Betsie Gilmer Coyner

COYNER, Betsie Winston Gilmer, passed away Sunday, February 7, 2016, at age 87. The daughter of Dr. Thomas E. Gilmer and Betty Meredith Winston, she was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Martin Boyd Coyner Jr.; her son, Martin Boyd Coyner III; her sister, Pinny Gilmer Brandon; and her brothers, Thomas Edward Gilmer Jr., and William Newman Gilmer. She is survived by her brother, George Hudson Gilmer; her children, Meredith (Andy) Klemm, Ruth (Lewis) Bell and Thomas Coyner; grandchildren, Jack (Goodwyn) Bell, Anna (Ian) Read, Megan (Zachary) Becker, Dabney (Jeff) Varljen, Peter (Mary) Klemm and Winston Bell; great-grandchildren, Adelaide, Hazel and Evelina; and numerous nieces and nephews. Betsie was born and raised in the community of Hampden-Sydney College and, after attending Peace College prep school, graduated from Mary Washington with a degree in art. She and Boyd married in 1950 and lived in Hampden-Sydney before settling in Williamsburg, Va., for 45 years, where Boyd taught history at William and Mary. Betsie's artistry found continuous expression in her favorite places: her kitchen, her house, her garden, her sketchbook and her church. Betsie valued her many friendships and modeled the hospitality of God. The doors of her home were always open to the stranger. At church she sought out the marginalized and the displaced, and she never failed to invite them to fellowship (and sometimes live) in her own home. She refused to compromise Christ's invitation to the paths of grace and forgiveness. Her family and friends give thanks for her life of faithfulness and truth. Family will receive visitors on Friday, February 26, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Nelsen Funeral Home, and the burial will be at Williamsburg Memorial Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 27. The memorial service is at 1 p.m. Saturday at Williamsburg Community Chapel, with reception to follow. Memorials may be made to Williamsburg Community Chapel.