Katherine Louise Halsey Pugh

Katherine Louise Halsey Pugh, 85, of Vinton, Va., went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 30, 2009. Katherine was the widow of Kyle Meek "Jack" Pugh, of Wytheville; and the daughter of the late William Webb Halsey and Hattie Young Halsey, of Galax. Katherine was a long-time member of St. Paul UMC of Wytheville, where she sang in the choir and sometimes played the organ before transferring her membership to Thrasher Memorial UMC in Vinton, where she found a loving church family and was an active member of the Frances Weaver Circle of the United Methodist Women and the Pathfinders Sunday school class. In her earlier life she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a past Guardian of Bethel 57 of Job's Daughters in Wytheville. She retired after 20 years of service at the claims office of State Farm Insurance in Wytheville. Above all, Katherine was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends. Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley P. and Rick Calhoun, of Vinton, and Rebecca P. and Randall Baker, of Durham, N.C.; brother, William Webb Halsey Jr., of Fort Myers, FIa.; grandchildren, Krista C. Wirt and husband, Robert "BR," of Vinton, Jay S. Calhoun and wife, Jessica, of Clermont, Fla., and Katherine Frances Baker, of Durham, N.C. Other survivors include beloved great-grandchildren, Jackson C. Wirt, Grayson B. Wirt, and Chloe Lane, of Vinton; special friend, Betty Shipp, of Vinton; and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2009, in the chapel of Thrasher Memorial UMC with the Rev. David Vaughan officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, at Oakey's Vinton Chapel. Interment will be held 3 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at the Pugh Family Cemetery in Teas, Va. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Music Fund of Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel, 540-982-2221.