Person Page - 6492

     William Benjamin English was buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Altavista, Campbell Co., Virginia.^2,1,3 He was born on July 27, 1872 at Bedford Co., Virginia.^2,1,3,4 He married Viola Yeatts, daughter of Steven Coleman Yeatts and Missouri Ann Edwards, on June 8, 1909 at Pittsylvania Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,5 William Benjamin English died on January 26, 1953 at Lynchburg, Virginia, at age 80.^2,1,3 He William Benjamin English, an Altavista pioneer who had founded two firms here, died in a Lynchburg hospital Monday. He was 80. Born in Bedford County, he came to Altavista in 1908 and established the firm which is now the English Construction Company. He built St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Altavista’s first church building, and the Altavista Virginian Railway Station. He also established the W. R. English Lumber Company, Altavista's first supply firm which is now operated by a son Edward R. English. When Mr. English retired in 1936, another son W. Curtis English took the presidency of the construction company. Mr. English was a signer of the original petition for the incorporation of Altavista in 1912. He was a charter member and a member of the original board of deacons of the First Baptist Church. Also surviving are his wife, Mrs. Viola Yeatts English; two brothers, George of Leesville, Va., and Marcus English of Rocky Mount, Va., and five sisters, Mrs. R. S. Saunders of Moneta, Va., Mrs. R. D. Morris and Mrs. M. A. Burnett of Lynchburg, Mrs. W. B. Wade of Arlington, and Mrs. W. B. Miller of Charleston, W.Va. A funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Wednesday with interment in Green Hill Cemetery. on January 27, 1953.³

     Edward Ralph English Sr. was buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Altavista, Campbell Co., Virginia.^2,4 His Social Security Number was 228-01-4892.⁵ He was born on March 31, 1914 at Altavista, Campbell Co., Virginia.^2,3,4,5,8 He married Ruth Maude Walton on September 16, 1936 at Danville, Virginia.^2,3,4,9 Edward Ralph English Sr. died on October 1, 1998 at Greensboro, Guilford Co., North Carolina, at age 84.^2,4,5,8 He Edward Ralph "Red" English, Sr., 84, of Altavista, died Thursday, October 1, 1998 in the Moses Cone Extended Care Center in Greensboro, N.C. He was the husband of 62 years of Ruth Walton English, who resides at the Well Spring retirement community in Greensboro. Born March 31, 1914 in Altavista, he was a son of the late William Benjamin English and Viola Yeatts English. Mr. English was a member of the First Baptist Church of Altavista where he had served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Patrick Henry Boys Plantation of Red Hill, Va., Baptist Hospital in Lynchburg and the Baptist Home in Culpeper. Mr. English served on the Altavista Town Council and the Campbell County Board of Supervisors and was a member of the Campbell Lodge 316 AF & AM and the Kazim Shrine Temple of Roanoke. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. Mr. English was president of English’s Inc., English Development Corp., and the Altavista Area Development Corp. He was the vice president of English Construction Co. and founder and managing trustee of the English Foundation. He was a member of the Board of Directors of both Central Fidelity of Altavista and Central Fidelity Bankshares of Richmond. He served on the National Manufacturing Association Business Advisory Committee for President Eisenhower. He was appointed by two Virginia governors to the Virginia Port Authority and served as its chairman for ten years. Mr. English served as president of the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce and received the Exchange Club of Virginia’s "Distinctive Virginian” award for his lifelong work in attracting industrial development. He was also president of the Altavista Chamber of Commerce and received its "Outstanding Citizen" award. He was a graduate of Virginia Tech where he had played football. The Alumni Association of Virginia Tech presented Mr. English with its Distinguishcd Service Award "in recognition for outstanding service to his community his profession and his beloved Alma Mater." They also honored him by naming their baseball field English Field. He was one of the founders of the Virginia Tech Student Aid Association and a member of the Advisory Board of the R.B. Pampiin College of Business. He established numerous scholarships at the school and in 1991 he was awarded Virginia Tech's highest service honor, the Ruffner Medal. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, E. Ralph English, Jr., and his wife Rita Jo, of Altavista and David English and his wife Elizabeth of Greensboro; two daughters, Dale Caldwell and her husband, Robert, and Melinda Wood and her husband Bennett, all of Greensboro; ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his brother William Curtiss English. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery. on October 3, 1998.⁴

     William Curtiss English was buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Altavista, Campbell Co., Virginia.^2,7 His Social Security Number was 228-01-4899.⁴ He was born on November 3, 1911 at Altavista, Campbell Co., Virginia.^2,10,4,6,7 He married Louise Adline Towles on August 11, 1933 at Lynchburg, Virginia.^2,5,11,7 William Curtiss English died on February 17, 1995 at Lynchburg, Virginia, at age 83.^2,4,7,12

