OTHEL NOVELLA GLADDEN CALAIN, age 76 years, a resident of Elkins, WV departed this life Tuesday evening, December 29, 2009 at the Davis Memorial Hospital.
She was born Monday, October 9, 1933 at Manchester, GA a daughter of the late Jesse Gladden and Doris Baker Gladden. On December 25, 1951, she was married to Odbert McCoy “Tuffy” Calain, who preceded her in death August 25, 2003. Surviving are one son, Jeffrey “Kerth” Calain and wife Jamie, Lino Lakes, MN; four daughters, Lois Marie Kitzmiller and husband Robert, Buckhannon; Debra Lynn Bestland and husband Greg, Buffalo, MN; Belinda Gay Coberly and husband Mike, Elkins; Anita Rae Wright and husband James, Durham, NC; two brothers, Lyndon Gladden and wife Carol, TX; Larry Gladden, Decatur, GA; two sisters, Virginia Powell and husband, E. T. , Decatur, GA; Juanita Johns, Jacksonville, FL; twenty grandchildren, six great grandchildren and her dog “Sassy”.
Preceding her in death are one brother, Edwin Gladden and one grandson, Samuel Levitt Kitzmiller.
She was a graduate of Manchester High School at Georgia with the Class of 1949, had worked for the former Reidboard Brothers and Heck’s Department Store and later worked as a teller for Belington Bank. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Elkins, where she was a member of the singing group, “Inspiration Trio”, “Friends” the Chancel Choir and the Visitation Team. She and her sister in law Barbara Brown were instrumental in quilting a quilt for every grandchild. She enjoyed gardening and she shared a love of the beach with sisters in law, Barbara Brown, Linda Croston and Wendy Wheeler.
The family will receive friends at the First Baptist Church of Elkins from 5 to 8 PM, Sunday. Final Rites will be conducted at the church, Monday, January 4, 2010 at 11:30 AM. The Reverend Doctor Marvin L. Parli and the Reverend Nancy I. Stevens will officiate and interment will follow at the Mountain State Memorial Gardens at Gilman, WV. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for OTHEL NOVELLA GLADDEN CALAIN. Condolences may be expressed to the family at; www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com
