Mary Abigail Royce

Precious Mother, Grandmother "Granny", Great-Grandmother, and Aunt, Mary Abigail "Mary Gale" Royce, passed away Sunday, March 16th, 2025 at the distinguished age of 93. She spent her last weeks surrounded by her adoring family.

Mary was born to Warren Wesley and Beatrice Hazel Shroyer Woodford on August 27, 1931 in Webster, West Virginia.

As a new graduate of Grafton High School, where she was a member of Quill and Scroll, Mary married Duane Royce, her "Dane", on June 10, 1949 in Morgantown. Duane walked and hitchhiked from Pisgah to Grafton where they enjoyed their courtship together on a small swing Mary's father had made.

Mary and Duane were blessed with children Debra, David, and Sharlene. Later, they excitedly welcomed grandchildren Kimberly, Julia, Amanda, and Matthew. Finally, with equal love, she adored her great-grandchildren, Jessica, Carley, Alexis, Owen, Andrew, Anna, Gabriella, and Adalynn. Mary also was a treasured "Aunt Mary Gale" to many Royce and Woodford families. To each family member, Mary was a devoted, loving, caring, supportive confidant and guide throughout life.

Aside from her family, Mary enjoyed her church, supporting world-wide missions and charities, working, fishing, and many creative outlets.

Mary was a founding and valued member of the Morgantown Church of God where she was song leader and children's and adult Sunday School teacher. Mary formed many strong friendships through her church life, endearing her to generations of families. Alongside her church work, Mary had an empathetic heart. She supported her close friends Susie Thomas and Martin and Helen Fessler in their mission work. Mary devoted time to the Women of the Church of God, Community Kitchen, and supported many other local and worldwide charities.

Mary worked as office manager for the Morgantown Board of Realtors throughout the 1980s and 1990s. As "Mary Multi-list" she found many lifelong friendships and brought joy into daily life.

A lifelong fisherlady, Mary began fishing with her beloved younger brother Wesley. She continued to fish as often as possible, telling her great-granddaughter that "Girls can fish just as good as boys".

Also a creative woman, Mary was a ceramicist. First making molds with her mother, Bea, she later had a basement workshop complete with her own kilm. Mary passed her knowledge to her grandchildren who have fond memories of working beside her. Mary also found joy in making years worth of personalized cards for those around her.

Mary was a welcoming, determined, loving, funny, gracious, charitable, and wise Christian woman. She was proceeded in death by her beloved parents and brother. She was also proceeded in death by Duane, her cherished husband of 56 years and suffered the loss of dearly loved daughters Debra Leanne Powell and Sharlene Beatrice Driggers.

Mary is forever loved and remembered by son David Royce and wife Michelle, son-in-law Donnie Powell, adored by her grandchildren Kimberly and Patrick Sandora, Julia and Ben Magrone, Amanda and Joseph Hunt, and Matthew Powell. Mary will be greatly missed by her great-grandchildren Jessica Magrone, Carley Magrone, Alexis Hunt Wahlenmayer and Dominiq, Owen Hunt, Andrew Hunt, Anna Powell, Gabriella Powell, and Adalynn Powell.

Friends and family are invited to gather at the Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 6 – 8 PM and again on Saturday, March 22, from 11 AM until the time of service at 12 PM with Pastor Lynda Masters officiating. Interment will follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Webster, WV.