Michael Family News

Cemetery and Family News Obituaries

Cemetery and Family News

Michael Family Home

A distant cousin, Leona Broadwater, who resided in the Michael home since 1937, died in the Summer of 2005. She was 86 years old and leaves three daughters. We are unaware of their plans about the home. Since her death, however, the house has sadly fallen into disrepair. Follow this link to see photographs of the house taken in August 2006.

Obituaries

[Note: Follow links to pictures of headstones.]

Adelene Mae Cumberledge (1938-2009) Adelene Mae Cumberledge, 71, of Rt. 1, Box 1, West Union, WV (Doe Run Community), passed away Monday, May 4, 2009 at her residence. She was born at Oxford, Doddridge County, WV, a daughter of the late Ira E. and Goldie Mae Leeson Jones. Her husband, Coy Virgil Cumberledge, whom she married June 5, 1962, preceded her in death on June 29, 1977. Mrs. Cumberledge was a homemaker and member of the West Union Christian Church where she had served as a Sunday School teacher. She was a member of the Blue Star Mothers, Ladies Auxialiary to the V.F.W. She is survived by one son, Coy Virgil Cumberledge, Jr., of West Union; one daughter, Lisa Lynn Cumberledge of West Union; three sisters, Dorothy Cross of West Union, Joyce Nicholson of New Milton, and Linda Rudder of Salem; one brother, Ira Jones of Fredericksburg, MD; three grandchildren, Joshua and Brandon Lloyd and Madison Noel Cumberledge; and her personal caregiver, Brenda Moore of West Union. Mrs. Cumberledge's request was to have private funeral services with no visitation. Reverend Jim Messenger will conduct services at the convenience of the family with burial to follow in the Masonic Memorial Park. The Spurgeon Funeral Home, West Union, is assisting the family with arrangements. A guestbook for sharing online condolences is available at: www.spurgeonfunerals.com (The Herald Record, May 12, 2009, p. 4) [Note: Mrs. Cumberledge's father, Ira Jones, a beloved friend to my grandparents, John and Audrey Michael, and to my mother, Lois Michael Morris, is buried at the Michael Family Cemetery in Oxford. Mrs. Cumberledge and her sister, Dorothy Cross, also of West Union, have been long-time faithful supporters of the cemetery. KJM]

Lois LaVonne Michael Morris (1927-2008) Lois LaVonne Michael Morris, 81, of Beltsville, Maryland, died on June 18, 2008 at Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, Maryland, of septic shock after a long illness. She was born in Oxford, Doddridge County, West Virginia, on March 21, 1927, the daughter of the late John G. and Audrey Delle Moore Michael. She lived with her parents on the family farm in Oxford until the age of 8, when the family moved to West Union. Her parents were the long-time proprietors of the Main Street Restaurant. She was the last surviving grandchild of Peter Broadwater Michael and Angelina Brice Collins Michael who moved to Oxford in the 1870s and built their home, that is still standing, on a farm of more than 400 acres. She was preceded in death, in addition to her parents, by her husband of 41 years, Lindsay F. Morris, Jr., a retired U.S. Department of Agriculture employee and a Navy submariner during WWII, whom she married on December 4, 1944 and who died on August 6, 1986; by her brother Kenneth Lowther Michael and her sisters Brice Irene Michael Byham and Eris Marcelene Michael. She is survived by her sons, Kelly J. Morris, of Beltsville, Maryland, and Patrick L. Morris and his wife Sharon of Arnold, Maryland; by three granddaughters, Manuella L. Morris, Sandra M. Morris, and Nancy M. Morris, and one grandson, Diego K. Morris; by a great-grandson, Perzie H. Teague, Jr., and a great-granddaughter, Shayla A. Morris; and by many nephews and nieces. Mrs. Morris graduated from Doddridge County High School in West Union, West Virginia, in 1943 at the age of sixteen. She was a cheerleader, a member of the glee club and the choral group, and a dancer in student productions while at DCHS. She was voted "Most Vivacious" member of her graduating class. She attended Salem College, now Salem International University, in Salem, West Virginia. While at the University of Maryland, she completed numerous professional development courses in counseling, interpersonal growth group leadership, human sexuality, adult education, and training. After World War II, she was active in the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Doddridge County, West Virginia. She served as its president and, to this day, is the youngest person ever to hold that office. She moved to the Washington, D.C., area in 1949 and has lived there all but three years since then. She has lived in her home in Beltsville, MD, since 1957. From 1951 through 1953, she was Branch Chief, Reports Branch, of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Washington, DC, before staying home for nine years to spend time with her children. She was active in PTA and scouting. She and her husband were founding members of the former Beltsville United Presbyterian Church where she volunteered. In 1962, she became Office Manager and Secretary to Chaplain Jesse Myers of the United Campus Ministry at the University of Maryland-College Park. UCM was the campus ministry of the Church of the Brethren, the Disciples of Christ, the United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, and the United Presbyterian Church, USA. Dr. Myers and his successor, the Rev. Dr. David Loomis, encouraged her to develop her skills as a counselor and group facilitator. She was very popular with students as a counselor and many students counted her as their mentor. As a group leader, there was intense competition for seats in the interpersonal growth groups that she lead. She was a supporter of the Course Guide and of international students. She was the prime mover behind the Black Ministries initiative. She was an active program resource person, financial manager, an advisor to the UCM Board of Directors, and a member of the Chapel Staff. She spoke about campus ministry before congregations of all five denominations and occasionally assisted at worship services at the University Chapel. In 1971, she was elevated to Staff Team member and, in 1974, she became Lay-Chaplain. Lutheran Chaplain, the Rev. Beth Platz, was the first female ordained chaplain and Mrs. Morris was the first female Lay-Chaplain in a counselor and group leader role. They broke the gender barrier in campus ministry at the University of Maryland and created precedents for other universities and colleges. During anti-war demonstrations in the 1970s, Mrs. Morris organized and supervised food and temporary lodging for demonstrators who took refuge in the chapel from tear gas and police action on campus and in the streets. During one such incident, a tear gas cannister was thrown into the sanctuary of the Memorial Chapel. She retired in 1976 for health reasons and devoted herself to her family and her passion for genealogy. At her request, her remains were cremated and there were no funeral services. Those who wish to express their sympathies can do so by making a contribution to the charity of their choice in her name. On Saturday, August 9, 2008, members of her family gathered to inter her ashes next to those of her late husband and her parents at the Michael Cemetery in Oxford, Doddridge County, WV.

