Karen Lee Stump Circle
It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Karen Lee Stump Circle, who departed this world on Sunday June 29, 2025, due to complications from recent multiple surgeries. Karen was surrounded by her loving family.
Born January 19, 1944, in Rand, WV, Karen lived a full life filled with love and dedication to her family, friends, and community.
Karen is proceeded in death by her parents, Reba Lee Rice Stump Malone; her father, Walter B. Stump; her stepfather, William L. Malone; and brother, William Joseph Stump.
Those left to cherish her memory include her loving and devoted husband of 64 years, James Madison Circle III; sons, James (Bud) IV (Jeannie), Edward (Eddie) (Kathy); grandchildren, Phillip (Aileen), Taylor (Ricky), Shannon, Luke (Lauren), Logan (Daniela), Chase (Mackenzie); and eleven great-grandchildren, Ellie, Nina, Phillip, Jaycob, Jack, Kaiden, Sage, Wyatt, Zeke, Maggie, and Allie.
Karen attended elementary and junior high school in Marmet, WV, and attended high school at Charleston and graduated in 1961. Shortly thereafter, she married her high school sweetheart, James M. Circle III (Jimmie), on July 3, 1961, and they moved to Germany, where Jimmie served in the U. S. Army. They returned to Marmet, WV, in 1964 and began raising their family. Thereafter, the family moved to Morgantown, WV, and Valley Bend, WV, before settling in Greenbrier County, WV, near Lewisburg in 1975.
After raising their two sons, Karen held several jobs in Lewisburg, including C & P Bell as an operator, Greenbrier Motors, Appalachian Electronics, and the WV Department of Health and Human Services, where she retired in 2004. Karen was an avid bowler and joined many leagues at the Greenbrier Bowling and Recreation Center, as well as participating in many bowling tournaments across the U. S. with her fellow bowlers and friends. Karen also participated in many children’s bowling clinics as a wonderful bowling teacher, which was near and dear to her heart. Karen and her husband, Jimmie, are lifetime members of the Graystone Baptist Church and attended services faithfully since 2007.
Funeral services will be held in the mausoleum at the Wallace Memorial Cemetery in Clintonville, WV, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, with Pastor Youel Altizer officiating. Interment will follow in the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Karen’s favorite charity, St. Jude, at stjude.org. She would be so thrilled, because she loved children and especially those who have a serious illness.
Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements.
