Obituary of Justine Cutler

Justine Blount Cutler, 75 of Bedford, VA passed away Saturday, March 1, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer for 16 years. She was born on Tuesday, May 3, 1938 in Roanoke, a daughter of the late James Garnet Blount and Florence Felty Blount. Justine was a committed Christian who served her Lord and joyfully shared Him with others. She was an active member in three churches: Main Street United Methodist Church for over fifty years, Word of Life Evangelical Church for over twenty years, and Son Shine Christian Fellowship in Lake Placid, FL for over ten years. She loved to read and study her Bible and completed many courses through the Bedford Bible Institute. Justine was a graduate of Longwood College and was a dedicated educator, who taught in Bedford County Public Schools for over thirty years. She taught fifth grade at Liberty Academy, English 8 and 9 at Bedford High School, English 8 and 9 at Montvale High School, and English and Drama at Liberty High School. Justine was certified to teach English, Dramatics, French, History, and Speech/Public Speaking. One of her proudest accomplishments was directing the musical "Oklahoma" at Liberty High School in 1980, which played to a packed auditorium for three nights.She loved to play golf and was a member of the Ladies Golf Association of the Bedford County Club. She played in tournaments in Virginia and Florida and achieved a hole in one at the Bedford County Club. She also loved to travel and did so with her family throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. She loved to round dance, and was an expert at it, even teaching it to others. She also enjoyed square dancing, bowling, and playing games with family and friends. She loved music and played the piano and organ. She was a great cook and an excellent photographer. She loved her flowers, especially day lilies and caladiums. Justine loved to knit, cross stitch, and embroider, and taught these skills to her granddaughters. Justine was married for over fifty-three years to Joseph H. "Jim" Cutler, Jr., by whom she is survived. She was a faithful supporter of his throughout his coaching career. Of the 753 varsity games baseball games he coached at Bedford High School and Liberty High School over a period of forty-five years, she only missed one game and that was due to a medical treatment. Her husband credits any success he achieved as a coach to her. She was also an avid fan of her grandchildren and their endeavors in sports, gymnastics and dance, and she attended almost all of their games and activities. In addition to her loving and caring husband, she is survived by her daughter, Dr. Cherie C. Whitehurst & husband, David of Bedford; three sons, Kenneth H. Cutler & wife, Lisa of Bedford, Michael W. Cutler & wife, Angie of Bedford, Jeffrey B. Cutler & wife, Kelly of Bedford; her brother, James Nathaniel Blount & wife, Ann of Winston-Salem, NC; eight grandchildren, Dr. Alison W. Martin, Anne E. Whitehurst, Nathan Cutler, Reghan Cutler, Amy Cutler, Nicholas Cutler, Joseph Cutler & Sydney Cutler. Justine will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the Justine Cutler Memorial Scholarship (make checks payable to Liberty High School) at Liberty High School, 100 Liberty Minutemen Drive, Bedford, VA 24523. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Word of Life Evangelical Church with Pastor David Whitehurst, Rev. Bart Weakley, Rev. Walter Whitehurst & Pastor Ralph Jernigan officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 5 until 8 PM at Word of Life Evangelical Church, 912 Burks Hills Road, Bedford. Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.