Gatewood Holland Stoneman

STONEMAN, Gatewood Holland, of Varina, died Saturday, May 5, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard E. Holland Sr. and Katherine Gatewood Burruss; her husband, Wilmer N. Stoneman Jr., their daughter, Carol Ann Stoneman; her sister, Elizabeth Wills Robinson; and her brother, Richard E. Holland Jr. She is survived by her six children, daughters, Gatewood H. Stoneman, Susan K. Stoneman, Marion S. Baronian and her husband, Samuel; and sons, Wilmer N. Stoneman III and his wife, Peggy, Richard Edward Stoneman and his fiancee, Julianne Gronen and Allan R. Stoneman. She is survived by seven grandchildren, Samuel Baronian III, Caroline E. Baronian, Renee S. Tuttle and her husband, Lloyd, Corporal Wilmer N. Stoneman IV (USMC), Meredith K. Stoneman, William J. Stoneman and Cooper E. Stoneman; and one great-grandchild, McCoy A. Tuttle. She is also survived by her late husband’s sister and brother, Irene Stoneman Ellis and Bronson E. Stoneman Sr. and his wife, Janet; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Mrs. Stoneman was born in Wilmington, Virginia, and her family later moved to Dumbarton, Virginia in western Henrico County. She was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School (Class of 1946) and Westhampton College (Class of 1950) in Richmond, where she remained an active participant in alumni activities throughout her life. In 1950, she married Billy Stoneman and became a citizen of Varina, and lived on Varina Farm for over 65 years. For many years, Mrs. Stoneman oversaw the farming operations of her husband on Varina Farm following his death in 1980, and became active in numerous agricultural and conservation issues, serving on many boards in furtherance of the agricultural industry. In early 1997, she received a Gubernatorial Appointment to the Virginia Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services. In addition to her devotion to agriculture, she found time to be active in the Varina community and beyond by volunteering countless hours to Varina High School sports, Boy Scouts of America, 4-H clubs, and the State Fair of Virginia. She was a member of Varina Episcopal Church for 68 years, and taught Sunday school there for decades. Along the way, she inspired many children to participate in community activities, sports, get a college degree and otherwise pursue excellence in his or her own way. She was rarely without an opinion, and was always ready to engage in conversation on numerous topics of the day. Her approach to life was selfless, and although she received numerous awards and recognition for her service, she was always at a loss for understanding the attention placed on her. Visitation will be held at Nelsen Funeral Home, Laburnum Chapel, 4650 S. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, Virginia on Wednesday, May 9, from 2 until 4 and from 6 until 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 10, 11 a.m. at Varina Episcopal Church, 2385 Mill Road, Henrico, Virginia 23231 with interment immediately following in the church cemetery. The family would like to thank everyone at Sunrise of Richmond for their caring oversight of our mother and grandmother, particularly in the last several months of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Richmond Chapter, 4600 Cox Road, Suite 130, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 or to Varina Episcopal Church. Well done thy good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21). Online condolences received at nelsenrichmond.com.