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R. Divers Obituary
R. Donald "Don" Divers
June 6, 1935 - August 22, 2025
Don Divers passed away on Friday morning, August 22nd. Loved ones that predeceased Don were his parents, John and Dillard Divers; sister, Virginia Ann Silcox and her husband, Tom; sister, Betty Jane Overby and husband, George; sister-in-law, Mary Evelyn Divers; his wife, Barbara's parents Karl and Lucille Rader; stepson, Richard Newton; step-son-in-law, Tom Clayton; and sister-in-law, Margaret Webb and husband, Roy; and brother-in-law, Bob Woodie; sister-in-law, Carla Wright and husband, Lewis.
Don was a 1953 graduate of William Fleming High School. He was the Senior Class President and starred in football, basketball, and track.
In 2010, he was inducted into the Inaugural Class of the Hall of Fame at William Fleming High School.
The old Victory Stadium in Roanoke was a place of many memories for Don, as he and his teams won several championships. In 1949, his sandlot team won the City Championship, and in 1952, Don quarterbacked his high school team to the District Six championship and the State Regional Championship. In 1954, as a sophomore at Virginia Tech, Don started at fullback on offense and linebacker on defense. That same year, Virginia Tech went undefeated and were ranked as high as #9 in the nation and finished 16th in the final AP polls.
That same year, Don was voted the MVP in the traditional Annual Thanksgiving Day Classic of the South between VT and VMI in Victory Stadium. In that game, he set a record for touchdowns off interceptions that stood for almost three decades. In 1955, he won the MVP Award for the second straight year.
In 1956, his teammates voted him Captain of the Virginia Tech Football Team. In 1993, Don was also voted to the All-Century Team (1892-1992). This award was voted by Hokie Fans, Alumni, and friends of the university. He was one of 72 players so honored.
In 1998, Don was inducted into the Virginia Tech Hall of Fame by the efforts of Ellsworth Snyder and Bill Stover.
Don's scholastic record was impressive as he was named to appear in the 1956-57 edition of Who's Who among students in American Universities from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He was also a member of the Cotillion Club. Don was also named "Mr. VPI" in the Civitan Spotlight in the 1957 VT. Bugle.
His most prized accomplishment was The Williams Award, that was awarded to that member of the football squad who demonstrated "the highest qualities of leadership and character and the greatest amount of moral influence on his teammates."
After graduating from Tech in 1957, he was employed by the Bell Telephone System. After working for five years and realizing he would be transferring all over the East Coast, he decided to come back home to Roanoke and enter the real estate business.
Being back in Roanoke around all his friends and ex-classmates, he began officiating football and basketball games for Roanoke and surrounding counties. This proved to be most enjoyable and satisfying, and he did it for over 25 years.
Don never met a stranger and loved mingling with his Golden Colonels and Hokie Club luncheons and church friends. He wanted all his family and friends to know that he loved them immensely and was very proud to be a part of their lives.
Don was a member of the Troutville Church of the Brethren. He sang in the choir, served as a Deacon, and on other committees.
Last but not least, Don wanted the world to know that his greatest contribution in life were his two children, Allison and Kirk. Both have lived exemplary lives, and he could not have asked for anything greater than what God has given him.
Surviving members of Don's life are his most beloved and delightful wife, Barbara R Divers; brother, Rev. John D. Divers; daughter, Dr. Allison Divers and her husband, Dr. David Williams; his son, Kirk, and wife, Carol, and their children, Philip and Hannah, and her husband, Adam, and their daughter, Nova.
Stepchildren, Donna Clayton Lyle (Rev. Steve Lyle), and Karl Newton.
Step grandchildren, Kristin Moffett (Jeremy) and children, Sam and Maggie, John Clayton (Kate) and their children, twin sons, Thomas and Jack, and daughter, Evelyn Claire. Also, Don's nieces and nephews, Brooke Overby, Lisa Baker, Ellen Divers Martin, Jeff Divers, Betsy Divers Gomez, Tom Silcox, Lorrie Murray, Dane Silcox, and Janine Hinze.
Sister-in-law, Phyllis Woodie; brother-in-law, Jack Rader and wife, Gale, and their families.
Don had so many friends that are also survivors that meant the world to him. His best friend and teammate, Corbin Bailey, along with his longtime friend Ellsworth Snyder, have been true and greatly supportive friends over the years.
The family appreciates that Don wrote his own obituary.
The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to the Good Samaritan Hospice and Martha Eubank for the loving care they provided to Don and his family.
In lieu of flowers, gifts to Troutville Church of the Brethren or Good Samaritan Hospice would be appreciated.
Visitation will be at Rader Funeral Home in Daleville, Virginia. Thursday, September 4th, 5 to 7 p.m. A private graveside service on September 5th,10 a.m., will be at Mill Creek Cemetery. Don's memorial service will be September 5th, 2 p.m. at Troutville Church of the Brethren with Pastor Terry Johnson and Reverend Steven Lyle officiating.
Rader Funeral Home
630 Roanoke Road
Daleville, Virginia 24083
Mill Creek Cemetery
11475 Lee Hwy.
Troutville, Virginia 24090
Troutville Church of the Brethren
5133 Lee Hwy.
Troutville, Virginia 24175
Rader Funeral Home
630 Roanoke Rd, Daleville, VA 24083
June 6, 1935 - August 22, 2025
Don Divers passed away on Friday morning, August 22nd. Loved ones that predeceased Don were his parents, John and Dillard Divers; sister, Virginia Ann Silcox and her husband, Tom; sister, Betty Jane Overby and husband, George; sister-in-law, Mary Evelyn Divers; his wife, Barbara's parents Karl and Lucille Rader; stepson, Richard Newton; step-son-in-law, Tom Clayton; and sister-in-law, Margaret Webb and husband, Roy; and brother-in-law, Bob Woodie; sister-in-law, Carla Wright and husband, Lewis.
