Clynard C. Belcher of Haysi, Virginia, quietly fell asleep in the arms of Jesus, February 15, 2015, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Virginia. Clynard, better known as “C. C.” or “Papa C.” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born to Marion Calvin and Una (Puckett) Belcher on July 31, 1924. Growing up on their mountain top farm in Haysi, he graduated from Haysi High School and immediately volunteered for military service during WWII. He was trained in special communications, serving in France and Germany under Gen. George C. Patton. On returning home, he established Belcher Insurance Agencies, now serving the coalfield region for 64 years, almost seven decades. Mr. Belcher loved Dickenson County and was actively involved in the creation of its first Chamber of Commerce, acting as its very first president. He promoted tourism in the county, producing brochures and videos, and helped to establish the tourism committee. Mr. Belcher carried out his motto, “People come first,” which earned him the respect of business associates and grateful customers.
Clynard was a gifted man who loved God’s creation. He and his wife loved to be in the great outdoors, gardening, hiking, picking huckleberries on Mt. Rogers, and searching for the elusive “ginseng” patches. His love for the beauty of creation was vividly expressed through his gifts of art and photography. He loved to sing and many will remember his rich, deep baritone. He and his wife, Anita (Anderson) Belcher, enjoyed traveling across their county, the country and the world, relishing each trip as a true adventure. But his love for his Lord and his family marked him more than anything else. He had a deep, unfathomable love for his family and strong loyalty to his many friends. Clynard was a solid Christian. His faith in the Lord and His Word was unshakable and was the bedrock of his life. Many will remember him, not only as their insurance man, but as the man concerned for their eternal lives who picked them up for Vacation Bible School in the summer and Sunday School on the Lord’s Day. He served as an elder in Dickenson First Presbyterian Church in Haysi for over 50 years and was also actively involved in Gideons International before his health declined.
Besides his parents, Mr. Belcher was preceded in death by an infant son, Clynard Terrance and two sisters, Gladiola (Belcher) Fields and Joann (Belcher) Reed. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Anita (Anderson) Belcher; two daughters Rebecca (Belcher) Morecraft, married to Joe Morecraft, III, of Canton, Georgia, and Judy (Belcher) Rogers, married to Wayne Rogers of Stockbridge, Georgia; two sons Hugh Calvin Belcher, married to Julie (Olliges) of Abingdon, Virginia, and Kerry G. A. Belcher, married to Rita (Akers), of Haysi, Virginia; 18 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Belcher’s body will be laid to rest at his home place which he loved so much, awaiting the return of Christ Whom he loved even more. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m.. Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Haysi Funeral Home. Burial will follow, Haysi, VA. The family will receive friends after 6:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home with an evening service at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations can be made to Dickenson First Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box C, Haysi, VA 24256. Online condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.haysifuneral.com/

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