Charles R. Lavender, Jr.

Charles R. Lavender Jr., age 76 of Anawalt, passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at his home. Born on March 21, 1939, he was the son of the late Charles and Mary Patricia Felix Lavender. He attended Greenbrier Military School in Lewisburg and graduated from Princeton High School. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Bluefield State College and a Masters Degree in Mining Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia. He was a Commandant List honors graduate from Command and General staff College in Fort Leavenworth Kansas and a Major in the United States Army. He worked in the mining industry initially as an industrial engineer at Allied Chemical's Shannon Branch Mine in Welch where he later become general superintendent. He held managerial positions at United Pocahontas Coal Company in Crumpler, Olga Coal Company in Coalwood; Elk Run Coal Company in Sylvester; Black Knight Mine Development in Beckley; and Sidney Coal Company in Sydney, Ky. After his retirement, he became a registered geologist in the State of Kentucky and continued working as a mining consultant in Kentucky, Illinois, and internationally, last working in the Peoples Republic of China. He was a member of St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Pocahontas, VA and also attended Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Gary, serving as a lector at both churches. Survivors include: Wife of 55 years: Erika Wagner Lavender of the home Son: Charles R. Lavender, III and wife Tina of Midland, NC Daughter: Lucretia Kozar and husband Mark of Alum Creek, WV 2 grandchildren: Erik and Cheyenne Lavender of Midland, NC Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Pocahontas with Rev. Paul Muyimbwa and Rev. Mike Wood officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell with Erik Lavender, Mark Kozar, James Brogan, TA Ramella, Troy Smith, and John Charles will serve as pallbearers. Lt. Col. Harold E. Bolin, SOGT Republic of Vietnam will serve as an honorary pallbearer. Military Honors will be conducted by the Mercer County Veteran’s Honor Guard. Friends may call on Monday from 6-8 PM at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell with a prayer service at 7:00PM.