paul R. Skaff, III (Lexi) of Charleston and North Huntington, PA; granddaughter, Sarah E. Skaff Brand (Christian); great grandson, Leo Brand of Hurricane, WV; and goddaughter, Teresa Skaff Abou-Assaley of South Charleston, WV.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Jack Kinder and the staff at Teays Valley Center for their kindness and care of their mother.
A Service to Honor the Life of Virginia will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at the St. George Orthodox Cathedral in Charleston, with the Rev. Fr. Alex Mackoul officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston. Family and friends may visit from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025, at St. George Orthodox Cathedral. A Trisagion Prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the St. George Foundation (https://stgeorgecharleston.org/donate/).
Memories of Virginia may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.
Lucinda Taylor
Lucinda Taylor, of Charleston, WV, passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025.
Lucinda was a mother to two daughters; a grandmother to 8 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. She also leaves behind two brothers; her sisters-in-law; and multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins. She loved her family with her whole heart and they loved her just as much. She will always be loved, remembered, and missed terribly.
At Lucinda’s request, there will be no services held at this time.
Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.
Betty T. Kirk
Betty T. Kirk, 95, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at The Arthur B. Hodges Center, where she resided in their Memory Care unit.
Betty was born to Bert Thomas and Della Carte Thomas on September 29, 1929, in Charleston, West Virginia. She was the fifth of nine siblings. As a child, her family resided in Chesapeake, West Virginia. After graduating from East Bank High School in 1947, she earned her first job in the workforce. It was there that she met the sister of Leonard Andrew Kirk, Jr., who introduced Betty to him. She thought they would be perfect together. They were married on February 25, 1949. They had their first child, Linda Lou, on July 1, 1951. Judy Lynn was born just 11 months later, on June 5, 1952. Two years later, young Michael Andrew was born, on July 8, 1954.
Betty continued to work at the Department of Civil Service for the state of West Virginia while raising her family. She was a wonderful working mom. The family would sit down at the dinner table every single evening to a delicious home cooked meal. Betty instilled many traditions into her family. One was going to Ma-Maw Thomas’ after church, every Sunday, for dinner with all the cousins that 9 siblings provided. Great memories. She taught the importance of family and positive support
Betty was passionate about her faith and her church, South Charleston Christian Church. She was actively involved there for 70 years. One of her passions was music, and she sang in the church choir. There was never a meal prepared without the humming of a Christian Hymn. She was passionate about her flowers, and cared for them relentlessly. She was passionate about dancing; she and Leonard could cut a mean jitterbug. She was passionate about her family, and was always there to support them. Mountaineer sports, especially football, was one of her biggest passions. She attended ballgames years after her 3 children graduated. She was a good woman who truly loved everyone.
Betty was predeceased by her mother and father; her beloved Leonard; her daughter, Linda Lindroth; her grandson, Andrew Winfield Richards; 2 sisters; and 4 brothers. She is survived by her daughter, Judy Lynn (Dan); son, Michael Andrew; brother, Frank Thomas; sister, Donna Thomas Foster (Pete); son-n-law, John Lindroth; grandchildren: Brian Lindroth (Amy), Erin Conner (Rod), Kendra Miller (Eric); and four great grandchildren: Mackinsey Lindroth, Tucker Lindroth, Calvin Miller, and Winston Miller, who were lucky enough to know their great grandmother.
As Betty would always say, “Thanks for stopping by”.
A Service to Honor the Life of Betty will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the South Charleston Christian Church on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Burial will be at the Tyler Mountain Memorial Gardens in Cross Lanes.
A visitation will be held for Betty from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025, at Snodgrass Funeral Home in South Charleston.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Edgewood Summit Employee Appreciation Fund, 300 Baker Lane, Charleston, WV 25302.
Memories of Betty may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.
Robin Smith Francis
Robin Smith Francis, 71, of Charleston, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025. She was born on December 1, 1953, in Charleston, where she lived her entire life surrounded by family, friends, and community.
