Andrew Meredith Sisson

Andrew Sisson, 71, of Blacksburg, Virginia died peacefully Monday, October 6, 2025, guided by angels and surrounded by loved ones while in palliative care at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was born in Ashland, VA, the middle child of Ruth (McCue) and Russell Sisson. He attended Patrick Henry High School and Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg. He remained in Blacksburg for the rest of his career. While at Virginia Tech he discovered a group of volunteers who organized the RAFT, a crisis intervention center. He volunteered there, and in doing so found a group of lifelong friends. He became the Supervisor of the Crisis Intervention Unit and eventually the Director of the RAFT. When RAFT later merged with the New River Valley Community Services Board he became the Director of Substance Abuse Services in the New River Valley. He later worked as a trainer for the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program in the New River Valley. During his career he studied Administration at Lesley College in Boston, MA and Psychodrama with Ann Hale, at the Blue Ridge Human Relations Institute in Roanoke. Andrew's interest in theology inspired him to co-lead the Blacksburg Metaphysical Chapel for several years. He served on many boards of local organizations. He also used sign language to interpret for those with hearing challenges in their legal or medical appointments. For more than 45 years Andrew helped thousands of people understand themselves and learn how to improve their lives. He did this with compassion, a fierce sense of humor, a non-judgmental attitude, and a willingness to challenge people when necessary while advocating for the dignity and rights of those often marginalized in society. After he retired in 2020, he volunteered for the Montgomery County Election Board and Served as co-captain in the McCoy district for several years.
Andrew loved cooking and was well known for preparing delicious food for family and friends. He enjoyed horseback riding, and African drumming. For 25 years he was a member of the Backyard Stonecarvers. He discovered his love for carving rocks after attending a workshop held by the late artist and sculpturer Darcy Meeker of Blacksburg.
He was predeceased by his father Andrew Russell Sisson, his mother Ruth (McCue) Sisson and his brother Edwin Sisson and mother-in-law Helen Wager. He is survived by his wife Kathleen Wager, his sister Kelly Sisson Henson and brother-in-law John Henson, sister-in-law Susan Wager, nephew Chris Gottlieb, sister-in-law Margaret Scully, niece Andrea Scully Knepper (Jacob), great nephew Alex Carr, and great niece Rose Carr.
The family wishes to thank Scott Boerth, MD, Lewis Gale Physicians, Terrance May, MD, Carilion Clinic Cardiology, DeEtta Ray, DNP and nurses at Carilion New River Valley Heart Failure Clinic, and Dr. Paul LaFlam, Blue Ridge Nephrology Associates for their compassionate care, knowledge, and expertise.
A Celebration of Life will be held November 15, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 1301 Gladewood Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Carilion Clinic Foundation, noting the Cardiology Dept. at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital or the Carilion New River Valley Heart Failure Clinic as recipients, or the American Civil Liberties Union.