Jo Ellen Walton Fitzwater, 78, of Glenville, West Virginia, passed away on March 30, 2025, at Braxton Memorial Hospital from a short illness, with her daughter at her side.
Jo Ellen was born on October 1, 1946, to the late George Edward Walton Sr. and late Carmelita Eldora (Cagg) Walton from Ashland, Kentucky. She was a 1964 graduate of Paul Blazer High School in Ashland, Kentucky. Jo had several different types of jobs during her lifetime. She initially started out working as a teacher’s aide for the board of education in Webster Springs. After about a year she then started working at Monongahela Power Company in Webster Springs, West Virginia, then transferred to Glenville, West Virginia. She worked for them about 14 years. She ran a Day Care in her home for 13 years. She took care of and nurtured numerous children and their presence made a deep impact on Jo’s entire family. She worked for Day’s Inns in Flatwoods, West Virginia, for several years. At that point, Jo Ellen went to work for Minnie Hamilton Hospital in Grantsville and she also worked for their clinic at Glenville. Jo then took a job as a medical secretary then a ward clerk at Braxton Memorial Hospital for 22 years, until her recent illness. She will be remembered for her fondness for jewelry and accessories to her outfits. Jo Ellen was also known for her love of flowers. Jo Ellen was a member of the Kingdom Hall in Weston, West Virginia, as a Jehovah Witness.
Along with her husband Earl Lee Fitzwater, she was preceded in death by her brother George Edward Walton, Jr. of Ashland, Kentucky and her sister Jean Cathrine (Walton) Sharp of Nelsonville, Ohio. Surviving her were her daughter, Johana Lee Fitzwater McKitrick, of Charleston, West Virgina and her son, Earl Reagan Fitzwater with his wife Malissa of Farmington, West Virginia. Jo has two grandchildren who are Austin Gabriel McKitrick with his wife, Rebecca of Winfield, West Virginia and Khloe Faith Fitzwater of Farmington, West Virginia. Jo has 4 great grandchildren name Michael Jonathan, Collin DeWayne, Savannah Lynn, and Mason Leander Henson of Winfield, West Virginia. Jo Ellen has 2 nephews and a niece from her side of the family and numerous family members from the Fitzwater side of her family.
The family would love to express their deepest gratitude to the nurses, physicians, and staff of Braxton Memorial Hospital. This was Jo’s family also. We know that it meant the world to Jo Ellen to spend her last days with her family and friends. The love and caring of those that cared for Jo and visited with her, has made the biggest impact on her children. Thank you.
A funeral service will be held at Stump Funeral Home & Cremation, Inc.,107 Market St., Grantsville, WV, 26147, on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service. Following the funeral, she will be laid to rest in Meadow Lane Cemetery, Glenville, WV. Jo’s family would like to encourage friends and family to tell memories and stories for her family members of Jo at the services, however, if you are unable to they will understand. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.stumpfuneralhomes.com
