Linwood “Smarty” Varnell
June 6, 1944 ~ March 3, 2013
Linwood “Smarty” Hilton Varnell, age 68, passed away surrounded by his family Sunday, March 03, 2013. Born in Macclesfield on June 6, 1944, he was the son of the late Albert Leslie Varnell and Doretha Varnell Vainwright. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Paul Leslie Varnell and Mack Fleming Varnell.
Linwood was active in his community thru his 28 years of volunteer work with West Edgecombe Fire Department. After retirement of active fire fighting in 2000, he served on the Board of Directors until 2010. After 31 years of service with Barcalounger, he began working for the NC Department of Transportation and remained there for 10 years until his retirement.
A true family man, he loved spending time with his family especially his four wonderful grandchildren. He spent family and friend gatherings cooking BBQ chicken and brunswick stew. He was an avid outdoorsman that loved to fish.
He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Louise Watson Varnell; son, Mike Varnell and wife Ellen; daughter, Susie Pridgen and husband Steve; grandchildren, Carter Lynn Varnell, Micah Lee Varnell, Rebecca Susan Pridgen and Taylor Diane Pridgen; sisters, Doris Pittman of Fountain, Peggy Brake and husband Percy of Rocky Mount and Ellen Forehand and husband Cecil of Pinetops; brother, Robert Varnell and wife Mary Alice of Pinetops; sisters-in-law, Jean Varnell of Farmville and Katie Varnell of Rocky Mount.
The family will receive friends and relatives 1:30pm to 2:45pm Tuesday, March 05, 2013 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home. A service to remember Linwood will be held at 3:00pm after the visitation in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Harry Fowler officiating. Burial will follow at Edgecombe Memorial Park in Tarboro.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to West Edgecombe Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 2793, Rocky Mount NC 27802.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Tuesday 3/5, 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
Service
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Tuesday 3/5, 3:00 pm
Cemetery
Edgecombe Memorial Park
2879 US 258, South
Tarboro, NC 27886
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Lit a candle in memory of Linwood Smarty Varnell
Lit a candle in memory of Linwood Smarty Varnell
To the Varnell family and the Pridgen family Words can’t express how sorry I am for your loss. Sending you all thoughts and prayers in such difficult time. Love, Loubna Hadi Salagh
Lit a candle in memory of Linwood Smarty Varnell
Lit a candle in memory of Linwood Smarty Varnell
Lit a candle in memory of Linwood Smarty Varnell
Linwood served Edgecombe wih pride and hard work for many,many years. He will be missed by all of the WVFD,his family, neighbors and friends . Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. With Christian Love, Tom and Martha Lancaster Barnes
When we lose a loved one to death, Jesus opened the way for us to gain everlasting life. (Matt.2028) grief & the feelings of helplessness can seem unbearable. At such times as these, we need to go to means of faith in the merit of Jesus shed blood, that we can we gain ; everlasting life.(John 316) The Bible gives Gods word for comfort. (2 Cor. 1 3,4) The Bible helps us to understand how Jehovah & Jesus feel about death. Jesus who perfectly reflected his Father, knew the pain of losing someone in death. (John 149) How did Jesus feel about losing his friend The account tells us that Jesus joined Lazarous relatives & friends as they grieved over this loss. Seeing them, Jesus was deeply moved. He groaned in the spirit & became troubled. Then the account says Jesus gave way to tears. (John 11 33,35) Did Jesus grief mean that he had no hope Not at all, in fact, Jesus knew that something wonderful was about to happen. (John 11 3,4) Still he felt the pain & sorrow that death brings. Jesus did not claim to perform this amazing miracle on his own. In his prayer just before calling out to Lazarus, he made it clear that Jehovah was the source of the resurrection. (John 1141,42) This was not the only time that Jehovah used his power in this way. The resurrection of Lazarus is just one of nine miracles of this kind recorded in Gods word. All of these things just show us what is to come to pass in the near future. What a wonderful gift of LOVE.