Obituary of Juanita Blanche Goff Fortney

Juanita Blanche Goff Fortney, 91, of Fairmont, peacefully passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026 in the Fairmont Medical Center. She was born in Shinnston, WV, on June 20, 1934, a daughter of the late Wilford Roscoe and Roxie Blanche Matheny Goff. Juanita was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Reverend Franklin Paul Fortney. She is survived by her daughters, Shirley Bucher and her husband Doug of Reader, WV, Anita Nuzum and her husband Tom of Fairmont, and Sally Purnell of Parsons, WV, her grandchildren, Leslie, Brice, Josh, Emily, Sarah, Axle, Haley, and Charles. Juanita is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Sandra Fortney of Reader, WV, 25 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, Juanita was preceded in death by her son, Paul Raymond Fortney, her son-in-law, John Purnell, her siblings, Wilford Goff Jr., Maxwell Goff, Rex Goff, Grace Straight, Gail Shingleton, Jo Moore, Sarah Dawson, Mae Stark, Jean Harris, and three infant brothers, as well as her grand-daughter, Auddi. Juanita was a proud 1953 graduate of Lumberport High School and a member of Hopewell Community Church. She began her career in retail at G.C. Murphy in Shinnston, WV., until transitioning to Garden Fresh Green Stamp Store in Mannington, WV. She was also a renowned seamstress in New Haven, WV, and also worked at Ben Franklin in Ravenswood, WV., until relocating to Bell’s Market in Pine Grove, WV. She finished her career as a greeter at Wal Mart in Fairmont. She served with her husband in the E.U.B. and the United Methodist Conference over the years. Throughout her lifetime, she was active in various church groups where she served in the gospel quartet, and women’s ministries. Music was a huge part of her life. She taught herself to play the piano by replicating the keyboard on a piece of cardboard. Juanita loved quilting, crocheting, camping, traveling, and making her famous butterscotch pies. She was the proud matriarch of her family as her husband always called her “The Rock of Gibraltar”. She will be deeply missed by her friends and family, most especially her grandkids. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, WV 26554. Friends will be received on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 from 2p.m. until 8p.m. and again on Thursday, February 5, 2026 from 10a.m. until 11a.m. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 11a.m. with Pastor Gary Steele and Pastor Claude Kinty officiating. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.