McDowell County Probate Estates Listed in Public Notice

Three McDowell County estates were opened for probate and published in a formal "Notice of Administration to Creditors, Distributees & Legatees" in the Bluefield Daily Telegraph's public-notices feed on March 20–21, 2026, triggering legally binding deadlines for anyone who believes they have a claim or objection.

The notice, attested by Donald L. Hicks, Clerk of the McDowell County Commission, identifies estates for Bettie M. Hale, Margie Sue Boner and Billy Ray Parker, each with appointment dates ranging from September to October 2025. The McDowell County Commission holds jurisdiction in all matters of probate and the appointment and qualification of personal representatives.

The estate of Bettie M. Hale carries an appointment date of Sept. 16, 2025, with Crystal L. Cheeks of War, W.Va., named as executrix. Margie Sue Boner's estate was opened Sept. 24, 2025, with David Pryce Billings of Unicoi, Tenn., serving as administrator. Billy Ray Parker's estate was opened most recently, on Oct. 14, 2025, with Jeannie May Parker of Newhall, W.Va., designated as administratrix.

The notice, signed by Hicks on Oct. 17, 2025, directs all creditors, distributees and legatees to take note of specific statutory deadlines. Any interested person objecting to the qualifications of the personal representative or the venue or jurisdiction of the court must "file written notice of an objection with the County Commission through the McDowell County Clerk's Office...within 60 days after the date of the first publication or within 30 days of the service of the notice, whichever is later." The notice is unambiguous about what happens if that window closes: "If an objection is not filed timely, the objection is forever barred."

Separately, anyone seeking to challenge or establish a will connected to these estates must act under West Virginia Code sections 41-5-11 through 13. Under that statute, any interested person who was not a party to the original probate proceeding may proceed by complaint to impeach or establish the will, with a trial by jury ordered if required by any party.

All filings and objections must be submitted in person to the McDowell County Clerk's Office at 90 Wyoming St., Suite 109, Welch, WV 24801, which serves as the county's probate court. The office's main phone number is 304-436-8544 and hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The publication dates of March 20–21, 2026, are notable given that the three estates were appointed and the clerk's attestation completed in September and October 2025, a gap of roughly five months. The notice as published does not explain the delay between those appointment dates and the Bluefield Daily Telegraph publication. Anyone seeking clarification or the full unredacted filing should contact the McDowell County Clerk's Office directly, as the published notice may not reflect the complete text of the original legal filing.