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Belva (Smith) Bartges, 101, Martinsburg, passed away early Thursday morning at Homewood at Martinsburg.
She was born in rural Martinsburg, daughter of the late Preston Cleveland and Fannie (Lehman) Smith. She married Raymond M. Bartges on June 26, 1946, in Coburn, Centre County, and he preceded her in death on May 14, 1969.
Surviving are a sister, Miriam S. Royer of Martinsburg; three step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a stepson, John E. “Jack” Bartges, on June 1, 2011; and two sisters: Grace Evelyn Kephart on May 31, 2011, and infant Marjorie F. Smith on Feb. 24, 1920.
Belva was a 1929 graduate of Morrison Cove High School, Martinsburg, and a 1933 graduate of Juniata College, Huntingdon, and she did postgraduate studies at Duke University and Penn State University. She retired as a teacher from the Spring Cove School District in 1975 after 42 years of service, including two years teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Yellow Springs, rural Williamsburg.
Belva was a lifelong member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Martinsburg, where she was a member of the Gleaners Sunday school class and Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She was a member of the Martinsburg Civic Club and Martinsburg Outlook Club and an 80-year member of the North Woodbury Grange, Martinsburg. She enjoyed gardening, traveling and reading books and poetry.
There will be no public visitation. However, friends will be received from 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service Monday, Oct. 13, 2014, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Martinsburg, Pastor Scott E. Schul officiating. Private interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Martinsburg.
The family prefers that memorial contributions be given to St. Matthew Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.
Arrangements are by John C. Bolger Funeral Home Inc., Martinsburg.