Obituary of Betty Ann Slemp
MARION, Va.
With great sadness, the family of Betty Ann Slemp announces her passing on Saturday, May 22 at Johnston Memorial Hospital due to complications related to Covid. She left the world peacefully surrounded by her children and family. Descended from a long line of matriarchs, Betty Ann was known for her independence and forthrightness, but not at the expense of her hospitality and dedication to simple acts of kindness. Whether hosting bridge clubs or charity functions, entertaining family for the holidays, taking food to someone recovering from illness, or serving wine and gourmet cheeses to neighbors on her porch, Betty Ann repeatedly opened her home and shared the bounty of her table. One always left her kitchen with more than one needed, and one never left with a tasty dish or care package that was unappreciated. Her sense of style and standard for presentation transformed every occasion into an event – and one to remember. Betty Ann graduated from Radford University and taught for many years in Wythe and Roanoke Counties. She was a parishioner of Christ Episcopal Church in Marion, Virginia.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Conley Trigg and Emma M. Robinson; brothers, Richard C. Robinson, John David Robinson, and Charles Franklin Robinson; sister-in-law, Margaret S. Robinson; sisters, Emma Lee Robinson, Clara Jean Hastings, and Eleanor R. Martin; nephew, Richard Charles Robinson; and niece, Linda C. Hastings.
Betty Ann is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Harold D. Slemp (Marion, Virginia); their three children, Christopher C. Slemp (Chatham, Virginia), David D. Robinson-Slemp (Washington, D.C.), and Amy S. Walker and husband, Toby Synnerdahl (Gothenburg, Sweden); sister and brother-in-law, Thelma Kate and Donald R. Mathena (Marion, Virginia); brother, Walter “Pete” R. Robinson (Roanoke, Virginia); sisters-in-law, Lois S Robinson (Marion, Virginia), Nancy L. Robinson (Roanoke, Virginia), and Mavis S. Williams (Marion, Virginia). Betty Ann is fondly remembered by her grandchildren, Thomas D. Walker (Preston, England), Jacob T. Walker (Edinburg, Scotland), Noah S. Walker, and Emma G. Walker; several loving and accomplished nieces and nephews. In recent years, Betty Ann became close with the Vaught family of Wythe County, including Heidi J. Vaught, Austin M. Tolbert, Autumn G. Vaught, Alexander B. Vaught, and Ashlynn D. Vaught. With them, she provided good counsel and the occasional cooking lesson.
A celebration of Betty Ann’s life will be held Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 3 p.m. at the Christ Episcopal Church, 409 West Main Street, Marion Va., with Pastor Emily Edmondson officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion, Va.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Christ Episcopal Church, c/o Treasurer, P.O. Box 189, Marion, Va. 24354.
To share memories of Betty Ann Slemp please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Betty Ann’s family has been entrusted to Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.
