High Lawn Memorial Park and Chapel Mausoleum

07/07/2026

Carrie Evelyn Wood, 96, affectionately known as Evelyn, and longtime resident of Oak Hill, WV went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 3, 2026. She was born on August 29, 1929, in Glen Rogers, West Virginia. She lived there until the age of six, when her family moved to Fairdale, West Virginia. Evelyn graduated from Trap Hill High School in 1948 and later moved to Mullens, West Virginia, to live with her aunt. There, she worked for the phone company and later spent time working at People’s Bank.

On November 3, 1951, Evelyn married Howard Smith and moved to Alpena, West Virginia. During that marriage, she became the devoted mother of two sons, Donald Howard Smith and David Dyer Smith. While living in Alpena, Evelyn worked for Dr. Roberts, the same doctor who delivered her two sons.

In September 1973, at a Sunday School picnic, Evelyn was introduced to Lawrence C. Wood. Evelyn and Lawrence were married on January 25, 1974, at Jones Avenue Church of God, where they faithfully attended until Lawrence’s passing in November 2016. Evelyn often expressed deep gratitude for Lawrence’s constant love and for the way he cared for her sons, whom he treated as his own.

Evelyn and Lawrence shared a full and joyful life together. They traveled to or through every state in the continental United States, as well as Puerto Rico, and they wintered several times in Florida. They enjoyed bowling in different leagues, where Evelyn’s highest score was 199. Together, they also led the Golden Agers at Jones Avenue Church of God for several years, organizing trips to Myrtle Beach, Old Kentucky Home, and many other destinations.

Faith and church life were central to Evelyn. She sang in the choir at Jones Avenue Church of God for many years and remained closely connected to her church community throughout her life.

Evelyn also found joy in family, friendship, cooking, games, and keeping in touch with the people she loved. She enjoyed playing cards and board games, especially Pinochle, Hearts, Golf, and Rummikub. While she was able, she enjoyed catching up with friends and acquaintances from her past on Facebook, and she remained in contact with friends from Alpena throughout her life. Evelyn was always close to her two sisters, and while they were able, they spoke on the phone every day.

After Lawrence passed away, Evelyn moved to Wi******er to live with her son David and his wife at the time, Heather. She lived with David for four years before moving to Roanoke, where she became a resident of South Roanoke Nursing Home.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence C. Wood; her parents, Haven Claypool and Leva Claypool; her sister, Mary Rose Lacy; and her stepdaughter, Pamela Channell’s husband, Don Channell.
She is survived by her sons, Donald Smith and David Smith; her daughter-in-law, Kathy Smith; Donald and Kathy’s daughters, Sydney Smith and Peyton Smith; David’s partner, Sherry Coleman; David’s sons, Zachary Smith, Elijah Smith, and Collin Smith; Elijah’s wife, Emily Funkhouser; and her sister, Ruth Ann Byrd.

Evelyn is also survived by her stepdaughter Pamela Channell; her stepdaughter Melody McClung and Melody’s husband, Fred Keefer; and four step-grandchildren, Shelly Thomas, Larry Whitmore, Stephanie Hankins, and Josh Rice as well as numerous great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at South Roanoke Nursing Home for the loving care they provided Evelyn for the 5+ years in which she was a resident. She was an avid bingo player while she was there and collected enough tickets from her winnings to buy every item in their regularly scheduled auctions ten times over. The staff were always very attentive to Evelyn’s needs. And, especially at the end, they went out of their way to make her as comfortable as possible.

A service honoring Evelyn’s life will be held on July 12, 2026, at 2:30 at Jones Avenue Church of God in Oak Hill, WV with Rev. Patricia Franklin officiating. Friends may call from 1:30 PM until service time on Sunday at the church. Entombment will be at High Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Oak Hill, WV. A dinner for friends and family will be held at the Jones Avenue Church of God following the graveside service.

Pallbearers will be Zachary Smith, Elijah Smith, Collin Smith, Sydney Smith, Peyton Smith and Fred Keefer.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.highlawnfuneralhome.com.

