Person Page - 6634

     Thelma E. Boatwright was buried at Koontz Cemetery, Clendenin, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.² She was born circa 1908 at Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^1,3 She married Okey Dow Paxton, son of William Silas Paxton and Cora Lundy Auxier/Oxier, on December 24, 1923 at Clendenin, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^1,4 As of December 24, 1923,her married name was Paxton.¹

     Garland Eugene Paxton was buried at Elk Hills Memorial Park, Big Chimney, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.² He was born on November 4, 1924 at Clendenin, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.³ He married Betty Jean Foreman on July 14, 1945 at Clendenin, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^2,4,8 Garland Eugene Paxton died on November 19, 2011 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia, at age 87.² He Garland Eugene "Gene" Paxton, 87, of Charleston, formerly of Clendenin, passed away on November 19, 2011, at Charleston Gardens after a long illness. He was the son of the late Okey D. Paxton and Thelma Boatwright Paxton of Clendenin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Eloise Rucker and Irene "Toddy" Paxton. After graduating from Clendenin High School, Gene served his country during World War II in the United States Army. He retired from Union Carbide Corporation's Institute Plant where he worked in the shipping department for over 35 years. He was an avid West Virginia Mountaineer fan. He attended Bible Center Church, Charleston. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty Foreman Paxton; son and his wife, Gary W. and Becky Paxton of Elkview; daughter and her husband, Karen S. and Peter Weiner of Miami Fla; sister, Kay Preston of South Charleston; three grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren, one great-grandchild and six stepgreat-grandchildren. Burial will follow in Elk Hills Memorial Park, Big Chimney. on November 23, 2011.²

     Her Social Security Number was 232-34-7253.² Bertha Irene Paxton was buried at Koontz Cemetery, Clendenin, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^3,7 She was born on September 26, 1926 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^2,3 She died on September 25, 2004 at South Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia, at age 77.^2,3,8,7 She Irene "Toddy" Paxton, 77, of South Charleston, formerly of Clendenin, passed away Sept. 25, 2004, at Valley Center Nursing Home. She was a former employee of Robertson-Paris Grocery Store, Clendenin, and was an Advent Christian. She was preceded in death by her parents, Okey and Thelma Paxton. Surviving: brother, Garland E. Paxton of Charleston; sisters, Eloise Rucker of Clendenin, Diana Kay Preston of South Charleston; and several nephews and nieces. Burial will be in Koontz Cemetery, Clendenin. on September 28, 2004.⁷

     Her Social Security Number was 232-40-0023.⁶ Velma Eloise Paxton was born on February 24, 1930 at Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^6,3 As of August 10, 1946,her married name was Rucker.⁷ She married Russell Ray Rucker on August 10, 1946 at Clendenin, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^7,3 Velma Eloise Paxton died on April 21, 2010 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia, at age 80.^6,3 She Velma Eloise "Weasie" Rucker of Clendenin passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at Meadowbrook Acres Nursing Home after a long illness. She was born February 24, 1930, and was the daughter of the late Okey and Thelma Paxton. She was a member of the Clendenin Advent Christian Church, where she sang in the choir praising God with her beautiful alto voice. She attended Clendenin High School. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by son, Jackie; and sister, Irene "Toddie" Paxton. She is survived by her devoted husband and lifelong companion of 63 years, Russell "Jake" Rucker; and sons, Jerry and wife Anna of Clendenin, Bobby and companion Rita Boyd of Clendenin, and Mike and wife Sheila of Pinch. She was the adoring, supportive grandmother of Jodie Burdette, Bobby Rucker II, Marcie Whitehair, Amy Smith, Angie Matthews, Toby Rucker and Eric Rucker; and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brother, Gene Paxton of Charleston; and sister, Kay Preston of South Charleston. The family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to the nurses and staff at Meadowbrook Acres Nursing Home for the dedication, love and support shown to our mother during her extended illness. on April 25, 2010.³

