Leola Augusta Whitmer Raby

RABY, Leola Augusta Whitmer, 97, passed away at the home of her daughter on September 24, 2008 in Vinton. Born in Bacon's Castle, Surry, on January 11, 1911, she was the daughter of the late Harry F. and Augusta Councill Whitmer. Leola lived on Orcutt Lane in Richmond for more than 40 years, and then moved to Vinton to be with her daughter. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Jean Raby Lowe; a niece, Fannie Elaine (Harrison) Jenkins of Smithfield; six sisters, Mary Lillian Gwaltney of Norfolk, Ethel Blanche Harrison (Harry) of Burwell's Bay, Jessie Bertis Boole (Atwell) of Carrollton, Willie Ward Harrison (Raymond) of Burwell's Bay, Annie Laurie Felts (Tom) of Smithfield, Georgie Bowden Felts (Allan) of Smithfield; and two brothers, Benjamin Lewis Whitmer (Eva) of Newport News and Harry Lynnwood Whitmer (Grace) of Norfolk. She is survived by her daughter, Betty Raby Dowdy (Ed) of Vinton; three grandchildren, Robin, Lisa and Michael Lynn of Roanoke; three great-grandchildren, Kristin and Cameron Brooks of Roanoke and Keith Lynn of Vinton; and numerous nieces and nephews. Leola grew up on the Whitmer family farm "Woodlawn" in Bacon's Castle. Her father was from Maryland and her mother's family was from Surry County. Her mother's father, Benjamin Franklin Councill was assigned to the 16th Battalion of the Virginia Cavalry. Her family is listed in Notable Southern Families by Armstrong, found in the Virginia Archives in Richmond. She is the last of a family rich in Virginia history and heritage. Even though she was a unique personality of her own, funny and cantankerous at the same time, she loved her family, Willie Nelson, riding in a cab and talking on the telephone. She hated being lonely, so now she will have her family and friends, Pops, Russell and Red. Have a good trip Mama, find you a fella and get you some sugar! The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the girls at Rest Care, especially Pam, Betty, and the dedicated workers at Carillion Hospice, Larry, Dale and Debbie, and all for taking good care of Leola on her journey. The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the Purviance Chapel in Wakefield, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home. The Rev. Connie J. Morris will officiate. Burial will follow at Old Brick Church Cemetery, Bacon's Castle in Surry. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Richmond, 4600 Cox Rd., Suite #130, Glen Allen, Va. 23060. The family is being served by J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Purviance Chapel in Wakefield. Condolences may be posted at our website at www.jtmorriss.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.