BECKLEY AREA FOUNDATION EXISTS TO INSPIRE AND FACILITATE GENEROUS CHARITABLE GIVING THAT ADVANCES OUR COMMUNITY.
SLYP's "Hey Ya'll It's Pickleball"
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SLYP is Now Accepting Grant Applications for Raleigh County Youth Projects!
SLYP is seeking proposals from eligible tax-exempt organizations in Raleigh County with projects that focus on youth.
The submission deadline is March 24, 2025. The maximum grant award will be $1,500 for each organization. |
$740,897.65 Distributed by BAF Designated Funds
Since the first designated fund was established in 1986, BAF has had the honor of helping donors support the organizations they are most passionate about. A designated fund is established by a donor to benefit a specific charity, or program for a charity.
To date, over eight million dollars has been distributed from designated funds! |
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Donations can be made to the Community Fund for McDowell County, or the Wyoming County Community Fund to support flood relief efforts in these counties.
100% of donations will be sent to a local nonprofit organization to provide assistance to communities recovering from the devastation of the 2025 flooding. McDowell County flood relief funds will be sent to The Salvation Army of Beckley. Wyoming County flood relief funds will be sent to MountainHeart Community Services, Inc. |
Jerry Bays
Jerry Bays of Sabine, WV, passed away March 6th, 2025. Jerry was born to Wilda and Kenneth Bays.
Jerry was proud of his roots in Southern WV. After graduating from Sophia High School in 1955 and spending the summer working in 36 inches of coal, his mother drove him to Morgantown. He worked his and his brother Neil's way though WVU, School of Mines and became a professional Engineer in 1962. He began his working career as the only engineer at a company located in Glen White, WV. In 1980, he was Head Engineer managing 60 engineers. In 1986, he started Bays, Inc. with his two brothers Neil and Larry. Together they designed coal handling and preparation facilities. Jerry spent over 50 years in the engineering profession and was a member of Society of Mining Engineers and National Society of Professional Engineers. In 2021, SME honored Jerry with a 50-year membership pin. He retired at 86 years old. He always looked forward to going to church, specifically to the Sunday morning bible school class held in the library at the Beckley Presbyterian Church. He met Margaret Ann Sharpenberg, his second wife in this class. Margaret Ann and Jerry were married six weeks later in the chapel of the church 32 years ago. In the Beckley Presbyterian Church he was a deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher, served on the property committee, and was instrumental in the organ installation that is housed at this church. He was a member of the SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) through the Brooks Family. He was a past member of the Beckley Rotary Club. He and his wife Margaret Ann established the "Margaret Ann and Jerry L. Bays Scholarship Fund" to provide for students at Independence High School pursuing a career in engineering at WVU. Donations can be made to their fund in Jerry’s memory. |
Letha Jacquelyn "Jackie" Riggs Musick
Letha Jacquelyn "Jackie" Riggs Musick was welcomed to Heaven on February 22, 2025.
Jackie was born in 1948 in Beckley, WV, the daughter of Jesse Buford "J.B." and Joyce Perez Riggs. She graduated from Sophia High School in 1966, then attended Concord College (University), earning a bachelor's degree in Education with a specialty in music. She earned her master's degree at WVU and remained a fan. Jackie's love for learning, educating, experiencing life to its fullest and carrying the perfect melody was a part of every facet of her life. Jackie married Edwin "Terry" Musick on August 4, 1979 in Beckley, WV with the blessings of many friends. 47 years of marriage included an infinite amount of memories, travels, experiences, friendships and love made. Jackie and Terry shared many common interests which made it natural for their groups of friends to fit together as a family, and a big group it was! The love shall remain. Jackie worked as an educator with Raleigh County Schools. In retirement, Jackie joined Terry's business, National TV and Appliance as a key part of the buying and marketing strategies. She also volunteered, generously, with her gift of voice and sang and played piano in many, many community, church and special events. Her sweet voice set the tune to many special occasions and will forever be remembered. While Jackie was certain to get the task at hand complete, she also carried an admirable passion for living. She was an avid tennis and golf player and loved traveling the world with friends along the way. Her interests led to membership in multiple clubs including interests from culinary to mahjong, tennis and golf. The world is a better place for having had 77 years of her presence. Donations can be made to the Jackie Musick Memorial Fund in Jackie's memory. |
Joseph "Joe" Fourney II
Joseph "Joe" Fourney II of Beckley, WV, died February 11, 2025.
Joe graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1988 and attended WVU, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and presented with the Outstanding College Student of America. Joe has been the owner of Fourney Fasteners since 1996. All who knew Joe will miss his big heart, his smile, and great sense of humor. Donations can be made to the Joseph Fourney Family Fund in Joe's memory. |
Catherine (Kitty) Childress
Catherine Louise "Kitty" Gunter Childress of Daniels, WV, gained her eternal travel plans on February 10th, 2025. She was the 8th child to the late Hobart and Ina Gunter.
Shortly after Joe and Kitty were married, Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. During this time, Kitty attended Beckley College and Morse Harvey College and became an English teacher and taught at several schools in Wyoming County. The demands of Joe's work required travel far away from Southern WV and Kitty always made each journey for them and their two sons the very best she could. The family made life experiences in around the world before finally returned back to WV. Life in Beckley was special for the Childress family. They all found lifelong friends and became very involved in the community with the boys' sports and activities. While Joe, Joey and Jay all worked in the family business, Kitty resumed her real estate career, where she excelled and had many clients who became forever friends. They attended multiple churches in Beckley, including Memorial Baptist, but more recently had attended United Methodist Temple, where Kitty sang in the choir. Kitty always had a special place in her heart for Cook Memorial Baptist Church in Pineville, WV, where she was a lifelong member. Donations can be made to the Childress Family Scholarship Fund in Kitty's memory. |
Address1210 South Kanawha Street
Beckley, WV 25801 Telephone304-253-3806
Fax681-207-7242
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