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CELESTIA DILLARD
CELESTIA DILLARD
Obituary
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CELESTIA DILLARD Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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Suzanne Schambach LaMar
January 6, 2024
I was very saddened to only recently learn of Celestia's passing. We were great friends during my summers and school vacations while visiting my grandmother, Winifred Tyree, in Lexington. She was such an original and so very amusing, as was her whole family. The two of us enjoyed many adventures as well as misadventures. Our paths parted, yet I continued to wonder what had become of her ... only to learn that she was not that very far away ... geographically speaking. I would so very much appreciate and love hearing from Betsy or Cabell. Most heartfelt sympathies and wonderfully colorful memories ...
Mary Barrett
June 13, 2022
I miss you everyday ..
This is Celestia at about one week old with me, Betsy, her big sister holding her. What a priceless child and person she was. I miss her so very muc
July 23, 2013
Janet Turner Crouch
July 22, 2013
Celestia was my great friend and next door neighbor while faculty kids at VMI.She had an infectious lust for life and mischief, and we had great fun. I will miss her.
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Rita Royce
June 21, 2013
I am saddened to learn of the death of my old friend, Celestia. I will always remember the good times we had when we were young in Lexington. My sincere condolences to the family.
Rita Claytor Royce
Cabell Forepaugh
June 10, 2013
My goodness. I had no idea this guest book existed till I spoke with my Aunt Betsy last night. The flood of love pours all over me and I feel peace. It has been such a hard few weeks and reading all your kind words helped me so much. I thank you. I also thank you for loving my Mother.It was wonderful knowing you all and having your company.I dearly miss all of you!!! Love to you, Cabell Eames (aka Forepaugh)
Mac Lynch
June 9, 2013
I'm so sad to hear of Celestia's passing. I knew her from 7th grade thru high school. I remember how lively she was and so friendly. She lit up the room whenever she entered it. My deepest sympathy to all her family and friends.
Laraine Annie Marks
June 6, 2013
Dear Cabell, Caroline and Betsy,
I am stunned and heartbroken beyond belief to learn of Celestia's passing. I have just returned from a trip and was so looking forward to sharing the details with her- she so loved to hear about my travels as I loved sharing stories with her. I will miss our late night phone calls talking about the 'good ole days' of high school, sharing a chuch pew at R.E. Lee, being together when Cabell was born and keeping in touch all through the years. Her handprint will remain on my heart forever.
May she be at peace and may you find comfort in the days to come.
Bless you all...
MaryJane Ewing Barrett
June 5, 2013
Celestia - you once told me one of your biggest fears was that you would be forgotten. I will not forget you.
You are in my waking thoughts, my dearest dreams. I will not forget you. You touched my soul, opened my eyes and could change the way I look at things. I will not forget you. I see you in the flowers, hear you in the songs of birds, as they sweep off into the horizon - I will not forget you.
I hear your laughter through the leaves and the wind whispers your name. Your smile was like the morning sunrise, and your love for all was so real. I will never forget you.
Celestia, YOU, my friend, are carved in my very being and I will carry you in my heart forever. I will not forget you.
MJ Ewing Barrett
June 5, 2013
This candle was the light you kept in your heart for everyone. Now its light shines in the stars where we can all look to remember your Love.
Molly McCluer
June 5, 2013
So very sorry to hear of Celestia's death, and hope it was peaceful. She was a wonderful friend in high school, upbeat and adventurous. She leaves vivid and fond memories, and I send my sympathies to Betsy, Caroline and all who loved her.
Thanksgiving, 2012
Jeffrey Stuart MacKinnon
June 2, 2013
My dearest and most precious Celestia (A.K.A. "Ruby" - A.K.A. "Lessie Girl"),
Never in my entire life have I ever felt as close to anyone as I have to you. As you once told me many years ago, "There will always be a special bond between us." And so there has always been, still is, and always will be.
Your unselfish loving and caring nature, and your unfailing laughter and sense of humor, lightened up my life, as well as those of everyone with whom you came in contact. (I'm trying to be careful with my English here - lest you look askance at me from Heaven! [smile])
Countless times I have witnessed you bringing humor and relief into the lives of those who most desperately needed it (ignoring your own internal pain). It never mattered whether it was for an old friend, or someone you had just met on the street.
I am also thankful that over the last couple of years, we had the opportunity to talk again and catch up on everything.
I will always love you, "Ruby!" - and I miss you sorely. Goodbye Celestia. :-)
Jeff (A.K.A. "Ephram")
Cabell,
I am so sorry for your loss, but know that you were always her brightest light. She was so proud of you, and loved you more than life itself.
You're like a daughter to me, and I love you and miss you as well.
Take care Cabell.
Jeff
June 1, 2013
I remember Celestia from high school. When I recall her image, I see her bright smile and hear her contagious laughter. She never met a stranger. So very sorry to her family and friends for your loss.
