Vivian Poling

Vivian Marie (Fluharty) Poling, 95 of Ripley, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Ravenswood Care Center with her family by her side.

Vivian was born in Liverpool, WV on September 25, 1930, daughter of the late Harris Burl and Mary Jane Fleming Fluharty. She was the youngest daughter among their nine children.

In addition to her parents, Vivian was preceded in death by her loving husband of 72 years, Paul Poling; son, Ronald Dale Poling; sisters and brothers, Esther Mitchell, Edna McVey, Mildred Chancey, Louise Brabham, Virginia Eddy, Lenore Tallman, Burl David Fluharty and Dale Fluharty.

She was a member of the Parchment Valley Baptist Church where she sang in the choir until she was physically unable to attend. She and her husband, Paul, were known for their hugs and handshakes with everyone prior to the Sunday morning church services.

Vivian was a 1948 graduate of Spencer High School and quickly earned a teaching certificate from Glenville State College that enabled her to begin her teaching career. At the age of 18, she began teaching in a one-room schoolhouses. First, she taught at Straight Creek in Kanawha County and later at two other one-room schoolhouses: Enterprise School and Liverpool School.

In 1951, she married the love of her life, Paul Poling, and they began their family of four children. She paused her teaching career for a few years but soon began teaching kindergarten in the basement of her home. Once all of her children were in school, she went back to college (WV State College) where she completed her bachelor degree in 1970. Upon graduating, she began teaching at Duke Elementary School in Frozen Camp. While teaching, she also completed her Master’s degree in School Administration through West Virginia College of Graduate Studies. She continued her career in education as Principal of Fairplain Elementary School, Sayre Elementary School and Evans Elementary School, eventually retiring from her life-long career in education in 1989.

Vivian is survived by three children Paulette Nester (Ben), Kathy Butler (Rod Schultz), and Jim Poling of Ripley. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Stephanie Lovin, Brian Anderson, Michael Butler, Jennifer Wible, Allison Atkins, Adam Poling, Nathan Poling, Andrea Minner, Kelli Poling, Ben Poling and Hannah Smith and 21 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life for Vivian will be held Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley with Dr. Matt Ash officiating. Visitation will be from 11 am to 1 pm at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest beside her loving husband, Paul Poling, at the Pine Hill Cemetery, Ripley.

The family would like to thank the staff of Ravenswood Care Center and Kanawha Hospice Care for their loving and compassionate care of their mother, Vivian Poling.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com