A Memorial Tribute To The

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A Memorial Tribute To The 29 Victims Of
The Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion Montcoal,
Raleigh County, WV Monday, April 5, 2010
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Brotherin-law of William I. Grif
Griffith -another UBB explosion victim-
Carl PeeWee Acord Age 52 Bolt, WV Favorite
activities Spending time with his family and
being Papaw to his 2 infant grandsons. Other
hobbies Fishing with his 2 sons. Survived by his
mother (Jessie Gunnoe Acord), his loving wife of
27 years (Joyce Lynn Griffith Acord), 2 sons
(Cody and Casey Acord), 2 grandsons (Chase Calvin
and Cameron Lee Acord), and three sisters (Diana
Pendergrass, Sherl Grow and Sherry Cline).
Brother in-law of William Griffith Another UBB
explosion victim
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Jason Matthew Adkins Age 25 Foster,
WV Favorite activities Golfing and spending time
with his wife Amanda High school football star
(all state) and high school/college baseball
standout. Other hobby Member of the Racine
Volunteer Fire Department. Survived by his
mother and father (Robert and Shereen Atkins),
his loving wife (Amanda Withers Adkins), a
brother (Chris Atkins), his maternal
great-grandmother (Ruth Cantley), his maternal
and paternal grandmothers (Helen Craft and Wanda
Adkins), and his mother-in-law and father-in-law
(Rick and Tammy Withers).
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Christopher Lee Bell, Sr. Age 33 Crab
Orchard, WV Favorite activity Spending time with
his wife and 4 children. Other hobbies Art and
detailing vehicles. Survived by his loving wife
(Angela Grimmett Bell), two daughters (Alexis and
Meadow Bell), two sons (Christopher Lee, Jr. and
Skylar Bell), mother and father (Christopher and
Kathy Darlene Acord Bell), 1 brother (Jason
Bell), 1 sister (Kristal Cook), and mother-in-law
and father-in-law (Lando and Patricia Cox).
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Gregory Steven Brock Age 47, Clear Creek,
WV Favorite activity Spending time with his
family. Other hobbies Hunting, fishing, NASCAR
and spending time on his farm. Survived by his
son (Gregory Kyle), a daughter (Dixie Webb), 2
granddaughters (Jenna and Jillian Webb), 2
sisters (Melba Williams and Hilda Tolliver), two
brothers (Noel Brock and Eric Brock) and fianceé
(Patti Stover).
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Kenneth A. Chapman, Sr. - Age 53 - Fairdale,
WV Favorite activity Teasing his children and
spending time with his grandchildren. Other
hobbies Hunting, fishing, gardening and
4-wheeling. Survived by his loving wife (Laura
HoneyBee Chapman), 2 daughters (Donna Griffith
and Vicky Williams), 2 sons (Kenneth A. Jr. and
Michael Chapman), 9 grandchildren (Matthew, Jr.,
Tristan, Rebecca and Skyler Griffith, Bryonna and
Bryce Chapman, Spencer Williams, and Riley and
Sydney Chapman), 7 brothers (Charles, Glen,
Dennis, Henry, Jimmy, Ronnie and Larry Chapman),
and 2 sisters (Linda Frye and Brenda Bailey).
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Robert Eugene Clark Age 41 Beckley, WV
Favorite activities Spending time with his
family and serving the Lord. Other hobbies
Riding his motorcycle, fishing, hunting,
restoring vehicles, golfing, wood working,
boating and mechanic work. Survived by his mother
and father (Leonard and Linda Clark), his loving
wife (Melissa Clark), one son (Steven Robert
Clark), and 3 sisters (Jennifer Underwood,
Elizabeth Taylor, and Barbara Adams).
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Uncle of Cory Davis and Josh Napper -also
victims of the UBB explosion-
Charles Timothy Davis, Sr. Age 51 Eskdale,
WV Favorite activity Spending time with his
family. Other hobbies Fishing, hunting with his
bird dogs and riding his Rhino. Survived by his
mother and father (Charles and Linda Davis), his
loving wife (Diana Davis), two sons (Charles
Timmy Jr. and Cody Davis), one daughter (Misty
Dawn Cooper), five grandchildren (Caitlyn,
Izabella and Cadence Davis and Hunter and Kyndall
Cooper), two sisters (Pam Napper and Trina
Crockett), and one brother (Tommy Davis).
