NELSON COUNTY, VA - OBITUARIES - Sophia Aleen Chewning Driskill, 7 May 2004 ----¤¤¤---- Obituary: Sophia Aleen Chewning Driskill Source: The Daily Progress, Sunday, May 9, 2004 Sophia Aleen Chewning Driskill, 74, of Lynchburg, passed away at her home, comforted by her children and grandchildren, Friday, May 7, 2004. Born May 15, 1929, on Oak Ridge Estate in Nelson County, Va., she was the daughter of the late Sophia Ann Cash Chewning and George Washington Chewning. Her mother died in childbirth when Sophia and her twin sister, Syble, were born. It was on this day that Sophia's knowledge of unconditional love and acceptance began. Eva Jane Giles Adams, upon hearing that there were five children in the community who had lost their mother, stated without hesitation, "Bring them to me." All five were brought to this loving home where they were "adopted" into the Adams family. Sophia's "Mama," Eva, and her husband, "Em," William Filmore Adams, were wonderful parents to Sophia and her siblings and terrific grandparents to her children. Eva and William also predeceased her. Sophia always said she had a wonderful childhood. She and her siblings often commented that their lives on Hubbard's Hill in Roseland, Va., with sometimes dozens of children could easily rival the Waltons! After graduating from Fleetwood High School in 1946, Sophia moved to Lynchburg to work. Although she was extremely homesick daily, she finally agreed to go on a blind date, mainly so that her friend would stop suggesting the date to her. That blind date changed her life; she and George Edward Driskill were married on June 18, 1949. They had two children, Becky and Wade, and pro-vided them with a loving, stable, and Christian home. After almost 44 years of married life, George passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack on May 20, 1993. Although Sophia was a very independent woman, she missed George every day for the rest of her life. Two sisters, Syble Ann Chewning O'Connell of Potomac, Md., and Mary Chewning McKenna of Lynchburg also predeceased Sophia. Sophia's greatest joy in life was loving her children and grandchildren, all of whom survive her: a daughter, Rebecca Jane Driskill Childress and her husband, Danny; a son, George Wade Driskill and his wife, Tammy; two granddaughters, Katie Aleen Childress (18), and Emily Nicole Driskill (12); a grandson, Gregory Edward Childress (9); and two step-grandaughters, Jennifer Lee Childress (25), and Kami Rae Childress (22). The way her grandchildren felt about Sophia can be summed up in the words on a plaque Katie gave her when she was quite young: "There's no place like home, except Grandma's." Also surviving are two brothers, Eugene Austin Chewning (Doris) of Arrington, Va., and Charles Riley Chewning (Eunice) of Hen-derson, N.C.; two nephews, Ronnie Chewning (Charlotte) of Palmyra, Va., and Michael Chewning (Joyce) of Lovingston, Va.; and four nieces, Diane Chewning Norwood (Wiley) of Henderson, N.C., and Patsy McKenna, Judy McKenna, and Sandra McKenna. There are also numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins in the Adams family who survive her. One of Sophia's last wishes was that each of them would know how special they were to her and how grateful she always felt to be a part of this extraordinarily loving family. Sophia's character was developed in childhood. One of her many wonderful qualities was her love of children. Many have passed through her home since she entered adulthood. Several, including Marcia Johnson Willis, Alan Johnson, Kimberly Murphy, Sonja Lowe, and Karl Lowe have felt so welcomed and loved that they considered her, and in some cases even called her, Grandma. She loved each of these children dearly. Sophia was a devoted member of Park View United Methodist Church since her marriage in 1949. She gladly served on many committees, as lay leader, kindergarten Sunday School teacher, and pianist for several adult Sunday School classes. As long as her health permitted, she helped with Park View's Wednesday night neighborhood supper. Sophia was always available to her friends and family. Whether someone needed an ear to listen to a problem, food to help out in a rough time, a babysitter, someone to sit with an ill person and comfort them as no one else could, a driver to go to doctors' appointments or medical treatments, a place to recuperate following hospitalization, she was always available. All her friends and family members will miss her giving personality terribly! Sophia learned in 1999 that she had myelofibrosis, the disease that eventually took her life. She didn't tell anyone about her diagnosis for a long time because, thinking of others first as always, she didn't want to worry anyone. This selfless attitude was her trade-mark and remained with her all her life. As her disease progressed and she needed help with daily activities, she was always con-cerned that she was a burden to her family and friends. She accepted her disease with true grace and dignity ? never concerned about her own fate, but instead thinking about how her illness affected her loved ones and wishing she could live longer, not for her-self, but so that she could be able to help her children and grandchildren. Friends are invited to visit the family Sunday, May 9, 2004 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Tharp Funeral Home, 220 Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg, VA, 24502 (434-237-9424). A celebration of Sophia's life will be held at Park View United Methodist Church on Monday, May 10, 2004, at 2 p.m. The Revs. Doug Pillow and Janet Hawkins will lead Sophia's loved ones in remembering and commemorating her time with us. Interment will follow at Fort Hill Memorial Park. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Department of Development, Mayo Foundation, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, Minnesota 55905 (and specify that the gift is for research in myelofibrosis), Hospice of the Hills, 3000 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503, or the charity of your choice. Tharp Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, 434-237-9424. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.tharpfuneralhome.com. ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. 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