Mabel (Royar) Loflin

Mabel Royar Loflin

Mabel “Mabs” Royar Loflin, 92, of Beckley passed away on January 11, 2020 after a short illness. She was born in 1927 in San Pedro, California to Vice Admiral Murrey Levering and Mabel McVey Royar.

Mabs married Paul Hurl Loflin, DDS on August 5, 1950 in Oakland, California. They have four children, JoAnne (John) Gilchrist, Murrey (Maureen) Loflin, Paul (Jennifer) Loflin, Jr., and Sarah (Tom) Borcherding.

There are eight grandchildren: Ensley Gilchrist (Patrick) Henderson, Jack (Michalya) Gilchrist, Reilly Loflin, Haley Loflin, Trevor Loflin, Paige, Grace and Sarah Jane Borcherding. There is one great granddaughter, Emelia Henderson.

Mabs is predeceased by her parents and her sister, Mary Anne Royar Schellingand her dear husband Paul Loflin.

Mabs was a 1944 graduate of St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia. She attended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia and graduated in 1948 with a degree in physical education. After graduation, she taught physical education at the Anna Head School, Berkley, CA. In 1949, she made a career change and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. She served as a Communications Officer and completed her service in 1953 with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.

After their marriage, Mabs  and Paul moved to Beckley where they established a dental practice and raised their family. Embracing her life here, she was active in many community activities such as the Beckley Junior Woman’s Club, Phymosia Garden Club, Black Diamond Girl Scout Council, New River Dental Auxiliary,  West Virginia State Dental Auxiliary and, on the national level, Dental Health Chairman for the Auxiliary to the American Dental Association. Here in Beckley, she was instrumental in the establishment of the Beckley Area Foundation (BAF). She served as Board Member, Treasurer and President of the BAF. In addition, she was a stalwart parishioner of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. There she served as the president of the Episcopal Church Women, Junior Warden, Senior Warden, Sunday school teacher and a member of the Altar Guild. Mabs was a founding member of the local chapter of the "Order of the Daughters of the King" at St. Stephens.

A Funeral Service will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 11 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main Street, Suite 301, Beckley, WV 25801.

Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley. 

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