John W Sandefur, Sr.

Glade Spring, VA Mr. John W. Sandefur, Sr., age 90, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Abingdon Health and Rehab. He was born September 13, 1923, son of the late Samuel Sandefur and Hattie V. Debord Sandefur. Mr. Sandefur worked for Olin Mathieson in Saltville, Virginia from 1944 until the plant closed in 1970; he then worked for Tri Cities Dry Ice, also in Saltville. He was a long-time member of Glade Spring Baptist Church; he loved his church family and served as the “official greeter” for the church. Mr. Sandefur enjoyed the outdoors and he raised a large, beautiful garden each year. He was especially known for the wonderful strawberries he raised and sold for many years. He also enjoyed all sports, particularly the sports teams of the Patrick Henry Rebels. He was married for 57 years to the love of his life, Louise, who died in 2003. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, five brothers, and his daughter-in-law, Charlene Sandefur. Mr. Sandefur is survived by his children, John W. Sandefur, Jr. of Waldorf, MD; Ann Frye (Ron) of McMinnville, TN; Mary Lynn Preston (Grey) of Meadowview, VA; and Kathy Trent (Dean) of Glade Spring, VA; two brothers, A.A. Sandefur (Shirley) of Abingdon, VA, and George Sandefur (Dee Dee) of Austin, TX; five grandsons, three granddaughters, ten great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. The funeral service for Mr. Sandefur will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2014, at Glade Spring Baptist Church with Dr. Karl Pittard officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Rose Cemetery in Glade Spring, with his grandsons serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the church Sunday from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Glade Spring Baptist Church, P. O. Box 367, Glade Spring, VA 24340; or to the Glade Spring Life Saving Crew, 412 E. Glade Street, Glade Spring, VA 24340. The family would like to express special thanks to the loving nurses and staff of Abingdon Health and Rehab. Those wishing to share memories and express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family of Mr. John W. Sandefur, Sr. is in the care of Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).