Person Page - 6526

     Peggy Y. Cruise was buried at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, 5233 Rocky Fork Road, Cross Lanes, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.³ Her Social Security Number was 236-82-0914.⁴ She Peggy Y. Roatsey 62, of Elkview passed away on Sunday August 12, 2012 at CAMC General Hospital after a long illness. She was beautiful, inside and out. She made a positive difference in many lives and witnessed often for Christ. She was a member of Elkview Church of Christ; she was a teacher for Kanawha county schools until she became a counselor at Clendenin, Pinch and Mary Engels Elementary Schools. She was preceded in death by her mother Vera Cruise. She is survived by her husband Terry Roatsey of Elkview; Son, Todd Roatsey of Elkview; Daughters, Michelle Mincer and husband David of Charleston, Tara Dawson and husband Dale of Charleston; Father, Lawrence Cruise of Elkview; Sister, Marcia Lightner and husband Tom; Grandchildren, Trenton Shamblin, Holden Shamblin, Georgia Grace Mincer, Gabriel Mincer, and Eli Dawson. Burial will take place at Tyler Mountain Memory Mausoleum in Cross Lanes.³ Her married name was Roatsey.¹ She married Terry Roatsey.^1,2,3 Peggy Y. Cruise was born on June 3, 1950.⁴ She died on August 12, 2012 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia, at age 62.^4,3

     Thelma Josephine Hedrick Thelma "Nannie Jo" Hedrick Richardson, 91, of Highland Avenue, Princeton went to meet her heavenly Father on March 11, 2011, where she will forever stand in the presence of His Amazing Grace. She was cherished by her family and loved by all who knew her. She was born August 5, 1919 in Princeton and was the daughter of the late Tom Hedrick and Viola Elmore Hedrick. Nannie Jo was a member of the First Christian Church on Straley Avenue in Princeton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Clenon D. "Slim" Richardson Sr., sons, Scotty & Jolly along with brothers; L.A., Buford, Fred and Billy Hedrick and two sisters, Nancy Rice and Inez Hedrick. For the many people that knew Nannie Jo, she was a person that shared love freely to all who came into her life and with that love came forgiveness. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. Nannie Jo truly enjoyed shopping, eating, her flowers, and she was always taking pictures of her family and friends. For all the great qualities that Ms. Thelma was gifted to have, she possessed great wisdom. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. For it was on this day the Lord hath said, well done thy good and faithful servant, Come Home. Those left to cherish her memory are seven sons and their spouses; Dean Jr. & Sharon Richardson of Follansbee, Jerry & Shelby Richardson, Gene & Donna Richardson, Ronnie & Dreama Richardson, Charles Richardson, Jimmy & Debbie Richardson, all of Princeton, Johnny & Terry Richardson of Romney. Her 13 Grandchildren whom she loved dearly, Tommy, Barbie, Kevin, Lisa, Todd, Misty, Melissa, David, Jamie, Aaron, Jason, Kelley and Keith. 25 Great Grandchildren, Five Sisters Norma & Stanley Gunter Ethel & Benny Oxley Martha Redden Ruth Porter Grace & Tommy Watts. Her special caregivers, Opal Jones & Donna Tilley. And a special friend that loved her dearly, Charlie Mathena. Her extended family at Princeton Health Care Center and her family with Hospice. Burial will follow in the Roselawn Memorial Garden in Princeton. Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons; Kevin, Todd, David, Jamie, Aaron, Jason and Keith. Honorary pallbearers will be Darrell Folden, matt Cox, Butch Goins, Mike Mills and Harlen White.⁴ She was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁴ Her Social Security Number was 235-08-2120.⁹ She was born on August 5, 1919 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^4,9 As of September 27, 1941,her married name was Richardson.³ She married Clenon Dean Richardson Sr. on September 27, 1941 at Narrows, Giles Co., Virginia.^{10,6,3,4,11,7} Thelma Josephine Hedrick died on March 11, 2011 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 91.^4,9

