Lewisburg-Darrell Gene Echols, 83, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, at The Brier in Ronceverte.
He was born Jan. 11, 1937, in Paint Bank, VA, to the late James Oberon Echols and Bonnie Reynolds Echols.
He graduated from Union High School in 1954 where he was an active member of 4-H, FFA, football, and basketball. He received his American Farmer Degree in FFA and was a 4-H All-Star. He served on the Monroe County Board of Education for 12 years, was Director of The State Fair of WV and in later years, Emeritus and was a member of the WV Farm Bureau.
During his lifetime he was a farmer, merchant and banker. He worked on the family farm, which included dairy and beef cows, pigs, chickens, horses and sheep. He was the store manager of the Southern States in Ronceverte for five years, leaving to take a position at The First National Bank of Ronceverte where he served as Vice President and Chief Loan Officer. Darrell retired from banking in 2000 after 31 years. He was also a member of Fairview Christian Church where he was a trustee, elder and Sunday school superintendent.
He was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Rodney Cruise and Dennis White; and son-in-law, Thomas Davisson.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Cruise Echols; sister, Darlene Cathcart (Sam); sisters-in-law, Barbara Cruise and Linda White; brother-in-law, John Cruise (Suzan); son, Steven Echols (Trish); daughters, Janet Tuckwiller (Robert), Catherine Davisson, Phoebe McGuire (Scott), Andrea Overbay (Andrew), Patricia Saunders (Robert), Rebecca Mohler (Rod); grandchildren, Amelia Tuckwiller, Gloria Tuckwiller, Benjamin Davisson (Kareen), Sarah Davisson, Joseph Echols, Stephanie Echols Shultz (Jarrod), Amanda McGuire, Erica McGuire, Hillary Overbay Snodgrass (Matthew), Annie Saunders Burnett (Andrew), Alexandrea Saunders Zarate (Miguel), Price Saunders, Patrick Saunders, Victoria Saunders, Grant Mohler, and Monroe Mohler; step-grandsons, Jackson Mohler (Ali), Issac Mohler; great-grandchildren, Josie Echols, Theodore Davisson, Wesley Davisson, Brooke Anna Shultz and Elliott Zarate.
A graveside service was held at Fairview Christian Church in Keenan, WV, on Feb. 1, where Minister Everett Farley officiated.
The family received friends at a reception at the State Fairgrounds of WV in the WVU building following the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Fairview Christian Church, c/o Pam Echols, 1312 Crowder Road., Gap Mills, WV 24941.
Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements.