Obituary of Elizabeth Bohanan Krebbs

Liz passed away April 8, 2023, in the Rehab at The Summit, succumbing to a difficult battle with cancer. She was born on December 11, 1925, here in Lynchburg to the late Edward Busey Krebbs and the late Irene Olive Keyes Krebbs. She was the third of four siblings all of whom had predeceased her: Eleanor Marie Krebbs Hughes and her late husband Spencer Monroe Hughes, John Edward Krebbs Sr. and his wife Mary Florilla “Rilla” West Krebbs of Mechanicsville, VA., and Barbara Keyes Krebbs Callaham and her late husband Raymond “Ray” Claude Callaham Jr. She was also predeceased by a nephew, Steven Reid Callaham. 

Liz never married or had children, but she did play a big part in the lives of her surviving seven nieces and nephews: John Edward “Jack” Krebbs Jr. and his wife Paula, David Whitfield Krebbs and his wife Ruth, John Powell Hughes IV, Bowling Keyes Hughes, George Lee Callaham and his wife June, Carol Ann Callaham, and Elizabeth Krebbs “Liz” Callaham and her husband Felix. Also surviving are 9 grand nieces and nephews and 9 great grand nieces and nephews. 

Liz graduated from Lynchburg High School (now E. C. Glass High School) where she was a cheerleader and played in the orchestra. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia. She also attended the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland; the Transylvania Music College in Brevard, North Carolina, and Instrumental Music Repair at Boston University. She began playing the cello at a young age and played in orchestras in northern Virginia and the Lynchburg area, including the Lynchburg Symphony and the Bedford Symphony. Throughout her life she also played in ensembles quartets until her 94th year and continued playing the violin in the Summit Quartet, which she founded, until her 96th year. 

Special note: In 1975 the Capitol Quartet, in which she played the cello, was invited by the Vatican to play for a reception in Rome and for a mass at St. Paul’s Without Walls for the canonization of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American to be canonized as a Saint.  

She taught music to middle school students in the Roanoke City School system her first two years out of college then moved to Arlington, Virginia where she taught music in the Arlington Public School system for another 35 and a half years until her retirement. She so loved seeing young children explore music for the first time and even more when they excelled in it. 

Liz enjoyed sewing, she could alter anything for that perfect fit. She enjoyed reading a good book, she was particularly fond of biographies. She was always active; playing tennis most of her life and always keeping up with pro tennis, swimming and riding her bike until her mid 80s and from then on taking long walks every evening with her cat Mysty. She spent part of every summer at the beach and moved to Clearwater Beach, Florida after retiring, where she lived for about 10 years. She discovered the Sarasota Music Festival while in Florida and made a pilgrimage there for many years after moving back to Lynchburg. She loved playing Bridge. This card game was a staple in her parent’s house as her father was a professional bridge player.  Liz really loved traveling and had the great fortune of being able to visit many places with her musical endeavors and various family members. She traveled to Italy, France, England, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg, Spain, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Finland, Denmark, Canada, China, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland where she visited with cousins. 

She was feisty, caring, and genuine. She lived a full life filled with adventures where she made great lifelong friends everywhere she went. To those friends, we know you share our deep sense of loss at her passing. Please know that she valued your friendships so very much. 

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Forte Chamber Music here in Lynchburg as she supported their promotion of “good music” throughout the area and loved attending their programs. Forte Chamber Music, P.O. Box 3596, Lynchburg, VA  24503, please specify “In memory of Elizabeth B. Krebbs” with your donation.  

Her good and longtime friend the Rev. Dr. James J. H. Price will be delivering her eulogy at a graveside service at Springhill Cemetery, 3000 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, VA on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 11am.