Wampler, Laurel White Eldridge

March 12, 1959 – March 26, 2010 Laurel (Laurie) White Eldridge Wampler, of Blacksburg, and formerly of Fincastle, was taken by the hand of an angel and led into the shining Light of Love and Eternal Joy on Friday, March 26, 2010. Laurie stepped into her Father’s loving arms as she crossed into a place where pain and anguish do not exist, beyond the curtain that separates this world from the next, and has entered a place where glue and glitter have been replaced with true Love, Joy, and Happiness. She was greeted in Heaven by her father and mother, Ralph and Margaret (Peggy) Eldridge; and all of her grandparents. Also there to receive her, were her mother-in-law, Frances B. Wampler; sister-in-law, Yvonne Wampler; and her dear friends, Phyllis Long, and Nita Mason. Laurie is watching us all from her new home, where her pain is replaced by Joy, and her sadness is replaced by Love. That love is returned to us by our thoughts of her. Her life is captioned by LOVE, GRACE and JOY: Her LOVE was all encompassing, unconditional and complete. Whether it was a mangy mutt, a gangly horse, a scruffy country boy, a child with unique circumstances, or a baby -any baby, she loved them all. She especially loved and adored her daughters, and was a truly devoted and caring mother. She also cherished her students at Prices Fork, Falling Branch, and Shawsville Elementary Schools. Her love for her students was not simply a career, but was to make a difference in their lives and the lives of their families. Her GRACE was not the “dinner party” kind, but the deep internal grace that thrives under pressure and adversity. This is the grace of an equestrian moving with the circumstances and recovering from one jump in life to readjust to prepare for the next, and again move and adjust with great style and perseverance. Her JOY was seen by her students in her classes. She had a method of explaining this joy by comparing an unadorned drawing or picture to the same drawing or picture with added glitter or sparkle. As simple as it seems, it almost always explained joy to a four year old. She is survived and deeply missed by her devoted husband, John F. Wampler; and her loving daughters, Emily Anne, Katie Leigh, and Alison June Wampler, of Blacksburg, Mary Frances Shore and her husband, Nick, of Raleigh, N.C., and their precious twin girls, Zoe and Tovah. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Art Regenold, of Atlanta, Ga.; and her many Wampler and Jamison sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, who loved and cherished her. Her family of aunts, uncles and cousins are scattered across the United States. She developed deep roots with her Franklin County family and friends, whom she loved and they reciprocated that love to her. Laurie’s family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to her dedicated friends and colleagues at both Prices Fork and Shawsville Elementary Schools. We would especially like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Patton Saul, MD, Joe Artusio, P.A, Jamie Robertson, RN, and the sixth floor staff of Lewis-Gale Hospital for their exceptional care. We would also like to thank Dr. Harry McCoy, MD, and the BRCC staff for their dedicated assistance. Also to thank Laurie’s Hospice nurse, Pam Forsythe, RN, and the entire Carilion Clinic Hospice staff for their compassionate care. McCoy Funeral Home on Country club Drive in Blacksburg, Va., is handling all arrangements. A visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 28, 2010. A memorial service to celebrate Laurie’s life will be held Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at 2 p.m. in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to The American Cancer Society , a hospice of your choice, or your local animal shelter. Laurie’s family also asks that you sit with your loved ones and read. One of Laurie’s favorite books, “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein would be a good place to start.