Obituaries

Carol Elaine McDaniel Ryder of Axton, Virginia, age 78, passed away on June 2, 2025 at the family home in Axton, Virginia.

Elaine was born in Bristol, Virginia on September 11, 1946. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Spanish from Emory & Henry College in 1968. She was a teacher for public school systems in the city of Bristol, Chesterfield County, and Henry County, Virginia, primarily teaching Spanish. Upon retiring, she served with dedication for nine years on the Board of Directors of Patrick & Henry Community College.

Her life was guided by her devout Christian faith and a love of children. She was a member of First United Methodist Church for 47 years where she served as children’s Sunday School teacher, in various women’s circles, on the finance and staff-parish committees, and as a trustee.

She was an avid reader and sometimes had several books going at the same time in different parts of the house. She loved gardening and was a member of the Garden Study Club. Following their retirement, Elaine and her husband, Larry, traveled extensively in Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Elaine was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Hutton McDaniel; her father, Robert Roland McDaniel; and her sister, Ellen McDaniel Staton.

Her survivors include her adoring husband of 52 years, Edwin Larry Ryder, of the home, and two loving sons, Joshua Christopher Ryder of Roanoke, Virginia, and Zachary Scot Ryder of Axton, Virginia. Also surviving are her brothers-in-law, Mark Ryder of Chester, Virginia, and Houston Staton of Midlothian, Virginia. Also, nephews, Robert Staton of Richmond, Virginia, Michael Staton of Leesburg, Virginia, Austin Ryder of Chester, Virginia, Jason Woodcock of Roanoke, Virginia, and Eric Moore of Amelia, Virginia, and nieces, Melinda Ryder of Chesterfield, Virginia, and Sarah Yackanin of Thaxton, Virginia.

The funeral service will be conducted at First United Methodist Church in Martinsville, Virginia on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., with Reverand Faith Weedling and Reverand Ron Mateer co-officiating. The family plans a private burial at Mountain View Cemetery in Ridgeway, Virginia.

Pallbearers will be Mark Heath, Eugene Madonia, Paul Huckfeldt, Glenn Edwards, John Gregory, III, and James McClain, II.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Norris Funeral Services, Martinsville, Virginia.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful nurses and staff of Mountain Valley Hospice, who cared so compassionately for Elaine.

A special appreciation goes out to Vanessa Gravely, who loved and cared for Elaine during her last year.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorials to First United Methodist Church, or Mountain Valley Hospice.

Norris Funeral Services, Inc. and Crematory, Martinsville, VA is serving the Ryder family.