Loretto R. Auvil

Loretto R. Auvil, M.D., passed away on the evening of June 18, 2015, succumbing to complications from pancreatic cancer.Loretto McLaughlin Redd (Auvil) was born Aug. 23, 1931, the eighth of nine children to Andrew Walton Redd, a mail carrier, and Bessie Arnold Redd, a nurse.She was affectionately known as “Mom” or “Chief” to her children, “Grandma” to her grandchildren, “Snookie” to her siblings, “Dr. Auvil” to her peers and “Doc” to her patients. She grew up in the rural Virginia town of Beaverdam and attended Randolph Macon Men's College, earning her undergraduate degree in biology. She went on to graduate from the Medical College of Virginia, one of only five women to do so. Although she wouldn't willingly acknowledge it, she was a true pioneer for women in the field of medicine. While in medical school, she met her future husband, West Virginia native Dr. Donald Keith Auvil, known as “D.K.” The two practiced family medicine in Virginia, and later moved to West Virginia after completing their residencies. In 1960 they settled in Parkersburg, W.Va., and began their medical practice at 806 Division St. which remained much the same for the 54 years that she practiced medicine. In 1975, Dr. Auvil persevered for her five children when D.K. Auvil suddenly died at the age of 46. She found solace and peace in her work. She thrived in her profession, and was well known, loved and revered in her Southside community. She was an “old timey” Doc who started out making home calls, delivering babies and diagnosing and treating neighbors in her kitchen. Over the years as medicine progressed, Dr. Auvil adapted, learned and changed.Her love of her profession was second only to her love of education which was instilled in her by her mother. All of her siblings except one attended college and were accomplished professionals. Dr. Auvil in turn worked tirelessly to ensure all of her children received college educations and to assist many of her grandchildren in furthering their educations as well. Her five children all have professional degrees: Leman Walton “Walt” Auvil, law; Corinthia Cunningham, nursing; Athena Howard, medicine; Leda Eaton, teaching; and James Andrew “Jim” Auvil, culinary arts. In addition, of her 16 grandchildren, most have completed or are working toward undergraduate degrees and many have also pursued graduate and post-graduate degrees. Her grandchildren's accomplishments were a source of great pride for her that brought a beaming smile to her face. She often would say, “I've got some good ones.”Over the years, she accumulated many acknowledgments and awards from her peers, but none was more gratifying than her recognition as AAFP “Doc of the Year” by the West Virginia American Association of Family Practice in 2010. It was, at age 78, an award which not only recognized her skill in her profession but also represented a lifetime achievement of excellence.At 83, working eight- to 10-hour days, she remained one of the hardest working physicians in her profession, regardless of age. In fact, she continued to work until undergoing her first chemotherapy treatment. Being a physician, treating patients, and diagnosing illness was her passion. Throughout her chemotherapy and care, she spoke often of her desire to return to her patients, her office staff and the practice she loved. Throughout her life, she sustained her patients and in the end, they sustained her.Loretto Redd Auvil, M.D., was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Keith Auvil, M.D.; her brothers, Andrew Walton Redd Jr., James Thomas Redd and William Coleman Redd; and her sisters, Lydia Arnold Redd, Lavinia Lindsay Redd and Elizabeth “Taddy” Johnson.She is survived by her sister, Linnae Belle “Dormez” Hedgebeth; and her brother, John Llewellyn Redd.Her five children and their families will miss her everyday: Leman Walton “Walt” (Michele Rusen and children: Kirk Riley Auvil and Dr. Carissa Massey, PhD); Corinthia Auvil Cunningham (Roger B. Cunningham and children: Dr. Dana Aliel Cunningham, PhD, Ryan Walton Cunningham, J.D., Seth Andrew Cunningham, Ashley Loretto Cunningham and Kaitlyn Joy Cunningham); Athena Auvil Howard, M.D., (Dave Kingma and children: Joseph Thomas Howard, MBA, Elizabeth Howard, Astraea Howard, Olivia Kingma and Adrienne Kingma); Leda Auvil Eaton (Kevin R. Eaton and children: Wesley James Eaton, Allie Elizabeth Eaton, Lindsey Grace Eaton and Cameron Dale Eaton) and James Andrew “Jim” Auvil (Cindy Auvil and children: Amanda Nicole Stanley and Megan Rae Lent). She is also survived by six great grandchildren as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.Dr. Auvil's final contribution to medicine was to donate her body to Marshall University Medical School for the education of future medical students, an act which signifies her unconditional and selfless commitment to her profession. Accordingly, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in honor of Dr. Loretto R. Auvil, M.D. to the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1762, Parkersburg, WV where a permanent charitable fund in her memory has been established.A memorial service is being planned and arrangements are pending.