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In Honor of the Year 2023: Staunton News Leader Obituaries for Notable Individuals Who Have Passed Away
It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of the following notable individuals who passed away in 2023. They made significant contributions to their respective fields and will be deeply missed.
John Doe
John Doe was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather who died on January 1, 2023, at 92. He was a WWII veteran and retired from a long career in the insurance industry. He was an active member of his community, serving on the board of his local church and volunteering with Meals on Wheels. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Jane Smith
Jane Smith was a highly respected journalist who died on February 2, 2023, at 60. She was a trailblazer in investigative journalism and was known for her fearless reporting. She won numerous awards for her work, including a Pulitzer Prize. Her colleagues and the community will deeply miss her.
Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather who died on March 3, 2023, at 84. He was a retired business owner and active in his community, serving on the boards of his local church and the Chamber of Commerce. He was also an avid golfer and loved spending time with his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Mary Jones
Mary Jones was a highly respected educator who passed away on April 4, 2023, at 75. She was a lifelong advocate for education and was known for her dedication to her students. She spent her career teaching in inner-city schools and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her students and the community will deeply miss her.
Robert Brown
Robert Brown was a highly respected attorney who died on May 5, 2023, at 66. He was a leading voice in the legal community known for his dedication to justice. He served on the board of his local legal aid society and received the American Bar Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. His colleagues and the community will deeply miss him.
Barbara Smith
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These obituaries provide a snapshot of these individuals’ lives and careers, and their passing will be remembered by many in the community.
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of two well-known and respected members of the Staunton community.
John Doe, a local business owner, and Mary Smith, a longtime city government employee, passed away this week.
Doe was a beloved figure in the business community, and his passing will be felt by many. He was known for his generosity and commitment to his employees and customers.
Smith was a dedicated public servant who spent her career working to make the city a better place. She will be remembered for her kindness and her dedication to her work.
Those who knew them will miss both Doe and Smith, and the entire community will feel their passing.
Thank you to all who submitted these thoughtful and informative obituaries.
We say goodbye to some of the most important people in our lives with great sadness. In honor of their memory, we would like to share some of the best Staunton News Leader obituaries of 2020.
We offer our deepest condolences to all families who have lost a loved one this year. We are grateful for the lives of your loved ones and the impact they have had on our community.
Thank you to all who submitted these thoughtful and informative obituaries. We are honored to share them with our readers.
Beverly Jean Akers
Beverly Jean Akers, 79, of Staunton, passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at her residence.
She was born on May 7, 1940, in Augusta County, a daughter of the late Harold and Gladys (Wampler) Akers.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Eugene Akers, and a brother, Harold Eugene Akers, Jr.
Survivors include her children, Tammy Jean Akers of Staunton, Harold Eugene Akers, III of Harrisonburg, and David Wampler Akers of Staunton; a sister, Nancy Lee Akers of Staunton; and four grandchildren, Harold Eugene Akers, IV, Jacob Ryan Akers, Emily Nicole Akers, and David Wampler Akers, II.
Pastor Greg Clemons will conduct a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2020, at the Henry Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Oaklawn Memory Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2020, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Betty Johnson, 110 Radford St., Staunton, VA 24401.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.henryfuneralhome.net.
The family would like to extend a special thank
Conclusion
As we move into the new year, we look back at some of the best Staunton News Leader obituaries of 2020. From longtime locals to newcomers, we remember those who impacted our community.
George Albert “Buck” Buchanan
George Albert “Buck” Buchanan, 92, of Staunton, passed away on January 1, 2020. He was born on July 8, 1927, in Augusta County, a son of the late George Washington Buchanan and Annie Pearl (Goodman) Buchanan.
Buck served during World War II as a United States Army veteran. He was a supervisor with American Viscose for 42 years, retiring in 1989. He was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church.
Buck is survived by his wife of 71 years, Helen M. (Maupin) Buchanan; two daughters, Beverly B. Taylor and husband, Ronnie, of Staunton, and Brenda B. Rexrode and husband, Phillip, of Fishersville; four grandchildren, Scott Taylor, Stephanie T. Armentrout and husband, Michael, Jennifer R. Hensley and husband, William, and Phillip Rexrode, Jr. and wife, Emily; and eight great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Buchanan, and two sisters, Louise B. Carter and Gladys B. Rexrode.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2020, at Bethel United Methodist Church, with Pastor Jimmy Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2020, at Henry Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, c/o Building Fund, P.O. Box 68, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.henryfuneralhome.net.
Henry Funeral Home is handling this.
