Michael Frederick Titus, 58, of Spencer, West Virginia, died Sunday, March 1, 2015, at his home.
He was born August 13, 1956 at Morgantown, a son of Gerald M. Titus, Sr. of Spencer and the late Jeanne Rae Brown Titus, who died May 6, 2002.
In addition to his father, survivors include his brothers, Gerald M. and Mary Beth Titus, Jr. of Spencer, Tim and Mindy Titus of Fowlerville, Mich., Tom Titus and Lyne Lakeman of North Bend, Wash.; nephews and nieces, Gerald M. Titus, III, Benjamin A. Titus, Molly Rae Titus, Emily Morgan Titus, Peyton Titus, Hunter Titus, Alyce Titus, Adam White, Justin White and Emily White; maternal uncle and aunt, Dr. William and Molly Pitcher Brown of Virginia Beach, Va.
Mike was not only an avid reader of books; he was a well-respected author of poetry and works of both fiction and non-fiction. Mike wrote many books, including First Poems, The Tenth Life, The Girl Who Read to Birds and Further My Heart from Home, an autobiographical account of his relationship with his beloved niece, Molly, with whom he shared a relationship of deep mutual adoration throughout her life. Mike dearly loved his nephews, Gerald, Ben, Peyton and Hunter and his other nieces, Emily and Alyce.
Mike was an assistant chaplain at the Huntington City Mission, administering to those in need of his unique talents and gifts. Mike was a guest reader on the National Public Radio program, "The Poet and the Poem" and a guest reader for the series "Poetry in Motion" at the West Virginia Cultural Center. Mike's poetry was also published among many other places, in Et Cetera, the Marshall University Literary magazine.
Mike won first place in poetry and second place in fiction for the William J. Maier Awards in Writing. Mike was also one of only eight West Virginia residents, out of 150 applicants, to win a state art grant in the first year of a program sponsored by the State of West Virginia. His award was for literature. These are only a small number of the awards and honors bestowed upon Mike during his distinguished literary career.
Mike's friends were not limited to Roane County or West Virginia or even the United States. He had numerous friends throughout the world and was loved and admired by countless individuals for his kind heart, giving nature and his unique and wonderful spirit. That spirit will be remembered and treasured forever by those whose lives he touched and enriched.
Family and friends will gather Friday 10:30-11:30 a.m at the John H. Taylor Funeral Home, Spencer, to share memories and celebrate his life. Afterward, he will be taken to the Oak Grove Cemetery, Morgantown, for a private family graveside service.
In keeping with Mike's love for the written word, memorial donations are preferred to the Roane County Public Library, 110 Parking Plaza, Spencer, WV 25276.
Online condolences may be expressed at taylorfuneralhomeinc.com
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