Robin dedicated more than forty years of her life to education, serving as both a teacher and a vice principal. She touched countless lives with her wisdom, compassion, and unwavering commitment to her students and colleagues. Her legacy as an educator lives on in the many people she inspired and guided.
Above all, Robin was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her loving husband, Kelly Francis; her children, Kerry and Katey; and her cherished grandchildren, Maxim, Avery, Wyatt, Everett, Myles, and Merek. Her family was her greatest joy, and she poured her heart into every moment she spent with them.
A woman of faith, Robin lived with kindness, strength, and grace. She will be remembered for her deep love of family, her dedication to education, and her ability to make others feel cared for and supported.
A Service to Honor the Life of Robin will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Snodgrass Funeral Home. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston. A visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service.
Memories of Robin may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.
Barbara Ruby
Barbara Louise Faull Ruby, 86, of South Charleston, West Virginia, passed peacefully after a long battle with dementia on September 5, 2025, at Meadowbrook Acres Nursing Center, Charleston, WV.
She was born November 24,1938 in Portage, PA. She was as raised in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia as her father was a coal mining engineer. She attended Cumberland Township and graduated from East Bank High School in 1957. She completed medical assistant/secretary in Cleveland OH in 1958. She worked for Dr. Grubb, then at Union Carbide before becoming a homemaker. She enjoyed her many crafts and hobbies which included road racing her triumph, boating, camping, fishing, golfing, sewing, leather crafting, needlepoint, folk art, tole painting, China painting, beading, wire wrapping and jewelry making. She was honored to have two hand painted China ornaments displayed at the Smithsonian Institute. She volunteered with the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Charleston, WV before she and her husband retired in North Carolina. There she volunteered with the Ocean Isle Beach Rescue Squad.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, John B Ruby, Jr,; her son, John B Ruby, III; parents, Albion and Hazel Faull; brothers, Jack Faull and Arthur Faull; sisters, Virginia Runion, Patricia Robinette and Vivian Bragg.
She is survived by her daughter, Barbara "Bobbie" (Craig) Morton; grandchildren, Nikki (Adam) Hackney and Michael (Hollie) Smith; seven great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
A graveside service to Honor the Life of Barbara will be held at 11 am, Saturday, September 20, 2025 in the Chapel at Sunset Memorial Park, 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.
Jane Hain Ray
Jane Hain Ray, beloved wife, mother, and “Nana,” died on September 14, 2025, at the age of 98. Born in Selma, Alabama, Jane was the daughter of Jesse Hardy Hain and Anne Foster Hain of Sardis, where she spent her childhood. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Lakin Ray, following 67 years of marriage, and a daughter, Lakin Ray Cook. Jane is survived by her other daughters, Anne Ray Silbernagel and Jane Ray Halpin (Steve); son-in-law, Thomas Stephenson Cook; five grandchildren: Frederick Lawrence Silbernagel IV (Lindsay), John Lakin Ray Silbernagel (Ashley), Andrew Riggin Silbernagel (Julia), Stephen Robert Halpin III (Kathleen), and Catherine Halpin Stephens (Eric); and eight great grandchildren: Emmarilla Jane Silbernagel, Frederick Lawrence Silbernagel V, John Nicholas Silbernagel, Madeline Ray Silbernagel, Henry Riggin Silbernagel, Lily Ray Silbernagel, Stephen Robert Halpin IV, and Charlotte Jane Stephens.
Jane attended Hollins College for one year and graduated from the University of Alabama in 1949, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Jane married John Lakin Ray in 1951; they lived in Charlottesville, Virginia, for John’s final year of law school, after which they made their home in Charleston, W.Va., and raised three daughters. Even though Jane was not a native of Charleston, she willingly embraced her new “life in the north” and, in addition to bringing up those three daughters, wove a unique tapestry of service, friendships, and philanthropy here for over 70 years.
