Ancella Bickley, an American historian who was involved in the preservation of African American history in West Virginia, died on February 16, 2026, at age 95.
Born in Huntington, West Virginia, on July 4, 1930, she earned a bachelor’s degree in English from West Virginia State College in 1950, a master’s degree in English from Marshall University in 1954, and an Ed.D. in English from West Virginia University in 1974.
Bickley was professor emerita of English and retired as vice president of academic affairs at West Virginia State University. She lived in Florida and continued her work to bring greater recognition to African Americans, their history in Appalachia, and their accomplishments.
Ancella Radford Bickley (July 4, 1930 – February 16, 2026) was an American historian who was involved in the preservation of African American history in West Virginia.