Jackie Soyars

Jaqueline Marie “Jackie” Soyars, 80, of 204 Brentwood Drive, Danville, VA went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at her residence after being in declining health for the last several years. Jackie was born on May 22, 1943, a daughter of the late John Letcher Cole and Erma Davis Cole. She spent all of her life in the Danville and Pittsylvania County areas where she was a graduate of Dan River High School, Class of 1961. She went on to work for the Pepsi plant in Danville, J. T. Townes Printing Co. and then went to work in accounts receivable for C.I.T. Corporation until her retirement. After her retirement she spent nine years attending to her mother at Riverside Healthcare and she also spent time visiting and helping others in the community until her health failed in 2020. Jackie was faithfully cared for by her devoted caregivers, LaDona Wade, Virginia Hyler, and Kim Bowling for the past three years. They not only took care of her needs, traveling for doctor appointments, trips outside the home that made her happy, taking her to get her favorite milkshake from Cookout, and going to the Dan River Dam (which she jokingly called Niagara Falls). They would get Jackie her favorite Happy Meal from McDonalds, take her on drives in the country, and take her to Outback to get her favorite meal of steak and shrimp. This was just a few of many things that her sitters did that made Jackie’s life more pleasurable. Jackie was a devout Christian and a member of United Baptist Church for over 35 years. She held various positions in the church, the most recent being Deacon. In addition to her sitters the family would like to thank her best friend, Peggy East, for making sure she could get to and from church on a weekly basis. Jackie was a caring and compassionate person, she not only cared for others around her but family meant the most to her. Her niece Amy Nash said “My Aunt Jackie wasn’t just my aunt but more like a second mom to me. I looked up to her because she taught me many things over the years. I had many problems growing up and she was always right there beside me every step of the way. We enjoyed our beach trips together most of all. I will truly miss her for she was my rock and my best friend.” In addition to her parents, Jackie was predeceased by her husband, Richard C. Soyars; brothers, Hubert “Tuck” Cole and John D. Cole; her sister, Jean Cole Adams; her step-son, Tony Soyars; and her longtime friends, Billy Adams, Sandra Stevens Anderson, and Barbara Richie. She is survived by her brother-in-law, Edwin Terry Adams, Jr.; nieces, Terri Ann Adams and Amy A. Nash (Donnie); childhood friend, Tommy Richie; step brother-in-law, David Soyars; step-daughter, Kelly Soyars; nephew, Bryan Gibson; great niece, Mayzee Gibson; great nephew, Cole Gibson; longtime friends, Linda D. Scearce, Linda M. Lute and Joyce E. Scott. A graveside service will be conducted on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. at Highland Burial Park with the Reverend Carl Burger officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel from 12:30 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Danville/Pittsylvania County Cancer Association at 223 Riverview Dr. Suite J, Danville, VA 24541. Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel is respectfully serving the Soyars family.

Jackie Soyars

May 22, 1943 - August 2, 2023