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

Erma Gay Lewis

Obituary Erma Lewis

Erma Gay Lewis, 81, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County in Rock Springs, Wyoming. She was a resident of Rock Springs for the last seven years and former resident of Buckhannon, W.Va.

Ms. Lewis was born October 11, 1939 in Adrian, W.Va., the daughter of Ralph Thomas Reed and Nellie Gay Smith. She attended schools in Adrian.

Ms. Lewis loved her family, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and for the last eight years she loved her puppy “Precious.” She enjoyed planting flowers, feeding birds, cooking, camping, sewing, crocheting, and Jesus.

Survivors include three sons, Kenneth Joe Zickefoose of Cadott, Wisconsin, Rockford Allen Zickefoose of West Union, W.Va., Donald Allen Bennett, Jr. of Wilmington, N.C.; three daughters, Deborah Coreen Boese of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Dena Denise Jankowski of Rock Springs, Donna Jean Van Grimbergen of Sedro Woolley, Washington; one brother, Daris Junior Reed of Mecosta, Mich.; two sisters, Susan Marie Simons of Buckhannon, W.Va. and Beatrice Mae Courtney of Buckhannon, W.Va.; 27 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Friends will be received at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home on Sunday, March 14, 2021 from noon until 2 p.m. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Hinkleville, W.Va.

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

Basketball Bucs (7-2) ranked ninth this week WVSACA Poll

Buckhannon-Upshur moved up to ninth in the WVSACA Week 5 poll after a 2-1 week, improving to 7-2 as senior Jerin Westfall led the team with big scoring and rebounding performances.

A story of compassion, community and care: St. Joseph’s Hospital Infusion Center patient finds family, support and hope

Roger Leary’s journey from hardship to healing illustrates how compassion and community can transform healthcare into something far greater than medicine alone. #buckhannon

City of Buckhannon calendar for the week of January 12, 2026

Buckhannon’s city calendar for the week of Jan. 13 includes Thursday’s Sanitary Board meeting and City Council meeting, with virtual options.

Upshur County receives $150,000 in grants to develop business-ready sites

The Upshur County Development Authority received two $75,000 grants for the Brushy Fork and Martin Weatherford sites as part of a $2.1 million statewide investment.

Diana Lynn Tenney

Diana Lynn Tenney, 74, of Buckhannon, WV, a retired mail carrier, died January 12, 2026; she is survived by her son Douglas Tenney, granddaughter Julia Lawrence, sister Carol Waybright, and other family members.

Upshur County grand jury returns 24 indictments

An Upshur County grand jury returned 24 indictments on Monday, according to Prosecuting Attorney Bryan Hinkle’s office.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports calendar lists multiple Buckhannon-Upshur basketball and wrestling games and middle school matchups Jan. 13–17, plus West Virginia Wesleyan and West Virginia State college basketball contests.

Basketball ‘Cats remain winless after 99-74 loss to Pioneers

Glenville State’s balanced offense and hot shooting overwhelmed West Virginia Wesleyan, handing the Bobcats a 99-74 loss and leaving Wesleyan winless at 0-13.

Wesleyan women fall on the road to Glenville State, 95-84

Glenville State defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 95–84 as the Pioneers’ depth, 34 points off turnovers, 35–6 bench advantage and 19–6 second-chance edge overwhelmed the Bobcats despite 61.8% shooting from the field.

Helen Lea Reed

Helen Lea Reed, 86, formerly of Buckhannon, died January 10, 2026, in Elkins; a devoted mother, former switchboard operator and Troop Mother, she is survived by five children, siblings, grandchildren, and other relatives.

Wayne Sanford Smith

Wayne Sanford Smith, 73, a retired MonPower lineman, ordained Baptist minister, renowned gunsmith and avid hunter, died January 10, 2026, and is survived by his wife Cheryl, four children, grandchildren, siblings and extended family.

Goldilocks Pediatrics opens in Buckhannon, offers ‘just right’ care for every child

A new pediatrics office is now welcoming families in Buckhannon. Goldilocks Pediatrics officially opened this month, offering individualized care, well-child visits, sports physicals and sick appointments.