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

Oliver Lee Kelly

Obituary Oliver Kelley

Oliver Lee Kelly, 83, of Buckhannon, the Hodgesville community, died Sunday, March 31, 2019, at his home surrounded by his loving family and under the care of W.Va. Hospice. 

He was born April 9, 1935, at Polemic Run in Braxton County a son of the late Richard and Sarah Loving Kelly. 

He is survived by his loving wife of sixty precious years, Joyce Carol Fagan Kelly, whom he married on Dec. 25, 1958.  Also surviving are several nieces and nephews and special friends Burley and Pat Coberly, Ben and Linda Post, Jim and Rosealie Strader and a host of other friends. 

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three sisters: Erma Coffman, Evelene Mollohan and Alma Coffman.

Oliver was a 1954 graduate of Nicholas County High School in Summersville, W.Va.  He was employed several years as a tractor trailer driver and was known to all his truck driving buddies as “40 Acres.” He accepted the Lord on Feb. 13, 2019. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and most of all building a campfire for friends to enjoy. He had a sense of humor and could always make people laugh.

Friends will be received at the Heavner and Cutright Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, from noon to 2 p.m. the funeral hour with Pastor Lonnie Strickland and Rick Cottrell officiating. Interment will follow in the Buckhannon Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Online condolences may be extended to the Kelly family at www.heavnerandcutright.com.The Kelly family has entrusted the Heavner and Cutright Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services with funeral 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

Buckhannon River

Buckhannon River Watershed Association among recipients of state infrastructure grants

The Buckhannon River Watershed Association will receive a $5,000 Stream Partners Program grant as part of more than $15.4 million announced for water, sewer and conservation projects statewide. The funding supports river and watershed protection work.

Southern Upshur Business Association returns Fiddler’s Mill to Upshur County Commission

The Southern Upshur Business Association says it can no longer maintain Fiddler’s Mill because of limited funds and volunteers. SUBA will officially relinquish operations Dec. 31, 2025, and the property will revert to the Upshur County Commission.

St. Joseph’s Hospital welcomes the first baby of 2026

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital rang in the new year with the birth of Charlotte Renea Mitchell at 4 a.m. Jan. 1.

Sandra Kay Currence

Sandra Kay Currence, 78, a longtime Buckhannon educator and former Tennerton Elementary teacher and principal, died December 31, 2025, and is survived by her husband Kenneth Currence, two sons, and four grandchildren.

Carpenter Crunch Time: That’s a wrap!

After a brief break, local sports columnist Duane Carpenter wraps up the 2025 football season, highlights surprising high school and college outcomes, criticizes excess bowl games, and announces contest winners and plans for 2026 coverage.

Joshua Bowers joins Buckhannon Fire Department as new paid firefighter

Joshua Bowers was sworn in as Buckhannon Fire Department’s newest paid firefighter at the Dec. 18 city council meeting, with Mayor Robbie Skinner administering the oath and his wife Grace pinning his badge.

First Holiday Furtastic Elimination Dinner raises nearly $8,500 for animal rescue organizations

The first Holiday Furtastic Elimination Dinner raised nearly $8,500 for local animal rescue groups and the Buckhannon Dog Park.

Ronald Earl “Ronnie” Grall Sr.

Ronald Earl “Ronnie” Grall Sr., 83, of Buckhannon, a 2006 Sago Mine Disaster survivor and former coal mine fire boss, died December 29, 2025; he is survived by his wife Helen, five children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

Upshur County sports schedule runs Dec. 29–Jan. 4 with multiple Buckhannon-Upshur basketball games in winter classics and out-of-state tournaments, wrestling entries in Powerade and regional meets, and a Mohawk Invitational swim.

WVWC’s Witt named MEC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week

West Virginia Wesleyan senior Emma Witt and Concord’s Alexis Frazee were named co–MEC Women’s Basketball Players of the Week after Witt’s 30-point double-double and Frazee’s 20.5-point weekly average.

Driver cited after triggering three-vehicle crash on Main Street that damaged police car, hit Buckhannon bank

A Beverly woman allegedly ran a stop sign on Main Street in Buckhannon, causing a Dec. 27 crash that involved three vehicles and struck the First Community Bank building, according to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department’s wreck report.

Woman extricated after Route 33 crash near Huddle House; truck driver cited

A Salem woman was trapped in her vehicle and had to be extricated after a two-vehicle crash on Route 33 north of the Huddle House. Police say a truck driver attempting to cross lanes to turn left was cited for failing to yield.