Obituary of Catherine Gordon

On Good Friday, April 22, 2011, Bedford lost another of its beloved citizens, Catherine Varner Gordon. Catherine was born on Easter Sunday April 4, 1926, in Cumberland County a daughter of the late Willis Anderson Varner and Nannie Mabel Allen Varner. She was also preceded in death by her husband & best friend, Frank H. "Buddy" Gordon, Jr., as well as brothers, Herbert, Herman, Harold and Willis, Robert Claude and Allen Ford Varner. She was one of ten children raised on a farm where she developed a love of the land and all things living which continued up until her death. Catherine graduated in 1947 from State Teacher's College, now Longwood University and began her teaching career in Bedford. She began at Montvale H.S, moved to Bedford H.S. and finished her career at Liberty H.S. Her role as an educator did not end in the classroom. She taught life skills as well and nurtured all of her students as if they were her own. As a young woman Catherine enjoyed many activities, especially basketball. It was at that time that she met Buddy Gordon. They married in 1951. Catherine and Buddy were the proud parents of three children. She treasured her family and instilled in them her strong sense of morals and values. Her grandchildren were the highlight of her life. She treated each one equally and was each one's biggest fan. She had a deep love for her extended family which included her many friends, neighbors and her church friends at Bedford Baptist Church where she was a member. She is survived by three children; Robin Stowell & her husband, Mark and their children Cynthia, Justin and Ashley; Barry Gordon & his wife Terri and their children Hunter and Allie; Laura Baudendistel & her husband Jay and their children Peter, Caitlin, Audrey, Gretchen and Ava. She is also survived by her beloved sister Aurelia Hazlegrove, her brothers John and Lawrence (Buck) Varner, sister in-law Patrica Recknor, her husband Carl, and many nieces and nephews. The family requests that those wishing to make memorials to consider Bedford Lifesaving Crew, P. O. Box 161, Bedford, VA 24523 or the Elevator Fund at Bedford Baptist Church, 1516 Oakwood Street, Bedford, VA 24523. Funeral Services will held on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 11 AM at Bedford Baptist Church with Dr. David Henderson officiating. Interment will follow in Virginia Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Monday from 2 until 4 and 6 until 8 at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.