| Darrell W. Hurst, HB-39 Remembered |
 Dr. Darrell W. Hurst, 73, of Stratford Commons, Waynesboro, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2012, at Martha Jefferson Hospital. Dr. Hurst was born on April 12, 1938. Dedicated, energetic, distinguished. These words only begin to describe Dr. Hurst, a 1963 East Carolina University B.A. recipient with a double major in History and English, as well as an M.A. in English (1967). He completed his doctorate of English Education at the University of Virginia, and then pursued his passion for teaching. He began his teaching career at Staunton Military Academy, and in 1967 subsequently moved on to become adjunct faculty at James Madison University, University of Virginia, and for the SAKE and SHIGA Japanese-English Immersion Program at Mary Baldwin College. Dr. Hurst's longest tenure, however, has been as Professor of English and Humanities at Blue Ridge Community College, where he was a founding faculty member when the College opened its doors in 1967 and remained until his passing.Dr. Hurst's time at BRCC defined his professional life - teacher, learner, mentor, coordinator, innovator, fundraiser, committee person, and, most importantly, humanist. He provided leadership roles in a number of initiatives that resulted in new educational and cultural opportunities for his students, the BRCC community, and the wider Virginia community college system. Concurrently during his career years at BRCC, he owned and operate three women's clothing stores that he eventually sold. Darrell Hurst also had a great passion for serving his country. He received the Meritorious Services Medal as a Sergeant First Class for exceptionally meritorious services in the Armed Forces of the United States and Virginia Army National Guard from May 1967 to April 1998. His service was characterized by devotion to duty of his fellow soldiers. He was always ready to do what was required and to assist others.He donated his corneas for transplant and research: transplant in order to light the life of a blind person; research for sight disorders, as he had a special interest in retinal disease. He was a member of trinity Episcopal Church in Waynesboro, where he had served on the vestry, and more recently volunteered as an usher.He was preceded in his death by his father Clyde Hurst and step-father Royce Allegood. He is survived by his mother, Addie McNeil Allegood (97); and his step-mother Ella Mae Hurst; his beloved wife, Lida Hurst; two children, Darrell Chadwick Hurst and Holly Elizabeth Hurst; three stepchildren, Karla Denison, Keith Pritchette, and Sarah Arnason; five grandchildren, Kyla, Cole and Isabella Dennison, and Justin and Jayden Pritchette; his brothers, Linwood Allegood and Clyde "Buddy" Hurst; and his sisters, Donna LaMotte and Cindy Howell.A Celebration of Life service will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 West Beverly Street, Staunton, Virginia, by the Reverend Shelby Ochs Owen and the Reverend Dr. Paul S. Nancarrow.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to JABA Inc., 674 Hillsdale Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901 and/or Blue Ridge Community College, Box 80, One College Lane, Weyers Cave, Virginia 24486. A reception will follow at the Parish Hall. Dr. Hurst's remains will be interred in the University of Virginia Cemetery and Columbarium located on the corner of Alderman and McCormick Roads in Charlottesville, Virginia, privately at a much later date. Flowers, gifts and a guest register are available at teaguefuneralhome.com.
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