KEYSER -- Mary Frances Brown, 93, of 77 Maple Lake, Bridgeport, died Monday, May 29, 2000, at the Memorial Hospital, Cumberland, Md.

She was born Oct. 13, 1906, in Keyser, a daughter of the late Arthur P. and Rachel S. Pancake Brown.

Surviving are one nephew, Max A. Brown and wife, Norma, Keyser; one great-niece, Rachel S. Kitzmiller and husband, Aaron, Hurricane; one great-nephew, Arthur W. Brown and wife, Sally, Frederick, Md.; and two great-great nephews, Wyatt, Hurricane, and Fraser, Frederick.

She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Max A. and William Brown.

Ms. Brown practiced as a law partner at Stathers and Canfield Law Offices in Clarksburg. She received her Juris Doctorate at the West Virginia University Law School and was recently recognized in a documentary on West Virginia Public Television as one of the first female law graduates of the West Virginia University.

She was also recognized by the Harrison County Bar Association for more than 50 years of active practice in Harrison County.

Ms. Brown was a member of the American Bar Association, the West Virginia Bar Association, Potomac State College and West Virginia University Alumni Associations. She was an honorary life member of the American Association of University Women.

Helen E. Papajohn Buchner

SHINNSTON -- Helen E. Papajohn Buchner, 85, of Harrisonburg, Va., formerly of Bridgeport and Shinnston, died at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 29, 2000, at the Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, Va., following an extended illness.

She was born April 11, 1915, in Shinnston, a daughter of the late Harry J. Papajohn Sr. and Blanche I. Jackson Papajohn, formerly of Shinnston.

Her husband, John P. Buchner, preceded her in death March 22, 2000.

Surviving are one daughter, Judi Byard, Harrisonburg, Va.; two sons, Paul L. Eskew Jr., Annapolis, Md., and Thomas J. Stark, Bridgeport; one brother, Harry J. Papajohn Jr., Panama City, Fla.; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Helen and John Buchner were longtime residents of Maple Lake where they resided for 13 years. Helen had previously worked as a chief telephone operator before becoming a full-time homemaker and mother.

A graveside service will be held at the West Virginia National Cemetery, Pruntytown, at 2 p.m. Friday with the Rev. Steven Dorsey officiating. Harmer Funeral Home, Shinnston, is in charge of the arrangements.

Bernice L. Davis

CLARKSBURG -- Bernice L. Davis, 93, of Route 6, Box 710, Davisson Run Rd., formerly of Salem, died at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 31, 2000, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg. She had resided with her daughter for the past 10 years.

She was born Nov. 4, 1906, in Buffalo Calf, Doddridge County, a daughter of the late Wesley Brown and Martha Gibson Brown.

Her husband, O. Glenn Davis, preceded her in death in July 1968.

Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Conner L. (Janie) Thompson, Route 6, Box 710, Davisson Run Rd., Clarksburg; three sisters, Ruby Baird and Pearl Keller, both of Clarksburg, and Mildred Oyster, Mansfield, Ohio; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Nancy C. Davis in July 1951; two sisters, Vera Lee and Pauline Wolfe; four brothers, Coy, Clarence, Bill and Carl Brown.

Mrs. Davis was a charter member of the West Salem United Methodist Church where she had served as secretary/treasurer for over 30 years. She had also been pianist and was a member of the Women's Society of the church.

She had formerly been employed by the Harrison County Board of Education as a cook at VanHorn Grade School.

Friends will be received at the Davis-Weaver Funeral Home, 329 East Main St., Clarksburg from 7-9 p.m. today and from 2-8 p.m. Friday. A funeral service will be conducted in the funeral home at 11 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Stephen Rector presiding. Interment will be in Salem I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

Elaine June Parks