Person Page - 1436

     Randall William "Jake'" Poff On Thursday August 1, 2013 we lost the guiding light and love of our lives, our hero, our father, our grandfather, and our brother Mr. Randall William “Jake” Poff, 76, of 2245 Reese Harmon Ridge Road, Rock when he went to spend eternity with the love of his life; Betty Mae Poff. Jake was born on August 2, 1937 a son to late Pelby and Margaret Poff. He graduated from Bramwell High School in 1955. Jake retired from Sidney Coal Company located in Australia in 1999. He was the Plant Superintendent, he enjoyed his travels especially his trip to Australia and he also considered his coworkers his extended family. He loved to hunt and fish and his favorite hobby was gardening that which he enjoyed sharing with friends and relatives. He loved to make people laugh, tell jokes and he was always smiling. Jake’s source of pride was that of his family, the one he was born into and the one he and his wife Betty created. Being one of the four children of the late Pelby and Margaret Poff was a special gift. As the oldest of the Poff family, Jake paved the way in a strong and loving manner for all of his siblings. Jake was the definition of “Role model” to all his siblings, sons, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren. With the guidance of his loving wife and parents he set the standard for qualities such as kind, caring, determined, strong, loyal, hardworking, respectful, and trusting which he instilled in his family. Jake was a loving husband to his wife Betty, for 49 years. In Jake’s words, Betty and Jake were made in Heaven. Their unbreakable bond only grew stronger as they raised their three sons together. Like his faith, their love for each other has never wavered. As a parent, he brought his beautiful spirit to his own children. Through his selfless ways, he was shown his children how to lend a simple yet meaningful life. Through his actions of supporting, cheering, guiding, and analyzing each child in academics, sports, and making life’s decisions, his influence, wisdom, and love will live on in their hearts forever, Jake was the devoted and proud father of three sons; Randall William and his wife Lauri of Plain City, Ohio, Jeffery Lee and his wife Jessica of Princeton, and David Anthony of Dublin, Ohio. He was the confidante to his four grandsons; Jarrett Poff of Bluefield, WV, Jeffery “ Lee” and his wife Kayala of Bluefield, VA, Tony and his wife Terah of Rock, WV, and Tyle Poff of Dublin, OH, and one granddaughter Jessica Anderson of Bluefield, WV. Paw as he was called by all who came to know him also had six great-grandchildren; Gaige, Raylee, Mattox of Bluefield, AJ and Adelina of Rock, and Braylen of Bluefield, VA. He was a brother to Polly Blevins and her husband James, Sharon Brooks and her husband Chip, and the late Freddy Poff all of Rock, WV. He was also survived by two special nieces; Jamie Blevins of Middlesex, NC, and Nicloe Brooks Zell of Charleston, SC and many nieces and nephews. His caregiver Jackie York was by his side each day following his instructions to the secrets of gardening. Jake was a man of many talents. He was known in the community as “Paw Gardner”. He had a green thumb and his garden was overflowing with ripe fresh produce which he proudly shared with all his family and neighbors. He was incredibly friendly and would make conversation with everyone. From the words of an unknown author, “God took the strength of a mountain, the majesty of a tree, the warmth of a summer sun, the calm of a quiet sea, the generous soul of nature, the comforting arm of night, the wisdom of the ages, the power of the eagle’s flight, the joy of a morning spring, the faith of a mustard seed, the patience of eternity, the depth of a family need, then God combined these qualities, when there was nothing more to add, he knew his masterpiece was complete, and so, He called it …”Paw” Paw had many special friends but among the closest was Mr. Jack McKinley of Reese Harmon Ridge and Ms. Kathy Williams of Bluefield. Mr. Jack as Paw called him was a great source of comfort in times of heartache and pain. Kathy Williams was the daughter Paw and Maw never had. The closeness they shared was bound by their mutual love of their blended family. Special friends to the staff of Princeton Community Hospital Fourth Floor, Dr. Khokar, and Hospice for the love and comfort shown to him and his family. Graveside services for Mr. Poff will be conducted Tuesday August 6, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. at the Maple Hill Cemetery located in Bluefield, VA with the Minister Jack Johnson officiating. Serving the family as pallbeares will be sons and grandsons. Those wishing to attend the graveside services should meet at the Cravens-Shires funeral Home by 12:30 P.M. The family will receive friends at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Monday August 5, 2013 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00P.M.⁵ He was buried at Maple Hill Cemetery, Bluefield, Tazewell Co., Virginia.⁵ He was born on August 2, 1937 at Rock, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^5,6 He married Betty Mae Ferguson on January 30, 1960 at Tazewell, Tazewell Co., Virginia.^1,4,5,6 Randall William "Jake'" Poff died on August 1, 2013 at age 75.⁵

