OHS Alumni set to Induct 10 into Hall of Fame

Oceana High School Alumni Association's 16th annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled May 7 in the Oceana Middle School cafeteria, beginning with a social hour at 5:30 p.m.

Paul Ray Blankenship, Class of 1958, passed away Sept. 30 and will be honored as well. He taught at Oceana High School for 25 years and was instrumental in organizing the Oceana High School Alumni Association and its hall of fame.

Blankenship also helped organize the Wyoming County Historical Museum and the Captain Ralph Stewart Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. In 1976, he received the Distinguished West Virginian Award. In 2000, he received a West Virginia History Hero Award.

He also authored several books about the history of Oceana and surrounding areas, including "From Cabins to Coal Mines, 1799-1999, Volumes I and II.

Bob Cook, son of the late Doyle and Helen Brooks Cook, began his career with the town of Oceana as the wastewater treatment plant superintendent. In 1984, he opened his own business, Cook's Sanitation Service.

He is a charter member of the Captain Ralph Stewart Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, Gideons International, the AF&AM Masonic Lodge 138, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason Valley of Charleston, Beni Kedem Shriners of Charleston, Oceana High School Alumni Association, and Guyandotte Missionary Baptist Church. Cook recently obtained his FCC Ham Radio Operator's general license.

He and his wife, Mae, live in Oceana; they have two sons and three granddaughters.

Mike Cook, son of the late William "Bill" and Pauline Cook, currently serves as assessor of Wyoming County.

He graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in mining engineering and worked in the mining industry until 2001. He was also employed by RESA I as a youth development consultant.

Cook is a member of the Clear Fork Valley Golf Association, Westside High School Foundation, West Virginia University Alumni Association, Wyoming County Career and Technical Center Advisory Board, Wyoming County Planning Commission, West Virginia Association of Counties, and the state Association of West Virginia Assessors.

Cook and his wife, Kathy, make their home in Clear Fork; they have three children and two grandchildren.

Herbert Halsey, son of the late Herbert H. "Hub" and Willi Nancy Halsey, graduated from Concord College with an education degree. He began his career in McDowell County and currently teaches at Oceana Middle School and serves as head football coach and athletic director.

He is Oceana Volunteer Fire Department chief, is a member of Oceana Church of God, and Oceana Middle School's chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

He and his wife, Renee, have two children; they make their home in Oceana.

Kelli Simpson-Karper, daughter of Roger and Glenda Grubb Simpson, attended Alice Lloyd College, Concord College, and Mountain State University.

She began her medical career at Ohio Valley Medical Center and is currently a physician assistant for Family Healthcare Associates.

She is a member of the American Association of Physician Assistants and Guyandotte Baptist Church.

She and her husband, Jonathan, have two sons and make their home in Pineville.

Edsel Lafferty, son of the late Dewey and Darlene Lafferty, graduated from Pikeville College and Marshall University.

He taught at several Wyoming County schools and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, retiring as assistant principal of Wyoming County East High. Since then, he's served as director of the Medicinal Herb Farmer Research Program with Mountain State University, conservation supervisor for Wyoming County, and director from the Southern Counties Conservation District. He is also a naturalist and worked at Twin Falls Resort State Park and Holly River State Park.

He and his wife, Loretta, have two sons and three grandsons.

Diane Hall Wolfe, daughter of the late Jim and Elaine Hall, graduated from Concord College, Morehead State University, and University of Tennessee.

Her education career spans 32 years. In addition to teaching, she has also served as a guidance counselor, worked with Overlook Mental Health Services and Safespace Shelter for abused families.

She belongs to numerous organizations, including Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, General Federations of Women's Clubs, and the Red Hat Society of Hurricane.

Wolfe and her husband, Jerry, reside in Hurricane and have two children.

Dennis Worrell, son of Lorene M. Worrell of Oceana and the late L. A. Worrell, graduated from West Virginia University and the U. S. Naval Officers Candidate School, with service during the Vietnam War.

His family has owned and operated Worrell's Exxon Service Center, in Oceana, for 40 years and was awarded Exxon Dealer of the Year in 1971.

Worrell is a charter member of the Oceana Lions Club, is a 32nd degree Masonic mason, a member of the Pineville Lions Club, beni Kedem Shriners of Charleston, First Century Bank Advisory Board, Oceana Planning and Zoning Commission and Sanitation Board, Clearfork Valley Golf Course Advisory Board, Oceana High School Alumni Association, and Oceana United Methodist Church.

He and his wife, Carolyn, live in Oceana; they have two children and four grandchildren.

The Barretts, both deceased, were long-time teachers at Oceana High. He taught for 32 years at OHS, teaching algebra, plane and solid geometry, trigonometry, and physical science.

She taught for 31 years at the high school, including English and social studies, and was the school librarian.