The Reverend Robert (Bob) Stanley, Jr., 80, formerly of Elizabeth, WV, died peacefully with his wife at his side on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at the residence of his daughter and son-in-law, The Rev. James and Rebecca Richards in Kenova, WV following a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

He was born Monday, June 22, 1936 a son of the late Raymond Robert and Annie Louise McFee Stanley on Fudge’s Creek, near Ona, Cabell County, West Virginia.  He grew up in the Two Ripple community of Wirt County, WV and attended Wirt County High School where he met his high school sweetheart, Alice Faye Morgan, and they graduated together in the Class of 1955.  Upon graduation he enlisted in the US Air Force and served in the linguistics unit based in Alaska and Omaha, Nebraska.  On August 17, 1958 he married Alice at the Elizabeth Baptist Church and they began their lives together which continued for the next 58 years.  

For more than 50 years, he was well-known gospel singer throughout the region and was a member of several gospel quartets and a soloist until his health declined in later years. He performed at hundreds of weddings, funerals and gospel singing events throughout his life.  His gift of voice led him to serve as choir director at Seventh Street United Methodist Church, Parkersburg, WV, and it was while serving as choir director at the Elizabeth Baptist Church that he received his calling to the ministry.  He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree from Glenville State College and pastor’s school at Duke University, School of Divinity in 1990.  In 1991, he was ordained a deacon in the West Virginia United Methodist Conference and served as pastor of the Rosemar United Methodist Church, Parkersburg, WV from 1982-1991, Bethesda United Methodist Church, Ona, WV, from 1991-1999, and Pisgah United Methodist Church, Palestine, WV from 1999-2010.  In his retirement, he served as a staff clergyman and singer at Busch Funeral Home, Elizabeth, WV.  

He was an avid reader and embraced the Appalachian culture especially looking forward each year to making apple butter.  He enjoyed gardening, the pets, and managing the small family farm.  He was a servant to his community and was elected to the Wirt County Board of Education. In addition to participating in numerous church musicals and cantatas, he volunteered at the HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere) Shop, Beauchamp Newman Museum, Wirt County Emergency Services, Wirt County Fair, and the Wirt County High School Band Boosters.  

In addition to his wife, he was “Dad” to two sons and their wives, Bruce (Teresa Dulin) Stanley of Williamstown, WV and The Reverend James (Tammy) Stanley of Orwell, OH, and three daughters and their husbands, Rebecca (The Rev. James) Richards of Kenova, WV, Ruth Anne (Michael) Full of Elizabeth, WV, and Prof. Mary Beth (Dr. Gregory) Busch of Tucson, AZ.  He was “Bob” to a brother and his wife, James “Pete” (Janet Ruble) Stanley of Barlow, OH, and a sister and her husband, Ruby (Truman) Troutner of Belpre, OH.  He was “Grandpa Bob” to fourteen grandchildren and their spouses, Eric (Erin) Stanley of Parkersburg, WV, Dr. Patrick (Amen) Richards of Hattiesburg, MS, Morgan Richards of Jacksonville, FL, Laura (Florian Reuter) Full of Philadelphia, PA, Prof. Nicholas (Mary) Busch of Elizabeth, WV, William “Bill” (Lindsay) Richards, of Milton, WV, Kelsey Full attending medical school in Lewisburg, WV, Emily Grace (Alex Faulkner) Busch of Canton, OH, Margaret “Maggie” Full of Elizabeth, WV, Benjamin Richards of Eleanor, WV, Dr. Robert “Bobby” Stanley of Saratoga Springs, NY, Andrew Stanley attending the University of Cincinnati, OH, Allison Stanley attending Bowling Green State University, OH, and Vincent Richards of Kenova, WV, two step grandchildren, Jonathan (Alyssa) Lawrence of Howard, OH and Sara Lawrence of Orwell, OH.  He is also survived by six great grandchildren, Emma Stanley of Parkersburg, WV, Max Busch, Harper Busch, and Archer Settle all of Elizabeth, WV, Henry Richards of Hattiesburg, MS, and Levi Richards of Milton, WV and a step great granddaughter, Evangeline Lawrence of Howard, OH.  He will also be missed by a host nieces, nephews, and his church family.  

He was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Hubbard.  

A celebration of his life through the Word and music will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Elizabeth United Methodist Church, Juliana Street, Elizabeth, WV with The Reverend James O. Richards, The Reverend James M. Stanley, and The Reverend Dr. Lee Williams officiating.  Burial with military honors will be in the Knights of Pythias Cemetery, Elizabeth.

Friends may call at the Kenova United Methodist Church, 503 15th Street, Kenova, WV from 6:00-8:00pm Friday and 9:00-11:00 a.m.Saturday at the Elizabeth United Methodist Church, Elizabeth.   

In lieu of other memorials, donations may be made to the church of your choice or to the National Alzheimer’s Association c/o Miller Funeral Homes, 1605 Celina Road, Saint Marys, OH 45885.  Funeral services were entrusted to Miller Funeral Homes, Saint Marys, OH with assistance from Rollins Funeral Home, Kenova, WV.

Condolences may be expressed to his family via: www.millerfuneralhomes.net

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