Gladys L. Channell, 89, a resident of Elkins, passed from this life Sunday, November 18, 2012 at the Hospice Inpatient Center in Elkins. She was born Thursday, May 17, 1923 at Belington, the youngest daughter of the late Floyd Coontz and Mabel Larsen Coontz. She was a graduate of Elkins High School. As a loving wife, she will be greatly missed by her husband of seventy years, Paul E. Channell. Together they enjoyed camping and many years of square dancing. They formed the Elkins Promenaders square dancers in the 1950’s and later organized the Recyclers square dancing group at the Randolph County Senior Center, where they also participated in many of the Center’s activities. Gladys was a homemaker and an avid quilter. A gifted doll-maker, she was well known for her Cabbage Patch dolls. Another favorite hobby was genealogy. Over the years, she gathered extensive family history; and at one time, her documentation helped restore some marriage records that had burned in a fire at the Randolph County Courthouse. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Elkins. In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Judith Ann Helmick and husband, Roy, of Cumberland, MD, three sons, Edward Channell and wife, Kitty, of Ijamsville, MD, Ronald Channell and wife, Vivian, of Philippi, and Donald Channell and wife, Pam, of Belington, eight grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and one sister, Florence Spivey of Greensboro, NC. Gladys was preceded in death by one sister, Nicolena Melbrada. Gladys’ request for cremation was honored. A graveside service will be held at the Sugar Creek United Methodist Church Cemetery near Belington on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 11AM. Rev. Barry Moll will officiate and interment will follow. Memorial contributions may be made in Gladys’ memory to the Hospice Care Corporation, 169 Diamond Street, Elkins, WV 26241.
