Theo Sterling Deem
Theo Sterling Deem, 86, of Uniontown, Pa., died peacefully in her sleep, Saturday, December 6, 2003, at Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va. She was born December 23, 1916, in Rowlesburg, W.Va., the daughter of the late Harry Carl Sterling Sr., and Ida Agnes McVicker Sterling.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul S. Deem, in 1999; a brother, David Glenhope Sterling; and a grandson, William H. Bevan III.
She was a Morgantown High School graduate. A ’38 West Virginia University alumna, she worked as a part-time 1934-38 secretary for the WVU physics department chairman plus two-three other professors in Martin Hall. In 1943-44, she returned from a Farm Security Administration home economist’s job in Preston County, W.Va., (where she had worked with farm families) to assist six College of Education professors-again in Martin Hall. In the ’90s, she was inducted into the WVU Emeritus Club.
Her home economics, biological sciences (botany, zoology) and library science majors ultimately led to appreciating much in life-good cooking, interior design, travel, flower gardens, history, Girl Scout leadership, church, Eastern Star and White Shrine.
The Asbury United Methodist Church member was a Past Worthy Matron of Laurette Chapter No. 178 O.E.S., and a member of the Margaret E. Caven Shrine No. 42. A past president of the Mountain Laurel Garden Club, she also belonged to the Uniontown Garden Club.
She is survived by two daughters, Pamela Deem Yagle and husband, R. Karl Yagle of Morgantown, W.Va., and Karen Deem Bevan and husband, William H. Bevan Jr., of Jacksonville, Mo.; a brother, Harry Karl Sterling Jr., of Pickerington, Ohio; a sister, Virginia S. Maddox of Lancaster, Va.; eight grandchildren, Carolyn Yagle, Christina Bodie, Stephen Bevan, Beth and husband, Bryan Littlejohn and Brian, Susan, Michael and James Bevan; and four great-grandchildren, Amanda and Alyssa Bodie and Marc and Kyra Littlejohn.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the ANDREW D. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. 80 Morgantown St., Uniontown, Pa., where friends will be received today, from 4 to 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, from 11 a.m., until noon, when the Rev. Thomas E. Brown will officiate the service.
Uniontown Chapter No. 263, Order of the Eastern Star will conduct a service this evening at 6:30 p.m. and the Margaret E. Caven White Shrine No. 42, will conduct their service at 6:45 p.m..