Ilene Avis Beamer Kniceley

Ilene Avis Beamer Kniceley went to her eternal home in Heaven on Saturday, March 10, 2018, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.  She was born on June 10, 1935, in Caress, WV, to William Theodore Ward Beamer and Trecie Ann Blagg Beamer.  Ilene was married to her hometown sweetheart, Roland Verde Kniceley, for 36 years.   Ilene had a strong faith which she shared often with family and friends and her love of God carried her through to the end of her life.

She was a member of the 1953 graduating class of Sutton High School, Sutton, WV, where she took Home Economics class, which sparked her interests in sewing, cooking, and baking.  Her family, church, and friends benefited from her cooking skills, especially her delicious apple pies.  She was an avid seamstress, making most of the clothes for her daughters, and many Christmas costumes for her church; she even sewed the banners for the Webster Springs High School and Webster County High School marching bands.  She had a lifelong love of reading and was instrumental in the start of the Sutton Public Library in Sutton, WV, serving as their Secretary and Trustee.  She was an avid gardener and was involved with award-winning community betterment programs through the local Women’s Club. 

She loved to travel, enjoying family camping trips and vacations to the Outer Banks of NC, Hawaii, Florida, England, and the Holy Land. Her love of gospel music continued throughout her life as she sang in church choirs and attended many gospel concerts.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roland Verde Kniceley, parents Ward and Trecie Beamer, daughter, Deborah Ann Kniceley Anderson, granddaughter Kathleen “Katie Beth” Kniceley, and brothers Keith Beamer and Ted Beamer.  She leaves behind a loving family:  son, Roland Ward Kniceley and wife Tammy, Salem, WV, daughter Beverly Dee Kniceley Schartiger, Stuarts Draft, VA, and son Roger Lane Kniceley and wife Betty, King George, VA.  She was proud of her grandchildren:  William Kniceley and wife Suzanne, Keri Jenkins and husband Ryan, Robert Kniceley, Cody Anderson and wife Carla, Chris Schartiger and wife Hannah, Nick Schartiger and wife Lindsey, Sara Kniceley, Melissa Kniceley, and Anna Kniceley.  She was blessed with great-grandchildren:  Eva and Calvin Kniceley, Rylan and Piper Anderson, and Cameron Schartiger.  Ilene also leaves behind her brother, Don Beamer and wife, Carol, sisters-in-law Norma Beamer and Iva Beamer, former sons-in-law Dean Anderson, and Chuck Schartiger, her close friend Cecile Baker, and Laura Reagan. 

She donated her body to the Virginia State Anatomical Program to aid in medical studies and research.  Celebration of Life services will be held at Wayne Hills Baptist Church, 877 Ladd Road, Waynesboro, VA, on Sunday, March 18, 2018, at 2:00 p.m., and at Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church, Sutton, WV, on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. 

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Brookdale Senior Living and Clare Bridge Memory Care, as well as Carol Eye, Hospice Nurse, for their loving care.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Ilene’s memory to the Sutton Public Library, 500 Main Street, Sutton, WV, 26601, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, c/o Brookdale Staunton, 1160 Pepsi Place, Suite 306, Charlottesville, VA, 22901.

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