West Virginia Pioneers

Mary Jane Channell

Female 1921 - 2013  (91 years)


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  • Name Mary Jane Channell 
    Born 2 Oct 1921  Randolph County, West Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Gender Female 
    Died 1 Jun 2013  Pinellas County, Florida, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Buried Pinellas County, Florida, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 

    • MARY JANE CHANNELL PFOST – Mary Jane departed this life in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life through Our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, June 1, 2013 in Clearwater, FL. Born on October 2, 1921 in Huttonsville, WV, one of six children and the eldest daughter of Ignatius H. and Rachel Channell, Mary Jane graduated from Tygarts Valley High School in Mill Creek, WV, in 1939, attended Potomac State College in Keyser, WV, 1939-1941, and graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV, in 1943 with a B.S. degree in home economics and physical education.

      After graduation, she joined the World War II effort with two years in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) including duty at Pensacola Naval Air Station, FL, 1943-1945. Shortly thereafter she was working as a Home Demonstration Agent in Ripley, WV, where she met her future husband Francis M. Pfost (1922-2002), an Army veteran and native of Ripley, and they wed on August 10, 1947. Their first son, Francis Miller, Jr., was born in Charleston, WV, in 1948.

      After moving to Florida and ultimately settling permanently in Pinellas County where Francis, Sr. began a career with the Pinellas County Schools, three more sons followed, Stephen Channell in 1950, Russell Leigh in 1955, and William Brian in 1957, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren with one on the way. Mary Jane was a full time mother and wife in their Dunedin home until the late 1960s when she earned her real estate license and worked with Dorothy Douglas Real Estate and Dexter Realty among others during a 30+ year career as a realtor and broker. Mary Jane was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin, sang for many years in the choir and participated in Circle. Mary Jane and Francis celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August, 1997, with a cruise to Alaska.

      Mary Jane volunteered for years with the Junior League of Dunedin, loved bowling and enjoyed bridge clubs. She also loved dogs, gardening, antiquing with The Questers, and was a devoted fan and season-ticket holder of the Florida State University Seminoles where all four sons and two grandchildren earned degrees. Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin, 455 Scotland St., Dunedin, FL 34698 on Saturday, June 15, 2013, at 10:30 AM EDT. Burial will be in Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, Clearwater. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation made in Mary Jane's name to Suncoast Animal League.
    Person ID I115929  WVPioneers
    Last Modified 12 Apr 2018 

    Family Francis Miller Pfost 
    Children 
     1. Francis Miller Pfost, Jr
     2. Stephen Channell Pfost
     3. Russell Leigh Pfost
     4. William Brian Pfost
    Family ID F29572  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Sources 
    1. [S654] Marriage Records, West Virginia Division of Culture and History.

    2. [S898] Gravestone or Memorial posted on Findagrave.com.