Emory Joseph Derrick

Emory Joseph (JOE), 58, of Blacksburg, went home to be with his Savior Friday, May 21, 2010, at Montgomery Regional Hospital. He was born in Chester, S.C., on January 17, 1952. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1974, and received his Ph.D. in 1992 from VPI and SU. He served the Lord in China for 10 years, and returned to teach at Radford University for six years. Joe was a member of Blacksburg Christian Fellowship. He is survived by his wife, Ruth B. Derrick; two sons and daughters-in-law, Evan and Kristena Derrick, of Tulsa, Okla., and Collin and Stephanie Derrick, of Blacksburg; one daughter, Jillian Derrick, of Blacksburg; two grandchildren, Emily and Jacob Derrick; parents, Curtis and Virginia Derrick, of Woodruff, S.C.; one brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Dianne Derrick, of Orlando, Fla.; one nephew, Brooks Derrick; his mother-in-law, Eleanor Williams, of Dodgeville, Wis.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, David and Joyce Williams, Earl and Betty Williams, Leslie and Diana Williams, Richard and Peg Williams; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Helen and Robert Schuerman. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, May 25, 2010, at 2 p.m. in the Blacksburg Christian Fellowship with Mr. Chris Faith officiating. Interment will follow in the Memorial Gardens of the New River Valley. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Blacksburg Christian Fellowship for missions, 2300 N. Main Street, Blacksburg, Va. 24060. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday evening at the McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg.