Claude "Fred" Steele

Claude Fred Steele, age 78, of Pounding Mill, VA, departed this life to the next on Monday, February 1, 2016 after a massive stroke on January 27th. He was surrounded at his passing by his family, whom he loved dearly. Fred was born September 25, 1937 in Tannersville, Virginia and was the son of the late Claude R. Steele and Mattie Gladys Hilt Steele. He was raised in Pounding Mill, Virginia. As a young man, he attended technical school and served in the army while in Germany and in the U.S. He retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad after working 42 years as a dispatcher with an injury free record. He was a long-term member of Midway Church of Christ in Bluefield, West Virginia. Fred was someone who could do just about anything and was rarely stumped by something he wasn’t able to solve. He was blessed with intelligence, good health, and mobility until the day of his stroke. Fred enjoyed traveling with his family, spending time on his farm where he retired to cattle farming. He also enjoyed gardening, bee keeping, genealogy, and various other interest and hobbies. He especially enjoyed the visits from his three grandsons as they all enjoyed experiences on the farm together. He was blessed to live a long, eventful life and spend the last eighteen years after his retirement doing what he loved to do – spending his days on the farm he was raised on. He is survived by: His Wife, Helen Horn Steele Two Daughters: Shelby Steele Johnson and husband, David of Summerfield, NC Nancy K. Steele of Greensboro, NC Three Grandchildren: Jonah Steele Johnson, Eli Steele Johnson, Aaron David Johnson One Brother, Kenneth Steele of Greenville, SC A funeral service for Claude Fred Steele will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 5, 2016 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Virginia with Rev. Dan Webb officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, VA. Pallbearers will be: David Johnson, Jonah Johnson, Eli Johnson, Aaron Johnson, Mike Boyd, Shawn Boyd, and Darren Hess. The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Thursday, February 4, 2016 at the funeral home. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Claude "Fred" Steele

September 25, 1937 - February 1, 2016