In Loving Memory

Pub. 1 2019-2020 | Issue 4

Published November 3, 2020

By The West Virginia Automobile Dealers Association

Betty Jo “BJ” Hathaway (Hupp)

Betty Jo “BJ” Hathaway (Hupp) passed away peacefully on July 29, 2020. She was born to Harold A. and Bertie Marie Hupp on July 2, 1941 in Parkersburg, West Virginia. She is a 1959 graduate of Parkersburg High School.

She married her high school sweetheart, Thomas R. “Tom” Hathaway, in 1959 and had two sons, Thomas Ray II “TR” and Harold “Scott.” They were married for 57 years before his death in 2016.

BJ was a vibrant and active member of the community throughout her life. Growing up, BJ worked for her father at Hupp and Wharton Cadillac and Oldsmobile. She was proud to be a pioneering female force in the auto industry. She and Tom started Superior Motor Company in 1973, adding a Toyota franchise in 1979, and later Hyundai. She served on the Junior League, Altrusa, Parkersburg and West Virginia Auto Dealer Associations. She was named Sports Illustrated All Star Dealer in 1993. BJ had a love of life and creating fun for all surrounding her. She prided herself on maintaining and nurturing lifelong friendships. She was thankful to surround herself with close friends, both in Parkersburg and Fort Myers, Florida, where she spent many winters, many of whom she had known since grade school. She loved entertaining and hosting happy hour; her magnetic personality made her the life of the party. She also enjoyed golfing with friends and family, and traveling the world.

She is survived by her son TR, and daughter-in-law Sallie Hathaway; six grandchildren, Sarah (Kevin) Blau, Thomas Hathaway, Paige (Daniel Borman) Hathaway-Borman, Kennedy Hathaway, Reagan Hathaway, and Carter Hathaway; sister and brother-in-law Jan and Pat Snook; and many nieces and nephews: Kim Kelly Trimble, Debbie (Danny) Rogers, Greg (Patty) Kelly, Karie Sue (Fred) Sargent, Casey (Randy) Miracle, Michael (Cheryl) Snook, and Sharon (Matthew) Talarczyk.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Bertie Hupp; her stepmother Esther Jean Hupp; her husband, Thomas R. Hathaway; Son, Scott Hathaway; and sister, Patricia Kelly.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, family and friends may make a donation to the Parkersburg High School Foundation, in BJ’s memory. PHS Foundation, 2102 Dudley Avenue, Parkersburg, WV 26101 or visit www.ParkersburgHighSchoolFoundation.org.

To send flowers to the family of Betty Jo “BJ” Hathaway, please visit our Tribute Store.

Gary R. Smith

Gary R. Smith, 65, of St. Albans went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston, with his family by his side.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Rebecca “Becky” Smith.

Gary retired with 35 years in the automotive industry, where he started out as a lot boy, service advisor, salesman, finance and insurance manager. Through his hard work and dedication he was honored to become the owner/CEO of Royal Automotive, Charleston.

During his time as owner and CEO at Royal, Gary generously gave back to the community by sponsoring multiple Safe Kids Car Seat Clinics, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America events, and multiple youth sports teams and programs throughout the community.

Gary served on the board of directors for the West Virginia Automobile and Truck Dealers Association. He was a member of the Sales Managers Society for Jeep and Eagle, a multiple Vanguard Heritage of Excellence recipient for outstanding sales achievements for Oldsmobile and a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association.

He attended Maranatha Fellowship,
St. Albans.

