Lucile Beringer Kesterson

Virginia Lucile Beringer Kesterson, 92, formerly of Buena Vista and Glasgow, passed away Sunday, July 12, at Runk & Pratt Memory Care in Forest. 

Born Nov. 27, 1933, in Rockbridge County, she was the daughter of Arthur F. Beringer and Bertha Beverley Beringer. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Roy Beringer, Frances Corper, Ruby Hudson, Shirley Broughman, Floyd Beringer and James Beringer. 

Surviving are her husband of 39 years, Julian A. Kesterson Sr.; daughters, Sherie Hatcher and Dawn DeHart (Dan); stepsons, Alan Kesterson (Mary Beth) and Nathan Kesterson; grandchildren, Stacy Shaw, Russell Shaw Jr. (Ana) and Troy Shaw (Nicole); great-grandchildren, Heather Collins, Samantha Morales, Natalie Morales, Rebecca Morales, Elise Shaw, Jared Shaw, Rachael Sheppard (Austin), Isaac Shaw, Braxton Page, Leah Pressley, David Kesterson and Logan Kesterson; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Lucile was a lifelong resident of RockbridgeCounty and graduate of Parry McCluerHigh School.  She retired from Burlington/Mohawk in 1998 after many years of service and that is where she met her husband, Julian.  Lucile was a longtime member of Buena Vista Baptist Church, which she attended often with daughter Sherie. Much of her free time was spent pursuing her artistic interests, initially as a painter, and in later years as an amateur photographer.  More than once she would remark that “that view” would make a pretty picture, or she would pick up scraps of fabric or paper and pose them in interesting ways; she had a very artistic eye and always had her camera with her. Her long-time membership in the Rockbridge Camera Club helped nurture her hobby. She loved taking pictures of her husband, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she loved dearly. Her art work garnered various awards and she was able to sell her paintings and photographs.  Her photos were included in a local bank’s calendar for several years in a row.   She also enjoyed traveling with her beloved husband and seeing different parts of the country.  Although she didn’t make it to all 50 states, she did get to Alaska, Hawaii, California and Florida as well as many other states with daughter Dawn and took many photos to prove it. Oftentimes, she was with Sherie and Dawn in the car just riding around enjoying the scenery, one of her favorite activities, or assisting her husband with some aspect of gathering and reporting weather data.  Lucile was an avid reader and relished visiting the Buena Vista Public Library and Glasgow Public Library with her daughters where she also attended craft classes and special programs regularly. She enjoyed life and wanted to remain active no matter what age. Her family will remember her for her constant show of love for her family, dedication to her husband, her beauty (inside and out), and her love of life, which she captured with her camera.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Home in Buena Vista by the Rev. Bryon LePere. Burial will follow at GreenHill Cemetery.  Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m.  Pallbearers will be Dan DeHart, Wade Broughman, Troy Shaw, Dakota Bryant, David Kesterson and Logan Kesterson.

The family would like to thank the nurses, CNA’s and staff of Runk and Pratt Memory Care in Forest for their love and care of Lucile and the nurses and staff at Nayar Healthcare and Hospice in Bedford for their love and comfort care in her last months. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Glasgow and Buena Vista Public Libraries and Buena Vista Baptist Church.

Arrangements are being handled by Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Home.