Obituary: Rev. Francis Evan Twitchel, 85

Rev. Francis Evan Twitchel, 85, of Sterling, VA, went to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, in Leesburg.

Rev. Twitchel was born April 11, 1928, in Marceline, MO, to the late William Curtis and Nellie Jenkins Twitchel. Two of his siblings also predeceased him, Wesley Thomas Twitchel and Ruth Garner.

He moved to Northern Virginia in 1963 and began a 36 year career with the Government Printing Office. In 1971 he was ordained into the ministry and became the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Ashburn, VA, the same year. He loved pastoring and continued to pastor even after his retirement from the church in 2000. Rev. Twitchel served as chaplain at Heritage Hall Nursing Home and with the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department for many years. He enjoyed fishing and gardening but above all he enjoyed fellowship with his family and friends. He will be remembered for his continued outreach even in the days he was a resident of Heritage Hall.

Rev. Twitchel is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years Marie Carter Twitchel of Leesburg; three children: Bethany Harlan of Lascassas, TN, Nancy Twitchel of Sterling, James Twitchel of Deltona, FL; a brother: William Curtis Twitchel, Jr. of Ironton, MO; six grandchildren: Jeffery Harlan, Rebecca Woods, Sara Beth Harlan, Michelle Taylor, Timothy Messer, Jacob Twitchel; eight great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Cr. SE, in Leesburg. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the Leesburg Community Baptist Church, 835 Lee Avenue in Leesburg. Interment will follow in Sterling Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the The Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214—0800.

Online condolences may be sent at www.LoudounFuneralChapel.com.