Earl Ray Pelphrey

Earl Ray Pelphrey, 83, of Oceana, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday April 30, 2021 in Beckley. Born August 28, 1937 in Johnson county KY, he was the son of the late Sherman Pelphrey and Emma Blanton Pelphrey.

Earl graduated from Oceana High School and Marshall University, He worked numerous  jobs in several different fields including teaching, social work, Justice of the Peace, car sales, construction of R.D. Bailey Lake, and coal mining. He was a member of the UMWA and a staunch lifelong democrat. Earl was an avid sports fan, loved all of his animals and enjoyed spirited political debates.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Naoma Pelphrey, son, David Pelphrey, son in law, Donald McCoy, great granddaughter, Emma McCoy and brothers James and Johnny Pelphrey.

 Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Tim Pelphrey of Statesville NC, Bill Willard of Oceana, Sue McCoy of Oceana and Kathy Whitney and husband Cliff of Oak Hill, grandchildren, Marina, Misty, Chad, Brett, Cassie, Patricia, Tonya, Bruce, Erica, TJ, Stacey, Genna, Thomas and Melissa, great grandchildren, Rio, Jacob, Hannah, Gabe, Abby, Lilly, Lauren, Dylan, Maddi, Rylee, and Charley, sister Opal Williams of Waverly OH, brother Bob Pelphrey of Columbus OH, very special friends Jay and Scott Wykle, Wimpy Cook, Isaac Mosley and a host of close friends and neighbors.

In keeping with his wishes he will be cremated and placed beside his wife and son in Crany.

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