Donna Jo (Mock) Comer, 82 years old, of Apple Grove, West Virginia passed away on January 3, 2024 at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House in Huntington, WV. She was born on February 25, 1941 in Spring Hill, West Virginia to the late Robert Collett and Gilbertha L. (Myaux) Mock. Her childhood was enriched by living not only with her parents but also her grandmother, the late Adolphine Myaux, and—after 9 years of waiting patiently for a sibling—her beloved brother, Dan G. Mock.

Donna lived a seemingly ordinary, yet storied, life.
She loved horses, fast cars (preferably, convertible and with a 5-speed manual transmission), camping, high-heeled shoes, and being outdoors.

She attended Kanawha County Schools and graduated as valedictorian of the South Charleston High School Class of 1959. Although she dreamed of being a veterinarian or a nurse, because "girls didn't go to college in those days," she went to work in the secretarial pool at Union Carbide, where she helped to standardize the process to determine the safest routes to transport hazardous chemicals. A natural beauty, she was featured as a model in antifreeze ads in the company's newsletter. One remarkable day in the plant's parking lot at shift change, she had the opportunity to shake JFK's hand as he campaigned for President. (She always regretted that she was too young to vote for him.)

Donna "took a break" from work to marry, have the first 3 of her 4 babies within less than 3 years, and start raising her family. Given the need to use two buggies at Kroger (one for groceries and one for kids) and the era of cloth diapers and diaper pails, it is no wonder she returned to work, this time as a court reporter.

Donna's intelligence, moxie, and unmatched organizational and administrative skills allowed her to advance from the days of shorthand and manual typewriters, through the advent of electric typewriters and carbon paper, and all the way to the use of the first computers and printers. She was blessed to conclude her career as a legal assistant at the Charleston law firm now known as Shuman, McCuskey & Slicer PLLC, where she cherished her colleagues. Even though she retired more than a decade ago, the firm used her beautiful voice on its after-hours messaging system for years afterward.

In retirement, she enjoyed sunshine, fishing, traveling throughout the south in the motor home, and wintering in Fruitland Park, FL with her husband, Jim.

Donna's true passions were caring for her family, growing beautiful flowers, cooking, and gardening. An accomplished cook, she cherished the opportunity to prepare meals for her family and friends. Her kitchen was a gathering place filled with love; the more crowded it was, the better. She canned delectable hot peppers, peaches, and half runner beans (never blue lakes, which are always tough). She enjoyed making homemade wine from the apples, blueberries, elderberries, blackberries, and strawberries that she and Jim grew in the yard. Her renowned recipe for "how to make and serve Thanksgiving dinner" still gets circulated annually to anyone who needs to learn how to do it, or how to do it better.

She truly delighted in the hundreds of hummingbirds she attracted to her yard each summer. It was a routine labor of love for her to use five pounds of sugar per day to make enough food to keep the hummingbird feeders filled. After WSAZ's Tony Cavalier—and then CNN—featured them during a newscast several years ago, strangers stopped by for weeks afterward to bring Donna bags of sugar and ask to sit out back and watch the hummingbirds with her.

To pass on important traditions, Donna made handwritten cookbooks for each of her children, including recipes brought to America from Belgium by her grandmother.

Donna rightfully claimed credit for the advent of MLB's pitch clock: after voicing to her family for years that "the pitchers take too long scratching and grabbing when they should just be throwing," she wrote to the League Commissioner to lodge a formal complaint to suggest that he speed things along. She was thrilled to receive a reply, and she always kept that letter.

Donna crocheted beautiful afghans, scarves, toboggans, and booties, not only for her children, their beloved spouses, and her grandchildren, but also for others she admired and loved.

She loved the West Virginia University Mountaineers and, especially, the Pride of West Virginia's performances. WVU basketball coach Bob Huggins and WVU President Gordon Gee sent her cherished "thank you notes" for handmade treasures she gifted them.

Like her mother, Donna was ruthless at board games and card games, especially royal rummy. Like her father, she loved an ice cold beer with a little salt sprinkled on the rim of the can.

She was most proud of her children, relishing the lives they built and adoring each of her grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, James Comer, Donna is survived by two daughters Shawn Angus Morgan (Tim) of Bridgeport, and Shannon Angus Rudy (Shawn) of Flemington; two sons Robert Angus (Michelle) of Grafton, and David Nelson (Amy) of Apple Grove; brother Dan G. Mock (Carol) of Rosharon, TX; nieces Meredith Mock of San Diego, CA and Megan (Mason) Miller of Stephenville, TX; and great-nieces Madison and Mallory. Also surviving are nine grandchildren: Zack Rudy (Melida), Alec Angus, Kylie Angus, Luke Morgan, Skyler Rudy, Rachel Morgan, William Angus, and Tayler Rudy, as well as three great-grandchildren: Nova, Alik, and Izik, and another expected in 2024.

Donna's wishes for cremation have been honored. A celebration of her life will be held at a date to be determined. In her memory, please consider a donation to Holy Pursuit's Dream Foundation, 943 Blackberry Hill, Rowlesburg, WV 26425 (www.holypursuitsdreamfoundation.org) or a charity of your choice, or consider planting a tree or extending a kindness to a friend or neighbor.