Candler Jr., Robert Aaron

Robert Aaron Candler Jr., 84 of Narrows, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 2, 2013. He was born in Rich Creek on May 6, 1929, and was the son of the late Robert Aaron and Annie Mae Morrison Candler. In addition to his mother and father, he was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Eva Blankenship Candler; and two sisters, Alice Eleanor Stallings and Opal Nowles. A United States Army veteran during the Korean War, Bob was a retired employee of Celanese Acetate in Narrows with 45 years of service. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and spending time in the mountains. A loving husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, brother and friend, he will be missed by his family and many friends. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Wayne Candler, of Peterstown, W.Va., Yolanda Vickers and husband, Jack, of Florence, S.C., Bruce Cumbee, of Narrows, and Antjuan McGhee Oliver, of Texas; five grandchildren, Jeremy Candler, Crystal Candler, Wayne Dunn, Jack Vickers IV. and wife, Jenny, and Jennifer Vickers; nine great- grandchildren; three sisters, Jean Wickline, of Broadhead, Wis., Dorothy Dunn of Peterstown, W.Va., and Lois Parcell, of Narrows; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many special friends. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in the chapel of Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows with the Rev. Jack Vickers and the Rev. Chris Stanfield officiating. Burial will follow in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg with Graveside Rites conducted by VFW Post #6000 of Narrows, American Legion Posts # 68 of Narrows, #311 of Pembroke, and #145 of Peterstown. The family will receive friends at Riffe’s Funeral Service Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider First United Methodist Church; P.O. Box 398; Narrows, VA 24124. The family is being served by Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows, 540-726-2442, and online by visiting riffefuneralservice.com.