WEAVERVILLE – Jean McDaris West Fitchett, age 94, of Georgetown, TX passed peacefully to be with her Heavenly Father on Friday, July 3, 2026.

Barbara Jean McDaris was born on December 17, 1931, to Arthur Wiley McDaris and Rosa Penland McDaris. Her parents called her “Bobbie” but on her first day of school, she informed her teacher that she preferred to be called "Jean," a name she proudly carried throughout the rest of her life. She was beloved by her family and friends, known for her unwavering kindness and inspired those around her with grace and resilience. She was the eldest of six children, helping her mother rear all her younger siblings.

After graduating from high school, she attended Cecil's Business College in Asheville before beginning her career. She later married Tyrus Edward West, her high school sweetheart and devoted herself to raising their family before beginning a career with the United States Postal Service, where she ultimately became Postmaster.

Following the death of her husband, Jean demonstrated the determination that defined her life by moving to San Jose, California, where her daughter was attending college. There she entered the nursing program at San Jose State University, married Beverly Tucker Fitchett Jr., and proudly earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree on her birthday in 1982.

Jean was an avid reader who rarely met a book she didn't enjoy. She and Tucker spent countless afternoons exploring the shelves of their local libraries in San Jose and later in Georgetown, Texas, where they moved to be closer to their grandchildren. She also found great joy in flower and vegetable gardening and embraced an active lifestyle, enjoying tennis and skiing well into the second half of her life. Above all, Jean loved to travel, and she and Tucker shared many memorable adventures exploring destinations around the world.

Jean will always be remembered for her quiet strength, unwavering kindness, and deep devotion to her family. Whether as a mother, grandmother, nurse, or friend, she touched the lives of many through her gentle spirit, generous heart, steadfast faith, and genuine love of life. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she enriched and in the cherished memories she created with those who knew and loved her.

Jean was predeceased by her parents and was the wife of the late Tyrus E. “Ty” West and the late Tucker Fitchett. She had also been predeceased by her sister, Wilma Lee McDaris; brothers, Roger Dean McDaris, and Donald Arthur McDaris; and daughter, Denise Elaine West (twin to Dianne).

Surviving are her daughters, Sandra “Sandy” Lea West (Steven Thompson), and Dianne Lynn West; granddaughters, Lindsay “Taylor” Faith, Addison Myrick (Elijah), Erin Whipple (Garet); grandson, Doug Horkachuck (Rachel Roberts); great-grandchildren, Wesley Faith, William Faith, Briggs Faith, Ford Myrick, Jack Myrick, West Whipple, and Warner Whipple; sister, Marilyn McDaris; brother, Michael McDaris; and several nieces and a nephew.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 16, 2026, at West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, NC 28787. Burial will be at a later date in West Memorial Park, 40 Roberts St., Weaverville, NC 28787.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving Jean’s family during this time.