Obituary of Emily Elizabeth Buchanan Totten

Emily Elizabeth Buchanan Totten died peacefully at home after a devastating journey through early-onset dementia.

Emily was born on September 23, 1967 in Roanoke, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willis Sylvester Buchanan and Zona Elizabeth Garst Buchanan, and her stepmother, Kathryn Kesling Dame Buchanan.

Emily is survived in her immediate family by her twin brother, Scott Willis Buchanan, and stepsisters, Karen Gail Dame and Cynthia Dame Reed. Also surviving are aunts, uncles, and cousins in the extended families of her mother (Garst line) and stepmother (Kesling and Dame lines).

Emily lived a life of service in all her activities and counted as her community the persons with whom she served. Professionally, for more than two decades, Emily dedicated her skills to various positions in the Roanoke County Emergency Communications Department. As a volunteer, she served for years on the Roanoke County Rescue Squad Hollins # 5  as an emergency medical technician with numerous specialty qualifications and as squad captain; she also qualified as and served the squad as a volunteer firefighter. Recreationally, Emily traveled the mid-Atlantic region, competing with her dog Jordan in AKC Dog Agility trials, at which she was a regular volunteer for organizational tasks.

The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2024 at Simpson Funeral Home. A celebration of Emily's life will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2024 at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road. Friday's service will be live streamed. You may attend the service via live stream by visiting www.simpsonfuneral.com A graveside service will be conducted at noon on Saturday, January 13, 2023 in Sherwood Memorial Park, 1250 East Main Street, Salem, VA 24153..