RUSSELL G. HITE

April 10, 1926 - July 25, 2013

RUSSELL G. HITE STAUNTON, VA Russell G. "Buddy" Hite, 87, husband of Zoan Firth Hite, of Staunton, went to be with his Lord Thursday, July 25, 2013. He was born April 10, 1926, in Vesuvius, a son of the late Ellet B. and Eliza E. (Campbell) Hite. He attended Goshen public schools and enlisted in the Navy upon graduation. Buddy served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He has lived in Staunton since returning home from service. In 1963 he founded, owned, and operated Valley Trophy and Gift Shop until his retirement in 1991. In addition to his wife, family members include a daughter, Kathy Lynn Hite Breeden of Mount Crawford; three step daughters, Cynthia Hopkins Moore and husband, Donald, of Poquoson, Julie Hopkins Pigg and husband, Jim, of South Carolina, and Angela Hopkins Armentrout and husband, Michael, of Poquoson; four granddaughters, Jennifer Catoe and husband, Bobby, Amy Bennett and husband, Lewis, Melissa Bunting and husband, Brian, and Megan Armentrout; two grandsons, Taylor Moore and Matthew Armentrout; two great grandsons, Killion Bennett and Forrest Bunting; and a great granddaughter, Joselyn Bennett. He was preceded in death by a sister, Lovella B. Hite. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, July 29, 2013, in St. Paul's United Methodist Church by the Rev. Robert H. Woodfin, II. Burial will follow in Thornrose Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Michael Armentrout, Donald Moore, Russell Firth, Terry Firth, Tommy Insley, Hank Schroeder, Matthew Armentrout, and Taylor Moore. Honorary pallbearers will be Lewis Bennett, Bobby Catoe, Brian Bunting, St. Paul's Board of Ushers, and St. Paul's Adult Fellowship Sunday School Class. The family will receive friends from 3 until 5 p.m. Sunday, July 28, 2013, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Henry Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.