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

Pamela Kay Casto

Pamela Kay Casto, 69, of Buckhannon, W.Va., died Sunday, April 25, 2021, at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, W.Va.

She was born March 16, 1952, in Upshur County, W.Va., a daughter of the late Harry and Freda Potts Phillips. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sons, James Phillips, David Bradley Casto, John Edward Brady and Joshua Shankle and two sisters and two brothers.

She is survived by her loving life partner, William “Bill” Mowery of Buckhannon; four sons, Buddy Knight, Chad Casto and wife Brittany, Kevin Casto and wife Jency and Shane Courtney and fiancé Kayla Tenney all of Buckhannon; four daughters, Kay Beane of Jane Lew, W.Va., Misty Casto-Ball of Buckhannon, Jamie Backlin and husband David and Amber Workman and husband Michael of Lost Creek, W.Va.; fourteen grandsons, twelve granddaughters and one great-grandson.

Mrs. Casto was a homemaker and a Baptist by faith. She was outspoken, an animal lover who enjoyed bingo and going to yard sales.

Mrs. Casto was a loving mother of twelve children who always did the best she could. She adored her grandchildren.

Friends will be received Thursday, April 29, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Rev. William Kerns officiating. In honoring her wishes she will be cremated following the funeral service.

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

#1 Auto Sales to kick off year two of “Jam the Van!” a Christmas clothing and toy drive for local kids

#1 Auto Sales launches the second annual “Jam the Van” drive Oct. 20–Dec. 6, collecting new clothing, toys and diapers for the Salvation Army Angel Tree while inviting donors to decorate a van.

Soccer ‘Cats earn 2-2 draw with West Liberty

West Virginia Wesleyan rallied twice to earn a 2–2 draw with West Liberty at Culpepper Stadium, with Erik Rostoen scoring early and Aidan Clayton equalizing in the 74th minute.

Strong second half lifts Wesleyan women to 3-1 win over Glenville State

West Virginia Wesleyan’s women’s soccer team rallied with two second-half goals to beat Glenville State 3-1, outshooting the Pioneers 20-2 and moving to 6-6-2 overall and fourth in the MEC South.

Vandalia Health Mon Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital to host 15th annual children’s safety fair Oct. 25

Vandalia Health Mon Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital will host its 15th Annual Children’s Safety Fair Oct. 25, featuring safety displays, pumpkin decorating, free refreshments and a noon costume contest with prizes for four age groups.

Albert Ray Simmons

Albert Ray Simmons, 84, of Buckhannon, WV, a Vietnam veteran, former Ford and SDS Plumbing worker, husband of Judy, and member of Masonic Lodge #737, died October 20, 2025, after an extended illness; a celebration of life will be Nov. 15.

Arnold Wesley Sayre

Arnold Wesley Sayre, 91, of Buckhannon, WV, a retired WVWC electronics technician and lifelong amateur radio operator known as W8WVM, died October 22, 2025; he is survived by his wife, Doris Armstrong Sayre, and brother Ralph H. Sayre.

Jack Reger announces his candidacy for State Senate

Jack Reger, a lifelong educator and current Buckhannon city councilman, announced his run for West Virginia Senate District 11 as a Republican. Reger pledges to prioritize education, local control, jobs, infrastructure and protections for gun rights and family values.

Buckhannon Community Theatre brings “Puffs” to the Colonial Arts Center this weekend

Buckhannon Community Theatre opens its fall production of Puffs Oct. 23–26 at the Colonial Arts Center, a comedic homage to a famous wizarding saga told from the Puffs’ perspective. Local cast members say the show is a laugh-out-loud, community experience. Please note that Puffs is rated R for strong language and suggestive humor.

Soccer Lady Bucs to meet Hurricane in South Regional Tournament

Buckhannon-Upshur’s Lady Bucs, coming off injuries and a 7-9-1 record, will begin the South Regional tournament Saturday as the No. 6 seed on the road against No. 3 Hurricane after earning a first-round bye.

Sign up now for free family nutrition and cooking class in Buckhannon

Mountain CAP and the WVU Extension Service will offer a free six-week Family Nutrition & Cooking Class starting Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. in Buckhannon, featuring meal planning, tastings, money-saving tips, giveaways and certificates.

Stonewall Resort to host Wedding Open House on Nov. 2

Stonewall Resort will host a free Wedding Open House Nov. 2 from noon–2 p.m., showcasing venues, vendors, catering and planning services, offering samples and a drawing for a complimentary wedding ceremony for an attending couple.

Cover crops: Building soil health between harvests

Farmers plant cover crops in fall to protect and enrich soil between harvests—improving nutrients, preventing erosion, supporting pollinators and pest control, and boosting future main-crop yields in fields and gardens.