Beverly Anne Silver

Beverly Anne Pleasants Silver passed away on August 17, 2024 in Harrisonburg, VA, Born on January 10, 1935 in Washington D.C., Beverly lived a life marked by kindness, education, community involvement, and a deep faith.
She was raised in Richmond Virginia by her parents Joseph C. Pleasants and Virginia Bagby Pleasants and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, class of 1953. She attended and graduated from Madison College (now James Madison University) class of 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She earned a Masters from LSU and her PhD in biology from SUNY in 1973.
She returned to Harrisonburg and for over 30 years was a Professor of Biology at JMU until 1997 when she retired and became a JMU Emerita.
After retiring, she enjoyed the time she spent as Nana, caring for her grandsons, traveling the world and learning about other cultures, and participating in JMU's Lifelong Learning institute. She truly was a lifelong learner as well as a dedicated teacher to all she met.
Throughout her time in Harrisonburg, she was an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, serving in many capacities including Sunday School teacher, house church member, and elder. She also was active in civic organizations including Delta Kappa Gamma, League of Women Voters, Skyline Girl Scout Council, & Shenandoah Choral Society. She spent her final 20 years as an active resident of Sunnyside Retirement Community. She so enjoyed the relationships she made with dear friends and wonderful staff members.
She is survived by her daughter, Lauren Silver Strawderman, son-in-law Michael Strawderman, grandsons Benjamin and Andrew (wife Bryce) and great grandsons Tucker and Tanner.
A celebration of Beverly's life will be held on Saturday, September 7 at 4:00p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, VA. Following this, a private graveside service will take place in Richmond, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Beverly's memory to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 725 S. High St. Harrisonburg VA 22801; or the Sunnyside Fellowship Fund, 600 University Blvd. Suite L., Harrisonburg, VA 22801. These organizations reflect her commitment to her faith community and her enduring spirit of generosity.