Harriett Pyles

Harriett Eliza (Keadle) Pyles, 85, of Fairmont, W.Va., died on Monday, October 29, 2018 surrounded by loved ones at her home away from home, here in the mountains of McDowell, Va.

Harriett was born on March 10, 1933, in Williamson, W.Va., a daughter of the late Bertha Arminta (Taylor) and Roy Howard Keadle.

Mrs. Pyles was retired from Monongahela Power Co.  after 33 years of service. She will be remembered as an avid reader, who loved to play bridge, traveling the world and was the first of her generation and perhaps her family to take to social media through Facebook. Harriett shared a passion for genealogy with her brother Harvey, and the two siblings co-authored a book on the Keadle family history.  Lastly, she was fierce about her politics and disappointed in the way things have been going of late, and never met a stranger.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Pyles was predeceased by her husband, of 37 years, Albert L. Pyles; her brothers, R. Howard and Harvey Keadle; and sister, Lucie Taylor Keadle.

She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth A. Pyles, pastor of McDowell Presbyterian Church, where Harriett is a member; her grandchildren, Benjamin Cumberledge, Seth Cumberledge and wife, Caroline, and Anna (Cumberledge) Vaughan and husband, Chris; great-grandchild, Rowen Cumberledge; sisters-in-law, Susana Keadle and Donna Downes; brother-and sister-in-law, Richard and Margarita Pyles; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews from all over the world.

In learning of her death, family member Eric Swecker, capturing her perhaps better than any, wrote, “FORCE - I have tried for days to put into terms what I am feeling at the journey and passing of Aunt Harriett.  ‘Force’ is what keeps coming to mind. A Fierce Family Force!!! Whether your family, my family, their family, her family... she asked, she knew, she cared. She could make you cringe from her scrutiny or breathe again with her laugh. She always asked about my mother... always knew what I had going on... Up on all levels of politics... Never afraid to share her beliefs or feelings. I will miss her!”

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Friday, November 2, 2018 at McDowell Presbyterian  Church with Rev. C. William “Bill” Cox officiating.

Family will receive guests and visitors one hour prior service, as well as at a fellowship meal following the service at the McDowell Volunteer Fire Department.

Interment will be Saturday, November 3, at 1 p.m. in Daybrook Cemetery in Daybrook, West Virginia.

Memorial donations may be made to Daybrook Cemetery Association, 2560 Daybrook Road, Fairview, W.Va. 26570 or McDowell Presbyterian Church, c/o Nancy Witschey, P.O. Box 66, McDowell, Va. 24458.