Obituary of Robert Donald Sturgill
Robert Donald Sturgill
Sugar Grove, VA
Robert Donald Sturgill, age 79, passed away on April 22, 2019 surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. He fought a courageous battle with cancer and is now at home in heaven with his beloved Lord and Savior.
Don was born on June 3, 1939 to the late Vivian June and Charlie Ray Sturgill. He grew up in the Helton Creek Community near Lansing, NC. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and will be greatly missed.
Don graduated from Lansing High School, in North Carolina in 1957. He then attended Washington County Vocational School for a degree in drafting engineering.
Don worked 14 years in industry and then taught drafting at Smyth County Community Vocational School for 29 years. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching his students and instilled “dignity in all work” to them.
Don was a member of Sugar Grove Baptist Church since the mid 1960’s and previously served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He also served many years on the board of directors for the Smyth County Bible Association whose mission included teaching the Bible in the school systems.
Don was an avid fly fisherman and gardener and enjoyed working on his farm. He thoroughly enjoyed the many family gatherings and was a firm believer in the importance of family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother “Jim” Sturgill and Jim’s wife, Janet.
Don is survived by his wife of 15 years, Brenda White Sturgill; his children: Donna Hankla and husband Kenny of Bland, VA; Kim Slemp and husband Danny of Sugar Grove, VA and Dan Sturgill and wife Cherie of Sugar Grove, VA; siblings: JoAnn Hart of Lansing, NC; Howard Sturgill and wife Polly of Hillsville, VA; Charles Sturgill and wife Patsy of Independence, VA; Joe Sturgill and wife Elaine of Kingsport, TN and Johnny Sturgill and wife Sharon of Wilksboro, NC; grandchildren, Daniel Sturgill and wife Josie of Chilhowie, VA; Sammy Sturgill of Sugar Grove, VA; Chris Hankla of Groseclose,VA; Shelly Doley and husband Kelly of Beirut, Lebanon; Amanda Smartt and husband Sam Smartt III of Grand Rapids, MI and Nate Slemp of Sugar Grove, VA; great-grandchildren: Samuel Read Smartt IV; Baxter Abe Smartt and Clive Tomas Doley; step-children: Philip White and wife Tara; Christopher White and wife Crystal of Bluefield, VA; Sara Socks and husband David of Mechanicsburg, PA; step-grandchildren: Rickey, Rachel, Kyllian and Declan White; David Michael; Ainsley and Brendan Socks and special morning coffee friends, Paul Cooper and CD Stickley.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 25th at Seaver Brown Funeral Home, Marion, VA. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 26th at 11:00 a.m. at Sugar Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Jason Kidd, Pastor Larry Smith, Pastor Don Stone and Pastor Kenny Price officiating. Committal services will be held Friday, April 26, 2019 at 3 p.m. at Sturgills Baptist Church, with Edward Sturgill leading the service; burial will follow at Zion Hill Cemetery, both church and cemetery are in the Helton Creek community, of Ashe County, N.C.
Serving as pallbearers: Howard Sturgill, Charles Sturgill, Johnny Sturgill, Steve Phipps, Paul Cooper, CD Stickley and honorary pallbearer, long-time friend and former classmate, Johnny McNeil.
A special thanks to Hospice of Southwest Virginia and especially to hospice nurse, Lindsey Penland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to InFaith (formerly American Missionary Fellowship) at 145 John Robert Thomas Drive, Exton, PA 19341-2657, Sugar Grove Baptist Church, PO Box 168, Sugar Grove, VA 24375-0168 or Wythe Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 1155 North 4th Street, Wytheville, VA 24382.
To share memories of Robert Donald Sturgill, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Robert’s family has been entrusted to Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, VA 24354
