Dawn Fuqua McElrath Gill's Obituary
Gill, Dawn Fuqua McElrath, of Roanoke, died Friday, December 20th peacefully in her home. Born in Lowry February 6, 1927, she was the daughter of the late John Jesse McElrath and the late Eugenia Hortense Fuqua McElrath Cox. Her husband, Frank Preston Gill of forty-six years, predeceased her. Survivors include her twin sister, Ann McElrath Quinn of Charlottesville, VA; her son, Edward Lee Gill and wife Linda Fabian Gill of Vinton, VA; Pamela Ann Gill Flaherty and husband, Thomas Francis Flaherty, Fort Myers Beach, Florida; grandsons, Robert Preston Gill, James Edward Gill, Thomas Francis Flaherty V, and granddaughter Katharine Elaine Flaherty Yang. Dawn’s studies included a Biology degree from Mary Washington University, her training as a physical therapist during her service with the US Army, and a Masters in Botanical Ecology from Radford University. She pursued a military assignment as a physical therapist with the US Army. Later in life, she shared her joy of nature while teaching Biology for 26 years at Virginia Western Community College. She will be remembered for her lifelong respect for all things natural, from birding to camping to energy conservation and especially wildflowers. In her day, she was involved in many organizations: multiple bird clubs, Virginia Native Plant Society, the Blue Ridge Wildflower Society, Jungian Society, the Virginia Western Arboretum, the Guinness Guild, the Horticultural Club, the Bedford Historical Society and the National Association of Biology Teachers. A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on Tuesday, January 7th at 2 pm.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 2 pm at Culpeper National Cemetery with military honors provided by Culpeper VFW Post 2524.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Arboretum at Virginia Western, Christ Episcopal Church or the Rescue Mission.
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