Charles H. Varner, Jr.

Charles Henry Varner, Jr., 87, known to everyone as "Buddy", passed away with his wife and family by his side on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at his residence in Staunton.

Buddy was born on February 19, 1937, to the late Charles Henry, Sr. and Dorothy Lee Furr Varner. 

A graduate of Wilson Memorial High School, his entire life was spent within a one-mile radius of the Old Greenville Road where he loved dairy farming and raising beef cattle. He also loved spending times tinkering on his tractor.

He was a member of Linden Heights Baptist Church in Staunton.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Ann Floyd Varner; his step-daughter, Shelby Jean Layman-Smith; and his step-grandson, Jacob Smith.

He is survived by his second wife, Viola "Mickey" Christine Martin Layman-Varner; a step-daughter, Wanda Fisher; two step-sons, Jeffrey Alan and William Dewey Layman; a foster daughter, Jill Balser; two special great-grandsons, Mason Drake Dull and Aaron Fisher; numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; his sister, Sarah Frances Varner Young of Stuarts Draft; his niece and nephew, Katherine and Chris Young, to whom Buddy was like a father; his great-nephews, Alexander Young-Williams and twins, Miguel and Andreas Rivera Young; his close friends, Tony and Buddy Truslow; and a number of cousins - especially John Varner.

He will be greatly missed by all.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 7, 2024, at the same location with the Reverends Luke Smith and Vanessa Morris officiating. 

Interment will follow at Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton.

Serving as pallbearers will be Scott Almarode, Aaron Fisher, Chris Young, Tony Truslow, Andreas Young, Miguel Young and Alan Garrison. 

Ken Hamilton, Mae Palmer, Valley Williams, and Jackie Balser will serve as honorary pallbearers.

It is suggested that those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Virginia Chapter of the American Diabetes Association (P.O. Box 7023 Merrifield, VA 22116).