Donald McThenia

Donald Dean McThenia passed away Saturday, June 9, 2012 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was retired from the Department of Corrections after 37 years of service. After retirement, he was well known in the community for his support of the Damascus Little League and Holston High School. He was a deacon at Palestine Baptist Church in Abingdon.

He was born to the late Barton Baxter McThenia and Bertha Hurley McThenia on May 8, 1934. He is also preceded in death by one brother, Barton Earl "Buster" McThenia, and one nephew, Todd McThenia.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mildred Copenhaver McThenia; three daughters: Debbie Debusk and husband Ronnie; Kathy Smith and husband Sam; and Deana Rhinehart and husband Dr. Andrew Rhinehart; six grandchildren: Jeremy DeBusk; Adam DeBusk, former Staff Sergeant, USAF; Melissa Smith Hillis; Matthew Smith, Staff Sergeant, USMC; Brandon Wilson and wife Meghan; and Jennifer McClanhanan and husband Ronnie; nine great-grandchildren who were the love of his life: Kamrin, Braylen, Kielyn, Kherington, Madison, Tristan, Ryleigh, Olivia and Parker; one sister, Mary Jane Rutherford of Claypool Hill VA; six brothers: Andy Pat McThenia and wife Peggy of Glade Spring VA; identical twin, Dewey McThenia and wife Ann of Marion VA; Clayton "Cork" McThenia and wife Gayle of Rock Falls, IL; David McThenia of Damascus VA; and Danny McThenia of Glade Spring VA. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Patsy McThenia "Mrs. Buster" of Rock Falls, IL.

The family would like to offer special thanks to his brother Danny McThenia who has been such an important part of his care for the past two years; to Linda Talbert who has been faithful to check on him daily; to all the prayer warriors who have continually prayed for him and our family; to the nurses and staff of Hospice of Southwest Virginia; and to Amedisys Home Health.

A funeral service will be conducted at 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 11, 2012 at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Pastor Stephen Richardson officiating. Interment will follow at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Damascus VA. Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, June 11, 2012 at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.

In honor of his grandchildren and family members who have served our country, the family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Foundation at Operation Homefront, P.O. Box 15301, Newport News, VA, 23608.

Although he will be missed and life will be so hard without him, it is great to know that one day we will see him again.

"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." -2 Corinthians 5:8

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook.

The McThenia family is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).