Person Page - 4347

     Gerald Eugene "Jerry" Vest CRESTONE- Paul Joe Vest was a Buddhist and an ancient Buddhist emperor-tumed-monk once said, "Each age is a dream that is dying, or one that is coming to birth. Vest did not ask for sympathy but he did ask for understanding. He bared his soul to others in an effort to keep them from contracting the crippling illness which took his life April 20. Vest did not like to be called a victim. He lived with AIDS the last ftve years of his life and called it a "blessing," but one he did not wish on others. He went into classrooms around the San Luis Valley telling young people about his illness. Some students wrote to thank him for his bravery. Vest admitted he had been promiscuous. He said if he could have chosen. he would not have been gay, but he was. After learning he had contracted AIDS. he came to Crestone to visit a fellow Tibetan Buddhist and fell in love with the area. He moved here with his mother in 1989, embracing his fiercest passion: writing music. He composed a "requiem" which he wanted to benefit those with AIDS. He saw his work performed several places, including Adams State College and his alma mater. Lake Forest College in Illinois. It is frequently referred to as "The AIDS Requiem," but Vest refused to name it that, calling it simply a requiem. When Vest died of AIDS at age 48, he had many family members and friends across the country. Four separate memorial services were held at different locations, from Colorado to Nova Scotia. He left his mother, Gamet, and younger brother, Jan. They had been through it all before with Joe's older brother, Jerry. This is their story. Rest in peace, Joe. Garnet May Vest is 72 and suffers from chronic lung disease. Her reason for living in the Crestone area is gone. Her second son is dead. like his older brother Jerry, who was an equally gifted man, Joe Vest died from AIDS. His mother believes her sons had no choice of their sexual orientation. lfs genetic, she says, adding that "nature isn't perfect." Mrs. Vest moved to The Baca to help care for Joe in 1989. After he died she decided to return to Illinois, where the higher humidity and lower altitude will be better for her health. Her sons Jerry and Joe were bom 14 months apart. Both attended college in lllinois, and Joe was a Phi Beta Kappa at prestigious Lake Forest College, where he had a full scholarship. Everything came easily to Joe and he had lots of friends, his mother recalled. A conscientious objector during the Vietnam War, Joe served in VISTA instead. but it ruined his chance to work on a Ph.D. at Washington University in St. Louis, where he'd been offered a fellowship. He went to work for an educational video company in Chicago, traveling the world and becoming a success in his profession, Mrs. Vest recalls. Joe and Jerry Vest learned they had AIDS at about the same time in 1989. Joe moved to The Baca; Jerry was living in Australia where he had lost a lover named Peter to the same disease the year before. Jerry had told Joe how bad the disease was, but the Vests weren't prepared for its devastation. At the end, both brothers went blind. What kept Joe alive longer than his brother was this pristine area and the loving people, his mother maintains. And Joe Vest had a purpose, a constituency if one could call it that: He believed the residents of the San Luis Valley needed to hear his message. "He wanted to do that as long as he could see," Mrs. Vest said. Despite all his pain, she remembers her son crying only three times. over emotional hurts. The physical pain he could endure without ftinching. Joe died in Boulder at the home of a friend. "He wanted to live so bad. He never gave up hope. He always thought there would be a cure." Mrs. Vest was so ill she could not attend the memorial service for her son at the Tibetan Project here on May 1 but she noted he was "Well-remembered. It was so wonderful." She says its "hard to give advice to people because everyone handles grief differently." and she's trying to deal with her grief now. What she wants is to be able to raise the consciousness of people regarding those with AIDS. "Nothing hurts as bad as losing your children," she said. Jan Vest is 43, a medical clinic administrator, twice married, father of a 2-year-old adopted son. He has held the hands of two older brothers and watched them die of AIDS. like his mother, he fights back the tears when he talks about his brothers. He and his wife Jane, a social worker, moved to the area in 1991 after Joe became seriously ill. Jan Vest remembers his childhood, looking up to his big brothers, admiring their creativity. Jerry's paintings hang on the walls of his mother's Crestone home, but they also are in homes all over the world. Joe's piano stands ready to be packed for Mrs. Vest move back to Illinois, and it is a reminder of music from childhood. Jerry, born on Dec. 7, 1944, died Nov. 17, 1991, in a hospice in Sydney, Australia, overlooking the opera house Jerry loved. The room was full of flowers and Jerry, even though blinded by AIDS, could smell them. "I said, ' lfs such a beautiful day.' And I opened up the window. And he said, 'Of course it is, Jan Vest recalled. He said Jerry accomplished his life's goals and retired at age 35, then moved to Australia where he was involved in an import-export business of Oriental art and redesigned building interiors. Jerry's ashes and those of his companion and scattered together in Australian waters. Joe, the middle brother, was not so adventuresome, Jan said. "There were a lot of things he didn't do because he was afraid, but he was a success all his life." From the time he was a child, Joe wrote plays and poetry and composed music, even writing a song in honor of one of his grandmothers. Jan came to the area for a visit, in order to sign Joe up for the hospice program, but he learned about a job opening at the Valley-Wide Health Services. He went to work there and his wife was hired at the mental health center in Alamosa. Jan is a quiet controlled man, but he is angry about the way AIDS has become politicized and that it is considered a "gay man's disease in this country." Throughout the world, he says, it is a heterosexual disease. And, as a health care administrator, Jan Vest sees traditional venereal diseases as a greater threat to society, even though they are curable for the most part. Gays are no more promiscuous than other men, he believes. "Sexually transmitted diseases have been killing people forever. They are rampant in the young and poor because they don't go to the doctor." For Jan and Garnet Vest there is one overriding message: "Life is so precious. You'll miss your worst enemy" What would Paul Joe Vest's message be? Jan believes it would be: "Do not delay what you want to do. Take the risk and do it because tomorrow may not come. Do not let fear into your life."⁴ He was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.² He was born on December 7, 1944.^2,4 He died on November 19, 1991 at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, at age 46.^2,3,4

