Douglas Franklin Jeffrey

Douglas Franklin Jeffrey, 77, of Chapmanville, WV, affectionately known as “Poppy” by his grandchildren and great grandchildren, passed away Sunday, March 19, 2023.

Doug was born August 12, 1945 to the late Don and Mildred Kimmell Jeffrey; he was also preceded in death by his brothers, Don Jeffrey, Jr., Wayne Jeffrey and Ross Jeffrey; parents-in-law Seymour and Ruby Stollings Ellis; several very loved sisters and brothers-in-law; and one grandson Cory Matthew Price.

Doug is survived by the love of his life and best friend, Mary Kathryn Ellis Jeffrey “Katty” as she is known; two daughters, Mary Marlene Jeffrey Price (Jerry Garrett Price, Jr.) and Misti Darlene Jeffrey Phipps (Eric Ray Ellis); three grandchildren, Jonathan Craig Pittman (Brittany Page Gardner), Amanda Kai Price Sizemore, and Natalie Brooke Phipps Jones (Hunter Austin Jones); two great grandchildren, Elijah Cory Pittman, and Jagger Callum Sizemore; one sister, Linda Jeffrey Deel; three sisters-in-law, Marsha Kay Watts (Kenneth Watts), Barbara Herald, and Jackie Pauley; brother-in-law, Larry Seymour Ellis (Gloria Bell Ellis); many nieces and nephews; and lots of extended family, all of whom he loved.

Doug lived his boyhood days at Crooked Creek, WV.  He was baptized at the Crooked Creek Church of Christ as a teenager.  He was a 1964 graduate of Logan High School and after graduating he attended Southern WV Technical and Community College before entering the work force.  He began his career with the GC Murphy Company in 1965 right before Uncle Sam called him out to the U.S. Army where he then served a two-year tour with one year in Vietnam.  Katty was with him until he was sent to Vietnam.  His oldest daughter Marlene was born while he was serving and he has always called her his “Vietnam Baby”.  He served in the 9^th Division, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3^rd. Battalion, 39^th. Infantry, located in the Mekong Delta, at Camp Dong Tam, five miles West of My Tho on a branch of the My Tho River.

Doug served a long career with the GC Murphy Company, Murphy Mart, Ames and the Dollar General.  He has served many roles as Asst. Mgr. to Manager and the managing of many stores often had him relocating to many different states with his family and then he took a job offer to be the Regional Manager with Dollar General.  In each community that he moved his family to, he found a church home that the whole family became involved in and spent much of their time. Doug has served in many capacities in the church, Elder, Deacon, coordinating Vacation Bible School, Teaching classes, Mens Fellowship and many others.  He has lived his life for the Lord and serving others, always.  As we know, it was his health that had him retiring and heading home to spend his days with Katty, after a lifetime of hard work and accomplishments that he could be proud of while he has continued to serve as Elder of the Manila Church of Christ and living his life everyday for the betterment of others.  Doug loved his wife very much, anyone who knew him, knew just how much he loved Katty, because he never failed to tell her that he loved her everyday, not once, twice or three times, Doug would tell Katty that he loved her so many times a day that it was common for her to say, “you know you tell me you love me a hundred times a day” and he would say, “and I will tell you 100 more before the day is over.”  He has loved her since the first day he saw her and loved to tell the story of how he told his dad that he knew that was the girl he was going to marry.  Katty loved and cared for Doug, daily.  The title of caregiver is not to be taken lightly, Katty is a strong lady and has proved it over the many, many years she has continued to care for her loving husband and not once complaining of taking care of his every need. 

Being the father of two daughters is not for the weak and he was and is the best father that any girl could wish for.  He made sure daily that his girls were okay and if they needed anything, and he would make sure they had it.  His world revolved around his whole family.  He loved so much all the grandkids and greats.  He never failed to let them know how much they were loved by their grandparents.  It is very common to hear the words, I’m the favorite, trying to coax Poppy into picking favorites, and as they all knew he would say “you’re all my favorite” or “don’t put me in a bind” all the while smiling and loving every minute of it.  The love that the grands have for their Poppy, is unimaginable and he will forever live in their hearts. 

Sheila Conley has been with Doug and Katty for the last nine years helping not  only to care for Doug, but to help out in many ways to make sure that he had the best care and that Katty wasn’t overwhelmed with every daily task that needed done or taken care of.  Sheila is loved and appreciated so much by the entire family that she is family in so many ways.  Doug has also been cared for the last year by Jeanie Estep and Regina Scarbro who are so very much appreciated and loved.

Doug loved his church family and loved serving the Lord.  So many would call or come see him and he had so many that would keep a close touch on him to make sure he was doing ok and if anything was needed, it would be done.  Thankful for those that we could depend on at anytime . . . He loved all his visits and talks with each and everyone.  Even if it was to just come and chat or sit while he slept or to just stop by quickly to say hello.

He was a man of his word, and the epitome of what every man should strive to be to his wife, daughters, grandchildren, grands, close and extended family and friends.  If you have ever been given the chance to meet Doug, you would know in an instant what a caring and friendly man he is.  He had a saying that he would quote over and over, “I married a Hollywood girl” as Katty was raised and lived at Hollywood Branch when they met.  Another that he would say especially after he became more sick and would spend the last years in a hospital bed or wheel chair, “I’m a winner either way”.  He knew when his time came, that he was ready.  He had lived his life as a servant for the Lord every day.

Doug loved his wife, kids, grandkids, and so adored his great grandsons, Elijah and Jagger.  He has always so loved his parents, in-laws, brothers, sister, sisters and brothers-in-law, but he loved God first and his Country.  He was a true American and he was proud to be a Vietnam Veteran.

Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, March 23 at Handley Funeral Home in Danville, WV with Mel Gresham officiating.  Burial will follow in Memory Gardens on Low Gap Road, Madison, WV with military graveside rites performed by Daniel Boone VFW Post #5578, Madison, West Virginia.  Pallbearers will be Ken Watts, Jason Evans, Todd Ellis, Frank Herald, Derek Pauley and John Blankenship.  Honorary pallbearers are Jonathan Pittman, Larry Ellis, Jerry Price, Eric Ellis and Hunter Jones.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.