Easter Virginia Bowden Cantley, 86, of Forest Hill, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Apr. 30, 2026, at Bowers Hospice in Beckley, WV. Born Mar. 2, 1940, in Clayton to the late James Paul Preston Bowden and Gracie Pearl Farley, she was known for her generosity, kindness, and devotion to family and community.
She attended Alderson High School and later worked in several places that reflected her steady work ethic and dependable nature, including as a cashier at the Lowell Market, the Pence Springs Hotel, and Lepid Manufacturing in Ronceverte. Through her years of work, she was known as someone who could be counted on, and she carried that same spirit into every part of her life. She was a Christian, and her faith was an important part of the way she lived, offering comfort, strength, and guidance throughout her journey.
Virginia found joy in simple, meaningful pleasures. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, and tending to flowers, and she took great pride in raising her chickens. She especially loved spending time with her cat, “Little Girl,” who brought her companionship and comfort. She also cherished her time at the Summers County Senior Citizens, where she enjoyed dancing and the fellowship of others. Another favorite pastime was attending the West Virginia State Fair, where she enjoyed the sights, sounds, and traditions she loved so well.
Those who knew Virginia will remember her as a generous, kind, and loving woman whose warm heart touched many lives. She valued family above all else and took great joy in the lives and accomplishments of those she loved. Her presence brought reassurance, laughter, and steady support to those around her, and her memory will remain a treasured blessing to all who were fortunate enough to know her.
She is survived by her daughters, Donna Jeane Bowyer and her husband Robert of Forest Hill, and Betty Erskine and her husband Roger of Ellison Ridge, WV; her sons, Ron Cantley and his wife Vicky of Princton, WV, and Donald Cantley and his companion Misty of Rich Creek, VA; her two sisters, Oasie Canterbury of Lowell and Dorothy LeMaster of Ashland, KY; her six grandchildren, Jamie Erskine and his wife Jeannie of Middleton, TN, Angie Lucas and her husband Shane of Pence Springs, Anthony Bowyer and his companion Victoria Adkins of Charleston, WV, Heather Gates and her husband Caleb of Charlotte, NC, Hannah Rios and her husband Vinicius, and Hunter Cantley, both of Princeton, WV; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband Leo Dean Cantley, her daughter Kathie Ann Cantley, her brother, Roy Bowden, her sisters, Annie Canterbury, Nannie Kounse, Mary Ellen Jones, Margaret Cantley.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at Lobban Funeral Home Chapel in Alderson, WV with Pastor Randy Burdette officiating. Burial will follow at the Haven of Rest Cemetery at Pence Springs WV. Friends may call on Saturday May 9, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Lobban Funeral Home in Alderson, WV.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ronald Cantley, Donald Cantley, Robert Bowyer, Roger Erskine, and Jimmy Bowden.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorial donations to be made to the Bower Hospice House, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802-1472 or Reachh-FRC/Child Advocacy Center, 411 Temple St, Hinton, WV 25951.
The family would like to express their appreciation to all the medical staff at the Bowers Hospice house for their kind compassionate care.
Condolences and Memories may be shared with the Cantley family online at www.lobbanfh.com