Don was a 1953 graduate of William Fleming High School. He was the Senior Class President and starred in football, basketball, and track.
In 2010, he was inducted into the Inaugural Class of the Hall of Fame at William Fleming High School.
The old Victory Stadium in Roanoke was a place of many memories for Don, as he and his teams won several championships. In 1949, his sandlot team won the City Championship, and in 1952, Don quarterbacked his high school team to the District Six championship and the State Regional Championship. In 1954, as a sophomore at Virginia Tech, Don started at fullback on offense and linebacker on defense. That same year, Virginia Tech went undefeated and were ranked as high as #9 in the nation and finished 16th in the final AP polls.
That same year, Don was voted the MVP in the traditional Annual Thanksgiving Day Classic of the South between VT and VMI in Victory Stadium. In that game, he set a record for touchdowns off interceptions that stood for almost three decades. In 1955, he won the MVP Award for the second straight year.
In 1956, his teammates voted him Captain of the Virginia Tech Football Team. In 1993, Don was also voted to the All-Century Team (1892-1992). This award was voted by Hokie Fans, Alumni, and friends of the university. He was one of 72 players so honored.
In 1998, Don was inducted into the Virginia Tech Hall of Fame by the efforts of Ellsworth Snyder and Bill Stover.
Don's scholastic record was impressive as he was named to appear in the 1956-57 edition of Who's Who among students in American Universities from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He was also a member of the Cotillion Club. Don was also named "Mr. VPI" in the Civitan Spotlight in the 1957 VT. Bugle.
His most prized accomplishment was The Williams Award, that was awarded to that member of the football squad who demonstrated "the highest qualities of leadership and character and the greatest amount of moral influence on his teammates."
After graduating from Tech in 1957, he was employed by the Bell Telephone System. After working for five years and realizing he would be transferring all over the East Coast, he decided to come back home to Roanoke and enter the real estate business.
Being back in Roanoke around all his friends and ex-classmates, he began officiating football and basketball games for Roanoke and surrounding counties. This proved to be most enjoyable and satisfying, and he did it for over 25 years.
Don never met a stranger and loved mingling with his Golden Colonels and Hokie Club luncheons and church friends. He wanted all his family and friends to know that he loved them immensely and was very proud to be a part of their lives.
Don was a member of the Troutville Church of the Brethren. He sang in the choir, served as a Deacon, and on other committees.
Last but not least, Don wanted the world to know that his greatest contribution in life were his two children, Allison and Kirk. Both have lived exemplary lives, and he could not have asked for anything greater than what God has given him.
Surviving members of Don's life are his most beloved and delightful wife, Barbara R Divers; brother, Rev. John D. Divers; daughter, Dr. Allison Divers and her husband, Dr. David Williams; his son, Kirk, and wife, Carol, and their children, Philip and Hannah, and her husband, Adam, and their daughter, Nova.
Stepchildren, Donna Clayton Lyle (Rev. Steve Lyle), and Karl Newton.
Step grandchildren, Kristin Moffett (Jeremy) and children, Sam and Maggie, John Clayton (Kate) and their children, twin sons, Thomas and Jack, and daughter, Evelyn Claire. Also, Don's nieces and nephews, Brooke Overby, Lisa Baker, Ellen Divers Martin, Jeff Divers, Betsy Divers Gomez, Tom Silcox, Lorrie Murray, Dane Silcox, and Janine Hinze.
Sister-in-law, Phyllis Woodie; brother-in-law, Jack Rader and wife, Gale, and their families.
Don had so many friends that are also survivors that meant the world to him. His best friend and teammate, Corbin Bailey, along with his longtime friend Ellsworth Snyder, have been true and greatly supportive friends over the years.
The family appreciates that Don wrote his own obituary.
The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to the Good Samaritan Hospice and Martha Eubank for the loving care they provided to Don and his family.
In lieu of flowers, gifts to Troutville Church of the Brethren or Good Samaritan Hospice would be appreciated.
Visitation will be at Rader Funeral Home in Daleville, Virginia. Thursday, September 4th, 5 to 7 p.m. A private graveside service on September 5th,10 a.m., will be at Mill Creek Cemetery. Don's memorial service will be September 5th, 2 p.m. at Troutville Church of the Brethren with Pastor Terry Johnson and Reverend Steven Lyle officiating.
Rader Funeral Home
630 Roanoke Road
Daleville, Virginia 24083
Mill Creek Cemetery
11475 Lee Hwy.
Troutville, Virginia 24090
Troutville Church of the Brethren
5133 Lee Hwy.
Troutville, Virginia 24175
Rader Funeral Home
630 Roanoke Rd, Daleville, VA 24083
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Roanoke Times from Aug. 31 to Sep. 4, 2025.
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2 Entries
Richard Nelms
September 3, 2025
Worked with Don at OAB realtors always a pleasure to be around. One great athletic. RIP
Teresa Prater
August 31, 2025
Don helped us find our first home in the early 70´s. He was great to work with and became a good friend to my husband and me. I´m sorry to hear of his passing.
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