     Paul Joe Vest CRESTONE- Paul Joe Vest was a Buddhist and an ancient Buddhist emperor-tumed-monk once said, "Each age is a dream that is dying, or one that is coming to birth. Vest did not ask for sympathy but he did ask for understanding. He bared his soul to others in an effort to keep them from contracting the crippling illness which took his life April 20. Vest did not like to be called a victim. He lived with AIDS the last ftve years of his life and called it a "blessing," but one he did not wish on others. He went into classrooms around the San Luis Valley telling young people about his illness. Some students wrote to thank him for his bravery. Vest admitted he had been promiscuous. He said if he could have chosen. he would not have been gay, but he was. After learning he had contracted AIDS. he came to Crestone to visit a fellow Tibetan Buddhist and fell in love with the area. He moved here with his mother in 1989, embracing his fiercest passion: writing music. He composed a "requiem" which he wanted to benefit those with AIDS. He saw his work performed several places, including Adams State College and his alma mater. Lake Forest College in Illinois. It is frequently referred to as "The AIDS Requiem," but Vest refused to name it that, calling it simply a requiem. When Vest died of AIDS at age 48, he had many family members and friends across the country. Four separate memorial services were held at different locations, from Colorado to Nova Scotia. He left his mother, Gamet, and younger brother, Jan. They had been through it all before with Joe's older brother, Jerry. This is their story. Rest in peace, Joe. Garnet May Vest is 72 and suffers from chronic lung disease. Her reason for living in the Crestone area is gone. Her second son is dead. like his older brother Jerry, who was an equally gifted man, Joe Vest died from AIDS. His mother believes her sons had no choice of their sexual orientation. lfs genetic, she says, adding that "nature isn't perfect." Mrs. Vest moved to The Baca to help care for Joe in 1989. After he died she decided to return to Illinois, where the higher humidity and lower altitude will be better for her health. Her sons Jerry and Joe were bom 14 months apart. Both attended college in lllinois, and Joe was a Phi Beta Kappa at prestigious Lake Forest College, where he had a full scholarship. Everything came easily to Joe and he had lots of friends, his mother recalled. A conscientious objector during the Vietnam War, Joe served in VISTA instead. but it ruined his chance to work on a Ph.D. at Washington University in St. Louis, where he'd been offered a fellowship. He went to work for an educational video company in Chicago, traveling the world and becoming a success in his profession, Mrs. Vest recalls. Joe and Jerry Vest learned they had AIDS at about the same time in 1989. Joe moved to The Baca; Jerry was living in Australia where he had lost a lover named Peter to the same disease the year before. Jerry had told Joe how bad the disease was, but the Vests weren't prepared for its devastation. At the end, both brothers went blind. What kept Joe alive longer than his brother was this pristine area and the loving people, his mother maintains. And Joe Vest had a purpose, a constituency if one could call it that: He believed the residents of the San Luis Valley needed to hear his message. "He wanted to do that as long as he could see," Mrs. Vest said. Despite all his pain, she remembers her son crying only three times. over emotional hurts. The physical pain he could