Martha Jane Bolinger, 79, passed away Monday, June 6, 2021. She was the daughter of the late Roy and Elmo Pratt, and was born June 16, 1941, in Preston County. She grew up on Beech Run in Albright, graduated from Kingwood High School in Kingwood and then married the late Martin Bolinger Jr. in December 1962. The union was blessed with two children, Renee Arthur (Brian), of Palestine, W.Va., and Todd Bolinger (Marna), of Wheeling.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Vernon Pratt, James Pratt, Bud Strawser and Bobby Pratt; four sisters, Bonnie Reed, Ruby Menear, Rosemary Adams and Betty Stafford.
She worked many jobs throughout her life, starting out as a telephone operator and then a housewife, a secretary for her husband’s TV business, microwave demonstrator, cashier and laundry attendant for Wash & Shop of Kingwood, cashier for 7-11, of Morgantown and Parkersburg and, lastly, she helped run Two Lick Tiny Grocery in Palestine, W.Va.
Martha attended Beech Run Methodist Episcopal Church, Pleasantdale Methodist Church and Southern Baptist Fellowship of Elizabeth where she was saved by God’s grace.
Martha enjoyed many activities and hobbies throughout her life, including water skiing, camping, sewing, gardening, cookie baking, crocheting and quilting.
Her life will be forever cherished in the lives of her grandchildren: Emily Chapman (Chance) Caroline Arthur, Brock Arthur, Chelsea Radcliffe, Maddie Pavlic (Matt), Taylor Bolinger, Morgan Bolinger and Gavin Bolinger; great-grandsons Declan Radcliffe and James Radcliffe; and great-granddaughter, Isla Chapman. She will also be remembered by her surviving sister, Patty Wolfe; brother, Joe Pratt (Maria); and sisters-in-law, Fanny Pratt and Loretta Davis.
Visitation will be held at Southern Baptist Fellowship in Elizabeth, from 6-8 p.m., Friday, June 11. A graveside funeral and interment will be held at Herring Cemetery in Masontown, June 12 at 1 p.m. with Brian Arthur officiating.
