Obituaries

David William Simpson

David William Simpson, 59, passed away after a long courageous battle with cancer at VCU Medical Center while surrounded by his loving family and at peace on February 24, 2020.

David was born in Warrenton in 1960 to Nadine and Bill Simpson and married his wife Jane in 1982 who together raised two sons Scott and David.

David started a long and illustrious career in law enforcement in 1983. He found his true passion in the K9 Unit and this passion along with his drive and strong will led him to achieve great feats in this field for 30+ years with various organizations such as ATF and the Secret Service.

David loved the Lord, his family and a good rack of ribs. When he wasn’t cooking something on the smoker or serving God in some capacity, he was with his family spreading contagious laughter and love.

Survivors who will let his legacy live on include his wife Jane, two sons David and Scott and his mother and father Nadine and Bill. Also his two sisters Cindy and Vickie and two granddaughters Kasey and Michaela along with several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A public memorial service will be held on March 7, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Bealeton Baptist Church. 11172 Remington Road Bealeton, Va. 22712. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BeTheMatch.org, the National Bone Marrow Registry.

Clare Wilkins

Clare (nee Theobald) Wilkins, 92, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2020 at her residence with the Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, DC with her daughters by her side. Clare was also surrounded by two monsignors and the community of the Little Sisters of the Poor, with apostolic blessings, prayer and song as she entered Eternal Life.

She is survived by her children, David Wilkins of San Francisco, CA, Patricia (Wes) Lowzinski of Marietta, GA, Tim (Jan Holmgren) Wilkins of Challis, ID, and Mary (Ken) McNeill of Warrenton, VA; grandchildren, Alina (Joe), Galen (Mary), Mary (Brian), Michael (Rachel), David (Crystal), Stephen (Karen), Tracy (Michael), Andrew, and Matthew; 13 great grandchildren; sister, Margaret Gutkowski; sister-in-law, Shirley Theobald; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Clare always had a smile on her face. She walked through all stages of life with perseverance, grace, and humility. She had a kind word for everyone. Her friends and family remember that she was a good, kind, and lovely person. She had gentle humor and dry wit, which always left everyone in the room with a smile.

She was born in Lorain, Ohio on April 25, 1927. After graduating from Lorain High School in 1945, she was accepted into the Cadet Nurse Corps program at St. John’s School of Nursing in Cleveland, Ohio. Clare received her RN degree in 1948 and spent her entire nursing career at St. Joseph Hospital in Lorain, working in the Emergency Room, Recovery Room, and Utilization Review. She retired in 1988.

Clare’s life was rooted in faith and family. She had a daily devotion to the rosary and the Divine Mercy chaplet. As a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua in Lorain, Ohio, she was active in the Marian Guild, Cursillo, Parish Nursing, RCIA, weekly Scripture study, Pastoral Visitor, Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministry, and Eucharistic Adoration. In the community she also volunteered with hospice and the Adult Literacy Program.

Moving to Warrenton, VA in 2001, she joined St. John the Evangelist Parish and became active in The Legion of Mary, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Women of St. John’s. In 2016, she took up residence at the Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, DC where she was able to attend Mass and receive Jesus in Holy Communion daily.

Clare was always game for new adventures when traveling to and with her children and great-grandchildren. Her travels took her to Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, California, Hawaii, Australia, Jerusalem, and Rome, Italy. Her love of life was evident and her passion rubbed off on everyone around her.Clare will be deeply missed but leaves us with wonderful lasting memories. We know that God holds a special place for her in heaven, where we are sure she will continue her prayers for all of us.

Funeral arrangements are being completed by Reidy-ScanlanGiovannazzo Funeral Home & Cremation Services www.rsgfuneralhome. com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Little Sister of the Poor 4200 Harewood Rd. NE, Washington, DC 20017 or St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Marian Guild, 1305 E. Erie Ave., Lorain, Ohio 44052.

Kevin John Martin

Kevin John Martin, 49, of Crozet, died peacefully at home on February 21, 2020. He left this world just as the sun was setting, surrounded by his children and loved ones. Born on February 20, 1971, Kevin grew up in Fauquier County, Virginia.

