Rosella Renee McGraw

Rosella Renee McGraw, 71, of Pecks Mill, WV, departed this world in Portsmith, Ohio, on October 14, 2021. She was born to Charles and Irene Stanley of Gilbert, WV, on September 1, 1950. 

Renee was a graduate of Gilbert High School and attended college at West Virginia Institute of Technology, majoring in language arts, Class of 1970. She spent most of her career as an office manager, working for Island Creek Coal Company and Classic Conveyer Components, but the job she was most proud of was with Harts Community Development where she assisted underprivileged families in finding homes.

She was an avid reader with a vivid imagination and was rarely seen without a book in her hand. She loved to travel and relished new experiences throughout her life. She was a collector of many things, particularly a large assortment of tea pots. She overcame adversity many times in her life including undergoing open-heart surgery in 1965 and 2006, as well as beating breast cancer in 2012, which was the year she retired. A radically free spirit and self-proclaimed hippie, Renee always marched to the beat of her own drum and always put those she loved ahead of herself. In her youth, she was a political activist who marched for women’s rights and against the Vietnam war, both of which she was extremely passionate about and proud to participate in. She loved her children and grandchildren ferociously and cherished the memory of her husband, Joe, who passed away in 1997. She loved to cook, entertain, and share stories with her friends and family at her home, which was her favorite place in the world. She was a selfless individual who brought joy, laughter, and knowledge to others, and always encouraged them to follow their dreams. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold Joe McGraw. She is survived by her son, Joseph McGraw of Los Angeles, CA; her daughter, Jami Hatfield of Kershaw, SC; granddaughters, Haley Vance of Chapmanville, WV, and Hannah Hatfield of Huntington, WV. As well as her stepdaughters, Tina Triplett of Harts, and Kristie Scott of Greensboro, NC, and their children Emily and Isaiah Triplett, and Justin and Andrew Scott. In addition to her family, she will be deeply missed by the many friends she had in various parts of the United States.

Renee was a very unique, kind, generous and compassionate person who was anything but traditional, so in lieu of a wake and funeral her family will be holding a life celebration at her home this Saturday, October 23, 2021.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Evans Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Chapmanville, WV.

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