Jonathan Tyrone CONYERS

Jonathan Tyrone Conyers

Jonathan Tyrone Conyers, 47, of Sweet Briar, formerly of Fishersville, died peacefully at the family home, surrounded by family and friends, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, at 11:40 a.m. after a year-long battle with cancer. He was born Aug. 30, 1961, in Staunton.

Jon was a 1979 graduate of Wilson Memorial High School in Fishersville. After graduating in 1985 from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, N.C., he began his career as a riding instructor, serving six years at his alma mater. In 1991, he relocated to Charlottesville and taught at The Barracks and coached the UVa riding team to two collegiate championships. Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga., wooed him away from his home state of Virginia, where he served as the college's Director of Riding for seven years. Upon leaving Wesleyan, Jon returned to his roots in Virginia and worked as a freelance instructor traveling to Findlay College in Ohio and The University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. Most recently, Jon has been an Instructor of Riding and the IHSA coach for Sweet Briar College in Virginia. His passion for riding also led him to many years of service with several organizations, including service as Intercollegiate Chair for the American National Riding Commission and as an "R" judge for the U.S. Equestrian Federation. Jon was on the Board of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) for 15 years and was awarded the IHSA's Pioneer Award in 2004 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. Over his two-decade-long career, Jon influenced many students with his skills as a teacher, coach and friend.

His career in riding was balanced with his passion for music. Upon completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in music, Jon continued to sing throughout his life, most recently with FACination, a musical chorale in Lynchburg. Jon also sang in the choir at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Amherst and was a member of Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church in Fishersville.

He is survived by his mother, Ada Blackwell Conyers of Staunton; his father and stepmother, Billy and Becky Conyers of Fishersville; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Scott Conyers and wife, Lynn, of Lyndhurst, Dann Conyers and wife, Vicky, Doug Conyers and wife, Betsy, and Neal Conyers and wife, Chris, all of Fishersville; close family members, Betty Jo Caldwell and husband, Ben, of Staunton and Diane Hinch of Fishersville; and a number of other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, T.H. and Thelma Conyers, and Howard June and Ethel Murphy Blackwell; his stepbrother, Withers Andrews; and his stepsister, Melissa Andrews Pearson.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, in Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 30 Tinkling Spring Drive, Fishersville, with the Rev. Dr. Jason Whitener officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today, Nov. 7, 2008, at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 618 West Main St. To share condolences or memories with the family, please visit www.reynoldsfun

eralservices.com.

A memorial service celebrating Jon's life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, 2008, at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to AMC Hospice of the Shenandoah, 64 Sports Medicine Drive, Fishersville, VA 22939; Hospice of the Hills, 1900 Tate Springs Road, Ste. 19, Lynchburg, VA 24501; or Caring Bridge, 1715 Yankee Doodle Road, Ste. 301, Eagan, MN 55121; or online at www.

CaringBridge.org.