Published: May 07, 2008 09:31 am         

J. Lucille Metheny [Cumberland]

CUMBERLAND - J. Lucille (Kelley) Metheny, age 73, went to be with the Lord on May 5, 2008, following a long illness. In keeping with her life's work of service to others, she requested that her body be donated to medical science at West Virginia University Medical School prior to cremation.

Lucille was a beautiful person who filled the lives of those who knew her with an unforgettable ray of sunshine. Her many years of service to the community will be fondly remembered by all the lives she touched along the way.

Born and raised in Crellin, she was the daughter of the late William C. and Beulah (Shaffer) Kelley. She was preceded in death by her brother, Harland Kelley, and beloved daughter-in-law, Carole Metheny.

She was a member of the Methodist faith.

Lucille came to Cumberland in 1970 as executive director of the Community Action Agency. In 1974, she became program director for the YMCA, where she worked serving mankind and meeting the needs of the community she loved for the next 25 years.

Surviving are her four sons, Richard Metheny and wife Debra of Frostburg, Patrick Metheny of Winchester, Va., William (W.D.) Metheny and wife Jill of Yankton, S.D., and Shawn Metheny and wife Monica of Cumberland; 10 grandsons, Ben, Joel, Seth, Ethan, Erik, Evan, Jasmond, Christopher, Andrew and Connor; three granddaughters, Erica, Emily and Cha-Chi; and five great-grandchildren, Hayden, Ja-Quan, Dayvion, Gabriel and Donavon. She is also survived by her brother, William Kelley Jr. and wife Carolyn of Oakland; and many other extended family members including "daughter" Laurie Robinson Berkow and Cheryl Welch.

Lucille was blessed with many close friends who adored her and will miss her dearly.

A memorial service will be held in her honor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 15 N. Smallwood St., Cumberland, on Friday, May 9, at 1:30 p.m.

The burial of her ashes will be held at a later date in Oakland in a private family gathering.