endure without ftinching. Joe died in Boulder at the home of a friend. "He wanted to live so bad. He never gave up hope. He always thought there would be a cure." Mrs. Vest was so ill she could not attend the memorial service for her son at the Tibetan Project here on May 1 but she noted he was "Well-remembered. It was so wonderful." She says its "hard to give advice to people because everyone handles grief differently." and she's trying to deal with her grief now. What she wants is to be able to raise the consciousness of people regarding those with AIDS. "Nothing hurts as bad as losing your children," she said. Jan Vest is 43, a medical clinic administrator, twice married, father of a 2-year-old adopted son. He has held the hands of two older brothers and watched them die of AIDS. like his mother, he fights back the tears when he talks about his brothers. He and his wife Jane, a social worker, moved to the area in 1991 after Joe became seriously ill. Jan Vest remembers his childhood, looking up to his big brothers, admiring their creativity. Jerry's paintings hang on the walls of his mother's Crestone home, but they also are in homes all over the world. Joe's piano stands ready to be packed for Mrs. Vest move back to Illinois, and it is a reminder of music from childhood. Jerry, born on Dec. 7, 1944, died Nov. 17, 1991, in a hospice in Sydney, Australia, overlooking the opera house Jerry loved. The room was full of flowers and Jerry, even though blinded by AIDS, could smell them. "I said, ' lfs such a beautiful day.' And I opened up the window. And he said, 'Of course it is, Jan Vest recalled. He said Jerry accomplished his life's goals and retired at age 35, then moved to Australia where he was involved in an import-export business of Oriental art and redesigned building interiors. Jerry's ashes and those of his companion and scattered together in Australian waters. Joe, the middle brother, was not so adventuresome, Jan said. "There were a lot of things he didn't do because he was afraid, but he was a success all his life." From the time he was a child, Joe wrote plays and poetry and composed music, even writing a song in honor of one of his grandmothers. Jan came to the area for a visit, in order to sign Joe up for the hospice program, but he learned about a job opening at the Valley-Wide Health Services. He went to work there and his wife was hired at the mental health center in Alamosa. Jan is a quiet controlled man, but he is angry about the way AIDS has become politicized and that it is considered a "gay man's disease in this country." Throughout the world, he says, it is a heterosexual disease. And, as a health care administrator, Jan Vest sees traditional venereal diseases as a greater threat to society, even though they are curable for the most part. Gays are no more promiscuous than other men, he believes. "Sexually transmitted diseases have been killing people forever. They are rampant in the young and poor because they don't go to the doctor." For Jan and Garnet Vest there is one overriding message: "Life is so precious. You'll miss your worst enemy" What would Paul Joe Vest's message be? Jan believes it would be: "Do not delay what you want to do. Take the risk and do it because tomorrow may not come. Do not let fear into your life."³ His Social Security Number was 345-38-1747.⁴ He was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.² He was born on February 17, 1946 at Portsmouth, Scioto Co., Ohio.^2,4 He died on April 20, 1994 at Boulder, Boulder Co., Colorado, at age 48.^2,3,4

