Obituaries

Freda Martin Akers, age 86, of Fayetteville, passed away on January 3, 2026.
Born July 14, 1939 in Kaymoor, WV, she was a daughter of the late Verna Swanigan Martin and Tracy "Kutch" Martin.
She was a 1957 graduate of Fayetteville High School, Marshall University in 1961, and earned a Master's Degree from the...

Lucille B. Armstrong, born on June 5, 1932, in Cawood, Kentucky, passed away on December 11, 2025, at the age of 93.
Lucille was a devoted homemaker who cherished her family and community.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Bertha Bruce; her husband, "Golden" Pearl Golden Armstrong; her...

Rodney Lee "Bubby" Bratcher, age 77, of Daniels, WV went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at Charleston Area Medical Center, Memorial Division, after a long hard fought battle with cancer.

Born on March 10, 1948 in Meriden, CT, he was the son of the late Jacob Bratcher and Maggie Meadows...

Lorene Hyer Cogar, 102, of Sutton, WV, passed away at Braxton County Healthcare Center
the morning of January 7, 2026. She was born September 7, 1923 to the late Orval F. Hyer
and Lurlan McClung Hyer. In addition to her parents, she was proceeded in death by her
husband Dick Cogar, her son, Michael R. Cogar, and an...

It is with sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Mrs. Annie Jean Cook, 88, of Beckley. She passed on December, 5, 2025.
Funeral Services will be 12 noon on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Heart of God Ministries, 1703 South Kanawha Street, Beckley.
Officiating will be Bishop Dr. Fred Simms, Elder...

Tex Milton Crider, 79, of New Creek, WV, passed away peacefully at his residence on Monday, December 22, 2025.
Born on August 21, 1946, in Naoma, West Virginia, Tex was the beloved son of the late Condy Wilmoth Crider and Ressie Naomi (Ritchie) Crider. He also was preceded in death by his wife, Flora Etta...

Steve Wayne Gaither, 56, of Beckley, departed this life on Dec. 26, 2025.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Durgan Funeral Home Chapel, 1501 South Kanawha Street, Beckley. Officiating will be Rev. John Burnett.
Arrangements by Durgan Funeral Home, Beckley.

Homer "Ted" Hackney, age 91, passed away peacefully at the Bowers Hospice House in Beckley, WV on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

Born on July 13, 1934 in Clendenin, WV, Ted grew up with a love for sports, including basketball, football, and track. He went on to play basketball at Morris Harvey College in Charleston,...