Benjamin "Benny" Colaw

Benjamin “Benny” Fleisher Colaw, 64, died Thursday, July 27, 2000 at his residence.

He was born March 20, 1936, at Blue Grass, a son of Benjamin Harrison and Ethel Vernie (Fleisher) Colaw.

On June 21, 1958, hear married Mary Ann Cook.

He was a member of Blue Grass United Methodist Church. He retired from the Virginia Department of Transportation after 32 years of service. He was employed as a school bus driver for the Highland County Public School System for eight years and was engaged in farming most of his life.

Survivors include his wife, Mary C. Colaw of Blue Grass; three daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa C. and Herbert R. Lightner of Monterey, Terena C. and Seven L. Ralston of Blue Grass and Trudy Colaw of Erie, Colo.; six grandchildren, Herbert Ryan, Corey Benjamin and Tyler Brooks Lightner of Monterey; Casey Janelle and Cody Louis Ralston of Blue Grass and Ahna Sage Colaw of Erie, Colo.; two sisters, Reba C. Gutshall of Richmond and Bonnie O. Crenshaw of Hampton; a best friend, Harold Newman of Blue Grass; nieces and nephews.

A service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Obaugh Funeral Home by the Revs. Jerry Ginn and Richard S. Gibson, with burial in Blue Grass Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Harold Newman, Leland Wimer, Ernie Lightner, Alan Puffenbarger, Bob Ralston, Jim Skinner, Conley Colaw and Dean Beverage.

Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Will, Randolph Wagner, Keith Simmons, Ernest Sweitzer Jr., Steve Sweitzer, Arnold Vandevander, Bardon Warner, Julian Folks, co-workers from the Virginia Department of Transportation and Highland County Public School System employees.

The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 tonight at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Highland County, Monterey, Va.; Highland County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 268, Monterey, Va.; or Highland Medical Center, P.O. Box 490, Monterey, Va. 24465.