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

Mary “Pat” DeBarr

Obituary Mary DeBarr

On February 3, 2020, surrounded by her loving family and friends, Mary “Pat” DeBarr, 78, of Buckhannon, W.Va., went to be with her Lord and Savior.

She was born May 30, 1941, in Buckhannon, a daughter of the late Elbert and Virginia Moore Smith.

Surviving are her husband of 62 years, Donald E. DeBarr of Buckhannon; two sons, Roger Allen DeBarr and wife Carla of Buckhannon and Randy DeBarr of Spring Hill, Fla.; two daughters, Debra Hollen and husband Glenn and Shirley Ann Tenney and husband Rick all of Buckhannon; daughter-in-law, Natalia DeBarr of Buckhannon; son-in-law, John Koon of Buckhannon; 14 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; seven brothers, Paul Smith, James Smith and wife Gala, Tim Smith and wife Christine and Tom Smith and wife Brenda all of Buckhannon, Leonard Smith and wife Dorthy of Ohio, Roger Smith and wife Connie of Huntington, W.Va. and Daniel Smith and wife Michelle of Texas; three sisters, Deloris Bedell and husband Denny of Texas, Melinda Kay Sanders and husband Tim of Buckhannon and Lisa Whaley and husband Brian of Ohio; special friends, Lois, Jeri and Anna Gwen and her beloved dog, Lucy.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sons, Willie Junior, Gerald Eugene and Kenneth Wayne DeBarr; one daughter, Barbara Jean Koon; three brothers, Kenneth, Davey and Richard Smith and one sister, Sue Norman.

Mrs. DeBarr was a homemaker and a Nazarene by faith. She was a seamstress and loved to quilt. She was an excellent cook and wonderful pie maker. Mary loved her family.

Friends will be received Wednesday, February 5, 2020, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Rev. Gary Mallonee officiating. Burial will follow in the Reger Cemetery in Teter, W.Va.

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.