Virginia Ann Bishop Hamblin

Virginia Ann Bishop Hamblin of Christiansburg, VA went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. She was 87 years old. She was born in Montgomery County, VA. During her childhood and teenage years she lived in Riner, VA (Chestnut Ridge). She was raised in the country and loved country life. Virginia loved to ride horses and talked often how she was able to standup and ride a horse when she was younger. In high school, she was an athlete and played basketball and ran track. During a high school track meet at Radford University, Radford’s coach had Virginia run against one of their best runners, just for fun, and Virginia won the race. Later in life, Virginia and her husband, Kenneth, ran into her high school coach and the coach told Virginia and her husband that she could have been in the Olympics, with training.

Virginia loved animals. She often said that God expects us to take care of them. Before passing she had an indoor cat, Diamond, and several outdoor cats. At one time, she had three indoor dogs before having indoor cats. Also, she loved to feed the little birds, as she called them. Although she never completed a college degree, she did attend school later in her life and did well. In an English class, for whatever reason, a professor did a spelling test and Virginia was the best speller. She contributed this to the fact that she was an avid reader.

Virginia did not attend church in her later years however Dr. Charles Stanley became her Sunday preacher. She loved his preaching and received Christ through one of his services. She loved reading the Bible and reading Christian literature and Dr. Stanley’s books were her favorite. Virginia had shared that she prayed every night for her family.

Kenneth and Virginia met 63-years ago, by chance in downtown Christiansburg, and the rest was history. Kenneth said, “It was love at first site”. The home they bought after marriage is the same home they lived in all these years. Virginia would say often, Kenneth takes good care of me. They had a real love for each other.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents: Rose Bishop and Will Bishop, her youngest daughter, Robin Graham, younger brother, Ivan D. Bishop, affectionally known as Little David, her sisters, Francis Altizer and Helen Linkous. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Hamblin and two daughters: Katherine Surface (Jerry), Brenda Twiggs, four grandchildren: Lisa Shark (Chris), JT. Surface (Lauren), Allen Surface (Molly), Suzanne Twiggs, seven great grandchildren: Chelsea Akers (Devon Viars), Harley Akers, Bennett Surface, Gretchen Surface, Patrick Surface, Corbin Surface, Aiden Surface, and one great great grandchild: Presley Viars. Virginia’s family extends with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family will receive friends on Monday, January 27, 2025, from noon to 1:00pm at Horne Funeral Home.

Service will be at Horne Funeral Home Chapel from 1:00pm to 2:00pm followed by a graveside service at Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg at 2:15pm.

Officiating is Jerry Surface and additional speaker Chris Shark. Music by the Surface Family, Jerry, Kathy, JT, and Allen.