Wilma Ruth Elza VanDevender

She was born June 18, 1932, at Whitmer, a daughter of the late Joseph and Bertha Lamb Elza. On Nov. 28, 1951, at Redhouse, Maryland, she was married to Oral E. VanDevender, who preceded her in death June 2, 2016.

Also proceeding her in death were one daughter, Belinda White; two brothers, Bobby Elza and Dale Elza; one sister, Betty Vance; and brother-in-law, Guy Vance.

Surviving is one son-in-law, Gary White; one son, Gary L. VanDevender and wife, Catherine, of Whitmer; three grandchildren, Amanda N. Price Solarchick of Circleville, West Virginia, Gary “Joey” VanDevender of Clinton Twp, Michigan, and Jennifer L. VanDevender of Elkins; two great-grandchildren, Matayah Solarchick Pennington and husband, Tony, of Whitmer, and Treyvan Solarchick of Circleville, West Virginia; and one great-great-granddaughter, Haddie LeAnn Pennington.

Also surviving are two sisters, Linda Dudley and husband, Jim, of Whitmer, and Patricia Armentrout and husband, Ronnie, of Whitmer; two sisters-in-law, Mary Elza of Whitmer and Ocie Thompson of Sully, West Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. VanDevender worked for Bob Knaggs Realtor, Suffield Publishing Company and J.C. Penny while living in Akron, Ohio. In 1991, she and her husband moved back to West Virginia, where she went to work for Canaan Valley Resorts until she retired in 2011 at the age of 79.

Mrs. VanDevender attended the Randolph County Schools, loved spending time with her husband, family and friends.

Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, at the Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, from the funeral home chapel with Pastor Todd Rhodes officiating. Interment will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery at Whitmer, West Virginia.

The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Wilma Ruth Elza VanDevender.

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