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

Helen Ruth Phillips

Obituary Helen Phillips

Helen Ruth Phillips, 69, of Buckhannon, W.Va., died Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at her home.

She was born April 2, 1950, in Kesling Mill, W.Va., a daughter of the late Sturl and Ruth Thompson Waybright.

On September 18, 1971, she married Larry Phillips who survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Tonya Hinkle and husband Eric of Summersville, W.Va., Denice Jeran and husband Ryan of Buckhannon and Alicia Keiffer and husband Nick of Summersville; seven grandchildren, Logan and Caroline Hinkle and Owen, Will and Luke Keiffer all of Summersville and Elly and Koby Jeran both of Buckhannon; one brother, Carl Waybright and wife Sherry of Buckhannon; one sister, Betty Phillips and husband Roger of Clarksburg, W.Va.; one sister-in-law, Carol Waybright of Buckhannon and several nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Sturl Waybright, Jr; one granddaughter, Mya Jeran; and parents-in-law Glen Phillips and Pauline Phillips-Rowan.

Mrs. Phillips served as the Upshur County Assessor for over 40 years, was the president of the Assessors Association of West Virginia and a member of the W.Va. Association of Counties. In 2003, she received the AWVA Special Service Award in recognition of outstanding service to the Association.

She was a member of the Heaston United Methodist Church and enjoyed spending time with family, friends and her beloved grandchildren. Along side of her husband, she loved woodworking and building items for their children and grandchildren. Mrs. Phillips was passionate about gardening, shopping and serving the people of Upshur County.

Friends will be received Friday, August 23, 2019 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Buckhannon. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church with the Rev. Helen Oates officiating. Burial will follow at the Mt. Union Church Cemetery in Tallmansville, W.Va.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Upshur County School’s Backpack Program. Please mail donations to Upshur County BOE, 102 Smithfield Street, Buckhannon, WV 26201.

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

City of Buckhannon calendar for the week of January 19, 2026

Buckhannon’s week of Jan. 19 includes MLK Day closures (waste collection still on schedule), curbside recycling pickup Tuesday at 6 a.m., and a Consolidated Public Works meeting Thursday with in-person and virtual options.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports calendar lists middle and high school basketball, wrestling, and college matchups for Jan. 19–25, highlighted by multiple Buckhannon-Upshur and West Virginia Wesleyan contests.

Basketball ‘Cats gain first win off the year as they beat West Virginia State, 97-91

West Virginia Wesleyan earned its first win of the season, defeating West Virginia State 97-91 behind Jerell Jean-Baptiste’s 32 points, hot three-point shooting, and a 30-of-37 performance from the free-throw line.

Wesleyan women use strong second half to pull away from Yellow Jackets for 86-67 win

Wesleyan erupted for 33 third-quarter points and shot 55.2 percent overall to defeat West Virginia State 86–67, led by Emma Witt’s 31 points, as the Lady Bobcats improved to 8–4 (6–3 MEC).

Buckhannon honors 99-year-old Rosie the Riveter with key to the city

Buckhannon honored 99-year-old Neva Lee Reed Snyder, a WWII Rosie the Riveter who helped keep American aircraft flying, with the city’s highest honor: the key to the city. Unable to attend, family accepted as Mayor Robbie Skinner praised her courage, patriotism and legacy.

This week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars: Olivia Blonn and Xavier Robinette

Olivia Blonn and Xavier Robinette have been named Hank Ellis All-Stars for their outstanding performances in wrestling and basketball.

Upshur County recovers $300,000 in taxes as delinquent property owners beat deadline

Upshur County officials say most delinquent 2024 property tax accounts were paid before the Nov. 1 deadline. Chief Tax Deputy Heather Sparks outlined what was redeemed and how taxpayers can still reclaim property through the State Auditor’s Office.

Westfall reaches 1,000-point milestone as Bucs roll past Wheeling Park, 67-57

Senior Jerin Westfall scored a game-high 34 points, reached the 1,000-point career mark, and hauled in 15 rebounds as Buckhannon-Upshur defeated Wheeling Park 67-57.

Strawberry Festival Queen Kourtney Jones crowned 2026 WV Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen

Wesleyan nursing student and 2025 Strawberry Festival Queen Kourtney Jones was crowned the 2026 West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen on Jan. 10 in Charleston. She’ll serve as the statewide ambassador for fairs and festivals throughout 2026.

Skinner delivers hopeful State of the City on Buckhannon’s 210th anniversary

Mayor Robbie Skinner marked Buckhannon’s 210th anniversary with an optimistic State of the City address highlighting progress across city departments. He emphasized major infrastructure work, including a $47 million water treatment project, and looked ahead to continued improvements and the 84th WV Strawberry Festival.

Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner’s full 2026 State of the City address

In remarks delivered Jan. 15, 2026, Mayor Robbie Skinner marks Buckhannon’s 210th anniversary and outlines the city’s progress in 2025. He highlights major water, sewer, street, engineering, police and fire initiatives—plus what’s ahead for 2026.

Larry Dale VanGilder

Larry Dale VanGilder, 77, a French Creek native, Army veteran and former mine security guard who loved hunting, fishing, sci‑fi and his pets, died January 15, 2026, and will be memorialized by family and military honors.