Frank Edward Jolliffe
Frank Edward Jolliffe, of Mechanicsville, VA, formerly of Lewisburg, WV, finished his journey in the early morning hours of May 13, 2026, after a hard-fought battle with dementia.
He was born on April 4, 1943, in Morgantown, WV, to Frank and Gladys Jolliffe.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Christopher Jolliffe; his brothers, Dave and Richard Jolliffe; his sisters, Carol Johnson and Jean Robertson; and his mother-in-law, Charlotte Pierson.
Frank is survived by his wife of 28 years, Marlene Jolliffe, who faithfully cared for him during his illness; his daughters, Amy Gray (Jeff) of Lewisburg, WV, and Danielle Thayer (Chase) of Mechanicsville, VA; and his son, Jacob Jolliffe (Lei Lani) of Mechanicsville, VA. Frank also cherished his special “daughter of the heart,” Annie Harvey (Jen Slusher), Roanoke, VA. He was blessed with a devoted son-in-law, Justin Wigglesworth, husband of late son, Christopher, and Jo Anne Jolliffe, the mother of Amy and Christopher.
His favorite title was “Gramps”, and he deeply loved his grandchildren, Ross Gray, of Lewisburg, WV; Nicole and Benjamin Thayer, of Mechanicsville, VA; and baby girl, Amelia Ann, daughter of Jacob and Lei Lani, born four hours after Frank’s passing; Livvie, Rae, and Jordan Harvey-Slusher of Roanoke, VA.
Frank was deeply loved by his father-in-law, Larry L. Pierson Sr., of Lewisburg; his sister-in-law, Laura Jolliffe, of Kingwood, WV; his brother-in-law, Dave Johnson, of Morgantown, WV; his brother- and sister-in-law, Michael and Christy Pierson, of Winchester, VA; and his brother- and sister-in-law, Larry Pierson Jr. and Lisa Pierson, of Swannanoa, NC. Prior to transitioning to a memory care facility, Frank was especially comforted by his poodle, Dusty, who passed on December 16, 2025. Frank also was loved dearly by his nieces and nephews.
Frank was a brilliant legal scholar, who found his calling early in life and left a lasting mark on the legal system. The loss of his father at age 7, and the difficult years that followed as his mother raised the family, shaped Frank into a champion of the underdog, a protector of the underserved, and a man committed to seeing justice served. He served in the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 4th District, after being elected on November 7, 1972, as a Democrat. He practiced law with the firm of McHale, Jolliffe & Riffe in the early ‘70s and served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the state of West Virginia in 1974 and 1975. In 1976, former West Virginia Gov. Jay Rockefeller appointed him to serve as a circuit judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit of West Virginia, where he served for 28 years until his retirement in 2006. Following that, he served West Virginia as a senior status judge.
Throughout his life, he championed children — particularly those who needed support and love — and he was often described as “fair, firm, and also feared” by the lawyers who faced him in court. On September 23, 2011, his portrait was dedicated and hung high on the wall behind the judge’s bench in the Greenbrier County Courthouse. On that day, Frank said, “I’ll be looking right at the door for the lawyer who’s late!”
Frank loved his Presbyterian faith and served in many leadership positions as a member of Old Stone Presbyterian Church in West Virginia. He loved the State Fair of West Virginia and loved a good classic country music song. He adored watching his children play sports, although it was sometimes challenging for the refs and umps, when a judge who saw the world as very black and white didn’t think they made the right call! He was a true community servant who embodied the saying, “He would give the shirt off his back.” He also loved the WVU Mountaineers, as well as the hills of West Virginia.
Over the past 11 years, Frank and his family were comforted by the love of their New Hanover Presbyterian Church family. The family wishes to thank the caregiving staff at the Alpha House in Ashland, VA, for their exceptional love and care during his dementia journey.
To honor Frank’s devotion to children, especially teens who needed love and help finding their path forward in life, the family requests that donations of sympathy be made to: Davis Stuart, Attn: Kasey Carter, 163 Cottage Drive, Lewisburg, WV 24901. Incorporating Christian principles, Davis Stuarts goal is to reunify 12 – 18-year-olds with families or guide them to independence. Donations will advance educational opportunities for those transitioning out of the programs at age 18.
Services to honor his life are scheduled on: Thursday, May 28th, 11:00 a.m. at New Hanover Presbyterian Church, 10058 Chamberlayne Rd., Mechanicsville, VA, 23116 and Saturday, May 30th, at 11:00 a.m. at Old Stone Presbyterian Church, 644 Church St., Lewisburg, WV.
Submitted by Storke Funeral Home of Bowling Green, VA.
