Via, Esther Sumner

Esther Sumner Via, 82, of Pulaski, died Wednesday, April 11, 2007 with her family by her side in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She was born in Carroll County on September 26, 1924, and was the daughter of the late Creed Lafayette Sumner and Roxie Ellen Ogle Sumner. She was the widow of James Douglas Via,

Esther was a graduate of Hillsville High School. She moved to Pulaski in May of 1947 and married in October of 1947. She retired from Snyders Flowers in Pulaski and became a caregiver to many. She was a member of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church.

Surviving are son, Stephen Douglas Via and his wife Dreama Reynolds Via, Radford; daughter, Linda Ellen Via Murray, Fredericksburg; sister, Irene Fallin, Virginia Beach; grandchildren, Tracy Leigh White and spouse Kirk, Fredericksburg, Carrie Lynn Via Robinson and spouse Cecil, Radford, Joshua Stephen Via, Savannah, Ga., Brian Gregory Lawson, Blacksburg, Brad Curtis Lawson and wife Cindy, Radford; great-grandchildren, Douglas Philip White, Fredericksburg, Rebecca Kay McCrady, Pulaski, Noah Bennett White, Fredericksburg, Meredith Ellen White, Fredericksburg; sisters-in-law, Marie Sumner, Richmond, Marie Kelsing, Roxboro, N.C., Betty Bratton, Ohio, Bonnie Matherly, Colonial Beach, Doris F. Via, Colonial Beach; brothers-in-law, Jack Via, Pulaski, Gene Via, Arizona; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Special thanks to Edwin Stout, Ruth Rexroth, LaVonne Howard, Clifford Sumner. Also special thanks to neighbors Jane, Judy and Bill.

Funeral service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. from the Aldersgate United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Grimm officiating. Entombment will follow in the Highland Memory Gardens Mausoleum, Dublin. Visiting will be Friday evening from Stevens Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be sent to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1946 Medallion Drive, Pulaski, Va. 24301. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski.