Elizabeth Susan Yancey

Elizabeth Suzan Yancey, also known as Tootsie, 83, of Charleston passed away unexpectedly at home on June 8, 2018. She was born in Bluefield, WV to the late Charles Buffalo and Elizabeth Virginia Nagy Knowles. She graduated from Bluefield High School and Morris Harvey College, obtaining her Master’s Degree in Education. She taught dancing in Bluefield for many years until her husband, Ben Yancey, accepted a position in the Attorney General’s Office in Charleston. She then taught P.E., Health, Speech and Computers at John Adams Junior High School as well as being a basketball, Tennis, Volleyball and Track Coach there until her retirement. She was always proud that she had taught Jennifer Garner for three years while at John Adams. Tootsie was very active and enjoyed hiking, bicycling, snow skiing and tennis and she worked out regularly at the YMCA. She loved flower gardening and landscaping. She was a big supporter of animal rights and welfare organizations and if she saw a stray animal she would take it home and care for it, providing it a home if the owner could not be found. She loved to dance and after their spouses died, she danced every New Year’s Eve with her cousin, Jimmy Kiser. Even as recently as December 31, 2017 she and Jimmy received many compliments on their dancing. She was also a founding member of Unity Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Benjamin Yancey Jr; son, James Albert Greene; brothers, John E. Knowles and Charles Buffalo (Buddy) Knowles, Jr.; niece, Terry Ann Hatfield. Tootsie is survived by her sons, Charles Roba Greene and Benjamin F. Yancey, III; granddaughter, Ashley Elizabeth Greene; sisters, Shirley Ann Knowles (Janna L. Naylor), Sandra Charlene Lynn White, and Linda V. Wilson; brother, James William (Linda) Knowles; niece, Pamela Lynn Hatfield; nephews, Charles Keith Hatfield, James W. (Cheryl) Knowles, Jr., Matthew Charles (Kelly) Knowles, and John (Mickey) Knowles Jr.; many cousins, extended family and friends. A Memorial Service to Honor the Life of Tootsie will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Snodgrass Funeral Home with Rev. Sky Kershner officiating. Family and Friends may visit one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Kanawha Charleston Human Association, 1248 Greenbrier St., Charleston, WV 25311 or Little Victories Animal Rescue, 3589 Wire Branch Road, Ona, WV 25545. Memories of Tootsie may be shared by visiting snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Mercer Funeral Home submitting information on behalf of the Jim Knowles Family.