Paul Sperow Hite, 89, of Hedgesville passed away on Monday, August 28, 2017.
Paul was born at the family farm near North Mountain, WV on August 9, 1928. He was the third of five children born to the late Raymond and Fern Hite. He was predeceased by his older brother and sister, Mitchell Hite and Margaret (Hite) Bridgham. Paul was a 1947 graduate of Hedgesville High School and was active in the Future Farmers of America, including serving as the local chapter’s Vice President. He lived and worked throughout his childhood and young adult life on his parents’ small dairy farm. He developed an early interest in mechanics, and began working for Trammel Hollis Chevrolet Garage in Martinsburg in 1950. That same year, on April 8, he married Gladys Lee of Delray, WV, who predeceased him in 2006 after 56 years of marriage. The same year they were married, Paul began his 38-year career with the Potomac Edison Light and Power Company in Martinsburg. He initially was part of the service department which delivered, installed and serviced the Company’s Frigidaire appliances. Following the discontinuance of that department, he suffered wrist injuries during a fall while training for the line gang. He then served the remainder of his career reading meters mostly throughout Berkeley and Morgan counties.
Paul and Gladys raised five children, starting with Calvin, born in September 1951, followed by Janet Mora in 1954, Regina Divozzo in 1959, Curtis in 1960 and Lisa Shane in 1961. Paul was a lifelong member of the Hedgesville United Methodist Church, and served as Chairman of the Trustees in the late 1970’s when the decision was made to replace the church building. He was among those who helped organize the Hedgesville Fire Department, often helping prepare for the annual Firemen’s Festival held at the elementary school. He and Gladys joined with other church members to make apple butter each Fall at their house, which was sold as a fundraiser. They served as members of the Hedgesville High School Band Boosters, helping raise funds through the sale of apple cider in order to buy new uniforms for the band, prior to their performance at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York.
In addition to his regular job, Paul continued to help on the farm until the death of his father in 1970. Paul always seemed to enjoy working with others, especially long time friend (cousin-in-law) Charlie Armbrester, and, due to his knowledge of appliances, he was often fixing toasters, irons, hot water heaters, ranges and refrigerators for friends and neighbors, never requesting anything for his time.
He frequently took his family to visit his wife’s parents and other family members in Hampshire County, and made occasional visits to Baltimore and Manassas to visit other siblings. While their children were still in school, they took a trip to the World’s Fair in 1965 and a trip to Florida. Later years, they took a trip to Chicago, the Grand Canyon and a few additional trips to Florida.
Besides his five children, Paul leaves his younger brother and sister, James Hite of Martinsburg and Patricia (Hite) Butts of Hedgesville, along with seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and thirty-two nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM and 6:00PM to 9:00PM at Brown Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 11:00AM with receiving one hour prior to the service at Hedgesville United Methodist Church with Rev. Dennis Jackman officiating. Interment will be in Hedgesville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations please be made to the Hedgesville United Methodist Church at 201 S. Mary Street, P.O. Box 35, Hedgesville, WV 25427 and/or the Hedgesville Cemetery Association, Inc. at P.O. Box 1763, Hedgesville, WV 25427.

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