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

Melvin Phineas Woods Jr.

Melvin Phineas Woods Jr., 84, of Buckhannon, W.Va., died Sunday, August 9, 2020, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon.

He was born December 25, 1935, in Cleveland, W.Va., a son of the late Melvin Phineas and Edith McCartney Woods.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Wolfe and five sisters, Maxine Stavers, Zula Beer, Betty Blake, Goldie Gibson and Faye Cooper.

Surviving are three daughters, Kathy McBride and husband Ed of Delaware, Lori Post and husband Jerome of Ireland, W.Va. and Pam Haymond and husband Doug of Buckhannon; two sons, Melvin Douglas Woods and wife Terri of Buckhannon and Richard Woods and wife Kim of Smithfield, N.C.; one son-in-law, Jeff Wolfe of Buckhannon; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren and two sisters, Sharron Lake of Cleveland and Thelma Williams of Ravenna, Ohio.

Mr. Woods was a Methodist by faith.

After serving 20 years in the U. S. Navy he retired and moved back to Buckhannon. Mr. Woods was then employed at A&B College, Wesleyan College, Island Creek Coal Company and Weston State Hospital.

In 1990 he retired and moved to Navarre, Fla. In 2016, he moved back to West Virginia to be close to family. Mr. Woods loved deer hunting, time with family and spending time at his son’s farm. He’s also a lifetime member of the Moose Lodge.

In honoring Mr. Woods wishes, he will be cremated.

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

Central West Virginia Republican Women honor community leaders at annual meeting

Central West Virginia Republican Women honored outgoing president LeVera Gillum and community leaders at their annual meeting, presented awards to Man, Woman and Volunteers of the Year, celebrated the club’s service and elected new officers for 2026–2027.

Gregory Allen Replogle

Gregory Allen Replogle, 68, of Buckhannon, WV, a retired oil and gas well tender and longtime Church of Christ member, died December 2, 2025, and is survived by his wife Patricia, children, grandchildren, siblings, and other relatives.

Basketball Lady Bucs fall on the road to G-W in 2025-26 debut

Buckhannon-Upshur’s Lady Bucs opened the 2025-26 season with a tough 80-19 nonconference loss at George Washington, committing 44 turnovers while Emma Pingley led BU with seven points.

Local Edward Jones Financial Advisor Lisa Cain attends Barron’s Advisor Women Summit

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Lisa Cain is attending the Dec. 3-5, 2025, Barron’s Advisor Women Summit in Palm Beach, Fla., where 700 women advisors will share insights on AI, purpose-driven investing, taxes and networking.

James Homer Kelley, Jr.

James Homer Kelley Jr., 82, a retired U.S. Army sergeant major and Buckhannon native who enjoyed bowling, died December 1, 2025, and is survived by his two daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Criminal complaint reveals new details about Hitt’s alleged home confinement violation

A new criminal complaint says a man already on GPS home confinement for threats involving an elementary school is now charged with misdemeanor obstructing after allegedly setting his devices to auto-delete their internet history and creating a TikTok he couldn’t let officers access.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: December 4, 2025

The Upshur County Commission will hold a meeting on December 4, 2025, with an agenda posted by My Buckhannon outlining items to be discussed.

Stockert Youth and Community Center Board Meeting Agenda: December 4, 2025

The Stockert Youth and Community Center Board will hold a meeting December 4, 2025, in Buckhannon to discuss the items listed on the published agenda.

Buckhannon City Council Agenda: December 4, 2025

Buckhannon City Council will meet December 4, 2025; the agenda for that meeting is posted.

Buckhannon man sentenced to 5 to 18 years in prison on drug, burglary and domestic battery charges

Jesse Todd Miller was sentenced Monday in Upshur County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to seven charges.

Raising the Jolly Roger With… Dawson Tenney

Buckhannon-Upshur senior Dawson Tenney reflects on a record-setting 60-57 win, coach Sloan Baisden’s “Standard Living” mantra, future college football and career plans.

Buckhannon Waste Board Agenda: December 4, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Waste Collection Board will hold a meeting December 4, 2025; this notice provides the agenda and topics to be addressed.