     Russell Ray Rucker was buried at Koontz Cemetery, Clendenin, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.³ He was born on November 27, 1927 at Kanawha Co., West Virginia.¹ He married Velma Eloise Paxton, daughter of Okey Dow Paxton and Thelma E. Boatwright, on August 10, 1946 at Clendenin, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^1,4 Russell Ray Rucker died on November 30, 2015 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia, at age 88.³ He Russell Ray "Jake" Rucker, or "Hen" Rucker, 89, of Clendenin, passed away Monday, Nov. 30, 2015 at CAMC Memorial Hospital. He was the son of the late P.R. and Fannie Naylor Rucker. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Eloise "Weasie"; son, Jackie; brothers, Raymond and Don Rucker; and sisters, Ruby Morrison and Madeline Rucker. Jake was a World War II (Navy Seabee) veteran serving in Okinawa. He was a retired employee of Union Carbide. He attended Reamer Gospel Tabernacle and was a member of Clendenin Advent Christian Church. He is survived by his wife, Betty Blackwell Rucker; sons, Jerry and wife, Anna, of Clendenin, Bobby and wife, Rita, of Clendenin and Mike and his wife, Sheila, of Pinch; grandchildren, Jodie Burdette, Bobby Rucker II, Marcie Whitehair, Amy Smith, Angie Matthews, Toby Rucker and Eric Rucker; 10 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; brother, Larry of Jane Lew; sisters, Blanche (Pete) Hill of Waverly, Ohio, Oreda (Bill) Mick of Teays Valley, Wilma McQuain of Nitro and Shirley (Connie) Cobb of Elkview; and stepchildren, Donna Strickland, Gary Blackwell, David Blackwell and Julia Stricker. Graveside memorial service will be at Koontz Cemetery. on December 13, 2015.³

     Betty Jean Foreman was buried at Elk Hills Memorial Park, Big Chimney, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.³ She was born on February 4, 1925 at Procious, Clay Co., West Virginia.⁴ As of July 14, 1945,her married name was Paxton.² She married Garland Eugene Paxton, son of Okey Dow Paxton and Thelma E. Boatwright, on July 14, 1945 at Clendenin, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^1,2,3 Betty Jean Foreman died on November 27, 2015 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia, at age 90.³ She Betty Jean Foreman Paxton, 90, of Charleston, passed away Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston. She was born in Oak Hill, Clay County, and graduated from Clay County High School. She was a retired office clerk with the Kanawha County Board of Education with over 30 years of service. Betty was a member of Bible Center Church, Charleston, where she sang in the choir. She enjoyed traveling and going to WVU games with her late husband, Garland E. "Gene" Paxton. She resided at Charleston Gardens for the past six years. In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents, Charles W. Foreman and Julia Estep Foreman, and sisters, Olive Gulland, Blanche Rucker, Marjorie Vorholt, Frances Marks and Madeline Samples. Betty is survived by her son, Gary (Becky) Paxton of Elkview; daughter, Karen Weiner of Miami, Fla; sister, Jo Ann Sundstrom of Oak Hill; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; one great-grandson; and six step-great-grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank all of Betty's caregivers at Hospice and Charleston Gardens, along with a special thanks to Dawn Eskew. Burial will be at Elk Hills Memorial Park, Big Chimney. on December 2, 2015.³

     His Social Security Number was 406-20-9428.⁴ Walter Preston Jr. was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^2,3 He was born on April 23, 1921 at Lawrence Co., Kentucky.^1,3,4,5 He married Diana Kay Paxton, daughter of Okey Dow Paxton and Thelma E. Boatwright, on March 14, 1970 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.¹ Walter Preston Jr. died on June 17, 2010 at South Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia, at age 89.^2,3,4 He Walter Preston Jr., 89, of Kenna Homes, S.C., died Thursday in Thomas Memorial Hospital. He was born April 23, 1921, in Lawrence County. His wife, Diana Kay Preston, survives. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park in South Charleston. on June 19, 2010.³