ELLA R. (PAULEY) FITZWATER, 86, of Alum Creek, traded her battered body for a heavenly one on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at Hubbard House West surrounded by her family.
She was a member of Faith Baptist Church and served as the Pastor’s wife and church pianist for many faithful years. She had a love for music and at the age of 13 began playing the piano at several local churches as their church pianist which was amazing in itself being self-taught. Later training her children to harmonize and travel around the area singing for the Lord known as the Fitzwater Family singing group.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Pauley Sr., and Mary Velma (Hager) Pauley and son, Rev. Michael Fitzwater, brothers, Fred Jr., Charles, Paul and sisters, Clara and Louise.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Rev. Eldon N. Fitzwater, daughters, Nancy (Joe) Taylor of Alum Creek, Janet Sue (Dennis) Dunlap of Milton, Jackie (Mark) Lanham of St. Albans, and Mary Fitzwater of Dunbar, daughter-in-law, Phyllis Fitzwater, and sister Rachel (Jim) Waldron of Elkview, seven grandchildren, Rob (Denise) Angela (Bob), BJ (Kris), Jay (Sarah), Anita (Dave), Matthew and Katie and three adopted grandchildren, Allison, Wes, and Shae, nine great-grandchildren, Nate, Carter, Alexa, Caylan, Carly, Savannah, Collin, Andrew, and Michael, and one great-great-grandson, Bronson and many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Lisa Queen, NP, and special caregiver and friend Anna Spencer and also, other caregivers, April, Sissy, and Dorothy. Many thanks to Hubbard Hospice West for your kindness and care.
Service will be 1:00pm Friday, January 26, 2018 at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Chaplain Lt. Matthew Lanham officiating. Entombment will follow at Graceland Memorial Park Mausoleum, South Charleston. Friends will gather from 6:00-8:00pm Thursday, January 25, 2018 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers if you desire, donations may be made to Kanawha Hospice, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., W., Charleston, WV 25387-2536.
Nancy, Joe and entire family. I’m so sorry to hear of your mothers passing. I will always remember her as such a sweet soft spoken lady. She always had a smile. .Such a beautiful picture of her in the paper..
Memories are the legacy of God’s love. I’m certain that your family made many BEAUTIFUL memories allowing you to always keep her with you. Remembering each of you in prayer.
I’m so thankful to have had such a loving great aunt in my life. She was always smiling everytime we saw each other. No matter how long it had been since we would see each other she always would laugh and talk about the memories we had. I’ll never forget the good times and our memory that day we was at Jackie’s swimming! I will forever cherish those times. RIP Ella Rae! Love you always! Jamie, Ty and Lydea Martin!
JR, Nancy, Janet, Jackie, Mary and family: The memories of our younger years are abundant. We were all like brothers and sisters. It is the grace of God that brings us together with His people to help us know Him, love Him, and serve His people. JR and Ella were examples of faith in God through Jesus Christ. My life was different because of them. I look with great joy to seeing Ella Rae again. This is the promise of our great God! 1 Corinthians 15:55-58:
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the
law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Praying for God’s grace to comfort you!
Tim and Cheryl Waldron
Iowa City, Iowa
Love and prayers for your entire family. What a blessing knowing one day you will be reunited in Heaven.
My condolences to all the family…I was so sorry to hear about Ella, we have been friends for around 60 yrs. She was a joy to be around, always lots of laughs about our antics when we were young parents….Sad day for my children as well as we loved Ella and JR and the rest of her family.. Rest In Peace, Ella, may God keep you in his hands and Angels surround you always…God Bless….
Sorry for your lose, sending prayers to you Uncle Jr and all the girls and their family.
praying for God’s mercies and comfort to sustain Pastor Fitzwater and families through out this time of sadness
My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences. Losing someone we love is truly heartbreaking. I want to take a moment and share something that has given me much personal comfort and hope. It is the scriptural promise at Daniel 12:2 “And many of those asleep in the dust of the earth will wake up, some to everlasting life.” Losing a loved one in death is not the end, we have a beautiful hope just ahead. How we long to see them again and be reunited forever.