Martha Jane Riffe

Martha Jane Riffe, 97 of Beckley, WV, passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, November 26, 2022, with family by her side. 

Martha Jane was born in Crab Orchard, West Virginia, on August 28, 1925.  She was the daughter of the late Cleve and Laura (Snuffer) Phipps.  

Martha Jane spent the early part of her professional life working at G.C. Murphy Company and the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department. The majority of her professional career was spent working at Beckley National Bank.  She was a long-time, active member of Crab Orchard Baptist Church where she served in various capacities, including the church choir.    

In addition to her parents, Martha Jane was proceeded in death by her husband of 65 years, Tracy L. Riffe, sisters Mildred Vest, Argyle Price Gray, Freda Cook, brother Elwood Phipps, and two infant sisters. She is survived by daughter Sue Ellen and husband Clark Swepston of Ghent, WV; granddaughters Emilee (Michael) Payne of Charleston, WV, Andrea (David) Campbell of Princeton, WV, and international granddaughter Olga (Mark) Allen of Turnbull, CT; great grandchildren Elisabeth, Molly, and James Payne, Grace, Sarah, Eli, and Erin Campbell, and Peter Allen; brother Charles Phipps of Bloomington, IN.  Martha Jane cherished relationships with a host of other friends, cousins, nieces, nephews, and especially sisters-in-law Alice Riffe, Frances Dickerson, Alice Meek Riffe, Norma Riffe, and Joyce Phipps.   

A celebration honoring Martha Jane’s life will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at Crab Orchard Baptist Church. Pastor David Bush will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. The service will also be available through Facebook on the Crab Orchard Baptist Church Memorial Service Page. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park with family serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Crab Orchard Baptist Church, PO Box 446, Crab Orchard, WV 25827 or to the Beckley Area Foundation with notation to the Tracy & Martha Jane Riffe Fund, 1210 South Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801.   

Family will be served by Calfee Funeral Home.