Shockey Roots

Juwanna “Jo” Minwaa Snyder Fortney, 86, a resident of Mill Creek, passed from this life Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center.
Jo was born Wednesday, April 28, 1937, in Elkins, a daughter of the late Philson Burton Snyder and Helen May Gibson Snyder and raised by her aunt Hallie and uncle Orval Hogue.
Left to cherish her memory are one son, Douglas Fortney, four grandchildren, Nicolas Fortney, Mary Beth Welcome-Fortney, Sindy and Sarah Fortney, seven great-grandchildren, David Watson, Lashod Jones, Ava, Suzanna and Isabel Fortney, Jacob Willis, and Mariah Fortney, siblings, Frelon “Butch” Facemire and wife Judy of Murphy, NC, Helen Kathy Butcher and husband Donald, close cousins, Charlie New, Nichole Shockey and companion Bull Webb, Carolyn Shockey, close friends, Nora and Bobby Lambert, Betty Pritt, Janice Mcgee Wamsley, former daughter in law, Sherry Fitzsimmons-Mohler, care giver, Melissa Daniels, Dr. Matthew Cupp, all the staff at ERCC including, Janet, Drew, Mary, Diana, Nick, Ashley, Katlyn, and Michelle.
Preceding her in death were two children, David Fortney, Inetta Sue Fortney Dodson, son in law, Stephen Dodson, grandson, Chad Fortney, paternal grandparents, Gussie Minwaa Shreve Snyder and William Fredrick Snyder, maternal grandparents, Delphia Lenora Wiant Gibson and Emerson Gibson, and the father of her children, Alvie Ray Fortney.
Jo attended the schools of Randolph County and later obtained her GED. She was a wonderful artist and owned and operated a stained glass business in St. Albans. She had also been employed at Mylan Pharmaceuticals in Morgantown, WV and Union Carbide in South Charleston, WV. Her hobbies included birdwatching, painting and drawing. For the last several years, genealogy was Jo’s passion!
Jo’s request for cremation was honored. A memorial service is being planned.

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Hostetler Funeral Home on Apr. 28, 2024.