Dora May Hylton

Dora May Hylton, 82, of Richmond, Va., and formerly of Willis, Va., passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. She was born on August 8, 1927, on the family farm in Floyd County in a log cabin in Willis, Va. She was the only daughter born to Hobert and Ida Moore. Dora had two brothers, Harry (deceased) and Gordon (living in Charlottesville). In June of 1946, she married Andrew Jackson Hylton and soon joined Blue Ridge Primitive Baptist Church. As Andy took on the role of Elder with the church, Dora took on the roles of minister's wife, farmer, and mother to their three children, David Jackson (deceased), Brenda Gail (Evers), and Rebecca Ann (DeCamps). She spent her days working the garden and orchard, canning and freezing food, while helping in the fields to gather hay and tend animals, as well as providing three square meals a day for her family. She led the milking efforts for the dairy cattle as her husband drove the school bus and worked in the Willis Post Office. In 1970, as their son suffered and died from cancer, Dora stayed by David's side and nursed and comforted him. This led her to interest and work in nursing in her middle years. Widowed in 1994, Dora learned new roles. She continued to be active in multiple Primitive Baptist churches, but her family remembers her mainly as a dear Grandma. As often as possible, she visited or cared for her five grandchildren, Olivia Evers Aldridge, Alex and Nick Evers, and Hill and Andrew Platt. Even as each has advanced to adulthood, she was a positive force, always encouraging them and believing in their future. As her health began to change in January of 2010, she remained positive, with a deep faith in God. The change from independent to dependent living was a difficult, yet gracious release of personal will, and was an inspiration to her family. The importance of her friendships with the wonderful Primitive Baptist community remained vital to her. She was supported by phone, mail, and visits from her truest friends, and this was deeply appreciated. The funeral will be held 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2010, at Blue Ridge Primitive Baptist Church in Willis, Va. Visitation with the family will precede the service at 2 p.m. at the church.