Shirley Jean Cielensky
Shirley J. Cielensky of Charleston, WV, lived an amazing 85 years. She died at home, Sunday, January 14, 2024. She was born and raised in Pineville, WV, until her graduation from high school and began attending college at Morris Harvey (now the University of Charleston). It was there she met and later married the love of her life, (and great quarterback) Joseph L. Cielensky.
They were married on July 6, 1957. Mother is predeceased by her loving husband, Joseph Cielensky, their only son, Joseph (Joey), and her parents, Beauman and Edna Goodman.
Charleston Catholic High School was blessed to have her wisdom and caring ways for 43 years where, as secretary, she helped thousands of students throughout her years. She also had the privilege of working with her husband, Coach Cielensky, for many of those years. Together they imparted not only their skillset, but their wisdom, kindness, and love to all.
Shirley was the oldest of two daughters, born to the late Beauman and Edna Goodman. Soon children entered their world; Leigh Anne Cielensky, Vicki Cielensky-Holstein (the late Mark Holstein), the late Joseph (Joey) Cielensky, and Kelly Cielensky. Grandchildren later blessed her world. Vicki and her late husband Mark had three wonderful boys; Jason (Mady and their daughter Brooks, a great-great grandchild), Justen and Jordan. Kelly was blessed with two daughters; Britani (Adam) Wright and Briena (Shaun) Guthrie. Britani Wright (Adam) gave mother three great, great grandchildren; Eva, Lucy, and Levi Wright, and another child (a son) on the way. Briena (Shaun) has a son Adrian, and a daughter, Mila, and are expecting a son within a matter of weeks.
Our parents provided their children with the most educational, and privileged life anyone could imagine. Our father was the camp director of Union Carbide’s summer girls camp. We spent so many summers there learning to swim, participating in crafts, archery, sharpshooting, and riding our own horses among many camp horses. We learned camp songs, went on overnight camping trips, learning to build campfire’s, cooking over the fire, and just enjoying what the great outdoors had to offer. When we were in our early teens, our parents purchased a 32-foot trailer which was parked for many years right across the street from the beach in Myrtle Beach. We stayed there from the day after school was out until it was time to go back to school. We also took it to several other campgrounds, traveling to many destinations. These adventures gave us a lifetime of educational experiences, values, appreciating the outdoors, and learning to love (and appreciate) the ocean. Several years later, they purchased a small place in Murrells Inlet, where we would enjoy vacations, extended weekends, holidays, and more. We still enjoy going to the beach. We couldn’t have had a better start to our lives together. We thank them for everything they gave us.
We will gather one last time to enjoy memories of mother, exchange stories, and celebrate and honor her life at Snodgrass Funeral Home ( 4122 MacCorkle Avenue, S.W. South Charleston WV) on Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 5-7 pm, with a short service at 6:00 p.m. Mother will be buried Friday morning at 11:00 am with a few short words in the mausoleum. Resting place will be alongside her beloved husband with her son next to them at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Charleston, WV.
Many thanks to Snodgrass Funeral Home for their professionalism, their care and help getting through this difficult time. For further information, please contact Snodgrass Funeral Home at 304-768-7324
Sharon Naylor
Sharon D. Naylor, 76 of South Charleston, WV, passed away on January 7, 2024 at CAMC General Hospital after a long illness.
Sharon was born in Charleston WV on November 11, 1947. She graduated from Walton High School in 1965. After high school she began her career in Retail at the Diamond Department Store in Charleston. She thoroughly enjoyed working at the Diamond where she developed her love for accessorizing. Scarves, pins, jewelry, etc… She worked in retail for many years and ended her retail career as the store manager of Artley’s in Elkview. After Artley’s, she went on to work at Lab Corp of America in South Charleston, where she would stay until she retired. Sharon loved spending time with her great nieces.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Dorrel and Elsie Naylor, her brother Robert Naylor and her beloved son Mark Allen Naylor.
