Basil Gladstone Boitnott

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.

Basil Gladstone Boitnott, 77, of Boones Mill, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, June 19, 2014 after a courageous battle with dementia. Basil grew up in Boones Mill, attended Franklin County schools, bought the family farm when he was 21 and founded Bow-Knott Dairy Farm in 1970.

Basil was a master craftsman and an innovative dairyman, building the family home, many of the original farm structures and adapting many new farm practices such as no till production of crops. As a highly respected member of the community and the dairy industry, Basil participated in various civic and farm related organizations.

Basil had a deep personal relationship with Christ from an early age and in later years served as an usher, deacon and trustee at Boones Mill Baptist and in most recent years, Franklin Heights Baptist. Basil?s greatest pleasure was working with his hands and his amazing ability to fix almost anything. As his grandchildren always used to say, "If Papaw can?t fix it, only God can".

Basil?s most important role in his life was being a loving and caring family man. In 1959, Basil met the love of his life, Linda Anderson, who he married in 1962 and enjoyed almost 52 years of a blessed and joy-filled marriage.

Basil was preceded in death by his parents, John Robert and Nancy Catherine Boitnott, and his two brothers, Elmer Lewis Boitnott and Spurgeon Victor Boitnott. Left to cherish his memories is his beloved wife, Linda; son C. Dale and wife, Trina Boitnott; daughter, Andrea Boitnott; grandchildren Joshua Boitnott and Brittany Boitnott; sister-in-law Pat and husband, Richard Howell; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; special pet companions Charlie Cat, Tasha, Kiya and Bailey; honorary family members Freddy Peters and Clyde Smith who deeply loved and cared for Basil and brightened his days.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks and deep appreciation to special friends Richard and Jane Dilano and Donna Reynolds; Diann and Bob Raville with Vista View Elder Care; Southern Care Hospice; the numerous nurses, CNA?s and medical staff at Franklin Health Care; Franklin and Roanoke Memorial Hospitals; and Meadors and Stokes Sunday school class at Franklin Heights Baptist.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Gideon?s International of Franklin County P.O. Box 915 Rocky Mount, VA 24151.

A funeral service celebrating Basil?s life will be held 11am Monday, June 23rd at the Franklin Heights Baptist Church with Dr. Stan Parris, Rev. J. Larry Holland and Rev. Mark Griffith officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain View Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 22nd from 5 to 8pm at Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.