Mary Virginia Echard

MARY R. ECHARD BRIDGEWATER, VA Mary Virginia "Punky" (Reed) Weaver Echard, 82, widow of Monacue Hull Echard, of 9609 Community Center Road, Bridgewater where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Tim Puffenbarger and grandson, Kenley, died Wednesday, August 13, 2014 in Rockingham Memorial Hospital. She was born January 27, 1932, in McKinley, a daughter of late William Frank and Antha Virginia (Lucas) Reed. She was a homemaker most of her life. In early years she worked for Leggett's Department Store and Montgomery Ward. For five years she owned and operated Mt. Solon Grocery in Mt. Solon. In most recent years she worked at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton prior to her health decline 5 ½ years ago. She was a loving mother, grandmother, friend, sister, aunt and loved her family and her church. She was a lifelong member of McKinley United Methodist Church and very active in church activities and Ladies Aid. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Roy Reed and Franklin "Buddy" Reed; two sisters, Irene "Reney" Rexrode and Edith "Sis" Huffman; great grandchild, Jacob Schorr; Sarah's husband, Lonnie Palmer; and beloved pet, Prissy. Family members include a son, Gary A. Weaver and wife, Brenda, of Maryville, TN; two daughters, Kathy Puffenbarger and husband, Tim, of Bridgewater and Mary Lynn Walus and husband, Mike, of Craigsville; a sister, Patsy Grant of Waynesboro; a foster sister, Shirley Hilty and husband, Donnie; six grandchildren; a niece/daughter, Sarah Palmer and nephew, Jimmy Reed; and numerous other nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 18, 2014, in the Henry Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Donald Long, Pastor Randy Cosner, and Pastor Kathy Puffenbarger. Burial will be private in Augusta Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m. Sunday, August 17, 2014 at the funeral home and any time at the residence. Memorials may be made to McKinley United Methodist Church, c/o Shirley Hilty, 1035 McKinley Road, Middlebrook, VA 24459. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Southern Care Hospice for all their loving care and support.