Emily Kathleen Ryan Nieman, 93, of Cheat Neck, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, at the Madison in Morgantown.
The tenth child of the late Frank and Effie Everly Ryan, she was born in Bruceton Mills on April 22, 1930. Growing up among the busy life of a family farm, she learned the values of community, togetherness and hard work that would define her life. On June 8, 1947, she married Hugh Nieman, with whom she shared 62 years of love, partnership, family, and many fond trips to Emerald Isle, N.C.
Emily’s faith was an integral part of her life, and she was a dedicated member of the Cheat Lake United Methodist Church for many decades. Her passion and skill for cooking brought joy not only to her family, but also to others in the community. She fondly reminisced about her time as a cook at the Oak Grove School in Cheat Neck. A graduate of Bruceton High School, she worked at OB Fawley’s music store and OJ Morrison’s department store, both on High Street in Morgantown. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Her spirit of service extended beyond her family as she volunteered for Meals on Wheels and through her church, touching many in the community.
Above all, Emily was a devoted mother, aunt, and grandmother. Her home on Cherry Hill was a welcoming place of warmth and love, where both immediate and extended family and whoever else happened to join, found connection and joy. It served as the beloved hub for large family gatherings, including holiday celebrations, reunion picnics, and Sunday dinners. Her legacy of hospitality and love will be forever cherished.
Emily is survived by one sister, Donna Lou Britton, of Bruceton Mills; three children, Randy (Eulalah) of Newburg, and Huey (Joellen), and Jeff (Yvonne) of Morgantown; nine grandchildren, Amanda (Eric) Knutsen, Alicia Nieman, Drew (Megan) Nieman, and Jeffry Nieman (Kaitlyn Neff), all of Morgantown, Eric (Gabrielle) Nieman of Holly Springs, N.C., Rachel Nieman (Drew Nickerson) of Washington, Pa., Leticia (Shaun) Lambert of Reedsville, Maria (Tory) Hargis of Coffeyville, Kan., and Nick (Abby) Vanzant of Evans, Ga. Also surviving are 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two sisters-in-law, Francis Ryan of Brandonville, and Helen Nieman of Tunnelton; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her infant son, Jerry; seven sisters, Mary Ida Ryan, Esther Mann, Wilma Lucille Ryan, Geraldine Friend, Coraline Nieman, Valgene Muha, and Bernadine Michaels; and four brothers, Eldridge, Jamie, Lynton, and Paul Ryan.
Friends and family will be received at the Carl R. Spear Funeral Home in Brandonville-Bruceton Mills, from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, March 4. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 5, at 11 a.m., with Pastor Christy Johnson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Morgantown Community Kitchen at 247 Willey Street, Morgantown WV, 26505.
Condolences:
spearfuneralhome.net
