Elizabeth Derrick Laughlin

Elizabeth "Beth" Derrick Laughlin, 61, of Waynesboro, VA was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on Friday, January 4, 2019. She died peacefully at Sentara RMH Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. Beth was the beloved daughter of Dillard Chappell Laughlin and the late Jane Thompson Laughlin. She was born on September 2, 1957 in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Arlington, VA.

At the age of 14, a diving accident at her family’s beloved Sandy Point cottage on the Potomac River left Beth paralyzed from the chest down. However, with strength and determination and the hands and hearts of many angels, she courageously persevered to live a full and Christian faith-filled life with her disability.

Beth graduated from Yorktown High School in 1975 and earned her B.A. degree in Elementary Education at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in North Carolina in 1980. Beth pursued her passion to help others by completing her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Virginia in 1984. She then enjoyed a 30-year career working with stroke and head injury patients at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville, where she had once been a patient herself.

Retiring in 2015, Beth continued to give back to the communities she loved by serving as President of the Sandy Point HOA, hosting prayer groups in her home, and until her passing was a volunteer greeter for the Historic Wayne Theatre/Ross Performing Arts Center.

As a long term member of First Presbyterian Church in Waynesboro, VA, she served as Sunday school teacher, Bible Study leader, Deacon, Elder and sang in music ensembles. During recent years Beth followed her faith family to Hope Community Church in Waynesboro, VA and served as prayer coordinator.

She nourished those around her with her faith, kindness and gentle spirit. She graciously led not by words, but by example, and showed us all how to be more optimistic, more generous and more loving. Beth laughed easily, listened intently, and enjoyed fellowship with old and new friends. She selflessly treated all people with patience and grace to inspire all of us to love unconditionally as she did so effortlessly. Her faith was the cornerstone of her world, and her beloved are comforted in knowing that she is now home.

In her spare time, Beth enjoyed fellowship, music, reading, gardening, cooking, playing cards, attending local events, and watching sports - especially her Virginia Cavaliers and Washington Redskins. Above all, she enjoyed spending time with her family. Although travel was difficult and complicated, there was nothing Beth loved more than participating in the milestone events of her family: weddings, baptisms, birthdays, sporting events, graduations, etc. Beth’s favorite place in this world was her family’s cottage at Sandy Point in Kinsale. Although the scene of her life-changing accident, the wonderful memories she shared with friends and family made "the river" her peaceful sanctuary.

Beth is predeceased by her mother, Jane Laughlin, along with her black Labrador, Shenan.

Left to cherish her loving spirit are her father, Dillard Laughlin of Waynesboro, VA; three brothers: Dillard Laughlin, Jr. of Richmond, VA David Laughlin (Charlotte) of Vienna, VA and Andrew Laughlin (LeAnne) of Charlotte, North Carolina; five adoring nephews; Trey Laughlin, Thomas Laughlin, Will Laughlin, John Laughlin and Sam Laughlin; one niece and proud namesake, Liza Laughlin; her long-term care provider, Carolyn Taylor; aunts, uncles and cousins; and countless friends whose lives Beth has forever touched.

Thank you to all those who enriched Beth’s life with your gift of friendship. The family is also thankful to her additional caregivers Patrice Winston, Gwen Stephenson, and Sandra Pendleton; and to Dr. Glen Holman for his compassion and support.

A service to celebrate Beth's life will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 2 pm at Waynesboro Church of the Brethren, 364 Bridge Ave., Waynesboro, VA with Dr. Glen Holman, Pastor of Hope Community Church, officiating. A reception will follow at Waynesboro Country Club, 1117 Meadowbrook Rd., Waynesboro, VA.

In lieu of flowers, Beth would love donations to be made to the Hope Community Church, P.O. Box 1602, Waynesboro, VA 22980 or The Kinsale Foundation, P.O. Box 307, Kinsale, VA 22488.

Arrangements are in the care of the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories online with the family by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com