Lera Robertson

Lera Robertson, 76, of Salem, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, March 30, 2014. She was born in High Point, NC, a daughter of the late Robert Stalnaker, Sr. and Eliza Skeens Stalnaker and had been a Salem area resident most of her life. She retired from General Electric following thirty-seven years of service as an inspector and, in being one of the few women inspectors for the company, helped pave the way for other ladies. This was an accomplishment of which she was most proud. She was a loyal and active member of IUE-CWA, and served as vice president to the Coalition of Labor Union Women. She was a member of Halesford Baptist Church, and enjoyed reading, making floral arrangements, and mostly spending time with her children and grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Randy Lee Motley; husbands, James Hershel Motley, Jack E. Ferrell and James Robertson; two brothers, Ed Crawford and Bobby Stalnaker, Jr., and her sister, Valorine Thompson. She is survived by a son Ricky Motley and his wife Estella; her daughter, Michelle Dickenson and her husband Jim; four grandchildren, Rev. Joshua Motley and his wife Hillary, Jessica Cassidy and her husband Chris, Lee Dickenson, Catie Dickenson and two great-grandchildren, Quintin and Joclyn Cassidy, a special aunt, Eula Hoover, and Sherri Davis, a dear friend whom Lera considered her sister. The family would like to take this opportunity to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. Greene, Dr. Raja, Miss Ginger, Miss Vanessa and the entire staff of Lewis Gale Medical Center for all of the care, love and concern given to Lera during her time there. A memorial service will be held at 2PM, Thursday, April 3, 2014 at Halesford Baptist Church. Her grandson, Rev. Joshua Motley and Pastor Melvin Harris will officiate. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Halesford Baptist Church Building Fund, 2485 Lost Mountain Rd., Wirtz, VA 24184. An online guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.