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Gatha Lee Berkel

Gatha Lee Berkel

Gatha Lee Berkel, 83, of Beckley, passed peacefully into the waiting arms of our Heavenly Father Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017. Angels rejoiced and sang on high as one of their own had been called home.

Born Aug. 26, 1933, in Valley Head, she was the daughter of the late Arthur Gould and Edna Arbogast Gould.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a precious loving son, James William Berkel; a granddaughter, McKenzie Shae Berkel; and brothers, Arley “Bill” Gould and Robert “Bob” Gould, as well as her sister, Barbara.

Gatha was a dedicated and faithful servant of the Lord and could always be found attending church each and every Sunday throughout her entire life. Her love for the Lord was the basis of her life as a whole, and she always said put God first and the rest will take care of itself, and indeed it did as she enjoyed a full and blessed life.

She grew up in Valley Head and was a graduate of Tygarts Valley High School, where she met the love of her life, husband Lawrence. Now 64 years later, that love still stands true and is indeed a testament to the total dedication these two had for each other and their family. Gatha loved and cared for her family immensely and was totally dedicated to her nurturing spirit, which came so natural and made her an amazing mother and wife. Her caring and compassionate demeanor and genuine kindness also went well beyond her family and was conveyed to any and all she met.

These qualities also served her well in her position at Raleigh County Commission on Aging, which she absolutely loved being a part of and looked forward to with that same passion and commitment she evoked throughout her life.

The folks there loved Gatha and that was most evident during the recent outpouring of love and concern in regard to her illness.

Gatha enjoyed many hobbies such as painting, sewing, knitting, ceramics, reading and a few others but none piqued her interest the way cooking and gardening did. Her culinary skills were well known and pleased many a palate, and she just genuinely loved to cook and share with others. Possibly the only thing she loved more were her flowers and gardening. Her hands in the dirt is where she felt the most peace and comfort, adding she felt closer to God nurturing the earth and what it brought forth. Seeing her labor of love come to fruition was simply amazing and her yard and porch was always ablaze with color and happiness, indeed a welcoming sight.

Gatha was indeed an amazing woman who touched the lives of many and was such a joy to be around. Her smile was contagious as was her laughter, and she never spoke a bad word toward anyone. She would not hesitate to help you in any way she could, no matter the circumstance. A true angel on earth that will be missed more than words can say.

Those left to cherish precious memories include husband, Lawrence W. Berkel of Beckley; sons, Douglas A. Berkel and wife, Sherry, of Glen Daniels, Ronald L. Berkel and wife, Debbie, of Ronceverte, Lawrence H. Berkel and wife, Kandace, of Romney and Robert Kelly Berkel and wife, Carrie, of White Sulphur Springs; brothers, Richard “Dick” Gould and wife, Linda, of Valley Head and Stanley Gould of Elkins; sister, Betty Frame of Gassaway; along with nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family has been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and concern for Gatha over the course of her illness and will be forever grateful. They would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Bowers Hospice House as well as special friends, Jo Chambers, Cindy Lovell, Jack Tanner, John Eye, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Brown, Charlotte Poole and Greta and Dan Farley.

The family will celebrate the life of Gatha Lee Berkel Friday, Feb. 24, at Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel in Beckley at 11 a.m. with her son, Douglas Berkel, officiating. Burial will follow in the Brick Church Cemetery in Huttonsville. Family members will serve as pallbearers. Friends may visit with the family from 6-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

The family asks that donations of sympathy be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Gatha’s honor. Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via the guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net. Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 S. Kanawha S., Beckley, WV.