Betty Jane Gifford Hudkins Tonkery, 90, of Shinn’s Run passed away Sunday, April 9, 2017, at UHC, Bridgeport. She was born January 13, 1927 in Shinnston, a daughter of the late Chester E. and Virgie Davis Gifford. Twice married, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Walter P. Hudkins and her second husband, Paul Edward Tonkery, Sr.
Surviving are her daughter, Karen Morgan and husband, Charles W. of Shinn’s Run and their son Justin P. Morgan, Morgantown; Brother Warren Charles Gifford and wife Pearl Columbus, OH; sister, Florence Dimples Gifford, Gypsy; Daughter Wilma Williams, Greenville, SC; sons, James Tonkery, Donald Tonkery and wife Paula, Evelyn Tonkery, and Kay Tonkery, all of Shinnston; grandchildren, Angie Tonkery and fiancé, Craig Fowler, Aaron Tonkery and wife Shari , Jennifer, Teresa, and Amanda Tonkery, Rebekah Watson and husband Travis, Josh Tonkery and wife Mallory, Jack Williams and wife Becky, Beth Ann Cohen and husband Aaron, Cathy Williams, and April Burke and husband John; several great-grandchildren.
Also deceased are her father-in-law, Parker Hudkins; mother-in-law, Gertrude Hudkins; sons Charles Tonkery and Paul E. Tonkery, Jr., and infant Walter Ernest Hudkins; brother, Laud Gifford, Sr.; sister, Patricia Gifford Dillon; and granddaughter, Darcy Kincaid.
Betty was formerly employed at the restaurant at Bridgeport Stock Sale and formerly hauled cattle to the Bridgeport Stock Sale for local farmers. She worked for various Shinnston Retailers including Feaster’s Jewelers, The Fashion Corner, Shinnston Family Eye Care, and volunteered as a UHC auxiliary member.
She was also a member of Boothsville United Methodist Church, where she served as Sunday School Superintendent and Treasurer of Mon Valley District U.M. Women, known as “Mission Momma”. She was a 50 year member of the Woman’s Club of Shinnston, Past President and 74 year member of Extension Homemakers CEOS, Frontier Days Assn., SADA, and Shinnston Historical Society. Her interests included farming, canning, gardening and Sunday family dinners.
Friends will be received at Harmer Funeral Home, Shinnston from 2-8 PM Wednesday. A funeral will be at the funeral home at 11:00 AM Thursday, April 13, 2017 with Dr. Michael Richards officiating. Interment will follow at Shinn’s Run Cemetery. Online memories and condolence may be shared at www.harmerfuneralhome.com.
A service of the Harmer Funeral Home, Shinnston.

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