Gay Stover, formerly of Smoot, passed away in an assisted living home in Aiken, South Carolina, on March 11, 2026. Born on November 3, 1947, in Quinwood to Delton Elmore and Rosie Young, she grew up in a poor coal mining family. She graduated from Crichton High School in 1966 and later owned and operated Gay’s Grocery in Quinwood from 1974 to 1983, where her store served as a warm community gathering place.
In 1978, Gay came to know the Lord and devoted her life to Christian service. She served as youth minister and assistant pastor at churches in Charmco and Hines, cohosted a Christian AM radio show with the late Rev. Lemon Dorsey, and in September 1989 became pastor of Crawley Baptist Church. She faithfully led that congregation until her retirement in December 2015, touching many lives and guiding numerous souls to Christ.
Gay is preceded in death by her husband, Tracy Stover; her brothers Dalton, Henry, John, and Jimmy Lee Elmore; her sister JoAnn Kenny; and several beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws. She is survived by her only son, Dr. Tracy Stover Jr., and his wife Maria, along with her three grandchildren, Preston, Henry, and Lilia, all of Aiken, South Carolina. She is also survived by her sisters Brenda Elmore of Ronceverte, Rosemary Smith of Culloden, and Louise Cavallaro of Rupert, as well as many nieces, nephews, and their children.
She lived most of her life in western Greenbrier County before moving to Aiken in her later years to be near her son and grandchildren. Gay loved God above all else, poured her heart into her family, and brought love and light to her community and everyone she met. She will be deeply missed.
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