Lori Abercrombie Wills, of Radford, passed away peacefully Mar. 20, 2026, at the age of 66 surrounded by her family, under the care of Good Samaritan Hospice House in Roanoke.
Lori was born Jan. 29, 1960, in Alexandria, Virginia. She grew up and lived most of her life in her favorite city of Radford. She attended Radford High School, where she met the love of her life, Rodger Wills, and graduated in 1978. After high school graduation, she first attended Bridgewater College before transferring to the University of Virginia where she completed her BS degree in Clinical Psychology with “Honors of Distinction.” She went on to get her MA with honors in the same field at Radford University.
Following her graduation, she started out as an MA Psychologist but soon found her life-long career calling was being out in the field as a pharmaceutical and home services sales rep working with so many wonderful doctors, nurses, and medical practices across SWVA. Most dear to her were the friendships and colleagues she met along her journey.
While at UVa, Lori was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and went through exhaustive chemo and radiation therapies which were successful but left her with lifelong organ damage and scar tissue which would impact her health throughout her remaining years. Even though a failing physical heart ultimately took her from this world, she will be remembered by so many for her compassion, love, and caring “heart” which carries on.
She and Rodger Wills began dating on June 14, 1975, and, 11 years later, on their “first date” 11th anniversary they were married on June 14, 1986. She and Rodger enjoyed sitting on the porch with their many dogs (three Cocker Spaniels, four Dobermans, a Black/Tan Coon Hound, an Afghan, and a small pit bull mix as well as one cat, Lottie Da, who acts like a dog). They also enjoyed going to Virginia Tech tailgates and football games, going to Preston’s on Friday nights with family and friends and listening to live music, traveling to Mexico, Naples, Paradise Island, Charleston SC, Myrtle Beach, and especially North Carolina to visit Lori’s grandparents and other relatives.
During thunderstorms, you would always find Lori sitting outside on the screened porch. She loved thunderstorms! She would say that you can feel God’s presence and power during a big thunderstorm. She loved them almost as much as she loved dogs. Throughout their marriage, Lori rescued many dogs, and Rodger would often come home and find that they had a new pet! Her favorite pastimes included making photo albums, walking her dogs, sitting with her cat, Lottie Da, on her lap, playing the piano, and reading the Bible. She was an avid student of the Bible, and her faith was an inspiration to many.
Lori is survived by her husband, Rodger Wills of Radford; mother, Dianna Abercrombie; brother, Joe Abercrombie (Christi) and their children, Ian and Annie; sister, Robin Capote, and her son, Zach; brother, Jason Abercrombie, and his daughter, Carson. She was preceded in death by her father, Bobby M. Abercrombie.
The family would like to thank Good Samaritan Home Hospice and their field nurses, as well as the Good Samaritan Hospice House; Taylor Yengst, NP Congestive Heart Failure Clinic of Carilion; and Dr. Moises Cossio, Pulmonary and Critical Care of Carilion for the excellent care they provided to Lori.
The family will receive friends 2 – 4 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Central Church Radford. A celebration of life will begin at 4 p.m. with Pastor Doug Levy officiating. In memory of Lori, please feel free to wear bright spring colors, just like Lori would.
Flowers are appreciated or Lori requested donations be made to the Radford Animal Shelter, 110 Pulaski St., Radford, VA, 24141, or to Good Samaritan Hospice House, 4751 Cove Road NW, Roanoke, VA 24017.
The Wills family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
