Paula Pilkenton Vail

Paula Pilkenton Vail, 86, of Roanoke Va., passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023.

She loved music from her earliest days in Huntington, W.Va., playing the piano by ear as a child then taking up the violin and later majoring in music at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga.

She played in the Roanoke Symphony for 25 years and led the II Violin Section.

Her tenure playing in the symphony was followed by service in the Symphony Auxiliary where she helped select music to be performed each season. Her love of music might have been eclipsed only by her great gift of hospitality. Anyone who was fortunate enough to sit at her table enjoyed some of the most generous and delicious hospitality in the South.

Paula was famous with her children and grandchildren (and great grandchildren) for her oatmeal pancakes and peach cobbler—and for always insisting on second helpings!

Paula was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Charles “Chip” Vail Jr.

She is survived by her son, Charles Conrady “Chip” Vail III (Laura); her daughter, Elizabeth Risen Vail; grandsons, Charles Austin Vail (Lauren) and David Conrady Vail (Morgan); and three great-grandsons, Brooks, Bentley, and Luca Vail. Paula is also survived by her brother, William David Pilkenton.

The family will receive visitors on Monday, July 3, 2023, from 10 until 11:30 a.m. at Oakey’s Downtown Chapel and a service will begin on Monday at 11:30 a.m. Graveside interment will follow at Evergreen Burial Park.

Memorial gifts may be made in Paula’s honor to Roanoke Valley Rescue Mission.