Claire Henes Coverdale

Two branches have fallen from our family tree, Claire (Bud) on May 17, 2016 and Elaine (Springer) Coverdale, on May 12, 2016, both were 90 years old at the time of their passing. Claire was born on February 1, 1926, and was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Odelia Coverdale. Claire is survived by one brother, Robert (Norma Jean) Coverdale of Bellevue, IL. Elaine was born May 6, 1926 and was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Elma Springer and her sister and brother-in-law, Janet (Melvin) Schroeder.

Born and raised in Amherst, OH, Bud and Elaine’s love story began December 24, 1947. Having served faithfully and honorably in the US Army Air Corp from July 1944 until October 1946, Bud returned to Amherst, OH where he and Elaine began their life together. Deeply rooted to the community they resided in Amherst for their first 24 years of marriage celebrating their happiness with family and friends.

As all great oaks branch out and grow, Bud and Elaine accepted the challenge of making their life bloom in a new city. Due to job requirements they moved to Morrisville, PA in 1970, and subsequently 4 years later they moved to Mount Lebanon, PA and resided in the Pittsburgh area for the next 40 years. Along the way they made many wonderful friends whom have enriched their lives and shared lifelong connections. As a final testament to their resilience and determination to sustain deep family roots, Bud and Elaine moved to Newport News, VA in 2014 to be closer to family. They continued to be actively involved in their church and community. Nearly all their lives they walked hand in hand, as an example of love and commitment. It is with deep gratitude, sadness, and loving kindness we celebrate them walking away one final time, hand in hand. Claire and Elaine are survived by their two sons, Scott (Marsha) of Yorktown, VA and Fred (Susan) of Levittown, PA. Claire and Elaine also had 5 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, Rebecca (John) Murray and their daughter Helen, Greg (Kathleen) and their daughters Gracie, Claire and Karlie, LJ (Linda) and their daughter Brynn, Stephanie (Brandon) Barts and their children Christopher, Mackenzie, and Nolan, and Dan (Casey) and their daughter Camryn. Claire and Elaine are also survived by 2 nephews and 2 nieces, Jeff, Tate, Lisa and Amy.

The entire Coverdale family would like to thank Dr. Michael Condrey and their friends of Kirkwood Presbyterian Church for their prayers, love, support, and visits, and the entire staff of The Hidenwood Retirement Community for their love and care of Mom and Dad while they were residents and especially during their recent illnesses, and also to each of the wonderful and caring individuals we encountered with Gentiva Hospice care, but especially to Amy and Steve. We would also like to thank the staff at Riverside Regional Medical Center for their care of both Claire and Elaine and a big shout out to the 4Annex nursing staff, and also to Leana Aungst, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner from the Riverside Advance Illness Management Team for listening to us tell the love story of Claire and Elaine, and lending a sympathetic ear and wonderful supportive words. We would also like to thank Dr. Eugene Link and his nurses, Lynn and Madie and the entire staff for their wonderful care of Claire and Elaine.

A joint memorial service will be held in Yorktown, VA, with time and date to be determined. Final interment of their cremains will be done at a later date at Brownhelm Cemetery, Vermilion, OH.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Pastor’s Fund of Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 1209 Hampton Highway, Yorktown, VA 23693, Wounded Warrior Project, The American Cancer Society, or your favorite charity.

Their love story has not ended, it is continuing in heaven in the arms of Jesus.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, VA 23666.