All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Mary Frances Brown

Mary Frances Brown, 87, of Buckhannon, WV (formally of Lacoma WV). Peacefully departed this life on June 4, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon.

She was born October 8, 1936, in Logan County, WV, to the late Minnie (Goodman) Browning and the late Normal Toler and stepfather Raymond Browning. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Waldo Brown; son, Dennis Joe Browning; sister Shirley Mullins; brother, Normal Toler Jr, and grandson David Michael Brown.

She is survived by her daughter, Shelia (Frank) Spears; son, Michael (Jessica) Brown; two brothers, Larry Curtis Browning and Gary Toler; five sisters Gail Hedrick, Teresa Mosley, Lesley Walls, Stephanie Baldridge and Angela Toler; six grandchildren, Michael Moore, Dennis Joe Browning II, Andrea Haskins, Marissa Browning, Doug (Kate) Spears, and Sarah Spears; 12 great grandchildren, Kanye Brown, Anthony (Icie) Spears, Madison Moore, Taylor Woods, Jazzy Adams, Reggie Adams and Chaelynn Cox, Carissa, Lucas, and Miriella Hauskin, Luciano and Lily Stina; five great-great grandchildren, Lincoln and Deacon Brown, Elliott and Emryn Spears and Myles Woods; a special niece, Paula (Rick) Stacy; four special great nieces whom she helped raise, Nicole Hatfield, Tia Noon, Sheena (Joe) Smith, Latasha (Jack) Ellison and a host of other family and friends.

Prior to Mary’s sickness she had a passion for caring for the elderly and loved little children. She enjoyed country and gospel music and loved being around family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Friends will be received Monday, June 10, 2024, from 10:30 AM to 11 AM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 11 AM Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Frank Spears officiating. Entombment will follow in the Highland Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Chapmanville, WV.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Feed the Children, https://www.feedthechildren.org/.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

My Buckhannon publishes obituaries free of charge as a courtesy to the family. Readers can support our publication by becoming a premium member.

Share this obituary:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Wesleyan women escape West Liberty with a 80-71 win behind Witt’s 30 points

Emma Witt’s 30-point, 10-rebound double-double keyed West Virginia Wesleyan’s 80-71 road win over West Liberty as the Lady Bobcats rallied late to improve to 5-2 (3-1 MEC).

Wesleyan men fall on the road to West Liberty, 101-65

Wesleyan’s Dandridge honored as MEC Female Basketball Player of the Week

West Virginia Wesleyan freshman guard Kilah Dandridge was named MEC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week after averaging 22.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in two wins, including a 30-point outing.

Buckhannon City Council again considers citywide address overhaul that would affect every home and business

At a public hearing on a grant related to a citywide readdressing project, residents pushed back while city officials promised to move slowly and keep the community informed.

Carolyn Ann Tenney

Carolyn Ann Tenney, 87, a longtime Buckhannon homemaker, volunteer and talented crafter, died December 16, 2025; services will be held December 20 with burial at Upshur County Memorial Park.

Lawrence Eugene Woodson

Lawrence Eugene “Woody” Woodson, 78, a lifelong outdoorsman and former Columbia Gas Transmission and WVDOH worker from Buckhannon, WV, died December 14, 2025, and is survived by his children, grandchildren, siblings and extended family.

What to watch for at Thursday’s city and county meetings

Buckhannon City Council and the Upshur County Commission wrap up 2025 Thursday with light agendas but a few big-ticket items.

Nearly 50 Upshur County students honored as WVWC announces fall 2025 President’s List, Provost’s List

Forty-seven Upshur County students earned academic honors at West Virginia Wesleyan College for the fall 2025 semester.
Stockert Youth and Community Center

SYCC board approves $56,701 bid to replace 15 cameras

The Stockert Youth and Community Center board approved a $56,701 bid to replace 15 surveillance cameras after equipment failures left indoor cameras offline.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: December 18, 2025

The Upshur County Commission will meet on December 18, 2025. Here’s the agenda for the upcoming session.

Mabel Maxine Hawkins Ryder

Mabel Maxine Hawkins Ryder, 101, a pioneering FMC chemist, devoted church member, and lifelong knitter, died December 12, 2025, in Scott Depot and will be memorialized December 20 in Saint Albans.

Buckhannon shifts sidewalk focus to Route 20 South after property owners refuse access north of town

Buckhannon leaders are pivoting away from the Gateway North sidewalk project after property access issues stalled progress. Instead, they’re eyeing sidewalks along Route 20 South, a proposal now headed to city council.