Darla Irene Spencer
Passed: April 24, 2022
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Darla Irene Spencer
Passed: April 24, 2022
Obituary
Darla Irene Spencer, 72, of Charleston, WV, passed away on April 24, 2022.
Darla was born in Kanawha County, WV. She was a Registered Professional Archaeologist and was an instructor at WVU Native American Studies Program. She held a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from West Virginia State University, as well as a Master’s in Sociology and Anthropology at Marshall University. Darla has researched the archaeology and early history of West Virginia for over 25 years and was the Secretary-Treasurer of the West Virginia Archeological Society and Board of Directors member of the Council for West Virginia Archaeology. In 2003, she was awarded the Sigfus Olafson Award of Merit for her contributions to West Virginia Archaeology and early history of West Virginia. Darla was also a published author of two books (Early Native Americans in West Virginia: The Fort Ancient Culture. 2016; Woodland Mounds in West Virginia. 2019) and several articles for Archeological journals.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Anthony Hoffman.
Darla is survived by her sons, Logan Hoffman and Damon Hoffman (Wendy), and niece, Gloria Lopez, all of Charleston, WV.
To honor the Life of Darla Spencer, a Memorial Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2022, at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia Street, East, in Charleston, WV.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.
Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
9 responses to Darla Irene Spencer
Charity Moore Norton says:
May 9, 2022
I remember being a brand new archaeologist and seeing her at WVAS or CWVA meetings, and loving that there was such a knowledgeable, well-respected woman at the heart of WV archaeology. She is missed.
Peggy Coulter says:
May 6, 2022
Darla and I have been friends for many years. I am so sad to learn she has passed. I admire all the work she has done to improve the awareness of the others of the indigenous presence in our state. We have traveled and worked together not only here in West Virginia but Virginia, and Washington, D.C. As a friend she and I attended Native Gatherings where she became an adopted family member. I will never forget her help with an older member of my family to council meetings and doctor’s appointments in Virginia to our Tribal community. She helped me through the loss of several family members by standing by my side as we sang for their funeral services. How I regret not being able to be there to honor her in song and to express my most sincere condolences to the family she cherished so very much! I shall never forget her ! You are in my prayers!
Kathryn F Woodroe says:
May 6, 2022
Was sorry to hear about Darla’s passing. we were in school together, and though it has been many years I remember her as a very special person. I am sure she will be missed by many who’s life she has touched.
with heartfelt sympathy.
Kitty Woodroe
Andrea Keller says:
May 5, 2022
I first met Darla when she was doing research at the WV SHPO for the WV Highway Department, and am very fortunate that our paths crossed many times as we each pursued careers in archaeology. Darla was one of the first presenters in the lecture series at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex and her presence at our Archaeology Days with her books exemplified her talent for research and scholarship. Her grace and kindness, and leadership in West Virginia archaeology, are more of the many reasons why she will be very much missed.
With deepest sympathies,
Andrea Keller
Andrea says:
May 6, 2022
You may be wondering why I wrote two condolences — I checked the guest book and my first entry had not appeared, so I wrote the second one. Again, my sincerest sympathies.
Andrea
Andrea Keller says:
May 3, 2022
I have know Darla for many years and probably met her for the first time when she would come to the WV SHPO office to do research for the West Virginia Highway Department. Through the years, we both progressed along our paths in our archaeological carreers and I am fortunate that our paths crossed many times at archaeological meetings and other occasions. Darla was one of our first speakers when the monthly WVAS chapter meetings came to the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex, and having her at our Archaeology Day programs with her books added an emphasis on scholarship to the event. Her books are part of a legacy of projects that will be appreciated by many people many years in the future but I feel that I have lost a treasured friend. Please accept my heartfelt condolences! Andrea Keller