Obituary of Jo Eli

Jo Anne Hall Eli died in Morgantown, West Virginia on July 14, 2012. She was born in Lizton, Indiana on April 17, 1922, the daughter of Oscar and Ruth Hall. During her life, she lived in Lizton, Indiana, New Albany, Indiana, Daviess County, Kentucky, Danville, Virginia, and Morgantown, West Virginia. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Louis W. Eli, her sister Betty Hall, and daughter-in-law Brenda McGaha Eli. She is survived by a brother, Don Hall, of Corvallis, Oregon and two sisters, Mary Fax of The Dalles, Oregon, and Ruth Hill of Bishop, California, and by her son, Dr. Robert N. Eli II of Morgantown, West Virginia, daughter Jane Ann Forbes and son-in-law Dr. Michael S. Forbes of Cumberland, Virginia. She also leaves behind: five grandchildren, Robert N. Eli III, Kelli Kristen Eli, and Brian Richardson Eli, all of Morgantown, West Virginia, Dr. Daniel Forbes of West Chester, Pennsylvania, and Amy Forbes Wells of Ruckersville, Virginia four great-grandchildren, Jordan Brown, Ryan Brown, and Zachary Brown of Morgantown, West Virginia, and Piper Callie Wells of Ruckersville, Virginia and a great-great grandchild Kailynn Brown. Her fatherâs protected and cherished farmland in Indiana, where his family spent many wonderful days, is now the Hall Woods which is part of The Nature Conservancyâs Big Walnut Natural Areas project. It is one of the few places in Indiana retaining a virgin forest, where visitors can view Indiana as it looked before it was cleared and farmed. Mrs. Eli was a dedicated Girl Scout leader, trainer, and professional for over 25 years, and won awards for her service and dedication. She was involved in establishing and organizing several Girl Scout summer camps both in Kentucky and Virginia. Scouting and teaching were her lifelong passions, and many remember her as a role model and special friend who enriched their childhoods. She was an accomplished classical pianist who is recalled by her piano students as patient and kind. Mrs. Eli will be remembered by many who enjoyed her cheerfulness and her special way of teaching that made learning an adventure. Funeral services will be private, and donations in her name can be made to the Nature Conservancy, Attn: Treasury (web/honorary giving), 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22203, USA.Hastings Funeral Home of Morgantown, WV is in charge of the arrangements.