Violeree Napier Cobbs

Violeree Napier "Val" Cobbs entered into eternal rest on Sunday, September 13, 2026. It is said that there are three steps to Heaven; out of self, into Christ, and into Glory. We watched Violeree humbly take those first two steps here on earth, so we have blessed assurance that she has now taken the last.

Born July 22, 1961, Violeree was the third of six children born to the late Carl Lewis Napier Sr. and Lyvonnia Jones Napier. She was educated in Lynchburg Public Schools and graduated with the E.C. Glass class of 1979. Following in the footsteps of older sister Debra, she enjoyed being a cheerleader. Violeree worked for years for the Craddock-Terry Shoe Corporation until illness and a diagnosis of Sarcoidosis prevented her from continuing.

Violeree professed faith in God at a young age and was baptized at Rivermont Baptist Church. She was very active in the church growing up, singing in the Sunbeam and Junior choirs, serving on the Junior Usher Board and participating in Sunday School and Youth Fellowship. As an adult, Violeree's path led her to Brookville Baptist Church for a time, but God ordered her steps back to Rivermont in 1990, where she remained a faithful and devoted member until her passing. Val sang on EVERY Choir (Mass Choir, Senior Choir, Sanctuary Choir and Gospel Chorus) except the Men's Chorus and she no doubt would have sang with them too if needed ("You don't know?!") Even with failing health and connected to an oxygen tank, she sang with the RBC Combined Choir, co-chaired the Women's and Men's Day celebrations and was an active member of the Pastor's Aid Ministry.

Val did not hide her gifts, nor could anyone quench her testimony. She was a one-woman praise team, living out the spirit of Psalm 34:1, "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Val's radiant smile, infectious laugh, and loving spirit left a lasting impression on all she came in contact with.

Violeree leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory, her mother, Lyvonnia J. Napier; two daughters, LaKisha Cobbs Gray and Sasha Cobbs; two stepsons, Shawn Cobbs and Jermaine Cobbs (Colia); two brothers, Carl Napier Jr. (Denise) and Ronnie Napier; three sisters, Debra Napier Thompson, Janice Napier, and Linda King (Michael); four grandchildren, Deja Cobbs, MiKayla Cobbs, Mateo Tillman, and Emria Tillman; two great-grandchildren, Kay'Den Cobbs and Ka'Miyah Cobbs, and a host of other relatives and close friends.

A funeral service will be held on at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Rivermont Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. Interment will be in the Baptist Cemetery.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family