Eleanor Yvonne (McGinnis) Janes, 82, of Chocowinity, NC, died peacefully at home following several years of illnesses on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. She was born in Preston County, WV on August 14, 1941, the daughter of the late Louis W. McGinnis and Bessie A. Pratt McGinnis. Eleanor was married to Harlan Russell Janes, originally of Shinnston, WV.
In addition to her husband of 62 years, Eleanor is survived by two children, Viki (Janes) Gossen and husband Thomas of Forest, VA, and Beverly Janes of Chocowinity, NC; three grandchildren, Joseph Gossen and wife Dana Sarchet-Gossen of Lynchburg, VA, Allison Gossen of Chicago, IL, and Benjamin Janes of Chocowinity, NC; and two sisters-in-law, Carma McGinnis of Shalimar, FL, and Nina (Janes) Barnes of Lexington, KY.
In addition to her parents. Eleanor was preceded in death by her siblings, George W. “Bill” McGinnis, Viola P. “Pearl” (McGinnis) Tichnell and husband Bob, Gerald R. “Rex” McGinnis and wife Louise (McLearn), Anna K. “Katheryn” (McGinnis) Hartley and husband John, and Woodrow W. “Wayne” McGinnis and wife Carol (Wagner) McGinnis; and siblings-in-law Donald Barnes, and Millie (Janes) Fitzgerald and husband Cosey “Fitz” Fitzgerald.
Eleanor retained close ties to family throughout her life and had a deep love for her nieces and nephews too numerous to list by name. Eleanor stayed in touch by phone once she could no longer continue long road trips to visit family in person. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed watching wildlife. She was good at board games and was known for cheating at Monopoly.
She was a graduate of St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Clarksburg, WV. As a Registered Nurse, she worked primarily in obstetrics and family practice, and held leadership positions in nursing associations, driven by a strong purpose to remediate illnesses and provide comfort.
Friends will be received at Harmer Funeral Home in Shinnston, WV on Friday April 19 at 9:30 AM. Funeral services will follow at the same location at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at the Shinnston Memorial Cemetery.