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

Clarabelle J. Friend

Obituary Clarabelle Friend

Clarabelle J. Friend, 79, of Rock Cave, died Saturday, November 9, 2019, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. 

She was born in Randolph County on April 6, 1940, a daughter of the late Emmit and Nona Bell Tenney Simmons. 

She was united in marriage on March 12, 1960, to Ruben “Eli” Friend, who survives. 

In addition to her husband, she is survived by four sons:  Luke Friend, Randy Friend, and James Friend, all of Rock Cave, and Matthew and wife Brenda Friend of Buckhannon; seven grandchildren: Nina Westfall, Bethany Friend, Nathaniel Friend, Brandy Caynor, Kayla Bouscher, Trina Rutherford, and Kara Bellen; three great grandchildren: K.C. Westfall, Blaine Westfall, and Isabella Friend;  twelve step great grandchildren;  five siblings: Mary McClure, Purley Simmons, Delma Howes, Sherwood “Woody” Simmons and Junie McClure;  several nieces and nephews; and also special caregiver Emily Daft.  

In addition to her father and mother she was preceded in death by four siblings: Reta Murphy, Donald Simmons, Richard Simmons, and James Simmons.

Clarabelle loved to sew and quilt.  She especially enjoyed making quilts for her children and grandchildren. She was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church at Arlington.

Friends will be received at the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church at Arlington on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, from noon to 1 p.m., the funeral hour, with Pastor Michael Wamsley officiating.  Interment will follow in the Canaan Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a church of your choice in memory of Clarabelle. 

Online condolences may be extended to the Friend family at www.heavnerandcutright.com. The Friend family has entrusted the Heavner and Cutright Funeral Chapel & Cremation Service with funeral arrangements. 

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