Karen Lee “Rusty” Harrison Riffle, 76, of the Brookhaven Community of Morgantown, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 at home with her loving family around her after a long battle with cancer.
Rusty was born on Jan. 10, 1944, to the late Joseph Knotts Harrison and Floriene Isabell Galmish Harrison, of Shinnston. She attended Shinnston High School, graduating in 1961. She went on to work for the WVU School of Medicine where she retired with over 30 years of service.
Rusty was a devoted Christian, attending and volunteering her many skills as an active member of the Brookhaven United Methodist Church. She was a very loving and giving person. She taught many by example over the years with her volunteering or giving efforts to various organizations and causes, including Mountaineer Area Council Boy Scouts, Rosenbaum House, Lion’s Club, Scott’s Run Settlement House, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Samaritan’s Purse, to name just a few. When able, she donated blood at every opportunity to help those in need that she would never meet and donated over 200 gallons of her blood during her lifetime. She lived to make the world a better place without seeking any recognition but looking to help where and when she could.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her only sibling, Frederick Lee Harrison; and a great-grandson, Samuel Tucker Stout.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of over 50 years, William James Riffle; two sons, Jeffery Blaine Riffle and wife Joyce and Stacy Joseph Riffle and wife Kerry; seven grandchildren, Ashley Ramsden (Josh), Madison Stout (Alex), Amber Underwood (Tyler), Cheyenne Hill (Brandon), Sierra Riffle (D’Andra), Hunter Riffle and Sakoya Riffle; four great-grandchildren, Michael Ramsden, Benjamin Ramsden, Elijah Underwood and Noah Stout; a sister-in-law, Maxine Harrison; a nephew, Joseph Fredrick Harrison, of Alabama; a niece; special and dear cousins; and many other great-nieces and great-nephews.
Hastings Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements for Rusty’s final wishes. The family will have a celebration of life in her honor at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked, in the spirit of Rusty’s giving heart, for donations to be sent to Rosenbaum Family House, 30 Family House Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505, and family and friends are encouraged to donate blood to the American Red Cross when the opportunity presents itself.
Cards and condolences may be sent to the Riffle family at 1186 East Second Street, Morgantown, WV 26508.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
