Mary Margaret (Popp) Walker

Mary Margaret Popp Walker, 88, of Kingwood passed peacefully away at her home on Monday, April 1, 2024, with family by her side.  She was born to the late Steve F Popp and Mary (Vagda) Popp of Morgantown, WV on June 27, 1935, in Fairmont, WV. 

She graduated from Morgantown High School in 1953. Mary was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church of Kingwood for over 60 years and served on many committees.  She was instrumental with the remodeling of the church and parsonage.  Mary was also a 65+ year member of the Rowlesburg Order of Eastern Star Chapter #127.  She enjoyed helping with the youth organizations such as BSA, GSA, band and soccer as well as working at the Kingwood Volunteer Fire Department monthly breakfasts.  Mary was the recipient of the 2018 Kingwood Citizen of the Year award.

Besides co-owning Walker Motor Company with her husband for over 25 years, Mary worked at Preston Memorial Hospital in the business office until her retirement.  She also served on the PMH Board (1982-1988).

Mary was best known as the “Teddy Bear Lollipop Lady”.  She started Candies by Mary in 1988 and retired February 2024.  For many years, it wasn’t uncommon for family and friends to help Mary with selling her delicious candies at fairs and festivals in WV, MD and PA.  She especially enjoyed selling her candies and the thousands of Teddy Bear Lollipops at the Preston County Buckwheat Festival. In later years, she sold her candies at local businesses and helped organizations with their fund-raising projects.

She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 50 years, James (Jim) Walker (2002), oldest brother Steve Popp (2002), sister-in-law June Popp (2010), daughter Judith Ann (Judy) Walker (2019), and brother Adolph Popp (2020).  She is survived by son Joe and wife Lee Anne (Royce) Walker of Kingwood, Grand Daughter Susie (Fletcher) Greenwood and husband Paul and a very special Great Grand Daughter Ava Greenwood all of Weston WV, Sister-in-law Chris Popp of Fayetteville NC and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the church congregation and all of her many friends for the prayers, cards, food, flowers and phone calls during her brief illness. Special thanks to all the wonderful staff at WV Caring for providing such good care of Mary these past few weeks.

Friends will be received on Thursday, April 4, 2024, from 3-7pm at the Kingwood Funeral Home, 295 S. Price Street; Kingwood; and on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 11 am until the time of the Funeral Service at the Wesley United Methodist Church at 107 W. High St; Kingwood at 12 pm with Reverend Jonathan Nettles officiating.  Interment will be in the Maplewood Cemetery in Kingwood at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mary to Wesley United Methodist Church, 107 W High Street; Kingwood WV 26537 towards the new pew cushion fund, WV Caring, PO Box 760; Arthurdale WV 26520 or St Jude Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place; Memphis TN 38105.

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