Ernest Leroy Duff

Ernest Leroy "Shorty" Duff, age 85, passed on April 1, 2013, at his home. He was born in Saltville, VA to the late Archie "Poppy Duff" and Leona Duff. He lived most of his life in Glade Spring, VA before moving to Abingdon in 1990. He served honorably in the U.S. Army during the occupation of Germany at the end of World War II. He was a skilled carpenter and built numerous homes in and around the area. Shorty was also a talented woodworker and artist.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Nancy Henderson Duff; brothers, Clarence, Carl, Claude, Fred, Charlie, Hugh, Eugene, and Garnett; and sisters, Ruth Eastridge and Lillie Mae Snead.

He is survived by his three daughters, Bonnie Ballinger and husband Larry of Bristol, VA, Rhonda Hawkins and husband William "Billy" Dean of Abingdon, VA, and Lora Rasnake and husband Scott of Abingdon, VA; eight beloved grandchildren, LeAnna Wills and husband Don, Kirk Ballinger and wife Hollie, Amanda Rouse and husband Shawn, Derek Hawkins and wife Whitley, Cora Beth Elmore and husband Jimmy, Nicholas Hawkins, Kaylee Rasnake and Reed Rasnake; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Willis Graham Duff of Nashville, TN; brothers-in-law and sisters-in law: Carlous and Elizabeth Henderson, Arthur and Ruby Henderson, Grover and Ossie Henderson, Addie Henderson, Darlene Henderson, Nadine Holmes, and Leona Duff.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, April 4, 2013, at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Preacher Bill Hawkins officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the Virginia National Guard conducting Military Rites. Pallbearers will be Kirk Ballinger, Don Wills, Jimmy Elmore, Derek Hawkins, Ralph Duff, and Calvin Matney serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Shawn Rouse, Dale Stark, Melvin Fields, Curtis Sword, and Charlie Sullivan.

Visitation with the family will be held from 7-9 P.M. Wednesday at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. The family would like to give special thanks to Wellmont Hospice for their care and kindness during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Solid Rock Baptist Church, 20060 Saturn Drive, Abingdon, VA 24211, in Mr. Duff's name.

The family of Mr. Duff is being cared for by Farris Cremation & Funeral Center, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.