Virginia Louise “Jinny” Sheetz Byers, 98, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, passed away April 8, 2024, at her home in Franklin, with her son and daughter-in-law by her side. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Born Sept. 17, 1925, in Keyser, she was the daughter of the late Charles Harry and Anita (Read) Sheetz.
Mrs. Byers graduated from Keyser High School in 1943. After her marriage to Harry Byers, the couple lived in Morgantown while he attended West Virginia University, then in the Washington, DC, area while he attended George Washington University, moving to Franklin in 1954.
Following the passing of her husband, she was employed by Kline Motor Sales from 1959-1998 as bookkeeper/secretary and then for Dr. H. Luke Eye for a few years.
Although living with much tragedy she remained a strong woman, raising her sons and serving them and her mother and father-in-law. Her church, friends and community were most important, as well.
She was an active member of the Franklin Presbyterian Church where she adorned the sanctuary in the summer with beautiful flower arrangements, served as a ruling elder and had financial responsibilities, as well as serving on various committees. She was the moderator of the Hope Circle, and in 2005 was awarded an honorary life membership of the Presbyterian Women.
Also in serving her community she was a 4-H leader of the Pendleton Builders, and in 2007 was given the Past Outstanding 4-H Leader Award.
In addition, she willingly and joyfully served others by chauffeuring many friends to appointments and students to school chorus concerts and on field trips.
She and several of her high school friends continued to enjoy time together until they were physically unable to do so. They enjoyed meeting at O’Neills in Moorefield for lunch and going to camp on the Potomac River near Romney. She often talked of how they would sit around playing cards into the wee hours of the night.
Other fun and recreational activities in which she participated include Treasure Mountain Swingers square dance club, bird watching, participating in wildflower pilgrimages and camping with Carolyn Ruddle, Juanita Slusher and Lorraine Sponaugle, skiing with her son, Chuck, and the Hubbs family, vacationing with family and friends, reading, knitting dishcloths, watching Mountaineer sports, and in earlier years ice skating on the river in Franklin.
Mrs. Byers was such a hospitable lady opening her home to many for meals and overnight stays. Her Thanksgiving and Christmas turkey dinners were most delicious, and at Christmas she baked a variety of cookies, including her famous sandtarts, which she delivered to several neighbors and friends. At beach time and Christmas her Chex mix, nicknamed “chicken feed,” was a staple. In the later years when she chose to not leave the house because of health issues, her family and friends enjoyed hosting birthday parties and various meals in her home in order that she could be blessed by the fellowship. She loved visits from her family and friends, along with her children and grandchildren’s friends, and her open door of welcome was loved by music students and their families as well.
Above all activities, though, she will be most remembered for her love of swimming. She absolutely loved being in the water. When her boys were growing up, along with other family members and friends, two weeks would be spent each summer at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. She was a matriarch of the Franklin Town Pool, swimming during breaks and in the evenings, which was the highlight of her summers until she could no longer comfortably walk down the steps into the pool. She loved the water and atmosphere teaching many to swim, including her grandchildren.
On Aug. 30, 1946, in Alexandria, Virginia, she was married to Harry Lawrence Byers, Jr. who preceded her in death on March 17, 1957.
Surviving are a son, Harry Lawrence, “Larry” Byers, III and his wife, Lois; four grandchildren and spouses and nine great-grandchildren: Joshua (Kennedy), Emerson and Ezra Byers, Elijah (Casey), Micaiah and Karli Byers, Joel (Kasey), Braydon, Aurora, and Arialle Byers, Rebekah (William), Jaxon and Titus Simon; a niece, Anne Lamar (Sheetz) Cooper; and a “bonus” family, David and Holly Hubbs, Cassie, Kendal and families.
She was also preceded in death by two sons, Jefferson Read Byers, (April 27, 1957 – Feb. 9, 1973) and Charles Richard Byers (Dec. 30, 1955 – May 15, 2008); and two brothers and their wives, Dr. Charles Harry “Snitz” (Thelma) Sheetz, Jr and Richard Read (Cathy) Sheetz
Funeral services were held Saturday at the Franklin Presbyterian Church with Pastors Brad Mitchell and Debbie Beam officiating. Interment was at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Franklin.
Memorials may be made to Franklin Board of Parks, Swimming Pool Fund, PO Box 483, Franklin, WV 26807.
Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com.
