George Edward Treadwell, Jr.

George Edward Treadwell, Jr., (December 22, 1941 - September 12, 2026), was born in Selma, Alabama, to George E. and Minnie Jones Treadwell, and grew up on their farm in Mulberry. 

He graduated from Hicks Memorial High School in Autaugaville AL, then attended King College in Bristol, TN, earning his B.S. in chemistry. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biochemistry and plant physiology from Iowa State University in Ames, IA, and was hired by Emory & Henry College in 1970, where he taught for 37 years. During that time he served at times as department chair and chair of the Natural Sciences Division. During his career in Emory, he won numerous teaching awards, as well as a Burroughs Wellcome Fellowship. He was known for his sense of humor, his love of plants, and especially his expertise on the native shrubs of Virginia. He helped to found the Friends of the Sciences at Emory & Henry, and also gave generously to the horticulture program at Virginia Highlands Community College.

 George is survived by three cousins: Bill Jones of Childersburg, AL; Mary Evelyn Tucker and Carlton R. (Bud) Jones of Mulberry, AL. George was a long-time member of Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church in Abingdon, VA, where he served several times as an elder. 

Arrangements are being made by Farris Funeral Home. Sinking Spring Presbyterian will hold a memorial service on Saturday, October 3rd at 11:00 am.

 A graveside service will be held at Old Live Oak Cemetery in Selma on Friday, September 25th at 10:00 am. Gifts in his memory may be made to Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church. The link is https://sinkingspring.org/give

The Family of George Treadwell is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, Va 276-623-2700.