Obituary of Rafael Antonio Serrano

Rafael Antonio Serrano passed away peacefully on December 31, 2017 in Roanoke, Virginia at the age of 83. Rafael was born in Camaguey, Cuba on November 27, 1934, the son of the late Jose Roberto and Angela Caridad Peñamil Serrano. Rafael came to America in 1956, and he served with pride in the United States Army. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1958.

He met the love of his life, Teresita (“Terry”) Antonieta Hernandez, of Richmond, Virginia while she was visiting family in Miami, Florida, and they enjoyed sixty years of loving marriage together. Rafael and Terry settled in Richmond, where they owned and ran several well-known beauty salons over the years, the last being Rafael Beauty Salon on Glenside Drive in Richmond. Rafael also enjoyed success in building and leasing commercial real estate before retiring in 2016.

Rafael and Terry brought his parents to America from Cuba in the mid 1960’s, and they helped other family members from Cuba find their way to America as well. Rafael’s loves included baseball, the Minnesota Vikings, and the United States of America, which he truly believed is the land of opportunity. His greatest loves, however, were his wife Terry, his daughter Ana Barbara (“Bobbie”), and his three granddaughters. He was devoted to all of them.

He is survived by his wife Terry, his daughter Bobbie Serrano Black (Paul), of Roanoke, Virginia; his sisters Flora Serrano Walsh (John), of Georgetown, Indiana, and Fe Serrano Garza, of Richmond, Virginia; his granddaughters, Elizabeth Black Pogue (Franklin), of Nashville, Tennessee, Anna Christian Black, and Grace Markham Black, both of Washington, D.C.; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Rafael’s family sends their thanks to all of Rafael’s and Terry’s friends, employees, and loyal customers. The family would also like to thank the staff at The Village at Pheasant Ridge, Carilion palliative care, and Good Samaritan Hospice for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be considered in Rafael’s memory to the American Lung Association or to a charity of one’s choice.

The family will receive friends Friday, January 5, 2018 from 1:00-2:00p.m. at Simpson Funeral Home. The service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Entombment will be private. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.simpsonfuneral.com. Arrangements handled by Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory. (540) 366-0707.