     Dale Clayton Hedrick Sr. was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.^2,3 His Social Security Number was 236-18-3338.⁴ He married Thelma Irene Garner.¹⁰ Dale Clayton Hedrick Sr. was born on October 2, 1921 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,3,5,11,12 He died on September 24, 1980 at Falls Church, Fairfax Co., Virginia, at age 58.^2,3,12

     Inez Virginia Hedrick was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park, 1917 West Main Street, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ She was born on January 1, 1924 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ She died on July 4, 1948 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 24; Died in an auto accident.³

     Buford Harold Hedrick was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park, 1917 West Main Street, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^8,9 His Social Security Number was 719-16-8335.³ He was born on January 3, 1926 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,11,8,4 He married Lois Reasor on July 28, 1951 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.¹² Buford Harold Hedrick and Lois Reasor were divorced on June 20, 1964.² Buford Harold Hedrick married Margaret Ellen Crawford on August 29, 1980 at Pembroke, Giles Co., Virginia.² Buford Harold Hedrick died on April 9, 1990 at Wytheville, Wythe Co., Virginia, at age 64.^8,9 He Buford H. Hedrick, 64, of 409 Straley Avenue, Princeton, died Sunday in a Wytheville, Va. hospital. Born in Princeton, he was a son of Viola Virginia Elmore Hedrick of Princeton and the late Thomas Clayton Hedrick. He was a retired construction worker and painter and was a World War II Army Veteran. He was preceded in death by two sons, Mark Hedrick and Marshall Hedrick; brothers, Billy Ray Hedrick, Dale Hedrick and L. A. Hedrick and sister, Inez Hedrick. Additional survivors: sisters, Mrs. C.D. (Thelma) Richardson, Mrs. Stanley (Norma) Gunter, Mrs. Ivan (Nancy) Rice, Mrs. Mike (Ruth) Porter and Martha Redden all of Princeton, Mrs. Bennie (Ethel) Oxley of Athens and Mrs. Tom (Grace) Watts of Manassas, Va., brother, Fred Hedrick of New Castle, Del. Burial in Resthaven Memorial Park in Princeton. on April 10, 1990.⁹

     His Social Security Number was 232-34-0263.⁸ Fred Holroyd Hedrick was buried at Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, New Castle Co., Delaware.^3,10 He was born on May 16, 1928 at Gardner, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^11,2,12,3 He married Betty Gay Hypes on June 17, 1950 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^11,3,13 Fred Holroyd Hedrick died on June 5, 2004 at New Castle, New Castle Co., Delaware, at age 76.^8,12,3 He Fred H. Hedrick, age 76 of New Castle, DE died on Monday, July 5, 2004, at his home. Mr. Hedrick was born in Gardner, WV May 16, 1928, son of the late Thomas and Viola (Elmore) Hedrick. A professional automobile mechanic and member of Teamsters Union Local 326, he worked for Deltrans in Newark for 5 years. Previously, he was employed for 20 years as a mechanic with Galloway Trucking. Mr. Hedrick was a member of Pleasantville Baptist Church in New Castle. In his leisure time, he enjoyed NASCAR racing and was a fan of Jeff Gordon. Mr. Hedrick also maintained a large and varied collection of caps, many of them with NASCAR themes, and was featured in The News Journal for his unique hobby. His wife, Betty Gay (Hypes) Hedrick, died in 1995. He is survived by 4 children, Michael Fred Hedrick of Hartly, Barbara D. Remmey and her husband, Rich, of Palmyra, PA, Drema D. Taylor and her husband, Michael, of New Castle and Virginia A. Page and her husband, Tony, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; 7 sisters, Thelma Richardson of Princeton, WV, Ethel Oxley and Nancy Rice, both of Athens, WV, Norma Gunner of Princeton, WV, Martha Redden of Athens, WV, Ruth Porter of Glenwood, WV and Gracie Watts of Manassas, VA; 8 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park. on July 7, 2004.³

     His Social Security Number was 233-48-8869.² Leonard Allan Hedrick was born on March 8, 1931 at Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,2,7,8 He died on July 19, 1953 at Korea at age 22.⁷

