April Rene Meadows

April Rene Meadows, age 42, of Christiansburg, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2021, and is rejoicing in Heaven. She was born in Radford, Virginia, on June 29, 1978 to Bruce and Anita Meadows of Christiansburg (previously of Blacksburg). April was universally loved by everyone who knew her, as a person that was the epitome of friendliness and sweetness with a little spunk mixed in, and a whole lot of stubborness at times. She kept everyone entertained throughout her younger years with her unintentional pranks and innocent actions (once she ate a Christmas bulb...). She was beloved by her teachers as she went through school, and graduated from Blacksburg High School in 2000. She was always very social with friends and family, and her favorite activities included family dinners, birthdays, baby showers, weddings (for the cake!), and dressing up for Halloween parties. She especially enjoyed playing football and having sleepovers with her nieces and nephews. April loved her time with her VT buddies, and IDA leisure activities such as bowling, swimming, cheerleading, cooking and craft classes, and letting loose at the dances. She loved participating in Special Olympics track and field events, where she won plenty of ribbons over the years, including for her 13-inch standing long jump. For the past 22 years April worked at Hardee’s for several hours per month as what her family affectionately termed a “lobby specialist,” loved her free cheeseburger meals, and got several awards for being a dedicated employee. At home she spent time watching her favorite T.V. shows and movies like “I Love Lucy” and “Wizard of Oz”, listening to Elvis or the Inspirations, as well as copying Bible verses, doing workbooks, and practicing the electric guitar. She did regular cooking and crafts including holiday ornaments, making cookies and cheesecakes, dying Easter eggs, and tie-dying clothing for the entire family. April rooted for the Dallas Cowboys and the VT Hokies football team, except when they played UVA, when she rooted for both teams because UVA was “her hospital.” She loved God and was very involved in church activities including choir and Sunday night class; she talked often about her preachers (Pastor Mike and Preacher Dewey), and her favorite verse was...the whole Bible! April collected dolls, stuffed animals, I Love Lucy and Coke items, and anything purple. She traveled happily to Dollywood to ride roller coasters and to the beach for the ocean and hot tubbing. Her humor, hugs, and smile will be greatly missed by the whole family and all of her friends. April is survived by her parents, grandparents Mary (Bill) Powell of Goose Creek, South Carolina; brothers and sisters-in-law Aaron (Koren) Meadows and Kevin (Emily) Meadows all of Christiansburg; sister and brother-in-law Katie (Jordan) McCoy of Christiansburg, sister Rebekah Meadows of Lynchburg; nephews and nieces Riley, Alaina, Audrey, and Ethan Meadows, Fletcher McCoy, and baby McCoy, all of Christiansburg; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; special friends Virginia Mosely, Katie Lemmon, and Melissa Starner; and Willow the cat. She is predeceased by her grandparents, Oscar (Annabelle) Meadows of Dublin and Johnny (Betty) Mills of Newnan, Georgia; several friends, and numerous fondly remembered pets. Visitation will be held via a Facebook memorial page: https://www.facebook.com/In-Memory-of-April-Rene-Lucy-Meadows-100288755582974 There will be a private family graveside service at Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg. Funeral services are provided by McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to: Intellectual Disabilities Agency of the New River Valley P.O. Box 42, Christiansburg, 24068 This is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. www.idaofthenrv.org The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and staff from Lewis-Gale Montgomery Regional Hospital that took such great care of April during her illness. Thanks also go to her Hardee’s family, all of her MCPS teachers and helpers over the years, the wonderful medical staff at UVA hospital, and also the IDA of NRV for all the friends, good times, and recreational activities that kept her fit and entertained. And a special thank-you to Riley for the Sprites. Proverbs 18:34: “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” One of April’s famous quotes: “I’m not tired, I’m happy!”

April Rene Meadows

June 29, 1978 - May 10, 2021