McMahan, Elva Britts

Elva Britts McMahan, 89, of Pembroke, Va., passed from this life on Wednesday morning, March 18, 2009, in Blacksburg, after residing in Warm Hearth Village since January 2008.

After losing her husband in 1979, she lived an independent and productive life until beginning to suffer serious health problems in 2006. Her husband loved her dearly and she cherished his memory to the end of her life. Their marriage was full of love, laughter and happiness with few cross words spoken. He was proud of her, she was proud of him, and together they created a wonderful environment for their children. While she loved her extended family and took pleasure in their company, being a good and faithful Mother was her highest calling. She prayed, counseled and sacrificed for her children until her strength and capability to do so were gone.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Thomas McMahan; her father, Robert Britts; her mother, Etta Kitts Britts; her youngest brother, Donald Britts; and a beloved sister, Norma Williams. She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Terry and Lois L. McMahan, of Daleville, Va., Steve and Cathy McMahan, of Blacksburg, Va., and Tim McMahan, of Blacksburg, Va.; two grandchildren, Brett and Stephanie McMahan, of Sterling, Va., and Brooke McMahan, of Richmond, Va.; two great-grandchildren, Aidan and Dalton McMahan, of Sterling, Va.; her brother, Bobby and JoAnn Britts, of Salem, Va.; a special cousin, Margaret Tiller, of Princeton, W.Va.; and many loving nieces and nephews including Carole Carroll, of Lynchburg, Va., who was like a daughter to her.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2009, in the Kendall Funeral Home at 605 Snidow St. in Pembroke with the Rev. Bill Greer and the Rev. Eddie Kendall officiating. Burial will follow in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening, March 19, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to Pembroke United Methodist Church in honor of her over 60 years of membership. Online condolences may be sent to kendallfuneralhome.com.