 The "Thomas W. Jarrett Memorial Fund" was established in memory of Dr. Thomas W. Jarrett by his children, Allison and Jordan Jarrett. This field of interest fund will provide economic impact with an emphasis on environmental causes. Tom was a 1968 graduate of Greenbrier Military School and went on to WVU for his undergraduate studies. He continued his education in Morgantown at WVU School of Dentistry, graduating in 1975. Following in his father’s footsteps, he decided to pursue a postdoctoral degree in orthodontics, for which he attended St. Louis University. “My dad was a driven person. Driven to make the world around him a better place and to improve the lives of the people he encountered. The world will miss that drive and I will miss my dad.” — Allison Jarrett | Tom’s Daughter In 1977, Tom moved to Beckley and opened his orthodontic practice. He was an active member of the dental community and the Beckley area. He was a member of the American Dental Association and the WV Dental Association, as well as a member of the American Association of Orthodontics and past president of the WV Association of Orthodontics. Tom served on the boards of the New River Dental Society and the Southern Association of Orthodontics. He was a Diplomat of the International College of Dentists and a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics. He was on faculty at the WVU School of Dentistry in the orthodontics department for over 30 years. Tom loved his profession, and teaching orthodontics to students brought him great joy. The influence he had on the dental community was far-reaching. In dentistry and beyond, he was a mentor to many. “The intersection of dad’s heart was his love for the community of Beckley and the deep connection with the outdoors. Whether immersed in nature or brainstorming ways to enhance Beckley's vibrancy, his passion would shine bright. The moments dad spent outside would always invigorate his spirits, as if experiencing it for the first time, always in awe of how it all works together, seeing Beckley’s true gifts. Dad had a knack for turning ordinary things into memorable adventures, always seeming to make his mark. Through this fund, we aspire to honor his legacy of unwavering enthusiasm and dedication to fostering a stronger, more vibrant community. Dad’s memory continues to inspire us, urging us to work together to contribute and nurture the community he cherished. No words, fund, or sum of money can fill the void of his absence, we can only hope to embody his tenacity, dedication, and spirit, aiming to make a lasting impact on the place he loved and fantasized more for.” — Jordan Jarrett | Tom’s Son Tom loved his community and wanted to see it flourish. He was on the board of directors of Beckley Area Foundation, instrumental in building the YMCA Youth Soccer Complex, founder of Citizen Southern Bank, and developer of Brookshire Professional Park. He was involved in starting FORWARD WV for economic development. He was an originator of Chili Night, a volunteer for Mac’s Toy Fund, involved in the Youth Museum, helped design the Peace Totem, started Foster’s Hardware Restaurant, contributed to the F.O.L.K. project and Operation Backpack. He was an advocate and supporter of the Raleigh County Humane Society. “Tom Jarrett was the true spirit of Beckley and Raleigh County, and all of southern West Virginia! His endless enthusiasm, dreams, and desire to make this a better community and a better place to live for all is a testament to his character. Losing Tom was a tremendous blow to our community, although we can take comfort knowing that Tom would want us to continue with the spirit and drive to improve and make our community a better place to live for all!” — John Wooton | Tom’s Friend He was an avid outdoorsman and loved being in nature. Appointed by the governor, he was a DNR commissioner. He loved to fish, hike, golf, and bike. He was a founder of Glade Creek Trout Association, champion of the inaugural Glade Spring’s member-guest, and back-to-back Black Knight club champion. Being a youth sports coach, he impacted countless young people’s lives.
Tom was a devoted father and displayed his love for his children every day. He was proud for his children to be fourth-generation dentists and to carry on the tradition of serving the people of WV continuously since 1901. Thanks to a generous gift provided in the will of Dr. Thomas Jarrett, any donation to this fund will be matched DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR, up to $250,000.00 until October 22, 2025 or the match is exhausted. Additional details on this matching opportunity will be announced soon. Anyone interested in donating to this fund may mail contributions with “Thomas Jarrett” in the memo to BAF, 1210 South Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801 or click the button below to donate online. If you are interested in starting a fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email [email protected].
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 BAF's New Board Members: Richard Jarrell, Lisa Killmer and Jared Underwood Beckley Area Foundation is governed by a 15-member board of directors, each serving a three-year term. Members can serve no more than two consecutive terms. Over the past 39 years, a total of 106 Raleigh County residents have served on the BAF board and generously given their time and talents to support the day-to-day operations of our community foundation. “While membership is certainly an honor, this is a working board; the success of our organization depends upon time-consuming efforts of these volunteers. They work without expectation of personal recognition or reward.” — Dena Cushman | Executive Director, Beckley Area Foundation Richard Jarrell, Lisa Killmer and Jared Underwood were elected to fill the vacancies created when Steve Ballard, Deena Salon and Gavin Ward rotated off the board. Richard grew up in Raleigh County and is a 1980 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Richard is the Owner Operator of Chick-fil-A Beckley, and has lived in Raleigh County for over 40 years. He attended Beckley College for two years before receiving his Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Concord University. Richard currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, First Community Bank and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is also a past Board Member for United Way of Southern WV, Raleigh County Board of Education, Raleigh General Hospital, and Concord University. Richard and his wife Beth (a past BAF Board Member and SLYP Mentor) currently live in Daniels and were recently awarded the 2023 Spirit of Beckley Award. They have a daughter, Laura Jarrell Persinger. The Jarrell's also have a donor advised fund at BAF. Lisa is a graduate of WVU with a Bachelors of Science and Arts with a concentration in accounting. She is currently an Accountant and CPA, and has lived in Raleigh County for the last 28 years. She originally grew up in Tucker County, WV. Lisa is a former Board member of the St. Francis School Board, and the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston School Board. She also volunteers for the Catholic Charities Food Pantry and Utilities Assistance, the Raleigh County Medical Society Alliance for Anti Bullying in Schools, and Junior Achievement. Lisa has previously served on the BAF Distributions Committee prior to being elected to serve on the BAF Board of Directors. She currently lives in Daniels with her husband Scott. They have two sons, Cameron & Casey, and a daughter Carly. Jared was born and raised in Beckley, WV, where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 2005. He was a WV Promise and BAF scholarship recipient. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from WVU College of Business and Economics with a B.S. in Business Administration majoring in Finance.
