Person Page - 4030

     His Social Security Number was 223-44-0036.⁸ Felix Clifton "Skeeter" Robertson was buried at Kast Cemetery, Giles Co., Virginia.⁵ He was born on April 23, 1936 at Pembroke, Giles Co., Virginia.^4,5,6,8 He married Bonnie Sue Martin, daughter of Robert Fredrick "Fred" Martin and Maudie Mae Neice, on November 13, 1959 at Pembroke, Giles Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,5 Felix Clifton "Skeeter" Robertson died on July 30, 2011 at Dublin, Pulaski Co., Virginia, at age 75.^5,8,7 He Felix Clifton "Skeeter" Robertson, 75, of Bradley Ridge Court, Dublin, departed this life Saturday evening, July 30, 2011 at his home in the loving care of his family. Born in Giles County on April 23, 1936, he was a son of the late William Harvey and Helen Thornton Robertson. He was retired from St. Albans Hospital and was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Dublin. A brother Jimmy Robertson and a sister Fern R. Hesson preceded him in death. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 52 years Bonnie Martin Robertson; his son and daughter-in-law Freddie and Tammy Robertson of Dublin; his daughters and sons-in-law Tammi and Billy Wallace of Hiwassee and Felicia Jo and Greg Underwood of Dublin; his grandchildren Tanner Robertson, Matthew Stephens, Rebecca Stephens, Haley Stephens, and Jocelyn Underwood; his brothers Jack Robertson of Pulaski and Roger Robertson of Greensboro, NC; and his sisters Margaret Chinault and Wimpy Chinault both of Peterstown, WV. Burial will follow in the family cemetery in Rumsey Hollow at Goldbond. on August 1, 2011.⁵

     Judy Darlene Smith Judy Darlene Smith Belcher, May 26, 1946 – Jan 4, 2023. Judy Darlene Smith Belcher, our beloved “Nana,” of Winston-Salem, NC, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 4, 2023, at the age of 76. This beautiful warrior kicked the backsides of breast cancer (twice) and ovarian cancer (stage four). When leukemia showed up, she beat that, too. We believe that, rather than leukemia defeating her in the final round, she chose to walk away from the fight as a three-time champ with the grand prize. Judy was an educator for over 37 years. She taught mathematics at Narrows High School (Narrows, VA), Montcalm High School (Montcalm, WV), Glenn High School (Kernersville, NC), East Forsyth High School (Kernersville, NC), and Bishop McGuinness High School (Kernersville, NC). She also served as curriculum coordinator at Glenn High School. Outside the classroom, she taught her family many valuable lessons, among them: Always ride in a convertible with the top down. Also: Always be ready to sing, “she wore an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini” as you pack up your big green cooler for a day at the beach. Take the grandkids parasailing. Remember that beach vacations can always be improved by squirting shaving cream into the hands of sleeping children. Tell the children it wasn’t you. Always follow through with your lie–really sell it. Do nothing half assed—full assed efforts only. Friends can be made everywhere: at work, on vacation, in the back of an ambulance, during the midnight hospital shift, during a pedicure, in a grocery store checkout line. When in doubt, eat the chocolate. Sew on a flat button with a little space between the button and the cloth, or it will pop right off again. The most important things in the world are family and love. Remember that there are no electric mixers involved in making good fudge. Keep your things nice and clean and you’ll never have to replace them. Never stop learning, and never stop being curious. Everyone is a teacher, and there is never, ever a student who is out of reach. No matter what the odds are, they can be beaten. Make music requests during chemo. The most important thing you can do for your children is love each other. Invite the neighbors to Christmas dinner. Show up for your people every single time. Bring them together with food. Make everyone feel like the most important person in the room. When someone says they like something, buy it immediately and save it for their birthday. When things get tough, remember: It is what it is. Her spirit lives on in her husband Robert (“Bob”); her sister Pat McGinn; her children Aaron Shaver (Shannon), Amy Minton (John), and Jeff (Whitney); her grandchildren Addy, Alix (Cameron), Carson, Corbin, Drake, Ethan, and Jakob; her niece Heather Garrard (Patrick and children Caroline and Eli). Judy is now reunited with her parents Alfred and Mabel, her brother-in-law Tom McGinn, and her nephew Patrick McGinn. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and support staff on the oncology floor at Forsyth Medical Center for their excellent care and perpetual kindness.³ She was born on May 26, 1946 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 As of September 9, 1967,her married name was Shaver.¹ She married James Leon Shaver, son of James Raymond Shaver and Gladys Virginia Martin, on September 9, 1967 at Pembroke, Giles Co., Virginia.¹ Judy Darlene Smith died on January 4, 2023 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 76.³

