June 12, 1917 – September 27, 2012
Funeral Home: Riffe Funeral Services
Narrows, VA
Service: October 1, 2012
Nancy Franklin Heatwole, 95, of Salem, VA, formerly of Narrows, VA, died Thursday, September 27, 2012, at Salem Terrace at Harrogate in Salem, VA.
Mrs. Heatwole was born in St. Bethlehem, Tn., and grew up in Elizabethton.
She graduated from Milligan College in 1938 and obtained her Masters Degree from Peabody Teachers College in Nashville. She taught Latin and English in Unadilla GA, Elizabethton, and Kettering OH.
Mrs. Heatwole was an Army wife for 33 years, and lived in Narrows, VA, with her husband, Jimmy, after his retirement from active service.
They were members of Riverview Baptist Church, Ripplemead, Va., and dearly loved their church family.
She was the daughter of the late Clarence McMurray Franklin and Nan Elizabeth Hallums. In addition. to her mother and father, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Col. James W. Heatwole; a brother, C. Benjamin Franklin; and a sister, Martha Franklin Lovett.
Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Elizabeth Franklin Orser; her daughter, Nancy Heatwole Miller and husband, Kenneth, of Bland County; her son, James Franklin Heatwole, and wife, Elizabeth, of Charlotte NC; three grandchildren, Gary Ratliff and wife, Amy, of Glen Allen; Emily Heatwole, of Columbia SC; and Elena Barlow and husband, Chad, of Springville VA; and three great-grandchildren; several nieces and many special friends.
The family wishes to thank Gentle Shepherd Hospice and the staff of Salem Terrace for the loving care they gave Nancy in her final days.The family also thanks Tracy Andrachik and Kim Bowman for the excellent care provided to Nancy.
The family will receive friends in the Chapel of Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows Monday, October 1, 2012, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. A graveside service will be conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at Happy Valley Memorial Park in Elizabethton, Tennessee, with Pastor Shahn Wilburn officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to Giles County Camp of Gideons International for the purchase of Bibles.
The family is being served by Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows, (540) 726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.