editorial@newsandsentinel.com
PARKERSBURG Two Mid-Ohio Valley residents were among the four people whose confirmed COVID-19-related deaths were announced Monday by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
The deaths of a 79-year-old man from Wood County and a 78-year-old woman from Wetzel County were included in the DHHR’s daily coronavirus update, along with a 93-year-old Cabell County man and a 63-year-old Fayette County man.
“We send our deepest condolences to these families as they navigate the loss of their loved ones,” DHHR Cabinet Secretary Bill J. Crouch said.
The state also announced COVID-19 vaccination clinics for people age 65 and older this week in all 55 of West Virginia’s counties. None of the events in this region have open appointments. All will use names on existing wait lists. The times and locations for these events are:
Feb 2, 2021
Frances L. “Lucy”Bowers, 87, of Smithville, WV, died Feb. 1, 2021, at Camden Clark Medical Center, Parkersburg.
Frances would like to let you know her work here is done. She received a call, a sort of an offer you can’t refuse, for an appointment from which she will not be returning. The assignment comes with a huge sign on bonus and a reunion with family and friends she has not seen in a long time.
She was born in Fonzo, the daughter of the late Elijah E. and Hazel E. Wyatt Barker, then moved to Smithville in Oct. 1943. She was a 1950 graduate of Harrisville High School and moved to Wheeling shortly after. Then became a wife in 1953 and started a family in 1954. She was a lifelong waitress in Wheeling and at Barkers Restaurant in Smithville. She was a member of Hardman Chapel Church, Smithville. She enjoyed traveling, going to Pro Bull Riding, Shopping of course, dominoes, volunteering and spending time with family and friends. She was a beautiful, loving lady
Steven Byron White, 60 of Coolville, Ohio
Steven Bryon White left this world on January 28, 2021 at The Camden Clark Medical Center in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He was born on March 14, 1960, Pie Day, as he called it, in Willoughby, Ohio.
He was a lifelong Lake County and Cleveland, Ohio area resident before moving to Coolville, Ohio about 8 years ago. He did many jobs throughout his life, including garbage man, asbestos removal, and high rise window washer. Steve partied like it was his job. He ran the Snack Shack at the Eastlake Breakwall, where he earned the name Papa Nunu from his grandchildren.
Nora V. Brown
Nora V. Brown, 88, passed away peacefully Jan. 9, at Camden Clark Medical Center in Parkersburg, WV.
She was born July 2, 1932, to the late Ellen Elizabeth and Okey Wilson.
Nora lived a full and colorful life. She was the eldest of nine children, which came with a great deal of responsibility. She left high school early and entered the work force. Later in life, she proudly finished her education.
On Jan. 14, 1956, she married her first love, John Little, and they shared three daughters; whom she loved dearly.
Nora’s life wasn’t a straight and narrow path; she enjoyed the scenic route. During many challenges and changes in life, one thing remained constant, her unwavering love for her girls and her family.
ebevins@newsandsentinel.com
PARKERSBURG With its attention focused on vaccinations, the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department hasn’t offered many free COVID-19 testing events recently.
But testing remains available and important, said Carrie Brainard, threat preparedness coordinator for the department. Anyone who has symptoms of the novel coronavirus or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should get tested so they can be quarantined if necessary, she said.
“We want people to know whether they have” it, Brainard said. “We do have people out there that don’t show any symptoms.”
For months, the department organized testing events in the six counties it serves – Calhoun, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and Wood. But with vaccinations beginning in early January and thousands wanting to sign up, more resources are being applied to that effort.