Virginia Linkous Rinehart, 95, a resident of Elkins, departed this life early Saturday morning, May 26, 2012, at Ruby Memorial Hospital at Morgantown.
She was born Wednesday, March 7, 1917, at Pylesville, Md., a daughter of the late John Tyler and Carrie Susan Whitt Linkous.
She resided most of her early years in War.
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Rinehart
On Dec. 23, 1939, at Tazwell, Va., she was married to Edward Marvin Rinehart, who preceded her in death Jan. 14, 1993.
Surviving are one daughter, Anita Cheryl Rinehart Nedeff, Morgantown; one grandson, George Edward Nedeff, Greenwood, Ind.; one granddaughter, Cheryl Anita Lewis and husband, Michael, and one great grandson, Roman Lewis, all of Fairmont. To them, she was known as "Meema."
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Preceding her in death are one brother, Cecil Linkous; and one sister, Cavie June Stevens.
Mrs. Rinehart graduated Cum Laude from Concord College with a degree in elementary education.
Later, she earned a Masters of Language Arts degree from West Virginia University. Although she spent many of her professional years working as the "Follow Through" Director in Randolph County Schools, she taught 39 years in the McDowell County School system.
In addition to public school teaching, Virginia taught summer sessions at West Virginia University.
As an active member of Kappa Delta Pi, an educational honorary at West Virginia University, and Delta Kappa Gamma, a teachers' honorary, Mrs. Rinehart was a life-long promoter of education. Due to her dedication to the teaching profession, she was awarded "Teacher of the Year" recognition.
In addition to professional honoraries, she was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority.
Community involvement was quite important to Mrs. Rinehart.
This fact was evident in her participation in the Woman's Club of Elkins, where she was vice president, the American Association of University Women, Business and Professional Women's Club and the First Baptist Church of Elkins, where she provided her services as choir director.
Most people who knew Mrs. Rinehart were aware of her love of music. She directed several vocal groups, such as "The Teen Tones" and "The Women of Song." She even utilized her music talent at Colonial Place Partners, where she was residing prior to her death. In addition, Mrs. Rinehart taught private music lessons in her home. She was an avid fan of West Virginia University Mountaineer football and basketball.
The family will receive friends at the First Baptist Church of Elkins on Friday, June 1, 2012, from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the church on Friday at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Marvin L. Parli officiating. Interment will follow at the Mountain State Memorial Gardens at Gilman.
The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the Music Ministry at First Baptist Church, 412 Randolph Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241.
Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Virginia Linkous Rinehart.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at, www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.
