White Roses
Dr. Kay L. Clawson
October 29, 1949 – April 24, 2021
West Virginia State President from 2007 – 2009
After discovering in early April 2021 that she had inoperable cancer, Dr. Kay Clawson passed away just a few weeks later at her home in Naples, Florida. Kay was from Epsilon Chapter, and her entire adult career was dedicated to the field of education. She taught elementary education in Grafton and higher education at Fairmont and West Liberty Universities. She was asked to evaluate other colleges and universities for the North Central Association of Colleges. When Kay retired in 2012, she was the Director of Graduate Education and a full professor at West Liberty. Kay was a truly dedicated member of Delta Kappa Gamma for more than 30 years. She was a recipient of the Golden Gift Award in 1999 and considered the Leadership/Management Seminar in Austin, TX, to be a very unique learning experience. Kay held many Chapter and State offices and in 2003 served on the Planning Committee for the Northeast Regional Conference held at The Greenbrier. Kay presented papers at regional and international conferences. During her tenure as a DKG member, she held multiple international offices, including her present office as Chair of the DKG International Educational Foundation. In 2018 she led the board of directors in the monumental task of merging the Educational Foundation with the DKG Supporting Corporation to become the DKG International Educators Foundation. Kay had a deep love for the arts, theater, music, museums, and art. She had an unending love for her family, colleagues, and life. Kay will long be remembered and deeply missed.
October 29, 1949 – April 24, 2021
West Virginia State President from 2007 – 2009
After discovering in early April 2021 that she had inoperable cancer, Dr. Kay Clawson passed away just a few weeks later at her home in Naples, Florida. Kay was from Epsilon Chapter, and her entire adult career was dedicated to the field of education. She taught elementary education in Grafton and higher education at Fairmont and West Liberty Universities. She was asked to evaluate other colleges and universities for the North Central Association of Colleges. When Kay retired in 2012, she was the Director of Graduate Education and a full professor at West Liberty. Kay was a truly dedicated member of Delta Kappa Gamma for more than 30 years. She was a recipient of the Golden Gift Award in 1999 and considered the Leadership/Management Seminar in Austin, TX, to be a very unique learning experience. Kay held many Chapter and State offices and in 2003 served on the Planning Committee for the Northeast Regional Conference held at The Greenbrier. Kay presented papers at regional and international conferences. During her tenure as a DKG member, she held multiple international offices, including her present office as Chair of the DKG International Educational Foundation. In 2018 she led the board of directors in the monumental task of merging the Educational Foundation with the DKG Supporting Corporation to become the DKG International Educators Foundation. Kay had a deep love for the arts, theater, music, museums, and art. She had an unending love for her family, colleagues, and life. Kay will long be remembered and deeply missed.
Bonnie Losh Neeley
50-year member of Alpha Beta Chapter
Bonnie Losh Neeley, 91, of South Charleston, went to be with the Lord on July 31, 2021. She grew up in Webster County, where she loved playing in the Back Fork River. After high school, Bonnie took a course in town that gave her a certificate to teach. Her first job was in a one room school teaching grades one through eight. Bonnie taught for 42 years. She taught school in the winter and attended school in the summer. She was just a few credits shy of a Doctorate Degree. Bonnie was very proud of her education. She will be sincerely missed by her Alpha Beta sisters.
50-year member of Alpha Beta Chapter
Bonnie Losh Neeley, 91, of South Charleston, went to be with the Lord on July 31, 2021. She grew up in Webster County, where she loved playing in the Back Fork River. After high school, Bonnie took a course in town that gave her a certificate to teach. Her first job was in a one room school teaching grades one through eight. Bonnie taught for 42 years. She taught school in the winter and attended school in the summer. She was just a few credits shy of a Doctorate Degree. Bonnie was very proud of her education. She will be sincerely missed by her Alpha Beta sisters.
Frances Ruth Clark
May 23, 1935 - July 31, 2021
Founding Member of Alpha Mu Chapter
Frances Ruth Clark, of Moundsville, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2021, at Forest Hills Nursing Home, St. Clairsville. Frances was a retired teacher for Marshall County Schools. She enjoyed gardening with the Cherokee Hills Garden Club and dancing with the Moundsville Twirlers Square Dance Club and Valley Round Dance Club. This wonderful lady will be truly missed by her Alpha Mu sisters.
May 23, 1935 - July 31, 2021
Founding Member of Alpha Mu Chapter
Frances Ruth Clark, of Moundsville, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2021, at Forest Hills Nursing Home, St. Clairsville. Frances was a retired teacher for Marshall County Schools. She enjoyed gardening with the Cherokee Hills Garden Club and dancing with the Moundsville Twirlers Square Dance Club and Valley Round Dance Club. This wonderful lady will be truly missed by her Alpha Mu sisters.
