Ann Rudisill Drewry, age 78, of Clifton Forge, Virginia passed away on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem. She was born on August 5, 1940 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to the late Charles Taylor and Marian Bechtold Rudisill. In addition to her parents, Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Michael Drewry.
Ann and her parents moved to Clifton Forge in July 1947, where she graduated from Clifton Forge High School and then attended Madison College, now James Madison University, where she received a degree in elementary education. She began her teaching career in Henrico County before returning to Clifton Forge where she taught third grade for thirty years in the Clifton Forge and Alleghany Highlands School System. After her retirement in 1995, she continued to teach part time for seven years in the Highlands schools. Her dream was fulfilled when she was able to teach in the new Mountain View Elementary School, a state-of-the-art school that replaced the old Clifton Forge Elementary School. Ann was a faithful volunteer of the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, working several days each month as the shop manager and was a member of the board. She also volunteered at the Clifton Forge Public Library and organized the “Friends” of Library to which she gave countless hours of time and support. She was a member of Rainbow Ridge DAR for many years and served as Treasurer, as well as chairman of the Good Citizens Committee. She was also a member of the Clifton Forge Woman's Club. Ann was a lifelong member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church where she served on the alter guild and vestry. In April, 2012, she was inducted into the Bluestone Society. Ann was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and loyal friend to all who knew her. Her interests included travel, classical music, art, and the coast of South Carolina. Ann also enjoyed baking and gifting her friends and family with treats.
Left behind to cherish her memory are her children, Robert Michael Drewry, Jr., of Staunton, Kathryn Leisure and husband Charles of Mechanicsville, and Karen Shelton of Richmond; three grandchildren, Matthew Bragg, Jacob Bragg, Christopher Bragg, and a step grandson, Charlie Leisure, along with a number of nieces and nephews.
Ann’s life of service to her family, students, friends, church and community will be commemorated at a Celebration of Life gathering at Central United Methodist Church, Clifton Forge on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 1:00 PM with Reverend Lynn Wright officiating.
The family requests that memorials be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 516 McCormick Blvd, Clifton Forge, VA 24422, Dabney S. Lancaster Memorial Scholarship Educational Foundation, 1000 Dabney Drive, Clifton Forge, VA 24422, or the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, 439 East Ridgeway Street, Clifton Forge, VA 24422. You may also plant a tree in her memory.
Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, is handling arrangements.
To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.