Pfaff, Alice Firebaugh

Alice Rebecca Firebaugh Pfaff of Radford, Va., went home to her Lord on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. She is survived by her brothers and sister, Leonard Firebaugh and his wife, Mary, of Roanoke, Va., John Firebaugh and his wife, Lynn, of Chester, Va., and Judy Perez and her husband, Ruben, of Monterrey, Mexico; and sister-in-law, Chappie Firebaugh of Rocky Mount, Va. Alice is also survived by many nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thompson Charles Pfaff, to whom she was married for 25 years. Also preceding her in death are her parents, Lucille (Smith) and Lee H. Firebaugh; brothers, Lee H. Firebaugh Jr., Malcolm Firebaugh and James Firebaugh; and sisters, Anne Lyles, Viola Firebaugh and Dorothy Gaddy.

Alice was the ninth of 10 children, born in Natural Bridge, Va., and was raised in a Christian home. A devout Christian herself, Alice was a member of Pulaski First Church of the Brethren for many years, she graduated from Natural Bridge High School, attended Emanuel College in Franklin Springs, Ga., and received a BA in education from Radford University. Alice felt that her teaching skills were a gift from God. She retired after 36 years of teaching, three years at Fort Lewis Elementary in Roanoke County, one year at Northwood in Pulaski, and 32 years at Dublin Elementary School. She loved music and played piano and organ in many churches and at the school’s annual musicals. Alice also taught piano in her home and enjoyed the annual recitals.

If someone was sick or in the hospital or nursing home, Alice was there to give comfort. She loved hosting and catering for special occasions, including weddings, baby showers, and anniversaries. Alice loved to travel. She frequently gave her family and friends items she made, including monk cloth throws, embroidery door hangers or bookmarks, snow globes, and flower arrangements to name a few. Alice was a member of the Red Hat Society and the Flower and Garden Club. She was a social butterfly even after her stroke, which made it hard to communicate.

Alice lived at the Pheasant Ridge Nursing Home since April of 2013. While there she always entered a room with a smile and a greeting of “Hey” and sometimes “Thank you” with a hug for her nursing staff and anyone she came in contact with. God put her here for a reason and she blessed others as much as they were a blessing to her. Alice loved her quotes and wanted to share one with her many caregivers. “Friends are the closest thing to angels this side of Heaven.”

She lived a life of devotion to God and dependence on Him. When she was disabled by a stroke, her faith in God enabled her to continue to minister to her family and friends. Alice taught by example that God is faithful, and when we are weak, He is strong. Her family and friends will miss her loving and caring ways, her gracious smile and hospitality, and her love for The Lord that was seen in all her actions. Her family to expresses our thanks to those who cared for our “Ms. Alice.”

There will be a service celebrating her life at noon on Monday, October 29, 2018, at Oakey’s North Chapel. Interment will follow at High Bridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Natural Bridge, Va. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the noon service time on Monday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.oakeys.com.