Murell Cullen Quesenberry, Sr., 86, of Blacksburg, passed away peacefully in his home on Feb. 9, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia surrounded by family. He was born in Blacksburg on January 13, 1932, the youngest of six children, to the late Cullen Miles and Mattie Simpkins Quesenberry. He was also preceded in death by his stepmother Madge Quesenberry; brothers, Orie, Gervis and Miles Quesenberry; and his sisters Gaye Owings and Faye Dreyer.
Murell owned and operated a building and remodeling company for over 30 years. Much of his meticulous craftsmanship can be seen in and around Blacksburg, both in homes and buildings in town, including the historic Smithfield Plantation. He was a veteran of the Korean War having served in the United States Navy after graduating from Blacksburg High School, where he lettered in four sports: football, basketball, baseball and track. He was a dedicated and competitive athlete and even taught himself to play basketball with a burlap sack and an old wagon wheel nailed to the barn. Despite his loyalty to Blacksburg athletics, he also loved watching Giles High School’s football team play its single-wing offense.
Murell loved being outside. He was an avid gardener, always growing enough vegetables so that he could share his harvest with family and friends. He also loved fishing on the New River and in local trout streams, driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, picking berries, caring for his fruit trees, listening to live bluegrass, playing his guitar, working with his hands, and relishing in the beauty of the sky above him and the landscapes that surrounded him. He cherished time with his children and grandchildren, who adored him, and instilled a love of all these things into their hearts.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Linda Quesenberry, of Blacksburg; sons Murell, Jr., Matthew, and Zane (Tami) of Blacksburg; and daughters Mattie Smith (Doug) of Lexington, VA., Linda Corcoran (Kevin) of Warrenton, VA., Melissa Dumbrigue (Jason) of Mooresville, NC; 17 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; and 2 step-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Alma Quesenberry and Dolly Quesenberry, both of Blacksburg; and many nieces and nephews.
The family extends a special thanks to the caregivers of Good Samaritan Hospice of the New River Valley and Caregiver Placement.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday evening at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Dr S.W. Blacksburg, VA 24060.
