Elsie Foglesong Gwyn Barr

Elsie Foglesong Gwyn Barr, of Roanoke, died January 11, 2009, at the age of 91. Preceding her in death were her husband, Henry W. Gwyn; husband, Clyde J. Barr; infant daughter, Sarah Jane Gwyn; father, Martin Foglesong; mother, Erma Lindamood Foglesong; brother, Elmer B. Foglesong; and sister, Lillian Foglesong Mitchell. Elsie joined the Methodist Church at age 12, and her church has held high priority ever since. In 1955 she helped establish a new Methodist Church-The Windsor Hills United Methodist Church, where she taught the Senior Bible Class which was named "Barr None." She was also a member of The American Business Women's Association since 1967. While in college, she worked three part time jobs while receiving her degree in three years. After finishing college she taught school several years but changed professions to join her husband in building an office machine business, ACME Business Machines. She started several other businesses, Va. Equipment Leasing Corporation, Eastern Furniture Sales and Rentals, and last Blue Ridge Copiers, selling this company in June 1997 at age 79. she is survived by a daughter, Charlotte Hubof and husband, Bill, of Raleigh, N.C.; son, David W. Gwyn, of Roanoke; a stepdaughter, Mary Lee Gwyn Wilson, of Orlando, Florida; a stepson, Jack C. Barr and wife, Marsha, of Jefferson, N.C.; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Harold Foglesong and wife, Grace and Sheridan Foglesong and wife, Doris, of Ceres; and a special niece, Rebecca Fox. Since her body was donated to medical research, no funeral will be held, instead a memorial celebration at Windsor Hills United Methodist Church, on January 31, 2009, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception in Windsor Hall, immediately after the service. Rev. Tom Lee and Rev. Brandon Thompson will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a favorite charity.