Lucille Hood Middleton

Lucille Hood Middleton, of Salem, died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, September 11, 2008, at Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehab Center after a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norwood "Woody" Cronk Middleton; father, Horace Hood; mothers, Lucille Kempton Hood and Agnes Edgar Hood; sister, Helen Hood; and brothers, Horace Hood III, Kenneth Hood, Milton Yancy Hood and Elmore Kempton Hood.
She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth Norwood and Sarah Lewis Middleton, of Louisville, Ky., and David Lynn and Deborah Simmons Middleton, of Jacksonville, Fla.; grandchildren, Christina Middleton Garrett and her husband, Brian, of Duluth, Ga., Heather Middleton-High and her husband, Tommy, of Waverly, Ala.; stepgrandchildren, Brian W. Lewis and Margaret E. Lewis; sister, Dorothy Trainum, of Richmond, Va.; sistersin-law, Stella Hood, of Roanoke, Va., Sally Hood, of Richmond, Va., and Evelyn Hood, of New Bern, N.C.; greatgranddaughter, Brittney Ann Garrett; great-grandson, Colin William Garrett; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She graduated from Andrew Lewis High School where she was 2nd Violin in the orchestra and also sang in the chorus. She attended Roanoke College where she was on the Honor Roll, a member of the Honor council, member of the May court, active in the Alpha Psi Omega Drama Sorority where she had the lead in "Our Town," and won several dancing awards. Upon leaving Roanoke College, she worked in the archives of the Roanoke Times for two years. She was then offered a job in the state news department, was later promoted to State Editor, and then held that position until 1945. She was honored as Salem Rotary Club's Outstanding Citizen of 1991 for her activities at Salem Presbyterian Church, the American Red Cross, and her tireless community work. Her over 40 years of work for the American Red Cross started during World War II rolling bandages. Her continuous volunteer service began in 1953. She was the Coordinator of Bloodmobile volunteer workers for Salem bloodmobiles. She was on the Disaster Committee, was Shelter Manager at the relief station located at the Salem Civic Center after the 1985 flood, organizer of training classes for volunteers, and received a Special Citation from the ARC for Exceptional Volunteer Service. She was an active member of Salem Presbyterian Church where she was a member of the chancel choir for 60 years singing many solos and duets. She also organized and directed the first children's choir. Her service included Youth Fellowship leader, Circle leader, Church School teacher, Sesquicentennial Committee member, Cub Scout Den mother, interim choir director for both adult and youth choirs, Music Librarian, Handbell choir, Chancel choir, Deacon, Elder, Camps and Conferences Committee member for Montgomery Presbytery, and served on the Commission on Ministry for Montgomery Presbytery. She was a member of the Roanoke Valley Bird Club and enjoyed many birding trips with Woody. She was also a member of the Salem Historical Society and helped Woody as a proof reader on his 500-plus page hardback book entitled, "Salem: A Virginia Chronicle."
A period of visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2008, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2008, at the Salem Presbyterian Church in Salem. The remains will be interred at the columbarium at Salem Presbyterian Church in a private ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, Lucille Middleton had requested donations be made to Salem Presbyterian Church at 41 East Main Street in Salem, Va. 24153 or to the Salem Historical Society at 801 East Main Street in Salem, Va. 24153. Online condolences may be made at johnmoakey.com. The Middleton family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, Va., 540-389-5441.