Joanne R. Hobbs, 87 of Chester, formerly of New Manchester, passed peacefully at the Stone Pear Pavilion in Chester on Friday, August 6, 2021, following a lengthy illness.
Born in Pricetown, Wetzel County West Virginia on November 26, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Margaret Kilcoyne Reppard.
Joanne began her career as a social worker at the Ohio County child welfare office in Wheeling, West Virginia. In 1966, she transferred to the Hancock and Brooke County Division of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. She retired as a hospital social worker from Weirton Medical Center. Following graduation from Smithfield High School, Smithfield, WV, Joanne matriculated at the University of Georgia, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. Joanne believed in community service and was an active volunteer into her 80’s. Participation and achievement in 4-H lead to recognition as a 4-H All Star and subsequent civic-minded pursuits. Joanne served on the executive boards of the following organizations: General Federation of Women’s Clubs WV Northern District, Chester Garden Club, Hancock County Arts Council, and the Comfort House Child Advocacy Center. She was also a dedicated member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Chester and the Sacred Heart Ladies Guild.
Along with her parents, Joanne was preceded in death by her first husband, Philip Francis, her second husband, Robert S. Hobbs, her granddaughter, Maria Kathleen Robinson, and her brother, John Reppard.
She leaves her loving children Robert C. (Stacey) Hobbs of Shepherdstown, WV, Kimberly (James Gooding) Francis of Pittsburgh, PA, and Bridget (Christopher) Robinson of New Manchester, sister-in-law Frances Hobbs Deutschle of Newark, OH, and grandchildren Olivia, Mallory, and Bryce Hobbs, and Daniel, Sarah, and Theresa Robinson.
Visitation is at Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester on Tuesday, August 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A 3:00 p.m. funeral mass follows at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Father Jeeson Stephan presiding.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the FISH Foundation Food Pantry, 418 4th St, Chester, WV 26034.
Joanne’s family wishes to thank the entire staff at the Stone Pear Pavilion for their exceptional compassion and care during her stay there.