Shamona Baylor

This obituary is provided per the request of the family

Shamona Serett Amway Baylor, affectionately known as “Snoopy,” daughter of Michelle Marie Amway Fogle and the late George David “Bunky” Grove, was born on December 21, 1974, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. She was lovingly reared by James Lee Fogle, who stepped into the role of father when she was a little girl and never once treated her as anything other than his own daughter.

To Shamona, family was never defined only by blood, but by love, loyalty, and the people who showed up for one another. Those who came into her life as friends, relatives, and extended family were embraced wholeheartedly and loved as her own.

Shamona loved the Lord first and foremost and was deeply devoted to her church family, always ready to lend a helping hand wherever she was needed.

She worked for many years as a Supervisor with Prime Therapeutics in the PACE Program, where she was known for her dedication and leadership.

Shamona had a deep passion for genealogy research and took great pride in honoring her Grove and Robinson ancestry. Through her dedication and determination, she reconnected family members and preserved the stories of generations before her.

Her home was always open. If you stopped by, you could count on a warm welcome and something to eat. She rarely let anyone leave without making sure they were full and often sent them home with food as well.

Outside of her work and church life, Shamona enjoyed traveling. She shared many fond memories traveling with her childhood friend and traveling buddy, Tara Brickus, and some of their most cherished trips were the cruises they took together.

Shamona loved the color red and had a special fondness for ladybugs, which she adored since childhood when Mom-Mom Dot introduced them to her. Later in life, she also developed a love for the color green.

Anyone who knew Shamona knew her phone was never far from her hand. Whether researching family history, checking on loved ones, or reconnecting with relatives, she was always staying connected. Her sons would tease her about it, joking that one day they might leave her phone volume on and place it in her casket. She would laugh and say, “Well, make sure it’s charged — I might still have a few calls to make.”

On Thursday, August 6, 2026, Shamona peacefully departed this life while at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Eugene Clark Sr.; Dorothy May Clark (“Mom-Mom Dot”); Inez Grove Parker (“Grandmom Bootsy”); Hazel May Williams; James Fogle; and Martha Fogle. She was also preceded in death by her beloved sister, Monica Fiorentino; her nephew, Cordell Fiorentino; and her cousins, Jasmine Clark, Larry Grove, Barry Grove, and Rodney Martin.

Shamona leaves to cherish her memory her husband, John Eugene Baylor Jr.; her mother, Michelle Marie Amway Fogle, with whom she shared a deeply special bond as her firstborn child and often joked that she was her mother’s birthday gift, having been born the day before her mother’s birthday; her two cherished sons, John E. Baylor III of Coronado, California, and Jaden E. Baylor (Ciara) of Hershey, Pennsylvania, whom she affectionately referred to as her “Cubs” and her “two heartbeats”; and her cherished and adored granddaughter, Everlee Kay Baylor, whom she lovingly called “Mom Mom Baby,” “my baby doll,” and “Mom’s baby.” Everlee brought her endless joy, love, and pride and held a very special place in her heart. Together, the bond among her mother, Shamona; her sons; and her granddaughter, Everlee, represents four generations of love, strength, and legacy, a reminder that family is a living story passed from one heart to the next.

She also leaves her loving aunts, Delores “Aunt Bunk” Jones, Yvette Clark Powell (Dave), and Kim Mukalian (Ron), who were raised with her more like sisters; her uncle Eugene Clark Jr.; her special uncle and aunt, Sampson Lee Grove and Elizabeth Grove, who held a very special place in her life; her cousin, Margaret Grove Hines, whom she lovingly referred to as her trailblazer cousin, someone who helped keep her grounded and encouraged her along life’s journey; her first cousin, Tanisha Diane Amway-Bailey, affectionately known as “Tinky”; and cousins including Christopher Robinson and many others she loved dearly.

She also leaves her great-niece and devoted ward, Elayjah Fiorentino-Floyd, whom she lovingly raised since the age of four as her own child; her stepdaughters, Nekesha Nyree Johnson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, whom she lovingly helped raise before having children of her own, and Brianna Cornelius of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; her siblings, Demetrius Fiorentino of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, Georgia Grove of Conyers, Georgia, George D. Grove III of York, Pennsylvania, Aaron Grove of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jessica Grigsby (Andrew) of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Michael Smith (Summer) of Denver, Colorado, Lakera Allen of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Burrell Ruffin of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Dajore Grove and Jordae Grove, both of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and her step-siblings, Catrina Wilson (Lamonte) of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Janelle Brazell of Conyers, Georgia, Paris Lamont Thompson of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, and Danesha Mills of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Her baby sister, Jessica, was especially dear to her heart. Shamona loved her deeply and often said she would move mountains for her, always standing beside her with love and unwavering support. She also shared a special, loving bond with Deborah Thompson, who remained a constant presence in her life even after her father passed away, and whom she loved dearly. Shamona had a special love for all of her nieces and nephews and shared an especially close bond with Jordan Chaque Grove, whom she lovingly named and who refers to her as his second mom. She also cherished her special nieces and nephews affectionately known as “The Grigsby Gang.”

Also cherishing her memory are Janice Goodman, who was like a second mother to Shamona from childhood into adulthood; her lifelong friends, Tara Brickus, Tera Stern, Veronica Connor, and Larese Smith; and a very special friend who entered her life during important moments. In times of need and sorrow, that friendship provided a listening ear, understanding, and unwavering support. It was a reminder that true friendship is built on kindness, loyalty, and a heart that does not judge.

Shamona took great pride in honoring her Grove and Robinson ancestry and reconnecting family members through her genealogy work.

Because of them… we are. Because of her… we remain connected.

Shamona took the time to thoughtfully prepare these words herself so that her story, her love for family, and the legacy she cherished would be shared in her own voice.

Celebrate her life, not her departure. Keep God first. Love your family deeply. Always make room at the table for someone who needs a meal, a laugh, or a listening ear. And if you ever see a ladybug, smile — because that is just her way of stopping by to say hello.

Funeral services for Shamona will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church, 2447 Green Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. A viewing will take place beginning at 10:00 AM until the start of the service.