Stanton, Velma Jo Clingenpeel

Velma Jo Clingenpeel Stanton, of Christiansburg, Va., passed away on Wednesday, February 4, 2009. Jo grew up on a dairy farm in Franklin County, Va., along with her two brothers. As a child, she enjoyed eating peas straight from the garden, and continued to do so throughout adulthood.

In 1959 she married Howard Burton Stanton Jr. and they lived in Christiansburg, Va., and raised their two children there. Howard practiced dentistry until his retirement. Jo became a massage therapist, and practiced for over a dozen years, mostly out of her home. She loved helping people feel better.

She attended Bridgewater College, and graduated from nursing school at the Medical College of Virginia. She went to church at Unity of Roanoke Valley, and became a licensed Unity teacher, and was also a priest in the Order of Melchizedek. She was a spiritual seeker, and both learned and taught. Her positive nature was an inspiration.

Among her many interests, she was a traveler, both of the United States and abroad, going on several special trips throughout her life. She liked organic vegetable and flower gardening, cooking good vegetarian food, and loved red wine and dark chocolate. She created a beautiful home environment, she liked things “simple,” and spent a year researching, designing, and finally remodeling her kitchen, which she was able to enjoy for the final months of her life.

She is survived by daughter, Emily Woodbury Stanton, of Pilot, Va.; son, Howard Burton Stanton III, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; brother, Glenn Lloyd Clingenpeel and wife, Judy Clingenpeel; nephew, Patrick Clingenpeel and Beth Greene; and brother, Richard Bowman Clingenpeel, all of Franklin County, Va.; brother-in-law, David Robert Stanton and wife, Mercedes (Mert) Stanton, of Richlands, Va.; niece, Susan Stanton Osborne and husband, Lee, of Roanoke, Va.; nephew, David Robert Stanton Jr. and wife, Valerie, of Richlands, Va.; niece, Diane Stanton Tolley and husband, Dan, of Northern Virginia. She is also survived by many great-nieces and nephews, dear cousins, and a multitude of beloved friends.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2009, followed by a service at 3 p.m. Both will be held at Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Doctors Without Borders or Heifer International. Online condolences may be sent to hornefuneralservice.com. The Stanton family is being served by Horne Funeral Service.