Dave Elmer Carraway

Dave Elmer Carraway age 95, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loved ones. Dave was born on September 24, 1927, in Beaufort County, North Carolina. He was the eighth child born to the late Jim and Sallie Carraway. He attended Old Ford and Outterbridge School. Dave helped his parents farm. Dave was drafted into the Army Air Force near the end of World War II and received an honorable discharge. Dave got accepted at the Shuford Barbering Institute in North Carolina and graduated in 1949.

He married his longtime sweetheart Ophelia Parker on Feb.3, 1950. They moved to the community of Cradock in Portsmouth, VA where he began his lifetime career as a Barber.  Dave was the owner and proprietor of Circle Barbershop for over forty years and was a pillar of the community.  He was a member of Cradock Presbyterian Church where he served in various positions including deacon, financial secretary, Sunday school treasurer, and welfare secretary. Dave donated many hours of his time giving free haircuts to patients and shut-ins at local hospitals and nursing homes.

Dave was an honest, hardworking and generous man. He was devoted to his family, his church, his friends and neighbors.  His favorite hobby was time with his family, library research and reading, watching Bluegrass bands, listening to Gospel music, and pier fishing.  Following retirement in 1989, Dave and Ophelia moved to Abingdon, VA to be closer to family. He became a devoted member of Pleasant View United Methodist Church where he enjoyed being an Usher for the Church as well as a Greeter for the Church.

Dave was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 58 years, Ophelia Parker Carraway. He is survived by two daughters, Vickie Wilson and husband Danny of Abingdon and Sheila Ambrose and husband Frank of Lansdowne, Va; one son, Dave Carraway Jr., and wife Bobbi ; nine grandchildren, Stephen Wilson and wife Noelle; Rachel Schallon and husband Matt; Aubyn Carraway and husband Matt; Caitlin Burkhardt and husband Tyler; Daniel Smith, Rachel Ambrose, Christopher Ambrose; five great-grandchildren, Erin, Sarah, Isaac, and Hannah Schallon, Avery Darcy and a great granddaughter on the way; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday May 27, 2023, in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with the Reverend Kevin Campbell officiating. The family will receive friends immediately prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow the funeral in Serenity Gardens Mausoleum of Forest Hills Memory Gardens. A celebration of life reception will immediately follow the committal in the Forest Hills location of Farris Funeral Service. Family will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dave's name may be made to Samaritans Purse, Cleft Lip and Palate Surgical Team, or a charity of your choice. Dave’s family wants to give a special thank- you to his Caregivers Mary, Darlene, Jessie, Judy, Rena, Nancy, and Joyce. Their excellent care allowed Dave to remain in his home until the end.

The family of Dave Elmer Carraway is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.

Link to funeral service stream:

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=309443db-3ca8-480e-904e-b58ec4f5f978