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

Debra Sands

Debra Ann Sands lost her battle with cancer on June 5, 2022, surrounded by family at home. Debra was born on January 13, 1956, in Providence, Rhode Island. Debra lived life for the dash between those two dates. Debra will be remembered for living life on her terms, she rode with Women of the Wind. She had retired in 2020 from Microdyne Plastics out of Colton, CA. She will be remembered for many things; a favorite is at the age of 64 driving her motorcycle cross country to visit family and friends.

Debra grew up in the Hudson Valley, NY and lived for summers spent in West Virginia with her Gram and Pap. Debra had a long and successful career in all manners of accounting, including having her own consultation business. Debra loved to travel and traveled often including China, Amsterdam, France, Mexico, Hawaii and many many states. Those who knew her loved her dearly and she will be missed by many.

Debra spent the last year being cared for by her brother Mike and his wife Becky after suffering from a stroke.

Debra was predeceased by her father Carrol Buck Sands, her grandson Jason Walch Jr. and her sister-in-law also Debra Sands. Debra is survived by her son Jason R. Walch, daughter Barbara B. Walch, her grandchildren, John, Mike and Jaclyn. She is also survived by her mother Barbara Rockwell, her siblings James aka Mike Sands, his wife Becky, her brother Jerry and his wife Lori, her sister Sue and her husband Charlie as well as her sister Jodi.

Friends will be received Thursday, June 16, 2022, from 11 AM until 2 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 2 PM Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Rodney Heckert officiating. In honoring Debra’s wishing she will be cremated following services.

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

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