Helen Murin Kiser
Dec. 18, 1924 - May 24, 2021
West Virginia State President from 1975-1977
Mrs. Helen Kiser (Phi Chapter) passed away peacefully in Lakeway, Texas, on May 24, 2021, at the age of 96. She served West Virginia State as President for the 1975-1977 biennium. Helen began her teaching career at age 19 due to a teacher shortage during World War II. For the next 43 years, she taught in the McDowell County school system at Welch Elementary School and Welch Junior High School. Taking summer courses, she completed a Master’s Degree in 1963 and additional graduate studies at the University of Cincinnati. Helen was very active in many school activities, church leadership, and civic organizations. In addition to her state and international service in Delta Kappa Gamma, she was the the long–time director of her church’s children’s choir. She was active in the McDowell Women’s Club, the Chaminade (music) Club, and the Order of the Eastern Star. Helen retired in 1987 and took advantage of her freedom to travel. She will be remembered as a gifted teacher, organizational leader, wonderful wife and mother. She was a bright and spirited soul who was quick to make friends by being a great friend to others.
Dec. 18, 1924 - May 24, 2021
West Virginia State President from 1975-1977
Mrs. Helen Kiser (Phi Chapter) passed away peacefully in Lakeway, Texas, on May 24, 2021, at the age of 96. She served West Virginia State as President for the 1975-1977 biennium. Helen began her teaching career at age 19 due to a teacher shortage during World War II. For the next 43 years, she taught in the McDowell County school system at Welch Elementary School and Welch Junior High School. Taking summer courses, she completed a Master’s Degree in 1963 and additional graduate studies at the University of Cincinnati. Helen was very active in many school activities, church leadership, and civic organizations. In addition to her state and international service in Delta Kappa Gamma, she was the the long–time director of her church’s children’s choir. She was active in the McDowell Women’s Club, the Chaminade (music) Club, and the Order of the Eastern Star. Helen retired in 1987 and took advantage of her freedom to travel. She will be remembered as a gifted teacher, organizational leader, wonderful wife and mother. She was a bright and spirited soul who was quick to make friends by being a great friend to others.
Emma Mae Matthews
West Virginia State President from 1991-1993
Emma Mae Matthews passed away on August 16, 2020. Emma became an active and dedicated member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International on September 11, 1965, when Chi became the twenty-second chapter of Alpha Phi State. She served as Parliamentarian that biennium and as President in 1968-70 and again in 1974-76. On the state level Emma served on and/or chaired numerous committees before and during her time as Recording Secretary and Second and First Vice-Presidents. From 1991-93 she served as the twenty-sixth President of Alpha Phi State. On the National level she served as a recorder in two workshops at the Northeast Regional Conference held in Chicago in 1993. She served as Chairman of the U.S. Forum Committee from 1993-95 and as a Floor Page and member of the Rules Committee in 1994 at the International Convention in Nashville, TN. Emma loved reading, knitting, the beach, and watching musicals. She also loved people. But, what she loved most was traveling. She traveled many times to Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the Panama Canal. She truly enjoyed attending local, state, national, and international meetings, workshops, conferences and conventions for her Society. Emma never met a stranger. She had a multitude of friends, but none were closer than her sisters of Delta Kappa Gamma, whom she always greeted with a welcoming smile and a warm hug. Emma is truly missed.
West Virginia State President from 1991-1993
Emma Mae Matthews passed away on August 16, 2020. Emma became an active and dedicated member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International on September 11, 1965, when Chi became the twenty-second chapter of Alpha Phi State. She served as Parliamentarian that biennium and as President in 1968-70 and again in 1974-76. On the state level Emma served on and/or chaired numerous committees before and during her time as Recording Secretary and Second and First Vice-Presidents. From 1991-93 she served as the twenty-sixth President of Alpha Phi State. On the National level she served as a recorder in two workshops at the Northeast Regional Conference held in Chicago in 1993. She served as Chairman of the U.S. Forum Committee from 1993-95 and as a Floor Page and member of the Rules Committee in 1994 at the International Convention in Nashville, TN. Emma loved reading, knitting, the beach, and watching musicals. She also loved people. But, what she loved most was traveling. She traveled many times to Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the Panama Canal. She truly enjoyed attending local, state, national, and international meetings, workshops, conferences and conventions for her Society. Emma never met a stranger. She had a multitude of friends, but none were closer than her sisters of Delta Kappa Gamma, whom she always greeted with a welcoming smile and a warm hug. Emma is truly missed.
