Charlene Seum

Charlene (Rice) Seum, of Moundsville, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026 at the age of 76 at the Continuous Care Center in Wheeling, after a several-year health battle. Born on June 15, 1949 in Wheeling to Lawrence and Sally (Rogers) Rice, she was a devoted Jehovah’s Witness and longtime member of the Moundsville Kingdom Hall congregation.

A loving mother, sister, and friend, Charlene was the heart of her family and a source of strength to those around her. In her youth she served as a candy striper at Ohio Valley General Hospital and later worked at Stone and Thomas in Wheeling before devoting herself fully to caring for her home and family. She found joy in her animals, sewing, spending time with friends, playing on the computer, and watching HGTV.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Christopher Seum; an infant daughter, Darlana Jean Lutes; a son, Donald Brent Lutes, Jr.; her parents; and two brothers, Raymond Rice and Rev. James Rice. Charlene is survived by her children, Lorri Lutes of Wheeling, Marlana (Seum) Barrett, and David Seum of Moundsville; her sister, Barbara (Dave) Kovalski; two grandsons, Robin Martin and Jacob Hartley; a granddaughter, Kristen Markwas; two great-granddaughters, Adalyn Markwas and Zaryiella Lynn Hartley-Valasquez; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her legacy of love, strength, and kindness will continue to live on through them.