Mary W. Thaxton

Mary W. Thaxton, 89, of Cross Lanes, died peacefully in her sleep Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, with her family by her side. Mary was born on July 3, 1927, in Charleston. She was a daughter of the late Ernest Withrow and Leona Goff Withrow McCormick. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her son, Dana Thaxton; grandson, Jacob Thaxton; sister, L. Louise Morris; brother, Charles Rae Withrow; and step-father, Howard McCormick. She was a graduate of Dunbar High School, class of 1945. Mary always had a desire to become a teacher. She graduated from West Virginia State University, and later received her master’s degree from Marshall University Graduate College. She was a teacher with the Kanawha County Board of Education, mainly working at Arthur I. Boreman Elementary School in Cross Lanes and Flinn Elementary School in Sissonville. Following retirement, she continued to substitute teach until two years ago. She was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening and cross-stitching. She was also well known for her cooking skills. No one ever left her table hungry. She and her husband were members of Perrow Presbyterian Church in Cross Lanes, where Mary was very active as librarian. She was also on the board of directors of the Kanawha County Public Library, Cross Lanes branch, for many years. Community service was very important to Mary, she worked with the Tyler Mountain Volunteer Fire Department auxiliary, helping in various aspects of raising money to assist in the operation of the fire station. She was also a volunteer with the Cross Lanes food pantry. On June 13, 1947, she married the love of her life, Russell Thaxton who survives. They were married 69 years. She is also survived by her children, Kristina Riffle (James) of Nitro, Rodney Thaxton of Cross Lanes and Jeff Thaxton (Sandy) of Tyler Mountain; grandchildren, Matthew Wade Thaxton (Melissa), Lora Abernathy (Gary), Elana Novak (Todd), Kevin Kiser (Emily), Lindsay Kiser and Jeremy Thaxton (Annie); great-grandchildren, Mason Thaxton, Alissa Thaxton, Anna Kiser and Henry Kiser and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday February 18, 2017 at Perrow Presbyterian Church, 5345 Big Tyler Road, Cross Lanes. Burial will follow in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes. Visitation will be Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston, WV 25387. Visit Mary’s tribute page at ChapmanFuneralHomes.com to share memories, stories and condolences with the family. Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, family-owned and located at 409 Sixth Avenue, St. Albans is honored to serve the Thaxton family.

Mary W. Thaxton

July 3, 1927 - February 12, 2017