07/03/2026

With deep love and profound respect, we celebrate the life of Joy Yvonne (Hamilton) Thomas, who passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord on June 27, 2026, at the age of 90. Born on October 27, 1935, Joy lived a life defined by faith, devotion, and a steadfast commitment to caring for others. Her servant’s heart was evident in her work life as a nursing aide, cook, and teacher’s aide.

Her parents, Charles and Mahala Hamilton, preceded in her death and have greeted her in heaven along with her brothers; Harold, Charles, and Basil; and sisters, Helen and Joan.

Joy shared a long and loving marriage with her husband, James “JT” Thomas, who remains to cherish her memory. Together they built a family rooted in love, resilience, and faith. She was the devoted mother of Sheri (Ken) Lindsey, Jimmy (Tonia) Thomas, Dawn Marie (Carl) Pavlovsky, and Lisa Thomas. Joy tenderly carried the memory of her son, Warren Addison Thomas, throughout her life.

Her greatest joy was her family, and she nurtured each of them with patience, wisdom, and unwavering affection. Joy’s home was a place of welcome, where laughter was shared, burdens were lightened, and everyone knew they belonged. She was an excellent cook. Her rolls were a highlight to any meal, and her fruitcakes were a holiday favorite that convinced many that the fruitcake was indeed worth eating. She also loved gardening, crocheting, and was an avid reader. These traits were passed on to her children.

She loved the Lord, enjoyed reading His Word, and enjoyed participating in the women’s group and bible studies.

As we honor her memory, we celebrate a woman who walked humbly, loved deeply, and served faithfully. Joy’s presence will be missed, but her spirit, rooted in her love for the Lord and her devotion to her family, will continue to shine through the lives she shaped.

May she rest in eternal peace, reunited with her beloved son Warren, mother, father, siblings, and held forever in the arms of her Savior.

Services will be held at High Lawn Funeral Home (1435 E Main St, Oak Hill, WV 25901) on July 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM, with Pastor Delman Wolfe officiating. Interment will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park.

Friends may visit with the family 1 hour prior to the service.

Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.highlawnfuneralhome.com.

06/26/2026

Carol Marie Bibb Dick
Aug 18, 1944 — Jun 20, 2026
Oak Hill
It is with deepest sorrow and much love, that we announce the passing of Carol Marie Bibb Dick, 81, of Oak Hill, West Virginia, on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Conway Medical Center. Carol was born on August 18, 1944, in Minden, West Virginia, to the late Dorothy Louise Persinger Bibb and John Anderson Bibb Sr.

My mom was the strongest woman I’ve ever met. She wasn’t afraid of anyone. She was a fierce Mama Bear, and loved to stir the pot. She loved everyone she came in contact with, and made friends everywhere she went.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles H. Dick Sr.; a son, Charles H. Dick Jr.; and brothers John A. Bibb Jr., Harold L. Bibb Sr., and Larry A. Bibb.

Left to cherish her memory, her daughter, Sherri Lynn Dick (Susan Ann); a grandson, Arturo Bias Ramirez; a great-nephew, she loved as a grandson, Michael Ray Buckland; a brother, Randy Gene Bibb (Debra); all her nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends; and especially her caretaker, Jennifer (Leggs) Ann.

Graveside services will be held at 12 PM, Saturday, June 27, 2026, at High Lawn Memorial Park in Oak Hill, West Virginia.

Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.highlawnfuneralhome.com.

06/26/2026

Michael “Mickey” Neff
Sep 24, 1958 — Jun 21, 2026
Oak Hill
Michael Neff, 67, was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away in his home on June 21, 2026. He was born on September 24, 1958, in Oak Hill, West Virginia to Mary and Garland Neff.

He is preceded in death by his father, Garland Neff; his mother, Mary Bryant; and many of his brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his three children, Joshua (Sarah), Jeffrey (Clarabelle), Jessica (Nicholas); and his grandchildren, Jacey, Layla, Easton and Jameson.

Mickey, as those close to him affectionately called him, worked in construction for most of his life, followed by many years working for the Fayette County Board of Education.

