Merle Flora Wahlstrand

Merle Flora Wahlstrand was born in Boones Mill, Virginia on January 15, 1916 and died on January 13, 2014. She is survived by one sister, Nina Flora Payne Ross and brother-in-law Edward Ross of Rocky Mount, Virginia. Widow of Harold A. Wahlstrand, she was also preceded in death by a step-daughter, Carol Sisson; two sons-in-law, Jerry Sisson and Vernon Winston; step-grandson James Lawson; her parents, Wilsie and Josie Flora; two sisters, Mildred Flora and Phyllis McCombs; and one nephew, Thomas (Tommy) Flora. She was a member of the Boones Mill Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and served as Church Clerk, Historian, Deaconess, a member of the choir and the Christian Women?s Fellowship. She was a member of the Boones Mill Garden Club; Boones Mill Lions Club; National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Roanoke Chapter 111; and a life member of the Virginia 4-H All Star Chapter. A graduate of National Business College, she also attended George Washington University. While employed by the Department of the Air Force for over twenty-six years, she served as a Supervisory Legislative Research Analyst and received the Civilian Meritorious Award-the second highest award presented to civilians by the Department of the Air Force on behalf of the White House. For sixteen years she served as a volunteer with the Alzheimer?s Association, Blue Ridge of Virginia Chapter; American Red Cross; and the American Cancer Society. She is also survived by a step-daughter, Nancy Stumpf and husband Ted Stumpf, of Middletown, Ky; step-grandchildren, Lorielle Sisson, Columbia, Md; Joy and Reuben Cotting, Silver Springs, Md; six step-great grandchildren, Jonathon Lawson, Kelley and David Oldham; Tyler, Kasey and Paige Cotting and a number of special nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, Merle desired memorials be made to Boones Mill Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 7950 Grassy Hill Road, Boones Mill, VA 24065. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, January 17, 2014, 11:00 a.m. at the Boones Mill Christian Church with Pastor Joy Haskin Rowe and Rev. Jim Compton officiating. Burial will follow the service at Franklin Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Thursday, January 16, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service, Rocky Mount, Virginia.