Reatha Minnie Castle

Reatha Minnie Castle, 99 of Falls Mills, VA (formerly of Abbs Valley, VA) passed away peacefully on November 8, 2017 with her family by her side. She was born in Russell County on September 7, 1918 to the late John Wesley and Maggie Jane Hileman of St. Paul, VA. Reatha attended school at VA City, VA and married William Castle at the Wise County Courthouse in 1937. They were happily married for 68 years. Reatha was very well respected and known for her gift of hospitality and her wonderful cooking. There were times when she opened up her home to ministers of the Gospel, some who stayed up to 6 weeks at a time for Revival services. As a young girl, she and her sister, Artha, played music in the Assembly of God Church in St. Paul, VA. In 1948, Reatha and William moved to Abbs Valley. There, she attended Abbs Valley Baptist Church, was involved in the women’s ministry, and in the 1970’s, she played the guitar and piano accompanying the singing group, “The Joy Bells.” Later in life, she attended Bluefield VA Assembly of God and Living Water Fellowship. One of the greatest pleasures of her life were raising her children, John and Kathy Jane, and then the joy of her grandchildren, Chris, Curtis, and Angela Cregger. She enjoyed telling them stories of her childhood and taking the family on vacations with her husband, William. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Cregger- Hagerman, husband Larry of Falls Mills, VA; grandsons: Chris Cregger, wife Jennifer of Wytheville, VA, Curtis Cregger, wife Tammy of Bluefield, VA and Angela Cregger of the home. Daughter-in-law Pam Caudill, husband H.S. of Tazewell, VA, children Jennifer Fore and Todd Caudill. Her 3 great grandchildren Zachary, Jensen, and Haley Cregger; Step grandchildren and great grandchildren include Kerigan Mullins, Kenleigh and Kamdyn Kilgore, Buck Hagerman, wife Monica, David Hagerman, wife Kerri, Michael Hagerman, wife Tiffany, Bart Hagerman, wife Melinda, Chrissy Scott, husband Kevin, Natally Coleman, husband Jacob, along with a host of other step great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, William Castle, son John William Castle, son-in-law John R. Cregger, and step grandson James Hagerman. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 11 at 2:00 P.M. at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, WV with the Pastor Kathy Cregger-Hagerman officiating, assisted by Rev. Curtis W. Cregger. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell where grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call on Saturday prior to services, from 12:00 - 2:00 P.M, at the funeral home.Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the family.