     Helen Ruth Tighe was buried at Saint Sebastians Cemetery, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,3 Her married name was Vest.¹ She married Dr. Frank Monroe Vest, son of Omer Oris Vest and Mattie M. Wills.^1,3 Helen Ruth Tighe was born on July 4, 1924 at Mahoning Co., Ohio.^1,2 She died on April 8, 1996 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 71.^1,3 She BECKLEY - Helen Ruth Tighe Vest, 71, of Beckley died April 8, 1996, in a local hospital after a long illness. She was a homemaker, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and a member of St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church, Beckley. Surviving: husband, Dr. Frank M. Vest; sons, Frank M. Jr. of Charleston, Robert Bruce of Beckley; daughter, Anne Vest Meadows of MacArthur; brother, Donald Tighe of Maitland, Fla; seven grandchildren. Service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church with the Rev. John McGinnity officiating. Interment will be in St. Sebastian Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley, where a rosary will be recited at 8:30 p.m. The family suggests contributions be made to St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church, 614 South Oakwood Ave., Beckley, W.Va., 25801. on April 10, 1996.³

     His Social Security Number was 132-10-5316.² Theodore J. Nagel married Opal Bennett Aliff, daughter of Thomas Paris "Tom" Aliff and Mary Etta Wills.^3,4 Theodore J. Nagel was born on December 20, 1913.² He died in January, 1986 at age 72.²

     Margaret Hope High Margaret Hope High Aliff, 61, of Charleston passed away Monday, January 30, 2012, at CAMC Memorial Hospital. Margaret was born in Charleston on November 24, 1950, to the late Wilbur D. and Mary Hoglund High. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and sister and had many loving friends. Margaret was retired from the West Virginia Department of Highways, a 1968 graduate of DuPont High School and a 1976 Graduate of West Virginia Tech in Montgomery. She was an avid NASCAR fan, loved gardening and spending her vacations in Florida, where her dream was to someday retire. On Friday, January 27, 2012, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Morgan "Chuck" Aliff. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Daniel (Melissa) High of Edmond, Oklahoma and Martha (Michael) Vermuth of Atlanta, Georgia, Alyssa and Patrick Aliff, both of Elkview; grandchildren, Anna(20), Skyler (13), Jonathan (12), Jack (12), Sara (8), Hank (7), Avery (5); and her dog, Scooter; sisters, Kathy (Dan) Steakley of Edmond, Oklahoma and Elizabeth (John) Skelton of Lafayette, Indiana; and brothers, David (Linda) High of Edmond, Oklahoma and Paul High of Charleston. The funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at Stevens & Grass Funeral Home, Malden, with David R. High officiating. The burial will follow the services in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston. Family and friends may call one hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday at the funeral home.¹ She was buried at Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.¹ Her married name was Aliff.² She married Charles Morgan Aliff, son of Dr. James Paul Aliff and Dorothy C. Nagle.^2,1 Margaret Hope High was born on November 24, 1950 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.¹ She died on January 30, 2012 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia, at age 61.¹

     Willa Mae "Sissy" Hall was buried at Princess Anne Memorial Park, 1110 N. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia.² Her married name was Aliff.¹ She married Perry Hansford Aliff, son of Thomas Paris "Tom" Aliff and Mary Etta Wills.¹ Willa Mae "Sissy" Hall was born on December 18, 1923 at Stickney, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.¹ She died on October 29, 2012 at Virginia Beach, Virginia, at age 88.^1,3 She Virginia Beach - Willa Mae "Sissy" Aliff Benda, passed away October 29, 2012, at Seaside Nursing Facility, Virginia Beach, VA. Sissy was born December 18, 1923 in Stickney, WV, a daughter of the late Wilson and Addie Hall, of Whitesville, WV. In addition to her parents, Sissy was preceded in death by her first husband, Perry Aliff of Whitesville, WV, and her second husband Michael D. (Danny) Benda of Virginia Beach, VA. She was also preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Dr. Joseph and Peggy Chambers of Huntington, WV, a brother-in-law, Leonard Noel, of Huntington, WV, and a great nephew, Andrew Perry Noel, of Ellicott City, MD. Sissy is survived by her sister, Mildred Noel of Huntington, WV. Also surviving are her nieces and nephews, James Noel (Peggy) of Milton, WV; Debby McNeer (Bill) of Midlothian, VA; Cindy Harper (Robert) of Conway, SC; Dr. Thomas Noel (Nancy) of Bandon, OR; Sarah Parry (David) of Huntington, WV; and Tara Barbera (Michael) of Huntington, WV and their children Michael, Jamie, David, and Emily Noel, Amanda and Johnny Shonk; Rebecca and Margaret Harper; Lauren Noel Boltz; Luke, Beth Ann, and Matt Eskew; and Michael and Joe Barbera. Although Sissy had no children of her own, she was like a mother to her nieces and nephews. Sissy is also survived by her stepchildren Andrea Benda; Stephen Benda (Gretchen); Allison Benda; Leslie Benda; and Mike Benda (Bridget) all of Virginia Beach. Sissy graduated from Marsh Folk High School as Valedictorian of her class and was awarded, a scholarship to Shenandoah. She was an extremely talented pianist and organist and served as organist of Whitesville Presbyterian Church for many years. Sissy was a member of Francis Asbury Methodist Church in Virginia Beach and a former member of Whitesville Presbyterian Church. She was an avid sports lover and very special fan of Marshall University. A memorial service will be held Monday, November 5, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Francis Asbury United Methodist Church, 1871 Great Neck Rd., Va. Beach, VA. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the memorial fund of Francis Asbury United Methodist Church or Hospice. on November 2, 2012.¹

