Obituaries

Mr. Emery Stuart Hite

Emery Stuart Hite was called home to be with the Lord on Oct 12th following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.
‘Impy’, as his very closest family called him, was born on January 23, 1947, to Morton and Fleda Wells Hite. The youngest of four sons, Emery revered his older brothers Mason, Randolph, and Carlton—his eldest brother and hero. He also loved to tag along with them and torment them. In return, they put him to work in the tobacco fields as soon as he was able (and as soon as Fleda stopped doting on him). Emery took those lessons about love and hard work to heart. He was both a devoted husband to Lynn (Silver) his wife of 48 years and the picture of a protective father and uncle. Raising a family in Hanover, Emery was passionate about muscle cars, vacations in OBX, and putting his kids to work on home improvement and small engine repair. He even built a dock once — just for fun. A proud graduate of the Bluestone High School Class of ’65, Emery completed college in two and a half years at RPI (VCU) and later earned an MBA. He worked as a consultant, later starting his own software company, before working over 20 years as an IT Director for the State of Virginia. In that role, he helped modernize the technology behind vital programs such as TANF, Food Stamps, WIC, and more — supporting the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens. He is survived by his wife Lynn; his daughter, Laura Renee Hite; and his son, Barry (Laura Wilkinson); as well as grandsons Anson, Henry, and Owen. He is predeceased by his son Stephen and leaves behind an extended family of Hites and Wells to whom he was the quintessential “fun uncle”. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Memories of his humor, generosity, and larger-than-life personality live on with those who loved him. The family will hold a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 17 at Bennett Funeral Home at 8014 Lee-Davis Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 18 at 3pm at Buffalo Baptist Tabernacle, 2326 US-58, Buffalo Junction, VA 24529. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Flowers may be sent to Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home at 1504 N. Mecklenburg Ave., South Hill, VA 23970.