Obituary

Eileen Jeannette O’Brien, 93, of Charleston, WV, died peacefully at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston, and met her Heavenly Father on Monday, October 30, 2023. Her son and daughter-in-law were by her side.

She was born in Charleston, to the late William H. Wyatt and Helen E. Wyatt (Hubbard).

Jeannette and her parents lived in Charleston. Her father was a long-time salesman for Gardner Buick, Charleston, and her mother was a housewife, caring for their six children.

Jeannette was preceded in death by her husband, William Smithe O’Brien. Also preceding her in death were her brothers and sisters, William Wyatt, Noble Wyatt, Stan Wyatt, Katherine “Missie” Brown, and Nancy Crouser.

She is survived by her loving son, Patrick Glen McGinnis and wife, Karen, of Charleston; grandson, Dr. Matt McGinnis and wife, Courtney, of Daniels, WV; grandson, Gabe McGinnis, of Scott Depot, WV; granddaughter, Mallory McGinnis, of Scott Depot; great-granddaughters, Charlotte McGinnis and Gwynn McGinnis, of Daniels; and great-grandson, Shepard McGinnis, of Daniels. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Jeannette graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School. She loved to dance, sing and attend her church. She worked for the National Bank of Commerce in Charleston as a bookkeeper for many years. Jeannette met Bill, her loving husband, at Christ Methodist Church in Charleston. They were married in 1969 and moved to Morgantown, WV, for Bill to work at WVU and complete his education. In 1973, they moved from Morgantown to Carbondale, IL, for Bill to become a professor at Southern Illinois University. Jeannette’s life thrived in Illinois with university activities, golf, garden clubs, and various activities with friends. Jeannette won many awards for her flower arrangements and decorating talent.

When Bill retired in 1997, they moved to Cross Lanes, WV, to be closer to their family. Jeannette and Bill were members of Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church where they both had beautiful voices and sang in the church choir for many years. They were married for 52 wonderful years. Jeannette was a member of Bream Church for 60-plus years.

The family wants to thank all of Jeannette’s friends and relatives who visited with her these last few years. Thank you to all of the caretakers at Brookdale Charleston Gardens Assisted Care who helped her continuously and became her friends, to the doctors and nurses at CAMC, and to Chere and others at Hubbard Hospice House, for their expertise and caring help during this time.

Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church Chapel, 317 W. Washington Street, Charleston, with Rev. Dawn Adamy officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain View Memorial Park, Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston.

Visitation will begin one hour prior at the church.

You may send condolences to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.