     Ethel Mae Hedrick was buried at Athens Cemetery, Athens, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁴ She Ethel Mae Hedrick Oxley, 88, of Athens, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Sunday, April 3, 2022, at Princeton Community Hospital with her family by her side. Born January 13, 1934, in Princeton, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Clayton Hedrick and Viola Virginia Elmore Hedrick. Ethel was a 1951 graduate of Concord Training High School. For a brief period of time, Ethel worked at the Maidenform in Princeton, and retired from the Mercer County Board of Education with over 25 years of service. She was a faithful member of the Rich Creek Baptist Church at Spanishburg.  Ethel enjoyed working in her garden, sewing, animals (especially her dogs), but most of all, at the top of her list, going shopping. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband, Bennie Marvin Oxley, eight siblings, Inez Hedrick, Martha Redden, Thelma Richardson, Billy Ray Hedrick, Dale Hedrick, L.A. Hedrick, Buford Hedrick, Nancy Rice, and Fred Hedrick. Those left to cherish her memory, two children, Greg Oxley (Kim) and Janet Tedder (Mike); Four grandchildren that called her Nana, Matthew McGrady (Lexi), Morgan Lilly (Brandon), Emily Lilly (Luke), and Michael McGrady (Katherine); Three great-grandchildren that called her Mae Mae, Noah, Mila and Reagan; Three siblings, Ruth Porter, Norma Gunter (Stanley) and Grace Watts; Several nieces and nephews. Burial will follow in the Athens Cemetery in Athens.⁴ She was born on January 13, 1934 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,4,9 As of July 7, 1962,her married name was Oxley.³ She married Bennie Marvin Oxley on July 7, 1962 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.^5,6,3,4,10,9 Ethel Mae Hedrick died on April 3, 2022 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 88.⁴

     Nancy Jane Hedrick was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁴ She Nancy Jane Rice, 68, of Cotton Place, Princeton, died Monday, April 30, 2007, at MUSC Hospital in Charleston SC. Born September 30, 1938, at Princeton, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Clayton Hedrick and Viola Virginia Elmore Hedrick. Nancy graduated from Athens High School and was the valedictorian of her class. She was an active member of the Mt. Jackson Baptist Church in Athens; she was a former Sunday School teacher, Awana Leader and a member of the Church Choir. Nancy loved her family, enjoyed reading the Bible and Books, and did cross stitching. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers, Fred, Buford, L.A., Billy Ray and Dale Hedrick and a sister, Inez Hedrick. Survivors include, Her loving husband of 49 years, Ivan David Rice; Three Daughters, Darla Rice of Charleston, SC, Pam Duncan of Portsmouth, VA, Heather McPherson and husband Danny of Denver, Colo; 8 Grandchildren, Charity, Jeremy, Amanda, David, Andrea, Connor, Kortney and Ashli; 3 Great Grandchildren, Hope, Faith and Cameron; 6 Sisters, Thelma Richardson and husband C. D. of Princeton, Ethel Oxley and husband Bennie of Athens, Norma Gunter and husband Stanley of Eads Mill Road, Martha Redden of Athens, Ruth Porter and husband Mike of Glenwood, Grace Watts and husband Tommy of Manassas, Virginia; A host of nephews and nieces. Burial will follow in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens on the Courthouse Road in Princeton.⁴ She was born on September 30, 1938 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,4 As of March 18, 1958,her married name was Rice.³ She married Ivan David Rice on March 18, 1958 at Lebanon, Russell Co., Virginia.^5,6,3,4 Nancy Jane Hedrick died on April 30, 2007 at Charleston, Charleston Co., South Carolina, at age 68.⁴

