December 2008 Obituaries

BETTY JANE COSNER

Betty Jane Cosner, 84,  of Winchester, VA formerly of Romney, WV, died at the Ruxton Center, Winchester, VA on  December  24, 2008.   She was born on July 5, 1924 in Scheer, WV, the daughter of the late Warner and Freda (Likens) Hanlin.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther D. Cosner and one son, Leroy Cosner.

Mrs. Cosner was employed as a nursing assistant at the Kidwell Nursing Home, Romney, WV.   She is survived by: two Sons:  Leon Cosner, Harrisonburg, VA and Ronald Cosner, Capon Bridge, WV; one Daughter:  Helen Frick, Crossville, TN, and four Sisters:  Laura Shreeves, Oakland, MD, Glenna Streets, Petersburg, WV,  Leona Dawson, Cabins, WV, and Evelyn Bosley, Winchester, VA; eight Grandchildren, eight  Great Grandchildren and one  Great Great Grandson

The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 27, 2008 at the Shaffer Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at 1:00 p.m. at the Shaffer Funeral Home, Romney,  with Rev. Ken Smith officiating.  Interment  will be in the Indian Mound Cemetery, Romney, WV.

CLARENCE LONZO SMITH, JR

Clarence Lonzo Smith, Jr., 77, of Romney, WV  died Sunday, December 14, 2008 at the Long Term Care Center, Hampshire Memorial Hospital, Romney.  He was born on August 24, 1931 at Pine Hills near Augusta, WV, the  son of the late Clarence Lonzo and Sadie (Loy) Smith, Sr.

Mr. Smith was a graduate of Romney High School, Class of 1949.  He retired from General Telephone Company in 1990.  He had previously hauled pulpwood and was always a farmer.   Mr. Smith enjoyed his hobby of collecting antique glass and crocks. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Coralena Speelman Smith; two Daughters:  Sue Ann Dowden and husband, Scott of Winchester, VA;  Kathy Jo Hipkiss and husband, Wylie of Romney, WV; one  Brother:  Robert A. Smith , Kirby, WV and fiancée, Paula Nesmith, Capon Bridge, WV; three  Grandchildren:  Krista Rudolph and husband, Josh of King George, VA, Trisha Archer and husband, Craig of Winchester, VA,   Patrick  McCord and fiancée, Jenna Maphis of Romney, WV; one  Great Grandson, Seth Rudolph, and several nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive friends at the Shaffer Funeral Home, Romney on Thursday, December 18, 2008 from 1-3 p.m.  A memorial service will follow the visitation immediately at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 18 at the Shaffer Funeral Home, Romney, WV   with Pastor James Mou officiating.

At Mr. Smith’s request his body was cremated and interment will be private.  Memorials   may be made to the American Cancer Society. 

WAYNE BRADFORD PAYTON

Wayne Bradford Payton, 65,  of Springfield, WV  went home to be with Jesus on Christmas Day, December 25, 2008 at his residence.  He was born on May 12, 1943 in Tollgate, WV, the  son of the late Ray Talbert Payton and Bertha G. (Smith) Payton Woodson. 

Mr. Payton moved from Ritchie County, was raised in Hampshire County, and graduated from Hampshire High School, Class of l961.   He served in the United States Air Force at the time of the Viet Nam War.  Mr. Payton was a member of the Boilermakers Local 667, Charleston, WV and retired in 1998.  He then became a real estate agent working for the Payton Family Realty Company.  He was a member of the Springfield Assembly of God Church, Springfield, WV.   Mr. Payton enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, fishing, hunting, woodworking, and blue grass gospel music.

He is survived by his wife of  44 years, Barbara Sue (Deem)  Payton; one  Son:  Daniel Ray Payton and wife, Nancy, Springfield, WV; one  Daughter:  Melissa Marie McLaughlin, Springfield, WV; two  Brothers:  Skip Payton and wife, Pam, Kingsport, TN and Dewey Carl Payton and wife, Bonnie, Ft. Ashby, WV; three  Sisters:  Doris Jean Matheny and husband, Sam, Waverly, WV, Patricia Ann Hillard and husband, Pete, Waverly, WV,and  Diana Carol Lawson, and husband, Art, Broken Arrow, OK; five  Grandchildren:  Timothy Alley, Robert Alley, Tyler Payton, Koty McLaughlin, and Dustin McLaughlin.

The family will receive friends at the Springfield Assembly of God Church, Springfield, WV on Monday, December 29 from 10 - 11 a.m.   The Celebration of Life service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 29, 2008 at the Springfield Assembly of God Church, Springfield, WV,  with Dr. Tom Gulbronson officiating.  Military honors will be accorded at the church  following the service.  A dinner reception will immediately follow at the church. Interment  will be private in the Springfield Hill Cemetery.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Hospice of the Panhandle, 122 Waverly Court, Martinsburg, WV  25401.