Louise C. McGavock

Louise Corell McGavock, 93, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and elementary school teacher, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Augusta Health in Fishersville.

Born on December 15, 1932, in Botetourt County, to the late Oscar Buchanan, Sr. and Nannie Bell Harr Corell, she spent her life inspiring others through education and service.

She earned her bachelor's degree from Radford College and with a career spanning over thirty years, Louise's passion for teaching shone particularly brightly during her twenty-five years at Bessie Weller Elementary School in Staunton. She was deeply admired by students and staff alike, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the privilege to learn from her.

Her dedication extended beyond the classroom as she was a voracious reader, instilling a love for books in her two daughters. Her interests were as diverse as they were engaging - she began skiing at the age of forty-eight, eventually becoming an instructor. She also enjoyed painting, embroidery, sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles. Together with her late husband, they tended to a backyard vegetable garden.

She was a long-time, active member of Hebron Presbyterian Church in Staunton.

Louise is survived by her daughters, Nancy Lucille McGavock Dickerson and Deborah Katherine McGavock McDonough and her husband, Richard, her grandchildren, Megan McDonough Hathaway and her husband, Mike, Ryan McDonough and his wife, Lindsey, and Lauren McDonough Wren and her husband, Graeme; and five great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Bowman McGavock; her brothers, James Edward Corell and Oscar Buchanan Corell, Jr.; and her sisters, Anna Katherine Corell Burroughs and Mary Lee Corell. She is also preceded in death by an infant brother and sister.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Hebron Presbyterian Church in Staunton.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.