Sharon is survived by her sister Nancy Alfred, brother John Naylor, Niece Kelly Woodyard (Shane). Great nieces, Abby Woodyard and Eden Woodyard.
A private graveside service with burial was held in Sunset Memorial Park on January 10, 2024. Memories of Sharon can be shared by visiting snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home.
Thomas Arthur Bird
Thomas Arthur Bird, 72, of Charleston passed away in the loving care of the Hubbard House on January 2, 2024 after a long illness of Primary Progressive Aphasia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Tom was fourth of seven children born to Lionel and Ellen Bird who raised their flock in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts and History in 1976.
Tom retired as General Manager from Town Center Mall in September of 2017. He began his 17 years of service with Forest City Enterprises in 2000 and quickly developed an affinity to the Charleston community. He was a retail property manager in various shopping centers around the country including The Somerset Collection in Troy, MI; SouthPark Mall in Strongsville, OH; The Galleria at Ft. Lauderdale where he met and married Melanie; and at Villa Linda Mall in Santa Fe, NM. He made many lifelong friends during his years in the industry.
Tom was a big man with a gentle voice and a soft heart. He was a devoted husband to his wife Melanie and loving father to their two children. He was a history enthusiast from an early age, finding entertainment in reading the encyclopedia as a child and later in life used his knowledge of history and facts to clear the Jeopardy board every episode. He was an avid crossword and sudoku puzzle player, a country music fan, loved good food and a good scotch. Everyone knew that Tom was passionate about golf. He played in Scotland, Hong Kong, Argentina, Pebble Beach and every small golf course in between despite the weather.
Tom is survived by his wife of 29 years Melanie, who is forever grateful for his love, his daughter Taylor Bochinski (Joseph) of Martinsburg WV and his son Dr. Kyle Bird, of Greenville NC. His surviving siblings include Ian Bird, Denver, CO; James Bird (Linda), Dallas, TX; and Julie Bird, Auburn Hills, MI.
The family would like to thank Tom’s caregivers Aleesa, Pat and Melissa for lovingly caring for him at his home over the past year. Dementia takes a toll on families but through dear neighbors and friends, Tom was able to stay at home, safe and well-attended. The family is grateful to you for giving him that comfort and peace.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the West Virginia Golf Association to continue their support for junior and senior golf programs where Tom and his son Kyle made lifetime memories together. Giving someone the opportunity to love the sport as much as he did would be a cherished legacy.
West Virginia Golf Association, 1 Frances P. Jordan Way, Charleston, WV 25302 or online at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=JF35KBZWGE656
A memorial and celebration of life will be held on January 27 at Bible Center Church with visitation starting at 10 AM and the service at 11 AM. Memories of Thomas may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.
Harry Isaac Mallory
Harry Isaac Mallory, 97, of South Charleston, passed away on January 7, 2024, at home with his family.
Harry was born in Charleston, WV. After High School and serving his country in the United States Marines, Harry graduated from Morris Harvey College with a degree in business. He worked for Dunn and Bradstreet and then served as Director of Credit with McJunkin Corporation for many years until his retirement in 1992. Harry and his son Roger were also the developers of the Oak Tree Acres subdivision in South Charleston, where he resided for the past 32 years.
Harry loved to golf (being a long-term member of the Kanawha Country Club), sing Karaoke, and spend time with his grandchildren. He was also a devout Christian and long-term member of the Dunbar Baptist Church, where he had served as a Deacon.
Harry was preceded in death by his first wife, Marie Mallory. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Sue Mallory; daughter, Patty (Marc) Rutter; son, Roger (Carrie) Mallory; step-daughter, Teresa (Dan) Mace; six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
A Service to Honor the Life of Harry will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, with Rev. Dr. Marc Rutter officiating. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Park in Dunbar. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service.
Memories of Harry may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston is handling the arrangements.
Deborah Ellen Bailey
Deborah Ellen Bailey, 70, passed away in the arms of her beloved husband January 3, 2024 after a short illness.
