Obituary for Judy Ann Burnsworth (Bassnet)
Judy Ann (Basnett) Burnsworth, 77, of Terra Alta, WV, passed away on Friday, September 3, 2021, at Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, WV.
Born February 4, 1944, in Mannington, WV, she was the daughter of the late Casper E. and Esther M. Basnett. She was also preceded in death by a son, Michael Scott Burnsworth and her best friend, Ellen “Jalene” Miller.
Judy attended Mannington High School and Midview High School, graduating in 1961.
Judy started her career at Bell Phone Company in Fairmont, WV, by working nights in a call center answering phones, so she could be at home with her two small children during the day. She became very active within the AFL-CIO Union, even holding officers positions and standing up strongly for workers’ rights.
Over the years, she moved throughout WV for promotions and eventually climbed her way up the corporate ladder to become the National Account Manager for AT&T/Lucent Tech. on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. In 1998, after 34 years of service, she took an early retirement and moved to Deep Creek Lake, MD.
She soon realized that retirement was not for her and started working part time at Garrett College in the communications department. It was during this time she became Nana to Jacob and Madison Toothman.
Judy was a Christian by faith and was a member of Sang Run Christian Center, McHenry, MD, for over 21 years. In her spare-time she loved being part of the ladies auxiliary at church and watching any type of tennis on tv. She always was active in the community and you could find her either walking outdoors, putting jig saw puzzles together or teaching anyone that wanted to learn how to bake. She loved to travel and see new places but always loved to come home to WV. Judy was an independent and strong willed woman who was known for making the best pepperoni bread around.
She is survived by a son, Mark Burnsworth, Virginia Beach, VA; 2 beloved dogs, Molly and Gus and additional family, Connie Miller-McNeely and her two children, Jared Shaffer and Jamie Martin-Pettit; Katie Smith and husband, Steve and two children Jacob and Madison Toothman all of McHenry, MD, along with the entire Spiker family who started out as friends but over the years became her family. Judy was deeply loved and will be missed by her family immensely.
At Judy’s request she will be cremated and there will be a graveside service, at her son Mike’s grave, at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Fairmont, WV, on October 3, 2021, at 2 p.m. with Pastor Joe Spiker officiating.
Newman Funeral Homes, P.A., 179 Miller St., Grantsville, MD, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Born February 4, 1944, in Mannington, WV, she was the daughter of the late Casper E. and Esther M. Basnett. She was also preceded in death by a son, Michael Scott Burnsworth and her best friend, Ellen “Jalene” Miller.
Judy attended Mannington High School and Midview High School, graduating in 1961.
Judy started her career at Bell Phone Company in Fairmont, WV, by working nights in a call center answering phones, so she could be at home with her two small children during the day. She became very active within the AFL-CIO Union, even holding officers positions and standing up strongly for workers’ rights.
Over the years, she moved throughout WV for promotions and eventually climbed her way up the corporate ladder to become the National Account Manager for AT&T/Lucent Tech. on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. In 1998, after 34 years of service, she took an early retirement and moved to Deep Creek Lake, MD.
She soon realized that retirement was not for her and started working part time at Garrett College in the communications department. It was during this time she became Nana to Jacob and Madison Toothman.
Judy was a Christian by faith and was a member of Sang Run Christian Center, McHenry, MD, for over 21 years. In her spare-time she loved being part of the ladies auxiliary at church and watching any type of tennis on tv. She always was active in the community and you could find her either walking outdoors, putting jig saw puzzles together or teaching anyone that wanted to learn how to bake. She loved to travel and see new places but always loved to come home to WV. Judy was an independent and strong willed woman who was known for making the best pepperoni bread around.
She is survived by a son, Mark Burnsworth, Virginia Beach, VA; 2 beloved dogs, Molly and Gus and additional family, Connie Miller-McNeely and her two children, Jared Shaffer and Jamie Martin-Pettit; Katie Smith and husband, Steve and two children Jacob and Madison Toothman all of McHenry, MD, along with the entire Spiker family who started out as friends but over the years became her family. Judy was deeply loved and will be missed by her family immensely.
At Judy’s request she will be cremated and there will be a graveside service, at her son Mike’s grave, at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Fairmont, WV, on October 3, 2021, at 2 p.m. with Pastor Joe Spiker officiating.
Newman Funeral Homes, P.A., 179 Miller St., Grantsville, MD, is assisting the family with arrangements.