In Memory of

Class of 2006
May 19, 1988 - Jul 12, 2018

Shannon Michelle Criner, 30, of Smith Mountain Lake; beloved daughter of Marlin and Teresa Criner, passed away unexpectedly, from what was believed by emergency room physicians, to be a pulmonary embolism or heart attack on Thursday, July 12, 2018. She was an advanced studies graduate of William Byrd High School in the class of 2006. She had enjoyed a wonderful Mother-Daughter day enjoying relaxing on her familys dock, swimming & jet skiing on Smith Mountain Lake. She was able to tell both of her parents that she loved them and to take care of her puppies, before she was taken away in the rescue squad. Shannon was an artist who loved to draw and paint, played the violin and enjoyed writing short stories & poetry. She had an incredible singing voice and could sing every genre of music from Carrie Underwood to Charlotte Church. She loved spending days on the lake with her parents and friends. She loved visiting her grandparents mountain getaway which was fondly named Loghaven and riding her red 4-Wheeler there. She loved all animals, dreamed of one day having a horse and had great compassion for all of Gods Creatures. From the time she was a young girl, she had compassion for others and was always compelled to step in to help those she felt were being treated unkindly. She was highly intelligent, loved beating her Dad while they watched and played Jeopardy (and every other game they played together). She was a very special young lady, with a heart of gold, who was loved by all who truly knew her. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Vivian B. Criner. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her cherished grandparents, Jim and Juanita Fisher and her grandmother Effie Criner. An aunt and uncle Brenda and Jeff Collie, who were like second parents to her; uncle Julian Criner; aunt and uncle Carlin and Lynn Criner; cousins Russ Criner, Steve Criner, Carrie Hagg and Chelsea Criner;the special man in her life, Derek Preston;and numerous other loving family members and friends. Also, incredibly special in her life were her puppies Pebbles and Willie that she absolutely adored, as well her former puppy Chance, who she parted with by gifting to a dear family friend, who she knew was meant to be his forever Mom. A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, July 21, 2018 at Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church at 1130 Hardy Road in Vinton. Pastor Jamie Smith will officiate. If anyone wishes to make a gift in Shannons name, the family asks that Memorial gifts be made to either the Bedford Humane Society at www.bhsva.org or Lake Christian Ministries at www.LakeChristianMinistries.org The family so appreciates the love, prayers and outpouring of support from family & friends.