Helen Ruth Vance Kovach

Helen Ruth Vance Kovach, 88, of Whitman, went to be with the Lord Friday, October 9, 2015, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House in Huntington, WV. Born November 27, 1926 at Earling, WV, she was the daughter of the late Frank Hursey and Mary Lois Lowe Vance. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Louis B. Kovach; her paternal grandparents, Elias (Ale) and Salena Browning Vance; her maternal grandparents, Thomas L. (Whitten) and Malissa Ellen Blair Lowe; two brothers, Robert Norman Vance and Charles Hylton Vance; one infant sister, Emmagene Vance; four brothers-in-law, William Hatton, Wayne Eastman, Joseph Kovach and James Kovach; three sisters-in-law, Mary Margaret Vance, Pearl Kovach and Helen C. Kovach. Helen attended Earling Grade School, Man Junior High, Man Senior High and was a 1946 graduate of Logan High School. A homemaker for many ytears, she also worked at G.C. Murphy, Collins Department Store, the Pioneer Hotel, and the Aracoma Hotel. She was a resident of Whitman for over 70 years and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Logan for 58 years. Her greatest joy was her family. She loved every opportunity to gather with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, especially enjoying holiday celebrations. She will be greatly missed and forever loved. Survivors include two sons and daughter-in-laws, Bob and Minnie Kovach of Big Creek, WV and John and Lana Kovach of Chapmanville, WV; one daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Robert Morris of Whitman, WV; eight grandchildren, Stephanie (Danny) Nunley of Fort Mill, SC, Michelle (Gene) Brumfield of Rock Hill, SC, Amanda (Daryl) Harless of Broad Branch, Justin (Maryann) Kovach of Big Creek, Heather (Ron) Robinson of Westland MI, Courtney Kovach (J.T. Reynolds) of Huntington, WV, Hunter Morris of Johnson City, TN, and Tyler Morris of Charleston, WV; twelve great-grandchildren, Chase (Krystal) Nunley, Derek (Shanna Darr) Nunley, and Peyton and Alyssa Brumfield all of South Carolina. Dustyn, Dakotah, and Addahsyn Harless of Broad Branch, WV. Cammye, Kennadye, and Baby Girl Kovach of Big Creek, WV, and Rylie and Rielle Robinson of Westland, MI; three great-great-grandchildren, Bruson Nunley of West Virginia, Connor and Kenslie Nunley of South Carolina, and on great-great-grandchild on the way Baby Nunley, also of South Carolina. Additional survivors include two sisters, Mary Josephine Eastman of Hot Springs, Arkansas and Ida Hatton of Whitman, WV, one sister-in-law, Christine Vance of Cleveland, Ohio, one nephew living locally, Kenny (Joan) Hatton of Chapmanville and many other nieces and nephews living out of state. She also survived by her loving neighbor of over 60 years, Beulah Cremeans and her dear friend of over 80 years Ruby Brooks. Arrangements are being handled by James Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, October 12, 2015 at the funeral home. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 13 at the First Presbyterian Church of Logan on Stratton Street with Rev. Jim Musgrave officiating. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens at Godby. “So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” –John 16:22