ELKINS — Tex E. Walton was a resident of Buckhannon, W.Va., who lost his life to COVID-19 in mid-October of 2020. Throughout Tex’s battle with COVID-19, his family was only able to communicate via cell phone, Google DUO, and FaceTime. At times, the staff members used their personal devices so that his family could communicate with him while he was in isolation in the ICU at Ruby Memorial Hospital.

Due to the need for more devices in many West Virginia medical facilities, Tex’s family decided that starting a fundraiser for devices for other COVID-19 patients was a way to continue Tex’s legacy of giving to the community. In many cases, virtual chats are the last time that families will have with their loved ones.

Sheila Perry and Pam Johnston have donated a total of 21 devices to Broaddus Hospital, Davis Medical Center, J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, United Hospital Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital. Soon they will be delivering five devices to Charleston Area Medical Center and two devices to Braxton County Hospital.