RAWLINGS,MARYLAND -- Dorothy Jean VanPelt, 76, of Willow Run Road, Rawlings, passed from this life into the next on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010 at the Potomac Valley Hospital, Keyser, W.Va.
Her family was by her side after a long battle with multiple illnesses. She will be remembered for her courage to fight to the end and especially for her faith to rise above her illness many times. She now rests in Heaven at the feet of her Lord whom she loved more than life itself. Never once did she turn her heart from God in her illness, but expressed a desire to work more for Him. In the end, her illness became too great and in an instant God took her home to a place of no more suffering or pain.
Born on Sept. 3, 1934 at Keyser, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin and Ida (Kesner) Phares. She also was preceded in death by three brothers, Ernest, Sonny and John Phares; a sister, Lois Ruth Ray; and a granddaughter, Mindy Dawn VanPelt.
Mrs. VanPelt was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker and was a member of the Bonnieview Apostolic Chapel, Keyser.
Surviving are her loving husband of 55 years, Theodore B. VanPelt; five children, Shelby Jean Coleman of San Antonio, Texas, Valerie Jackson and husband Steve of Rawlings, Nathan VanPelt and wife Vicki of Rawlings, Kirby VanPelt and wife Denise of Rawlings and Stephanie Gattens and husband Chuck of Keyser. She leaves behind 12 grandchildren whom she loved very much, Carl Russell Wolford III, Darian, Amber, Tara and Chad, all of Texas, April Williams and Shane Hamilton, both of Florida, Justin VanPelt, Rawlings, Kista VanPelt of Cumberland, Ian VanPelt of Frostburg, Brett VanPelt of Baltimore, and the special pride and joy of her heart, Lydia Gattens, Keyser. In addition, she leaves behind 12 great-grandchildren, one of whom, Donte, who checked on her daily. Also surviving is her sister, Goldie McKeever of Martinsburg, W.Va.; numerous nieces and nephews, extended family, and her church family whom she loved and prayed for on a daily basis.
Friends may call at the Smith Funeral Home, Keyser Chapel, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2010 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at the Bonnieview Apostolic Chapel, Keyser, on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Daniel Garlitz officiating. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday one hour prior to the services.
Interment will be in the Dawson Cemetery, Dawson.
The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the Bonnieview Apostolic Chapel, P.O. Box 724, Keyser, WV 26726.
Condolences and personal reflections to the family may be left after Mrs. VanPelt's obituary at www.smithfuneralhomes.net.
Published :November 4, 2010
The Cumberland Times-News
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