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

The streak ends at 16 games as B-U beats Lewis County in Homecoming game, 10-7

Buckhannon-Upshur snapped a 16-game losing streak with a gritty 10-7 Homecoming win over Lewis County, paced by senior QB Dawson Tenney’s 177 rushing yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown.
BUHS Boys Soccer Feature Image

Soccer Bucs get slowed down by Elkins in 2-0 setback

Elkins’ stout defense and two Buckhannon-Upshur defensive miscues led to a 2-0 Elkins victory, as the Bucs managed just three shots on goal and dropped to 6-11-1.

WVWC Department of Theatre & Dance presents “Macbeth Bewitched,” a twist on classic Shakespeare

West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Department of Theatre & Dance presents Macbeth Bewitched, a comedic, witch-centered reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy directed by Dr. Greg Mach, running Oct. 23-25.
LUCAS Truck

LUCAS to offer lung cancer screening in Mill Creek and Rock Cave

WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit LUCAS will offer low-dose CT scans in Mill Creek on Nov. 4 and Rock Cave on Nov. 5–6, with appointments, insurance billing, and limited grant-funded screenings for uninsured West Virginians.

Upshur County unveils official ‘Mountaineer Mile’ trail at Recreation Park

Upshur County marked an official Mountaineer Mile trail at Upshur County Recreation Park in Tennerton, part of a statewide effort encouraging West Virginians to walk at least one mile daily and build healthier habits.
BUHS Girls Soccer Feature Image

Triplett tallies two second half goals to lead Lady Bucs to 3-0 win over Elkins

Haley Triplett scored twice in the second half and Rylen Carlyle added a goal and assist as Buckhannon-Upshur defeated Elkins 3-0, with keeper Isabella Nottingham recording a clean sheet.

Appointments still available for blood screenings hosted by the Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur and WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital

Appointments remain available for blood screenings hosted by the Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur and WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital on Oct. 11, Oct. 18, Nov. 1 at the hospital and Nov. 8 in Rock Cave, with an Oct. 18 health fair and multiple registration options.

Anna Ruth Hitt

Anna Ruth Hitt, 83, a beloved mother and sister known for her warmth, humor and generosity, died October 1, 2025; she is survived by her son Jamie, siblings Mart Cunningham, Fred Cunningham and Linda Wilson.

Football Bucs seek first win as they welcome Lewis County in for Homecoming battle Friday night

Buckhannon-Upshur seeks to snap a 16-game losing streak as the homecoming Buccaneers host rival Lewis County Friday night in a Big 10 Conference clash.

Carpenter Crunch Time Week 7; You think things are bad at WVU, be glad we aren’t Bill Belichick at UNC

Columnist Duane Carpenter criticizes Bill Belichick’s controversial Nantucket trip and tenure at UNC while defending Rich Rodriguez, updating local My Buckhannon staff and reader pick standings and previewing this week’s high school and college matchups.

Buckhannon to replace 38 trees along Camden Avenue

Buckhannon officials recently voted to buy 38 trees for a Camden Avenue replacement project. A grant covered most of the cost of the trees, and the city agreed to cover the rest, including the price of planting them.

Trunk or Treat set for Oct. 27 at Buckhannon Safety Complex

The Upshur County Family Resource Network will host a community Trunk or Treat at the Buckhannon Safety Complex on Oct. 27 from 6:30–8:30 p.m., with trunk-host sign-ups open through Oct. 23.