Edwin Cleigh Armbrister

October 15, 1921 ~ September 18, 2008 Edwin Cleigh Armbrister, 86, of Wytheville, Va., passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2008, at home, after a valiant battle with Parkinson's disease.
Born October 15, 1921, in Max Meadows, Va., he was the son of the late George Lee Armbrister and Sarah Cardwell Armbrister. Edwin dearly loved his wife and family and was happiest during his retirement years working outside and traveling with his family.
Edwin attended public schools in Wythe County, graduating from Max Meadows High School in 1939. After high school, Edwin worked for a short time in Kingsport, Tenn., for Tennessee Eastman.
In 1942, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving in World War II until 1946. As a Marine, he moved from Marine Private to Staff Sergeant.
After his military service, Edwin attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. While at Virginia Tech, he was active in the Business Club and was elected to membership in Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1950 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, with an accounting option. Upon graduation, Edwin again worked in Kingsport in sales.
Then, in 1951, he went to work for Garnett Cole as an accountant, in Wytheville. After passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination and fulfilling his certification work requirement, he was awarded CPA certificate number 636. His certification enabled Edwin and Garnett, already a CPA, to establish their public accounting partnership, Cole and Armbrister, on July 1, 1953. Their firm grew quickly, with clients from throughout southwest Virginia and West Virginia, as well as other neighboring states. Edwin continued his senior partnership position with Cole and Armbrister until 1988. He then went to work for the public accounting firm of Hodges, Jones, and Terry, formed by some of the CPAs who had become partners over the years with Cole and Armbrister. Edwin continued to work with this firm until 1996.
In retirement, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Highlands Funeral Service particularly interesting since Edwin's father received certificate #1 issued by the Virginia State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. As an active citizen of Wytheville, Edwin contributed much to the community.
A member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Wytheville for over 50 years, he served in many leadership capacities over the years, including Chair of the Administrative Board, member of various committees, Trustee, delegate to the Holston Conference, and member of the Holston Conference Board of Pensions for the United Methodist Church.
In addition to church activities, Edwin was a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club, serving as President for a term. He also was a member of the Virginia Society of CPAs, where he served on the Board of Directors and was active with many committees, including tax, audit, and accounting/ auditing conference committees. Edwin also served on the local advisory board of Nation's Bank, was a member of the American Institute of CPAs, and was a member and Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club.
In addition to his parents, Edwin was preceded in death by his brother, George William Armbrister; and his sisters, Roberta Frances Armbrister, Georgia Lee Armbrister Martin, Mary Matilda "Mamie" Armbrister Howery, Nina Belle Armbrister Wilson, Anna Maude Armbrister Duncan, Reva Doris Armbrister Lee, and Virginia Cardwell Armbrister Gubser.
Survivors include Edwin's beloved wife of 54 years and best friend, Della Gaye Martin Armbrister, who resides at home; his two sons, Robert Gary Armbrister and wife, Lisa Ferguson Armbrister, of Martinsville, Va., and Edwin "Eddie" Cleigh Armbrister Jr., of Seymour, Tenn.; and one daughter, Sarah Gaye Armbrister Beamer and husband, Johnny Neal Beamer, of Wytheville. Surviving also are five grandchildren, Robert "Robbie" Gary Armbrister Jr., Sarah Elizabeth Beamer, Michael Wesley Armbrister, Caitlin Kinsale Armbrister, and Edwin Cleigh Armbrister III. Edwin is also survived by two brothers, Robert Elliott Armbrister, of Kingsport, Tenn., and James Herbert Armbrister and wife, Delma Faye Martin Armbrister, of Max Meadows, Va.; two sisters, Edith Margaret Armbrister Worsham and husband, Willie Nelson Worsham, of Huntington, W.Va., and Helen Madelin Armbrister Vaughan, of Aiken, S.C.; and one sister-in-law, Isabel Lee Gilmer Armbrister.
Funeral services for Edwin Cleigh Armbrister will be conducted 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2008, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Wytheville, Va., with the Reverend Mr. Tom Ballard officiating. Burial will follow at West End Cemetery in Wytheville, with Military Graveside Rites being conducted by American Legion Post #9 of Wytheville Va.
The family will receive friends at Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville, Va., from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2008, or at the family home or the daughter's home at any time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 330 Church Street, Wytheville, Va. 24382 or the National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., Office of Development, 1501 NW 9th Avenue, Bob Hope Road, Miami, Fla. 33136-1494.