DECEMBER 16 – Rev. George Raymond Phaup, 97, of Farmville, passed away Friday, December 12, 2008 in Richmond. He was born December 28, 1910 in Buckingham County, the son of the late George L. and Minnie Dunkum Phaup. He was the first minister to be ordained by the newly established Virginia Conference of The Wesleyan Methodist Church (now The Wesleyan Church) in 1960, and served at Farmville Wesleyan, Roanoke Fallon Park Wesleyan, Arvonia Welcome Wesleyan, Crewe Wesleyan, Yellow Branch Wesleyan and Smyrna UMC.

He is survived by three sons, Rev. Raymond L. Phaup and wife, Mary Ann of Brooksville, FL, Donald E. Phaup and wife, Frances, and Rev. Robert W. Phaup and wife, Lisa of Farmville; nine grandchildren, Renee Roof and husband, Jon, Debbie Guhr and husband, Troy, Tynette McConnell and husband, Duff, Donnie Phaup, Richard Phaup and wife, Donna, Chad Phaup, Kristi Fitzgerald and husband, James, Heather McSherry and husband, Daniel, and Joshua Phaup; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ethel Mae Chandler Phaup; a granddaughter, Dena Phaup Lacks, and a great-granddaughter, Breanna Phaup.

A special thanks is expressed to three wonderful friends, Hobart Harris, Gene Wood, and Ellen Troyer, and many other neighbors for their kindness.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Puckett Funeral Home in Farmville, with interment in Smyrna United Methodist Church Cemetery in Buckingham. Rev. Gregory D. Reynolds and Dr. Harold R. Gunsalus will be officiating.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening (tonight) from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Puckett Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Welcome Wesleyan Church Building Fund in Arvonia, or to Meals on Wheels.

Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, is in charge of arrangements.