Elberta “Elbie” Raisbeck, 88, of Lexington, passed away on Thursday, July 6, 2023.

She was born Elberta Isla McInnes on October 1, 1934, in Mineola, N.Y. She was the daughter of James McInnes Jr. and Elberta Fowler McInnes.

After graduating from Oyster Bay High School, she went on to earn an associates degree in dental hygiene from the State University of New York at Farmingdale. She spent her working life as a hygienist and many Rockbridge County residents may remember her from her more than 20 years at the Downey and Devening dental practice in Lexington.

She met her second husband, Thomas Henry Raisbeck, while active in community theatre. They were married from October 1972 until his death in August 2002. In 1978 they and her three children moved to Rockbridge County where they continued to be active in community theatre: first at the Henry Street Playhouse and later Bacchus Productions.

Elbie was also deeply involved in activities reflecting her Scottish heritage including becoming a founding member of the Scottish Foundation of the Virginia Highlands of which she served a term as president. She was also a former member of the Natural Bridge Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary and a supporter of Special Olympics and the Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center.

Elbie is survived by her children, Kirk James Bumstead of Lexington, Ross Bumstead Christian of Roanoke, and the Rev. Heather L. Bumstead of Winchester. She is also survived by her grandchild, Sarah Reynolds of Roanoke; her cousins, Betty McInnes Kappstatter of Syosset, N.Y., and Nancy McMullen Young of Denver, Colo.

A memorial service will be held for Elbie at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 14, in the Founder's Room of the Natural Bridge Volunteer Fire Department, 5705 S. Lee Highway. She will be interred with her parents and grandparents at the Brookville Memorial Cemetery on Long Island, N.Y., at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the family in care of The Village at Orchard Ridge, 400 Clocktower Ridge Drive, Winchester, VA 22603.

Memorial gifts to Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center or Rockbridge Area Hospice are suggested.