Betty Thomas Rahv

Betty Thomas Rahv, a native of Charleston, WV and eldest child of the late Marian Pope Thomas and Andrew Stephen Thomas, Jr. passed away Saturday, April 15, 2017, in LaGrange, GA of natural causes. She is survived by her son, William L. McIlvain of Charleston and siblings, Emma Lewis Thomas of Livingston, MT, Marian Thomas Wood of Riverdale, NY, and Andrew Stephen Thomas III of Charleston, WV as well as 4 nieces, 3 nephews, 7 grand nieces and 5 grand nephews. Cared for by her niece's family, Erica Nashan and James K. Arnold of LaGrange, GA, and their children, Roselyn, Eolyne and Andrew Arnold. Devoted caretakers Wanda Feltman, Toni Anne Ball, and Roselyn Arnold were at her side. Accolades include a Bachelor of Arts from Sweet Briar College, a Master of Arts from Middlebury College, and PhD in French Literature from Indiana University. She also attended Ohio Wesleyan University, Yale University, and the University Paris-Sorbonne as a Fulbright Scholar. She served twice as Chairman of the Romance Languages Department at Boston College and authored many articles on French Philosophy and Literature, as well as a book, "From Sartre to the New Novel". Her passions led her to travel the world to research history, culture and art. A devoted teacher, she nurtured the talents of her students and was revered by her colleagues. As a native West Virginian she was crowned Mountain State Forest Festival Queen Silvia XV in 1951. She loved the outdoors, summer visits with family, and took comfort in her many pets at home. She remained loyal to her family, sharing her love of the world as well as her deep ties to the place of her childhood in the Appalachian Mountains. Betty will be interred in the family plot in Charleston, WV. Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.