He loved music, the outdoors, and fishing. Some of his happiest days were spent floating down the James River or fly fishing for trout in mountain streams near his home. In 1996, Kevin married his best friend, Christine Parker Martin. They never tired of spending time together, even while doing the most mundane of activities. Kevin received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech and his master degree from the University of Virginia. While in graduate school, Kevin joined The Environmental Company (now Cardno TEC) and continued working for the company until his death, serving most recently as a Senior Principal and East Business Unit Manager for its government services division. Kevin is survived by his wife, Christine; their children, Alec Parker Martin and Meredith Ainsley Martin; and his mother, Joan Bell Buratti.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Kenneth Martin. Kevin was a devoted husband and father, who prioritized family above all else. He was active in his children’s lives, attending concerts, sporting events, and simply hanging out together. Kevin made friends easily and will be remembered for his sense of humor and carefree spirit. Kevin left this world knowing that he was loved and with the certainty of a life in heaven.

The family is grateful for the care received at Memorial Sloan Kettering and Martha Jefferson Oncology, and especially that of Drs. James Huang, Mark Prichard and Anthony Crimaldi and the many oncology nurses who brought levity and laughter to each visit.

Kevin’s life was celebrated at a memorial service in Charlottesville on February 29. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Richard and Kathleen Ossey Research Fund (for thymic malignancy research) or the Natural Resources Defense Council.

John Michael Counts

John Michael Counts, known as Mike, 68, of Warrenton, VA, passed away at home on 24 February 2020.

Mike was born on 7 November 1951 to John and Marie Counts in Phoenix, AR. After graduating from Arcadia High School in 1970, he got a job at an auto parts store and started saving up for college. In 1971 he got his draft notice so his mom took him to the United States Air Force recruitment office.

While serving in the Air Force, Mike met Maxine and they married in 1973 in the midst of his year-long stint in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. In 1975 he entered civilian life by landing a job at E-Systems in Texas, kickstarting a 45-year career as a Systems Engineer. In 1975 they welcomed a daughter, Fay, after Mike sold his beloved Alfa Romeo Giulia to afford her. The following year, they were blessed with a son, Bryan, while living in Alice Springs, Australia.

Mike was privileged to be welcomed into another family, when he married Sue in 1999, and became stepfather to Jennifer and Brian and later Grampa to Jennifer’s daughter Avery.

To Mike, family was very important. He was proud of Fay building a life in England, and Bryan developing a career in IT. He supported them in whatever interests they wished to pursue, spending time as Little League and Softball League coach and attending innumerable piano and dance recitals when they were younger. He fostered a close bond with his children and his step-children alike.

Mike’s lifelong passion was cars. Throughout his life he could be found in his garage, underneath the hood of a variety of cars he enjoyed through his life, a hobby which he later shared with Bryan. In 2017 he fulfilled a dream and bought a new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio to replace the Giulia he’d sold over 40 years before.

Mike was very loved by his family and is dearly missed. Mike was predeceased by his parents John and Marie and John, and his wife Sue. He is survived by his children Fay and Bryan, his step-children Jennifer and Brian, as well as two sisters Nancy and Gloria.

The family request no flowers be sent and will be holding a private celebration of his life. If anyone wishes to make a donation to remember Mike you are very welcome to visit the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy at https://www.foundationforpn.org where you can honor Mike by name.

OBITUARIES

Robert Samuel (Sam) Walker Robert Samuel (Sam) Walker was born on December 7, 1955. He passed away peacefully on February 18, 2020, at his home in Bealeton, Virginia.

Sam is survived by a daughter, Julie WalkerHall (Ryan); four grandchildren, Jocelyn Raquel Steigleman, Royce James Hall, Noah Samuel Hall and Gizelle Alice Taylor; his mother, Relda Janet Walker, and a sister, Tamara Ophelia White.

A celebration of Sam’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 11720 Fort Union Drive, Remington, VA 22734.

An online guestbook is available at tibbsfuneralhome.com.

Betty Lou McClanahan

Betty Lou McClanahan of The Plains, VA and formerly of Grundy, VA (Home Creek, VA) died February 29, 2020 at Prince William Hospital, Manassas, VA, after a short illness.