Surviving are his loving wife of 10 years, Pam Turley-Smith; father, Richard F. Smith of Charleston; children, Mandy (Pedro) Rodriguez of Victoria, Texas, Donald (Alisa) Boylen of Moyock, North Carolina, Casey (Julie) Turley of Dunbar, West Virginia, Amy Imes of Canyon Lake, Texas, Danielle (Kingsley) Clark of Orlando, Florida, and Chris Smith, Charleston, West Virginia; sisters, Gail (Randy) Huggins of Dunbar, West Virginia, Krista (Dean) Knott of Jacksonville, Florida, brother, Kelly (Christi) Smith of Charleston, West Virginia. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Alivia, Madison, Ayden, Donnie, Kingsley, Levi and Tresslee.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020 at Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, St. Albans with Pastor Michael White officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

The family has asked that you wear a mask and that social distancing be observed throughout the visitation and services.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to Hubbard Hospice House, In Memory of Gary R. Smith, 1001 Curtis Price Way, Charleston, WV 25311-1824

You may visit Gary’s tribute page at BartlettNicholsFuneralHome.com to share memories or condolences with the family.

Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, family owned and located at 409 Sixth Ave., St. Albans, is honored to serve the Smith family.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Gary R. Smith, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Jonnie Mae (Priestley) Green

Without a sigh, Jonnie Mae (Priestley) Green, removed this earthly yoke and ran into her savior Jesus Christ’s arms, on Sept. 7, 2020. Glory to God! He led her through 92 years of life and protected her. He gave her a life blessed beyond words. In all things beautiful, we will always see her.

Jonnie has been reunited with her husband Harry, son Chris, her five sisters, and many other family and friends. Her surviving children, Karen, Peggy and Hal, spent the final days at her side and were with her until the end.

Jonnie loved her flowers and gardening more than anything except her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the WVU Mountaineers. She was proud to be a founding member of the Bridgeport Garden Club. Playing golf and bridge were also things she and Harry excelled at, whether in Bridgeport, or as “snowbirds” in Florida.

Spending many happy hours walking on the beach and sunbathing, while taking in the sights and sounds of the seashore, Jonnie was a “people-watcher,” and her favorite song was “People” (“People Who Need People”), by Barbra Streisand. Her mother was a teacher and pianist, who gave Jonnie a love of music, especially the piano, which she played beautifully.

Her inner beauty came from being an example of WHAT LOVE DOES — being there when her family needed her and doing whatever it took with grace and humility. Psalm 121 guided her daily living: “I will lift up my eyes to the hills — From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth …”

Contributions in Jonnie’s memory can be made to Bridgeport Garden Club, P.O. Box 1310, Bridgeport, West Virginia, 26330

Due to the Covid-19 virus, there will be a small, immediate family only service under the direction of Burnside Funeral Home, Bridgeport. Jonnie’s pastor from Simpson Creek Baptist Church, Dr. Mike Hopkins, will conduct the service, and the burial will be at Bridgeport Cemetery.

William J. “Bill” Talbott

William J. “Bill” Talbott, 84, of Lewisburg passed away suddenly Thursday morning, March 12, 2020 at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center.

Bill was born Jan. 18, 1936 in Monroe County and was the son of the late Marshall D. and Gladys Early Talbott.

Bill grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Pickaway where he started running the dairy around the age of 15. On the side he would sell a few cars at the Jeep/Willys dealership in Union. He married his wife of almost 58 years, Dorothy Jean Shirey, and was promptly drafted into the Army, in which he served in Europe until his father passed away and he was called home. When Bill came home he took a job at Greenbrier Motor Co. selling cars. This was only to be temporary until something better came along. However, Bill fell in love with the car business, and he and Dorothy ultimately purchased Greenbrier Motors, where he would continue to work for the next 56 years and be the cornerstone of the business until he passed. The business and their employees truly were his and Dorothy’s life. Bill built on his accomplishments and became an unassuming business leader in the community. For years, he was a deacon and an elder in the Ronceverte Presbyterian Church before becoming a member of the Lewisburg United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Beni Kedem Shrine. He served many years as a board member of the West Virginia Automobile and Truck Dealer Association and ultimately became president of the association. He also served for many years on the board of directors of One Valley Bank and more recently served on the board of the Bank of Monroe. Bill got the most fulfillment from contributing to many community charitable organizations and was most proud of being able to help the youth of the area in their endeavors in 4-H and FFA.

