Everette Lee Persinger, Jr., age 83, of 6150 Rich Patch Road, Covington, Virginia died Saturday, July 21, 2018 at his daughter's residence.

He was born November 3, 1934 in Covington to the late Everette Lee Persinger, Sr. and Zerelda Madeline Arrington Persinger.

He served in the United States Air Force, and was a special equipment operator for Duke Energy in Florida, retiring after 37 years.

He loved the Rich Patch area, and returned after 51 years to the place he loved most.

He attended Mountain Valley United Methodist Church, and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Dunedin, FL.

He enjoyed hiking and actually hiked to the top of Roaring Run Falls for his 80th birthday.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Imojean Carmichael Persinger and a sister, Mary Persinger Harlow.

He is survived by two daughters, Annie Ewoldt and husband, Todd of Knoxville, TN and Debbie Shuart and husband, Harold "Skip" of Rich Patch, Covington; a sister, Reba Cartwright of Covington; four grandchildren, Sarah Brittingham, Emily Hoban, Nathan Shuart, and Max Ewoldt; a great grandson, Ethan Wilson; a number of nieces and nephews; and his best friend for 72 years, Carrol Savelle. He had a special love for his little dog, Missy.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, with Reverend Lynn Wright and Reverend Bill Gilliland officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor.

The family will visit with friends on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home.The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Mountain Regional Hospice Volunteers, P. O. Box 637, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.