Obituary of Leah Vinson

Leah Redwood Vinson, 87, of Lynchburg, VA, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 22, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. She was one of five children born March 18, 1924 in Harrisonburg, Va. to the late Charles Leonard and Evie Garber Snyder. Leah graduated from Bridgewater High School and then Rockingham Memorial Hospital as a Registered Nurse. She loved being a small part of assisting others to recovery during their illnesses. She worked in seven different hospitals, retiring from Virginia Baptist Hospital in 1985. Leah married Machael Redwood in 1948, they had four children; Anita, Barry, Larry, and Karen. In 1965 Machael and Anita lost their lives in a car accident. She dedicated her life to her children and helping others in so many ways. She remarried in 1985 to Jarrell Vinson. Jarrell had three children; Jerry, Mary Ann, and Bob. Jarrell passed away in 2002. They enjoyed going to Florida every year for the winter and having their children and grandchildren visit and taking them to Disney World. Leah and Jarrell shared many exciting trips to scores of places including baseball games. Leah cherished her travels to many places including: Canada, Hawaii, Germany, Denmark, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Panama Canal, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Columbia (South America), England, Wales, Ireland, China, Japan, and in 1971 went to Russia. Leah was gifted with many talents as well; she could grow anything, create stunning needlework to produce beautiful crafts. She once commented; how did she ever find time to work. She was a member of Phi Sigma Alpha Sorority, Eastern Star, and Sunset Garden Club. She was a long time and active member of Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church, where she served faithfully. She always had an open heart as well as a door for all the neighborhood kids. Leah is survived by her brother Charles L. Snyder, Jr. and his wife, Betty, of Bridgewater, VA; her sons, Barry Redwood, Larry Redwood, and his wife, Brenda, of Lynchburg and daughter Karen R. Powers and her husband, Paul, of Winston-Salem, NC ; her step-children, Jerry Vinson and his wife, Camilla, and Mary Ann Vinson; nine grandchildren, Christina, Jennifer, Tyler, Molly, Joshua, Capri, Siena, and Michael; two great-grandchildren, Gaven and Gage. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Dorothy, Alda and Hazel and Barry?s wife, Nancy Redwood; step-son Bob Vinson and her step-granddaughter, Ann Vinson. The family would like to thank the staff of Runk & Pratt-Graves Mill Road for their compassion and wonderful care given to Mrs. Vinson during her stay there. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Park View Community Missions 2420 Memorial Ave, Lynchburg, VA. 24501, a division of the Methodist Church. A celebration of Leah?s life and faith will be held Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church with the Rev. Becky Cloud officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6-8 PM at the funeral home. Interment will be at 3:00 PM in East Lawn Cemetery in Harrisonburg, VA. Diuguid Funeral Service & Crematory-Wiggington Road Chapel, 385-8900, is serving the family.