     John Perry Wills was buried at Wills Cemetery, Arnett, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,4 He was born on July 31, 1942 at Rock Creek, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,6,3,4 He married Cecelia Romaine Sanbower on August 2, 1976 at Rich Creek, Giles Co., Virginia.³ John Perry Wills died on February 2, 2009 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 66.^1,6,4 He ROCK CREEK - John P. Wills, 66, of Rock Creek, passed away on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, at the Bowers Hospice House. He was surrounded by family and friends. Born July 31, 1942, at Rock Creek, he was the son of the late Clarence and Donna Wills. Mrs. Wills graduated from Marsh Fork High School in 1960 and spent most of his life in Rock Creek. He was a truck driver in business for himself and later worked for Vecellio and Grogan. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Cecelia Wills of Rock Creek; daughters, Holly McGhee and husband, Matt, of Arnett, and Karrie Kinser and husband, George, of Rock Creek; stepson, Ronald Sanbower and wife, Sandy, of Frederick, Md. He leaves behind grandchildren, Madison and Lilly Kinser, Jordan and Chloe McGhee, Ronald Jr., Brian and Nichlas Sanbower; and one great-grandchild, Hunter Sanbower. Mr. Wills is also survived by a sister, Joann Blum and husband, Edward, of Cleveland, Ohio; three brothers, Eugene Wills and wife, Rose, of Cleveland, Ohio; three brothers, Eugene Wills and wife, Rose, of Cleveland, Ohio, Robert Wills and wife, Kay, of Rock Creek and James Wills and wife, Ann, of Farmville, Va. He also leaves behind nieces, nephews and dear friends. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at the Rebecca Chapel, Rock Creek, with Pastor Donnie Russell officiating. Singer will be Scott Shuster. Burial will follow in the Wills Cemetery, Rock Creek. Friends may call 6 to 9 p.m. today at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, W.Va. 25801. Arrangements by Armstrong Funeral Home, Whitesville. on February 4, 2009.⁴

     Charles Wood Bradford Charles W. Bradford, 88, of Edwight, passed away Friday, July 28, 2006, following a short illness. He was born June 25, 1918, at Dry Creek. He was the son of the late Robert P. Bradford and Dora Jarrell Bradford. He was a retired coal miner of 53 years from Peabody Coal and Armco Coal Co. He was also a World War II veteran, serving with the 10th Mountain Division. Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Sylvia Wills Bradford; two sons, Charles T. Bradford and his wife, Eve, of Parkersburg and Richard A. Bradford of Edwight. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Don, Posey, Tom, Casper “Cap” and Lewis; and three sisters, Victoria, Ora and Evelyn. Graveside service will be 3 p.m. Monday at Miller Cemetery, Rock Creek, with Rev. Ottie Tyler officiating. Friends may call one hour before service Monday at Valley Funeral Home, Whitesville.² He was buried at Miller Cemetery, Rock Creek, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,2 He was born on June 25, 1918 at Dry Creek, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,2 He married Sylvia Ann Wills, daughter of Joseph Wills and Cassie May Kincaid, circa 1937.² Charles Wood Bradford died on July 28, 2006 at age 88.^1,2

