City Woman who Co-Owned Well-Known Local Family Business, Helen Lorain Potts, Passes Away at 92

Helen Lorain Potts, 92 of Bridgeport, West Virginia died on Friday April 25th 2025 at United Hospital Center following a brief illness. She was born August 1, 1932 in Gould, West Virginia the daughter of the late Bonita M. Hyre.

She was proceeded in death by her husband of 54 years Junior “JR” Potts, a great granddaughter Ryleigh Rayne, and three sisters.

She is survived by two sons John R. and wife Melissa Potts of Clarksburg, Steve W. and wife Marcy Potts of Bridgeport, and one daughter Denise E. and husband James Skinner of Lost Creek, five granddaughters April and husband Davy Crockett of Bridgeport who she made her home with for the last 15 years, Alicia and partner Scott Skinner of Lost Creek, Amy and husband Scott Toothman of West Milford, Alexis Stutler of Lost Creek and Kayla and husband Ethan Pitzer of Bridgeport, and eight great grandchildren Ethan, Mylee, Becklynn, Jolene, Zoey, Owen, Colson and Ayden who all affectionately called her Maamaw and Maamaw Darlin. One sister Karen Smith of Ohio and one brother Ronald and wife Wyn Bosley of Virginia, several nieces, nephews, and special family and neighbors and her four faithful protective fury companions Bleu, Redd, Fredrick and Duke.

She was previously employed years ago at C & P Telephone Company as a phone operator, a clerk at Garden Fresh and worked for 25 years before retiring at Bridgeport Bank/WesBanco as Head Teller. She also co owned Potts Small Engine Repair. Although unable to attend she earned a full scholarship from West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Helen was a member of the Bridgeport Church of Christ. After she retired she enjoyed spending the summer at her family camp on Sago Rd. in Buckhannon, West Virginia, planting flowers including her favorite the African Violet and a garden, feeding her favorite bird the Cardinal, shopping, reading all different kinds of murder mystery novels, watching fox News, reading her Bible daily, spending time with her large family and spoiling her grand and great grandchildren as much as she could.

Family and Friends attended the graveside service at 2 pm Monday April 28th 2025 at the Rock Cave Cemetery in Rock Cave, West Virginia. A celebration of life will be held at a later date to be announced.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.