Jane Eades passed on July 19, 2011, after a long illness. She was born Audrey Jane Funk to Lemuel Talmage and Velma Moore Funk January 9, 1927.

After a childhood in McDowell County coal camps of Vivian, Eckmann, Round Bottom and Switchback, her family relocated to Athens and Jane graduated from Princeton High School in 1943 at age 16. By age 19 she graduated from Concord College and began a 38-year teaching career. She taught at Big Creek High School for 1 year before she joined Graham High School for 37 years as a beloved biology teacher. In 1968, she was honored as Virginia State Science Teacher of the Year by NASA, primarily for bringing genetics curriculum into the classroom.

Jane engaged in garden clubs, assisted her father’s business in bookkeeping, and loved travel and hosting family and friends. In 1950, she married Roy Eades Jr, the love of her life, after which they shared 56 years of colorful marriage. She encouraged her children in all things educational and health related, from science fairs to swimming, piano to dance, sports to church choirs, theatre to scouting and many cherished visits to family.

Indicative of her giving nature, Jane visited Veteran Hospital patients at holidays for decades after her father’s passing. She worked election polls. She also championed scholarships in community chairperson roles through the honorary teaching sorority Delta Kappa Gamma. Jane served the Order of Eastern Star, Athens Chapter #33 as Worthy Matron and as the West Virginia Grand Representative in 1995. Jane was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Princeton before the family moved to Athens in 1969, after which she actively served Concord United Methodist Church and the Rachel Myers Circle.

Jane’s husband, Roy Eades Jr, preceded her in death, as did her sister, Betty Funk Snidow, and a beloved niece Jane Ann (Snidow) Toppino . Her memory continues with the family she dearly loved, son Roy Edward Eades III and wife Lorian of Walkertown, NC, son Richard Eades of Lindside, daughter Janie Meadows, grandson Brady Meadows of Athens, and many special nieces and nephews. The extended family knew her well as she frequently engaged the Goodall, Prilliman, Hundley, Snidow and Diaz clans. She was blessed by friendship, counting Gertie Snidow, Dorothy Sutton, Elizabeth Noble, Bobbie Klingensmith, Betty Ireson, Nita Hill, Roseanne Goddard, Catherine Dunn, Sara Belcher, Nancy Belcher, Almeda Pettrey, and Thelma Compton among her most cherished friends. Beverly Phillips, Minnie Lester and the many care providers at Phillips Care Home became extended family over the nearly 12 years that they provided love and care to Jane.

The family will welcome friends for visitation Saturday, July 23, 2011, from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton, followed by a short commemorative service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be sent to staff at Phillips Care Home, P.O. Box 99, Lerona, WV, 25971, where Jane received extraordinary and compassionate care.

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