JOHN MARSHALL ALDERSON IV

John Marshall Alderson IV, age 86, of Alderson, WV, passed away due to a sudden illness on
Friday, February 26, 2016 at his home in Alderson with his wife by his side.
Born on February 20, 1930 at UVA Hospital in Charlottesville, VA, he was the son of John
Marshall Alderson III and Elizabeth Creigh Alderson. He was preceded in death by his parents,
a sister, Mary Alderson Graham, and an infant son, David.
He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 63 years, Betty June Thompson Alderson; son
John Marshall Alderson V, his wife Lisa and their son John Marshall Alderson VI; son Joseph
Newman Alderson III, his wife Molly, their daughters Aundrea Yost Kelly and Emily Elizabeth
Alderson, as well as their three grandchildren; and two daughters, Sarah Elizabeth Alderson and
Mary Lynn Alderson.
John was a sixth generation descendant of Elder John Alderson who settled the town of
Alderson in 1777 and founded Old Greenbrier Baptist Church in 1781.
He graduated as Valedictorian of the Alderson High School class of 1948. After high school, he
attended the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA where he was a member of Kappa Sigma
and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1952. While he
was an undergraduate, he completed United States Marine Corps training at Quantico, VA. He
went on to graduate from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1955 and attained a
Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.
He worked for State Farm Insurance for 37 years, and when his father passed away became
the third generation owner of J.M. Aldersons Store.
He loved antiques, architecture, woodworking and above all, anything having to do with water
from growing up playing in the Greenbrier River, to years of family vacations at Myrtle Beach,
and then many happy days boating at Smith Mountain Lake.
The funeral service will be Monday, February 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Old Greenbrier
Baptist Church in Alderson with the Rev. Lanny Howe officiating. Burial will follow at the
Alderson Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alderson Volunteer Fire
Department and EMS, P.O. Box 647, Alderson, WV 24910; the Alderson Bridge Trust Fund, P.O.
Box 295, Alderson, WV 24910; or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson, WV.