It is with great sadness that we share that Ralph Edward Pence, age 84, of Clendenin, West Virginia, passed away on August 20, 2026.
Ralph was an honor graduate of the Clendenin High School class of 1959. He retired from Columbia Gas with 36 years of service and worked at Farmers and Citizens Bank and various other places in his earlier years. He was a born-again Christian and attended the First Baptist Church of Clendenin. His family finds comfort in knowing that he will now rest peacefully.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Dale Pence and Sylvia Marie Hively Pence of Clendenin. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mildred “Millie” Welch Pence, his only child, daughter Diana Lynn Pence, his beloved grandsons, Zachary Ryan Hunt and Aaron Lee Hunt, his brother, Roger Pence, his sister-in-law, Connie Pence, his nephews, Chris Pence and David Pence, and his close friends, Roy Hunt and David Gallian.
Ralph was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star more than 50 years and a Past Patron of Thelma Chapter No. 24. An Eastern Star service will be held in his honor. He was initiated into Clendenin Masonic Lodge No. 126 AF&AM in 1965 and served as Master twelve times. In 1979, he was appointed Deputy Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia and served until his death, making him the longest-serving Deputy Grand Lecturer in the organization. He also served as Grand Tiler of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia from 2011 to 2023. In 2023, he was given the honor of Grand Tiler Emeritus. Ralph was very active with his brothers in the Masonic Lodge and considered them family. His loved ones take great pride in his service to the organization and the honor of the Grand Lodge officers performing his graveside rites.
Ralph’s family would like to sincerely thank all who visited, supported, and prayed for him throughout these past months.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Jim Adkins and Assistant Pastor Dan Forwood officiating, at Stump-Matics Funeral Home, 8539 Elk River Road North, Clendenin, West Virginia 25045. Interment will immediately follow at Elk Hills Memorial Park in Big Chimney, West Virginia, with Masonic graveside rites. Visitation will be at the funeral home two hours prior to the service, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Fond memories and words of comfort may be shared with the Pence family at www.stumpfuneralhomes.com.
