Hugh H. Stover

CSM (Retired) Hugh H. ‘Smokey’ Stover Hugh H. Stover, 90, of Shady Spring died March 12, 2010, at Raleigh General Hospital. Smokey was born at Clear Creek Sept. 30, 1919. He was the son of the late Huey H. and Nora Clay Stover. He was a retired Command Sergeant Major in the Army with more than 27 years of service. Smokey entered the Army in 1940 as the United States began its military buildup for World War II. During WWII he spent 35 months in the Pacific, including the New Guinea Campaign, and earned the Bronze Star medal for meritorious service. In addition to the Bronze Star, he earned the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Good Conduct Medal with eight clasps, the National Defense Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the American Defense Service Medal, the Pacific Campaign Medal and the Army Occupation Medal (Germany). In addition to his parents, Smokey was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Christine Stover; brothers, Glen, Wade, Tracy, Gerald Wayne “Jim,� Sheldon, Nelson; sisters, Ora Dunbar, Farris Buzzard, Sally Scarbro and Vicky Stover. Those left to cherish his memories include daughter, Karen and her husband, Danny Wood, son, Stephen and wife, Evangeline; grandchildren, Eric Wood and his wife, Amy, Adam Wood and wife, Angela, Ryan Wood, Matthew Stover, Megan and husband, Chris Genge, Zach Stover and his wife, Tiffany. Great-grandchildren Amanda and Lacie Wood, Brett Wood, Payton and Gavin Stover and Jonas Genge. Sisters, Wanda Craddock, Ruby and husband, Chuck Gloch, Susie and husband, Harvey Atkins; brothers, Elbert and wife, Kitty Stover, Doff and wife, Dorlene Kincaid. Upon his retirement from the Army he was a truck driver working for Raleigh Ready Mix. He helped in the construction of the New River Gorge Bridge. Smokey was an avid baseball fan and played for the Raleigh County League “B� Division in Ameagle. He continued playing baseball and ran track while in the military. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Shady Spring. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Raleigh General Hospital ED and SICU staffs, family and friends who helped care for Smokey at home over the past three years, and Dr. Thomas. Friends may call 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 16, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home with Pastor Delvin Elwell officiating. Burial will be at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, W.Va., is in charge of the arrangements.