West Virginia Blue
The Best Blogging Community in West Virginia Democratic politics, progressive policies, the good life and free living in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.
Ken Ward Jr. at Coal Tattoo marks the anniversary with memorials to the 29 killed. Here's just one as an example:
Joe Marcum was married to Kathy Maynard Marcum for 39 years. For 35 of those years, he was a coal miner.
The 57-year-old was a member of the Church of the Living God and a charter member of the Lenore Volunteer Fire Department since 1982.
He leaves behind two daughters, Kathy Jo Marcum and Garnet Marcum Murphy, many nieces and nephews and an extended family.
The Democrat known as "Joe Bug" also was a mainstay in Mingo County politics.
Halcy Hatfield of Elk Creek, a longtime friend and former member of the Mingo County Commission, said the 57-year-old Marcum owned a trailer near the mine site and sometimes stayed there instead of making the hour-plus drive home.
"He was a tough man. Hard worker," Hatfield said. "He's going to be badly missed by the whole community. A lot of people looked up to him and depended on him and he always came through."
Ward did a good job in remembering our fellow West Virginians who lost their lives. Peace be with them and may their families be comforted by their memories of their loved ones.
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." ~From a headstone in Ireland
Copyright 2011 West Virginia Blue
Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified.
This site exists thanks to financial support from BlogPAC, dedicated volunteers and participation by members of this community. The views expressed at West Virginia Blue belong solely to their respective authors.
