Virgil Loraine Eskew

With the exception of two years of mandatory service in the Korean War (1951-1953), Virgil lived on a farm on Kings Run Road near Elkins, West Virginia, for 88 years. He spent the last 4 1/2 years of his life, living with his youngest daughter, Norma, and her husband, Lee, in Eclectic, Alabama.

While in the Army, he attained the rank of Corporal and served as a Combat Engineer assigned to the Headquarters and Service Company 13th Engineer Combat Battalion.

Virgil married Betty Ann Long on Oct. 12, 1956. Together, they had three daughters, Cheryl, Judy and Norma.

For over 30 years, Virgil worked at the Kelly Foundry and Machine Company in Elkins, West Virginia. In addition to the foundry work, Virgil worked on the farm mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays. There were no vacations. When he was in his 60s, Virgil sold the farm, but kept the farm house to live in. Betty passed away in 2003, after many years of full-time care provided by Virgil.

In addition to providing care to his wife, he faithfully visited his sister-in-law who was in a nursing home for many years, shared produce from his garden and helped neighbors and friends, and participated in church life over the years at Woodford Memorial United Methodist Church and Landmark Baptist Church in Elkins, West Virginia, and First Baptist Church in Eclectic, Alabama.

The family expresses their thanks to all the people he knew in West Virginia and Alabama. He lived a hardworking, honest and simple life, believing in Jesus as his Savior.

He died on May 7, 2023, at the age of 93. He is now at total peace in the presence of God.

Virgil Eskew is survived by his sister, Vonda Shipman; his three daughters, Cheryl Turnes (Garry), Judy Oliver (Robert) and Norma Billings (Lee); grandchildren, Ashley Dove, Portia Oliver, April Lofton George and Keith Billings (Rachelle); great- grandchildren, DeShawn, Alondra, Brian Jr., Sy’Reese, Nadia, Lauryn, Jace, Cruz and Chloe; sweetheart, Rachel Pingley; and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Gertrude Eskew; his wife, Betty; and his brother-in-law, Richard Shipman.

A brief (public) Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home in Elkins, West Virginia.

A private graveside service will follow at the American Legions Little Arlington Cemetery in Elkins, West Virginia.

The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Shiflet of Landmark Baptist Church will be leading both services. Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations in remembrance of his life be given to: Landmark Baptist Church, 1514 Harrison Ave., Elkins, WV 26241 or First Baptist Church Eclectic, P.O. Box 240400, Eclectic, AL 36024.

The family appreciates the assistance of the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home in Elkins, West Virginia, and Linville Memorial Funeral Home in Eclectic, Alabama, in making arrangements for Virgil L. Eskew.

The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Virgil Loraine Eskew.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.