Alma Hope Shrewsbury

Alma Hope Via Shrewsbury, a resident of Roanoke County since 1958, passed away at 91, on May 22, 2010. Born on October 15, 1918, in Stoco, W.Va., to Georgia Edward Via Sr., and Burgia S. Earles Via. The eldest of six children, 3 boys and 3 girls. Proceeding in death, a brother, Jack Edward Via; and two sisters, Jewel Via Smith and Joy Via Foster. Hope is survived by two brothers, George Edward Via Jr., and Dr. David Lee Via; sister-in-law, Betsy D. Via, of Virginia Beach, Va.; her daughter, Patricia Shrewsbury Irvin; son-in-law, Robert W. Irvin Sr., of Goodview, Va.; two sons, James Stephen Shrewsbury, daughter-in-law, Barbara Hodges Shrewsbury, of Rocky Mount, Va., and Scott Via Shrewsbury, daughter-in-law, Kathy Stoop Shrewsbury, of Daleville, Va.; four granddaughters, Stephanie Claire Shrewsbury and Jessica Ann Shrewsbury Trammell, Teresa Shrewsbury Cuttey and Mary Katherine Shrewsbury Lugan; and one greatgranddaughter, Jaime Claire Trammell. Hope graduated from Stoco High School , in Stoco, W.Va. After high school, she graduated from Martz Beauty School and became licensed in Cosmetology. Hope continued to expand her knowledge by attending Beckley College and later V.P.I. extension. She married Jim Shrewsbury in 1942. She traveled the United States with her husband while working in the Navy during the war. After the war, they settled in Christiansburg, Va. Hope worked at Epperly's Beauty Shop for eight years until she and Jim decided to start a family. Jim and Hope had three children and Hope left the work force to become a stay at home housewife. After Jim's sudden death in June of 1964, Hope re-entered the work force and took a job Heironimus Tower's, where she worked for 8 years. In 1971, Hope began working at the Roanoke County Public Library on 419, where she retired after 15 years of service. Hope was a member of Windsor Hills United Methodist Church since 1959; a member of the choir for 8 years, and the Dorothy Wilbur Circle. She served as chairman for the Y-Teen committee of the YMCA and was a Cub Scout Leader. She donated much of her time to delivering Meals on Wheels and the American Cancer Association at the Discovery Shoppe. Hope always enjoyed good books, knitting, movies, musical concerts and local plays at Show Timers. She enjoyed traveling and social functions. When the weather was nice, she enjoyed working in the yard and flower gardening and flower arranging. Hope devoted a great deal of her time to American Business Women's Association (ABWA); an active member since 1976. She served in many offices from Scholarship 1978-79, Scrap Book '81-'83, Ways & Means '82-'83 and '85-'86, Vice President '83-'84, President '84-'85, and Hospitality '85-'86. Hope's family would like to thank the staff at Friendship Manor and Good Samaritan Hospice for making Hope's remaining time on this earth as comfortable as possible. The family will receive friends at Oakey's South Chapel on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. A Memorial Service will be conducted at Windsor Hills United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 27, 2010, by the Rev. Branan Thompson. Interment will be conducted by the Rev. Liz Lazenby, of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church at 1:30 p.m. following the Memorial Service at Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg, Va. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Good Samaritan Hospice (419) and/ or Windsor Hills United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel and Crematory, 540-989-3131.