     Betty Mae Ferguson was buried at Maple Hill Cemetery, Bluefield, Tazewell Co., Virginia.² Her Social Security Number was 235-52-8486.⁴ She was born on May 12, 1938 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,4 As of January 30, 1960,her married name was Poff.³ She married Randall William "Jake'" Poff, son of Pelby Mervin Poff and Margaret Pauline "Grannie" Perdue, on January 30, 1960 at Tazewell, Tazewell Co., Virginia.^5,2,6,3 Betty Mae Ferguson died on October 27, 2009 at Virginia at age 71.^2,4 She Betty Mae Poff of Reese Harmon Ridge, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend died on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 after a brief illness. Betty was born in Bluefield, W.Va. on May 12, 1938 to the late Bradley and Mary Ferguson. Maw, as she was fondly called by her family, lived a full life by loving, caring and giving of herself with a heart full of love. Her home was a center of hospitality to all who entered. Her passing is a distinct loss to her family, where her spirit and total devotion were felt. She was a faithful, tender wife and mother that loved spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. She was a fiercely independent woman that knew she was blessed to spend her life with her adoring, loving and eternal husband of 49 years, Randall "Jake" Poff. In addition her parents she was preceded in death by three brothers, Walter Lee, Bradley David and Joseph Edward Ferguson; and one sister, Mary Patsy Ferguson. She is survived by three sons, Randall Williams Jr. and wife Lauri of Plain City, Ohio, Jeffery Lee and wife Kathy of Rock, W.Va. and David Anthony of Plain City, Ohio; five grandchildren, Jarrett Poff of Goldsboro, N.C., Jessica Anderson of Rock, W.Va., Jeffery "Lee" II and wife Kayla of Brushfork, W.Va., David Anthony II "Tony" and fiancé Terah Tiller of Rock, W.Va. and Tyler Davis of Plain City, Ohio; three great-grandchildren, Gaige Sisk, David Anthony III "A.J." and Raylee Simpson. Additionally, she is survived by her siblings, Stella Ruth Martin of Rocky Gap, Va., Michelle Imogene Shephard and husband Michael of Bluefield, W.Va. and Jim Sanders Ferguson and wife Sarah of Bluefield, W.Va. She is also survived by two special sisters-in-law she lovingly called her friends, Pauline Blevins and husband James of Rock, W.Va. and Sharon Brooks and husband Chip of Rock, W.Va. Graveside services will be held on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery on Tazewell Ave. in Bluefield, Va. with the Minister Tony Reed officiating the service. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, W.Va. on Friday by 12:30 p.m. Friends and family may call at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, W.Va. on Thursday, October 29, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Serving as pallbearers will be her three sons and grandsons. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Red Cross or Cancer Research. The Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Poff family. on October 29, 2009.²

     His Social Security Number was 227-03-0967.³ John William Riddle Jr. married Georgia Elizabeth Poff, daughter of George Thomas Poff and Louvenia Elizabeth "Louvenie" Wagoner.^1,2 John William Riddle Jr. was born on August 13, 1912 at Arkansas.^2,3 He died in May, 1984 at West Virginia at age 71.³