Ina received her teaching certificate from Marshall College, Huntington, WV in the spring of 1942. From a one room school house, to a church basement preschool, to volunteering at Nitro Elementary, she taught many students the love of reading. Many would say she never retired until the day of her death, November 18, 2020. Teaching children filled ‘Miss Ina’s’ life with joy. She once said, “I love them, and they know it.”

If not reading, you would find her tending her flower garden or quilting while listening to classical music.

Ina joined St. Paul’s United Methodist church in Nitro, WV in 1948. She wrote in her journal, “My church family has stood by me and helped me in all my life. Life would have been very poor without loving and serving God.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 2004 20th St., Nitro, WV 25143 in her memory.

A graveside service will held on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 11:00 am at Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens, Red House, WV with Pastor Greg Markins officiating.

The family requests that all attending wear face masks and practice safe social distancing.

Written by Meg “Margaret” Thomas Reid, February 24, 2010

Quotes are from Ina’s journal written for her grandchildren.

Born:

April 22, 1920

Blaker’s Mill, WV

Parents: Ana Clarence Eades and Maude Lou Rookstool Eades

Ina was the second oldest of nine children. They moved from Blaker’s Mill to Monroe County about two miles from downtown Alderson, WV when she was 3 years old.

“…a little house down in the hollow…four rooms, unpainted wooden house. This is where we lived.”

Her parents were farmers and her father would sometimes find employment on public works to keep the family fed during the depression.

During her early years her mother home schooled her.

“…the county road was unpaved. It was a long and dangerous walk. Mother felt it was to far for us to walk alone.”

In the fall of 1927, Ina, 7 years old and her sister, 9 years old, started school in Alderson.

“As I recall Miss Margaret Huffman was our teacher the first two years. I especially loved my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Gladys Miller. That was the year I decided I wanted to teach school. School was always easy for me. I loved to read.”

She graduated from Alderson High School May 11, 1939 and afterward:

“I went to work keeping house for my high school English teacher. I made $3.00 per week. I stayed in her home until I went to Huntington (WV) with Paul and Verna McNeer to care for their two children. I made $15.00 a month. In June of 1940 I enrolled in Marshall College. I continued to live with the McNeers. I also worked in the Registrar’s office to pay for my tuition and books. I went to Marshall 2 years. In Sept. 1942 I started teaching school at Heizer, WV.”

Ina’s first teaching job was in Heizer, WV. She taught grades 1 through 4. Ina boarded with Mrs. Libby Jane Buchannon Thomas.

“I remember the Sunday Paul and Verna McNeer took me to Heizer to begin teaching. The road was long and dusty. There were places in the creek with no bridges. We just drove across. I thought we would never get there…. Mrs. Thomas’ home was just below the school. … She was a widow with a large family.”

It was here that Ina met her future husband Stanley. She writes:

“Our first date was a walk along the country road.”

In November 1943 Stanley enlisted in the Marines and they were not married until his return from service. He fought in the South Pacific and was wounded there.

November 4, 1943 Ina writes: “My last night with Stanley. I have put off thinking of it, but now it is here, it seems so hard. Other people have stood it so I suppose I can too.”

Stanley writes from California: “I don’t guess it will be long ‘til I will be leaving here. The sooner we get over, the sooner we get back, or some of us. There is one thing we know, that we are all going over, but don’t know how many are coming back.”

A year after Stanley’s discharge from the service, they were married on Sunday, December 29, 1946 in Charleston, WV.

Their first home was in Nitro. Ina writes:

“Since it hasn’t been long since the war ended, everyone has to put their name in for appliances. We ordered a stove from Sears and Stanley found a second hand refrigerator. I have a hot plate to cook on until the stove comes – about a month. I have two washtubs and a clothesline for the laundry, and outside facilities for a bathroom. This wasn’t so bad…”

Their second home was on 18th Street hill just above the elementary school. It was in 1954 that they purchased a home on Layne Avenue where they raised four children:

Robert, Jerry, Margaret and Charles.

