Bertha Moats

Bertha O. Moats, 79, of McDowell, died Thursday, April 24, 2008 at University of Virginia Medical Center.  She was born May 31, 1928 in Bartow, WV a daughter of the late Oren and Gladys May (Vandevander) Ober.  On July 30, 1945, she married Edward Albert Moats, who preceded her in death on June 9, 1998.  She was also predeceased by a daughter, Jessie Simmons, a great-grandson, Joshua Hurt; a brother, Fred Ober and an infant brother.

Mrs. Moats was a homemaker.  She was a member of McDowell United Methodist Church and WSCS.

She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda Mae and George Hurt of Goshen, Stella Louise and James Elmer Howdyshell of Mt. Solon and Wanda Gail and Donald Blankenship of White Sulphur Springs, WV; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Albert Edward and Hilda Moats of McDowell, Jerry L. and Susan Moats of Staunton and Gary W. Moats of Verona; 23 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren and three sisters, Irene Smith of McDowell, Vide Oburress of Maryland and Etta Smith of Michigan; four brothers, Elmer, Billy and George Ober, all of West Virginia and Roy Ober of Baltimore, MD; two former sons-in-law, Albert Malcolm and Wayne Simmons; a former daughter-in-law, Mary Burell and special friends, Anna Lee Samples, Teresa Tester, Donna Burns and Edna Mae Booth.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 27, 2008 at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell by the Rev. David Boger.  Burial will be in McKendree Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Michael Moats, Robby Click, James Howdyshell, Scotty Armstrong, Donald Blankenship, Roy Hiner, Bucky Hurt and Dwayne Simmons.

Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughters. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.