Lydia Louise Stanley Vest

1933 - 2008

Lydia Louise Stanley Vest, 75, of Radford, died Saturday, August 16, 2008, after a long, happy life. She was born August 14, 1933, in Botetourt County to Vester Lee Stanley and Lena Belle Myers Stanley. She grew up on and around Tinker Mountain, which remained one of her favorite places in the world. She was a 1951 graduate of Troutville High School and a 1954 graduate of Lewis-Gale Hospital School of Nursing. She worked at Lewis-Gale Hospital in downtown Roanoke and retired as an OB/labor and delivery nurse at Radford Community Hospital. She also established the "baby closet" at Radford Hospital, which continues to provide gifts of clothing, blankets and infant car seats to families in need throughout the New River Valley.
Along with a professional life of caring for others, Louise was active in the community and was a long time member of Old Brick Presbyterian Church. She was active as a volunteer in the restoration of Mount Union Church at Explore Park. Blessed with a love of color and creativity, Louise loved to knit, crochet, tat, embroider, paint, tend garden, can vegetables, make jelly, cook, read, go camping and more than anything else, quilt. She leaves a trove of priceless creations and a lot of fabric for her family to treasure.
Louise was known for her intense love of family and family reunions. The highlight of her summers was the Stanley/Myers reunion each June at Waldron Park in Roanoke. She devoted considerable time in recent years to researching her family tree and welcomed any "stray," human or otherwise, who arrived at her door. She made the best biscuits anywhere.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Hazel Stanley, Phyllis Stanley and Dianne Switzer. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, William E. "Bill" Vest, of Radford; three daughters, Denise Ella Vest, of Radford, Doloris Elaine Vest, of Roanoke and Martha Vest Pinard and husband, Steve, of Salem; one son, Daniel Edward Vest and wife, Sharon, of Grottoes; nine grandchildren, James Isaac Vest, of Blacksburg, Courtney June Vest, of Harrisonburg, Jesse Pierce Allen and wife, Caryl, of Narrows, Jennifer Irene Munson, of Blacksburg, William Clancy Allen, of Pearisburg, Rachel Dare Pinard and Daniel Brian Pinard, of Salem, and Melissa Dorman and Eddie Dorman, of Harrisonburg; and one great-granddaughter, Alexia Grace Allen, of Narrows. Also surviving are two brothers, Jerry Stanley and wife, Sue, of Culpepper, and Sylvester Stanley and wife, Gaby, of Pulaski; sisters, Joy McComb, of Lady Lake, Fla., and Barbara Montgomery and husband, Jettie, of Radford; brothersin-law, Elwood Switzer, of Manassas, and Irvin Vest and wife, Corrine, of Roanoke; sister-in-law, Virginia Peters, of Salem; special niece and nephew, Linda Rachel Fielder and husband, Don, of Salem, and Dwayne Vest, of Glade Spring; daughter-in-law, Dennie Munson and husband, John Burke; many other nieces, nephews, cousins and family members; and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by "Michelle," "Sam," "Samantha," "Maggie" and "Martin" and is survived by "Tommy Cat" and several "granddogs."
The family would like to thank special caregivers, Liza Charlton, Karen King and Ruth Stewart, of Carillon Hospice.
The funeral and a celebration of Louise's life will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 19, 2008, at DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford. The Revs. Joe McCoy and Darlene Marshall will officiate. Interment will follow at Westview Cemetery in Radford. The family will accept visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, August 18, 2008, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please honor Louise with a contribution to your local food pantry.