Jean Elizabeth Fitzgerald

August 3, 1926 - February 5, 2018

Jean Elizabeth Ayers Fitzgerald Born in Harlan, Harlan County, Kentucky, the daughter of the late Robert Monroe Ayers and Nellie Perkins Ayers of Harlan, Kentucky. She was a member of College Avenue Baptist Church, Bluefield where she was a former teacher of the Ruth Class and circle leader of the Gladys Keith Circle. Jean was a life member and past president of Beta Beta Beta and Beta Sigma Phi, Harlan Kentucky, Bluefield Lioness Auxiliary and the Professional Secretaries, Bluefield, WV. She was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in 1974 by then Governor Wendell Ford. Jean was a graduate of the Western Union School of Telegraphy, Gainesville, Georgia, and conscripted by the US Army during the WWII, and was employed by the Kentucky Western for many years. After moving to West Virginia she was Woman’s Page Editor for the Bluefield Daily Telegraph and later became credit secretary at Rish Equipment Company general offices in the Old Bluefield Supply Company on Bluefield Avenue. Jean was preceded in death by husband Franklin McDowell Fitzgerald, granddaughter, Heather Dawn Volk, and daughter Sheila Volk Collins, and brother Carl Ayers. Survivors are son Frank Michael Fitzgerald, his wife Carol of Johns Creek, Georgia, granddaughter Kelly Michele (Fitzgerald) Gray, grandson Michael Andrew Fitzgerald, and granddaughter Megan Emily (Fitzgerald) Mullaney—all in the Atlanta area. Great Grandchildren Evan Patrick Gray, Robin Caroline Gray, and Eli Jeffrey Fitzgerald. Brother Gorman H. Ayers and wife Diane, Winter Haven, Florida and niece Kimberly Ayers Murphy. Burial will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Mausoleum, Bluewell, WV. Mercer Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements. At her request, there will be no visitation, memorial service or funeral; however, there will be a tomb side gathering for family and friends on Saturday, February 10, at 10am. Memorial gifts and contributions should be made to the Heather Dawn Volk Scholarship Foundation for worthy students at Bluefield High School to the attention of Dr. Sheila Brooks, 203 Fincastle Lane, Bluefield, Va 24605.