Joan Marie Pershing Poling, 92, a resident of Parsons, passed from this life to enter her heavenly home on Monday, April 28, 2025. Joan had been in declining health for some time and was lovingly cared for in her home by her son, Jim, and daughter, Jane, and WV Caring Hospice.
Joan was born Monday, April 24, 1933, at Sibley Hospital in Washington D.C., a daughter of the late Gerald “Jerry” V. Pershing and Edith Marie Kile Pershing. She grew up in Fredericksburg, VA, attended Longwood College and graduated from Mary Washington College in 1954 with a teaching degree in Home Economics. She moved to Cleveland, for her first teaching position where she met the love of her life, Artie “Donny” Donovan Poling from Parsons, WV (Pifer Mountain). They married in 1956, settled briefly in Ohio where their children, Marjorie Jane and James Pershing were born. When Joan’s father encouraged them to move west, they traveled and lived in California for a short time returning to Tucker County, WV in 1966, in what would be her forever, earthly home. Joan resumed her teaching career, eventually acquiring her master’s degree in special education, retiring from the Tucker County school system in 1995 due to health issues with her spine which affected her mobility for the remainder of her life. Joan loved flower gardening, teaching children, including Sunday School, and was a lifelong member of the Parsons Presbyterian Church, where she served in various capacities including offices in the Women of the Church. Joan loved watching the Kentucky Derby with her husband and then for the past fifteen years with her daughter. She also loved Monarch butterflies because they symbolized new life and renewal. Joan was a music enthusiast who could play piano by ear as she sang. She loved traveling and exploring new horizons. She especially enjoyed trips to the beach. Joan was honored as the 1988 Tucker County Teacher of the Year and most recently at 91 as the 2nd annual St. George Academy Homecoming Queen!
Left to cherish Joan’s memory are her son, James Pershing Poling and daughter, Marjorie “Jane” Poling Wright and husband, John, of Hot Springs, VA, two grandchildren Sarah Elizabeth Wright and James Robert Wright and wife, Jerilyn, two great granddaughters, Kate Marie and Anna James Wright, step grandchildren, Carmen and Joshua Bowes, a brother, Verne Pershing and wife, Leslie, of Placerville, CA, a niece, Windigo Swift, also of California, and many family and friends.
Preceding Joan in death besides her parents and husband, were sisters, Marjorie D. Pershing and Mary Lou Swift.
Visitation was held at Hostetler Funeral Home on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 12pm until 2pm, the funeral hour. Mrs. Poling’s request for cremation was to be honored. Interment will follow at a later date in Pifer Mountain Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made on behalf of Joan Poling to the Tucker County Senior Center, 217 Senior Lane, Parsons, WV 26287, WV Caring Hospice, 169 Diamond St, Elkins, WV 26241, or the Preservation of the St. George Academy. The Hostetler Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Joan Marie Pershing Poling. Send online condolences to the family at www.hostetlerfuneralhome.com.
