Obituaries

Mary Lou Taggart Stalnaker, age 89, of Normantown, WV, went to be with the Lord in the early hours of April 3, 2019 following a lengthy illness.

Mary Lou, daughter of the late John Amos and Erin Gladys Taggart, was born on January 3, 1930 in Rosedale, WV.  A graduate of Ripley High School in 1947, she attended Glenville State College in 1956 earning a degree in English and Social Studies.  She went on to teach high school English and Civics classes in Harper’s Ferry, WV and later at Albemarle High School and Covenant Christian School, both in Charlottesville, VA.

While living in Charlottesville, Mary Lou was an active member of University Baptist Church, serving on many committees, as President of the WMU and as the teacher for the Homemakers’ Sunday School Class.

Upon retirement, Mary Lou moved back to Normantown, WV and was a faithful member of the Lower Steer Run Missionary Baptist Church.  She also participated in the Gilmer County Retired Teacher Organization in Gilmer County Senior Center activities.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John Boggs Stalnaker, daughter Carol Ann Shores and brothers Maurice and John Amos Taggart Jr.

She is survived by her son Charles W. West Jr. and daughter-in-law Sandra of New Holland, OH; daughter Erin Stalnaker Hunter and son-in-law James of Columbia, SC; sister Karla Taggart Murphy and brother-in-law Delbert of Greenwood, WV; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and eight nephews and nieces.

A graveside service will be conducted at the Boggs Cemetery near Normantown on Eliza Run Road at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 13, 2019 with Elder Mark Minney of the Lower Steer Run Missionary Baptist Church officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorial contributions be made to your local hospice or donations to the Boggs Cemetery upkeep through the Lower Steer Run Missionary Baptist Church in honor of Mary Lou.

Ellyson Mortuary, Inc. is honored to assist the family of Mary Lou Stalnaker with arrangements.