Siburt, Wilda Parsons

Wilda Parsons Siburt, 91, of Blacksburg, VA, died Tuesday, October 15, 2013. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Ward Parsons and Alice VanDyne Parsons and her brothers, Kenneth and Lyle Parsons. She was born in Reader, WV and grew up on the family farm. Valedictorian of her high school class, she graduated at age 16 and completed her college degree at West Liberty College three years later. Graduate studies at West Virginia University and Marshall University followed. Wilda married Dr. Thomas Paul Siburt in October, 1950 and they had forty years together until his death in 1990. She is survived by two children, son James and his wife Diane of Hendersonville, TN and son Paul and his wife Susie of Blacksburg, three grandsons, Michael and his wife Claire, Mark and his wife Hannah, and Scott and his wife Maureen, and two great-grandsons, Jacob and Jason. Wilda began a forty-three year teaching career in 1941, instructing grades K-12 in a one room school. In future years she taught a variety of subjects at several West Virginia high schools, later specializing in youth and guidance counseling. In 1968, she accepted a faculty position in Radford College’s School of Education, retiring as Assistant Professor in 1984. Wilda was life-long member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Order of the Eastern Star, O.E.S. Chapter No. 33, Blacksburg. She was a fan of Virginia Tech team sports, enjoyed travel and was a voracious reader. Her favorite activity was spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. The family gratefully acknowledges the loving care provided Wilda by the staff of the Willows at Kroontje Health Care Center during the past two and a half years. Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 10:00 am in the Blacksburg Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with Rev. Gary McCoy officiating. Interment will follow in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Blacksburg Christian Church, 240 Watson Ave., Blacksburg, VA 24060. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 pm Friday, October 18, 2013 at the McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.