Betsy Rae Ross

Besty Ross, 83, of Pineville, born August 4, 1942, passed away on February 17, 2026, after exacerbation
of chronic illness. Betsy was preceded in death by both her parents, Orville and Edyth Ross of Pineville,
her sister, Judith C. Farley of Pineville, and a brother, John Ross, who passed at birth. Betsy is survived by
her brother-in-law, Richard Farley, her nephew, Tim Lupardus and his wife Paula Jean, and their four
children, Josie, Justin, Joey, and Gabby. Betsy was an active educator and community volunteer. Betsy
graduated from Pineville High School, obtained her bachelor’s degree from Concord College, and,
through a combination of Marshall University and West Virginia College of Graduate Studies, earned her
master’s. Betsy taught school in Wyoming County Schools of Baileysville, Herndon, and Pineville High
Schools and served many years as the itinerant instructor of the Wyoming County Talented and Gifted
Program. During her years as a professional educator, Betsy sponsored winning quiz bowl teams, chess
teams, and multiple history and literature competitions. She loved her students, and many will, to this
day, credit her with making differences in their lives. Although she took pride in each teaching
assignment and every school in which she worked, her heart belonged to Herndon High School, where
she played a large role in the lives of those with whom she met. Betsy was a regular prom and
homecoming sponsor and very active in the extracurricular programming at Herndon High School for her
many years of service to the Herndon community. Betsy was a member of the Pineville Presbyterian
Church, a member of the West Virginia Presbytery, and a lay speaker certified by the Presbyterian
church. She was active and held offices, volunteering time for the Presbyterian church, the West Virginia
Presbytery, the Pineville Lions Club, and regularly organized her Pineville High class reunion. Betsy’s
commitment to community and service extended throughout her lifetime and included volunteering and
participation in the Eastern Star, the development of the Wyoming East Leo Club, and the organization
and founding of the Wyoming County Historical Museum. She was a driving force behind the publication
of Paul Ray Blankenship’s two-volume Wyoming County history compendium, thereby preserving
information for future generations which would otherwise likely have been lost to time. Betsy’s
commitment to church, community, schools, and the betterment of others was a window into her soul
and displayed a principle of placing others ahead of herself, which is all too rare. Of Betsy’s many
friends, she was particularly fond of and enjoyed visiting her dear friend Pat White and her husband Jim
of Myrtle Beach and took special joy in the adventures of their daughter, Ruth, whose travels and
experiences she followed enthusiastically. If you are so inclined to make a donation in Betsy’s name,
such remembrance gifts would be well received at the Pineville Presbyterian Church or the Pineville
Lions Club.

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