Lisa Jo Crigler
Lisa Jo Crigler, age 68, of Roanoke, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 28, 2024, following a years-long journey to overcome cancer.
Born August 30, 1956 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, she was the eldest child and only daughter to the late Edwin Lee Crigler and Sue (Kimble) Dudley.
A life-long Christian, Lisa was dedicated to Christ on September 30, 1956 by her parents and would be raised in Monterey Presbyterian Church. In her childhood Lisa spent countless hours exploring the forest in Burner’s Run. There, she and her brothers would pick teaberries along the walking path to the nearby creek, and she could often be found playing in the moss under the pine trees where she pretended fairies lived. As an adult she loved time spent working in her yard, hiking, kayaking, and generally being in nature – a continuance from her youth.
Lisa attended and graduated from Highland High School with the class of 1974, where during her junior year she served as class Treasurer and Maple Princess. Following high school, Lisa would go on to attend and graduate from Elizabeth Brant School of Business and would apply that education throughout her life, including positions as Human Resources Administrator of Bell South and Business Secretary of Villa Heights Baptist Church, both of Roanoke. Later in life she would return to school to become a Board-Certified Optician in 2014 and entered into an eight-year career serving the Roanoke and Salem communities. As an optician, she was well known for her shining smile, high energy, and keen fashion sense that made the clients feel welcomed as they walked through the door.
However, Lisa’s chief career accomplishment was opening Teaberry’s, Inc. in 1995. This small gift shop & garden center was named after the childhood memories of her parent’s backyard property, Burner’s Run. In its infancy, it offered small nicknacks and flowers, but evolved to serve hot tea with cucumber sandwiches on her renowned homemade bread. Soon thereafter, Teaberry’s became a thriving restaurant and catering business, which expanded into two locations. Lisa retained ownership and operation of the business for 16 years, ultimately selling in 2011 for it to continue to thrive for several more years.
Her father’s child, Lisa will be remembered for her determination and strong will. “Once she set her mind to something, she was going to see it through” and those that knew her knew that to be true. She also possessed a loving and caring spirit for her family and countless friends, an attribute that never waned throughout her struggles with cancer. Yet another quality, and possibly her greatest, was her selfless nature. This was particularly evident when Lisa chose to undergo two separate clinical trials with low probability for success. While those trials came at a price, she opted to participate in them for the likelihood that the research conducted could benefit others.
Above all, her greatest success in life is the legacy she leaves behind - her four children and their families. No small feat, Lisa miraculously managed to raise three spirited boys and one resolute daughter to adulthood. Through countless paddlings, groundings, pleas, and in spite of their efforts to offset her direction, Lisa succeeded in her goal. She left this world with the comfort of knowing her children, in her words “will be okay without her.” Equally as important to Lisa, was the knowledge that she had done her part to ensure that her kids were devoted to Christ, and that foundation in faith-that she helped lay-would extend to her grandchildren as a lasting Christ-filled legacy on earth.
Her children were her life, her “pride and joy,” as were her 16 beloved grandchildren, with whom she spoke of in constant repetition. In her children’s youth, she was the perpetual taxi for their endeavors in cheer, wrestling, soccer, football, and the like. She was always active in their extracurriculars, having served as PTA President, President of the William Byrd Band Boosters, Lead Chair of the After Prom Committee, among others. She loved each of her children for who they are and always ensured they felt loved and special. As adults she wasn’t able to spend as much time with them or her grandchildren as she would have liked, but the time she was able to share was filled with love, laughter, and memories to be cherished forever. Truly, she loved her children unconditionally. And we, her children, were privileged to have the experience of our youth and to have been shown the understanding and patience only a loving mother could have.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a grandson, Griffin Lee Obaugh; as well as her special aunt and uncle, Myrtle (Kimble) and Stanley Mason Lough.
Surviving family members include her children, Bryan Stuart Obaugh and wife, Megan of Monterey, Ben Tyler Obaugh and wife, Jill of Moneta, Beth Lauren (Obaugh) Linkenhoker and husband, David of Goodview, and Bryce Alan Obaugh and wife, Beth of St. Paris, OH; her grandchildren, Lane Alan Obaugh, Jackson William Obaugh, Blaine Joseph DeMarco, Noah Tyler Obaugh, Savannah Jo Linkenhoker, Alyssa Lyle Obaugh, Olivia Marie Obaugh, Liam Francis Obaugh, Ariella Mae Obaugh, Nora Catherine Linkenhoker, Lowell Alexander Obaugh, Annalise Renae Obaugh, Laurel Elizabeth Obaugh, Malak Daniel Obaugh, Titus William Obaugh, and Lilith Grace Obaugh; brothers, Gary Crigler and wife, Angela of Monterey, and Chris Crigler and wife, Mary of Warrenton; nieces, Amanda Crigler of Monterey and Erica Ruleman of Staunton; nephews, Scott Crigler and wife, Laura of Midland, and Tim Crigler and wife, Danielle of Warrenton; father of her children and close friend, George William “G.W.” Obaugh of McDowell; as well as several great-nieces, cousins, and countless friends.
In accordance with Lisa’s wishes, funeral services will be held in both Roanoke and Highland County.
Beginning in Roanoke, the family will receive friends 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel (318 Church Avenue SW Roanoke). A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2025, also at Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel with pastor Alan Moore officiating.
The family will once again receive friends 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday January 3, 2025 at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell. A funeral service will take place 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Obaugh Funeral Home with pastor Chip Hill officiating. Interment will follow in Monterey Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be made up of Lisa’s grandsons and nephews.
In Remembrance
Service of Remembrance 2019
