MACKENZIE LOGAN GILBERT

June 18, 1982 – November 4, 2005

Tribute by 

MacKenzie’s Mother, Melanie Johnson

Lewisburg, West Virginia

Debbie Kilcollin of Union made a contribution

to the Womens’ Fund in Mackenzie’s memory.

She was born on a summer day full of life, hope, and happiness.  She brought sunshine into our lives but was soon struck with health issues that were huge obstacles.  Mackenzie lived with such spunk and determination that these obstacles didn’t stop her from developing to the lovely, productive woman that she was.  She set a wonderful example all through her school years by demonstrating how hard work and personal price can overcome any shortcomings.

Mackenzie was cheerfully involved with her family, volunteer work, Girl Scouts, and church.  St. James Episcopal Church filled a major part of her life.  Her attributes were and included understanding, kindness, humor, loyalty, and faith.  She was a good friend, playful sister, loving granddaughter, and precious daughter.

Mackenzie quietly touched all who knew her and she is dearly missed.  Her life was full of beauty and grace. 

“Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.”   Matthew:  5-8

Amy Conly

My daughter, Amy, is a wonderful woman, daughter, friend, and source of great positive energy.  Her heart, eyes and mind are—and have always been—open to the world and the many miracles that surround us.  There is about her an exuberance and a sense of possibility that is fortifying and great fun.  She is ever ready to try new things, visit new places, her new music and celebrate this life through new adventures.  Amy is also a great listener with a keep sense of what’s not being spoken, as well as what is verbalized.  She is generous of spirit, thoughtful, intelligent and kind and enjoys her family and friends enormously.  Through all the stages in her life, I’ve learned so much about so many things from Amy ---it makes me proud, grateful and boundlessly happy to know what a remarkable human being she has become.

Tribute by

Vivian Conly

Lewisburg, West Virginia

MILDRED ELLIOTT WALKER

December 10, 1910 - May 1, 1990

The inscription on the plaque

 located in the interior of the

Mildred Elliott Walker Chapel

in Sun City, Arizona,

reflects what my mother meant to me

and so many others:

This chapel is dedicated to the memory of

Mildred Elliott Walker

Beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law,

grandmother and friend

With grateful appreciation for her love, devotion and

Her joyful capacity for life.

The Roe Walker family

December 10, 1993

The small chapel was a gift of the

 Walker family and is located at the

Royal Oaks Life Care Center.

 It is used by residents and guests

as a peaceful refuge

for contemplation and reflection.

Tribute by 

Janice Walker Pogue

White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

CHARLOTTE MASON DICKSON

January 4, 1895 – October 7, 1996

Tribute by 

Elizabeth D. “Betsy” Degges

Lewisburg, West Virginia

My mother, Charlotte Mason Dickson, was a long time inspiration for me.  At a time when one seldom left home, she did.  Having finished the local “junior” college, with equivalent of one year of college, and done substitute school teaching, she then, at 23, entered the first class of the U.S. Army School of Nursing, graduating with about 400 others in 1921 at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.  Her training had her living in New York City as well as Washington.  She had classes such as Public Health at the Henry Street Settlement, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics at Brooklyn Women’s Hospital, etc.  When she finished, she did some private duty, as the class had flooded the market, and then became the first School Nurse in Marion County, West Virginia.

My mother gave me the feeling that I could do anything that I thought could work out for me.  This, from flying (at Ninth Grade) to chemistry (in college).  She wrote poetry, and is published; loved and did well in art, taking a three-year course in her 70’s.  She was much involved in the community, from giving typhoid shots to organizing the first “Farm Women’s Club (State Extension) in Greenbrier County.  She would drop anything to play with children.  She read widely, and was fascinated by wild flowers, space, the stars, etc.  She was anything but boring.  I feel she was a true hero.

CAROLINE STABLER ELLIOTT

September 13, 1903 – March 31, 2004

Tribute by 

Barbara Elliott

Frankford, West Virginia

My only regret about my relationship with my mother-in-law is that it did not last longer.  When I married her son in 1994, Caroline was already in her 90s.  She was a remarkable woman, exercising her lively mind and lithe body on a regular basis to the very end of her life.  A librarian by training, she was also a great mother and teacher, as evidenced by her three exceptional children.  She passed along not only her intellectual curiosity, love of books and enjoyment of music, but also her passion for gardening, camping and the outdoors. 

Caroline was very independent and was proudly living on her own until her death at age 100.  Perhaps her greatest legacy in the family lore is that each winter until she was in her late 90s, she went trekking on her cross-country skis at least once.  This photo was on the grounds of Friends House, the retirement community in Sandy Spring, Maryland, where she lived more than 20 years. 

She is pictured at age 96 having a grand old time in the snow with her “young” friend, Goodrun Williams.

GWEN JORDAN CLINGMAN

February 26, 1913 – May 12, 2003

She was our mother and our mentor.  She is the reason why we are strong, caring, and successful women.  We are a living and loving memorial to her and to the beauty, strength and endurance of a woman’s devotion.

Gwen Clingman taught us by example.  Physically small but spiritually huge, she instilled in us lessons that have guided us through life.  By being patient with our faults, she taught us to love unconditionally.  By giving so much of herself to others, she taught us to never take more than we give. By always standing up for what she believed was right, she taught us to have the courage of our convictions.  By never allowing us to quit what we started, she taught us to make wise choices.  By working to the last atom of her strength, she taught us a good work ethic.  By never offeringor accepting excuses, she taught us to be accountable for our actions.  By loving God, she taught us to be thankful, and we are.  We thank God that this giant of a woman was our mother and our mentor.  She is gone from this earth, but she lives on in our hearts and our actions as we pass on her legacy in the circle of life.

