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, Alabama, and then attended King College in Bristol, Tennessee, where he earned 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, Iowa. In 1970, he was hired by Emory & Henry College, where he taught for 37 years. During that time, he served at various times as chair of the Department and chair of the Natural Sciences Division.

During his career at Emory & Henry, he received 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 in the native shrubs of Virginia. He helped 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, Alabama; Mary Evelyn Tucker of Mulberry, Alabama; and Carlton R. (Bud) Jones of Mulberry, Alabama. George was a longtime member of Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church in Abingdon, Virginia, where he served several times as an elder.

Arrangements are being made by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory. Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church will hold a memorial service on Saturday, October 3, at 11:00 a.m.

A graveside service will be held at Old Live Oak Cemetery in Selma on Friday, September 25, at 10:00 a.m. Gifts in his memory may be made to Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church: 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.