Ruetta Mae Hanifan, 95, of Queens, W.Va., died Monday, July 29, 2019, at Serenity Care Home in Buckhannon, W.Va.
She was born May 19, 1924, in Norton, W.Va., a daughter of the late Homer and Ethel Reeder Dean. On March 21, 1942 she married Hanning Robert Hanifan who preceded her in death on November 5, 1988.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Donovan Robert Hanifan; one brother, Hartzel Dean; one sister, Evangeline Tenney and one great-grandson, Joshua Dean Hanifan.
She is survived by one grandson, Donovan Shawn Hanifan and wife Risë of Buckhannon; one great-grandson, Callan Ross Hanifan of Buckhannon and one step-great-granddaughter, Cheyenne Higgins of Ohio.
Mrs. Hanifan was a member of the Harmony United Methodist Church in Queens, W.Va. She was also a member of the Republican Executive Committee.
In her professional life, Mrs. Hanifan was a teacher for the Upshur County Board of Education. Her first teaching position was in a one-room schoolhouse at Cutright Chapel, and she later became the Evaluation and Testing Coordinator with the Federal Title I program. She received a Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a Master of Arts from West Virginia University.
A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, August 1, 2019 at the Lanham Cemetery with Risë Straight Hanifan officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the WV Hospice.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
