Gail Leoan Swisher

Gail Leoan Whitehair Swisher, age 97 years, of New Milton, WV, passed away on November 19, 2018. She was born January 4th, 1921 at Oxford, WV (Bear Run Community) the third daughter of seven girls, of Guy and Ella Gregg Whitehair.

On December 22, 1947, she married the late Oral Swisher, who deceased May 8, 2002, whom was a son of the late Emery and Iva Snyder Swisher. They have two sons, Darrel Swisher and wife Pamela of New Milton, WV and Keith Swisher and wife Terry of St. Clara community in WV. Six grandchildren: Sonia Swisher in Stonewood, WV, Marlena Manu-Arkhurst and husband Dominic in Columbus, OH, Holly Flournoy and husband David in Thomaston, GA, Kristen Swisher in Morgantown, WV, Darren Swisher and wife Kristin in Blandville community, West Union, WV, Kaitlyn Underwood and husband Josh in Salem, WV. Five great grandchildren, Myla and Noah Manu-Arkhurst, Devin Swisher and Brookelyn Swisher and Khloe Underwood. One step grandson, Brent Moore and wife Janie, five great step grandchildren, Joshua Moore and Jessica Moore Dillion, Megan, Courtney, and Brianna Flournoy. Five step great great grandchildren, Brycen Dillion, Justin Moore, Avery Dillion, Adyson Flournoy and Iris Flournoy. Two sisters, Lorrain Beno of Parkersburg, WV, and Mary Agnes Zinn and husband Vernon of Midlothian, VA.

Four sisters are deceased: Kathleen Toothman, LaVon Ledsome, Rhonalda Fisher, and Pauline Whitehair, and one deceased granddaughter, Hope Marie Swisher.

Leon graduated from Doddridge County High School in the class of 1941 and also played in the band and Leoan attended Glenville State College for two years and then went to Salem College and graduated in the class 0f 1950 as a teacher. She taught elementary school in Braxton County for two and a half years and 31 years in Doddridge County Schools, New Milton, Big Isaac, and West Union Grade School and retired in 1977.

She was a member of the Indian Fork Baptist Church and served as the clerk for 27 years, was the last charter member of the Oxford Community Grange and a member of the Central State Pomona Grange, a member of the retired teachers association, a member of the VFW Auxiliary, a member of the Doddridge County Farm Bureau, a member of the Doddridge Historical Society, and a member of the Currydale CEOS.

She liked the outdoors with her husband on the farm and working in the garden and flowers. They visited many of the state parks and places of interest in several states.

In later years, her interest was working with various crafts and hobbies. Most interested in making a number of quilts and afghans which she gave to her many friends and family.

She had wonderful caregivers in her later years. Pamela Swisher, Suzetta Campbell, Marieena Kelly, Kristin Swisher, Ann Davis, and Cindy Barton. And we want to thank the Doddridge County Health Department, Dr. Art Calhoun and the staff and doctors at United Hospital Center Critical Care unit for their services.

Funeral services will be 1pm, Saturday, November 24, 2018, at the McCullough-Rogers Funeral Home, Pennsboro, WV with David Cumpston officiating. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Masonic Memorial Park near West Union, WV. Visitation will be from 2pm-8pm on Friday and from 11am until time of service on Saturday, at the funeral home.

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