A Memorial Tribute To The
29 Victims Of The
Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion
Montcoal, Raleigh County, WV
Monday, April 5, 2010
Brother–in-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.
Brother –in-law of William Griffith
Another UBB explosion victim
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).
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 greatgrandmother (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).
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).
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).
First and only time in a ‘tux”
for Kenny Chapman!
Vicky Chapman Williams,
daughter of Kenny Chapman,
holds a photo of her father and
his wife, Laura “HoneyBee”
Chapman on their wedding day
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).
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).
The early years
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).
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).
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).
Brother–in-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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
Josh Napper’s 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).
Josh Napper’s Family
At about 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 5, 2010, Jenna Ziegler,
Josh Napper’s fianceé and mother of his daughter, opened a
sealed note that Josh had
written
and given
her on Sunday,
Jennifer
Zeigler
ScotttoNapper
April 4, 2010 – one day before
the UBB explosion.
Fianceé
Father
Contents of Josh Napper’s 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
Pam
Napper
over her. Tell her all the good
things
about her daddy.
Mother
She was so cute and funny. She was my little peanut.
Jenna
Leigh
And Jenna, I know
things
have never been the greatest
Napper
sometimes, but“Peanut”
I20just
want
you to know I love you and I
month old daughter
care about you.
Josh - April 4, 2010
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).
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).
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).
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.
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).
Longwall Buddies
“Spanky” Quarles – Grover Skeens – “Jody” Price
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).
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).
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).
Slides compiled by Ed Chafin