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

Bernice K. (Layne) Corley

Obituary Bernice Corley

Bernice K. (Layne) Corley, 97, of Buckhannon, W.Va., passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 5, 2021.

She was born September 2, 1924, in Monongah, W.Va. a daughter of the late Harry and Edna Shroyer Layne. She married Montford S. Corley who preceded her in death on March 13, 2017.

In addition to her parents and husband she was also preceded in death by five brothers, Jack, Donald, Gene, Lawrence and Jerry Layne and two sisters, Hellen Jarrett and Winifred “Peg” Simmons.

She is survived by two sons, David A. Corley and wife Diane of Buckhannon and Joe Corley and wife Joanne of Richmond, Va.; two grandsons, Drew Corley and wife Bethany of Wake Forest, N.C. and Chris Corley and wife Erin of Cincinnati, Ohio; two great-grandsons, Joss Corley of Cincinnati and Emmett Corley of Wake Forest; one great-granddaughter, Anne Corley of Wake Forest; two brothers, Bernard Layne and wife Ruth and George Layne and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Corley lived in Richmond, Va. for 31 years, was a homemaker and a member of the Chamberlayne Heights United Methodist Church in Richmond. During WWII, Bernice was a Rosie the Riveter who worked on and inspected airplane parts. When she returned to Buckhannon, she made her home with David and his wife Diane and enjoyed being with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews and also her late grand dog Lucy.

Friends will be received Thursday, September 9, 2021, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A private graveside service will be held for the family Friday. The family respectfully requests that all those attending the visiting hours please wear a mask. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided to you.

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

Winter storm warning issued for Upshur County with 6 to 10 inches of snow expected over the weekend

Heavy snow is forecast from Saturday afternoon through early Monday morning, with bitter cold to follow.

Buckhannon Toyota donates $10,000 to Feed My Sheep to fund Christmas meal baskets

Buckhannon Toyota donated $10,000 to Feed My Sheep Food Outreach to help fund about 400 Christmas meal baskets and other holiday support for families, seniors, veterans and the homeless.

Buckhannon Community Theatre honors Felicia Burger Westfall Johnston with 2025 Knorr Award

Felicia Burger Westfall Johnston, an early pioneer of Buckhannon Community Theatre who has starred in productions and served on the board of directors, received the 2025 Knorr Award.

Leadership Upshur dives into healthcare and public safety during December session

The December Leadership Upshur session offered participants a close look at the people, systems and teamwork that keep the community safe and healthy, with visits to Community Care of West Virginia, WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Buckhannon Public Safety Complex.

Garnieta “Gay” Baxa

Garnieta “Gay” Baxa, 92, of Old Elkins Road died December 10, 2025; she is survived by husband Howard “Frank” Baxa, three children, seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and extended family, with services at Heavner and Cutright.

Basketball ‘Cats tumble to Point Park, 90-66

Point Park’s hot perimeter shooting and a dominant second half sank WVWC 90-66, with the Pioneers hitting 15 threes and capitalizing on turnovers while Wesleyan’s Isaiah Baker and Stephen Ovia fought inside.

Dandridge scores 30 as Wesleyan women down Point Park, 83-58

Freshman Kilah Dandridge scored 30 points as West Virginia Wesleyan shot 53% and dominated a 29‑point third quarter to beat Point Park 83-58, paced by Ana Young (18) and Emma Witt (15).

Webster Springs man arrested on strangulation charge after allegedly spitting on and choking victim

Police arrested a man on a felony strangulation charge after he allegedly admitted to spitting on, slapping and choking another person, according to a criminal complaint.

Volga man arrested after threatening officer at Upshur County Courthouse

A 59-year-old Volga man was arrested after allegedly threatening a deputy during processing at the Upshur County Courthouse following a DUI stop. He faces charges including DUI, possession of marijuana and retaliation against a public official; bail is $19,500.

WVWC’s first Master’s in Counseling students set to graduate

WVWC marks a milestone Friday as the first six graduates of its new Master of Arts in Counseling program cross the stage, bolstering West Virginia’s mental health workforce.

Robert “Bob” Linville Chaney

Robert “Bob” Linville Chaney, 90, a retired oil and gas supply worker, Air Force veteran, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather from Fairmont and formerly of Buckhannon, died December 9, 2025.

West Virginia Board of Education approves Rock Cave Elementary closure

The West Virginia Board of Education approved the closure of Rock Cave Elementary School on Wednesday, ending months of community efforts to save the southern Upshur County school. The closure was one of several school consolidations approved across the state.