Esther L. Armel

        Esther Lee Peffer Armel, 87, of Stephenson, Virginia, died Monday, May 12, 2014, in Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Care Center.

Mrs. Armel was born in 1926, in Frederick County, Virginia, the daughter of the late William A. and Sarah O. Peffer.  She was a retired Nurse’s Aide and a homemaker.  Mrs. Armel was a lifelong Christian. Esther enjoyed gardening and bird watching. She was devoted to her family and will always be remembered for the open doors at her home welcoming all family including many nieces and nephews. Esther’s family thanks her for all the love and support she has given.

Her husband, Earl Lee Armel, Sr., whom she married in 1946 in Hagerstown, Maryland, preceded her in death in 1999.

Surviving are two daughters, Alma Elizabeth Carter and husband, Ronald, of Capon Bridge, West Virginia, Catherine Olivia Taylor and husband, Robert, of Augusta, West Virginia; son, Earl Lee “Herk” Armel, Jr. and wife, Wanda, of Stephenson, Virginia; 8 grandchildren, Susan Estelle Shick, Andrew Kenney, Jr., Matthew Dale Kenney, Christopher Carter, Rachelle Carter Crim, Jimmy Lee Armel, Sarah Armel, and Heather Armel, 9 great grandchildren.

Esther was one of eight children including her siblings, three brothers, Earl Randolph Peffer, Charles Lynwood Peffer and Truman Lynwood Peffer, four sisters, Ida Mae Richardson, Lena Belle Peffer, Helen S. Peffer and Carol Peffer.

The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, prior to the service, from 6:00-7:00 PM at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.

A memorial service will be conducted at 7:00 PM on Thursday at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel with Pastor Jason Duley officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia, 22601 or SPCA – Winchester, 115 Feather Bed Lane, Winchester, Virginia, 22601.