Mary Louise Brannon Douglas, 87, of Ivydale, entered into rest Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015.
Born April 17, 1928 in Widen, she was the daughter of the late M.H. "Rance" and Etta (Smarr) Brannon.
Mary Lou is survived by her sons, James Wilson Douglas of Sutton/Charleston and Wayne B. Douglas of Ivydale; grandchildren, Jennifer Louise Douglas, Jennifer Lenore Douglas (Nate) Walker of Charleston, Dr. Justin Wayne (Jillian) Douglas of Lewisburg and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod James (Miriam) Douglas of Wheeling; sister, Elizabeth (Fred) Sampson of Ivydale; brother, John (Alice) Brannon of Charleston; and five great-grandchildren.
Mary Lou was a 77-year member of Big Otter Baptist Church, Ivydale, where, in 1979, she tolled the church bell every day for the 444 days that the American hostages were held captive in Iran, for which she was later recognized by the late West Virginia Secretary of State A. James Manchin. Mrs. Douglas was also a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. The Clay County native graduated from Clay County High School in 1945 and she attended Glenville State College. During her working career, Mrs. Douglas taught school at Mountain Home (Ivydale) and retired in 1992 with 30 years service as the Ivydale postmaster.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Big Otter Baptist Church, Ivydale, with the Rev. John Cole officiating. Burial will be in Douglas Cemetery, Ivydale.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Wilson-Shamblin-Smith Funeral Home, Clay.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.carlwilsonfuneralhome.com.
Wilson-Shamblin-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Douglas family.