G. Frederick Siegrest (1922-2007) Clarksburg Exponent Telegram Sunday, August 5, 2007 RICHMOND, VA -- Glenn Frederick "Fred" Siegrist, 85, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2007, at St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond. He was born and raised in Clarksburg, WV, the son of Ora Edgar and Willa Steele Siegrist. After Washington Irving High School, he graduated from West Virginia University, belonging to Phi Sigma Kappa social fraternity, and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. He then entered the United States Navy as an Ensign. He completed postgraduate courses at Harvard University and then served on the Commencement Bay aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater during World War II, finishing his active duty in 1946. He served in the Naval Reserve, reaching the rank of Commander before retirement. In 1948, he received an MBA from the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University, where he was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Honor Society for Business. Fred was a CPA who began his career with Price Waterhouse in New York City. He accepted a position in 1952 with Ethyl Corporation at 100 Park Avenue in New York City. In 1967, the headquarters of Ethyl were moved to Richmond, Virginia, where he finished his 36-year career. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Pauline Virginia Owens Siegrist; four children, Fred Siegrist and his wife, Joann, of Clarksburg, WV, Steve Siegrist and his wife, Marianne, of Chester, VA, Susan Turkal and husband, Don, of Richmond, VA, and Greg Siegrist of Bethesda, MD. He is also survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Don and Jean Siegrist; one sister-in-law, Mary Siegrist; nine grandchildren, George, Emery, James, William, Johnny, Celine and Robert Siegrist, and Toni and Kristine Turkal. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Edgar C. Siegrist; two half brothers, Paul and Clarence Flowers; and a half sister, Rose Wright. Fred was a member of the Welborne Methodist Church, past member of the Virginia Society of CPAs and the AICPA. He was a devoted husband and father. He loved to travel and was interested in sports. In particular, he was an avid fan and supporter of West Virginia University Mountaineer teams and Marching Band. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 3, 2007, at Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road, where a memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, August 4, at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at 3 p.m. Reception immediately following at The Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to West Virginia University Foundation, PO Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507-1650, re: G. F. Siegrist Memorial Fund.

Flossie Pearl Maxwell (1910-2004) Flossie Pearl Maxwell of Barrackville, WV, passed away on January 31, 2004. She was born on September 3, 1910. She was the widow of the late Lewis Michael Maxwell I (1904-1974). She is survived by her son, Lewis Michael Maxwell II, his wife, and two grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were made by R.C. Jones Funeral Home, Country Club Road, Fairmont, WV.

Rose Marie Flowers Wright (1914-2003) Rose Marie Flowers Wright of Roanoke, VA, passed away on January 20, 2003. She was born on December 7, 1914, the daughter of Willa Steele Flowers Siegrest and Clarence Flowers. She was the grand-daughter of Rose Jennie Michael Steele and Israil Milton Steele. She is survived by two brothers, G. Frederick Siegrest and Donald Siegrist, and by her son, Hughston G. Wright, Jr., who was born on January 24, 1942. She was buried in Stonewall Jackson Cemetery in Lexington, VA, as was her husband, Hughston G. Wright, Sr., who died in early summer 2005.

