Faye V. Counts

Faye Viola Counts Gearheart Counts, of Salem, VA. Passed away on Tuesday June 18, 2013. Mom was born December 20, 1924 at Toms Creek, VA. Located in Wise County. Her parents were Silas Elexious and Bessie Viola Thompson Counts; her grandparents were John Buchanan Floyd and Mary Ellen Smith Counts along with Frank and Ollie Workman Thompson. She was the last of her immediate family and was preceded in death by her brothers, William; Earl; and John Harve; along with one sister Marie Robinette, Faye was also preceded by a husband, Fred Ruthford Gearheart, two sons, Randolph Allen Gearheart and Fred (Rudy) Gearheart, a granddaughter, Madeline Faye Mitchell. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Cecil E. Counts, two sons, Rodney Rex Gearheart and wife Shirley of Dublin, VA; Charles Edward Counts and wife Melody of Washington, County, VA; a daughter, Madeline Marie Terry of Greensboro, NC. Grandchildren are Ford Gearheart; Rex and brother Latha Gearheart, Lora Emsing; Phillip Terry; and sister Sally Marie Reich; Will and brother Charlie Counts, along with twelve great grandchildren other survivors include, Sister-In-Law, Vivian Counts and husband Charles Boardwine of Saltville, VA. Uncles, Goolsby; and Henry Counts, Aunt Anna Jean Miller all of Livingston, MT. Aunt Goldie French of Nora, VA. And Aunt Delcie Stalcup of Trenton, GA. Also surviving are numerous nephews, nieces and cousins, in and around Emigrant and Livingston, MT., Virginia, and Eastern Kentucky. Mom was raised in Wise and Dickerson County, VA. Along with Emigrant, MT. She married young and raised her family in Floyd County, Kentucky, and settled in Salem, VA. She was a true product of the depression and firmly believed that there was nothing that could not be done if you persisted. She never threw anything away, did not tolerate arrogance and rude behavior, and freely shared everything, she was a wonderful cook, made beautiful quilts, and could Flat Foot all night. Mom was a nurses aide at Salem VA Hospital, where she retired, she was a member of West Salem Baptist Church and one of the Matriarchs of East Bottom, the staff of Richfield Care Center gave mom great care during her 3 year stay, we are also grateful for the care and attention DR. G. Goodwin and his staff afforded mom. The family will receive friends from 9-11 am Friday June 21, 2013 with a memorial service to begin at 11am in the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home Chapel in Salem, with Reverend Andrew Taylor-Troutman of New Dublin Presbyterian Church officiating, in lieu of flowers the family would like you to consider making a donation to Meals on Wheels, PO Box 14205, Roanoke VA. 24038 Service Details.