     Martha Ann Hedrick Martha Ann Hedrick Redden, 79, of Princeton, died Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at Princeton Community Hospital. Born June 26, 1940, in Princeton, she was the daughter of the late Thomas C. Hedrick and Viola Virginia Elmore Hedrick. Martha retired with 15 years of service as a clerk for the Kroger Company in Princeton. She was of the Baptist faith. Martha loved her family, enjoyed NASCAR, shopping and most of all, her grandbabies. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by seven siblings: Thelma, Dale, Inez, Buford, Fred, L.A., and Nancy. Those left cherish her memory, two children, Devon Redden Jr. (Donnie), Elizabeth Compton “Sissy” (Joey); Three grandchildren, Joey Compton (Amy), Danielle Bailey (Jody), Leah Dawn Bailey (Dustin); Four great-grandchildren, Emma, Abby, Wyndham and Madison; Four siblings, Ethel Oxley of Athens, Norma Gunter (Stanley) of Princeton, Gracie Watts of Manassas VA, Ruth Porter of Princeton with whom she made her home; Several her nieces and nephews. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Parks Cemetery.³ She was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park, 1917 West Main Street, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ She was born on June 26, 1940 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^7,3 As of October 20, 1962,her married name was Redden.⁷ She married Devon Donald Redden Sr. on October 20, 1962 at Lebanon, Russell Co., Virginia.⁷ Martha Ann Hedrick and Devon Donald Redden Sr. were divorced before 1980.⁸ Martha Ann Hedrick died on June 23, 2020 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 79.³

     Clenon Dean Richardson Sr. was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ His Social Security Number was 719-14-8790.⁴ He Clenon Dean "Slim" Richardson, 88, of Highland Avenue, Princeton, died early Sunday morning, August 5, 2007, at his residence. Born March 29, 1919, in Monroe County, he was the son of the late Charles Crockett and Hester Ann Wyrick Richardson. After his education, C.D. entered the service to serve with the U.S. Army during World War II; he received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Meritorious Unit Award Citation and the Good Conduct Medal. C.D. along with his brother Jolly, owned and operated the Richardson Brothers Aluminum Company for several years. For more than 43 years and 6 months, Slim worked for the Virginian Railroad and Norfolk Western Railroad, retiring as Carpenter's Foreman. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance Way. He was a member of the First Christian Church on Straley Avenue in Princeton, a member of the Woodman of the World, Princeton Camp. C.D. was a man of great stature, both in size and great works for mankind. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Scotty Richardson in December of 1974. Those left to cherish his memory: His loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Thelma Hedrick Richardson; seven sons who respected their father, Dean Richardson and wife Sharon of Follansbee, Jerry Richardson and wife Shelby, Charles Richardson, Gene Richardson and wife Donna, Ronnie Richardson and wife Dreama, Jimmy Richardson and wife Debbie all of Princeton, Johnny Richardson and wife Terry of Romney; 13 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren; brother, H.L. "Jolly" Richardson and wife Eva of Princeton; sister, Jane Smith and husband Gary of Syracuse, N.Y; a host of nephews and nieces; his caregivers, Opal Jones and Donna Tilley; and the many friends he had with the Commission on Aging and the extended family with Hospice. Burial will follow in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens on the Courthouse Road in Princeton. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Kevin, Todd, John David, Jamie, Aaron, Jason and Keith Richardson.³ He was born on March 29, 1919 at Ballard, Monroe Co., West Virginia.^3,4,5,6 He married Thelma Josephine Hedrick, daughter of Thomas Clayton "Tom" Hedrick and Viola Virginia Elmore, on September 27, 1941 at Narrows, Giles Co., Virginia.^7,8,1,2,3,9 Clenon Dean Richardson Sr. died on August 5, 2007 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 88.^3,4,6,10

     Billy Ray Hedrick was buried at Elmore Cemetery, Deerfield Lane, Mercer Co., West Virginia; His death certificate says he was buried in a family cemetery, I am guessing it is the Elmore Cemetery.³ He was born circa September, 1936 at Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ He died on September 5, 1937 at Mercer Co., West Virginia.³

