Mary Jane Simpson Lemley Walls, 96, peacefully passed away at home in Core on Wednesday, March 24, 2021.
Born Nov. 13, 1924, in Hagans, she was the daughter of Behler and Cora Henderson Simpson. They lived in Morgantown during the winter, but when summer vacation began, they loved spending their summers at their country home in Hagans.
Mary Jane was a loving and generous person, compassionate to all who knew her. She was kind to all living things. Her many creative talents were expressed through her ability to write and publish poems and short stories and through photography. While attending West Virginia University, she completed several creative writing classes. She made beautiful Blacksville pottery and oil painted portraits of family and friends. She was an exceptional pianist and played for Buckeye Methodist Church for many years. Genealogy was her favorite pastime, as she collected historical information from all over the county.
Graduating from Morgantown Business College, she worked at the WVU English Department, Athletics Department and Health and Safety Department. Also, she worked at the West Virginia State Police, Consolidated Coal Co. and was a realtor.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents; a brother and his wife, Robert (Mary Emily) Simpson; former husband, Woodrow Lemley, with whom she had five children; son, B. Bruce Lemley; granddaughter, Lori Lemley; grandson, Mark Wiley; son-in-law, Larry Wiley; husband, Learnie Walls; her good friend, Russell Wade; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was a nurturing and devoted mother and grandmother and is survived by children, Betty Wiley, Robert (Karen) Lemley, Cam Lemley and Rosemary (Jake) Gyorko; seven grandchildren, Scott Wiley, Justin Lemley, Michael Lemley, Keith Lemley, Rachel Harouff, Heather Cline and Larry Mayley; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews; and her honorary daughter from next door, Becky Shanks Fugera.
Mary Jane’s wishes will be honored and a later private burial will take place in the Olive Cemetery at Pentress.
Smith Funeral & Cremation Care is honored to provide care and guidance to the family.
Condolences:
www.smithfcc.com
