Bliss, Joan Bosworth

Joan Bosworth Bliss, 87, of Christiansburg, died Friday, March 16, 2012, at Lewis Gale Hospital-Montgomery. She was born in Lawrence, Kansas on August 14, 1924, to the late John Joseph and Grace Marguerite Olsen Kistler. She also preceded in death by her first husband, Allen Marshall Bosworth III; and a second husband, Everett Gordon Bliss; son, Courtney Scott Bosworth; and brother, John Joseph Kistler Jr. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kendall Bosworth Edelen and husband, Craig, of Athens, Ga.; her son and daughter-in-law, Allen Marshall Bosworth IV and wife, Julie, of Greenville, S.C.; her youngest son, Courtney Clay Bosworth, of Christiansburg; her brother and sister-in-law, James Olsen Kistler and wife, Rita, of Saratoga, Calif.; and grandchildren, McGee Bosworth, Britt and Jack Edelen. Joan received her Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in Illinois and an MBA from the University of Michigan. Later in life, she received her Master’s in Education from the University of South Carolina. She was a fierce advocate of education, and a loving daughter, sister, wife, and mother. A Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 25, 2012, in the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Catherine Taylor officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Joan Bosworth Bliss Memorial Fund at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 144, Blacksburg, VA 24063. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.