Annalene Marshall Oresta

Annalene “Ann” Gay Marshall Oresta, 90, of Salem, VA, formerly of Bluefield, WV, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Born June 25, 1934, she was well-known as one of the “Marshall twins” of the late Sam and Dorothy Mabe Marshall of Rock/Montcalm, WV. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Elder Franklin Oresta, and a brother, Ray Marshall.

Ann and Franklin met at Matoaka High School and were married on December 26, 1952. On July 13, 1963, Ann, along with her twin sister, Katherine “Kat” and father, Sam, joined the Montcalm Primitive Baptist Church. Ann and Franklin spent over 50 years hosting church and family friends weekly while serving the Lord. She briefly worked at Maidenform but devoted most of her life to being a homemaker. She was known for her baking, cooking, and canning, with favorites including her macaroni and cheese, homemade biscuits, vegetable beef soup, lemon and chocolate meringue pies, Italian Crème Cake, and cast-iron skillet spaghetti.

Ann enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including sewing, quilting, gardening, sudoku, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, and spending time with “the sisters”. Her twin, Kat, was her best friend living with or beside each other for over 80 years.

She is survived by two daughters, Karen Gordon (Tom) of Salem, VA, and Donna Esposito (Mark) of Apex, NC; 5 grandchildren, Carmen Hardin (Scott) of VA, Kevin Gordon (Denise) of VA, Brittany Cockerham (Zack) of NC, Courtney Gandy (Kevin) of TX, and Zachary Esposito of NC, and 6 great grandchildren Haley Gordon, Adrianne Hardin, Campbell Hardin, Greyson Cockerham, Shelby Cockerham and Eli Gandy.

She is also survived by “the sisters” with a special bond; twin, Katherine “Kat” Dalton (Paul) of Bluefield, WV, Brenda Wickline (Charles) of Peterstown, WV, Connie Kirby of Princeton, WV, Carla Shrewsbury (Marty) of Lashmeet, WV, and many special nieces and nephews from the east to the west coasts. 

Our family would like to thank the many angels on earth for the gentle care, kindness, and devotion that brought peace and comfort to Ann and our entire family over the last few years: Dottie Burris, Sherri Farmer, Pamela Mielnicki, Ariel Rogers, Martha Altizer, Jennifer Clark, Mindy MaHala, Karen Wood, Billi Asbury, Tammy Hylton, Angela Zirkle and many other unknown angels.

In addition, words cannot express our gratitude to the incredible staff at Good Samaritan Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House for the compassion and dedication during Ann’s final journey to her heavenly home. Nurses and staff: Carol, Kelly, Linetty, Htin, Kiwi Anna, Ashley, and David provided unwavering support to both Ann and her family.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 12:30 PM at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, WV with Elder Joe Miller, Elder John Nichols, and Elder Gary Utz officiating.

Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton, WV, with Kevin Gordon, Zach Esposito, Scott Hardin, Steve Dalton, Tim Dalton, and Todd Marlowe serving as pallbearers. 

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 12:30. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Oresta family.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial donations be made in honor of Annalene “Ann” Oresta to Good Samaritan Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House, 4751 Cove Rd NW, Roanoke, VA 24017 or Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org