Mary Ann Leyland Gay

Mary Ann survived diphtheria, seven bouts with measles and severe arthritis, but not the stroke which she suffered April 21.

Mary Ann was born Dec. 19, 1938, the daughter of the late William D. Leyland and Lauradell Myers Leyland.

She was twice married, first to Eugene Morgan and second to Robert S. Gay.

In between she was engaged to long-time companion, Hosea “Johnny” Smith.

Mary Ann is survived by her son, William E. Morgan and wife, Linda Bendixen, of Chicago, Illinois; and her daughter, Laura C. Morgan of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Also surviving are her two precious grandsons, Edward A. Bendixen Morgan and William M. Bendixen Morgan.

Also surviving are her sister, Kit Leyland Phillips (Michael); her two nephews, Michael Phillips and Christopher Phillips (Ryann); and her great- niece, Leyland Phillips; and great-nephew, Parker Phillips.

She also is survived by Smith stepchildren, Tami (Jody) Irvin, Logan Smith, Suzi Gordon, Kathy Wyrosdick and Cindy Gunning; and her step- grandchildren, Haley Gordon, Emma Downey, Zela Wyrosdick, Ben Wyrosdick, Maggie Gunning and Allison Stone.

She was predeceased by her stepdaughter, D’Ann Himes.

Mary Ann was a proud 1956 graduate of Elkins High School.

While in high school, she was cheerleader, May Day Queen and voted best dancer with her partner, Dickie Collett. She continued her education at Potomac State, graduating in 1958. While in college she was chosen Campus Cover Girl to represent Potomac State in the Pittsburgh Press Annual Campus Cover Girl contest. Mary Ann was Maid of Honor in the 1956 Mountain State Forest Festival.

Mary Ann was always of service to those around her, both as a wife and mother, and also as a friend and co-worker. Among the various professional jobs she held, she was particularly proud of her work at York Elementary with students with special needs. Mary Ann was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Elkins which she loved dearly. She was active in the United Women in Faith and had served on various committees. You could always find her in the basement helping operate the Country Store. She was also a member of the Maple Leaf Society and the Purple Majesties Red Hats.

Mary Ann had a very special group of friends whom she went out to lunch with regularly, Penny Friddle, Catherine Poe, Joy Shepherd, Mary Skinner, Jerri Snyder, Marie Williamson and Judy Vandenburgh.

Visitation will be at the Tomblyn Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 9, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The funeral service will be Wednesday, May 10, at 10 a.m. from the First United Methodist Church. with the Rev. Brian Seders presiding.

Interment will be in the Walker Memorial Cemetery, Summersville, West Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church, 315 Kerens Ave., Elkins, WV, or to the Randolph County Humane Society, PO Box 785, Elkins, WV 26241.

The Tomblyn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mary Ann Leyland Gay.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.