Other than his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a brother, Marshall D. Talbott, Jr.
Surviving Bill are his wife, Dorothy Shirey Talbott and their children David R. Talbott, his daughters Nicole, Kristyn and Taylor; and Stephen S. Talbott, his wife Dede and their children Grant and Olivia; Bill’s children from a previous marriage Bill Talbott, his son Danny and Susan Williams and her daughter Brittany as well as his sister Virginia Walkup and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held for Bill Monday, March 16, 2020 at Wallace and Wallace in Lewisburg at 3:00 p.m. with the Rev. Eugene Fullen officiating.

The family will receive friends from noon until 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, Bill would have wanted you to make memorial contributions to Greenbrier Humane Society, 151 Holliday Lane, Lewisburg, WV 24901 or Hospice Care, 1265 Maplewood Ave., Lewisburg, WV 24901.

William Paul Cole, Jr.

William Paul Cole, Jr. completed his earthly journey on June 28, 2020 with the same quiet dignity that distinguished his life. His dignity was underscored by his passion for living and experiencing all that life had to offer, with roots strongly embedded in the city he loved.

Paul was born in New York City, New York, on Dec. 21. 1931, to William Paul Cole, Sr. and Harriet Foote Cole.

However, Bluefield was home, where he grew up, often working alongside his grandfather W. J. Cole at the West Virginian Hotel, forming his passions and many interests until he graduated from Beaver High School in 1949 and left to attend Davidson College. He returned home to marry Carol Ann McHugh on July 31, 1954. He served two years active duty with the U. S Army, continuing in the Reserves to earn the rank of captain. He then completed his education, earning an MBA from the Harvard School of Business in Boston, Massachusetts. He took his first job with Hyatt hotels before going to work for IBM in New York as a system’s engineer. He worked for IBM and lived in New York until 1965 when his father passed away unexpectedly. Taking a one year “leave of absence” from IBM, Paul returned to Bluefield and took over the operation of his father’s International Harvester dealership, Cole Motor Company. In 1975 he formed Truck City Parts and in 1982 purchased Evans Chevrolet, which became Cole Chevrolet Cadillac.

Through his years in business Paul served Bluefield and West Virginia in many roles. He is Bluefield’s longest serving mayor, 1981 to 1993, was Chairman of American Truck Dealers Association 1978 to 80, President of the West Virginia Auto Dealers Association, the first West Virginian to be inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame, President of the Bluefield Chamber of Commerce and President of the Bluefield Rotary Club, where he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow. He received an honorary Doctorate from Northwood University, Midland, Michigan, for his leadership in establishing a Truck Marketing curriculum. On Nov. 21, 2003 he was proudly inducted into the Bluefield High School Hall of Fame.

Paul, a member of Mensa and a licensed pilot since 1974, found time for many personal passions. A lifelong pursuit of fitness was expressed through jogging, golf and tennis, leaving just enough time for becoming a bridge life master and avid antique collector. He was an interesting man interested in everything and always willing to share what he had experienced and learned.

Paul leaves Bluefield a legacy of integrity in business, respect for family values, and the three sons he and Carol shared and raised to carry on the business development and community service to which Paul dedicated his life.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 61 years, Carol M. Cole, infant daughter Leighann Letitia Cole and brother James Foote Cole.

He is survived by sons William Paul Cole, III and wife Brownie, Charles McHugh Cole and wife Terri and Thomas Jacob Cole and wife Michelle, all of Bluefield, 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and sister-in-law Mary Frances McHugh. Special thanks and appreciation to Paul’s dedicated companion and caretaker of 6 years, Dashi Sho-Johnson and to the other caretakers, including Patsy, Edmund, Brenda, Mike and Carol-Anne, who so graciously assisted Paul through his final time on earth.

In lieu of flowers, Paul would be honored if you would make a donation to the W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business at Bluefield State College, 219 Rock St, Bluefield, WV 24701 or Bluefield College Advancement Office, 3000 College Ave., Bluefield, VA 24605.

Amid Covid concerns, an outdoor graveside service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 2nd at Roselawn Cemetery with his grandsons serving as pallbearers. A funeral procession was organized at Mercer Funeral Home.