Officers and Directors

Officers

Patsy Dickerson, President – Patsy (Simmons) was born and raised in Fincastle during the 50’s and 60’s.  She remembers Bolton’s Store, Vaughn’s Store, the Drug Store and the best store – The Dime Store with penny bubble gum and a toy section. The Fire Department was in charge of putting up and taking down the Christmas lights and the members (including her father) walked around town and cut on and off each strand.  Of course there were not nearly as many strands as there are today. It was a glorious time. She is from a fifth generation (at least) Botetourt County family tree.  Her roots are deep and her appreciation for the history and beauty of this unique town, Fincastle is strong.

After graduating from Lord Botetourt, she attended The College of William and Mary. She taught at William Byrd High School for ten years and met and married her husband, David Dickerson. During the next 30 years, Patsy and David raised four children in Charlottesville, Rockbridge Baths and Radford. They have now retired back to Fincastle.

Meredith Bowman-Shelton, Vice President – Bio coming soon

Kaye Lowe, Secretary – Bio coming soon

Yvonne Saunders, Treasurer – Bio coming soon

Directors

Lynne Bolton – Born in Fincastle and lived there until her father was transferred when she was 11. A graduate of Mary Washington University, Lynne first worked in corporate America for many years in the plastics industry. In 2004, Lynne moved back to Fincastle from Philadelphia, Pa. in order to help with her aging parents. At that time, she also decided to try “giving back” some of what she was blessed to receive over her academic years. As a result, she is now a social studies teacher at Lord Botetourt High School, and very active in school activities while focusing on helping the students to excel whenever possible. Because of her love of history and historic preservation, Lynne was and is delighted to be a member of HFI, and to have been asked to serve on the Board of Directors over the next term.

Jeff Briggs – Bio coming soon

Kip Burton – I grew up in north Georgia and attended Georgia Southern College, majoring in biology and chemistry. Plans to become a veterinarian were altered when I became a Naval Aviator instead. I met and married Lyn and we had three children, who have made us very proud. 21 years were spent flying, moving and traveling, with the Navy. During my military service I received a masters degree in Business and Management. After my military retirement, I went to work for Piedmont Airlines and continued with them until my final retirement. We live on a small farm and love our animals, land and beauty here in Botetourt. I have served a treasurer of HFI, worked on many committees for festivals and events, and have worked on the Lewis & Clark disk dedication for the town.

Lyn Burton – I am originally from Atlanta, Ga. I attended Florida State University. After graduation, I worked for Eastern Airlines . I met and married, Kip, who was a Naval officer. I was then a military wife for the next 21 years. We had three children and moved from coast to coast and finally settled in Virginia Beach. I began teaching Middle School and after moving to a little farm near Fincastle, taught at James River High School. I have been a member of HFI since 2007 and have enjoyed many wonderful times with many wonderful people.

Eric Claunch – Bio coming soon

Richard Flora – Bio coming soon

Keith McMurray – Bio coming soon

Caroline Naysmith – Bio coming soon

Donald Naysmith – Bio coming soon

Betty Reynolds – Betty Reynolds grew up in Staunton, graduated from JMU and then married Jim Reynolds and moved to the Roanoke area. I retired from teaching kindergarten in 2010 after teaching for 33 years. Jim and I have two children, Anne Simmons and her husband Chad who live near Fincastle with their two daughters, and a son Phillip Reynolds and daughter-in-law, Kristin, who presently reside in Sacramento, California. The primary reason we moved to Fincastle in 2016 was to be closer to family. We have really enjoyed meeting new folks and helping with the HFI events and projects. This is obviously an area rich in history and I’m impressed with the dedication and enthusiasm of members of the community in trying to preserve this heritage for future generations.

Jay Saunders – Bio coming soon