     Louise Adline Towles was buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Altavista, Campbell Co., Virginia.¹ She was born on September 4, 1913 at Lynchburg, Virginia.^1,3 As of August 11, 1933,her married name was English.² She married William Curtiss English, son of William Benjamin English and Viola Yeatts, on August 11, 1933 at Lynchburg, Virginia.^1,2,3,4 Louise Adline Towles died on January 24, 2008 at Altavista, Campbell Co., Virginia, at age 94.^1,3 She ENGLISH, Louise Towles, 94, of Altavista, died at her home on January 24, 2008. She was married to the late William Curtis English for 62 years. Born on September 4, 1913 in Lynchburg, Louise was one of six children born to Violet Wynn Towles and Charles Ballard Towles. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Towles Wright; and two brothers, Charles Ira Towles and James Oliver Towles. She is survived by two sisters, Barbara Towles Price of Lynchburg and Nancy Towles Pittard and husband, Henry Pittard, of Altavista. Also surviving are four daughters, Margaret English Lester and husband, Morton Waid Lester, of Martinsville, Va., Joan English Allen and husband, Richard Robinson Allen, of Fayetteville, N.C, Suzanne English Morse and husband, Dr. John Chapman Morse, of Pendleton, S.C., and Beverley English Dalton and husband, Aubrey Douglas Dalton Jr., of Altavista. Surviving grandchildren are Courtney Lester Bell, William Curtiss Lester, Beverley Lester Coleman, Jo Beth Allen Johnson, Jan Louise Allen, Richard Robinson Allen Jr., Joanna Chapman Morse, Wynn Dalton Herbers, Whitney Dalton Melton, Judson Hines Dalton, and Aubrey Douglas Dalton III. Also surviving are 18 greatgrandchildren, Mary Margaret Procter, Waid Lester, Katherine Lester, James Coleman, Lester Coleman, Anne Parker Coleman, Ashley Johnson, Holly Johnson, Kristen Allen, Katherine Allen, Allison Allen, Mary Allen, Bobby Allen, Joshua Allen, Jonathan Allen, Samuel Allen, Joseph Allen and Booker Melton. on January 25, 2008.³

     Margaret Curtiss English Margaret English Lester, 87, died October 9, 2021 at Sovah Health in Martinsville, Virginia. She was born May 18, 1934 in Altavista, Virginia, and was preceded in death by parents, Louise Towles English and William Curtiss English. She graduated from Westhampton College, Richmond, Virginia in 1955. Upon graduation Margaret moved to Martinsville to teach elementary school where she met her husband of 63 years, Morton Waid Lester. Margaret is survived by her husband, children, Courtney Lester Bell (Charles T. Bell), William Curtiss Lester, Beverley Lester Coleman (James D. Coleman, Jr.); grandchildren, Mary Margaret Whitfield (Alexander T. Whitfield), William Waid Lester, Katherine Scott Lester, James English Coleman, Tilden Lester Coleman, Anne Parker Coleman, step-grandchildren, Rives Brown Coleman (Tiffany J. Coleman), Lucy Coleman Mutch (Justin T. Mutch); and great-grandchildren, William White Whitfield, Margaret Wynn Whitfield; sisters, Joan English Allen (Richard R. Allen), Suzanne English Morse (John C. Morse), Beverley English Dalton (A. Douglas Dalton, Jr.) Margaret was a member of The First Baptist Church of Martinsville where she had taught Sunday school. She served on the boards of Oak Hill Academy and Martinsville YMCA. She enjoyed being a member of the El Libre Book Club. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend. Margaret epitomized the word "lady". Her gentle, faithful soul resonated with anyone who was in her presence. She was the beloved "Nan" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a constant cheerleader to her children and husband. While her generous spirit was her gift to individuals and organizations, it was Margaret's quiet, non-judgmental nature that will long be remembered. She was always kind and took a genuine interest in the lives of others. She will leave as her legacy the same love of family and care for others. The family expresses sincere gratitude to Rosetta Peatross. A graveside service at Roselawn Burial Park will follow.¹ She was buried at Roselawn Burial Park, 103 Clearview Drive, Martinsville, Virginia.¹ She was born on May 18, 1934 at Altavista, Campbell Co., Virginia.^1,2 As of December 21, 1957,her married name was Lester.³ She married Morton Waid Lester on December 21, 1957 at Altavista, Campbell Co., Virginia.^1,3,5 Margaret Curtiss English died on October 9, 2021 at Martinsville, Virginia, at age 87.¹

