Frances Carroll Beemer

Frances Carroll Beemer, 88, of Salem, Virginia passed away February 3, 2014. Frances graduated from Andrew Lewis High School and received her degree in nursing (R.N.) from Lewis Gale School of Nursing. She served in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps in Norfolk, Virginia during World War II. Frances retired from the Veterans Administration Hospital in Salem where she dedicated the last 10 years of her nursing career to Alzheimers care and research. Frances was a long-time member of North Roanoke Baptist Church where she was active in numerous areas of the church, including as a member of both the Choir and the Singing Saints, member and officer of the Womens Missionary Union and was a GA (Girls Auxiliary) leader, and as a Sunday School teacher. Frances was an avid mission-minded volunteer. She was also a member and officer of the Roanoke County Garden Club. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Dorethia Smith Dodson and Charles Morton Dodson, one brother Charles Morton Dodson, Jr., her first husband E.W. (Johnny) Carroll, Jr., and her second husband Bennie Beemer. Frances is survived by her daughter Patricia (Trish) Carroll Knighton of Christiansburg, two sons, Larry E. Carroll and his wife Elizabeth of Midland, Texas, John Merritt Carroll and his wife Virginia Chisholm Carroll of Louisa, Virginia, and two step daughters Judy Beemer Walden of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Gayle Beemer Hannah of Roanoke. Frances is also survived by her sisters Ann Dodson Campbell of Salem, Macy Dodson Young of Roanoke, Betty Dodson Dalton of Salem, and Jane Dodson Akers of Salem. Frances is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren: Lindsey Lucas and her son Matthew of Roanoke, Whitney Patrone Penny and her husband Frank of Roanoke, Jonathan Ray Carroll of Silver Springs, Maryland, Jenny Carroll Royer and her husband Dana and two sons Cole and Heath of Middletown, Connecticut, Matthew Bradley Carroll and his wife Charley-Gail Stull Carroll of Mineral, Virginia, William Tyler Carroll of Richmond, Virginia, and Jeannette and Brent Whitus and their two daughters Mikayla and Rylea of Burnet, Texas. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home in Salem. The service will be held following the visitation at 3:30 p.m. in Oakeys chapel, with Rev. Darrel Crim officiating. A private graveside interment will be held at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Roanoke. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to North Roanoke Baptist Church. The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at Salem Terrace for their loving care and the staff of Gentle Shepherd Hospice for their care and counseling during Frances last days. An online guestbook is available by visiting www.johnmoakey.com The Beemer family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441.