Minnie Collette Mountcastle

Minnie Collette Mountcastle of Providence Forge, Virginia passed away on Monday, May 18, 2015. She was 91.

Minnie Loretta Collette Mountcastle was born in the tiny coal mining community of Berwind, West Virginia on January 11, 1924. After graduating from Welch High School, she climbed on board a southbound train to Richmond, Virginia with one small suitcase and a determination to see beyond what she already knew, despite her mother’s urgings to stay close to home. She moved on to the village of Providence Forge working for Taylor and Harrison Chevrolet Dealership and soon met her future husband, Harry. Together they forged a devoted life partnership of 68½ years. For Minnie, the “half” still counted.

Her tender heart, tenacity of spirit, and unbridled generosity made one glad in her presence and enriched by her life. She was fierce in the love of her family, church, friends, and the community that became her home. She was active in her Providence Forge Presbyterian Church circle and The Martha Dandridge Women’s Club. Minnie’s lovely blue eyes looked out at the world with quiet grace and steadfast faith. She delighted in children, funny family stories, a good book, a chance to dance, and a soupy pot of white beans with cornbread. Minnie was charming.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carrick and Bessie Collette; two brothers, James and Harold Collette; and five sisters, Beulah Kailing, Mildred Booth, Ethel Ramos, Mary Beverage, and Juanita Smith. She is survived by her husband, Harry F. Mountcastle, her son, Dennis W. Mountcastle and his wife, Betsy; two daughters, Joan M. Heath and her husband Robert, and Loretta V. Mountcastle; four grandchildren, Brielle M. Stanley (Brian), Dustin S. Mountcastle (Kristin), Anna Claire Mountcastle, and Robert Heath III; nine great grandchildren, Rachel, Grayson, and Harrison Stanley, Ella Scott and Alice Anne Mountcastle, Aleksander, Meighlan, Taylor William, and James Owen Heath. Minnie is also survived by many special nieces and nephews and by Jeff Jones, a beloved addition to her family.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Providence Forge Presbyterian Church, located at 9310 Townsend Road, with the burial following at Olivet Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family received friends on Friday, May 22, 2015 at Vincent Funeral Home, 9923 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, VA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Providence Forge Presbyterian Church; PO Box 239, Providence Forge, VA 23140 or to Presbyterian Homes and Family Services; 150 Linden Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24503-9983. Tributes may be posted at www.vincentfh.com.