Runions, Mary Pauline Bailey
Mary Pauline Bailey Runions, 95, of Narrows, passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2013, at Carilion Giles Community Hospital in Pearisburg, and entered Heaven free from her pain and suffering. A longtime resident of Giles County, she was born in Narrows on September 23, 1917, and was the daughter of the late Charley Columbus and Ocie Lee East Bailey.
In addition to her mother and father, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Carson Runions; a brother, William Bud Bailey, and a sister, Ruby Long. Pauline’s early years as a child and teenager were spent in West Virginia, as her father was a coal miner. She was baptized on April 5, 1942, at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Narrows, where she served as treasurer for 20 years, in addition to serving as CWF (Christian Women’s Fellowship) treasurer, deaconess, and member of the Chancel Choir. She started working in a beauty shop at the of 17 and operated her own home shop for over 30 years. She was also a volunteer with the Giles Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for over 25 years, serving as president for seven of those years. Pauline also found time to sew for her neighbors, and spent many hours making small booklets for the church and hospital. She was a very gentle lady and loved everyone she met. Left with loving memories are her son, Howard C. (Tom) Runions and wife, Margie, of Roanoke; two grandsons, Glen Runions, of Salem, and Gary Runions, of Charlotte; a brother, Jimmy Charles Bailey, of Princeton, W.Va.; a niece, Roberta Runions, of New Kent, Va.; many special friends, including her special companion and caregiver, Hazel Lawrence, whose care and support made it possible for Pauline to remain at home for the past several years; Amanda Frick, who worked along with her mother this past year; two additional helpers, Barbara Meadows and Rita Allen; and Dr. Michael McMahon and the nursing staff at Carilion Giles Community Hospital. Funeral Services will be held at noon on Saturday, July 27, 2013, at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Narrows, with the Rev. Ed Tiller officiating. Burial will follow in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at Riffe’s Funeral Service on Friday, July 26, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m. The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), P.O. Box 441, Narrows, VA 24124, to be earmarked for the Choir. The family is being served by Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows, Va., (540) 726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/roanoke/obituary-browse.aspx?page=2&recentdate=0&entriesperpage=25#sthash.Pav3VlU6.dpuf