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Cory and his father Tommy Davis
Nephew of Timmy Davis, Sr. and cousin of Joshua
Napper - -also victims of the UBB explosion-
Cory Thomas Davis Age 20 Cabin Creek,
WV Favorite activities Hunting, fishing camping
and putting his truck in the mud. Survived by his
mother and father (Tommy and Cindy Davis), the
love of his life (Emily Pritt), 2 brothers (Seth
Owen and Nate Davis), paternal grandparents
(Charles and Linda Davis), and maternal
grandparents (Dave and Tish Jarrell).
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Michael Lee Cuz Elswick Age 56 Elkview, WV
Favorite activity Spending time with his
family, particularly his grandchildren. Survived
by his loving wife of 36 years (Bobbie Elmore
Elswick), one son (Jeremy Elswick) one daughter
(Jami Cash), two grandchildren (Justin and Hannah
Cash) two brothers (Larry and Steven Elswick)
and one sister (Pam Miller).
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Brotherin-law of Carl PeeWee Acord -another
UBB explosion victim-
William I. Griff Griffith Age 54 Glen
Rogers, WV Favorite activity Spending time with
his family. Other hobbies Hunting, fishing,
riding 4-wheelers and cruising with Marlene in
their 1967 Camaro. Survived by his mother (Mary
McMillion), his loving wife of 32 years (Marlene
Griffith), one son (William James Griffith), one
daughter (Deborah Lynn Griffith), two
grandchildren ( Caleb Ildon and Aubrey Jane),
three brothers (James Kelly Griffith, Jr.,
Michael Dewayne Griffith and Douglas Mark
Griffith), and two sisters (Claudette Hall and
Joyce Lynn Acord).
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Steven J. Smiley Harrah Age 40 Cool Ridge,
WV Favorite activity Spending time with his 6
year old son Zach and his wife. Other hobbies
Hunting, fishing and playing poker with
friends. Survived by his loving wife of 10 years
(Tammy Bowden Harrah), his six year-old son (Zach
Harrah), two brothers (Larry and Gilbert Harrah),
and four sisters (Linda Mills, Brenda Peterson,
Terry Harrah, and Betty Harrah).
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Edward Dean Dean-O Jones Age 50 Beckley, WV
Favorite activity Spending time with his 13
year old son Kyle Dean and his wife/ soulmate
Gin-O. Other hobbies Watching WVU and Pittsburgh
Steelers ballgames with his son. Survived by his
loving wife of 15 years (Gina Gin-O Jones), the
light of his life son Kyle Dean Jones, his 83
year old mother (Ruby Jones), 2 sisters (Judy
Petersen and Cheryl Sue Jones), a twin-brother
(Dallas Gene Jones) and his mother-in-law and
father-in-law (Alice and Dallas Peters).
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Richard Keith Rick Lane Age 45 Cool Ridge,
WV Favorite activity Spending time with his
family and friends especially his 9 month old
miracle grandson Brody. Other hobbies
Hunting, fishing and tending cattle and horses on
his 25 acre farm at Cool Ridge. Survived by his
father (Mason Lane), his loving wife of 24 years
(Kim Parker Lane), one son (Robert Parker Lane),
one grandson (Brody Parker Lane), 2 brothers
(Terry Lane and Michael Lane), and grandmothers
(Judith Lane and Dora Coburn).
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William Roosevelt Coach Lynch Age 59 Oak
Hill, WV Favorite activity Spending time with
his family and coaching young adults. Other
hobbies Coaching basketball, football and track
also playing basketball. He was an avid Dallas
Cowboys fan and a former school
teacher/coach. Survived by his loving wife of 37
years (Geneva Genny Lynch), one son (Mon
Lynch), one daughter (Miki Rogers), three
grandchildren (Samiah and Jayla Lynch and Jasiah
Rogers), two sisters (Christiann Lynch and Lillie
Martin) and one brother (Melvin Lynch).
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Joe JoeBug Marcum Age 57 Lenore,
WV Favorite activity Spending time with his
family especially his granddaughters. Other
hobbies Serving his community (charter member of
the Lenore Volunteer Fire Department) and
dabbling in the Democratic politics of Mingo
County, WV. Survived by his loving wife of 39
years (Kathy Maynard Marcum), two daughters
(Kathy Jo Marcum and Garnet Marcum Murphy) and
three granddaughters (Shaunda Marissa Murphy,
Josie Lynn Murphy and Laura Katherine Maynard).
