Della Elaine (Huck) Napier

Della Elaine Huck Napier, 94, passed through the gates of heaven to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 10, 2024. 

She was born on October 2, 1929 in St. Louis, MO and grew up in Illinois, the daughter of the late Joseph Louis and Anna (Dehne) Huck. 

She attended and graduated from Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee where she met her husband of 54 years, Rev. Leslie Sterling Napier, who predeceased her in 2004. 

They served together at Novum, Mt. Zion, Alum Springs, Upperville, and Calvary Baptist churches. They both received their Master of Education degrees from the University of Virginia and both taught in public schools. 

Della taught school for 21 years in Culpeper, Fairfax, and Bath counties. She was the WMU Director for the Natural Bridge Baptist Association for four years while her husband was the Moderator of the Association. She also taught Sunday School classes for many years. She loved music, was a gifted pianist, and taught many children how to play the piano, including her two daughters. For 80 years she loved playing the organ at various churches, including Highland Baptist Church, where she served as organist until her death. There were times she played the organ, sang, and led the choir all at the same time. She also blessed the churches she and her husband served in by making flower arrangements and bringing them to the church as a special touch for the congregation to enjoy.

Above all, Della will be remembered for her love of the Lord and how she sought to serve Him all her life.

She is survived by four children, Rebecca N. Mummau of Riner, Ruth N. Starkey of Minden, La., Leslie Samuel Napier and Paul Daniel Napier, both of McDowell; six grandchildren, Melissa Taylor, Shawn Mathew Taylor and his, wife Amanda, Christina Mummau, James Starkey and his wife, Kristen, Joshua Starkey and his wife, Lindsey, and Chelsea Starkey; seven great-grandchildren, Justin Greene and wife, Samantha, Kayla G. Klein and husband, Brendan, Logan Greene, Adalyn Taylor, Mason Starkey, Landry Kate Starkey and January Greene; as well as eight great-great-grandchildren, Christopher, Joseph, Ava Rose and Ashton Greene, Fynn Sells, Huck Klein, Spencer and Axell Wright.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, August 16, 2024 at Highland Baptist Church with pastor Jimmy Oliff officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery, Millboro.

Active pallbearers will be her grandsons, Matt Taylor, James Starkey, Joshua Starkey, George Foster, Logan Greene and Justin Greene.

The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m. at the church.

Mrs. Napier had requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the International Mission Board of the SBC, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, Va. 23230; Highland Baptist Church, 302 Jackson River Road, Monterey, Va. 24465; or to the Highland County Weekday Religious Education, P.O. Box 602, Monterey, Va. 24465.