Virginia Louise Garton

Virginia Smith Garton

Virginia Louise Smith Garton, 82, of Charlottesville died on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at a local health care facility.

She was born in Louisa County on February 2, 1927, the daughter of the late James Edloe and Ruby Thomas Smith. She was also predeceased by her husband, Clarence W. Garton; three sisters, Lillian S. Armstrong, Alice Kathryn Smith, Mary Byrd Smith; and two brothers, James E. Smith and Lee Smith.

Virginia retired from State Farm Insurance in 1974 to care for her first grandchild and continued to provide child care until January, 2005 when she suffered her first stroke. Many have called her "Granny". She was a charter member of the Cherry Avenue Christian Church and former member of the Merry Mates Sunday School Class.

She is survived by a daughter, Pat Durrer and her husband, Tom; and one son, Larry Garton.

Also surviving are her grandchildren, Rick Durrer and his wife, Skye, of Stanardsville, Troy Durrer of Charlottesville, Julie Edwards of Charlottesville and Megan Garton of Virginia Beach, and their mother, Beth Gibson; great- grandchildren, Alli Durrer of Stanardsville and Amya, Taniya and T. J. Edwards of Charlottesville. She is also survived by two brothers-in-law, T. W. Armstrong of Charlottesville and Raymond Garton of High Point, North Carolina; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Both Virginia and her roommate, Louise Clements, went together on Thursday, December 3, 2009, to join the Lord.

Her family would like to thank the nurses and staff from Charlottesville Health and Rehabilitation for their care and compassion during Virginia's illness and Hospice of the Piedmont for their kindness and care during the past few months.

A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, December 6, 2009, at the Teague Chapel with Mr. Scott Carter and Mr. Stan Martin officiating. Interment will follow at Monticello Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m. prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cherry Avenue Christian Church, 1720 Cherry Avenue, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 or Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, Virginia 22911.

Friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.