Anna Switch

Anna (Hornick) “Babe” Switch, 97, formerly of Welch, WV passed away Friday, June 12, 2026 at Princeton Health Care Center. Born November 15, 1928 in Elbert, WV, she was the daughter of the late Wash Hornick, Sr. and Mary (Shaffron) Hornick. She was a devoted, committed, loving, giving spouse always putting her family’s needs before her own. As a patient and comforting mother and best friend, she was her daughter’s role model throughout her life, instilling in them quiet strength and unconditional love. She taught them to love our Savior Jesus Christ and to show his love in every way.

Extending hospitality to visitors in her home by offering a bowl of soup or homemade cookies was a joy. She could be found in the kitchen baking holiday treats especially at Christmas and Easter while serving traditional ethnic foods inherited from her mother. There was a special place in her heart for dogs and babies. Her love of tending her flower gardens was evident to any passerby. Feeding the squirrels and birds gave her hours of enjoyment as did needle work, jigsaw puzzles, singing, listening to music and dancing with her “honey.”

She and Harry were actively involved with Miracle Mountain (#9) Filbert enjoying nature’s beauty. Anna was a faithful member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Welch, WV, serving with St. Theresa’s Society and singing in the choir. Marrying her high school sweetheart, Harry, on June 26, 1949 in Elkhorn, WV, together they built a beautiful life with four daughters. Their marriage of 69 years was a testament of love and respect.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; daughter, Sharon Blackburn; sister, Julia; brothers, Wash, Mike, John, and Pete. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Survivors include daughters, Mary (Cathy) Cook and husband, Carl of Narrows, VA, Barbara Baker and husband, Sam of Mooresville, NC, and Judy Inscore and husband, Jackie of Clayton, NC; son-in-law, Doug Blackburn of Richmond, VA; grandchildren, W.D. Blackburn III, Kelly Charles, Denise Carvalho, W. Larry Lockhart, Jr., Benjamin Baker, and Madalyn Grose; great-grandchildren, Victoria, Brittany, Hannah, Maksim, Abigail, Mateus, Baker, Brooks, Davis and Rowan; a host of nieces and nephews also survive.

We would like to thank our special friends and caregivers for unending love and care: Punkin Thompson, Melissa Barlow, and Aliona Bantiuc.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bluefield, WV with Father Joseph M. Augustine, J.C.L. Celebrant.

Friends may call Thursday from 10:30 AM until 11:00 AM at the church. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park “Waterfall” Mausoleum in Bluewell.

Pallbearers will be Ben Baker, Garin Grose, Larry Lockhart, Maksim Lockhart, Doug Blackburn III, Mateus Carvalho, and Mac Carvalho.

Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Cook and Doug Blackburn.

The family would like to express sincerest thanks and appreciation to Angie and the entire staff of Amedysis Hospice for their loving care. Many thanks to Princeton Health Care Center nurses, aides and therapists for their tender loving care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in her honor be made to The Amedysis Foundation, 545 Airport Rd., Bluefield, WV 24701.

Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Switch family.