Pauline (Polly) Mae Kisner Mams
Pauline (Polly) Mae Kisner Mams, 86, departed this life on Thursday, January 26, 2012 surrounded by her family at Ruby Memorial due to complications from a stroke.
Polly was born in Frank, WV on November 12, 1925 the youngest of five children of Edna Graham Kisner and Lloyd E. Kisner, Sr.
Polly graduated from Green Bank High School and attended Fairmont Business College. Polly was called home from college to be with her parents when both of her brothers were missing in action after being shot down from airplanes during WWII. Although she never finished her degree, her grammar was perfect, her checkbook immaculately detailed, and reading brought her great satisfaction. Polly had a life long love of learning and in the last few years had learned how to use email, Skype, and Facebook in order to better keep up with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She went on to work at the Sealtest plant in Elkins in the business office, then later at Monongahela Power Company.
On August 5, 1950 she married the love of her life Joseph (Joe) Edward Mams. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before Joe departed his life 17 months ago on August 21, 2010.
When her children were older, she worked as a sales associate at McManus Gifts. Due to her husband’s travels for sales for Zep Manufacturing, Polly raised her children during the week as a single parent and learned to be very self-sufficient. Polly lived in Huntington and St. Albans, returning to Elkins in 1960 where she made her life for 52 years.
While in Elkins, Polly was an example to all about how to raise a family and live a full life while giving back to her community. Polly belonged to the First United Methodist Church and was a member of Circle #2. Polly was a leader of the Hi-Fi 4-H Club, a pinwearer, a 4-H All Star, outstanding 4-H leader, outstanding All Star and was honored for 45 years as a 4-H leader. Polly served on the board for the Randolph County Committee on Aging and was instrumental in securing a new building for the Senior Center in Elkins and the new Senior Center in Harman. She was on the Board for the Randolph County Blood Bank and was a 5 gallon blood donor. Polly was a member of the Elkins GFWC Woman’s Club and past President, a member of the Emma Scott Garden Club, a member of the Davis Memorial Auxiliary and worked the snack bar at the hospital for many years. She learned to play golf at middle age and played in the Elks Ladies Golf Association. Polly was a member of the Randolph County Weaver’s Guild. She excelled at many crafts including stained glass creation, knitting, sewing, flower arranging, gardening, and weaving. She taught all her daughters and granddaughters to sew. She was a volunteer for many years with the Mountain State Forest Festival helping with princess housing, decorating, and the craft show. She was the honored grandmother of Queen Silvia the 74th, Meredith Rae Orndorff. Polly was a loyal Mountaineer fan, who never missed a home football game for over 25 years. She married a WVU graduate and was proud of the five degrees that her children earned at West Virginia University.
Polly was preceeded in death by her parents, her husband, Joe Mams, her sisters Marguerite (Peg) Widney and Geraldine (Gerry) Lawton.
Surviving are daughters, (Mary Catherine)-Cathy Orndorff and husband, Jeffrey of Morgantown, WV; (Edna Frances)- Franny King and husband, Karl of Waynesburg; a son, Dr. Frank Lloyd Mams and wife Robin of Elkins, WV; her brothers, Lloyd E. (Dabney) Kisner, Jr., William (Bill) Kisner and wife, Edith, and a sister-in-law, Evelyn Kilduff; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren and many dear nieces and nephews who cherished her.
Polly donated her body to the Human Gift Registry which is a testament to her belief that all health professionals should have the best training available. Her son, Frank, a dentist had considered that part of his education so beneficial.
Polly’s heart touched so many lives through her work in the community, 4-H, and through her children and she will be deeply missed by all.
Gifts in Polly’s memory can be made to the following: State 4-H Camps, WVU 4-H Foundation, c/o Andrew Barnes, 808 Knapp Hall, PO Box 6031, Morgantown, WV 26506-6031; Randolph County Senior Center, 5th St & Railroad Ave.,Elkins, WV 26241; First United Methodist Church, 315 Kerens Ave., Elkins, WV 26241.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Ruby Memorial Hospital especially Martha Powers, CNP.