Jane Hoover Smootz of Fulks Run, Virginia passed away peacefully on April 13, 2024. She departed this life surrounded by her family, in the shadow of Brocks Gap, the home of her ancestors for over 250 years.  Jane was born on February 2, 1940 to the late Baxter Hoover and Virginia Faulk Hoover.  She and her brother were raised in New Market by their mother after the early death of her father.  She was preceded in death by her brother, James Warren Hoover (proprietor of Full Tilt Haircutters in Harrisonburg) and by her husband, William E. Smootz, Jr., who she married at Mt. Zion COB in Linville, VA on August 29, 1992.

Jane is survived by: two sons and a daughter, George Kelley VanOrden (and wife Joyce), James Mason VanOrden, and Lee Melani VanOrden; five grandchildren, George Kyle VanOrden (and wife Kaylyn), Laura Lezotte (and husband Joey), Jack Dalton VanOrden (and wife Rachel), Aaron Tutwiler (and wife Courtney) and Katie Wolfe; and 2 great grandchildren, George Marshall VanOrden and Carter Neal VanOrden.

Jane attended New Market School for 12 years and graduated with the class of 1958. She attended Madison College and graduated with a B.S. in Biology.  She did an apprenticeship in cosmetology under her brother Jim, and became a licensed cosmetologist in 1981.  She owned and operated her own salon, Designer Jane’s Haircutters, and continued to do hair for many clients and friends even after her retirement in 1994. Jane was a member of Reformation Lutheran Church in New Market while growing up and then transferred membership to The Brethren at Mountain Grove Church in Fulks Run, where she particularly enjoyed a close bond with her Young Stewards Sunday School class.

Anyone who knew Jane knows she was passionate about ancestry and genealogy.  Her ability to recall facts about long deceased relatives was nothing short of amazing. She enjoyed her volunteer work in the Genealogic Library at the Harrisonburg Rockingham Historical Society and also at the Plains District Memorial Museum. Jane recently co-authored two books with Pat Turner Ritchie; “Phillip Hoover and Sydney Belle Turner of Brocks Gap, Rockingham County, VA – Ancestors & Descendants” and “The Life and Times of My Grandma, Emma Keren Moyers Faulk of Brocks Gap, Rockingham County, Virginia.”  Many thanks to Pat for making Jane’s dream of seeing her second book in print come true.  We will be forever grateful for that gift.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday, April 17th at Grandle Funeral Home in Broadway.  Friends may pay their respects and sign a guest book beginning at 9AM.  The memorial service will be conducted by Pastor Eric Wetzel at The Brethren of Mountain Grove Church (12769 Third Hill Road, Fulks Run) on Thursday, April18, 2024 at noon. There will be a private burial at Solomon’s Lutheran Church Cemetery before the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Rocktown History (formerly Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society).