Helen Elizabeth Peer

Helen Elizabeth Peer, 91, of Woodstock, VA passed away Saturday, June 1, 2013 at Greenfield in Woodstock. The funeral service will be held Saturday, June 8, at Saumsville Christian Church. Pastors Joe Fleming and Wendell Schurtz will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. Peer was born September 21, 1921 in Toms Brook, VA daughter of the late Clarence and Ruth Ridings Crabill. She was a member of Saumsville Christian Church where she was a former deaconess and member of the Christian Women's Fellowship. She was a former member of the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital Aux. and the Shenandoah County Homemaker's Club. She was a den mother for a Cub Scout troop in Saumsville. She was an artist and enjoyed teaching crafts. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Keller (K.K.) Peer and two brothers, Jack Crabill and Calvin Crabill Sr. Helen enjoyed a busy and productive life as a partner with K.K. for over 50 years on a poultry and vegetable farm, and a door to door ""huckster route"" in Northern Virginia, selling fresh eggs and vegetables from their farm and other small farms in the area. After selling their route, they started a 5 acre pick-your-own strawberry business, and many local people remember her as the ""Strawberry Lady"". She also started several other successful businesses, including a home and industrial cleaning supply business (Swipe), and an arts and craft store at their farm, where she also gave lessons. She did all this while raising two energetic and challenging sons, and of course , K.K.! She was known for her delicious fried chicken, and pies (especially coconut and meringue pies) She enjoyed going to the beach at Nags Head with her girl friends and close relatives. She had a stroke in her later years, but that didn't slow her down, as she travelled with her son, Phil, and daughter-in-law, Pat in their RV to 34 states. She moved to their house in Nevada, but returned to Virginia for several months of the year, so she could enjoy the harness races at the Fair, and ""people watching"" outside the grandstand. She also resumed her passion and talent for painting the last 6 months of her life, despite her failing eyesight. She was a loving friend and inspiration to many, and a wonderful mother and grandmother. Helen is survived by her two sons, Philip Crabill Peer of Laughlin, NV and Robert William Peer Sr. of Woodstock; two sisters, Joy Painter of Toms Brook and Ina Holler of Enon, Ohio; one brother, Donald Crabill of North Little Rock, AK; six grandchildren, Robert William Peer Jr., Christopher William Peer, Sarah Rose Peer, Anne Elizabeth Peer, Robert Earl Harris and Cynthia Lynne Gulledge; three great grandchildren, Samantha Gulledge, Philip Gulledge and Nathaniel Harris and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be _Jerry Copp, Steve Copp, George Bowers, Larry Bowers, Clayton Smoot, and Larry Ritenour__Honorary Pallbearers will be Jim Stultz, Bill Ortts, and Marvin Wilkin. The family will receive family from 6pm to 7pm, and friends from 7-9pm at Saumsville Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Saumsville Christian Church or Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601.

Helen Elizabeth Peer

June 4, 2013