Irma Jean "Bender" Curtis

A life well lived of love; A beloved wife, mother and granny, Irma Jean (Bender) Curtis, departed her earthly body to join her Lord and Savior on January 2, 2026. Born in Three Churches. WV, on December 24, 1933, Irma was the family Christmas gift to her parents the late Walter Bender and Audra Henderson Bender. She and her four siblings grew up on the hillside overlooking the train station and airport in Wiley Ford, WV. Stories of childhood were still reminisced with her baby brother Roger (Wilma) Bender of Bowie, MD whom she adored.

On a snowy winter trip to Weston on Thanksgiving weekend in 1950 with Carl Francis Curtis. Carl popped the question and they were married on April 20, 1951. Together they shared 52 years of marriage until his death in 2004.

Irma and Carl raised their children by examples of working hard, praying harder and above all else loving unconditionally. She was a wonderful cook and often made homemade bread, always keeping a spotless home and enjoyed her job as the family homemaker. Her life of love and service will be carried on by her children Carla (Francis) Foster of Weston, Betty (Paul) Heater of Freemansburg, Mark (Tammy) Curtis of Waldeck, Bonnie (Virgil) Mick of Fairmont and daughter-in-law Rose Curtis of Weston.

Irma was proceeded in death by four of her children; Carl Curtis Jr., Walter "Doug" Curtis, Hurley Curtis and Marie Bishop Reel her siblings Harold Bender, Olladean Stewart and Ina Bender and great grandchild Hannah Cook.

Though Irma loved her role as a mother she excelled at being everyone's Granny. She was the all time pitcher for many a game of wiffle ball, the shuffler of cards for countless games of rummy and enjoyed the giggles of her grandkids as she raced every car at the stop light at marketplace, making sure she won the race every time. Granny served dinner every Sunday at five; her grandkids favorite meals being hotcakes, chicken pot pie and her famous spaghetti sauce. Her love of life and having a good time with a smile on her face will be a tradition cherished by her 17 grandchildren (Greg, Chris, Bryon, Joseph, Jason, Jennifer, Bradley, Julie, Nerissa, Stephanie, Kevin, Tony, Matthew, Ann, Tiffany, Kaylin and Cassandra), 38 great grandkids and 5 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Irma enjoyed a hot cup of coffee with ample amounts of milk and sugar, cheering on The Pittsburgh Steelers and watching Days of Our Lives. She could solve a crossword puzzle in minutes and at 92 was sharp with wit, always striving to keep her brain active. Her crossword puzzle knowledge was only second to her biblical wisdom and understanding. She studied her bible, with intention and purpose, praising God for his blessings and understanding.

Irma was an active member of the Hackers Creek Pioneer Descendants, volunteering in multiple roles including serving as their librarian for many years. She enjoyed genealogy and spending time researching her own family tree or helping others complete theirs. She was a member of the Stonecoal United Methodist Church and coordinated preparing meals for funeral dinners and serving as the communion steward, and giving hugs to all her church family. She wrote the local column in the Weston Democrat for many years, keeping the McGuire Park community news in black and white print. In the last few years if your phone rang on your birthday, it was guaranteed one of those calls would be Irma wishing you a Happy Birthday for the Lewis County Senior Center, another role she enjoyed volunteering in within our community alongside her sister in Christ, Evelyn Rogers.

The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care of Adoration Hospice. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to The Hackers Creek Pioneer Descendants in honor of Irma; 45 Abbott's Run Road, Horner, West Virginia 26372.

Irma lived a life that her family is proud of and one that truly amplified the words she and her husband spoke to everyone, "Love You More."

Family and friends will gather at the Hardman Family Funeral Home 730 N. Main Avenue Weston on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 5-7 pm and funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 11 am from the funeral home chapel with Reverend Bill Dawson officiating and assisted by Reverend Bob King and Reverend Bev Kendall. Interment will follow services in the Peterson Cemetery of Weston, WV. Online condolences and life stories in memory of Irma may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston considers it an honor and a privilege to serve the family of Irma Jean (Bender) Curtis.