Emma Catherine BeDell
Emma Catherine BeDell, age 83, of Middletown, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2014, at Lynn Care Center in Front Royal.
Mrs. BeDell was born in 1931, in Bellwood, PA, the daughter of the late Austin and Catherine Sneath. She worked as a clerk for the Federal Bureau of Investigation under J. Edgar Hoover. She was proud of the fact that her office was the floor beneath his and that she shook his hand and received several personal work related letters from him.
Emma attended Stephens City United Methodist Church. She loved sewing and crafts and spending time with her grandchildren. Because of her love and dedication she helped raise three grandchildren and babysat other grandchildren full time. She was a strong willed woman that loved everyone but didn’t hesitate to put you back on the right path if you tried to stray. She defied death 47 years ago by surviving an amniotic embolism which was rare and only a handful had survived at the time, one example of her strong will and faith. Her survival was also credited to a dedicated doctor by the name of Dr. Hughes and his staff.
Emma’s favorite pastime was crafts of many sorts but especially knitting, crocheting and quilting.
Emma married Richard John BeDell, Sr. in 1952 in Washington DC. He preceded her in death in 2012.
She is survived by a daughter, Cathy Ritter and her husband, Tim, of Middletown, VA; sons, Michael BeDell, Sr. and wife, Melody, of Rio, WV, David BeDell and wife, Vikki, of Ogden, Utah, and Richard J. BeDell, Jr. and wife, Rachel, of Stephens City, VA; 15 grandchildren, Cassie Craze, Jenni Shelley, Emili BeDell, Robyn Browne, Mikey BeDell, Jake Ritter, Alex BeDell, Sami BeDell, Nate BeDell, Jeremy Mikesell, Graham BeDell, Danny Mathews, Colby BeDell, Emma BeDell, and Marissa BeDell; five great grandchildren; sisters, Florence Ferrell, Nancy Gardner, Byrd Shultzaberger, and Peggy Stambaugh; and brothers, Ronnie and Denny Sneath.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Omps Funeral Home, South Chapel.
The funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, 2:00 PM, at the funeral home with Pastor Bob Gochenour officiating. Entombment will be in the Shenandoah Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Stephens City United Methodist Church, Just4Kidz Afterschool Program (memo), PO Box 428, Stephens City, VA 22655
Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com