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

Mary Lou Harper

Mary Lou Harper, age 75, of Petersburg, WV, died Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, VA.

She was born February 11, 1949, in Richwood, WV, a daughter of the late Glen and Mildred Pearl Kniceley McCoy. On September 14, 1968 she married Ernest Harper, whom she shared over 55 years with; one daughter, Christy Caine of Sutton, WV; one son, Lester Harper and wife Heather of Petersburg; five grandchildren, Kayla Nichole Underwood and husband Taylor of Beckley, WV, and Kurtis, Kyle, Kiersten and Kassidy Harper all of Petersburg; one great granddaughter, Claira Underwood of Beckley; one uncle, Charlie Kniceley and wife Peggy of Weston, WV and two brothers, Eddie McCoy and wife Mary and Gary McCoy and wife Reta all of Buckhannon.

Mrs. Harper was brilliant, graduating as valedictorian of her high school class. She spent most of her career as a legal secretary. In her spare time, Mary enjoyed collecting McCoy pottery and taking care of her many house plants. Above all, she absolutely lived for her family and nothing brought her more joy than spending time with them.

Friends will be received Friday, March 15, 2024, from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 1 PM on Friday at the funeral home with Wilbert Harper officiating. Burial will follow in the Morrison Ridge Church Cemetery in Braxton County, WV.

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

Update: Runaway juvenile found Tuesday

Update: A 14-year-old male who ran away from a residence on Old Elkins Road in Buckhannon has been located.

Upshur County Public Library to host Mario tournament in December

Upshur County Public Library will host a Mario tournament on December 4 from 5 to 6 p.m. on the library’s new large screen TV. Small prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place finishers.

Buckhannon approves $2,500 in funding for JC Films’ Hank’s Christmas Wish

Buckhannon City Council approved a $2,500 sponsorship for JC Films, maker of the Hank’s Christmas Wish series. The company plans a public premiere of Hank’s Christmas Wish 3 and will film the fourth installment, Hank’s Christmas Wish 4, in the city.

On the City of Buckhannon calendar: Nov. 24-29, 2025

The City of Buckhannon has released its Thanksgiving holiday schedule, including office closures and waste collection changes. The city also announced upcoming community events through mid-December.

Richard Lynn Butcher

Richard Lynn Butcher, 74, of Buckhannon, WV, who worked in manufacturing, died November 22, 2025; he is survived by daughters Dawn Zubasic and Jessica Bossers and brother Sid Butcher and will be cremated.

Buckhannon residents asked to help guide $1 million Weyerhaeuser THRIVE investment

Weyerhaeuser is asking Upshur County residents for input on how to invest $1 million from its THRIVE program, using a community survey to identify sustainable projects and priorities for Buckhannon and surrounding areas.

Buckhannon Community Theatre partners with UCFRN for winter clothing drive during Rudolph performances

Buckhannon Community Theatre is collecting winter clothing donations during performances of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. Dec. 4-7, partnering with Upshur County Family Resource Network to help families stay warm this winter.
Grants

Local organizations among those who received $16 million in grant awards for West Virginia victims of crime

Two local organizations received funding as part of more than $16 million in grants to help victims of crime across West Virginia.

WVSSAC football semifinal schedules

The WVSSAC announced football semifinal schedules for Class AAAA, AAA, AA and A, with games set Nov. 28–29 including Morgantown vs. Jefferson and multiple matchups across all classes.

Basketball ‘Cats come up short against Seton Hill in 81-70 loss

West Virginia Wesleyan shot efficiently and led much of the first half but fell 81–70 at home after Seton Hill converted 25-of-33 free throws and scored 30 points off turnovers to pull away late.
WVWC Volleyball

Top-seeded Wesleyan volleyball falls to West Virginia State in MEC semis

Top-seeded West Virginia Wesleyan saw its season end at 20–9 after falling 3–0 (19–25, 28–30, 19–25) to West Virginia State in the Mountain East Conference semifinals.

Wesleyan nursing students collect more than 500 hygiene items and shoes for Upshur County students

A two-week drive organized by West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Nursing Department and Upshur County Schools collected more than 500 hygiene products and shoes for local students and families in need.