Obituary

Lora Dean Junkin, 76, of N. Chesterfield, VA went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 26, 2024. She was born on May 15, 1947, in Ridgley, Maryland. Lora grew up in Ridgely on Meadow Lane Farms with her parents Charles and Nellie Dean, and her older siblings Barbara, Tommy and Bobby. She graduated from North Caroline County High School in 1966, as a member of the National Honor Society. Lora attended American University, where she majored in philosophy. Then transferring to Washington College where she graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy. After accomplishing her bachelor’s degree, she continued with her education and achieved her master’s degree from Georgetown University in philosophy, pursued her doctorate degree. In 1980 her daughter Elizabeth Read was born. At that time, she was a VP at a college for secretaries, until she took time off from her career to raise her daughter. In 1992, she became the executive director for the William Snyder Foundation for Animals, a non-profit dedicated to animal welfare, which was one of her greatest passions, she retired from that role in 2016. In 2017, Lora moved to Chesterfield, VA to be closer to her daughter, son-in-law and first grandchild. Lora’s lifelong loves included collecting antiques, gardening, cooking, and animals. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Dill; son-in law, Benjamin Dill; granddaughter, Genevieve Dill; grandson, Rhys Dill; and nephew, Chad Dean. A visitation will be held one hour prior to Lora’s memorial service which will take place at 11:00 a.m. on March 9, 2024 at Heritage Baptist Church, 7777 Cogbill Rd., N. Chesterfield, VA 23832.