Mickey loved music, especially the guitar, and would often play with others who shared a passion for it. He loved practical jokes, even if they were the same ones he used from fifty years ago. He would do anything to bring a smile to the faces of those he loved. He loved the simple joys of life like talking and being around others. He loved food, from hot dogs to Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and he loved his coffee. He would host pizza nights that would quickly lead to his home being filled with loved ones every Saturday night, and his love of family, food, and music would come together in a warm and special way on those times.

Funeral services to celebrate Mickey’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, June 26, at High Lawn Funeral Home. Interment will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park.

Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to High Lawn Funeral Home to help cover funeral expenses.

Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.highlawnfuneralhome.com.

06/20/2026

Today we’re proud to share a piece of West Virginia history from right here at High Lawn Memorial Park in Oak Hill. Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, a Fayette County native and lifelong advocate for seniors, is interred on these grounds and is officially recognized as the West Virginian who founded National Grandparents Day.
As you look at this photo, we invite you to reflect on the impact West Virginians have had far beyond our hills and hollows, and to remember the grandparents and elders who helped shape our state and our stories.

06/13/2026

BIG NEWS for the Mount Hope Lions Club Charity Golf Tournament!
We’re thrilled to announce that High Lawn Memorial Park has stepped up in a big way by sponsoring a $1,000 FIRST-PLACE TEAM PRIZE for this year’s Mount Hope Lions Club Charity Golf Tournament on June 27th!!

Get your team together, hit the course, and compete for a great cause and a shot at the $1,000 top prize!

Register early and SAVE $20!
Don’t wait until the last minute — secure your spot in advance and take advantage of the discount.

To register your team, go to:
https://events.golfstatus.com/event/mount-hope-lions-club-annual-golf-tournament-2026
Then select the Registrants menu to sign up.

Join us for a fun day of golf, community, and charity — and bring your A-game!

Golf Events Near You

06/09/2026

💥🚨Just a heads up to the Oak Hill area🚨📣📣📣

There is a young out of state man going door to door selling Life Insurance in our local area.
He wrote out a letter, and had an elderly customer of ours sign it to cancel their pre-paid funeral.
This man obviously didn't know what he was signing and showed up 1 month later trying to pay us his premium and was shocked to find out we had cancelled his contract at his written request.
The young man also setup his payment on auto draft which this elderly person didn't realize he was authorizing.
Make sure you check on your elderly relatives and friends to prevent more things like this from happening !!
The young man is an agent from Freedom Financial and has posts on Facebook bragging about how much money he makes selling Life Insurance !!

06/08/2026

Margaret Ann Love Painter, 101, went to be with her Lord on June 6, 2026. She passed away peacefully at The Manor at Seneca Hill nursing home with her grandson Jacob holding her hand and with her friends and relatives across America praying for her restful release.

Margaret was born July 31, 1924, at Oak Hill, West Virginia, to parents Earl Clinton Love and Winona Mae Hall. She married Rupert Q. Painter on December 31, 1945, at Catlettsburg, Kentucky. Their forever union produced three children, Robert James, Thomas Bedford, and Pamela Love.

Margaret lived a long and wonderful life with Rupert and later with her children. As a skilled typist and secretary, she worked many jobs throughout her career. Most notable was as a secretary for army generals inside the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, while the building was under construction in the 1940s. Her long journey found her living at various times in Washington, DC, Arlington, Virginia, Oak Hill, West Virginia, and Fort Myers, Florida. She also worked at a munitions factory during the war effort earning the title of a “Rosie.” During her and Rupert’s retirement years they travelled, pulling a mobile home, and often stayed for long periods parked in the backyard of their children’s and relatives’ homes. Margaret’s passion was reading, crafting, and most of all, investigating her family’s genealogy where she made numerous discoveries and expanded the family historical record. Her research efforts even resulted in a long road trip across America to discover and document her grandfather’s grave and meet with his second family in Washington state. She made long-lasting friendships wherever she went and often was called “Maggie” and later as “The Great Gray!”

