BAF Announces New Unrestricted Fund in Memory of Carol & Jay Roles

The estate of Mr. Joseph "Jay" Roles, Jr. established the Carol & Jay Roles Memorial Fund to support unrestricted grantmaking by BAF. Mr. Roles was the former owner and operator of Jay Roles Floral for 34 years. Jay and Carol were married in 1955. Carol passed away in 2019, and Jay passed away in 2020.

“Since 1985, donors have established 86 named unrestricted funds to support BAF programs in Raleigh County. Each year BAF can respond to the emerging needs of our local nonprofit organizations thanks to the flexibility that these endowed funds provide. BAF is able to put the needs of our community first because of the generosity of donors to the unrestricted endowment funds. Gifts received today will support our community in ways we can only imagine in the future. To date, over $3.6 million has been granted out into our community using unrestricted funds.” 
​— Rebecca Williams | BAF, Chief Financial Officer

Born in Beckley in 1936, Jay was the son of the late Joseph A. "Joe" Roles and Pansy Fern Wills Roles. Jay was the former owner and operator of Jay Roles Floral for 34 years. He served in the military for ten years in the U.S. Air Force, and one and a half years in the U.S. Army National Guard. Jay was a graduate of WWHS class of 1954, and was a former member of the Beckley Civitan Club, Beckley Moose Lodge #1606, Elks Lodge, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Carol and Jay loved the WV Mountaineers football, basketball, and baseball teams, and were season ticket football game holders for about 25 years. Jay also loved to hunt in his spare time. Jay and Carol got married on April 2, 1955, at the Mount Hope Christian Church. Carol was a most wonderful wife and the love of his life. He was a member and trustee of Pikeview Christian Church.

Carol was a graduate of Mount Hope High School, class of 1955, Carol had worked for Tracy and Warren Hylton Coal Companies for 20 years as an office manager. She had also worked for Beckley Welding, Beckley Stone Company, and Ashland Gas Service. Carol was also the former co-owner of Jay Roles Floral with her husband, Jay. Carol was a former member of the Women of the Moose, Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary, where she was a co-chairwoman.
 
Anyone interested in donating to this fund may mail contributions with “Carol and Jay Roles” 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 an unrestricted fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email [email protected].

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