Mrs. McClanahan was born June 30, 1935 on Home Creek, VA to parents Onie and Arthur Johnson (deceased).

Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Estin “Rudolph” McClanahan. Also surviving are five sisters, Helen (Raymond) Faulkner, Blanche (Bill) Dale, Agnes (Dexter) Bartee, Phyllis Durland, and Kathryn (Ron) Webb, one brother, Doug (Tacy) Johnson, and one sister-in-law, Cleo McClanahan of Atlanta, GA. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

Services are scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at Marshall Baptist Church at 11 AM. Visitation will be held from 10 AM until service time. Burial and graveside service will begin at 2 PM on Friday, March 6, 2020, in Mountain View Memorial in Big Rock, VA, 32350 Riverside Drive, Big Rock, VA 24607.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Betty McClanahan’s name to Marshall Baptist Church, 4121 Winchester Road, Marshall, VA 20115.

Arrangements are by Royston Funeral Home of Marshall, VA.

Roberta Elizabeth (Betty)

Evans Roberta Elizabeth (Betty) Evans, 96, of Warrenton, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 at The Villa at Suffield Meadows in Warrenton. Born on February 19th, 1924 in Frederick, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late William Dare Morton and Roberta Dixon Morton (Levy). Betty was the beloved wife of the late Harold W. Evans, Jr, Colonel, USMC, to whom she was married for 59 years. —Betty graduated from the University of Maryland in 1945 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Warrenton where she was an active volunteer. She was also committed to helping others through her volunteer work with Fauquier Hospital and local charitable organizations. Betty was a skilled horsewoman who was a long time member of the Warrenton Hunt. She enjoyed playing golf and tennis and was a member of the Fauquier Springs Country Club. —Betty is survived by her children, Harold W. Evans, III and wife Elizabeth of Savannah, GA; Michael W. Evans and wife Kathryn of Greenville, SC; Gary J. Evans and wife Suzanne of Washington DC; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; and her sister, Evelyn Manwiller of Frederick, MD. She was preceded in death by her brother, William D. Morton, Jr. —Betty’s final resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery. —Online condolences may be expressed to Betty’s family at www. moserfuneralhome.com

Danny Ray Taylor

Danny Ray Taylor of Madison, Va. passed away on February 28, 2020 at UVA Hospital. He was born on February 13, 1941 in Princeton, West Virginia to the late Louise Dobbins and Ray Hardy Taylor.

He graduated from Princeton High School in 1959 and eventually moved to Washington, D. C. to work. Danny worked at many federal agencies ending his career at FDIC.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marty Wallace Taylor, along with his sons, Christopher and wife DeAnna of Marshall, Va., Mark of Middletown, Va., and D. Scott and wife Jennifer of Middletown, Va. Danny also leaves five grandchildren, Seth, Jordan, Rachel, Benjamin, and Charlotte along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and long-time family friend, Ronald L. Bowers of Warrenton, Va.

Danny’s ashes will be interred in WVa. at a later date. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Etlan United Methodist Church.

Donations may be given in Danny’s memory to the charity of your choice .

INVOLVING EXPERIENCE As funerals are becoming more personalized, it is many individuals’ last wish to be remembered in ways that enable mourners to express and demonstrate respect for the uniqueness of their relationship with the deceased. With this in mind, surviving family members and friends of the deceased may want and need to be involved, active participants in the funeral ceremony. Many traditional rites have been modified to include singing of songs, poetry readings, and the telling of special stories and experiences that were shared with the deceased. This greater personalization and participation creates a more meaningful experience for all involved and helps to lay mourners’ emotions to rest with the person they loved.

A funeral can and should be as unique as the life that is being celebrated. We want to help you make the arrangements you want. Personalizing a funeral or memorial service can be therapeutic--it gives you and your family something to concentrate on as you relive memories. To learn more about the funeral services at MOSER FUNERAL HOME, please call (540) 347-3431. We welcome you to stop by our tastefully appointed facility at 233 Broadview Ave., Warrenton, and be sure to ask about our BRIGHT VIEW CEMETERY, located just outside of Warrenton. “There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.”

George Sand

Simple and Complex Estates

Fallon, Myers & Marshall, llP

110 Main Street Warrenton, VA 20186 540-349-4633