Slusher Jr., Roger Oliver

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Roger Oliver (R.O.) Slusher, Jr., of Floyd, died peacefully at home on December 4, 2006. The son of Roger Oliver, Sr. and Pearl Sutphin Slusher, he was born on May 4, 1920.

With the exception of his four years of service during World War II, he lived his entire life on the family farm on Rush Fork.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Evelyn Terry Slusher; his children and their spouses, Roger and Leslie Slusher of Narvon, Pennsylvania, Alice Slusher, Terry and Katie Slusher, George Slusher and Ann-Margaret Shortt of Floyd; his grandchildren include, Corinne and Carl Slusher of Pennsylvania, Ashley, Reuben and Daisy Slusher of Floyd; four dear sisters also survive, Neva Dell Slusher Simmons of Willis, Ruth Ann Slusher of Floyd, Edith P. Slusher and Bob and Judy Slusher McDanel of Richmond. Also surviving are the Terry in-laws, who were brothers and sisters to him, Nan Terry, Eloise Terry, Frances Terry Cock, Wesley and Odetta Terry, Owen and Lois Terry Dalton, Sammie and Julia Terry, Hubert and Vera Terry, David and Audrey Terry; many nieces and nephews also share memories.

He was preceded in death by his best man and little sister, Bob and Mary Lou Shelor as well as by brothers-in-law, Hugh Simmons, Marvin Terry, Curtis Cock, Jr. and Reuben Terry. R.O. enjoyed life and lived his beliefs.

He joined Conner’s Grove Primitive Baptist Church in 1967 and was ordained as a deacon there on July 27, 1968. He spent many hours reading his Bible. He also served as a trustee for the Primitive Baptist Library at Elon College, North Carolina.

During World War II, R.O. joined the Army with the first group of boys to leave Floyd County after Pearl Harbor. He served with the 204th Anti-aircraft Artillery in Europe and was discharged as a First Lieutenant in February, 1946.

Farming was the only vocation R.O. ever considered. Working first with his father and later with his sons, R.O. expanded the farm his grandfather bought in 1892. He raised sheep and beef cattle as well as wheat and grass crops. He was active with various agricultural groups and was named Virginia Young Farmer of the Year for 1954.

Among his avocations, R.O. took great pleasure in music, both as a singer and as a musician. He could “get a tune out of” any instrument he picked up but was best known as a guitar and banjo player. He played with various friends and family members over the years and enjoyed many good times with the Over the Hill Gang. R.O. also enjoyed sports, particularly baseball. He played for the Floyd Blue Sox after the war and watched as many games as he could.

The family is grateful to the caring ones who helped keep R.O. at home the past three years, Nanette West, Karyn Altizer, Mandy Cromer, Sarah Snead, and especially daughter-in-heart, Ada Belcher.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel, Floyd, with Elder Tim McGrady officiating. Interment will follow at Jacksonville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Maberry Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making any memorial donations to the New River Land Trust P.O. Box 11057 Blacksburg, Va., 24062 or the Primitive Baptist Library 4023 N. NC 87 Elon College, N.C. 27244.