     Bennie Marvin Oxley Bennie Marvin Oxley, 84, of Athens went home to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, April 28, 2017 at the VA Medical Center in Beckley. Born May 11, 1932 in Athens, he was the son of the late Estel and Deliliah Martin Oxley. Bennie was a 1950 graduate of Athens High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in the Korean War. He retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad after 40 years of service. Bennie had been a lifelong resident of Athens and was a member of Gloryland Baptist Church in Camp Creek. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Ralph, Harold, James, Clarence “Tink”, and Pearis Oxley; and two sisters, Rosalie McKenzie and Margaret Shupp. Bennie was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ethel Hedrick Oxley of Athens; one son, Greg Oxley and wife Kim of Athens; one daughter, Janet Tedder and husband Mike of Spanishburg; four grandchildren, Morgan Oxley, Emily Lilly and husband Luke, Matthew McGrady and Lexi, and Michael McGrady; one great-grandson, Noah McGrady; several nieces and nephews; and special lifelong friend, Charles Scott and his wife Janet of Beckley. Burial will follow in Athens Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dickie Oxley, Danny Oxley, Tim Oxley, Butch Barton, Matthew McGrady, Michael McGrady, Luke Lilly, Mike Porter, Jr., and Steve Gunter. Honorary pallbearers will be Ed Oxley and Charles Scott. Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard.⁵ He was buried at Athens Cemetery, Athens, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁵ He was born on May 11, 1932 at Athens, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,5,6 He married Ethel Mae Hedrick, daughter of Thomas Clayton "Tom" Hedrick and Viola Virginia Elmore, on July 7, 1962 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4,5,6 Bennie Marvin Oxley died on April 28, 2017 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 84.^5,6

     His Social Security Number was 235-60-4036.⁴ Devon Donald Redden Sr. was buried at Athens Cemetery, Athens, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,3 He Devon Donald Redden, 72 of 1520 Old Athens Rd. in Princeton died Friday, March 15, 2013, at Bluefield Regional Medical Center. Born July 11, 1940, in Princeton, he was the son of the late Eddie and Florence Simms Redden. He was a retired builder and developer. Don was a graduate of Athens High School where he was a basketball player on the 1959 state championship team. He was a faithful member and former elder of Melrose Presbyterian Church in Princeton. Don loved fishing, basketball, and his family. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Dubree Redden; six sisters, Helen Miller, Shirley Campbell, Aretha Hunt, Sheila Damewood, Elizabeth Rollins, and Twinkle Godown; and mother-in-law, Billie Rice Wade. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Cynthia Joy Wade Redden; one son, Devon Donald "Donnie" Redden, Jr. of Princeton; two daughters, Elizabeth "Sissy" Compton and husband Joey of Princeton, and Joy Redden of Portland, Oregon; three grandchildren, Leah Dawn Redden, Joey Compton and wife Amy, and Danielle Compton; two great-grandchildren, Emma Grace Compton, and Abigail Claire Compton; one brother, Ron Redden and wife Lois of Princeton; three sisters, Florence Violet Redden of Gypsy, WV, Teresa Crawford and husband Sam of Illinois, and Joyce A. Shore of Pennsylvania; and father-in-law, Charles Harold Wade. Burial will follow in Athens Cemetery.² He was born on July 11, 1940 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,2,4,3 He married Martha Ann Hedrick, daughter of Thomas Clayton "Tom" Hedrick and Viola Virginia Elmore, on October 20, 1962 at Lebanon, Russell Co., Virginia.¹ Devon Donald Redden Sr. and Martha Ann Hedrick were divorced before 1980.² Devon Donald Redden Sr. died on March 15, 2013 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 72.^2,4,3

