The Rev. Oren Neathery “Ned” Reneau, 100, passed away peacefully at the Bridgeport Health Care Center on Feb. 17, 2022.
The Rev. Reneau was born in Albany, Ky. on June 8, 1921, to Isaac Oren and Hadus Neathery Reneau. He attended Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky., receiving degrees in philosophy and religion. He attended seminary at the College of the Bible in Lexington, Ky. and was ordained in 1946. While in seminary, he met his wife, Florence, when they were both working on the play “Cuckoos on the Hearth.” They married in 1946 and were together almost 70 years.
The Reneau family moved to Grafton in 1950, and he became chaplain at the West Virginia Industrial School for Boys. Although they expected to only remain for a few years, they raised nine children in Grafton and he retired from the Industrial School in 1983. During his time there, the Rev. Reneau touched the lives of thousands of West Virginian boys. On occasion, he would bring them home for Sunday dinner and holidays; his family celebrated Easter and Mother’s Day at the school.
After retiring, the Rev. Reneau served as an interim minister to numerous churches, including the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Grafton. He also spent much of his time in his beloved wood shop, building toy boxes, rocking horses and other toys for his grandchildren, who called him “Gramps.” He was active in the Taylor County Ministerial Association and served on the boards of the Taylor County Public Library, Camp Towles, and the WV Disciples of Christ.
The Rev. Reneau was preceded in death by his wife, Florence; son, Jim; foster son, David Mays; and brother, Fulton. He is survived by a sister, Betty, of Albany, Ky.; eight children: Carolyn (Steve) Shepler, of Elkins, Susan (Ed) Westfall, of Grafton, Dorothy (Rock) Garton, of Jane Lew, Mary (Bob) Smith, of Wheeling, Joyce (Leon) Okes, of Parkersburg, Tom (Deneane) Reneau, of Bridgeport, Bill (Pam) Reneau, of Chesterfield, Va., and Paul (Julie) Reneau, of Grafton; daughter-in-law Nancy Reneau, of Grafton; foster daughter-in-law, Pat Mays, of St. Marys; 23 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Viewing will be at Bartlett’s Funeral Home in Grafton, from 2-7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20. A graveside service will be held at Woodsdale Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 21. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Camp Towels. Checks can be written to the Taylor County 4-H Leaders Association with “Camp Towels” in the memo line and sent to 7 Hospital Plaza, Grafton, WV 26354. Bartlett Funeral Home is honored to serve the Reneau family.
Condolences:
www.bartlettfuneralhomewv.com
