Dorothy Purbaugh

Dorothy Marie Purbaugh, 86 of Oakland, MD, passed away Monday, June 27, 2011 at her daugther's home in Buckhannon, WV.

Born July 5, 1924 in Farmington, WV, she was the daughter of the late Irwin and

Vivian M. (Toothman) Fletcher. She was also preceded in death by her husband Reaford John Purbaugh, whom she married in 1950, and brothers Thomas Lee Fletcher, Allen Aubrey Fletcher and Charles Irwin Fletcher.

Dorothy attended Fairmont State College, majoring in Music and minoring in Spanish.

She began her teaching career in 1946, teaching music and a men's chorus at the old Oakland High School. After her husband's death in 1959, she worked at the Ruth Enlow Library, then resumed teaching. After teaching one year at Northern High School, she taught English at Southern High School until her retirement in 1986. Her students often shared in later years how much they learned from her due to her high expectations. She passed along her love of music by giving piano lessons in her home, and sang in St. Paul's Church Choir from 1950-2007.

Dorothy lived independently for over 50 years and was an excellent manager of her personal affairs. She drove somewhere most every day and was on a first name basis with everyone she met. Her independent spirit kept her going through many difficult times including raising two young children on her own, and early struggles with cancer. Family was always most important to her throughout the years. This included her grandchildren and most recently the birth of a great-grandson who brought a smile to her face in her last days.

Surviving relatives include son John Charles Purbaugh and wife, Julie Barnett, Gig Harbor, Washington; daughter Barbara Ann Loftis and husband, Philip, Buckhannon, WV; grandchildren Catherine Loftis, Jessica Hunter, Emily Purbaugh and Thomas Purbaugh; great-grandchild Grady Daniel Hunter; nephew Kevin Fletcher, wife Carolyn, and daugther Katelyn.

Family and friends will be received at the David A. Burdock Funeral Home, P.A., 21 N. 2nd St, Oakland, MD, Saturday, July 2, 2011 from 6-8 p.m.

The funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Sunday, July 3, 2011 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church with Jennifer Johns-Gooding officiating.

Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of a contribution to cancer research or the music program at St. Paul's United Methodist Church.

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For online condolences visit burdockfuneralhome.com

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