Alta E. Vandevender
Alta E. Vandevender, age 93, a resident of Pocahontas Center, died at Pocahontas Memorial Hospital on Thursday, April 17, 2003.
She was a member of Big Springs Presbyterian Church.
The daughter of the late Melvin P. and Nettie Conrad Vandevender, she was born in Randolph County April 18, 1909.
Mrs. Vandevender is survived by one sister, Nettie Dehn, of Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Preceding her in death were her parents, two brothers, Donald Vandevender and Boyd Vandevender, and three sisters, Winnie Ayers, Louise Ware, and Nina Beale.
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at VanReenen Funeral Home by Earl Michael. Burial was in Mountain View Cemetery.
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Ben Morgan
Ben Morgan, age 90, of Marlinton, passed away at Pocahontas Memorial Hospital on Friday, April 18, 2003.
He was born near Fairmont, Marion County, the son of James Franklin and Mollie Morris Morgan. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Mr. Morgan received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairmont State College, where he was President of his senior class. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from West Virginia University in 1935 and began his career as Assistant County Extension Agricultural Agent in Greenbrier County. His career, which spanned 43 years, included 21 years in West Virginia Cooperative Extension Agricultural Service as a county agent in Greenbrier, Ritchie, and Pocahontas Counties, and Extension Livestock Specialist at West Virginia University. He retired as Professor of Animal Science Extension at The Pennsylvania State University after 22 years of service to the livestock industry in Pennsylvania.
A judge at major livestock shows in the Eastern United States and at the National Livestock Show in Chicago, Mr. Morgan played a major role in development of the Keystone International Livestock Exposition in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He served as Exposition Manager from 1958-1963 in addition to his work as Extension Animal Scientist. Throughout his career he served as advisor to numerous state, regional and national livestock organizations. He was instrumental in establishing the livestock market in Pocahontas County while serving as County Agent.
As a 4-H Club member in his growing up years, Mr. Morgan was recognized as one of West Vir-ginia's outstanding 4-H Club members by being awarded the Governor's Gold Medal. A 4-H All Star, he was invited to attend the 100 year Anniversary Celebration of 4-H Club work at WVU Jackson's Mill in June 2002.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the nation's livestock industry, Mr. Morgan was named an Honorary Fellow of the American Society of Animal Science in 1976, the highest award in the livestock industry; the Pennsylvania Livestock Man of the Year in 1975; and he received the Epsilon Sigma Delta Extension Award in 1974. While serving as an agricultural agent in West Virginia, he was President of the National Association of County Agents and also received its Distinguished Service Award.
Member and Elder of Marlinton Presbyterian Church, Mr. Morgan served six years on the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery of West Virginia. He was active in the Rotary Club for over 50 years both in Marlinton and State College, Pennsylvania, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Marlinton Rotary Club.
Mr. Morgan is survived by his wife of 66 years, the former Ruth Carson McClintic; two daughters, Stephany Morgan, of Staunton, Virginia, and Nancy Morgan Roche, of Charlottesville, Virginia; and two grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Naomi Morgan and Neva Morgan Jones, and a brother, Morris G. Morgan.
After burial in Mountain View Cemetery, a Memorial Service was held Monday afternoon at Marlinton Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Dr. Susan Sharp Campbell, followed by a reception.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Marlinton Presbyterian Church or the Opera House Restoration Project, Pocahontas County Landmarks Commission, P.O. Box 125, Marlinton, WV 24954, or a charity of your choice.
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Elizabeth Callison Sebert
Elizabeth Callison Sebert, age 93, a long-time resident of Greenbrier Manor, Lewisburg, died at the Manor April l8, 2003.
She was a member of the Lewisburg United Methodist Church.
Born at Hillsboro October 8, 1909, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Marvin E. Smith and Daisy Ruckman Smith, and was a bookkeeper for Peoples Store & Supply in Marlinton for many years.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Elba Callison and William Keith Sebert; a son, Richard E. Callison; and two brothers, S. Glenn Smith and Joe Smith.
Surviving her are a son, Samuel B. Callison, of Arlington, Virginia, and a step-son, William K. Sebert, of Tucson, Arizona; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday morning at VanReenen Funeral Home by Pastor Robert Mann. Burial was in Mountain View Cemetery.
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Marshall Goode Homes, III
Marshall Goode Homes, III, of Slaty Fork, formerly of Bramwell, died at his residence on Snowshoe Mountain on Thursday, April 17, 2003.
Born in Bluefield September 13, 1949, Marshall was the son of the late M. Goode Homes, Jr., and Helen Swift Perry Homes. He was a graduate of Greenbrier Military School and attended North Carolina State University and Bluefield College.
He is survived by his sister, Caroline Homes Nuckolls.
Homes was an avid spelunker, having led numerous mapping expeditions of limestone caverns in the Appalachian region. In addition to his extensive mineral collection, he also had an impressive array of Native American artifacts. He was an accomplished guitarist and at the time of his death he was employed at the Red Fox Restaurant.
A memorial service was held at the Snowshoe Conference Center Tuesday morning with the Rev. Dan Macgill presiding.

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