Isobel’s Obituary On April 22, 2019, Isobel Rae Staats, age 88, passed away at Hubbard Hospice House following a brief illness. She was born on August 17, 1930, the second daughter of the late Paul Paden Stewart and Jennie Mardell (Knopp) in Jackson County. Isobel graduated from Ripley High School in the class of 1948.
She went on to complete secretarial training at the Charleston School of Commerce in 1956. She worked as a court reporter among other things in her early life. She spent most of her career working as an executive secretary to various Commissioners at the West Virginia Public Service Commission.
She retired from the agency in 1986. She met the love of her life, William “Steve” Staats while working at a drug store soda fountain in Ripley. They married in 1949 and enjoyed a very strong marriage until his death in 1995.
In the nearly quarter century since his passing, she never considered the possibility of finding anyone else. Isobel was an avid gardener with a wide-ranging knowledge of flowers and other decorative plants. She was a long- time member of the Brookhaven Garden Club and served as Secretary of the club for a number of years.
She also had a passion for home decorating. She was accomplished at ceramics and created many of the beautiful pieces still in her home as well as the homes of others to whom she gave them as gifts. She was a quiet Christian all of her life having been a Baptist and later becoming a member of the Cross Lanes United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir for a time.
She was always kind and considerate of others. She was among the most patient of people rarely showing anger towards others. She was conservative in manners and behavior – always a proper lady.
At the same time, she had progressive and accepting views for one of her generation. She had a sharp and lively mind until the end with a passion for following current events. Isobel leaves behind many friends and family members who will miss her deeply.
She is survived by brothers, Paul P. Stewart and wife Judith of Dunbar, and Richard L. Stewart and wife Linda of Carlisle, PA; niece, Stephanie Holstein and husband Gary of Elkview, and Kelly Hoke and husband Wesley of Carlisle, PA; nephew, Matthew Stewart of Enola, PA; cousins, Jeanette Buckner and husband Curtis of LeRoy, Ernestine Mullen and husband Randal of Reedy, Arlie Keffer of Parkersburg, Austin Keffer of Goodletsville, TN; nephew, Kenneth Knopp of Millwood; niece, Diana Knopp of Ripley; nephews, Okey Anthony and wife Sara, and Robert Anthony and wife Judy, all of Eleanor; and niece, Kimberly Clark and husband Matt of Winfield. We also wish to thank the staff of Hubbard Hospice House for their compassion and professionalism in making Isobel’s last days as comfortable as possible. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30 at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, with Pastor Krysta Rexrode Wolfe officiating.
Burial will follow in Fairplain Cemetery. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.
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