Ethel L. Wisman

Ethel L. Wisman, 99, a longtime resident of Edinburg, VA, passed away Monday, April 9, 2012. She was born March 20, 1913 in Fort Valley, VA the daughter of the late Charles E. and Alice Brown Stephens. She was the second oldest in a family of 10 children. At a very early age she was inspired by her grandfather and followed in his footsteps to become a teacher. Ethel received her elementary and high school education in Shenandoah County followed by earning a degree from Madison College in Harrisonburg, VA. Her teaching positions were in Bedford and Shenandoah County High Schools teaching Math and English at Woodstock, Edinburg and Central, Retiring in 1973. Mrs. Wisman was married twice - first to Arthur Lindamood in 1939 and next to Harry E. Wisman in 1950. As a lifelong member of St. Paul's U.C.C. Church in Edinburg, she was very active in many areas of its ministry. She was the Church Treasurer for 50 years. After the church closed several years ago, she transferred her membership to the Edinburg Christian Church. Most Sunday mornings, she would be seen going up the street aided by her walker. After services ended, she'd return home, many times walking with her dear neighbor, Betty Wisman. Ethel was a proud American. She loved her town of Edinburg, her neighbors on High Street and most of All - Her Family. She supported many causes. Always frugal with self, her generous spirit has spread near and far. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by five sisters, Theresa Armstrong, Catherine Ferguson, Dorothy Kibler, Ruth Jones and Polly Shaner, two brothers - Harry Stephens and Calvin Stephens, two nieces - Jeanine Kolar and Cindy Leake, two nephews - Jim Ferguson and Larry Stephens. She is survived by a brother - James E. Stephens, Sr. and wife, Jane Marie of White Post, VA, a sister, Maxine Pence and husband William of Bowman's Crossing, a sister-in-law Anna S. Stephens, Fort Valley. Also, surviving are eight nieces and spouses, fifteen nephews and spouses, numerous great and great - great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by an extended Step Family. A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Wisman (""Aunt Ethel"") will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Dellinger Funeral Chapel in Woodstock, VA. Pastor Larry Andes and Pastor Dwayne Stephens will officiate. Nephews will be pallbearers, Nieces will be honorary pallbearers. Burial will follow at the Cedarwood Cemetery in Edinburg. A reception will be held at Creekside, Main Street, Edinburg. The family will receive friends Friday Evening, April 13th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Dellinger Funeral Home. Special thanks are extended to the staff of the ""Morning Glory"" unit at Dutch Haven in Maurertown for their care of Ethel these past few years. Blue Ridge Hospice provided care during her final days and brought comfort to all of us. Memorials may be made to the Edinburg Heritage Center, P.O. Box 336, Edinburg, VA 22824; ""A Small Hand"" c/o Edinburg Christian Church, P.O. Box 117, Edinburg, VA 22824 or to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601

Ethel L. Wisman

April 10, 2012