Edgar C. Siegrist (1920-2002) Edgar C. Siegrist, 82, of Waverly Way, Clarksburg, West Virginia, passed away on December 24, 2002, at the United Hospital Center. He was born in Clarksburg on February 24, 1920, the son of the late Ora Edgar and Willa Steele Siegrist. Ed was a retired attorney, having practiced law in Clarksburg for over 54 years. He started his law practice with the law firm of Deem & Marstiller, which evolved over the years into the present law firm of Siegrist & White, PLLC. He also retired from the West Virginia Army National Guard as a major, having previously served as the Company Commander of Company C, 197th Tank Battalion in Clarksburg, West Virginia. After graduating from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1943, he entered the United States Army and served as a Second Lieutenant in the 110th Infantry Regiment of the 28th Division in Europe during World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded on September 30, 1944, in Belgium. He is survived by his wife, Mary Golden Siegrist, two children and their spouses, Cynthia and Peter Merck, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Cam and Sydney Siegrist, Charleston, West Virginia; four grandchildren, Danica Merck, Dayton, Ohio; Stacey Merck, Cincinnati, Ohio; Kathleen and Paul Siegrist, Charleston, West Virginia; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Fred and Polly Siegrist, Richmond, Virginia, and Don and Jean Siegrist, Cherry Hill, New Jersey; half-sister and brother-in-law, Rose and Hugh Wright, Roanoke, Virginia; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two half-brothers, Paul Flowers and Clarence Flowers. Ed was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Temple, member and past President of the Harrison County Bar Association, member and past President of the Kiwanis Club of Clarksburg, past Commander of VFW Post 1573, and member of the West Virginia State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity, the West Virginia University Emeritus Club, American Legion Post No. 13, Mason Lodge No. 6, and many other organizations. He was an avid fan and supporter of the West Virginia University Mountaineers. There was no visitation or services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the United Methodist Temple, 665 Locust Avenue, Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301 or to any other charitable organization.

Brice Irene Michael Byham (1912-2002) Brice Michael Byham passed away in her home on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 in Pittsburgh (Upper St. Clair), Pennsylvania. She was born on July 17, 1912 in Oxford, Doddridge County, West Virginia, the daughter of John and Blanche Michael. She was adopted by Clarence and Brice Allender, her uncle and aunt, and raised in Parkersburg, West Virginia. She was a graduate of Parkersburg High School and Ohio University where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta and served as president of the chapter. While at Ohio University, she met her husband, Edgar. They married in 1934 and lived in Parkersburg until they moved to a retirement community near Pittsburgh in 1995. Mrs. Byham taught junior high and high school English in the Wood County School System for 17 years, where she was a highly regarded, loved, and respected teacher. Mrs. Byham was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. She was a charter member of Chapter L of the PEO sisterhood and patroness of the Lambda Chi Omega sorority. She was a board member of the Henry Logan Children's Home and the Parkersburg YWCA, and was active in the funding of the YWCA building. She was also a member of the Parkersburg Women's Club, the Oriental Shrine and an officer of the American Association of University Women. She is survived by her sister, Lois Morris, of Beltsville, Maryland, two sons, William of Pittsburgh and Kim of Guttenburg, New Jersey, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar who passed away in January 1998. A memorial service was held in Pittsburgh on December 5, 2002 at Friendship Village in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania at 11:00 am. A memorial service was held on December 6, 2002 at 11:00 am in Trinity Episcopal Church in Parkersburg, West Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Brice M. Byham English Achievement Award, C/O Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, 501 Avery Street, Lobby, P.O. Box 1762, Parkersburg, WV 26102-1762

Rosemary O'Brien (1922-2002) Rosemary Brice Rexroad O'Brien, 79, widow of Thomas William O'Brien, died Thursday evening, July 25, 2002, at her home in Savannah, Georgia. Born in Harrisville, West Virginia in 1922, she was a daughter of the late Harry Ernest Rexroad and Fredda Brice Frymier Rexroad. A veteran of World War II, she served as a lieutenant in the Navy Nurse Corps. After various naval postings, she was assigned duty in the Pacific and was stationed on Kwajalein as nurse for the staff of and witness to the Hydrogen Bomb Tests on Enewetek Atoll in 1952. A mother and homemaker, she and her husband eventually settled in Savannah in 1967. Mrs. O'Brien was a member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. Surviving are two daughters, Brice Rosemary Stephens and her husband, Simon, of Grand Cayman Islands and Mary Helen O'Brien of Savannah, Georgia; four sons, Michael Thomas O'Brien, Patrick Francis O'Brien, and James Rexroad O'Brien, all of Savannah, Georgia, and Sean William O'Brien of New York City, New York; and her godson, Liam Sheehan. Funeral Mass of the Resurrection was held at 11 o'clock Thursday, August 1, 2002 in St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church with Father Hank Groover, celebrant. She was interred beside her husband in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on September 10, 2002. Remembrances: Hospice Savannah - Post Office Box #13190, Savannah, Georgia 31416.