The Miners

Carl Calvin "Pee Wee" Acord

Carl Calvin "Pee Wee" Acord, 52, had worked in the mines for 34 years and was a proud member of the "Old Man Crew" at the Upper Big Branch Mine. He enjoyed fishing with his sons, working in his yard, driving his tractor and being "PaPaw" to his two grandchildren, Chase and Cameron. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Lynn, and sons, Cody and Casey.

Jason Atkins

Jason Atkins, 25, of Foster was a 2003 graduate of Sherman High School, where he won all-state honors in football and baseball. He served as a member of the Racine Volunteer Fire Department and was an avid West Virginia University sports fan. Survivors include his wife, Amanda, his parents, Robert and Shereen Bowles Atkins, and his brother, Chris.

Christopher Bell

Christopher Bell, 33, of Crab Orchard, was admired for his ability to draw and detail vehicles. He was happiest spending time with his wife, Angela, and children Alexis, Meadow, Christopher and Skylar. His parents, Christopher L. and Kathy Darlene Bell, also survive him.

Gregory Steven Brock

Greg Brock, 47, of Clear Creek, was an electrician at the Upper Big Branch Mine. He enjoyed spending time with his son, Greg Kyle Brock, and his fiancée, Patti Stover, and her daughters, Shayla and Brooke Stover. He was a NASCAR fan who loved to hunt and fish and who always had a vegetable and flower garden.

Kenneth A. Chapman

Kenny Chapman, 53, of Fairdale was a roof bolter who had the ability to make others laugh. "He was somebody that always had a good time," a nephew said. Kenny also enjoyed hunting, fishing and working in his garden. He is survived by his wife, Laura, children Donna Griffith, Vicky Williams, Kenny Chapman, Jr., Michael Austin Chapman, Jason McMillion, Carl Massey and Jubal McMillion.

Robert E. Clark

Robert E. Clark, 41, of Beckley was described by friends as a caring person who never met a stranger. He enjoyed spending time with his family, riding his motorcycle, fishing, hunting, restoring vehicles, golfing, working with wood and boating. He is survived by his wife, Melissa, and son, Steven Robert Clark.

Cory Thomas Davis

Cory Thomas Davis, 20, of Cabin Creek played baseball in high school and followed his family members into the mines. He loved the outdoors, often spending weekends at a family camp on a mountaintop, hunting, fishing and putting his truck in the mud. He is survived by his parents, Tommy and Cindy Davis.

Charles Timothy Davis

Timmy Davis, 51, of Eskdale, loved fishing, hunting with his bird dogs and riding his Rhino. His son described him as "the best hunter and fisher you've ever seen." He is survived by his wife, Diana, and children Timmy Davis, Jr., Cody Davis and Misty Dawn Cooper.

Michael Lee "Cuz" Elswick

Michael Lee Elswick, 56, of Elkview was a dedicated coal miner for 36 years. He was a member of the Dunbar First Church of God. Family members described him as a rock. "When things fell apart, he was there," his daughter said. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie; son, Jeremy Elswick; daughter Jami Cash.

William Ildon "Bob" Griffith

William "Bob" Griffith, 54, of Glen Rogers, came from a family of miners and went to work in the mines as a young man. When he wasn't working, Bob and his wife, Marlene, worked on their 1967 Camaro. Also surviving are a daughter, Deborah Lynn, and a son, William James.

Steven "Smiley" Harrah

Steve "Smiley "Harrah, 40, of Cool Ridge was described as a thoughtful man who would always offer a helping hand. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards. He was devoted to his wife, Tammy, and six-year-old son, Zach, who survive him.

Edward Dean Jones

Dean Jones, 50, of Beckley, was a hard worker who was devoted to his wife, Gina, and son, Kyle Dean, who has cystic fibrosis. Father and son were exceptionally close and shared a love of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the West Virginia Mountaineers. Dean's mother, Ruby Nell Lafferty Jones, also survives.

Richard K. Lane

Rick Lane, 45, of Cool Ridge loved running coal and was known for never asking his men to do anything he would not do himself. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and looked forward to retiring to tend to his horses and cattle on his 25-acre farm. He is survived by his wife, Kim, son Rob and grandson Brody Parker Lane.

William Roosevelt Lynch

Roosevelt Lynch, 59, of Oak Hill, worked in the mines for more than 30 years while also working as a substitute teacher and basketball, football and track coach. He also served as a devotional leader and praise team leader at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Minden. Survivors include his wife, Geneva; son, Mon; and daughter, Miki Rogers.