     Rev. Michael Fain Pettry was born on August 1, 1942 at Arnett, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^3,5 He married Patricia Ann Cook on September 13, 1965 at Arnett, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^3,4,5 Rev. Michael Fain Pettry died on August 4, 2017 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 75.⁵ He Michael Fain Pettry, 75, of Arnett, WV, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 4, 2017. He was born August 1, 1942, to the late Golden and Jess Wills Pettry in Arnett, WV. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and worked for Ranger Fuel, Armco Steel and Allied Security throughout his life. Michael had pastored Dameron Freewill Church, Coal City Freewill Church and New Hope Church at Peachtree. Besides his parents he was also preceded in death by his daughter, Melissa Alderman; a sister Katrina Wills, and brothers, Golden Pettry Jr. and Zennis Earl Pettry. Michael is survived by his wife, Patricia Cook Pettry; daughters, Katrina Lynn Pettry and Kimberly Dawn Pettry; a son, Michael Pettry II; grandchildren: Donnie Pettry, Jessie Phipps, Jamielee Ward, James Pettry, Warren Pettry, Saralynn Alderman and Katelyn Alderman; great grandchildren: Gracie Pettry, Maddie Pettry, Zella Pettry, Ricky Phipps, Jayden Phipps, Ashton Phipps, Jimi White and Rylan Ward; a son-in-law, Burke Alderman; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 1:00 Wednesday afternoon, August 9, 2017, in the Arnett Chapel, Arnett, WV. Clergy Rev. Larry Kinder. Interment Pettry Cemetery, Arnett, WV. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 Tuesday at the church. Armstrong Funeral Home is serving the family. on August 6, 2017.⁵

     Her married name was Pettry. Dorothy Allison married Zennis Earl Pettry, son of Golden Manassas Pettry and Jessie "Jess" Wills.^1,2 Dorothy Allison was born on October 1, 1922 at Saltville, Smyth Co., Virginia.² She died on April 20, 1974 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 51.² She Mrs. Dorothy Allison Pettry, 51, Mabscott, died Saturday at 7:30 a.m. in a local hospital after a long illness. Mrs. Pettry was born Oct. 1, 1922 in Saltville, Va., a daughter of Mrs. Della Allison, Saltville, and the late Henry Allison. Her husband, Zennis, died in July 1972. Additional survivors include a son, Larry Vernon Pettry, Mabscott; three sisters, Mrs. Maggie Adkins, Mrs. Janet Bays and Mrs. Vada Stevenson, all of Saltville; two brothers, Blackie Allison, Saltville, and Vernon, Allison, Montgomery, Ala., and four grandchildren. The Henderson Funeral Home, Saltville, is in charge of funeral arrangements. on April 24, 1974.²

     Melissa Ann Pettry was buried at Pettry Family Cemetery, Pine Branch Road, Arnett, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.¹ Her married name was Alderman.¹ She married Burke Wayne Alderman.^1,2 Melissa Ann Pettry was born on July 31, 1966 at Arnett, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.¹ She died on December 16, 2016 at Glen Daniel, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 50.¹ She Melissa Ann Alderman of Glen Daniel, WV, went home to be with the Lord on December 16, 2016, at her home after a long illness. She was born July 31, 1966, at Arnett, WV, the daughter of Michael Fain and Patricia Ann Cook Pettry Sr., who reside in Arnett, WV. She was a member of the Breckenridge Missionary Baptist Church, Bolt, WV. She enjoyed taking pictures, going on adventures, being with her family and going to church. She is preceded in death by grandparents, Don and Mary Cook and Golden and Jess Pettry; an uncle, Richard Cook; brother-in-law, Michael "Squirt" Alderman. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Burke Wayne Alderman; daughters, Saralynn Morgan Alderman and Katelyn Justine Alderman; sisters, Katrina Lynn Pettry, Kimberly Dawn Pettry, and one brother, Michael F. Pettry II; several nieces and nephews. I woke up this morning wanting all of this to be the nightmare I was terrified of having. My best friend, my secret holder, my tear stopper, my hero, my role model and now my guardian angel. Mom, this isn't fair and it doesn't feel right. You left a big impact on many lives and you will be missed by so many. I miss you, mommy, but I know you are up in Heaven with the Lord watching over all of us. Rest easy, momma! I Love you and I will see you soon! From your girls, Saralynn & Katelyn. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon, December 21, 2016, at 11:00 o'clock, Breckenridge Missionary Baptist Church, Bolt, WV. Clergy Rev. Dewey Lowe. Interment Pettry Cemetery, Arnett, WV. Visitation Tuesday from 6 to 9 at the church. Armstrong Funeral Home is serving the family. on December 18, 2016.¹