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Ronald Lee Maynor Age 33 Clear Creek,
WV Favorite activities Spending time with his
family, hunting with his daughter and wrestling,
passing the football and 4-wheeling with his
son. Other hobbies An avid outdoorsman who loved
hunting. Survived by his loving wife of 16 years
(Helen Maynor), one daughter (Kaitlyn Maynor),
one son (Hunter Maynor), his mother and father
(Nancy Burgess and Ronald Keith Maynor), one
brother (Blake Maynor), one sister (Ramona
Williams) and his grandparents (Leo and Nancy
Long).
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Nicholas Darrell McCroskey Age 26 Beckley,
WV Favorite activities NASCAR fan,
four-wheeling, and Harley and dirt bike
riding. Other hobbies Hunting, fishing, boating
and water skiing. Survived by his mother (Debbie
Lynn McCroskey) and grandparents (Julie and
Darrell Worley).
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James Eddie Mooney Age 51 Ashford,
WV Favorite activities Hunting and fishing with
his son camping and 4 wheeling with his
family. Other hobbies Taking his 1978 Corvette
out for a spin with his wife Sheila on Saturday
nights. Survived by his loving wife of 33 years
(Sheila Mooney), one daughter (Misty Case), one
son (14 year old Austin Mooney), six brothers and
sisters (Butch Mooney, Chuck Mooney, Punk Mooney,
Patty Woodrum, Agnes Love and Ginny Graley).
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Adam Keith Morgan Age 21 Pineville, WV
Favorite activities Spending time with his
family and friends, hunting, fishing and 4
wheeling. Other hobbies Grilling, being outdoors
and attending WVU ballgames. Survived by his
parents (Steve and Tammy Church Morgan), one
brother (Josh Morgan), his grandmother (Hattie
Morgan), and his girlfriend (Kate Smallwood).
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Rex Lane Mullins Age 50 Lively, WV Favorite
activities Spending time with his family and
attending WVU football and basketball
games. Other hobbies He was an avid
outdoorsman. Survived by his mother (Joan Bailey
Mullins), his loving wife (Brenda Keeton
Mullins), one son (Jason Mullins), one daughter
(Geneva Blake), three stepchildren (Jeremy
Walker, Joseph Walker and Tessa Walker), five
grandchildren (Kailey Rose Mullins, Emma Grace
Mullins, Dominic Walker, Kristen Crawford and
Kolton Dorsey), two brothers (Clay Mullins and
Yancy Mullins) and two sisters (Sherry Scurlock
and Kassie Smith).
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Josh Nappers uncle, Timmy Davis, Sr.,
and cousin, Cory Davis, also perished in the UBB
Explosion.
Joshua S. Josh Napper Age 25 Salem Center,
OH Favorite activities Spending time with his
family (especially his daughter Jenna -
Peanut), body building and football fan (Ohio
State and Miami Dolphins). Other hobbies
Camping, 4 wheeling, dancing and
golfing. Survived by his parents (Scott and Pam
Davis Napper), one daughter (Jenna Leigh Peanut
Napper), one sister (Amanda Justice),
grandparents (Mary Napper and Charles and Linda
Davis) and his fianceé (Jennifer Ziegler).
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Josh Nappers Family
At about 430 p.m. on Monday, April 5, 2010,
Jenna Ziegler, Josh Nappers fianceé and mother
of his daughter, opened a sealed note that Josh
had written and given to her on Sunday, April 4,
2010 one day before the UBB explosion.
Jennifer Zeigler Fianceé
Scott Napper Father
Contents of Josh Nappers note Dear Mommy and
Jenna If anything happens to me, I will be
looking down from heaven. I love you. Take care
of my baby girl and watch over her. Tell her all
the good things about her daddy. She was so cute
and funny. She was my little peanut. And Jenna,
I know things have never been the greatest
sometimes, but I just want you to know I love you
and I care about you. Josh - April 4, 2010
Pam Napper Mother
Jenna Leigh Peanut Napper 20 month old daughter
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Howard Daniel Boone Payne Age 53 Cabin
Creek, WV Favorite activities Spending time with
his family (especially his grandchildren). Other
hobbies Hunting, fishing and playing
basketball. Survived by his father (Howard Daniel
Payne, Sr.), one son (Jason Payne), one daughter
(Erica Stanley), eight grandchildren (Marissa and
Jayden Stanley, River and Jason Payne II, Brennan
Young, Chole Hall and Sky and Tyler Sovine), two
sisters (Shirley Whitt and Sherry Keeney) and his
fianceé (Bobbie Gee-Pauley).
