Obituary of Homer E. Farris

Homer E. Farris Of Bolt, WV Homer E. Farris, 83, of Bolt, formerly of Braeholm, departed this life on Thursday, March 3, 2011, after a short illness at Charleston Memorial Hospital. He was born November 28, 1927, at Ethel, a son of the late Charles James “Charley” and Ruth Vance Farris. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Christine and Elizabeth Farris; his parents-in-law, Robert and Pearlie Vance Fugate; and his two precious grandchildren, Cassandra “Cassie” and Richard Edward “Eddie” Farris. Homer attended Man High School and then began working in the coal mines in August of 1945. In 1982 he retired from Amherst Coal Company after 37 years of service. His coal mining career was briefly interrupted in March of 1946 when he was drafted by the U.S. government during the waning years of WWII. In September of 1947 he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army after proudly serving his country. He met and fell in love with his wife, the former Rosa “Rosie” Fugate, and they were married on September 16, 1949 at Man. This union produced six children, Joyce (Jimmy) Robinson of Springville, VA, Clara (James “Bobby”) Lusk of Braeholm, Betty (Jimmy “J. Don”) Lanier of Lexington, NC, Elizabeth Jane (Darrell) Bennett of Amherstdale, Deborah (Donald “Beetle”) Bailey of Holly Hills, and Charles Robert “Jimmy” Farris of Beckley. Homer lived and reared his family in the Buffalo Creek area at Braeholm until the Buffalo Creek Flood at which time he relocated to the Bolt area where he lived until his death. He was a member of the UMWA for 66 years and had served as Local Union President and Financial Secretary of his local Union 5850. A member of the Bolt Church of God for 35 years, Homer had served as a past Sunday School teacher, choir member, church clerk, usher, and greeter, thoroughly loving to greet people at each church service. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and knew the woods of Bolt Mt. like the back of his hand. Regardless of the weather, Homer was frequently seen taking his daily hike up Bolt Mt. He was proud to say that he had read the Holy Bible from cover to cover more than 33 times. Homer could quote facts about history and geography with ease. In addition to his wife of 61 ½ years Rosie whom he helped care for and his six children, he is survived six grandchildren, Wendi (Floyd) Daniels of Braeholm, J.R. (Jessica) Robinson of Princeton, Billy (Stefanie) Lanier of Lexington, NC, Ethan “Bud” (Leann) Shrewsbury of Glen Daniels, special grand-daughter, Donna Bailey of Holly Hills, Robert Farris of Charleston, and Brandi Ryles of Macon, GA; seven great-grandchildren, Haylee Daniels, Aron and Summer Shrewsbury, Teja and Tori Robinson, and Tori and Dalton Ryles; five sisters, Mary Jean (Jack) Chambers of Venice, FL, Thelma (George) Hosea of Conroe, TX, Hellen Cook of Oceana, Betty “Peggy” (Roy) Stepp of Dayton, OH, and Susie (Del) Duncan of New Lebanon, OH; two sister-in-law, Essie “Dolly” (Raymond) Watts and Bessie “Becky” (Deb) Watts, both of Little Harts; and many nieces, nephews, church family, and friends. Funeral services will commence at 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 7, 2011, at the Bolt Church of God at Bolt with Rev. Randall Pugh officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens at Godby where military graveside rites will be conducted by VFW Post 6153 & American Legion Post 103 of Chapmanville and DAV Post 39 of Harts. Visitation will be held from 6-9 p.m. Sunday at the church and one hour prior to services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home at Man.