     Ruth Maude Walton was buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Altavista, Campbell Co., Virginia.¹ Her Social Security Number was 226-64-0388.⁴ She was born on December 14, 1913 at Greensboro, Guilford Co., North Carolina.^1,2,3,4,5 As of September 16, 1936,her married name was English.² She married Edward Ralph English Sr., son of William Benjamin English and Viola Yeatts, on September 16, 1936 at Danville, Virginia.^1,2,6,3 Ruth Maude Walton died on March 11, 2009 at North Carolina at age 95.^1,4 She Ruth Walton English, of Greensboro, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at Well Spring Retirement home where she had lived since 1998. Ruth was born December 14, 1913, to John Thompson and Viola Lewis Walton, of Danville, Virginia. After graduation from Averett College and doing post graduate studies from the University of Virginia, she taught school in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Ruth was married to Red English for 62 years. He predeceased her in 1998. In her hometown of Altavista, Virginia, Ruth was a member and past president of The Staunton River Garden Club. She was also a past Treasurer of the Charles Lynch Chapter of D.A.R. and past chair of the Altavista Cancer Drive. She was elected as a member of the Board of Campbell County Bicentennial Commission, and was a member of Support and Promote Adolescent Resident Care (SOARC) of Lynchburg. She loved to read and she served as an active member of the Board of the Altavista Library. As an educator, Ruth believed in the importance of giving support to public education and she sponsored the Ruth English Award in Home Economics at Altavista High School. She was inducted into and made an Honorary Member of FHA. She is survived by four children, Dale Caldwell and her husband, Robert, of Greensboro, Ralph English, Jr. and his wife, Rita Jo, of Altavista, Virginia, David English and his wife, Elizabeth, of Greensboro, and Melinda Wood and her husband, Bennett, of Greensboro; her sister, Helen W. Gilbert and her brother, Jack Walton, of Danville, Virginia. Ruth had seven nieces and one nephew, along with ten grandchildren and 11 great- grandchildren. on March 15, 2009.³

     Ruth Dale English was born on August 19, 1939 at Danville, Virginia.^3,7,6 As of December 18, 1965,her married name was Caldwell.³ She married Robert Hood Caldwell on December 18, 1965 at Altavista, Campbell Co., Virginia.^1,5,3,6 Ruth Dale English died on July 6, 2020 at North Carolina at age 80.⁶ She Dale English Caldwell transitioned from her earthly home to the Church Eternal on July 6, 2020. Dale was born August 19, 1939, the eldest child of E.R. "Red" and Ruth English. She is survived by her two brothers, Ralph English (Rita) of Altavista, VA and David English (Elizabeth) and her sister Melinda Wood (Bennett) of Greensboro. Together with her husband of nearly 55 years, Robert, she leaves three children also living in Greensboro: Cathy (Robb) Wells, Janet Caldwell, and Robin (Robby) Eatman. She also leaves behind six wonderful grandchildren whom she dearly loved: Margaret, Virginia and Alex Wells and Payne, Wynn and Mae Bradley, all of Greensboro. Dale graduated from Altavista High School and then entered Virginia Tech, where she earned her BS degree in 1962 and was crowned "Miss VPI." She thereafter moved to Greensboro and met Robert Caldwell. Dale and Robert married December 18, 1965 and together they served as active members of First Baptist Church, where Dale served as minister to the homebound for 21 years. In 1969 she began one of her most important roles - becoming a mother, eventually having three daughters whom she dearly loved and six wonderful grandchildren. How lucky can you be! Dale was featured on the cooking show, "What's Cooking Today," with Cordelia Kelly on WFMY in the late 1960s. She was a member of the Junior League of Greensboro and was chosen to be the co-compiler of cooking recipes that became the award-winning cook book, "Out of Our League." Originally published in 1978, it sold over 200,00 copies and was selected in 1998 to be included in the "Southern Living Cookbook Hall of Fame"! Dale also served on the Board of the Adult Center for Enrichment, the Shepherd's Center, and at her church, the Senor Adult Council. Dale and Robert loved to travel throughout the US and loved visiting spots around the world, including Ireland, Denmark, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Italy, England, France, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, Egypt and on and on. In her later years, trips with the entire family became of greater importance. Of particular note was a special trip with the entire family to Jamaica that none of us will forget and a special trip to The Homestead. The family returned to The Homestead where Robert and Dale went on their honeymoon 50 years earlier and the children had reproduced an identical replica of their wedding cake. It was 5 layers high too large for the family to eat. So, Dale suggested that the staff cut the cake up, put it on plates, and the grandchildren took the cake to all the guests in the dining room. Needless to say, the next day Robert and Dale were greeted with a lot of "Happy Anniversaries!" Dale was honest about her illness. Her daddy had passed away with Alzheimer's and she knew the path she would be following. We were fortunate to have her smile and wit for nearly eight years after the diagnosis was made. Dale volunteered in order to help others who will also follow this path by taking part in three different research projects at the Sticht Center at WFU Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. As much as we wanted to keep Dale with us, we realized that her time was drawing near the end. In her last hours, her family surrounded her bed in the sun room of her home where she had been for several months, sang songs, read scripture, held her hand and gave her kisses even as she took her last breath when a beautiful smile came on her face. She was at peace! Dale's labor of Love ended here but is to be continued through those who knew and loved her. The family is grateful for the care provided by loving Caregivers over the past three years and to Authoracare (formerly Hospice) and Dr. Beth Golding for their assistance to the family in Dale's last days. on July 9, 2020.⁶