Waverly Moss

MARION, VIRGINIA: WAVERLY ROGERSON MOSS, died peacefully in her Marion, Virginia home, Sunday, July 3, 2011 after a valiant battle with cancer. She was born in Evanston, Illinois on June 13, 1941 to Rosa Kevan Rogerson and Waverly W. Rogerson, her father and namesake, who died two months after her birth. Her mother moved Waverly and her sisters back home to Virginia. They lived briefly in Petersburg and eventually moved to Marion, where Waverly grew up and was active in drama, academics, and as a member of the Marion High School Women's Basketball team. She attended Mary Baldwin College pursuing studies in the arts and performed four seasons of summer stock musical theater at the Oak Grove Theater in the Shenandoah Valley. Upon graduation, she served as an instructor at the Stanton Institute for the Deaf and Blind where she discovered a passion for engaging and developing young minds. She was married to Joseph Stafford Moss, Jr. and lived for a time on the Moss Family farm in Burkes Garden, Virginia. She continued her teaching career in Tazewell County and later returned to Marion with her three sons. There she taught at Marion Intermediate and Marion Senior High School and retired after 30 years as a teacher of English and Dramatic Arts. Her many school and community theatre productions thrilled audiences, enlightened and inspired scores of would-be actors for many years. A woman of faith, Waverly was active in Christ Episcopal Church where she served on the vestry and in the choir. She was instrumental in the restoration and revitalization of the historic Lincoln Theatre serving on the board of directors. During her retirement, Waverly became a voracious reader and shared that love with others by serving proudly as the chair of the Smyth County Adult Literacy Education program. She loved her home in the mountains but greatly enjoyed fishing and walking the beaches of the Outer Banks with her children and grandchildren. Waverly Moss is survived by her loving sons, Joseph, Andrew and Bill; their spouse, Amy, Christy and Sallie; ten adoring grandchildren (eight granddaughters and two grandsons); her sisters, Elizabeth Scott and Rosa Lemmon; and brother-in-law and family patriarch, Willard Lemmon. A Memorial Service and reception will be held at the Christ Episcopal Church in Marion on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Doctor Christopher Mason officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to a church fund set up by the family, Waverly R. Moss Memorial, C/O Christ Episcopal Church, 401 West Main Street, Marion, VA 24354. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Moss Family.