She was born May 11, 1953, to O. Keith Sr. and Nina Ballengee Angle and grew up in South Charleston. She was a graduate of South Charleston High School and a proud alumna of West Virginia State, completing her studies while working and raising a family.
After earning her degree in finance and economics, she spent the majority of her career as a financial advisor. She enjoyed serving her clients, helping them make sound decisions with their resources and plan for retirement.
She was a woman of quiet faith, tenacity and strength. She was a rock for her family.
She was a wonderful wife, life partner and true friend. She was a loving mother who also relished being a Grandmama.
Deborah enjoyed spending time with her family at their camp on the Greenbrier River near Alderson. She loved antiquing, DIY, and completing remodeling projects with her husband. Her green thumb was evident in beautiful flower beds she created both at her home in Charleston and at the camp.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Larry J. Angle, Sr. and sister-in-law, Dorothy J. “Dot” Angle.
Deborah is survived by her husband of 46 years, Stephen, her daughter, Julie Blackwood of Charleston, her son Nicholas and daughter-in-law Jennifer, of Natick, MA; grandchildren Evan, Ellen, and Elliott Blackwood, all of Charleston; brothers, O. Keith Angle, Jr. (Ruth) of Staunton, VA, Dale Angle (Linnette) of Columbia, MD, and Matthew Angle (Kay) of Hurricane; several nieces and nephews, and a multitude of cousins.
A celebration of Deborah’s life is being planned for later in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greenbrier River Watershed Association, P.O. Box 1419 Lewisburg, WV 24901, or online at https://wordpress.greenbrier.org/about-us/. The GRWA is continuing the work Deborah and others started as the Concerned Citizens of Alderson-Glen Ray in 1989-90. She was especially proud of what the Citizens group accomplished in their defeat of a proposed wood treatment plant, preserving the safety, quality, and beauty of the Greenbrier River for future generations.
Memories may be shared by visiting snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home is assisting the family with these arrangements.
Robert "Bob" Robertson
Robert (Bob) Robertson, 98, passed away on January, 02, 2024.
Born on April 25, 1925 to Robert A. and Helen Robertson in Charleston, WV, Bob was raised on Charleston’s west side. He graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in May 1942 and on his 18th birthday he joined the Army Air Force Cadets and trained to become a bombardier. After graduation he was assigned to a crew flying the B-24 Liberator; later assignments had him joining the 13th Air Core 5th Bomb Group (H) where he flew 29 combat missions over Japanese held territory. After discharge in 1946 he attended Marietta College where he graduated in June 1949. After graduation he had a career in sales starting with Esso Standard Oil Company and later with various other companies.
In 1952 Bob met Phyllis Good of Dunbar and a year later they were married. They were married for thirty years until her passing in 1983. Together they had three children; Nancy Johnston, Beverly Jobst and Dale Robertson. In 1994 Bob met Ruby Church and they were married.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert A. and Helen Robertson of Charleston WV, his first wife Phyllis, the mother of his children and his second wife Ruby.
Bob is survived by daughters Nancy Johnston (Wilmington, NC); Beverly (Joe) Jobst (Dunbar, WV) and son Dale Robertson (Camp Hill, PA) as well as stepchildren George Church (MD); Chris Poole (MD), Kathy Post (MD) and Margaret Dillon (IL).
Bob had seven awesome grandchildren: Bobby Johnston, Taylor Johnston, Anna (Boston) Weir, Joey (Cathy) Jobst, Jerod (Shea) Jobst, Sydney Robertson and Thomas Robertson.
The family will hold a private service to honor Bob’s life with interment at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Dunbar.
In lieu of flowers he requested a donation be made to either Union Mission Ministries or Mountain Mission.
Memories may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, WV.
Betty D. Perkins
Betty D. Perkins, 97, of Atlanta, GA, passed away on December 28,2023, at Pruitt Place Sandy Springs.
