My PawPaw :-(
Bobbie Witt
Bobbie Edward Witt, 79, of Happy Acres in Natural Well, VA departed this life on April 21, 2011 after a brief illness. He was born August 2, 1931 in Roanoke VA to Samuel A. Witt and Geneva Montgomery Witt.
A devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nancy Agnor Witt who he always called his beautiful bride. He spent his life spoiling her to continue the tradition of spoiling Nancy that began in Eagle Rock, VA, when she was born. Also surviving are two daughters, Dixie Witt Oliver, affectionately called Dixie Darling by her dad, and her husband Roger of Natural Well and Mitzi Witt Ridgewell, who dad always referred to as Mitzi Baby, and her husband Marty of Tampa, FL. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Chris Oliver of Conway, SC, Jillian Oliver Lopez and husband Kurt of San Francisco, CA, Adam Ridgewell and Amy Ridgewell of Tampa, FL, and one great granddaughter, Lola Lopez, who is expected to arrive on May 9, 2011. He is also survived by his brother, CJ Witt of Roanoke and his wife, Barbara. Also surviving are the great friends and neighbors and many treasured nieces and nephews. And we cannot forget to mention his grand puppy, Jake and his great grand puppy, Speedy. “I hate that dog”. (Yeah right)
Mr. Witt began working at United Parcel Service in 1964 when the company began operations in VA as a delivery driver, tractor trailer driver and then moved into management where he ended a very successful career as an auditor with retirement at age 55. In his early years he worked for American Viscos and the N&W Railroad.
Bobbie was a proud member of the United States Marine Corps and Reserve for 19 years and ended his career as a gunnery sergeant. He served his country in the Korean Conflict. Semper Fi.
A lifetime Presbyterian, Bobbie was a faithful member of Mallow Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of the NRA and the Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was an avid target shooter and an expert marksman and he loved his guns. He also enjoyed the many hours he spent riding around on his property on his John Deere tractors.
Mr. Witt was the proud owner of a 2007 Red Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. He made his girls promise they would drive in it together behind the hearse in his funeral procession and they will honor his wishes.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home in Covington, VA with visitation Monday, April 25, 2011 from 7 to 9 PM at the Loving Funeral Home. The funeral will be held Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at Mallow Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Gary Marshall officiating. Burial will be at Emory United Methodist Church Cemetery in the place Bobbie considered the most beautiful place in the world, Natural Well, VA.
Active pallbearers will be Wayne Botkins, Tom Botkins, Frank Persinger, Dallas McCallister, William “Bill” Keyser, Bill Bush and Tom Stephenson.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Ed Matics Sunday School Class.
Graveside rites will be conducted by Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Falling Springs Rescue Squad, PO Box 880, Covington, VA 24426 or Mallow Presbyterian Church, 2004 Mallow Rd, Covington, VA 24426.
The Witt family would like to thank Bath County Community Hospital and Staff and Dr Redington for the care received there. And we would especially like to thank the staff on 10 Mountain PCU and ICU at Carillion Roanoke Memorial for the wonderful care and support that was received. And a heartfelt thank you goes out to Dr Robert Keeley for the care, help, support and understanding shown to us during Dad’s brief illness. We are forever grateful.
