Sheila Sue Golden

Sheila Sue Golden, 78, of Keyser, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, WV

     Born in Clarksburg, WV on February 19, 1947, she was a daughter of the late Harley W. Golden and Ruby Elaine Richards Golden.  She was also preceded in death by her brother Wayne Golden.

    Surviving are two nieces, Debbie (Mike) Duffelmeyer, Williamstown, WV and Linda (Tim) Chris, Clarksburg, WV and a nephew, John (Lynn) Golden, South Charleston, WV; great nephews, Ryan Chris, Lance (Megan) Duffelmeyer, Connor (Kylie) Golden, one great niece, Lindsey Chris; and great-great nephews, Levi and Aiden Duffelmeyer, Asher Chris, Declan and Jack Golden.

     Education was an important part of Sheila’s life.  She graduated from WVU and held a Master’s in Special Education.  She continued to be a Mountaineer Fan throughout her life.

     Sheila began her teaching career at the Keyser West Virginia Clary Street Developmental Center as a Speech Pathologist and retired in 2004 after 30 years of service to the Allegany County Board of Education in Maryland.

     Sheila wrote articles about the history of West Virginia for the News Tribune of Keyser as well as articles for the Cumberland Times News.

     Her love and sense of humor and compassion was towards the young as well as the “young at heart” with her volunteer programming including her many aliases such as Miss Valentine, Miss Strawberry, the very popular Leprechaun, Miss Bunny foot-long Hotdog, her patriotic Mr. Firecracker and Santa’s helper the beloved Elf.  For many holidays, she would dress and entertain the young and the “young at heart” in the community and area nursing homes.

     She was coordinator of the Heartland Hillbillies Chapter of the Red Hat Society.  Sheila brought many smiles to the former Heartland, now the Keyser Health Care Center staff and residents and often sitting with them at the end of life.

     As a volunteer for “Warm the Children”, she shopped tirelessly from November through Christmas for children.  She was also a volunteer for the Warming Station of Keyser.  As Santa’s helper, the Elf she encouraged children’s dreams as she penned many letters from Santa, each handwritten.

Sheila helped by volunteering and raising funds for many committees and activated in Mineral County, including Larenim Park Amphitheater, Relay for Life, Parks and Recreation, the Strawberry Festival, Afterschool programs, Energy Express, the Historic Society, Library Summer Reading Program, and the Committee for the construction of the new Keyser Library, which was near and dear to her heart.

Over the years, Sheila has served as an officer on numerous committees and was currently the secretary of the Library Board.  Sheila emulated “Service Above Self”!

      She was a member of the Keyser Assumption Catholic Church.  Family and friends will be received at Keyser Trinity Lutheran Church on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from noon to 1pm.  Funeral Services will follow the visitation with her personal friend, The Reverend Sally Bartling and Deacon Harold Bradley officiating.  

      Interment will be in St. Thomas Cemetery, Keyser.  Pallbearers will be Drew Winters, Nathan Winters, Herman Winters, Terry Ashby, Jonathan Dayton and Cody Morton.

      We would like to send many thanks to everyone who played an integral part in Sheila’s care from transport to Potomac Valley and over her three-week stay at WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital for the outstanding care and compassion given to her.

       In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mineral County New Library Fund, 105 N. Main Street, Keyser, WV 26726. 

      Arrangements have been entrusted to the Markwood Funeral Home, Keyser, WV.

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