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

Sandra Jane Holmes

Sandra Jane Holmes, 71, of Buckhannon, passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.

She was born on April 9, 1948, in Scottsdale, Pa., a daughter of the late Paul G. and Betty Jane Sharps Dean.

Sandra was a graduate of Buckhannon-Upshur High School class of 1966 and attended Marshall University. She worked with her father as a surveyor’s assistant for Dean Engineering before becoming an abstractor for the entire state of West Virginia. Sandra was always a kind loving person who never knew a stranger. The wonderful ways she was good to her children and grandchildern were evidence of her beautiful soul. She enjoyed nature, conspiracy theories and her friends and family.

Carrying on their memories of Sandra are two children: Stephen A. Holmes, II and Brian D. Holmes both of Buckhannon; two grandchildren: Cheyenne Cunningham of Buckhannon and Katrina Duckworth and husband, Joel, of Morgantown; three great grandchildren: Trenton Moran of Buckhannon and Sebastian and Myles Duckworth both of Morgantown; one brother, Paul G. Dean, II and wife, Loretta, of Soddy Daisy, Tenn.; and two nieces: Carma and Clara Dean both of Soddy Daisy, Tenn.

Sandra’s request for cremation has been honored and a Celebration of Life service held at a later date.  

Tomblyn Clutter Funeral & Cremation, located at 21 Elnora Circle in Buckhannon, is honored and privileged to serve the family of Sandra Jane Holmes. Online condolences may be expressed at www.Tomblyn-ClutterFuneral.com.

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