Tawes, Grace Eva Mabry

Grace Eva Mabry Tawes, who died Sunday, March 18, 2012, had many starring roles in her life story. She was born August 26, 1922, the second daughter of William L. and Margie Atkinson Mabry, of Blacksburg, and was the loving sister of Mary Sylvia Slusher, Melvin Gerald Mabry and William “Edd” Mabry, all who predeceased her. Eva was mother to George M. Tawes Jr. and wife, Carol, of Franklin County; Evon Tawes Glasgow and husband, Michael Sr., of Salem; and Sandra Tawes Daniels and husband, Robert, of Snowville. One of her longest lasting roles was as an employee for Hercules at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant where she retired in 1989, with over 37 years of service. There she met Lockie Withrowe and Maudie Ramsey who became her lifelong best friends. Eva was a faithful Democratic party member and supporter who referred to herself as “dyed in the wool Democrat” but admitted to voting for one Republican, Ike Eisenhower in 1952. Eva was baptized as a youth at the Episcopal Emmanuel Chapel at High Top in south Blacksburg. She attended the Alleghany Church of Christ until moving her membership to the Blacksburg Christian Church in 1948. There she taught Sunday School, directed VBS, was a member of CWF, served on the administrative board and chaired the mission committee. She was a devoted Christian with a ready smile for everyone. She joyfully shared her life with her pastor, Gary McCoy, who lovingly supported her during the past three years. After rearing her family, Eva earned her GED at the age of 48, and attended New River Community College. She made her home on Mabry Lane and offered shelter to many people over the years. She graciously shared bounty from her garden and was a Sunshine Lady at Warm Hearth Village. She loved walking in the tide at Myrtle Beach where she had a summer place and met her very special friend, Harry E. Boswell. Eva moved to the Memory Care unit at Radford Wheatland Hills in 2009. She assumed the role of resident greeter who welcomed prospective residents and told them how glad she was for this last home. She was greatly loved and will be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Kathy Tawes Littleford and husband, Darrin; Michael Gary Smith and wife, Kay; Michael Glasgow Jr. and wife, Heidi; Ruth Tawes Daniels Crème and husband, Stephen; Rachel Daniels Tanner and husband, Steven. Eva also was great-grandmother to Devin and Dalton Littleford; Shayna Marie, Chelsey Elizabeth, Kimberly Kathryn, and Tanner Jonathan Smith; Sydney Elizabeth Glasgow; Joshua Jonathan, her namesake, Grace Elizabeth, and Robert Jeremiah Crème; Kamaree S.L. and Layla Danielle Tanner. Eva’s last curtain call is to join her beloved granddaughter, Kimberly Tawes Smith, who predeceased her in 1988. Eva’s family wishes to thank the staff at the Medical Care Suite of Carilion NRV Medical Center and Carilion Hospice for their loving care of Eva during her hospitalization. There will be a Celebration of Eva’s Life later this summer. The family requests that memorials for Eva be made to the Grace Eva Mabry Tawes Scholarship at New River Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 1127, Dublin, VA 24084.