Sincerely,
Rick (Richard) Brown
Pat Stewart
June 1, 2013
Cabell,
God saw your mom getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around her and said “come to me”. Although you loved her dearly, you could not make her stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest. God broke your heart to prove to you he only takes the best.
God Bless You,
Pat Stewart
author unknown
June 1, 2013
Near shady wall a rose once grew,
Budded and blossomed in God's free light,
Watered and fed by morning dew,
Shedding its sweetness day and night.
As it grew and blossomed, fair and tall,
Slowly rising to loftier height,
It came to a crevice in the wall
Through which there shone a beam of light.
Onward it crept with added strength;
With never a thought of fear or pride.
It followed the light through the crevice's length
And unfolded itself on the other side.
The light, the dew, the broadening view
Were found the same as they were before;
And it lost itself in beauties new,
Breathing its fragrance more and more.
Shall claim of death cause us to grieve,
And make our courage faint or fall?
Nay; let us faith and hope receive;
The rose still grows beyond the wall,
Scattering fragrance far and wide,
Just as it did in days of yore,
Just as it did on the other side,
Just as it will forevermore.
Shirley Wimmer
June 1, 2013
Dear Cabell, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was such a great lady. Although I haven't see her in a while. I love her and you.My family loved and adored her. And you were her greatest love of all other than her Father in heaven. I love and miss her and I love and miss you. Love, Shirley Wimmer
May 31, 2013
My dearest Celestia:
I cannot tell you of the loss I feel that you have graduated and gone on to heaven! I will forever miss our marathon texts and phone conversations! You were my best friend and knew everything about me. The good Lord truly blessed me with a soul like yours to laugh, cry, and share in this life's journey. Though you battled with MS and other physical maladies in your daily life it was almost surreal that you ever suffered because there was always a sense of humor and a spirit I will never forget! Though I mourn the loss of you I anticipate a great reunion with you in heaven with our God.
Love, Jungle
Also:
Dear Cabell, Caroline, and Betsy:
I know how much Celestia loved you guys and I am so sorry for your losing your little sis and mother!
Love and peace to you and your families!
Jim Stann
May 31, 2013
My darling little sister Celestia will live on in all our hearts. I will always miss her quick intellect, her marvelous sense of humor, her ability to mimic everybody and everything from Louis Armstrong to her favorite mime: The bicycle horn. We had a long love relationship that began when she was born. She will never be forgotten.
"And flights of angels sing 'her' to her rest." Her spirit lives on.
Betsy Dillard Stroud
May 31, 2013
Cabell, Sorry for the loss of your Mom.
She will be missed by me and all of her friends who use to hang out together. We loved her and her sense of humor very much.May God bless ou and your family and comfort you in your loss. May the Peace and love of Christ be with you always.
Nick (Maddog)
Caroline Dillard Tucker
May 31, 2013
To my beautiful Celestia. How will I continue without you! I adored you little sister and will miss you oh Lord, I will miss you. I love you so very much and pray that you are with Papa and Liza.
Sandra Griffin
May 31, 2013
Dear Margaret (inside joke nick-name),
I miss you already...I miss your laughter, your quick wit, and your kind words of comfort that you always had in abundance. No matter how bad things got for you, it was other peoples' issues that you focused on. You could make me laugh so hard my stomach would ache. You've left me such great memories to cherish. Rest well sweet angel. I know you are in Papa's arms this very moment as you are surrounded by all those who went before you, including your sweet Mom. I'll carry you in my heart til I leave this world. Thank you for being my friend.
Love, Gladys (aka: Sandra Griffin)
Pat Stewart
May 31, 2013
I will miss you more than you know. Rest in peace my love. I don't know how I will get through the night without a phone call from you, like we talked all the time about stuart Hall and all the good times.
May 31, 2013
Celestia,
May you rest in peace and rise in glory! I will never forget our conversation one afternoon about eight months ago and the deep hope and faith which abides in you. It was a joy to share Holy Communion with you. You will be greatly missed by those who love you, and I have taken you into my heart.
Fr Tom Martin
May 31, 2013
Cabel, I am so sorry to hear of your Mom!!! She has always been in my heart and always will be. Although I haven't seen her in a while, I've never stopped loving her as a very dear friend and have thought about her often especially that sense of humor of hers. Gosh, she was the best!! Rest well my dear Celestia. I'm sure you're in Papa's arms right now.
Dottie Crowder
May 31, 2013
She was such a Great lady I loved being in her company she would make you laugh and that always makes a person feel good to be able to Laugh and enjoy some one like her.My Thoughts and Prayers will be her family at this time of Sorrow But God has taken her home. RIP
May 31, 2013
Cabell, Sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom , she was a mighty sweet lady and will be greatly missed. Very sad day. Eddie
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