Obituaries

Patricia “Patty” Carder, a life-long resident of Harrison County, was born in Wolf Summit and raised in Salem where she continued to live and work in Salem all of her life, passed away on Thursday, February 7, 2019, at United Hospital Center.

Patty was born on March 8, 1940, the daughter of the late Cassell Earl Criss and Opal Mae Criss Evans.   She was the stepdaughter of the late Ray E. Evans.

She was married on June 6, 1958 to her husband of 55 years, Ronald W. Carder, who preceded her in death on December 17, 2014.

Patty is survived by daughters, LeAnna Davis and husband Randy of Salem, WV, Jackie Ritter of Wolf Summit, WV, Diane Williams and husband Scott of Clarksburg, and Holly Hernandez of Texas; grandchildren, Brandon Davis, Emily Williams, Rachel Hernandez, Kaylee Ritter, and Cameron Hernandez; stepsisters, Mary Davis, Judy Sheffer; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Earl Criss; sisters, Murna Lee Irvin and Jewel Ann Perri; son-in-law, Michael Hernandez, and stepsister, Ann Evans.

Patty was a graduate of Salem High School and was employed at Salem College from 1965 to 1971 and, what began as First National Bank at Salem, from 1976 to 1989.  She was active in Van Horn Elementary School, Salem Middle School and Liberty High School PTO’s and Band activities, as well as city groups such as the Park Board and the First United Methodist Church Woman’s Group.

Patty strived to remain active in city council meetings and city groups.  Her list of retirement achievements includes the restoration of the historical painting at the Salem Post Office that was often overlooked and under appreciated by many city residents and visitors, and she supported her husband in the restoration of the caboose at the Salem Depot Park.  With the assistance of Salem International University students, she organized the plotting and cleaning of the IOOF Cemetery where many of her family members are buried. Relatives seeking to visit the grave sites of their ancestors can now easily locate them through a map developed with this project.

She published a collection of newspaper articles entrusted to her by the beloved Salem High School teacher, Dorothy Belle Davis, into a book, SALEM 1776-1976.  All profits of this book went into a fund established by Patty to the improvement of Salem.  Projects completed include the re-introduction of the Salem Newsletter, restoration of pictures damaged in the Depot fire and the purchase and installation of new street signs.  She published a second book of Dorothy Belle Davis’ writings titled, COLUMNS.  All proceeds from the book were donated toward the Salem Veterans Restoration Memorial Project.  Patty was the Chairman of the Salem Improvement Movement Infrastructure Committee since 2009.  Her committee worked with city government and building inspectors on the demolition of properties and general enforcement of ordinances to clean up Salem.  In 2014 she was selected Citizen of the Year by Salem Chamber of Commerce.

Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort, on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. where the service will be held on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Dustin McCune presiding.

Interment will follow in the IOOF Cemetery in Salem.

In Lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Salem Depot Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 2, Salem, WV 26426.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com  A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.