Vest, Catherine Link

Catherine Link Vest, 86, of Floyd, passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2014. Catherine’s passion was teaching. From a one room schoolhouse to the introduction of computers, she thrived on teaching others the knowledge she withheld even after retiring. Through her love and devotion to teaching children, she inspired and touched many hearts in our community. It gave her great pleasure to see her former students excel.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton E. Vest, her daughter, Shelba J. Willett, and her son, Terry S. Vest. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Mamie Link, her sister, Maleta Walters, her brother, Henry Clay Link, and many close relatives.

She is survived by her sisters, Pauline Reed, Etta Mae Hall, Patricia and brother-in-law, Freddie Nichols, and her sister-in-law, Shelby Link. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Denise Vest Harrison and Teresa Vest Cummins, and five great-grandchildren, Sierra Harrison, Makayla Harrison, Josh Vest, Caitlyn Cummins, and Nicholas Cummins. Our family would like to thank her caregivers who became family to us all, Sherry Yopp, Amanda Walters, Jennifer Caldwell, and Teresa Cummins. Also thanks to Southern Care Hospice.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2014 at Gardner Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Hebron Quesenberry and the Reverend Jimmy Cannaday officiating. Interment will follow at the Wilson Cemetery. Friends may call at Gardner Funeral Home on Thursday after 6 p.m. where the family will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Red Oak Grove Church of the Brethren, 775 Red Oak Grove Road, N.E., Floyd, VA 24091. Condolences to the family may made at www.gardnerfuneralhomefloyd.com. The family is being served by Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd.