Betty Richardson Fonner

Betty Jane Richardson Fonner was born 11/24/1926 as the second child of three in a small coal mining town in West Virginia. She was 99 when she died on 4/29/2026. She had been living at Echo Lake in Malvern since 1/25 when she moved from Morgantown WV to be near family.

Betty graduated from Glen Rogers High School and was the first female from her town to attend West Virginia University. She graduated with a BS in Home Economics Education and returned to Glen Rogers HS to teach and run the food service. At WVU, she met her husband, Robert Franklin Fonner (Frank), a returning vet from WWII through his sister. Betty and Frank were married in 1948. Two children followed as Frank began his career as a geologist for the US Soil Conservation Service. After several moves, they settled in Springfield, PA where Betty was busy with the children’s school and Covenant Methodist Church. A beautiful seamstress, she made most of her and her daughter’s clothing. She also taught home economics at Pulaski Jr. High in Chester, PA.

After 25 years in Springfield, Betty and Frank returned to their WV roots, settling into Morgantown, home of West Virginia University. They were season ticket holders for the football and basketball games, enjoyed birding with the Audubon Society, volunteered with the literacy program and became Master Gardeners. Betty turned her sewing skills into quilting and created some show worthy quilts along with many wall hangings and crafts. They were active at Avery Methodist Church and loved to travel as well as hike in the West Virginia mountains.

Betty moved to Heritage Village several years after Frank died in 2005. She was an avid bridge player, continued to volunteer in Morgantown, support Avery Church, quilt and participate in field trips through Heritage. Her family was always a top priority and she pulled together the 7 grandchildren with summer adventures and visits. She is survived by her daughter, Frances Alloway (Richard Alloway), grandchildren Richard Alloway, Gary Alloway, Stephanie Alloway, Beth Inatoyla, Kelly Tillman, Christine Connor and Robert Fonner plus 18 great grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Her son, James Robert Fonner is deceased.

Services will be held at Paoli Presbyterian Church, May 9 at 1:00 PM with visitation at noon. A light lunch will be served following the service. Donations can be made to the West Virginia Botanic Gardens https://wvbg.org