Jeanne Hunter

Doris “Jeanne” Staats Hunter, 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 20, 2018 at Jackson General Hospital in Ripley. Jeanne “Grannan” Hunter, our family matriarch --she always wanted to hear about everyone, and listened intently. She had a wonderful caring way of making everyone feel special. Her strong Christian beliefs, fun-loving attitude, advice to make you feel better and do the right thing, plus wonderful recipes, are only part of what made her our most precious wife, mother, and grandmother. Jeanne was a strong family person who deeply cared for not only her family but her community as well. As a founding member of the Junior Woman’s Club in 1956, she made it both a personal & community mission to bring a healthcare facility to Jackson County. She played an instrumental role as one of the founders of Jackson General Hospital, served as president of the board, and countless terms on the executive committee. She is also a dedicated member of Calvary United Methodist Church of Ripley for over sixty years where she held church positions from nursery to administrative board and spent over 15 years leading the Chancel Choir. Jeanne was born on December 31, 1934, in Gassaway, WV and then moved to become a lifetime resident of Jackson County. She was a graduate of Ripley High School and then attended Ohio University where she majored in Journalism. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, James M. Hunter of Ripley; her children, Russell Hunter (Nikki) of Ripley, Margaret Nester of Huntington, Luke Hunter (Mitsy) of Ripley, and Rebecca Duke (Mike) of Clemmons, NC. She and Jim have 10 grandchildren: Chris, Michael, and Julia Hunter, Tori Nester, Rose (Nester) Cooper, Ryan Hunter, Sarah (Hunter) Kyer, and Amanda, Abbie, and Mack Duke, as well as 8 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters Lois Casto of Ripley, and Margaret Ann Hall (Bill) of Harrisonburg, VA. Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Margaret Staats, a son, Robert Mark and a great grandson, Colby Kyer. In lieu of flowers, donations/tributes are appreciated to: Jackson General Hospital Foundation, c/o The Jackson County Community Foundation 122 Pinnell Street, Ripley, WV 25271 The family will receive friends from 4pm-6pm, Sunday, April 22, and a half hour prior to the service on Monday at the Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley. Memorial service will be at 2pm, Monday, April 23 at Waybright Funeral Home, 511 S. Church St., Ripley. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com