Epperly, Virginia Mae

Virginia Mae Epperly, 82, of Christiansburg, and formerly of Roanoke, passed away on Monday, April 11, 2011. She was born in Pulaski County, a daughter of the late Clarence and Mary Tickle Mabry, and had been a Roanoke area resident for most of her life prior to relocating to Christiansburg several years ago. She was a faithful attendee of Christian Fellowship Tabernacle for over 50 years and enjoyed holding Tupperware parties in her later years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Epperly, who died in 2005; and by a son, James Leroy Epperly. She is survived by a son, Larry Epperly and his wife, Debbie; two daughters, Judy Ritter and Darlene Gatewood; two brothers; three sisters; 10 grandchildren; 21 greatgrandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. “to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord” 2 Cor 5:8 Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2011, in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home. The Rev. Ernest Fulcher will officiate. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at the funeral home. A guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.