Upon graduating from WVU College of Law in 2012, he returned home to Beckley, WV, where he accepted a full time job with Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, PLLC. He was recently appointed to the West Virginia Law Institute. Jared is married to Lindsey Goodman also of Beckley, West Virginia. They are the parents of two wonderful boys, Brody and Blake. Jared has coached multiple youth sports with Beckley Little League and the YMCA of Southern WV. Currently, BAF's Board is comprised of the following individuals:
Beckley Area Foundation (BAF), Piney Creek Watershed Association (PCWA), and other collaborating organizations formally dedicated the Sally Lemke Rain Garden on September 8, 2023. The rain garden is a project of the PCWA in cooperation with BAF. Financial support was provided by an American Rescue Plan grant from the City of Beckley to PCWA. Additional support was provided by the Beckley Sanitary Board. “Sally devoted her talent, energy, and resources to improving the environment, in any way she could and was an “environmentalist” before the term became popular. Sally’s family and friends hope this fund will serve to motivate others to be mindful of the needs of their community and environment.” — Deb Barry | Sally’s sister-in-law  Dena Cushman, BAF Executive Director standing with Tom Lemke, Sally's husband and past BAF Board Member at the new sign installed at the Sally Lemke Rain Garden. Sally Lemke was born in Fisher, WV, and was the only child of the late Milton Crable and Evalyn Bobo McNeill. She attended Toll Gate Grade School, Moorefield High School, and Marshall University, where she graduated with a degree in Chemistry, and where she met her future beloved husband, soulmate and greatest admirer, Tom. She believed Tom was the best thing that ever happened in her life, and he felt the same about her.
Sally believed in giving back to her community wherever she lived. She served as Librarian for Huntington Museum of Art and was an active and founding member of the Tri-State Herb Society. She was also a member of Cabell County Planning Commission, League of Women Voters, Audubon Society, Regency Dance Club, the Phymosia Garden Club and at Bowers Hospice House. Sally was an archeology volunteer at New River Gorge National Park. Sally loved to read and was an active member of Glade Springs Women's Book Club. Recently, as Co-Foundation Chairs of the Beckley Rotary Club, Sally and Tom obtained a grant to support the Imagination Library program in Raleigh County. She took great joy in supporting and keeping Tom organized in his many activities. Her professional activities included teaching Biochemistry Lab at Marshall Medical School, and later as research assistant in the Pharmacology Department where she was involved in research studies of coronary and pulmonary diseases. Sally's work in research at Ashland Oil, Edgewood Arsenal and at Lehigh University were also sources of joy and accomplishment. She was co-author of more than a dozen technical publications. In addition to establishing funds to support science education and scholarships at Marshall University, www.marshall.edu/foundation, endowments were created to support operating expenses at Huntington Museum of Art, www.hmoa.org, and community programs at BAF. Among the many other interests Sally supported were the Rotary Foundation, United Way of Southern WV, Piney Creek Watershed Association, Just For Kids, Beckley Concert Association, WV Rivers, and Three Rivers Avian Center. Anyone interested in donating to this fund may mail contributions with “Sally Lemke Fund” in the memo to BAF, 1210 South Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801 or click the button below to donate online. If you are interested in starting a designated fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email [email protected].
“Love of God, country and family were Steve's overriding attributes and key reasons that he wanted to establish the Anna M Collins & John Maynard Collins Scholarship Fund. As a long time member of the Shaw Heights Baptist Church, he had a history of giving to those less fortunate than himself. He spent 4 years in The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, bringing his Shady Spring trumpeting skills to the Highty-Tighties Marching Band. He proudly served twenty years in the Air Force with tours throughout the U.S. and many of its worldwide allies. His parents were especially important to him. His mother, Anna, spent several years at Shady Spring High School teaching English. It is in memory of his parents, understanding the importance of a good education, and being able to help young students that he set up this scholarship fund.” — Rett S. Summerville | A Friend for over 40 years Stephen was born in May 1941 in Beckley. After high school, Steve graduated from Virginia Tech and received his master’s degree from Wayne State University. He served over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force retiring as a major. A longtime member of Shaw Heights Baptist Church in Sumter County, SC he served many years as a deacon. An avid boater, collector, and woodworker he was active in the Sumter community.
Anyone interested in donating to this fund may mail contributions with “Collins Scholarship Fund” in the memo to BAF, 1210 South Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801 or click the button below to donate online. If you are interested in starting a scholarship fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email [email protected]. |
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