Janice Hutchinson

Janice Graham Hutchinson, 97, of Oakland passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2014 at the Cherry Hill Assisted Living in Accident. Born on June 9, 1917 in Crellin, she was the daughter of the late Senator Spencer W. and Margaret "Maggie" (Meyers) Graham. She attended Crellin grammar school and completed her high school education at Oakland High School in 1933, graduating at the age of 15 years. During the ensuing summer, she was employed by the Jackson Five and Ten Cent store. As the Graham's were members of the Crellin Methodist Church, West Virginia Wesleyan College was a natural option when considering Janice's higher education aspirations. The choice became firm when Dr. Roy McCuskey, President of Wesleyan, personally visited the Graham home with the purpose of recruiting her as a student. Janice on occasion made humorous note of the contrast in the then and now marketing approaches of colleges. Higher educational institutions were not exempt from the restraints and demands that accompanied the depression years. She was a member of the Sigma Pi Delta sorority and graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College on June 5, 1939 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She later did graduate study at the West Virginia University and the University of Maryland and taught the subjects of English, French and Social Studies while holding teaching appointments at the Accident High School and Southern High School in Garrett County. In 1939, she married Rev. James Parr "Jimmy" Hutchinson, who was then Director of the Wesley Foundation at West Virginia University. The wedding ceremony was performed at the St. Paul's Methodist Church in Oakland with Jimmy's mentor and friend, Dr. Sproule Boyd, pastor of the Wesley Methodist Church in Morgantown, being the officiating minister. A reception followed at the Green Palm Restaurant. She and her husband Jimmy served pastorates in Ravenswood, Williamstown and Philippi, WV, leaving an indelible imprint on these churches and their people. Janice was blessed with a generosity of spirit and carried out many thoughtful acts of charity and kindness. With an extraordinary aptitude for love of family and friends, she often provided help, advice and the occasional correction when deserved. For a major portion of her life, she was a selfless and loving caregiver to her husband, mother and father. Deeply devoted to her church, she was active in the Methodist Women organizations during the tenure of her husband's ministry. She was a long-time member and Sunday School Teacher at St. Paul's in Oakland, serving on a number of various committees and boards. She was an involved participant in local chapters of the American Association of University Women, the Daughters of the American Revolution and Oak Camp 11 Woodmen of the World. The "Greatest Generation" was not limited to World War II veterans or even men; women of that vintage were very effective contributors to the culture of that time. Janice was a classical example of the people who made that generation great. She, and others like her, left our communities stronger and better for their efforts. She is survived by two brothers, Dr. William L. Graham and wife Midge of Morgantown, WV and Wayne Graham and wife Weasie of Omaha, NE; a sister, Elaine Marple and husband John of Deep Creek Lake; eight nieces and nephews; and a number of great nieces and great nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. James Parr Hutchinson, in 1976. The family will receive friends at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Oakland on Monday, August 11th from 9 to 11 AM after which a funeral service will be held with Pastor Matthew A. Paugh officiating. Interment will follow in the Oakland Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Garrett County, PO Box 271, Oakland, MD 21550. The Burdock-Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., Oakland has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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