Farmer, Ethelbert (Bert)

Ethelbert (Bert) Farmer, 89, of Eggleston, passed away peaceful to be with his Lord and Savior at Lewis-Gale Hospital Montgomery on Friday morning, March 11, 2011. Born in Eggleston on September 6, 1921, he was a son of the late Charlie Otie and Mary Elizabeth Riggs Farmer. He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Charlie, Jimmy, Roger, and Barbara and their spouses; eight grandchildren; 12 greatgrandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and his sister, Annie. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Lucas Farmer; and his siblings, Clarence, Grace and Bertha. In his early years during the Great Depression, he was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps , known as CCC, which was part of the New Deal of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide jobs during the Great Depression and to assist the development of rural areas. He often spoke of stories of working on the roads and bridges. Later he served in the United States Army in Europe during World War II. Upon his platoon being captured, he served the end of the war in a prison camp. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star along with other honors. He was a member of the DAV and the American Legion and always honored his fallen comrades. After the war, he worked at the Celanese Celco Plant at Narrows to support his family until he retired. He took great pride in having such a large and wonderful family and was greatly interested in the lives of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He enjoyed hearing about them and seeing them grow and prepare for the future. He loved living in the small community of Eggleston where he was raised himself and where he raised his own family. He was faithful in supporting the community and the Eggleston United Methodist Church. Funeral Services will be conducted 2 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2011, in the Kendall Funeral Home, 605 Snidow Street, Pembroke, with burial following in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday evening, March 13, 2011, from 4 until 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made in Bert’s memory to the Eggleston United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent by visiting kendallfuneralhome.com.