Denise Ella Vest

1957 - 2008

Denise Ella Vest, 51, of Radford, died Wednesday, December 3, 2008. She was born April 15, 1957, in Roanoke, to William "Bill" Vest and the late Lydia Louise Vest. Denise was a 1975 graduate of Radford High School. She played flute in the concert band and, as a member of the marching band, helped establish the school's first flag team of which she served as captain. She graduated in 1978 from New River Community College with an associate's degree in music education and retired from Virginia Tech in 2003 after 30 years of full and part-time service. She served as a volunteer at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center and was a member of Rockbridge United Methodist Church. Denise loved music, jewelry, crocheting, and laughing with her family. In addition to her father, she is survived by her brother, Daniel Vest and sisterin-law, Sharon, of Grottoes; sisters, Doloris Vest, of Roanoke, and Martha Pinard and brother-in-law, Steve, of Salem; nieces and nephews, James Vest, of Blacksburg, Courtney Vest, of Harrisonburg, Jesse Allen and wife, Caryl, of Narrows, Jennifer Burke, of Blacksburg, William Allen, of Pearisburg, Rachel Pinard and Daniel Pinard, both of Salem; Melissa Dorman and Eddie Dorman, of Harrisonburg; and great-niece, Alexia Allen, of Narrows. She also is survived by a special aunt, June Peters, of Salem; special cousins, Linda Rachel Fielder and husband, Don, of Salem, Dwayne Vest, of Emory, and Donna Sweeney, of Pittsburgh; special friend, Norma Burke, of Radford; and feline companions, Sierra and Sydney. A celebration of Denise's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 6, 2008, at Mullins Funeral Home, in Radford. Interment will follow in West View Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, December 5, 2008, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Radford High School Band Boosters, 604 Auburn Avenue, Radford, Va. 24141, www.mullinsfuneralhome.com.