Obituaries

She was born to Hallie and John Hays on April 27, 1934 in their home in Baldwin, WV.

Marge lived a life marked by Christ-like love, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met. Marge was a devoted wife and mother who deeply cherished her family. She and her husband, Okey Lee Stalnaker, the love of her life were married in 1952 and had four children – Donna, Steve, Phil & Tam. The couple celebrated almost 68 years of marriage before his death in 2020.

Marge was a kindergarten aid at Normantown & Troy Elementary Schools and selflessly poured into the lives of her students. She was quick to encourage, uplift and inspire them to be kind to others and often had a fun rhyme she had made up at the ready. Marge retired in1994 and always enjoyed interacting with former students and colleagues when she saw them around town.

In addition to being a joyful, hospitable and gracious woman, Marge loved to spend quality time with her grandchildren, have meaningful conversations with friends and strangers, and listen to sermons that “fed her soul.” She faithfully served at Hardman Fork Baptist Church as a member and Sunday school teacher for many years. Marge held an unwavering faith in God and left a legacy of faith for her family to follow.

Marge is survived by her sister, Betty Warren & children and brother Nolan Hays, his wife Patricia & children, Donna Curtin and her husband George (Dee) Curtin, Steve Stalnaker and his wife Helen Stalnaker, Phillip Stalnaker and his wife Stacia Stalnaker, Tamara Hough and her husband Gerald Hough.

Also surviving are eleven grandchildren; Trisha Talbott and husband Hub, Stacey Winkler and husband John, Andrea Rastogi and husband Nitin, Jennifer Arvidson and husband Greg, Meredith Stalnaker, Carly Sanders and husband Stu, Ryan Hough and wife Kristen, Matt Stalnaker, Ben Stalnaker, Lauren Hough and husband Trent, and Mya Hough. And fifteen great grandchildren (with one on the way) all of whom Okey and Marge prayed for daily. Marge has many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

Marge is preceded in death by parents, John and Hallie Hays, brother Charles Hays and sister Hallie Jean Davis.

Visitation will take place at the Ellyson Mortuary at 2 VanHorn Drive, Glenville, WV from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Friday, November 1, 2024. A funeral service will be conducted at the Ellyson Mortuary at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 2 with Pastor Larry Fisher. Burial will follow in the Meadow Lane Cemetery on Rt. 5 near Glenville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital.

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