Lynda Bibee McCraw

She was the daughter of the late Jennings W. Bibee, Jr. and the late Lillian Keeling Bibee Clark. She was predeceased by a sister, Bettie Bibee Caret, and an infant sister, Patricia Bibee.

She is survived by a son, Timothy McCraw of Lynchburg, daughter Gabrielle Trent (Remus) of Lynchburg, and daughter Katrina Gray (Brent) of Delray Beach, Florida; four grandchildren: Michael Mayhew of Prospect, VA, Cole Mayhew (Laurel) and Nick Mayhew, both from Lynchburg, and Zach Gray of Delray Beach, FL; five great-grandchildren: Jolie Mayhew, Jake Mayhew, Jackson Mayhew, Will Mayhew and Elias Mayhew, all of Lynchburg. She also leaves behind many beloved cousins and a host of long-time friends.

Lynda was born on April 24, 1938 in Lynchburg and attended Robert E. Lee Elementary School and E. C. Glass High School, where she sang in the choir and was also a cheer leader. A natural athlete, she excelled in many sport and was known for her basketball hook shot. Her first job was as a teller at American Federal Savings and Loan, where she eventually became the Manager of the River Ridge Mall branch. Later, she worked at Crestar Bank, University of Lynchburg and First Colony Life Insurance Company (now Genworth) where she retired at age 60.

Lynda took voice and piano lessons in high school and later performed in the Brookville Booster Shows in the 1960s and 1970s. She was a life-long member of Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the Chancel Choir for over 30 years. Her signature solo was “Oh, Holy Night” which she sang at Christmas every year. Lynda could sing and play anything from The Beatles to Handel and was often asked to sing at weddings and funerals. She loved playing the piano and could hear a song on the radio, sit down at the piano and pick out the tune. There were countless gatherings of friends and family around the piano at her house, where there was no shortage of singing and laughter. Songs that she played from her Mother’s era would soon be accompanied by three-part harmony and dancing. She would play the piano each week in Tim’s classroom at his elementary school and was once asked to be a substitute for the teacher. She accepted without hesitation and enjoyed every moment.

Church was a large part of her family’s life. She gathered her young children in the living-room one day and explained the importance of tithing. Her young children agreed that each child would give the sum of 10 cents each Sunday. Her daughters were enrolled in the children’s choir at church, which was an unspoken requirement.

More than anything else, she loved her family. She taught patience, respect, honesty and passed on her wonderful sense of humor to her children. Lynda was a loving mother and grandmother who would drop everything to show up on your doorstep with a box of food (which always included soup, crackers and ginger ale) for any family member who was sick. She would help with her grandchildren’s orthodontist appointments, pick up her grandkids from daycare, take them to art classes, give them rides to school or take them on an overnight trip to an historic site. If you needed your house cleaned, your dishes washed, your children’s diapers changed or even your house painted, she would be there. In other words, she was the Mother of the Year every day.

Her children and grandchildren enjoyed many adventurous and educational trips, among them Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Natural Bridge and the annual trip to the beach.

Her most loving and life-long accomplishment was in raising her son, Tim. She was his champion, his teacher, his mentor, his advocate, his best friend. Her dedication to him was astounding and should be held aloft as an example for others to follow. Her daughters often commented that, as they got older, the more appreciative they became for what she did for them and especially for Tim.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 on Friday, May 6, 2022 at Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, 5810 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, VA, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall.

The family would like to especially thank the staff of Heritage Green, Gentle Shepherd Hospice, the Care and Nurture Committee at Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, the loving community around Timberlake and finally, our amazing father, Thomas D. McCraw for their loving care of our mother.

Memorials may be made to Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, 5810 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24502.