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

Katharine ‘Kate’ Anna Belle Smith Linger

Obituary Kate Linger

Katharine “Kate” Anna Belle Smith Linger, 92, of Buckhannon left to be with her Lord and Savior from the comfort of her home on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019.

She was born in Weston on Oct. 23, 1926 a daughter of the late Clarence and Gertrude Bell Cosner Smith.

On Dec. 23, 1950 Kate married Audrey Philip Linger who preceded her in death on Dec. 27, 1990.

Left to remember her kind and giving nature are two children: Phillip Frank Linger and wife, Sandra, of Buckhannon, and Marilyn Correll and husband, Michael, of Frederick, Md.; four grandchildren: Tammy Linger Kelley and husband, John, of Tallmansville, Jason Daniel Correll and wife, Desiree, of Virginia Beach, Va., Travis Jackson Linger and wife, Lexie, of Atlanta, Ga., and Christopher Todd Correll of Frederick, Md.; six great grandchildren: Sophia and Caroline Kelley, Dallas and Denver Correll and Adrian and Katherine Linger; one half-brother, Randy Smith and wife, Louise, of Chambersburg, Pa.; and close family friend, Shirley Clevenger.

Along with her parents and husband, Kate was preceded in death by two daughters: Kathryn and Pamela Linger; two sisters: Virginia Johnson and Evagene Horner; and one great grandchild, Dakota Correll.

She was a volunteer at the VA Hospital before it moved from Weston and a member of the Women’s Auxiliary at St. Joseph’s Hospital. One of her favorite things was making candy to give to her friends and relatives.

She also enjoyed being a member of the Compton and United Stated Bowling Congress, golfing and playing cards with family. She was an avid Buckhannon-Upshur sports fan and attended as many of the events as she could. As a talented sewer and quilter, Kate made many beautiful things that her family will treasure.

A Christian by faith, Kate recently found herself at home attending South Buckhannon Mission Church.

Friends are invited to join the family at Tomblyn-Clutter Funeral and Cremation located at 21 Elnora Circle in Buckhannon from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the Tomblyn-Clutter Funeral Chapel with Pastor Ed Lowther officiating. Interment will follow at Upshur Memorial Park in Buckhannon.

Tomblyn-Clutter Funeral and Cremation is honored and privileged to serve the family of Katharine “Kate” Anna Belle Smith Linger. Online condolences may be expressed at Tomblyn-ClutterFuneral.com.

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

Upshur County Commission Agenda: December 11, 2025

The Upshur County Commission will hold a meeting December 11, 2025, with an agenda outlining items to be considered by commissioners.

Buckhannon City Council opts not to fill Thomas vacancy ahead of 2026 election

Buckhannon City Council will leave Dave Thomas’s vacant seat unfilled and let voters choose his successor in the May 12, 2026, municipal election. Candidates can file Jan. 12-31 to run for city recorder and two at-large council seats.

City of Buckhannon announces meetings and events for the week of December 9

Water Board meets Thursday; bulky goods collection Friday; Menorah lighting December 14.

Albert Franklin Wendling, II

Albert Franklin Wendling II, 60, of Fowler, Ohio, died Oct. 24, 2025; he is survived by siblings Christopher, Steven and Sheila, several nieces and nephews, and stepmother Karen Wendling, and will be cremated with a graveside memorial Dec. 13.

Upshur County awards $213,955 bid for dump station at James Curry campground

The Upshur County Commission accepted a $213,955 bid from A.J. Burk LLC to build a new dump station at the James Curry Library campground.

Buckhannon Water Board Agenda: December 11, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Water Board will hold a meeting December 11, 2025, and this notice publishes the agenda for that session.

WVWC becomes second U.S. college to offer varsity pickleball scholarships

West Virginia Wesleyan College will launch the second varsity scholarship-offering college pickleball program in the U.S. and the first in West Virginia, with plans to renovate the former tennis courts beside Ross Field.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

Weekly Upshur County sports calendar lists basketball, swimming and wrestling events for Buckhannon-Upshur and West Virginia Wesleyan teams Dec. 8–13, including multiple middle, varsity and college matchups and duals.

Upshur County to split $39,835 in fire funding evenly among seven departments

Upshur County commissioners voted to distribute a $39,835 All-County Fire Protection Funding allotment equally among the county’s seven fire departments. Commissioners also approved contracts and personnel actions during their Dec. 4 meeting.

Buckhannon peer liaison helps homeless, people with addiction, city officials say

Buckhannon Police Department Peer Liaison Erica Bennett told city council she has helped people experiencing homelessness and substance use get into housing and treatment, distributed Narcan and built relationships with local hospitals and rehabs.

Basketball ‘Cats struggle in 104-54 road loss to Falcons

Fairmont State overwhelmed West Virginia Wesleyan 104–54, capitalizing on 22 turnovers, hot shooting (50.7% and 13 threes) and 20 second-chance points while Wesleyan’s bench and rebounding efforts fell short.

Dandridge has 23 points off the bench, but Wesleyan women fall to FSU, 90-78

Kilah Dandridge scored 23 off the bench and Ana Young added 21, but West Virginia Wesleyan fell to Fairmont State 90-78 despite shooting over 61 percent.