Dare Marie Lightner

Dare Marie Shepherd Lightner, peacefully passed away at 12 noon on Sunday, September 28, 2025, surrounded by her family.  She is survived by her husband, Carey and her son, Colin.  Dare is also survived by her parents, David and P.J. Shepherd; her sisters, Kallyn Paul (Trevor), Maggie Zollos (Emerson); brother, Jesse Shepherd (Maria), and a herd of nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Wanda Lightner; and grandparents, Wendell and Lynn Springston. She is preceded in death by her father-in-law, Carey Lightner and her grandparents, G.C. and Geneva Shepherd. 

Dare graduated as Valedictorian of Nottoway High School Class of 2006.  She obtained her Bachelors Degree in Dairy Science in 2010 from Virginia Tech and continued her education at Ohio State University where she obtained her Masters Degree in Ruminant Microbiology.  Dare worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture as a Food Inspector before becoming a stay-at-home Mom.  She loved reading, raising chickens, camping, kayaking, cows and watching Formula One Racing, go Lando! 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Grace United Methodist Church, 1705 Cox Rd., Wilsons, VA  23894.  The family will receive friends following the service in the Fellowship Hall.  Arrangements are by the Joseph McMillian Funeral Home of Blackstone.  www.mcmillianfuneralhome.com

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