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Dillard Earl Dewey Persinger Age 32 Crab
Orchard, WV Favorite activities Spending time
with his wife Heidi and 2 sons, Devin and
James. Other hobbies Country music (especially
Hank, Jr. and George Jones). Survived by his
parents (Delmas and Ada Bolen Persinger), his
loving wife (Heidi Bragg Persinger), two sons (8
year old Devin and 2 year old James), one brother
(Dale Persinger), two sisters (Janet Reed and
Rita Stover), and father-in-law and mother-in-law
(Glen and Rita Bragg).
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Joel R. Jody Price Age 55 Beckley, WV
Favorite activity Spending time with his
family. Survived by his 95 year old mother
(Elizabeth Price-West), his loving wife (Dorean
D. Price), 3 stepsons (John Jones, Alan Johnson
and Matt Jones), 7 brothers (Thorton Price,
George Price, John Price, Richard Price, Garland
Price, Kenneth Price and Jeffery Price), 3
sisters (Argyle Price, Rovena Ward and Patrelia
Lewis), and 7 grandchildren (Peyton Jones, Myron
Johnson, Jasmine Johnson, Caleb Johnson, Malcolm
Johnson, Amiya Johnson and Trenton Jones).
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Gary Wayne Spanky Quarles Age 33 Naoma,
WV Favorite activity Spending time with his
children, family and extended family. Other
hobbies Hunting, fishing and 4 wheeling with his
children and dad. Survived by his parents (Gary
and Patty Quarles), one son (Trevor Quarles), one
daughter (Rabekka Quarles), his grandfather
(Norman Peters) and an extended family to include
Debra Quinn, Billy Quinn, Donna and Ricky Gunnoe,
Lisa Williams, Kenny and Penny Quarles, Lee and
Lisa Miller, Anita and John Price, Kay and Jackie
Miller, Francis and John Coffey, Diane Dickerson
and Gary Williams, Jr.
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Grover Dale Skeens Age 57 Montcoal,
WV Favorite activities Praising the Lord,
attending church and coal mining. Survived by one
daughter (Renee Bishop), one son (Jeff Skeens),
three sisters (Shirley Massey, Judy Lailer and
Gwen Thomas) and two brothers (Gary and Bucky
Skeens).
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Longwall Buddies Spanky Quarles Grover Skeens
Jody Price
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Deward Allan Scott - Age 58 Montcoal, WV
Favorite activities Spending time with his
family, teaching karate, hunting and
fishing. Other hobbies Enjoying the outdoors -
hiking and gardening. Survived by his loving wife
(Crissie Lynn Scott), one son (Daniel Allan
Scott), one daughter (Jennifer Ann Scott), seven
grandchildren (Kayla, Nicki, Jacob, Nicholas,
Christopher, James and Matthew), and four
brothers (Dallas Scott, George Scott, Danny
Scott, and Melvin Gregory Scott).
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Benny Ray Willingham Age 61 Corinne, WV
Favorite activities Serving the Lord, spending
time with his family and watching his
grandchildren play sports. Other hobbies Bowling
and weight lifting. Survived by his mother (Cleo
Roach), his loving wife (Edith Mae Willingham),
two sons (Jody Canada and Patrick Canada), one
daughter (Michelle McKinney), six grandchildren
(Tiffany Michelle and Kyle Benjamin Ellis, Travis
Daniel McKinney, and Jodi Chantel, Austin Reid
and McQuade Lee Canada), two sisters (Jeannie
Sanger and Judy Walls), and four brothers (James,
Jerry and Joe Willingham and Danny Sloane).
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Ricky Workman Age 50 Colcord, WV Favorite
activity Spending time with his family. Other
hobbies Riding his Harley, racing miniature
cars, fishing, hunting and watching dirt track
races. Survived by his loving wife of 15 years
(Annette Workman), three daughters (Monica White,
Heather Whitt and Chantal Hale), six
grandchildren (Hailey, Isaiah, Tyler, Cameron,
Amara and Ethan), one brother (Clark Workman) and
six sisters (Edie Cawdell, Brenda Barnett, Linda
Williams, Judy Dickens, Diane Murray and Sandy
Glass).
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Slides compiled by Ed Chafin