     Ivan David Rice Ivan David Rice, 80, of Cotton Place, Princeton, died peacefully, Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Princeton Community Hospital. Born February 27, 1938 in Princeton, he was the son of the late William and Nova Pettrey Rice. A loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend who loved the Lord. Ivan was a dedicated member of the Mt. Jackson Baptist Church in Athens. He retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad with 30 years of service. Also, he was an avid fisherman, avid WVU fan, enjoyed carpentry work and was a star basketball player at Athens High School. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Nancy Jane Rice who was married for 48 years, one brother, William Jay Rice and two sisters, Irene Swim and Billy Wade. Surviving are his loving wife, Barbara Hale; Three daughters, Darla Culp and husband Max of Charleston, SC, Pamela Presley and husband Darrell of Princeton, Heather McPherson and husband Danny of Leesburg, VA; Grandchildren, Conner Bailey, David Bailey and fiancée Anna Katherine and Jeremy Duncan and wife Alye all of Charleston, SC, Charity Radford and husband Paul of Portsmouth, VA, Amanda Duncan of Princeton, Andrea Duncan of Chesapeake, VA, Cortney McPherson and husband Matt Krikorian of Boston, MA, Ashley McPherson of Alexandria, VA; Great-grandchildren, Felix Radford, Hope Radford, Cameron Jones, Jeremy Duncan, Jr., Ethan Duncan and Paxton Mohan; One sister, Elizabeth “Tibb” Oxley of Princeton; Twenty-nine nieces and nephews. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.⁴ He was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁴ He was born on February 27, 1938 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.⁴ He married Nancy Jane Hedrick, daughter of Thomas Clayton "Tom" Hedrick and Viola Virginia Elmore, on March 18, 1958 at Lebanon, Russell Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,5 Ivan David Rice died on February 23, 2019 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 80.⁴

     Thomas Michael "Mike" Porter Sr. was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^5,4 His Social Security Number was 234-60-1731.⁶ He The Honorable Thomas Michael "Mike" Porter, 69, of 238 Maple Acres Road (Glenwood Park) in Princeton, died Monday, September 27, 2010 at Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, W.Va. Born May 10, 1941 in Lashmeet, W.Va., he was the son of the late Robert Jackson "Jack" Porter and Mary Magdalene "Maggie" Mills Porter. He was a 1959 graduate of Matoaka High School and attended Concord University and West Virginia Institute of Technology. Mike was the owner-operator of Associated Construction & Trucking, Inc., now known as the Thomas M. Porter Co. in Princeton. He attended Johnston's Chapel Baptist Church in Princeton and was a U.S. Army veteran. Mike was an excellent race car driver and was a participant in the Busch Grand National Racing Circuit wining over 100 races in the late model stock division. He also broke the speed record at Daytona International Speedway. He enjoyed hunting with his grandsons and spending time with his family. Mike loved his wife, son, grandsons, daughter-in-law (who he especially loved praying with him) and his sister. He was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2004, 2006, and 2008 and a current candidate to again represent the people of Mercer County. As a delegate he served on the Government Organization Committee, of which he was the current Minority Vice Chair; on the Committee on Roads and Transportation, the Veterans Affairs Committee, of which he was the current Minority Vice Chair; the Homeland Security Committee and as a member of the Legislative Intern Committee. Mike was a committed and respected public servant and worked tirelessly on many issues for the benefit of the citizens of Mercer County and was a strong proponent of the coal industry. In addition to his parents, one sister, Jane Porter Childers preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife of forty-eight years, Evelyn "Ruth" Hedrick Porter of Princeton; one son, Thomas Michael "Mikey" Porter, Jr. and wife Sharon of Princeton; two grandchildren, Jacob Porter and Jared Porter, both of Princeton; and one sister, Patty Porter Grace of Princeton. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton with the West Virginia National Guard Honor Guard and the Mercer County Veterans Council conducting military graveside rites. Serving as pallbearers will be Rodney Sneed, Richard Preservati, Jack Hager, Rick Carrico, Don Meadows, David Eskew, John Shott and Jack Archer. Honorary pallbearers will be Hank Thomas, Jessie Guills, Patrick Lane, Linda Sumner, Ray Canterbury, James Childers, Jack Nestor, Bill Straight, Tim Armstead, William R. Romine, Patty Schoen, Craig Blair, Marshall Long, Jack Bowling, Emil Lilly, Larry Border, Cliff Moore, John R. Frazier, Walter Duke, Tom Louisos, Carol Miller, Jeff Billings, Edwin Barr and Marilyn Parsons.⁴ He was born on May 10, 1941 at Lashmeet, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,5,4,6 He married Evelyn Ruth Hedrick, daughter of Thomas Clayton "Tom" Hedrick and Viola Virginia Elmore, on September 30, 1963 at Tazewell, Tazewell Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4 Thomas Michael "Mike" Porter Sr. died on September 27, 2010 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia, at age 69.^5,4,6