Tribute by 

Nancy Clingman Deitz

Sharon Clingman Shutzer

Alice Clingman Hollingsworth

Lewisburg, West Virginia

CHARLOTTE ANN RAMSEY PIERSON

(Mother)

Mom – You’ve given me the gift of perseverance, laughter, and unconditional love.  Even though you were tired, you always had time for “one more game.” We have shared good times and bad, and nothing can replace the gift of having you as a mother and a friend.  I hope to instill the values and love of life in my own children.  I promise to play “just one more game” even when I’m tired.

OLLIE MAE STICKLER RAMSEY(Grandmother)

April 24 1908 - Apirl 19, 1988

Grandma Ramsey – I treasure the memories of time spent together during summer breaks.  You were a remarkably strong lady, and you too had a love for life that I will always cherish.  I know that each step of the way you are watching over me and guiding me through life. 

BERTHA MAE WALMSLEY PIERSON

(Grandmother)

 May 11, 1916 - October 26, 1977

Grandma Pierson – I wish we could have grown older together.  Thank you for your quiet patient ways and most of all for my Dad.

GLADYS ENOLA KELLEY JOLLIFFE

(Mother-in-Law)

April 7, 1911-August 14, 1994

Gladys – We’ve met only in spirit, but I admire you still.  You persevered through some very difficult times and never gave up.  Thank you for your son.

Tribute by 

Marlene Pierson – Jolliffe

Ronceverte, West Virginia

GEORGIA MAY HUFFMAN BURDETTE

January 22, 1922 – December 12, 2005

Georgia May Huffman Burdette, daughter of Elsie May Huffman and William Jackson Huffman, was born at Mill Point, West Virginia.  She attended schools in White Sulphur Springs . . . married Paul Wyatt Burdette-owner of local cable television service . . . raised a fine family:

Paul Richard Burdette (wife, Shirley)

of White Sulphur Springs

Jerell Wyatt Burdette (wife, Elaine)

of White Sulphur Springs

James Adrian Burdette (Wife, Tina)

 of Lenoir, NC

Brenda Kay Ettelson

of Roanoke, VA

19 grandchildren

25 great-grandchildren

Georgia loved to read, loved flowers and gardening (. . . really had a green thumb!), and she loved visiting and serving others.  She always said she would have liked to have furthered her education so she could be a teacher, but she WAS one, in the life she lived every day.

Beloved by family and many friends, she was an active member of the Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many of its auxiliaries, including the Women’s Relief Society and more than 32 years in the Primary for children.  She will always be remembered for her example and love for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and for her love of others. 

Georgia Burdette really made a difference in people’s lives by her caring, love, and encouragement. 

Tribute by 

Shirley Burdette

White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

HALLIE KESSINGER LEACH

July 6, 1913 – May 22, 2000

Hallie Kessinger Leach was born on July 6, 1913 in Monroe County, where she spent her entire life.  She was a graduate of Concord Teacher's College and spent two years teaching in a one-room school.

In December 1936, she married James Harvey Leach, and her teaching career ceased in order to raise five daughters and help in the operation of a dairy farm.  Hallie was a member of the Baptist Church in which she served dutifully for her entire life.

Her bountiful life included service to others, specially her fellow church members, her neighbors, her daughters, ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Tribute by her daughters

Ann Parker – Union, West Virginia

Patricia Hancock – Union, West Virginia

Betty Moore – Athens, Ohio

Nancy Williams – Farmville, Virginia

Debbie Kilcollin   - Union, West Virginia

LOLA L. HOKE WEBB

March 23, 1910 – March 23, 2006

Lola was one of the earliest members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in our area and instrumental in the early organization of the church in Greenbrier County.

When Lola was just a young girl, her family was taught the Gospel by Mormon missionaries who then traveled by foot throughout the world to spread the gospel.  She was baptized in Howard’s Creek, which ran through the property of the family farm.

The earliest members held weekly services and organizational meetings in their own homes.  Later, meetings were held in the old White Sulphur Springs Library building.  Lola and other women would pull their baked goods into town in small wagons to have bake sales which started the first church building fund.  In the early 1950’s the first building was erected on West Main Street in White Sulphur Springs.  Lola served over the years in many positions in the church, from teaching children to being one of the first Presidents of the Relief Society.  She was a tireless servant to friends, family, community and church. 

She was married to Henry Lolen Webb and they had 12 children.

When Lola passed away this year on her birthday, she left that legacy of love and church service to her 8 living children, 40 grandchildren and 76 great grandchildren.

Tribute by 

Charlotte Handley

Lewisburg, West Virginia

RUTH PEW MEADOWS

August 9, 1921 – April 16, 2006

Ruth Pew Meadows was born on August 9, 1921 in Cairo, West Virginia, the youngest of ten children.  She was a graduate of Marshall University and a retired Home Economics teacher who taught at Talcott High School, Smoot High School and Greenbrier East High School.

Ruth was a member of the Alderson Women's Club, Delta Kappa Gamma and the Greenbrier County Retired Teachers Association.  She was a member of the Alderson Presbyterian Church, and active in the Presbyterian Women.

In June, 1948, Ruth married William Joseph Meadows and through that union, two children were born, Elizabeth Johnson of Lewisburg and Edward Meadows of Richmond, Virginia.  Grandchildren include Nicholas Johnson, a student at Virginia Tech, and Sarah Johnson, a student at West Virginia University.

Joe Meadows preceded Ruth in death on April 13, 2006.  A beautiful joint funeral service was held on April 18, 2006 at Alderson Presbyterian Church to celebrate their wonderful lives.

Tribute by

Debbie Kilcollin

Union, West Virginia