Nannie Belle Meredith Via

Nannie Belle Meredith McDaniel Via was born June 22, 1932 to James and Bessie Meredith in Smyth County, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Louise, Ruby Mae, James, Frank, Clifford, and JD. She was also preceded in death by her husband Billy Via on October 11, 2024.
Nannie, as many children of the Depression moved many times in her childhood. After her father's death, they settled in Narrows where she started her work career as a maid at the General MacArthur Hotel, often telling of the celebrities she met while employed there. She later worked at Celanese before working at Radford Arsenal where she retired after 40 years, spending most of those years as a Pad House Operator.
She is survived by her daughter, Diane Collins and her husband, Barry; stepson, Michael Via (Wendall Robertson); step-daughter, Vicki Via; a granddaughter, Amber Martin (Steve); great-granddaughter, Sierra Martin Freeman; great-great granddaughter and her angel, Ember Freeman; a brother, Joe Meredith of Pennsylvania; and her partners in crime, Nancy David, Martha Smith, and Judy Frazier.
A special thanks goes to her neighbors that allowed her and Pepaw to remain In their home for as long as possible; Curtis and Debbie Caldwell and Ginny and Greg Bandy; also to her wonderful friend that kept their yard perfect and kept them in fresh garden vegetables, Dawes Blevins and family; a special thank you to the Riverview Baptist Church family; to the Commonwealth Senior Living for making her last few months fun, comfortable, and safe (especially Amanda, Nate, and Nate in dietary and Jessica); finally to Dr. Grucca and the Carilion New River Valley Medical Center staff and Hospice team for keeping her comfortable and pain free, you are truly a blessing.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the American Cancer Society.
The family will receive friends at a time of visitation on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM in Riverview Baptist Church. A funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM in Riverview Baptist Church with Pastor Terry Easter officiating. Interment will follow directly in the Abbey at Birchlawn Burial Park. A guestbook is available to send condolences to the family by visiting www.kendallfuneralhome.com. The staff of Kendall Funeral Home are honored to serve the Via family.
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