Jane Devall Preston

On September 22, 2017 Jane Devall Preston died peacefully at her home in Troutville.

Miss Preston was preceded in death by her parents, John and Gertrude Preston, and her siblings, Anne Preston Harrington and John W. B. Preston, Jr.

Jane was born in Aruba, where her father worked for Standard Oil. She was homeschooled by her mother in those early years and then attended All Saints Episcopal School in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She graduated from Roanoke College. A highly proficient typist, she worked for 30 years as office manager for Frantz and Chappelear Architects.

Jane treasured her church family—first at St. Mark’s Episcopal in Fincastle and then at St. Thomas Anglican Church in Roanoke—and contributed in various ways across the years, including as church treasurer, secretary and choir member.

She lived in the family home, adjacent to Greenfield Plantation, where her father had been raised. Jane collected family records and was the keeper of the family values, which she passed along to the extended family. Although she didn’t have children of her own, she was an engaged “grandmother” to Edward and Marlene Preston’s children—E. Channing, Katherine Devall, and James Patton--and a “great grandmother” to Nathan and Elena Preston and Jane Preston Keeney.

Jane is survived by seven other nieces and nephews, their spouses and children: Charles Harrington, David Harrington, Michael Harrington, William Harrington, Jane Harrington Ruffa, Alice Jeannette Jacobs, and John C. Preston. Also surviving are numerous cousins, whose reminiscences she enjoyed at many Preston Family Reunions.

Late in life, Jane was especially fortunate to have the attention and concern of her long-time caregiver, Marletta Hubbard Shifflett.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at 1:00 pm Tuesday, September 26 at St Thomas Anglican Church, 4910 Hubert Road, NW, Roanoke. A private burial will be conducted at the convenience of the family in Godwin Cemetery, Fincastle. The family will receive friends 6-8 pm Monday, at Rader Funeral Home, 630 Roanoke Road, Daleville.

If you would like to make a donation in Jane Preston’s memory, please consider the Col. William Preston Memorial, Fincastle Chapter SAR, P.O. Box 8996, Roanoke, VA 24014 or St Thomas Anglican Church, Roanoke, VA.

On-line condolences may be made to Jane’s family at www.rader-funeralhome.com.

Rader Funeral Home
540-992-1212

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