Paul Abner Weaver

Paul Abner Weaver, age 98, of Stuarts Draft, VA went peacefully to be with his Lord and the love of his life, his wife, on Christmas Eve. 11 year residents of the Stuarts Draft Retirement Community, Paul and Ethel Oaks Weaver were married for 73 years prior to her death in 2021. Born in 1924 at Waynesboro, VA, Paul was the son of the late Abner F. Weaver and Emma Francis (Shank) Weaver. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Raymond S. Weaver, a sister, Mary McNeil Trissel, and a granddaughter, Bethany Bartley.

Paul is survived by his children: Shirley Mayer and her husband Linwood of Stuarts Draft, VA; Joyce Stoltzfus and her husband Robert of Columbia, PA; Carolyn Bartley and her husband Bruce of Churchville, VA; Roger Weaver and his wife Carol of Lake Waynoka, OH; and Douglas Weaver and his wife Robin of Lake Monticello, VA. These 5 children produced 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, all together with him around Thanksgiving, with one being with Grandma Ethel in heaven.

Growing up on the Weaver Dairy Farm off of Shalom Road near Ladd, VA, Paul turned it into his own playground with cars, trucks, motorcycles, and airplanes. His love for life and sports propelled him more than school work, but he did graduate from Eastern Mennonite High School. It was soon after graduating that he met his eventual wife Ethel from Michigan who also attended Eastern Mennonite. The Virginia to Michigan separation didn’t deter this relationship; Paul just flew up to Michigan in his plane to court her, and they were soon married in 1947.

Paul was a lifelong Mennonite, primarily with the Springdale Mennonite Church. In the late 1950s, he was instrumental in the startup of a mission church, the Greenmonte Mennonite Church in Greenville, VA. It was there he raised his family while being song leader, Sunday School Director, and Lay Leader. Music was also a strong part of Paul’s life, being a part of many choirs, quartets, and singing groups from VA to Florida. His deep bass voice was a calling card for many in the Retirement Community where he sang days before his passing.

After years of farming, being a mailman and even a taxi driver, Paul retired as a truck driver in 1986 having been recognized for driving more than 2 million miles. You can add many more miles to that since he drove right up to his passing when he drove to church for a family Thanksgiving reunion a month ago.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 6, 2023 at Springdale Mennonite Church at 11:00am with Pastor Earl Monroe officiating. Burial will follow at the Springdale Mennonite Cemetery. The Pallbearers will be Troy Mayer, Kendal Stoltzfus, Garry MacDonald, Josh McFadden, Nate Acker, Joe Mazzeo, and Shawn Dean.

The family will greet friends from 4:00pm to 6:00pm pm on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Home in Stuarts Draft, VA.

The family would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to his caregivers, Kasie and Loreal, and the entire staff of the Hospice of the Shenandoah for all of their care and compassion.

The family would also like to thank all of his friends from the Stuarts Draft Retirement Community for all they meant to Paul and Ethel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorial contributions be made to the Augusta Health Foundation, C/O Hospice of the Shenandoah, P.O. Box 1000, Fishersville, VA 22939

Those wishing may share a memory or an online condolence by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements entrusted to the Stuarts Draft Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes.