Area Woman who Owned Family Restaurant for Two Decades, Mary Jane Fox, Passes Away at Age of 99
Mary Jane Fox, 99, a lifelong resident of Jane Lew, passed away under the compassionate care of Crestview Manor and Nurse Anna on Monday, May 12, 2025.
Mary Jane was born in Jane Lew on March 9, 1926, a daughter of the late Woodford D. Skidmore and Myrtle Snyder Skidmore.
before his passing on May 11, 2010. In addition to her parents and beloved husband, Mary Jane was also preceded in death by four brothers: Bob, Bud, John, and Cronor Skidmore; and three sisters: Maxine Skidmore, Vieva Weekly, and Betty Sommerville.
Mary Jane is survived by her son, Loyd “Tom” Fox and wife, Tricia, of Hendersonville, NC; one granddaughter, Emily Barnes and husband, Kohn; one sister-in-law, Connie Skidmore; three nieces “Guardian Angels on Earth”: Brenda Melton, Kara Allman, and Karen Wells; and several other caring nieces and nephews.
Mary Jane was a proud graduate of Jane Lew High School, Class of 1944, and a valued employee at Zinn’s Grocery Store in her early years. She was a successful businesswoman, who along with her late husband, Andy, owned and operated “Mary Jane’s Restaurant” for two decades. Mary Jane was a woman of many talents and passions. She had a gift for poetry and often read her work at various functions, touching the hearts of those who listened. Her love for nature was evident in her fondness for cardinals, which she would watch from her bird feeder every evening. Her voice was a gift she shared generously, singing at weddings and events, and filling her home with the beautiful melodies of the Gaithers on the radio. A lifelong member of the Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church, Mary Jane’s faith was a cornerstone of her life. Mary Jane was also a lifelong member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Good Hope. Her life was one marked by love, dedication, and unwavering faith. Mary Jane’s memory will be cherished by all who were fortunate enough to know her.
In lieu of flowers, the family have requested that donations be made to WVU Hospice at 300 Davisson Run Rd., Clarksburg, WV, 26301. Family and friends will gather for Visitation at Pat Boyle Funeral Home and Cremation Service located at 144 Hackers Creek Rd. in Jane Lew from 12-1 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Funeral Services will begin at 1 p.m. in the Pat Boyle Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Shawn Weaver officiating. Interment will follow at Broad Run Church Cemetery in Jane Lew.
We, at Pat Boyle Funeral Home and Cremation Service located at 144 Hackers Creek Rd. in Jane Lew, are honored and privileged to serve the family of Mary Jane Fox. Online condolences may be expressed at www.PatBoyleFuneralHome.com.