Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Embrey's Obituary
Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Embrey, 71, transitioned peacefully into Heaven on Tuesday February 11, 2014 at the University of Virginia Medical Center surrounded by her loving family after a long battle with COPD. She was born on March 14, 1942 in Washington, D.C. to the late Joseph Wood Hollidge and Mary Elizabeth Mann Hollidge.
She was a wonderfully talented and creative woman, who baked and decorated the most beautiful and delicious cakes, crocheted and knitted, did ceramics and painted, and loved all needlework, sewing and crafts. She enjoyed Native American and Southwestern artwork and culture and was always drawn to the state of Arizona, where she attended Arizona State College, which is now Northern Arizona University, then returned to Virginia after school. She moved back to Arizona in 1998, but returned to Virginia again in 2008 to be closer to her family. For most of her working life, she was a parts manager for motorcycle or auto parts dealerships, where she could recollect part numbers faster than any computer with her amazing memory. She was known for her wit, intelligence and kind heart, and she will be irreplaceable and missed dearly by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Sheryl Ann “Sherri” Warner of Culpeper, VA; her half-sister, Vivienne Barrett of Glen Echo, MD; and her brother, Joseph Lyle Hollidge of Warrenton, VA.
She is survived by her daughter, Ellen Marie Embrey Lemmonds and her husband Scott of Culpeper; six grandchildren, Kelsey and Matthew Glascock and Garrett Lemmonds of Culpeper and Jessika, Stephanie and Clay Warner of Culpeper; one great-grandchild, King Simpson of Culpeper; a niece, Wendy Lee Hollidge Maalouf of Warrenton; a nephew, John Barrett of Glen Echo, MD; and a cousin, Janet Grooms, of Albuquerque, NM.
She is also survived by her ex-husband who remained a dear friend, John Edward Embrey, Jr. and his extended family; special former son-in-law, Lonnie Warner, his wife Liz and her daughters Jessica and Kelley McLean; and her lifelong best friend, Patti Schacht of Oakton, VA. She also leaves behind a very special caregiver, Barbara Wince of Culpeper, whose companionship and care we are very thankful for.
The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Green and his entire team at University of Virginia Medical Center for their compassionate care, and William Brown, MD for his spiritual support during this difficult time.
The family will hold a celebration of her life on Saturday March 1, 2014 at 1 PM at the Hazel River Assembly of God Church, 14383 Hazel River Church Road, Culpeper, VA 22701, with the Rev. Stephen Dodson officiating.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Interment will be private at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that expressions of sympathy be sent to the family C/O Ellen Lemmonds, 913 Riverdale Circle, Culpeper, VA 22701.
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper served the family.
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