JOSEPHINE COMPTON RIFE, 87 years of age of Grundy, VA, passed away Thursday, October 23, 2008, at her home following a courageous two year battle with cancer. Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Hibbert L. and Effie Jane Clevinger Compton, both pioneer families of Buchanan County. She was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was a member of the Grundy Baptist Church since 1938. She has been a very active member, teaching Sunday School, a choir member for more than 50 years, and at the time of her death was secretary of the Sunday School, a position she held for more than 30 years.   She was a graduate of Pikeville College with a B. S. Degree in Education and a Master of Arts Degree from Virginia Polytechnic and State University, she was a member of the teaching profession of Buchanan County for 32 years.  She retired as principal of J. M. Bevins Elementary School in 1983.  She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother.

She was a member of several organizations including Buchanan County Retired Teachers Association, former president of Alpha Xi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.  Her membership also included the Levisa River Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Grundy, Virginia, and Friends of the Library. 

Mrs. Rife was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Jay Powell Rife, Sr. in 1971.   

She is survived by 1-Daughter: Janet Rife McGee and husband Dr. Francis McGee, Richmond, VA, 1-Son: Jay Powell Rife, Jr. and wife Janice, Grundy, VA, 3-Sisters: Lee Winebarger and husband Burl, Hickory, NC, Yvonne Wilfong and husband John, Hickory, NC, Carol Johnson, Fort Mill, SC, 2-Brother: Jack Compton, Staunton, VA, Frank Compton, Grundy, VA

Also, survived by 5-Grandchildren and 9-Great-Grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by 1-sister, Beatrice (Bea) Musick and an infant brother.

Funeral Services for JOSEPHINE COMPTON RIFE will be conducted Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 12 noon at the Grundy Baptist Church, Grundy, VA, with Rev. Donald Tittle officiating with burial to follow in Clinch Valley Memorial Park, Richlands, VA.

Friends may call at the Grundy Baptist Church Friday evening at 6:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be nephews and cousins.

Honorary Pallbearers will be deacons of Grundy Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial donations be made to Grundy Baptist Church Building Fund at P. O. Box 675, Grundy, Virginia, 24614. 

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.