     Thomas Edward "Tommy" Robertson Jr. Thomas Robertson, Jr., Apr 3, 1942 - Dec 28, 2014. Thomas E. Robertson Jr., 72, of Matoaca passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Magnolias of Chesterfield. He was the son of the late Thomas E. Robertson Sr. and Hortense White Robertson. Mr. Robertson was a retired Pressman from ALCOA, and a United States Army veteran. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Shelvy M. Robertson; a daughter, Dawna R. Denney and husband, Christopher; granddaughter, Samantha J. Denney; brother and sisters, Kyle Robertson, Brenda Kirk and Drema Moser; an aunt, Eilene Epperly; numerous nieces and nephews.⁴ His Social Security Number was 224-54-6653.² He was born on April 3, 1942 at Pembroke, Giles Co., Virginia.^5,2,3,4 He married Shelvy Jean Merrix, daughter of Kendill Leon Merrix and Hettie Sue "Susie" Martin, on September 10, 1960 at Narrows, Giles Co., Virginia.^1,5 Thomas Edward "Tommy" Robertson Jr. died on December 28, 2014 at Chester, Chesterfield Co., Virginia, at age 72.^2,4

     Margaret Geraldine "Deannie" Merrix Margaret Geraldine Kessinger “Deanie”, 71, of Pembroke Street, Pembroke, Virginia departed this life Friday afternoon, May 6, 2016 at Lewis-Gale Montgomery Hospital in Blacksburg after a long illness. Born in Giles County on December 22, 1944, she was a daughter of the late Kendill and Hettie Sue Martin Merrix of Goldbond. She had employed herself with her homemaking and working with professional caterers. “Deanie” leaves to cherish her memory her husband Jesse A. Kissinger of Pembroke; her sons Barry A. Kessinger of Pembroke, John L. Kessinger of Pembroke and James Todd Kessinger of Florida; her grandchildren John Allen Kessinger, Montana Kessinger, J. L. Kessinger, Jr., and Dakota Kessinger; her great-granddaughter Kylee Iris Kessinger; her sisters Shelvy M. Robertson, Shirley M. Thornhill and Betty M. Shrader.² She was born on December 22, 1944 at Giles Co., Virginia.^3,2 As of August 31, 1960,her married name was Kessinger.⁴ She married Jessie Allen Kessinger on August 31, 1960 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.^4,2,5 Margaret Geraldine "Deannie" Merrix died on May 6, 2016 at Blacksburg, Virginia, at age 71.²

     Jessie Allen Kessinger Jessie Allen Kessinger, 81, of Sam Robinson Apartments in Pembroke, departed this life Thursday evening, May 10, 2018 at his home. Born in Montgomery County on January 24, 1937 he was a son of the late James Haden and Mary Lou Flinchum Kessinger. He was a 1954 graduate of Newport High School, was a veteran of the US Army serving in Korea, was plant foreman at Pounding Mill Quarry in Rocky Gap, was a Bluegrass banjo picker with the Miller Brothers Band, a member of VFW Post 6000 in Narrows, and a member of Pembroke Lodge 334 AF&AM.Jessie enjoyed being part of Civil War Reenactments. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Margaret Merrix Kessinger. He leaves to cherish his memory his sons Barry Kessinger, John Kessinger, and Todd Kessinger; his grandchildren Montana Kessinger, John Allen Kessinger, James Todd Kessinger, and Dakota Kessinger ; his great-granddaughter Kylee Kessinger; his brother James H Kessinger, Jr. of New Castle, and his sister Mary K. Shaffer of Conover, NC. Burial will follow in the Smith Family Cemetery on Norris Run, Blacksburg.² He was buried at Smith Family Cemetery, Blacksburg, Virginia.² He was born on January 24, 1937 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4 He married Margaret Geraldine "Deannie" Merrix, daughter of Kendill Leon Merrix and Hettie Sue "Susie" Martin, on August 31, 1960 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.^1,5,2 Jessie Allen Kessinger died on May 10, 2018 at Pembroke, Giles Co., Virginia, at age 81.²