Born Betty Jane Duncan on November 7, 1926 in Jodie, WV. After graduating from Gauley Bridge High School, Betty moved to South Charleston, WV where she had a 40-year career at Union Carbide and married Lloyd W. Perkins, December 21, 1946. She was active as a long-time member of St. Paul United Methodist Church of South Charleston. After retiring, Betty enjoyed many years as a volunteer at Thomas Memorial Hospital. In 2006, Betty and Lloyd moved to Atalanta, GA to live with their younger son.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd W. Perkins; parents, Homer and Blanche Duncan; siblings, Homer Duncan, Forrest Duncan, Doris Acord, Rose McDaniel; and grandson, Travis Andrew Perkins.
She is survived by her sons, Dr. Stephen Perkins and Susan Perkins of Summerville, SC and Michael Perkins and Stephen Markowitz of Atlanta, GA; grandson, Tyler Perkins and Silvia Lee of Roanoke, VA; and granddaughter, Elizabeth and Hunter Floyd and their children, Tripp and Kealey Grey Floyd of Summerville, SC.
A Service to Honor the Life of Betty D. Perkins will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Snodgrass Funeral Home in South Charleston. Burial will follow at Tyler Mountain Memorial Gardens in Cross Lanes.
Family and friends may visit from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Betty’s memory to the charitable organization of your choice.
Memories of Betty Perkins may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting her obituary.
Snodgrass Funeral Home of South Charleston is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.
Robert Graham Casto
Robert Graham Casto, age 83, of Charleston passed away on Wednesday December 20, 2023 at CAMC General Hospital.
He was born on October 9, 1940 in Charleston, son of the late Virgil K. and Helen Way Casto. He is also preceded in death by his brother, John Paul Casto.
Robert was a graduate of Charleston High School, class of 1958, and earned his BA and MA degrees from West Virginia University. He worked at WKNA, WCAW, WXIT and WKAZ and retired from the West Virginia Division of Corrections. He attended Kanawha City Baptist Church
Robert is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Eleanor; brother Terry his wife Susie of Cross Lanes.
The family held a private service to honor Robert’s life with interment in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston.
Friends may share condolences at our website www.snodgrassfuneral.com.
Snodgrass Funeral Home is assisting the family with these arrangements.
Donald Brian Moore
Donald “Brian” Moore, 54, of South Charleston, passed away at home on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
Brian was born on July 22, 1969. He graduated from Charleston Catholic in 1987. Brian served in the U. S. Army as a tank gunner in Desert Storm and for the past 23 years has worked as an auditor for Casci in Charleston. He found enjoyment spending time with his son, Brandon, whether it was coaching him when he was a child in little league baseball or of recent years attending NASCAR races together. Brian also enjoyed rooting on the WVU Mountaineers.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald Maurice Moore and Berneda Mae Mullins Moore.
Brian is survived by his son, Donald Brandon Moore.
A Service to Honor the Life of Donald Brian Moore will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Snodgrass Funeral Home of South Charleston with Pastor Mike Long officiating. Entombment will follow at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens in Cross Lanes.
Family and friends may visit one hour prior to service from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.
The family wishes that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made in Brian’s memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Memories may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting Brian’s obituary.
Snodgrass Funeral Home of South Charleston is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.
Timothy "Tim" Higgins
Timothy A. “Tim” Higgins, age 66, of St. Albans, passed away Friday December 23, 2023 at HospicCare CAMC Memorial Hospital after an extended illness.
Tim was a very special husband and friend. He was a life-long member of Bethel Baptist Church. He graduated from St. Albans High School and West Virginia State College. He was a claims adjustor for HealthSmart.
Tim is survived by his loving wife, Patti; sister, Sandy Hudson (Larry); two brothers, Michael (Judy) and Mark Higgins; and loved by many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to honor Tim’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday at Bethel Baptist Church, South Charleston with Rev. Geoffrey Saunders officiating. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the services at the church.
Friends may share condolences at our website www.snodgrassfuneral.com.
Snodgrass Funeral Home is assisting the family with these arrangements.