Emma Lou Crowder Kuhn, 83 of Elkview WV died on September 25th shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. She is survived by her children, Suzann Cowie of Charleston, James Barton Kuhn of New York, sister Shirley Goad of Charleston, John Crowder of Huntington, granddaughter Elizabeth Welch (Danny) of Elkview, granddaughters Ivy Thompson (Andrew) of Morgantown, Madeline Gibson (Travis) of Charleston, Willow Welch of Alexandria VA, and her two great grandsons Briggs and Beau.
She was preceded death by her husband of 45 years James B. Kuhn III of Ona, her parents Owen and Cornelia Crowder of Charleston, brothers Lionel and Rex Crowder of Charleston, sister Carrie Henderson of San Angelo Texas.
Emma Lou worked as an LPN at Village Medical Center, St. Mary’s and Cabell Huntington Hospitals. All shifts, all holidays, all weather. She was always available, always nursing. As happens with most nurses, she became a neighborhood and family resource for information on all matters of health. She embraced this role and served as a touchpoint and resource for healthcare, helping friends, family and neighbors to understand what was happening, who to call, where to turn. At work, or at home, she never stopped nursing.
At the encouragement of several physicians, she realized her dream of attending university and received her Registered Nursing degree from the University of Charleston in 1989. She actively worked as an RN until her retirement in 2004. After direct patient care, her favorite duty was training medical students in the clinical skills of healthcare. She took great pride in watching new people develop their talents and remained in touch with her colleagues long after her retirement. Even after retirement, she traveled to assist in the daily care or recuperation of family members, often living with them as they recovered. She continued serving her community by volunteering at Bible Center Church in Charleston and after she relocated to Philadelphia, by working in food pantries and fund raisers as an active member of Lehman Church.
Prior to starting her nursing career, she was an Army wife, mother, business owner, semi-professional baker, and candy-maker, but if asked, she would most like to be remembered as a nurse.
As expected, Emma Lou donated her body to medical science. She will be interred with her husband at the Marshall University Medical School with her husband who also donated his body to the same cause. At Emma Lou’s request, there will be no service.
A fund to help similarly minded nursing students at her alma mater, The University of Charleston, has been established. The family asks that those who are able, in lieu of flowers, contribute to this fund to help another student in their career. Emma Kuhn Memorial Nursing Scholarship – University of Charleston https://www.ucwv.edu/emma-kuhn/ If donors would like to donate via mailed check, please mail to: University of Charleston Office of Advancement,2300 MacCorkle Ave, SE, Charleston, WV 25304 Memo Line: Emma Kuhn Scholarship
Online condolences and memories of Emma may be shared by visiting
https://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, WV.