     Eugene Harold Shrader Eugene Harold Shrader, 81, of Stuart, Virginia passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at his home. He was born November 7, 1940, in Crane Creek, West Virginia to the late Arthur Harold Shrader and Geneva Davis Shrader. He had worked for J. D. Bassett for over 50 years, was a member of the Moose Lodge, enjoyed dancing, working and cutting wood. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Marie Payne; and brother, Donald Shrader. Mr. Shrader is survived by his wife, Betty Merrix Shrader; daughter, Patricia Shrader Chitwood; son, Danny Shrader; sister, Maxine Helmondollar; brother, Buddy Shrader; grandchildren, Dwayne Shrader, James Shrader and Chris Chitwood; and two great-grandchildren.⁴ He was born on November 7, 1940 at McComas, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,4 He married Betty Ann Merrix, daughter of Kendill Leon Merrix and Hettie Sue "Susie" Martin, on March 16, 1962 at Alleghany Co., North Carolina.^1,2,4 Eugene Harold Shrader died on September 21, 2022 at Stuart, Patrick Co., Virginia, at age 81.⁴

     Roy Wesley Thornhill Roy Wesley Thornhill, 72, of Giles St. in Pearisburg, departed this life Thursday evening, December 17, 2015, at Carilion Giles Community Hospital in Pearisburg. Born at Guinea Mountain, Giles County, on April 15, 1943, he was a son of the late Paul C. (Dick) and Gertrude Perkins Thornhill. Roy was retired from Renee Composites. He was preceded in death by his parents, a precious daughter, Amy Thornhill, his brothers, Chester and Paul Thornhill, and his sisters, Gladys Anderson and Francis Stout. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 51 years, Shirley Merrix Thornhill; his daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Troy Reece of Newport; his grandchildren, Hannah Reece and Blair K. Reece; his brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Linda Thornhill of Pearisburg; his sisters and brother-in-law, Leatha and Donald Jones of Pembroke, Ann T. Suttle of Pembroke; his sisters-in-law, Becky Thornhill and Francis Thornhill both or Pembroke. Burial following in the Anderson Cemetery at Mt View in Giles County.³ He was buried at Anderson Cemetery, Giles Co., Virginia.^3,5 He was born on April 15, 1943 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.^2,5,4 He married Shirley Odean Merrix, daughter of Kendill Leon Merrix and Hettie Sue "Susie" Martin, on November 28, 1964 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 Roy Wesley Thornhill died on December 17, 2015 at age 72.⁵

     Brenda Loretta Snider Loretta Snider Duty, 75, of Fishersville, Va. died on August 26, 2025 at Augusta Health in Fishersville, Va. Born October 2, 1949, in Pearisburg, Va., she was the daughter of Alfred and Marie Snider. She was preceded in death by Maw Snider, Alfred Snider, Marie Snider, Joyce Johnston, Margaret Seymour and Louise Barton. Loretta Duty devoted her life to the teaching of elementary students; specifically, those with special needs. She taught in Frederick County (Winchester) and Augusta County for over 35 years. She spent 32 years teaching at Stuarts Draft Elementary School before retiring in 2016. Loretta loved to read, garden and watch hummingbirds that came to her home. She was a die-hard Duke University Basketball Fan and she loved her chickens (grand-children). Loretta Duty is survived by her husband Donnie Duty as they were married for 53 years. She is also survived by her two children and spouses, Christie & Raymundo Orta (Savannah, Ga.) and Jonathan & Katey Duty (Greer, SC). She also has five grandchildren: Laura Orta (18), Dylan Duty (16), Edgar Orta (13), William Duty (11) and Emma Claire Duty (9).³ She was born on October 2, 1949 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 As of April 1, 1972,her married name was Duty.¹ She married Donnie Gayle Duty on April 1, 1972 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^1,4,3 Brenda Loretta Snider died on August 26, 2025 at Fishersville, Augusta Co., Virginia, at age 75.³