Mr. Persinger was born in Covington on April 19, 1926, to the late Munford Tavenor “Snatch” Persinger Sr. and Addie Mae (Bookman) Persinger.

He was a veteran of World War II, enlisting in the Army Air Corp Reserves as a junior in high school and entering active duty when he graduated in June 1944. He served until the conflict concluded.

Using the G.I. Bill, he was able to obtain a college education culminating in a degree from Washington and Lee University in 1952, also the year he married Shirley to whom he was married for 71 years.

Beginning in 1952, Mr. Persinger was initially engaged in selling men’s clothing at The College Town Shop and part owner of The Shoe Box store in Lexington. He later entered the field of banking in 1965 where he reached the level of vice president at Crestar Bank, also in Lexington.

He retired in 1983 to his Bath County farm where he enjoyed staying active in a variety of pursuits with family and friends.

George, more affectionately called by his wife as “Meredith” and by “Speck” from his friends and relatives in Covington, was raised in the Presbyterian faith and confessed a belief in Jesus as his Lord.

Mr. Persinger is survived by his five sons, George Meredith Persinger Jr. and wife Loretta of Rockbridge Baths, Gregory Wayne Persinger and wife Phyllis of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Gary Lynn Persinger and wife Deanna of Raphine, Robert Kyle Persinger and wife Shelley of Tulsa, Okla., and recently of Millboro (who both took on the task of elderly care for George and continue to do so for Shirley), and John Tavenor Persinger of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and also nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date for family, relatives, and friends of the family.

Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is handling arrangements.

To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome. com. N-G