Joe Marcum

Joe Marcum, 57, of Laurel Creek, Lenore, was a coal miner for 35 years and a charter member of the Lenore Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the Church of the Living God and was a mainstay in Mingo County politics. His wife, Kathy, and daughters, Kathy Jo Marcum and Garnet Murphy survive him.

Ronald Lee Maynor

Ronald Maynor, 31, of Clear Creek, was described as a kind person who was always willing to help anyone who needed him. He enjoyed hunting and took his children fishing, hunting, and for rides on his four-wheeler. Survivors include his wife, Helen, daughter Kaitlyn, son Hunter, and parents, Nancy Burgess and Ronald K. Maynor.

Nicolas Darrell McCroskey

Nicolas McCroskey, 26, of Beckley was described as "full of life" and "sweet and helpful and kind-hearted" by a longtime friend. A graduate of Bluefield State College with an engineering degree, he loved hunting, fishing, water sports and riding his Harley Davidson. He is survived by his mother, Debbie Lynn McCroskey.

James E. "Eddie" Mooney

Eddie Mooney, 51, of Ashford loved hunting, fishing, camping and taking his 1978 Corvette out for a cruise on the weekends. He was a member of the Rumble Community Baptist Church and is survived by his wife, Sheila, daughter Misty Case, and son Austin Mooney.

Adam Keith Morgan

Adam Morgan, 21, of Pineville, wore No 24 on the Wyoming East High School football team that went to the state Class AA playoffs during his senior season of 2006. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, four-wheel riding, grilling and being outdoors. He is survived by his parents, Steve and Tammy Church Morgan.

Rex L. Mullins

Rex Mullins, 50, of Lively, was an outdoorsman and an ardent West Virginia Mountaineer fan. Survivors include his wife, Brenda; son Jason; daughter, Geneva Blake; stepchildren Jeremy Walker, Tessa Walker and Joseph Walter, and his mother, Joan Bailey Mullins.

Joshua Scott Napper

Josh Napper, 25, of Salem Center, Ohio, was a nurse and an avid body builder who loved the outdoors, camping, dancing and riding his four-wheeler. He wrote a note to his family members, "If anything happens to me, I will be looking down from heaven." He is survived by his daughter, Jenna Leigh, fiancée, Jennifer Ziegler; and parents, Scott and Pam Napper.

Howard D. "Boone" Payne

Boone Payne, 53, of Cabin Creek, was described as a gentle giant with flaming red hair who would go out of his way to help people. He loved hunting, fishing and basketball. He is survived by his son, Jason, daughter, Erica, father, Howard Daniel Payne, Sr., and fiancée, Bobbie Pauley.

Dillard Earl “Dewey” Persinger

Dewey Persinger, 32, of Crab Orchard loved being with his family and he enjoyed country music. He is remembered as being dedicated to his family and his friends. He leaves behind his wife, Heidi; two sons, James and Devin; and his parents, Delmas and Ada Bolen Persinger.

Joel R. "Jody" Price

Jody Price, 55,of Beckley was a coal miner, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of Saint John United Holiness Church. He was known for his frequent family barbecues. His survivors include his wife, Dorean; stepsons John Jones, Alan Johnson and Matt Jones.

Gary Wayne Quarles

Gary Wayne Quarles, 33, of Naoma was a caring father and son who enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, fishing and riding four-wheelers. He is survived by his children, Trevor and Rebekka, and his parents, Gary and Patty Quarles.

Deward Allan Scott

Deward Scott, 58, of Montcoal, was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife, Crissie Lynn; a daughter, Jennifer Ann and a son, Daniel Allan.

Grover Dale Skeens

Grover Dale Skeens, 57, of Montcoal, found religion late in life and had a strong church involvement. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines . "Mostly his passion was work," according to his brother-in-law. "He started out in the coal mines at an early age. He's been working there for almost 30 years." He is survived by a daughter, Renee Bishop, and a son, Jeff Skeens.

Benny Ray Willingham

Benny Willingham, 61, of Corinne, had been a coal miner for 30 years and was five weeks away from retirement. He was a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Air Force. At his funeral, Benny was remembered as a generous and religious man who was known for random acts of kindness. He is survived by his wife, Edith Mae; daughter, Michelle McKinney; sons, Jody Canada and Patrick Canada; and his mother, Cleo Roach.

Ricky Workman

Ricky Workman, 50, of Colcord, had a passion for wheels. He loved his Harley-Davidson and in the summer drove miniature race cars. He is survived by his wife, Annette, daughters, Monica White, Heather Whitt and Chantal Hale, and seven grandchildren.