Tomblin orders flags lowered for former state senator

State flags will fly at half staff Friday for former Randolph County state Senator Jae Spears.

The 90-year-old Spears died at her home in Elkins last weekend.

Spears plowed new ground during her time in the state Senate becoming the first and only female to be finance committee chair, to serve on the government and finance committee along with the first female majority whip.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, who served with Spears in the Senate, ordered the flags be lowered.

“She worked hard throughout her career for the good of the citizens of West Virginia and she will long be remembered for her pioneering spirit,” Gov. Tomblin said in a prepared statement. “Joanne and I extend our deepest condolences to Jae’s family.”

Spears served three terms in the House of Delegates before being elected to the Senate in 1980 where she also served three terms.

Saturday’s funeral will take place at First United Methodist Church in Elkins.