Wilma Murline Arthur

Wilma Murline Arthur of Charleston passed away on March 24 at the age of 95. She was the daughter of Samuel and Martha Pittman.

Wilma’s love for and devotion to her family, her faith and the Valley Grove Methodist church were absolute. She was the world’s greatest aunt to Karen, Sharon, Connie, Alan, Sandra, Larry, Lola and Warren. She is survived by her beloved brother, Samuel Paul Pittman, and was preceded in death by her sisters, Lena Lorene Hicks and Doris Lee Barker, and by the love of her life, Shirley Belcher.

Wilma grew up in a house that her father built by hand from the trees he cut down on the hillside overlooking their home. She would later move into a house just yards away and live the remainder of her life next door to her brother, Samuel (Paul), his wife, Phyllis, and their four children.

Wilma was an original and was always dressed to perfection. Her talent for stylishly pairing colorful blouses and skirts, accented by beautiful scarves, costume jewelry and the right shade of lipstick, was legendary.

Wilma’s greatest passion was music. For more than half a century, she was the pianist for the Valley Grove Methodist church, and she especially loved playing and singing gospel hymns with her nieces. They even performed for a gospel radio station once. Sometime in the 1980s Wilma made a tape recording of herself playing and singing these classic church songs, and her family is so grateful to have that beautiful remembrance of her.

Wilma was a skilled seamstress. Most of the clothes worn by her nieces and nephew growing up next door had been hemmed, altered or patched by Wilma and her Singer sewing machine.

Each summer for the Valley Grove church homecoming, Wilma would make a batch of freshly squeezed lemonade served in her late mother’s butter churn with a metal dipper for ladling out. It was always a hit. Wilma was a valued housekeeper for several families across Charleston and a brilliant confectioner. Even in her 90s she made jars of crab-apple jelly from apples picked by her brother and nephew. As with everything Wilma did, it was the product of her characteristic blend of love and skill.

Wilma lived a very long and fulfilling life and made an incredible impression on everyone who knew her. We were all so lucky to have her in our lives, and we will love and miss her forever. She was the best.

A service will begin 1pm, Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Hafer Funeral Home, with Speaker John Gunther officiating. Burial will follow at Elk Hills Memorial Park.

Visitation will be from 12pm to 1pm at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to www.haferfuneralhome.net

Arrangements are in the care of Hafer Funeral Home, 50 North Pinch Road, Elkview, WV 25071.