Dove, Sr., Roger Dale

Roger Dale Dove Sr. age 64 passed away at Heritage Hall in Blacksburg on June 22nd. With his brother Jack, sisters Vickie and Shirley, and brother in law Bobby by his side.

His service will be held at New Hope Baptist Church (Address: 234 Nash Road Christiansburg VA 24073) on July 14th, with visitation from 10:00-11:00; memorial service starting at 11:00. With a private graveside following the service. Pastor/Brother Doug Reed and Vickie Linkous (Sister) will be holding the service. Roger thought so highly of Doug and appreciated the many visits, prayers, and love that he expressed to him. Roger would be so touched and honored to know his brother Doug, wife Kathi, and church family are dedicating July the 14th from 10:00 to 12:00 in place of the regular service.

A small country Church where Roger felt accepted and comfortable enough to sing two of his favorite songs (One More Hill to Climb and God on the Mountain). I had the privilege to attend that church with him where I got to hear him sing those songs. He told me he felt like he was singing these songs straight from his heart to God, what a blessing. Roger felt so connected to Brother Doug because he never judged him. Roger told me “Doug is the real thing and he was all that he was cracked up to be”. Roger then said “That didn’t come out right”, I knew what Roger was trying to say. He saw in Doug what he didn’t see in other preachers, pastors, reverends, or whatever they choose to be called. Roger said “Doug doesn’t pretend to be something he’s not”, and neither did my brother, Roger.

Roger carried his cigarettes in his t-shirt pocket and I said “Roger you going to smoke a cigarette in the church parking lot???”. He replied, “God sees what you’re doing no matter where you are”. I thought that was such a powerful statement that day (he was right). If it’s not appropriate language, movie, or behavior at church then why is it acceptable outside of church or in our homes? WWJD; what would Jesus do? I want to thank Doug, for accepting our brother for who he was, what we all are, a sinner saved by God’s grace.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents Marshall Jackson Dove Sr. and his mother Betty Davis Dove of Blacksburg. Also, his brother Bobby, sister Barbara, and nephew William Tucker.

❖ Children and Grandchildren
➢ Tonya Painter (Bryan) – Grandson Isaac
➢ Roger Dale Dove “Little Roger” (Amber) – Granddaughters Brianna and Emma

❖ Siblings
➢ Brother Jack (Melani)
➢ Sister Vickie (Bobby)
➢ Sister Shirley

❖ Nieces and nephews
➢ Robbie, Tara, Sarah, April, and Dwayne

❖ Special Guardians
➢ Robert and Joni Pienkowski “Mr. and Miss Ski”
➢ Roger loved them and felt blessed to have them welcome him into their family
➢ I would like to thank them for the love and support they have shown our family for 60 years.

I would like to express my gratitude to Nicole, a hospice nurse at Lewis Gale Montgomery. Ireland, from Gentiva hospice Roger’s precious case manager who was a blessing, we couldn’t have made it without her.

Next, I’d like to thank the following at Heritage Hall; Jennifer at the front desk, Jessica in the front office, the kitchen staff, housekeeping, and Nickie the Social Worker. Roger also had some amazing nurses such as; the nurse on day shift-Angie, and Chastity with end of life care, Rebecca on Evening shift who was there when we needed her, and Heather. Overall, I’d like to say a special thank you to those that showed compassion and believed Roger when he said he was in pain.

Kayla, a young lady that worked on a different unit in Heritage Hall, made a special effort to come over and check on Roger. She came over to see him once and he was asleep, so she left a note on a napkin and she ended it with (a sweet friend) and left the room with tears in her eyes. It was comforting to see how some people really did care about him.

Roger said there were too many chiefs and not enough Indians, different rules for different people. I wiped so many tears from my brother’s eyes for 7 months. I thank God that he is not suffering at the mercy of some people in this world anymore.

An act of kindness doesn’t go unnoticed and please and thank you goes a long way. The rude, inconsiderate, and uncaring doesn’t go unnoticed either. What category do you fit into? Just because people have become accustomed to saying “it’s like that everywhere”, it doesn’t mean it is okay, we need to make a change for the better.