Wreatha Lou Zirkle (78) of Alum Creek, West Virginia, passed away peacefully at home on December 27th, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.
Wreatha was born on February 11, 1945, to James Lester White and Opal Pearl White in Quick, West Virginia. She grew up in Elkview, West Virginia and graduated from Elkview High School.
Wreatha met the love of her life, Thomas (“Tom”) Curnes Zirkle Jr., in 1966 when she waitressed his table at the F&J restaurant in downtown Charleston, West Virginia. One year later, Wreatha and Tom got married at City Hall next to the restaurant where they met. Though their wedding day was modest, their marriage was anything but — the love between Tom and Wreatha could light up a room.
Together, Wreatha and Tom went on to have two children, Thomas (“Tom”) Curnes Zirkle III and William (“Bill”) Lester Zirkle. Though their family of four occasionally moved around, one thing remained constant — Wreatha’s home was filled with love, laughter, and occasional chaos at the hands of her two beloved sons.
Though she cherished her role as a beloved wife and mother, Wreatha’s favorite role was that as a grandparent to her four grandchildren — TC,
Lindsey, Taylor, and Addison. Anyone who knew her grandchildren knew that Wreatha was more than just their “Mama Wreatha” — she was their confidant, advocate, and reliable beacon of warmth and wisdom. Wreatha deeply cared for her grandchildren and always ensured that they were safe, healthy, and happy. She did not do this out of obligation, but because of who she was.
Wreatha is survived by her husband Tom, her sons Tom (Mylinda) and Bill (Terri), her sisters Kathryn (“Nannie”) Armstead and Freda (“Sis”) Kessel, her brothers Jerry White and Sammy White, and her beloved dog Buddy. She is also survived by her grandchildren Thomas Curnes IV (“TC”), Lindsey Paige Zirkle, Taylor Brooke Zirkle, and Addison Luke Zirkle; her great-grandchildren Hunter Curnes Zirkle and Karson Lee Zirkle; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Wreatha is preceded in death by her father James Lester White; her mother Opal Pearl White; her brothers James (“Junior”) White, Clayton White, and Earl White; and her sisters Leora (“Shorty”) Foster, Geraldine Ketter, and Loretta Murdock.
Wreatha will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and warm spirit. She was a private and quiet person, but she was also witty and fierce. She was strong-willed, honest, and always reliable. She was tough as nails, and this trait of hers never wavered as she courageously battled her cancer diagnosis throughout the past few months. Though we will miss her dearly, we are grateful that she is free from pain and is at peace. Until we see her again, we will continue to honor her legacy.
Service will be 1:00pm Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Danny Kinder officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston. Friends and family will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
