Mary Bright Butcher Hallam, 90, a resident of 61 Meade St., Buckhannon, died at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13, 2002, at New Hope Board and Care in Buckhannon.
She was born March 1, 1912, in Lewis County, the daughter of the late Fitzhugh Lee Butcher and Olive M. Bright Butcher.
On Nov. 18, 1971, she married Dr. William Alton Hallam, who preceded her in death on Jan. 7, 1995.
Surviving are a stepdaughter, Hallie Lu Peterson, Orlando, Fla; four cousins, Mrs. Vernon (Betty) Singleton, Heaters, Mrs. John (Billie) Garton, Weston, Mrs. Gilmer (Floda) Rexroad, Gassaway, and Linda Lou Martin, Ohio; and a special cousin, Benny Singleton.
Mrs. Hallam graduated from Weston High School in 1930 and graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1938 where she received her bachelor of science degree.
She received a master’s degree from Duke University in Durham, N.C., in 1949.
She was given a General Electric Fellowship in 1953 and received a National Science Foundation Scholarship in 1967.
After retiring from public schools in Lewis County with 32 years of service, Mrs. Hallam joined the WVWC faculty in 1965 as an associate professor of mathematics and was chairman of the math department from 1971-78.
Mrs. Hallam retired from WVWC in 1978 after 12 1/2 years of service.
She also studied at the University of Wisconsin, Rutgers University of New Jersey and Kent State University of Ohio.
She was a member of the West Virginia Education Association, Classroom Teachers Association and Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, was a member and president of the American Association of University Women and Delta Kappa Gamma, and was a former member of the Buckhannon Woman’s Club.
She received the citation of merit of Delta Kappa Gamma for the years 1968-72. In 1969 she was given the Alumni Award of WVWC and was also listed in Outstanding Personalities of the South.
She and her late husband received the Founders Award from WVWC in 1984 and were recognized for their combined teaching of 93 1/2 years.
In 1990 the Orange Line was established at WVWC to which Mrs. Hallam was appointed to represent the class of 1938.
She also taught a summer session of the Wright Field Program at WVWC during the war.
During her years of teaching before marrying, she traveled extensively in Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, Iceland and the United States.
At an early age she joined the St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Weston. There she was active as a youth leader, class teacher, member of the official board and United Methodist Women, and in other capacities of the church.
Friends will be received from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Poling-st. Clair Funeral Home where funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday. The Rev. Alvin Angle will officiate and interment will be in the Waldeck Cemetery at Weston.
