Weeks, Ernestine Perdue

Ernestine Perdue Weeks, affectionately known as Grandmother, passed away peacefully with her family at her side at the Kroontje Health Care Center at Warm Hearth Village in Blacksburg, VA on April 21, 2024. She was ninety-nine.

Born June 23, 1924, in Radford, VA to the late Ernest Stern Perdue & Sadie Bocock Perdue, Grandmother helped raise her three younger sisters during the tumultuous days of the Great Depression after losing her father at the young age of fourteen. This experience helped instill in her great strength, a strong work ethic, and a wise desire to be frugal with all she had.

Grandmother touched the hearts and lives of many children while working as the secretary of Auburn High School for several years. It was not uncommon to have someone greet her on the street with a “Hello, Mrs. Young, remember me?” followed by a hug. If asked who the person was she would simply reply, “Oh, that’s just one of my kids from school”.

Though she will be remembered for much good throughout her life, her greatest testimony was that she always put God first and the needs of others before her own. She was a devoted charter member of the Calvary United Methodist Church. She hardly ever missed a church service throughout her entire life.

Grandmother was the matriarch of her family and the earthly glue that held them together. She exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman as portrayed in Scripture. From a young age, she was devoted to her Savior first, and her family second. She was a prayer warrior who helped win many souls to Christ and her unconditional and unfailing love was felt by everyone who knew her. To know Grandmother was to be loved by her, whether it was deserved or not.

She was a caretaker to many throughout the years, even moving people into her own home to give them the support and personal attention they needed. She never complained nor spoke a harsh word about anyone. Whenever she had to correct “one of her kids,” she would always do so in love. She was also a wonderful cook. Her green beans were legendary.

Though the void she has left will never be filled, we are thankful that she is now safe in the arms of Christ and we look forward to the day when we will see her again.

She is survived by her children Betty Greene (William), Allen Young (Regina); grandchildren, Lesley Mitchell (Jeff), Abi Lester (Darrell), Clark Young (Vanessa), Gail Duffy; four great-grandchildren whom she adored, Clayton Lester (Hunter – Fiance), Hadley Lester, Miah Mitchell, and Conor Duffy. She is also survived by special nephews Alan Thomas (Lisa) and Billy Thomas. She had many extended family and very close personal friends who were like family: Lois Wade, Susan Sowers, Steve and June Blake, and Bud and Sue Mitchell.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Sadie Perdue; first husband James Young, second husband Raymond Weeks; three sisters Anna Thomas, Treva Cox, and Mary Lee Reed and her granddaughter Valerie Hall.

Services will be held at Horne Funeral Home Thursday, April 25, 2024. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Funeral services will start at 6:00 p.m. Officiated by the Reverend Marcus Harrison and Reverend Sebert Rorrer. A private family graveside service will be held Friday, April 26, 2024 at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Samaritan’s Purse.