The Welch News

Edgar "Eddie" Raymond Riffe, 53, of Coalwood, WV, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 22, 2021. He was born on October 2, 1968, in Martinsville, VA. Eddie was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He worked for Asplundh and Davy Tree companies as a tree expert, arborist, and foreman for many years while living in Denver & Maiden, NC. In addition to his grandparents, Eddie is preceded in death by his mother, Sandra A. Riffe, and father, Edgar E. Riffe. He is survived by his girlfriend, Ginger Greene, of Davy, daughter Elliana Riffe of Ohio, former wife and mother of Elliana, Dreama Mills of Ohio, and brother, Joey Riffe and wife Tiara of Bluefield, WV. A Memorial for Eddie...

Sandra K. Tilley, 72, passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 with her family by her side. Sandy was born in Hemphill, WV on March 23, 1949 and raised in Daniels, WV. She and her late husband Joseph M. Tilley resided and raised their family in Welch, WV. After Joe's passing in 1997, Sandy completed their dream retirement home in New Market, TN where she resided until her death. Sandy was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, her parents, Mack and Ethel Stapleton, and her brother, Butch. She is survived by her son, David Tilley and his wife Elisha (Seymour, TN) and daughter, Shannon Radcliffe and her husband Michael (Norris, TN). Also left to cherish fond memories of Sandy are the...

Billy Ray Mitchell (62) of Charlotte, NC passed away on August 23, 2021 following a short illness. Born on August 28, 1958 in Welch, WV he was the son of the late Fon and Helen 'Shorty' Mitchell of Roderfield, WV. Billy was preceded in death by his mother and father and was of the Pentecostal faith. Billy is survived by his loving family and children Nickolas (Monica) and Ashlee (Brandon) Biggers and grandchildren that he absolutely adored - Bain Biggers and Gatlin and Everleigh Mitchell all of Charlotte. In addition, he is survived by sisters Fonda Walker, Diana Hanshaw of Roderfield, WV and Frances Weaver of Coalwood, WV along with a host of nieces and nephews. Billy was employed at...

Roby Lee Love Sr., 77, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 15, 2021. He was born in War, West Virginia, son of the late Barney and Vanie Love. He was preceded in death by a son Jimmy Love, and 3 sisters Louise Veselosky, Georgie Pinkston, Charmie Sharot. He was a member of Cornerstone Family Worship in Mount Holly. He enjoyed watching sports. He loved doing yardwork. He is survived by 3 children Roby Love Jr. and wife Teresa, Johnny Love and wife Betty, Tammy Love. 7 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren. 2 brothers Jimmy Love and Johnny Otis Love. 4 sisters Elsie Perkins, Willie Altizer, Mary Wertz and Barbara Cuffley, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A service to celebrate...

Mary Elizabeth (Booth) Cole, 82, of Germantown, MD, passed away on January 10, 2021. Born on October 21, 1938 in Maybeury, WV, she was the daughter of the late Wilbert Dudley and Elizabeth Hattie (Thor) Booth. Mary is survived by her three sons; William (Billy) E. Cole of Norfolk, VA, Michael Lee Cole of Hagerstown, MD, Matthew Leon Cole of Damascus, MD, one daughter; Mary Lisa Cole DeCubellis of Gaithersburg, MD, 16 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Along with her parents, Mary was preceded in death by one daughter; Debra Lynn Baxter, one son; Robert Eugene Cole and one brother; Wilbert Dudley Booth, Jr. A celebration of life will be held after the...

MaryGene Manning Longenecker, 90, born on November 26, 1929, in Wayside, Georgia, died at Sharon Towers in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 30, 2020. Devoted wife of 52 years to the Rev. Hershey J. Longenecker, MaryGene also grew up as the daughter of a Presbyterian Minister, the Rev. Frederic Easley Manning. After graduating from Wheaton College in 1951 with a degree in Christian Education, she was a teacher and assistant principal at Calvary Christian Day School in Charlotte from 1952 to 1958. She met her husband Hershey at Peniel Bible Conference in Lake Luzerne, New York, and they were married on June 28, 1958. Together they devoted their lives to serving the southern Presbyterian...

Sherry Mae Walker, 57, of Hapeville, GA passed away May 29, 2020. She was born in Welch, WV on May 23, 1963 to the late Paul and Vada Walker. Sherry was raised in Premier, WV. She later moved to Atlanta with her children and stayed very active in their lives. Sherry was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Melvin "Bucky"; and sister, Drema. She is survived by her daughter, Amy Johnson (B.J. McKinney); sons, Randall Johnson (Becky) and Derek Johnson; grandchildren, Tyler, Cody, Denver, Braxton, Lily, and baby Randall; sisters, Trishy, Sandra, and Peggy; brothers, Ronnie, Larry "Boobie" and Jerry "P-nut"'; former husband, Randy R. Johnson; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial...

COLUMBIA - Martha Pauline Wright Grubb of Columbia, SC, formerly of Welch, WV, passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2020, in Columbia after a short illness. She was 98. Pauline was born in Maybuery, WV, June 26, 1921. She was the daughter of Marvin French Wright and Mary Jane Widener. She graduated from Elkhorn High School as salutatorian in 1939 and retired from the Welch Daily News in 1989. Pauline was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Welch and played the piano for them for seventy years. She played piano for many special events in the Welch area and often joked that she had played the piano in every church in McDowell County. She married Marvin W. Grubb, Sr....