Donna Lurena Turner
Donna Lurena Turner, 81, of South Charleston, WV, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2025, ten days before her 82nd birthday. She was born on October 16, 1943, in Charleston, WV, the daughter of the late John H. Reed, Jr. and Lottie L. Reed. She was a resident of South Charleston most of her life.
A 1961 graduate of South Charleston High School, Donna was also a 1965 graduate of Morris Harvey College (University of Charleston) with a degree in music education, and also completed several hours of post-graduate studies at Marshall University.
She taught music and was a band director at several Kanawha County Schools for many years until her retirement and enjoyed helping and positively influencing her students. She also taught privately at Gorby's for many years.
Donna enjoyed being a member of the Charleston Metro Band and the Kanawha Valley Community Band, in which she sat First Chair clarinet. She was also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority.
Donna was a member of the St. John United Methodist Church in South Charleston most of her life, where she served in many capacities, including singing in the choir, and also for a time as Choir Director. She was later a member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church in South Charleston.
Donna was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, sister and aunt who will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband, James Thomas Turner, and is survived by her son, David Turner; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Turner and James Turner; and brothers, John H. Reed, III, of Hurricane, WV and Ellis M. Reed of New Smyrna Beach, FL.; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
A service to Honor the Life of Donna will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Snodgrass Funeral Home, 4122 Mc Corkle Ave. SW, South Charleston, WV, with the Rev. Paul Mateer officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service.
Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.
Wilma Testa
Wilma Gail Cochran Testa, 89, of Cross Lanes, West Virginia, passed away on October 8, 2025 at home.
So Long (a poem by Wilma Testa)
So long as there is Christ, there is love
So long as there is love, there is hope
So long as there is hope, there is a chance
So long as there is a chance, there is belief
So long as there is belief, then we will strive
So long as we strive, there is life
So long as there is life, there is no end
So long as there is no end, we might be friends
So long as we are friends, there will be peace
So long as there is peace, then we can talk
So long as we can talk, I’ll just say so long
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Cochran and Ida Mae Lavender Cochran, her sisters Metzel Turley and Jane Testa, and her daughter Cynthia Jane Oakes Drout.
Wilma is survived by her sons, Jeffrey (Tonja) Oakes and Paul (Melisa) Testa; as well as her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A private graveside service will be held in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, WV is handling the arrangements.
Robert Jago Cruickshank
Robert Jago Cruickshank, 90, of South Charleston, WV, passed away on October 4, 2025, at CAMC General Hospital. He was a member of the South Charleston First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a Deacon for many years. He enjoyed spending time with his large family, playing racquetball, and watching football. He was an avid fan of his Alma Mater, Virginia Tech, where he played during his college years.
Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara J Cruickshank; his children, Roberta C. Rose, John B. Cruickshank and wife Mary, Krista C. Gardiner and husband Mark, Sherry Barker and husband William, Sonya Wedge, and Melissa Lawson and husband David. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Bob proudly served his country as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1959 to 1964.
A Celebration of Life for Robert “Bob” Jago Cruickshank will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2025, at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, with Pastor Ginna Taylor officiating. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service.
Memories of Bob may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the Obituary.
Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.
Frank Brooks Thompson, III
Frank B. “Brooks” Thompson, III, of St. Albans and South Charleston, passed away on September 30, 2025 at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital following an extended illness. He was born on July 20, 1960 and graduated from South Charleston High School in 1978. He went on to hold a number of public service positions and key leadership roles in public safety and private security in addition to supporting his family’s business ventures, including the Marvin Midtown Motel in downtown Charleston. He was affectionally referred to as Brookie and Bubba by those closest to him.
He is survived by his mother, Roberta A. Thompson of St. Albans; his siblings, Cheryl Barker (Terry) of St. Albans and Tracy Thompson (Pam) of Dunbar; his nieces, Erica Ramsey (Bret) of St. Albans and Ashley Schumaker (Chris) of Suffolk, Virginia; his great nephews and niece, Damon Master of St. Albans, Garrett Schumaker of Suffolk, Virginia, and Delilah Master of St. Albans; and his aunts, Becky (Paul) McNeil of Lakeland, Florida and Janet Cobbs of Gambrills, Maryland, as well as extended family members and loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his father, Frank B. Thompson, Jr.; his paternal grandmother, Hester A. Hunley; his maternal grandparents, Eugene and Opal Cobbs; his paternal great grandmother, Myrtle Dent Wallace; his maternal great grandparents, Jesse and Myrtle Atkinson; his uncles, Sonny Cobbs of Sissonville and Charlie Cobbs of Gambrills, Maryland; his great aunt, Agnes Cox; and a host of other relatives.
A lifelong West Virginian, he was very proud of his family’s roots, many years spent on Spring Hill Mountain, and special trips to the Outer Banks of North Carolina throughout his adult years. He lived an adventurous and entertaining life, which was evident in his countless stories. He had a wonderful sense of humor with a distinct and infectious laugh. He was highly intelligent and humble with a generous soul and quick-witted spirit. To his family and friends, he was and will always be one-of-a-kind.
A family celebration of Brooks’ life will be held at a later date. Snodgrass Funeral Home is assisting the family. Friends may share condolences at www.snodgrassfuneral.com.
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.