Barbara Jean Alvis, 97, of Morgantown, passed away on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at her residence, after a brief illness.
She was born in Madison, Wis., on September 11, 1921, the daughter of the late Oliver Samuel Rundell, former Professor of Law and Acting Dean at the University of Wisconsin School of Law, and Abigail Parmely Rundell.
Barbara earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Wisconsin. She subsequently taught in public schools in the midwest for three years and then at the University of Arkansas, where she met her future husband, Vance, also on the faculty there while working on his dissertation for his PhD from the University of Virginia.
They moved to Morgantown in 1965, where, after raising her family, she worked at West Virginia Univeristy, first as YWCA Director and then for many years as Foreign Student Advisor, during which time she made numerous dear and enduring friendships with talented students from around the world.
Throughout, Barbara was a stouthearted Mountaineers, Pirates, and Steelers fan. she was active in the Service League of Morgantown and the Red Cross, particiapted for many years with friends in a book group and brfidge club (both better known for conviviality and camaraderie), and was a memeber of the First Presbyterian Church of Morgantown, serving as deacon and elder. She and Vance, then Professor of Economics at WVU, acquired a love of travle while living in Nairobi, Kenya for two years in the late 1960s. After retirement, they travelled extensivly in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and also throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America, often in the company of friends and her sisters-in-law.
She married Vance Quentin Alvis in 1948, and was ahppily married for over 60 years until his death in 2012. They were blessed with two sons, Vance Jr, of South St Paul, Minn., and his wife, Felice and daughter Madison, both of Freehold, N.J., and Robert and his wife Christine and children Alicia and Samuel, all of Pleasantville, N.Y.; and also many dear neices and nephews.
In additon to her parents, Barbara was preced in death by her husband, Vance; and by her beloved sisters and brothers, Eleanor, Janet, Hugh, and John (who died for his country in the Battle of the Bulge).
In accordance with her wishes, Hastings Funerla Home/ Omega Crematory has provided cremation services and a graveside inurnment will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 456 Spruce Street, Morgantown and to West Virginia Public Radio at secure.wvpublic.org/donate.
Condolences: hastingsfuneralhome.com.
