Mary Elizabeth Sours Dever, 100, passed away Tuesday evening, April 16, 2024, at the Elkins Regional Convalescent Home where she has been a resident for the past two years.
Born January 7, 1924, in Craigsville, Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Melvin Thomas Sours and Daisy Elizabeth Via Sours.
Mary retired from the State of West Virginia, and also the State of South Carolina as a registered geriatric nurse and had worked 50 plus years in that profession. Mary was proud of becoming a geriatric nurse during the 1940s. She also served as the Pocahontas County Health nurse early in her career. At Denmar State Hospital, she served as a floor nurse working up to a charge nurse and then being promoted to assistant director of nursing during her tenure there. After partial retirement, she moved to South Carolina where she continued working as a registered nurse dispensing medication for a residential home-based program for disabled persons.
Mary enjoyed gardening and cooking, but her greatest love was working in her flower beds year-round. A rose in any color was her favorite. She was also active in the church during her young adult years leading youth groups. Her faith was very important to her.
Mary was the oldest of the three and loved being spoiled by her younger brothers.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Dharl Dever, who passed away November 2011; and three brothers, Edward Sours, Melvin H. Sours and Nelson W. Sours.
She is survived by two children, Mary Dharla Dever French, and husband, Steve, of Columbus, Ohio, and Dennis Dever, and wife, Connie, of Dauphin Island, Alabama; three grandchildren, Adam, and wife, Rosie French, of Appleton, Wisconsin, Rachael Dever, of Frankfort, Kentucky, and Bradley French, of Columbus, Ohio; and one great-grandchild, Sophia French.
A private graveside service was held Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Mountain View Cemetery with Pastor David Lee, of Marlinton Presbyterian Church, officiating.
VanReenen Funeral Home of Marlinton, was in charge of the arrangements.
