Absher, Belva Jean

Belva Jean Absher, 89, of Blacksburg, Va., died on Tuesday, November 16, 2010, at her home. She was born in Whiteside County, Ill., on March 12, 1921, to the late Joe and Ava James Dickerson and was also preceded in death by her brother, Robert Joe “Bob” Dickerson. Jean was a member of the Blacksburg United Methodist Church. She will be remembered by her cheerful smile and her quick wit to all her many friends and acquaintances. She is survived by her husband, William “Bill” J. Absher, of Blacksburg; son and daughterin-law, Curtis and Kaye Absher, of Nicholasville, Ky.; a daughter and son-in-law, Barbara A. and Archie Phlegar, of Blacksburg; two sisters, Evelyn D. McPherson, of Blacksburg, and Margaret D. and Leroy Foster, of Winston-Salem, N.C.; five grandchildren, Karen and Neal Vines, Anita Jean and Dale Beyer, Mindy and Craig McCulley, Beth and Ricardo Gomez, David and Cindy Absher; 12 greatgrandchildren; Jean was also blessed with five stepgrandchildren, Archie Jr., Charlie, Beth, Jason and Seth; 13 stepgreat-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and three dedicated caregivers, Mary Bentley, Lodis Sickey, Janice Vanhoozier. Funeral Services will be conducted 11 a.m. on Friday, November 19, 2010, in the Blacksburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. Reggie Tuck and the Rev. Herbert Hobbs officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg, Va. Flowers will be appreciated but memorial contributions may be made to the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 931, Blacksburg, Va. 24063. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday evening, November 18, 2010, at McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, Va., 540-552-3211.