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Vonda Ruth Gumm, 92, a resident of Elkins, passed away Saturday evening, Aug. 15, 2026, in Mountain Memories Assisted Living and Retirement Center under the care of West Virginia Caring Hospice.
She was born March 12, 1934, at Kasson, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Oliver Clarence Richman and the late Ora Knotts Richman. On March 12, 1956, at Clarksburg, West Virginia, she married Joe Arley Gumm, who preceded her in death Aug. 4, 2026. They had celebrated 70 years of marriage this year.
Surviving is one daughter, Deborah Ruth Stevens and husband Brian, Parsons, West Virginia; and one granddaughter, Leslie Delaine “Dee” Stevens of Parsons, West Virginia; and an “adopted” granddaughter, Cindy Harsh of Parsons, West Virginia.
Also preceding her in death were three brothers, Carl Knotts, Ogden D. Richman and Joe A. Richman.
Mrs. Gumm attended the schools of Barbour County and was a graduate and valedictorian of the class of 1953 at Kasson High School.
Vonda was always joining Joe in their business endeavors of beef and dairy farming, co-owning of the Dari-Delight and Randolph County Recycling Center, prior to her retirement. She found time over the years to squeeze in jobs at Reidboard Brothers, McManus Office Supply Company, Little Caeser's Pizza and retired from Randolph County BOE as a cook.
She was a member of the West Virginia Conservation Women's Auxiliary, servings as their president and being nationally honored for her work in the youth education and exhibits for West Virginia Soil Conservation, Canon Envirothon and Recycle USA. She traveled over all the U.S. in the last 40 years representing West Virginia in the Soil Conservation arena with her husband, Joe.
She attended the Orlena Global Methodist Church and Mercy Chapel Church and was often found bringing the piano music for them and area nursing homes. She was a dedicated worker at whatever job was at hand and she embraced those accomplishments from a very young age. She loved playing her piano, her dogs and most of all dessert!
Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, at the Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, from the funeral home chapel with Pastor Paul Thompson officiating. Interment will follow in the Mountain State Memorial Gardens near Gilman.
Memorial contributions may be made to West Virginia Conservation Scholarship Program, WVACD, 742 Airport Road, Sutton, WV 26601 or Mt. Morris Cemetery Association 523 Griffith Rd. Philippi, WV 26416, in memory of Vonda.
The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Vonda Ruth Gumm.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.