Francis Reid Koger, of Augusta County, Virginia, went to be with his Lord on January 3, 2017.

The Reverend Mr. Koger was born on June 2, 1914, in Bassett, Virginia, to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hill Koger, Sr., who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Martha Stone Koger, as well as his siblings, Jack Koger, John Koger, Robert Hill Koger Jr., Bill Koger, Mary K. Turner, and Magdalene K. Grogan. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

He is survived by his daughters, Rebecca K. Shumate and Constance K. Sachlis; four grandchildren, Martha Neal Shumate, T. E. (Sharon) Shumate, Penny (Ryan) 0'Arensborg and Christopher (Christina) Kraus, seven great-grandchildren, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

Having dropped out of school to work in his father's orchard business, the Reverend Mr. Koger returned to high school at age 31, when he entered the ministry receiving his ordination from his home church, Blackberry Baptist Church in Bassett, Virginia. He earned his high school diploma from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, and continued his education at Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee, Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Indiana University. The Rev. Koger pastored various Baptist Churches in Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. He began his ministry at the First Baptist Church in Hillsville, Virginia, and many years later, returned to that church from which he retired at age 65. After retirement, he became an interim pastor for several churches, choosing those he felt would benefit from his guidance. In addition, he worked as an extension agent for the Baptist seminaries, planning and directing educational programs for adults. Before entering the ministry, Mr. Koger was employed by the E.I. Dupont Company in Martinsville, Virginia. While there he was involved in the planning and construction of new buildings.

The funeral will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Vaughn-Guynn-McGrady Chapel in at 1:00 PM with Pastor Michael Shockley officiating. Burial will follow in the Wilkinson Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 12:00 until 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those desiring to make donations please consider the First Baptist Church, 1401 North Main Street, Hillsville, VA 24343, First Baptist Church, South Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980, First Presbyterian Church, 11th at Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980, or Blackberry Baptist Church, Bassett, Virginia. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family locally.