Charles C. Lanham

Charles C. Lanham, 87, of Point Pleasant, died Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at Pleasant Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was born September 12, 1928, in Ripley, WV, a son of the late Edgar Stanton Lanham and Westa Lucretia (Jones) Lanham. Charles graduated from Ripley High School, Class of 1946 and served in the United States Army for 18 months. He then attended Marshall College (University) on the GI Bill and graduated in 1952 with a B.B.A. degree. Most important to Charles was his faith and family. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Banking and the community of Point Pleasant were both a close third. He began his banking career in 1953 with First National Bank of Ripley and moved to Citizens National Bank in Point Pleasant in 1963 and became bank President in 1968. During his banking career he served as President of the West Virginia Bankers Association in 1976-1977. Subsequently, he served on various American Bankers Association committees for 10 years. In 1997, he went to work for Ohio Valley Bank until his retirement in 2008. One of the families favorite memories is that the employees of the bank always said, "they felt better when Mr. Lanham was in the bank." Charles was active in many community activities. He served on the Pleasant Valley Hospital Board for over 50 years and was active in the communities' Chamber and Economic Development groups. He continually participated in Marshall University activities, and also supported the startup of MOVC in Mason County. He was a member of the Point Pleasant Rotary for 50 years. He served as a senator in the WV Legislature. One of his dearest projects was the expansion and completion of the Route 35 Highway Project, which he worked on for over 40 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Peggy Lee and Diann Mays; and sister-in-law, Sue Lanham. He is survived by his wife, Lilly Faye (Staats) Lanham of Point Pleasant; children, Terry Higgins of Morgantown, WV, Joyce (Jeff) Berryman of Morgantown, Eddie (Patricia) Lanham of Point Pleasant, and Charles D. Lanham of Cincinnati, OH; grandchildren, Alyssa Higgins, Monica (Liz Plunkett) Higgins, Rebecca Higgins, Claire (Steve Hennigar) Berryman, Tyler Berryman, Stanton (Shelley) Lanham III, Meredith Lanham, Christina (Greaham) Niemer, Elizabeth Lanham, and Emily Lanham; and one great grandchild, Kadin Higgins. Also surviving are two brothers, Paul (Helen) Lanham of Washington, DC, and Bob Lanham of Ft. Myers, FL; two brothers-in-law, Eddy Lee of Gay, WV, and Frank Mays of Wintersville, OH; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Point Pleasant, with Rev. Jim Kelly officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery in Ripley, WV. Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Friday at Wilcoxen Funeral Home in Point Pleasant and one hour prior to the funeral service Saturday at the church. For those considering an expression of sympathy, memorials are requested to be made to: Pleasant Valley Hospital Rehabilitation Center, 1200 Sandhill Road, Point Pleasant, WV 25550, or Trinity United Methodist Church Community Center Building Fund, 615 Viand Street, Point Pleasant, WV 25550. Condolences may be expressed to the family and memories may be shared by visiting www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com.