In a farmhouse on Walden Road in Abingdon, VA, Amanda Geraldine “Gerry” Castle Carbary was born on January 17, 1930. Known as Cotton to her family, she spent her childhood exploring the outdoors and reading, and her favorite memories were watching her mother, Susie Eastridge Castle (1890-1965), making biscuits and riding in the wagon to town with her father, Alexander Castle (1879-1966). In the first grade, Gerry developed a lifelong love of learning, and she excelled. Her teacher advocated for her to move to a separate time of the day for children who were considered more advanced in learning, and it was then that the daughter of tenant farmers said she first learned from the children of wealthy families that she was “poor.” It was also then that Gerry learned from her mother that to come from little means and work hard in life was nothing of which to be ashamed. Despite her experiences with her peers in school that year, Gerry made a commitment in the first grade to become a teacher, and she did.

Gerry graduated from William King High School in 1947, and with the help and sacrifices of her parents and brother, Bogle, she enrolled at Emory & Henry College. She celebrated the 75th anniversary of her college graduation this year. Gerry began her career first teaching at Wallace, which was a combined school at the time, and she taught students of all ages, including Korean War veterans who had returned home. Later, she taught at John S. Battle High School, where she chose the new school’s colors, and at Patrick Henry High School. Gerry ended her career at Abingdon Elementary School in 1990. She was known as a stern but fair teacher, often requesting students who were reported to have the most severe behavioral issues be assigned to her classroom. By the end of the school year, those students loved her, and she loved them. She maintained correspondence with many former students, including many also in their 90s. All her former students may smile to learn that her family was consistently impressed with how she remembered all her students, and she spoke of them often.

Gerry was a longtime member of Sinking Springs Presbyterian Church and later a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church. She was a passionate and creative Sunday school teacher, and it would not surprise those who knew her that she often stood at the back door debating the message of the sermon with the preacher. Gerry was also a private person. It was not until the last years of her life that her family learned of the many charities to which Gerry donated and the individuals in her community who she quietly supported in various ways.

Gerry is preceded in death by her mother and father and by her siblings Floy, Eileen, Bogle, and Ebert. She is survived by her daughter, Amy Garrett; her son, Jeff Carbary; her daughter-in-law, Debbie Carbary; her grandsons, Josh von Castle, Andrew Garrett, Justin Garrett, and Skyler Carbary; and several of their children and grandchildren.

In the last few years of Gerry’s life, she said that just before she opened her eyes in the morning, she could hear her mother and father talking at the kitchen table of her childhood home. On August 5, 2026, Cotton peacefully joined them at the table. May God rest her soul.

A private graveside service has been planned for close family according to Gerry’s wishes of “not making a fuss.” In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who feel compelled to give, send a thank you note to a former teacher and/or follow Gerry’s example by donating to any worthy charitable cause of your choosing. Special thanks to Frost Funeral Home, and especially to her former students there.

Frost Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Ms. Amanda Geraldine “Gerry” Castle Carbary.