Obituary of Velva Virginia Marcum

Velva Virginia Marcum 99 of Fort Gay, West Virginia went home to be with the Lord on September 25, 2023. 

Velva was born May 1, 1924, in Wayne County, West Virginia, the daughter of the late Joe and Virgie Marcum Brewer. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Charles Marcum who died in 1987, also preceding her are a daughter Lamina Sturgill, a grandson Joshua Marcum and a great grandson Dalton Smith. 

Early in her life she was a Rosie Riveter during the war and also worked for General Motors for 17 years. She was a member of the Big Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church. Velva loved children and was a Foster Grandparent for 34 years. In May she was awarded Hometown Hero for being the oldest and longest serving Foster Grandparent in the country.  

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law Lahoma and Bill Ailiff; three sons Claud Marcum and wife Lois, Charles Marcum and wife Chris, and Robert Marcum and wife Libby; grandchildren Mark (Karen) Marcum, Jenny (Brooks) Perry, Gary Einfeldt, Jimmy (Renae) Sturgill, Tammy (Brian) Bailey, Adam (Tabby) Sturgill, Jeremy Ailiff, Lena (Mark) Wiseman, Jason (Mary) Ailiff, Kristi (John) Edwards, Kelly (Bill) Schneider, Sherri (Clayton) Royer, Dawn (Jesse) Flores, Matthew (Lauren) Marcum, 36 Great Grandchildren, and 17 Great Great Grandchildren. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday September 30th at 1:00 pm at the Wilson Funeral Home with Rev. Tony Perry officiating. Burial will follow in the Marcum Cemetery on Tick Ridge Wilsondale, West Virginia. Friends may visit the family on Friday September 29th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Wilson Funeral Home. 

Granny loved reading to children. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to 

Grannies Books 

c/o Prichard Elementary 

500 Prichard Road 

Prichard WV 25555 

Care for Velva and her family has been entrusted to our family at Wilson Funeral Home.