Edsel Leon Gish, 80, of Bedford, Va., and formerly of Roanoke, Va., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on May 26, 1928, and was in World War II with Battery "B" 14th Armored at Camp Hood, Texas. He was retired from General Electric in Salem, Va. He is a Charter member of Rainbow Forest Baptist Church for over 40 years. He has been attending Trinity Baptist Church in Bedford, Va. Preceding him in death were his parents, Oscar P. Gish and Martha Hogan Gish; brother, Marshall Gish; sisters, Genevieve Cox, Cornelia Flowers, Corriene Pugh, and Josephine Fore; greatgranddaughter, Amanda M. Lang; and father and mother-in-law, Robert R. and Mary Creger. His surviving family includes his loving wife who he adored of 61 years, Mary C. Gish, of the home; special daughter and son-inlaw, Brenda and Robert A. Long, of Vinton, Va.; three grandsons and wives who were the light of his life, Robbie (Rachel) Long, of Roanoke, Va., Stephen (Heidi) Long, of Acworth, Ga., and Troy (Donna) Long, of Roanoke, Va.; two special great-grandchildren who he was so proud of, Keith A. Long, of Roanoke, Va., and Madison D. Long, of Acworth, Ga.; his only surviving brother and wife, Glenwood and Louise Gish, of Moneta, Va.; sisters-in-law, Nancy Sturgill, Marie Davis, Ramona Haynes, and Jean Tabor, all of Roanoke, Va., and Peggy Orton, of Arcadia, Fla.; brother-in-law and wife, Edwin and Rose Creger, of Casa-Grande, Ariz.; 33 nieces and nephews; 57 great-nieces and nephews; his loving pet hog, "Charlene," who was his baby; special friends, Jim and Joann Stump; and all church members from Rainbow Forest and Trinity Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakey's East Chapel. The funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2009, at Oakey's East Chapel with the Pastor Ken Butterworth and Pastor Vernon DeLong officiating. Interment will follow with at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens with Pastor Mike Grooms officiating and also with Military Honors. A reception will follow at Rainbow Forest Baptist Church for the family. The family would like to thank Bedford Hospice and nurses, Cathy and Rhonda, for the wonderful job they did taking care of Edsel during this difficult time. Arrangements by Oakey's East Chapel, Bonsack, 540-977-3909.


Published in the Roanoke Times on 5/13/2009