Jane was an active volunteer of the Briar Hills Garden Club, the Junior League of Charleston, and the Kings Daughters group, which sewed infant clothing for needy mothers. She also served as a docent for the original Sunrise Museum in South Hills. Jane was a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames for over 50 years, where she held many positions, including Corresponding Secretary, Patriotic Service Chairman, Historical Activities Chairman, and the WV delegate, “Lady of Dumbarton,” for 4 years. In 2006, she was named to the Roll of Honor. One of Jane’s greatest delights was doing the needle-point depiction of the State of West Virginia, which hangs in the national Dames Headquarters of Dumbarton House in Washington, D.C.
Jane was a member of Christ Church United Methodist, where she again contributed her needle-point talents. In the early 1980’s, 23 women of Christ Church labored to create 21 kneeling cushions, illustrating the life of Christ in symbols. The cushions were to surround the communion rails of the Sanctuary, and are still used today. Jane was solely responsible for one cushion (staff and torch), as well as aiding with many others. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing curtains and bedspreads for the home early in her marriage and one-of-a-kind clothing for her daughters and herself in later years, not to mention a myriad of ballet recital and Halloween costumes.
Along with John, Jane was a loyal patron of the Kanawha County Public Library and the Arts in Charleston, in particular the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Clay Center for the Arts. Jane was an active participant of the Charleston Alumni group of Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters, recently receiving her 50-year pin. She enjoyed playing Bridge, and belonged to several friend groups over the years.
Although Jane was raised in the South at a time when girls weren’t encouraged to play sports, she was a proficient swimmer and could execute certain dives quite well. She played the xylophone as a young girl and studied ballet for many years. Along with John, she taught her children (and grandchildren) the art of body surfing in the ocean during many family vacations at Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head. A rumor has surfaced that Jane once modeled swimsuits for Peck’s clothing store… A long-time member of the Edgewood Country Club, Jane took up tennis while living in Charleston, tried golf and left it to John, though she always supported his passion for it. She sat through many CCUM girls’ basketball games, and often performed a double-dinner shift to feed everyone in the family through the activities. Jane was a fierce patriot of her Alabama Crimson Tide. She rarely missed watching the games and was always “in the know” about the players.
Jane loved travel and she and John and the girls took many trips throughout the U.S. and Europe in addition to the beach vacations. She and John toured Alaska, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, and parts of the Mediterranean on their own, and often went up to New York City for Broadway shows.
The family wishes to thank Conya Huffman, Jacqueline Brandon, and the caregivers at Hubbard Hospice House for their care and kindness to Jane.
A Funeral Service will be held at Christ Church United Methodist on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park in South Charleston. Snodgrass Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kanawha County Public Library (https://www.kcpls.org/about/support-the-library/donate) or the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (https://wvsymphony.my.salesforce-sites.com/donate/?dfId=a0n1G00000O2Zl2QAF&) .
Memories of Jane may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary.
Erma Kennedy
Erma Lou Kennedy, 70, of Harts, WV, went home to be with the Lord on August 31, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.
Born to the late Jake and Geneva (Layne) Wolford of Phelps, Ky, Erma lived a life rooted in faith, family, and love. She shared her life with her devoted husband, Larry Kennedy, and together they built a home filled with care and lots of laughter.
She was the proud mother of three daughters, Brenda Coggins, Jessica Smith and husband Charles, and Amanda Baltusnik and husband Peter. Her joy multiplied with her grandchildren—Stephen Epling, Christina Blankenship, and Jacob Rannenberg and wife Hannah—who were her heart’s delight. She is also survived by her sister, Ocie Smith, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will cherish her memory.
Erma loved Jesus with all her heart and reflected His kindness in the way she lived. She found happiness in simple treasures—time with her family and the companionship of her beloved little dog Minnie, and faith that she nurtured throughout her life.
Her legacy of love, faith, and strength will continue to shine through all who knew her.
A celebration of Erma’s life will be held at a future date, when all of her daughters are able to be present.