Margaret was a loving and dutiful mother, neighbor, and friend. As a devout Christian, she attended and supported a local church wherever she was living at the time. Sunday mornings were held sacred in her lifestyle. She gave generously, in addition to her strict regimen of tithing, she consistently gave to 3 charities. St Joseph's Native American School (her little Indian children), Salvation Army (who fed her grandmother, mother, and aunt and provided train fare for them to return to West Virginia from Oklahoma territory) and the Shriner's whose children’s hospital in West Virginia saved her sister Ruth's life during the polio epidemic. Her heart for giving included each year, handing her daughter, Pamela’s Christmas cash, usually $500, to anonymously donate to the neediest family with the most children on Pamela’s school bus route. She loved children and was always prepared to help any family in need. Margaret was raised in a musical family and was an excellent vocalist, harmonizing naturally with a rich strong voice in song. Even until the very end, she shared her memories of the entire Love family traveling and singing in 5-part harmony all over West Virginia as children. Her sense of humor was immense, finding humor everywhere, with everyone.

Margaret’s life message was clear: Love Jesus & follow His teachings; do not compromise your convictions; and embrace the adventure of life with both hands and give it all you have each day. The staff at The Manor have expressed the deep impressions she left on them in her last months of life as proof of her mantra to the very end.

Her love for the Lord was not lost on her children. Surviving her are those children, sons, Robert James Painter and Thomas Bedford Painter; along with daughter, Pamela Love Considine. Margaret is also survived by daughter-in-law, Vicki Lynn Painter; son-in-law, Thomas Emerson Considine; and ten grandchildren, Robert Jeremiah Painter, Cresta Ann Copperthite, Courtney Allison Considine, William Rupert Considine, Jacob Michael Considine, Thomas Chancey Painter, Amanda Dawn Painter, James Scott Painter, and Jesse William Painter. Also surviving are many great-grandchildren, a couple of great-great -grandchildren, and a few dearly loved nephews and nieces; all scattered up and down the East coast.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Rupert; her mother, Winona; her father, Earl; her three sisters, Earline Treadway, Ruth Vegh, and Ina Lorraine Minnix; her two brothers, James Love and Shirley Love; and daughter-in-law, Terry Painter.

The family seeks only your prayers for comfort and will hold a private family committal service in West Virginia later in the month. They also wish to acknowledge the devoted care of The Manor at Seneca Hill nursing home, where the professional staff treated Margaret with dignity, kindness, and much love.

“Love the Lord and Pray a Lot!”

06/08/2026

Melodie Angelique (Powers) Conley, 54, of Cunard, West Virginia, passed away May 31, 2026, in her home unexpectedly. Born on February 4, 1972, in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the beloved daughter of the late Mary Catherine (F**g) Powers and Burley Franklin Powers Jr.

Melodie was preceded in death by her son, Brandon Conley; her best friend, Kimberly Bowles; and many other cherished family members and loved ones who welcomed her into eternal rest.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Brittney Conley Pannell; her son, Brent (Marissa) Conley; her sister, Michelle (Jeremy) Morton; her beloved grandchildren, Kalilah, Konnor, Barrett, and Cora; her niece, Kelly Morton; her nephews, Matthew Morton and Tommy Morton; her great-niece, Everleigh; her aunt, Teresa Bowyer; and many cousins, extended family members, and dear friends whom she loved deeply.

Melodie will be remembered for her loving heart, her devotion to her family, and the joy she brought to those fortunate enough to know her. She treasured time spent with her children and grandchildren, and found happiness in the company of friends and loved ones.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, June 6, 2026, at High Lawn Funeral Home in Oak Hill, West Virginia, with Pastor Jackie Pittman officiating. Friends may call on the family 1 hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to High Lawn Funeral Home to assist with funeral expenses and financial burdens.

Though she is no longer with us, Melodie’s love, kindness, and memory will remain forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.highlawnfuneralhome.com.

05/25/2026

Today, as many of us pause from work and gather with family and friends for cookouts and time together, let us also pause to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day...
This day exists because brave men and women of our Armed Forces faithfully served our wonderful country...
Some even paying the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives in defense of our nation, our freedoms, and the way of life we are blessed to enjoy.
At High Lawn Memorial Park , we are especially mindful of the lives, stories, and sacrifices represented here. May we never take for granted the cost of freedom, and may we honor the fallen not only with our words today, but with gratitude in our hearts every day.
We remember. We honor. We are forever grateful.