“It proved to be a good place to raise children as there was space to play.”

All four children graduated from Nitro High School and then West Virginia University.

Ina has 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Ina writes of her work:

“I taught five years in the County schools in Putnam County. In 1960 the University Women of Nitro decided to start a Kindergarten, as WV did not have classes for five year olds in public school. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church gave permission for a room to be used. Mary Lou Webb was hired as the teacher. After a short time she decided she needed help. The Board asked me to be the Assistant. I agreed with the understanding that Charles could attend, as he was five that year.”

When the public school added kindergarten, the school added nursery age children. Ina taught with Mary Lou Webb and then Maxine Young for several years. With Mrs. Young’s departure, Ina became the Director/teacher with various aides assisting until her retirement in 1992 at the age of 72.

“After retirement, I decided I needed something to do, so I started as a volunteer at the Library. I have been so fortunate in always having interesting work. School with so many different children was always a joy. It is fun in the Library. I get to talk to interesting people and also to encourage children to read.“

Ina continues her love of reading and encourages others by:

Being a volunteer at the Library. She was employed for part of this time but when she was asked to learn a new computer system after just learning the first, she decided to turn her hours back to volunteer work. During the month of January 2010 she volunteered 61 hours.
Ina is in charge of the United Methodist Women’s reading program and is kindly known as “The Book Lady” as opposed to the “bag” lady although she is always seen with her bag of books encouraging others to read.
Ina volunteers at Nitro Elementary where she spends one on one time with children assisting and encouraging them with their reading.
Ina, now living on 19th, has a sunny enclosed front porch. It is here that she has a few children’s toys and books. Children in the neighborhood come by frequently for a story time.
Ina has been a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church since July 11, 1948. Church has always been an important part of her life from early childhood. Even after teaching all week she taught the three and four year olds in Sunday school for many years.

She has held many offices on the Church Council and also with the United Methodist Women. Being of service to others is a very important part of Ina’s life. Along with other activities such as the rummage sales and food pantry she finds very satisfying ministry in visiting those who cannot leave their homes or who are in nursing homes, once a week.

Ina writes in her journal:

“My church family has stood by me and helped me all my life. Life would have been very poor without loving and serving God.”

John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am there will my servant be also: Whoever serves me the Father will honor.

Other important information about Ina:

Along with being strong in mind and spirit, Ina believes in being strong in body. She walks everyday in her church gym and exercises each week with her exercise group at the Church of God. This is after her ritual of exercise and Morning Prayer at home.

Quilting is also a love that Ina has shared with many. Each of her children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren have a quilt all hand stitched from their mother, grand-mother and great grandmother. She has of course found the time to quilt for her church bazaar and others.

Letter writing is also a gift she has given to many. Her children keep her well supplied with stationary and stamps. She once said that phone calls were nice but that she could read a letter over and over again. Her family is most fortunate that she has kept many of the letters she received from family and friends over the years. They contain such a rich history of events and emotions.

Flowers ~ Ina loves her flower garden. Tulips are her favorite flower and if anyone goes by her home in the spring you will see why.

A message from Margaret, Ina’s daughter:

I hope my writing has given you a glimmer of the “who” of Ina Louise Eades Thomas.

For me, she is my beloved mother who has set the example of how to live a good life. I have shared several quotes from her journal that she wrote for her grandchildren some years ago. Reading it as I wrote this I am again amazed at her strength, character and wisdom. I am a lucky woman indeed to be able to call her Mom and I believe Nitro is lucky indeed to call her their citizen.

Mom ended her journal to her grandchildren on Sept. 27, 1998 with this scripture:

Paul says in Eph. 3: 16-17: “I pray that according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit and that Christ may dwell in you hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.”

Respectfully, Meg (Margaret) Reid February 24, 2010