Mary W. Stear

MARY WARREN STEAR, 90, of Pittsburg, passed away at 9:30 p.m., Monday, November 24, 2014 at her home surrounded by family. She was born March 5, 1924 at Bald Knob, West Virginia, the daughter of Heber and Fairlena (Price) Jones. Her father died when she was a young girl, and she was then raised by her stepfather, Glen Bond. She graduated from Welch High School and attended Marshall University. On October 13, 1944, she was united in marriage to James William Stear at Russell, Kentucky. He preceded her in death on December 14, 2007. Mrs. Stear worked in retail until her children were born. She then stayed at home and raised her family. Later she worked as a dental assistant. Mrs. Stear was a member of Beverly Hills United Methodist Church in Huntington, West Virginia for over fifty years, in which she enjoyed being involved in the church circles and sang in the church choir. She attended Countryside Christian Church in Pittsburg. Mrs. Stear and her husband loved to play bridge, belonged to several bridge clubs, and enjoyed attending Marshall University basketball games. Survivors include two daughters, Linda Runyan and her husband, Charles Kent Runyan of Pittsburg and Amy Stear of Pittsburg; five grandchildren, Charles Keith Runyan and his wife, Stacy, Jaime Peterson and her husband, Jeff, Jonathan Scott Runyan and his wife, Kasey, and Lucy Stear Swinford; and six great-grandchildren, Madison Elizabeth Runyan, Charles Ethan Runyan, James Daniel Peterson, Clara Lynn Peterson, Isaac Thomas Peterson, and Kooper Warren Runyan; a special niece, June Gordon and her family and a special nephew, Rick Corder and his wife, JoAnn. She was preceded in death by her husband, a son, James Warren Stear, and a grandson, Shay Stear Swinford. Services for Mrs. Stear will be held Monday, December 1, 2014, at the Beverly Hills United Methodist Church in Huntington, West Virginia. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM with services following.  Beard Mortuary is assisting the family. Online condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.beardmortuary.com

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