Barbara June Underwood

Barbara “Bobbie” June Duncan James Underwood of Sand Branch, WV went home to be with her Lord and Savior, and with her loved ones that had gone on before. She died Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at Bowers Hospice House following a year long illness.

Born January 23, 1937 in Mount Hope, WV to the late Clarence W. (Joe) Duncan and Mary Madeline Wees Duncan, she was the oldest of eleven children.

She is preceded in death by her first husband Jack Lowell James, Sr.; sister Nancy Kay Duncan; and brothers, James Howard Duncan and Clarence W. (Buddy) Duncan, Jr. She was also a very special child to her maternal grandparents, the late Glenn and Ruby Wees.

Bobbie was a kind and loving woman dedicated to her family and friends. She graduated from Mount Hope High School, and went on to get her degree from Beckley College. Her first adult employment was with the Mount Hope Elementary. She later worked a variety of jobs including positions with the Beckley Newspaper, Wooten Law Offices, and Beckley National Bank. She then became employed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration where she was employed for approximately 30 years. After retirement from MSHA she was employed by Eddie's Market in Bradley until the onset of her illness.

Bobbie loved doing for others. She constantly was cooking, sewing quilts, etc and giving to others. She loved flea markets, and later in life was passionate about piano classes she took as well as the art classes she spent many hours attending. She was a proud Mount Hope Mustang and was an officer of the Mount Hope Alumni Association. One of her latest civic duties was to serve on the Mount Hope Jubilee Committee for several years. She was very active in different churches throughout her life, and a faithful Christian woman.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband E.G. Underwood; two sons, Jack Lowell James, Jr. and wife, Karen of Sand Branch, and Roger Leslie James and wife, Nancy of Sand Branch; grandsons Jackie Eugene James and wife, Lisa, and Jason Leslie James, granddaughter Bobbie Sue James Curry; great grandchildren Kelsie Joe James, Cierra Faith James, and Dakota Marie Curry.

She is also survived by four sisters, Connie Jo (Everette) Craddock of Maple Fork, Mary Sue (Herbert) Norment of Magnolia, Arkansas, Ruby Carol (Frank) Swigart of Diamond, Ohio and Patty Marie (Sam) Logan of Mount Hope; three brothers: Billy Ray (Donna ) Duncan of Maple Fork, John Samuel Duncan of Oak Hill, and David Michael Duncan of Columbus, Ohio; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who she loved dearly; and her special care giver, Jenny Price. Bobbie was a true “family” person.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, May 28, 2016 at Tyree Funeral Home in Mount Hope with Minister Buddy Goins and Pastor Larry Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Beckley.

Visitation will be from 6:00P.M. To 8:00P.M. Friday, May 27, 2016 at Tyree Funeral Home in Mount Hope. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations of sympathy be sent to the Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley WV 25801.

Online condolences may be sent to www.tyreefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by Tyree Funeral Home Mount Hope, WV