Vanda Lee Bird Singleton, 77, a resident of Elkins, departed this life late Saturday evening, June 18, 2011, at her home with her family at her side following a short period of declining health.
She and her twin brother were born Sunday, Jan. 21, 1934, at Weston to Russell Kay and Jocie Pearl Fletcher Bird.
She spent most of her childhood growing up in the Walkersville and Ireland communities. Her parents were both educators and spent their lives teaching children. Vanda Lee followed in the path of her parents and became a school teacher. She was a graduate of Glenville State College and was a dedicated educator for forty-one years in the Randolph County Schools. She will be remembered for her abilities to inspire and motivate her students to become the most that they could be. She was a recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award in 1976 and retired from education at the age of 70.
On June 12, 1954, at Ireland, she was married to Joseph Martin Singleton, who preceded her in death Jan. 7, 1996.
In 1956, they had their first son, followed by a daughter in 1960 and another son in 1963. They resided in Weston until 1959 at which time they moved to Elkins. She raised her family here and was proud of their accomplishments.
In 1985, her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and she cared for him at home until it was no longer possible to do so. She was a lovely, nurturing and inspiring wife, mother and friend to all.
Along with being an exceptional school teacher, Vanda was very active in a number of areas of her community. She was a faithful and caring neighbor; caring for all of the people greatly in her neighborhood. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she was involved with Circle 4, the "We Care Group" and taught Sunday school for 25 years.
She was also involved in the following organizations, 4-H, National Education Association, Parent Teachers Association, Phi Chapter of the International Teachers Sorority Alpha Delta Kappa, American Association of University Women, and the Randolph County and WV Reading Council.
Preceding her in death besides her parents and husband was her twin brother, Harold Dean Bird.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory three children, Dr. John L. Singleton, Linda D. Mullenax and Thomas A. Singleton; her children by marriage, Lois Wilson Singleton, Jerry A. Mullenax and Dale Joe Kelly; three grandchildren, Kyle Wilson and Joseph Drew Singleton, and Joseph Edward Mullenax; three step grandchildren, John, Thomas and Lee Mullenax; and a great aunt, Kathleen "Sally" Blake.
The family will receive friends at Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Final Rites will be conducted at the funeral home chapel Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Barry R. Moll will officiate and interment will follow at the American Legion's Little Arlington Cemetery at Cravensdale.
Vanda's suggestion was that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the First United Methodist Church, 315 Kerens Avenue, Elkins, West Virginia 26241, the Alzheimer's Association, WV Chapter Office, 1111 Lee Street East, Charleston, West Virginia 25301 or to Hospice Care Corporation, 169 Diamond Street, Elkins, West Virginia 26241.
Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Vanda Lee Bird Singleton. Condolences may be expressed to the family at, www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.
