Josephine Kiess Blackwood 1905-2010 Obituary
Josephine Kiess Blackwood, 105, of the Parsons Road, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, at 5:15 p.m. at her daughters residence.
She was born July 21, 1905, in Arrow, Pennsylvania, Sommerset County, the daughter of the late Christian Conrad Kiess and Mary Ann Pennington Kiess. They had moved to West Virginia when Josephine was very young.
She attended school in Adolph until she reached her high school years. Because there was no high school in Adolph, she came to Elkins and was among the first class to move into the newly built Elkins High School which had been located in South Elkins. When a high school was then built in Adolph, she returned to Adolph to complete her high school education. She was in the last graduating class of Adolph High School. She then attended Glenville State College and received her Standard Normal Degree in teaching in 1930. She later graduated from Davis & Elkins College with her Bachelor of Science Degree and took graduate classes at West Virginia University.
Josephine is survived by one daughter, Barbara Cutright and husband Luther of Elkins. One sister, Katheryn Shannon of Adolph and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clare Blackwood in March 1981; five sisters, Thelma Zickefoose, George Schoonover, Nancy Siertl, Mary Miller & Emma Carlson; and one brother, Clyde “Bud” Kiess.
Josephine taught school in Randolph County for 35 years. Her career started in one room schools in the mountains of Randolph County and ended at the old Mill Creek grade school. She was very proud of the fact that she voted at the age of 104 in a historic Presidential election in 2008.
Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010, at the Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, from the funeral home chapel with Minister Michael Courtwright and Sister Mary Ella Morrison officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain State Memorial Gardens near Elkins.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Randolph County Humane Society, P.O. Box 785, Elkins, WV 26241 in memory of Mrs. Blackwood.
The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Josephine Kiess Blackwood. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.
Josephine Kiess Blackwood 1905-2010 Obituary
