Nellie H. Early Obituary (1911 - 2009)

Nellie H. Early, 97 Harrisonburg Nellie Heatwole Early, 97, a resident of 1475 Virginia Avenue died Tuesday, August 04, 2009 at Oak Lea Nursing. She previously resided at 540 Dale Enterprise Road, in Dayton until she moved to Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community in 2005 Mrs. Early was born on December 19, 1911 in Rockingham County and was the daughter of the late Amos D. and Sallie Johnson Heatwole. She spent her entire life in the western Rockingham County. She worked Stehli Silkmill for a short time. She greatly enjoyed sewing, and especially quilting and she donated many items to the Mennonite Relief. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was an active member of Dayton Mennonite Church we she was a member of the sewing circle. On September 23, 1933, she married Samuel S. Early who preceded her in death on June 18, 2008. Surviving are two sons, Sheldon H. and wife Sandra Kay Green Early, Dennis R. and wife Patricia Riddel Early all of Dayton; one grandson, Robert Samuel (Sammy) Early and wife Kim Smith Early of Bridgewater; three great-grandchildren, Katelyne Renee, Sidney Nichole and Bryar S. Mason Early all of Bridgewater; one sister Mrs. Winston (Dorothy) Smith and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by five sisters, Mrs. William (Cleda) Keller, Mrs. John (Zelda) Rohrer, Mrs. Weaver (Nina) Layman, Mrs. Harold (Arlene) Eshelman, Mrs. Robert (Ethel) Good and one brother, Herman W. Heatwole. Pastor Daryl Driver will conduct a memorial service on Thursday morning, July 6, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Dayton Mennonite Church. Burial will be private prior to the memorial service for immediate family and nieces and nephews at 9:30 a.m. at Dayton Mennonite Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McMullen Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dayton Mennonite Church, P.O. Box 401, Dayton, Va. 22821 or Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community Compassion Endowment Fund, 1501 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, Va. 22802-9972. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mcmullenfh.com.