In Loving Memory of Daddy

Lonnie Ralph Treadway
(April 25, 1922 –March 16, 2010)

Lonnie Ralph Treadway, age 87, of Dawson, West Virginia, died March 16, 2010, at home. Ralph was born in Artie, West Virginia, the third child of the late Homer Lee Treadway and Nancy Alice Buzzard Treadway. He married Vivian Hatfield in 1940.

Ralph was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Marion Kathlean, in 1943 and an infant son, Ralph Eugene, in 1945; sister Myrtle Pozzie; brothers David, Leroy, Lindon, and Glendon Mick; infant brother Emmett; infant sisters Henrietta, Loretta, Vonnie and Thelma; and cousin Sheldon Buzzard.

Ralph is survived by wife Vivian of 70 years and 10 children: Vonda Thomas (David) of Brownstown, Michigan; Ruth Cadle (Dan) of Newton Falls, Ohio; David Treadway (Julie) of Newberry, Florida; Daniel Treadway (Alice) of Providence, Kentucky; Lonnie Treadway (Marcia) of Rainelle; Barbara Slaughter (Elliott) of Dublin, Virginia; Timmy Treadway(Cindy) of Christiansburg, Virginia; Rita McClanahan (Blain) of Meadow Bridge; Patricia Hutsenpiller (Danny) of Dawson; and Steve Treadway (Teresa) of Christiansburg, Virginia; sisters Joyce Heater of Salisbury, North Carolina; and Carol Gillespie of Waynesville, Ohio; 25 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

Ralph and Vivian made their first home in Ameagle, Raleigh County, then moved to Greenbrier County in 1947. There they carved a mountain farm out of the wilderness, and Ralph built, with his own hands, the house in which most of his 12 children were born. News commentator Tom Brokaw called his “the Greatest Generation,” and that it may have been. After passing his physical for the military during World War II, officials told him he would be more valuable to the country while supplying energy from the coal mines where he then worked. He later retired from that occupation after laboring there for more than 30 years.

No tribute is long enough to do justice to the skills and contributions Ralph made to the community and to his family. He never discarded anything that he thought might someday be useful for tasks yet unimagined. He could repair anything. For verification, one need only look around the farm at his handiwork or just ask his neighbors. He was always willing to share: his time, when it was to repair or build something for someone who could not do it themselves; his crops, when the Lord blessed him with more than he and his family could use; his tools, when they would help a neighbor do a job easier or better; his music, in church or home; his flowers, of which he was so proud; his apples, during a good year; his sons and daughters, when they could help a friend in his absence; even his opinion, when he thought the other person was willing to accept it – and a few times even if they weren’t. It would be no exaggeration to say all who knew him were better off for having done so. He was a giant among men and will be sorely missed.

Many words could be used to describe Ralph Treadway. He was honest, trustworthy, dedicated, hard working, kind and gentle. Lacking a formal education, he taught himself many skills that served him well. At various times he was a hunter, farmer, coal miner, mechanic, musician, inventor, teacher, barber, repairman, carpenter, mason, and gardener – sometimes a perfectionist. He was always a husband, father, brother, friend and a Christian who loved to read God’s Word.

His contributions to the work of God were many. He taught Sunday School to different age groups, played music with several instruments, and made repairs to a number of church buildings, the latest of which was the original church at Grassy Meadows. But perhaps his greatest contribution to the work of God was his extensive musical talents which he used in church or at home to play only gospel music. The memories he created for friends and family will last a lifetime.


A Celebration of Ralph’s life, for family and friends, will be held at the Grassy Meadows Gospel Lighthouse on Friday March 19, from 6-8pm.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, March 20th at 2pm with Pastor Butch LeGrand officiating with burial following at the Puckett Cemetery, Crag, WV.

In lieu of flowers please send donations of sympathy to the
Grassy Meadows Gospel Lighthouse Building Fund
Post Office Box 218
Mabscott, WV 25871
Online condolences may be sent to: www.christianmemorials.com/tributes/lonnie-treadway

Sons-in-laws David (honorary), Dan, Elliott, Blain and Danny will serve
as pallbearers.

The family would like to express a heartfelt gratitude to his Physician, Dr. Connie Anderson, and nurses; Kim Winfrey, Jenny Weikle, Paula Browning and Tina Midkiff, for the love and care they provided.

Wallace & Wallace of Rainelle is in charge of arrangements.