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

Rachel Michelle Sheets

Rachel Michelle Sheets, age 28, of Tallahassee, FL, died Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the Big Bend Hospice House in Tallahassee with her parents at her bedside.

She was born August 4, 1995, in Weston, WV, a daughter of James E. Gifford and Robin Michelle Prince. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her companion, Desmeon Westberry of Tallahassee; two sisters, Leslie Holley and husband Beau and Elizabeth Sheets, all of Buckhannon; two brothers, Zachary Gifford of KS and Nicholas Gifford of Buckhannon; two nephews, Landon Price of Philippi, WV and Kade Holley of Buckhannon; one niece, Paisley Holley of Buckhannon; maternal grandparents, Ron and Shirley Prince of Bridgeport, WV; paternal grandfather, Earnest Gifford of Buckhannon; aunts, Christine Prince and companion Jeff, Debbie Prince DeCarlo and husband Frank all of Pittsburgh, PA and uncle, Steve Gifford and wife Sherry of Salem, OH.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Shirley Gifford.

Rachel graduated from Buckhannon-Upshur High School with the Class of 2013. She attended the Cornerstone Community Church of Buckhannon. Rachel loved music and enjoyed being part of Show Choir. She was part of a youth band in her church and was very involved with church and her community. For the past several years, she worked as a waitress and in telemarketing in Florida.

Friends will be received Friday, November 3, 2023, from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 1 PM Friday at the funeral home with Pastor John Darnall and Pastor James L. Gifford, II officiating. Burial will follow in the Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon.

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

Two arrested in two-year-old case involving an iPhone scheme, vehicle pursuit across multiple counties

Two out-of-state suspects have been arrested in a two-year-old case involving a high-speed, multi-county chase after allegedly using a local resident’s identity to fraudulently obtain an iPhone.

Dr. George Albert “Bert” Popson, Jr.

Dr. George Albert “Bert” Popson, Jr., longtime West Virginia Wesleyan College physics professor and department chair, passed away unexpectedly at home on July 14, leaving behind family, friends, and a grateful academic community.

Carl R. “Dick” Reed

Carl R. “Dick” Reed, 86, a longtime Buckhannon resident, loving family man, Moore Business Forms retiree, and tropical fish enthusiast, died peacefully July 16, with funeral services set for July 23.

Council greenlights $6 million in financing to jumpstart Buckhannon water system upgrades

Buckhannon City Council approved an ordinance allowing the city to secure up to $6 million in short-term financing for the design and preconstruction phases of a major water system upgrade, ahead of long-term funding.

Buckhannon Planning Commission Meeting Agenda: July 21, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Planning Commission has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting on July 21, 2025.

Summer Basketball League begins final week of regular season

The Upshur County Summer Basketball League entered its final regular season week with teams battling through a series of games, highlighted by standout performances from players like Travis Losh, Andrew Holcomb, and Xavier Robinette.

Highland Landscaping wins second-quarter title in men’s golf league

High Point Construction clinched the men’s golf league second-quarter title with 88 points, edging out Highland Landscaping and Hank Ellis Insurance, as Chris Brady and Dusty Zickefoose earned top individual honors.

WVWC recognizes employees for years of service

West Virginia Wesleyan College honored staff and faculty for milestone years of service at its annual gathering, celebrating employees with tenures ranging from five to thirty-five years across multiple departments.

Community invited to celebrate life of Rev. Barry Moll at Parish House memorial golf scramble

The Upshur Parish House will honor the legacy of Rev. Barry Moll with its first-ever memorial golf scramble and community picnic, inviting all to celebrate his lasting impact through friendly competition, food, and fellowship.

Rotary Club support helps Buckhannon Community Theatre thrive as it celebrates sold-out showings of Mamma Mia

Buckhannon Community Theatre’s sold-out run of “Mamma Mia” highlights a busy year that includes multiple productions and a record-breaking youth theater camp, with director Dannie Stiles expressing gratitude for ongoing Rotary Club support.

Jerry Lynn Brady

Jerry Lynn Brady, 74, of Buckhannon, died July 15, 2025, leaving behind a large family, and will be remembered for his love of motorcycles, hunting, and his career as a truck driver.

Shirley Jean Brown

Shirley Jean Brown, 82, a dedicated retailer and beloved community member of French Creek, passed away July 15, survived by a large family and remembered for her decades of service at Brown’s Grocery and beyond.

Keep In Touch

Facebook-f Instagram

Privacy Policy * Terms & Conditions * Contest Rules

Copyright 2025 – My Town WV LLC