Virgie Keith Gardner

Virgie Keith Gardner, 89, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, May 22, 2010. She was born November 10, 1920, to Bessie and Larkin Keith, of Willis, where she resided all her life. She approached her recent illness and approaching death with the grace with which she had lived her life. She asked for nothing, never complained, and was appreciative of everything anyone did for her. Virgie was an extraordinary, kind, and caring person, who provided a loving home for both immediate and extended family members while working full time at various garment factories in the area. An angel in disguise, Virgie thought the best of everyone and was never one to judge. Always honest and genuine, those close to her never knew her to have a selfish, petty, or mean thought or act. Her heart was so pure that she simply didn't know how.
Virgie was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie K. Gardner, her parents, her grandson, Damon Ray Gardner, nephew, Tony A. Harris, and siblings, Helen K. Harris, Roscoe Q. Keith, and Hunter Keith. Surviving are her son, C.T. Gardner and his wife, Betty, of Floyd, Va., Kitty Gardner Dickerson and her significant other, William (Bill) B. Fisch, of Columbia, Mo.; grandson, Derek (Deke) Dickerson and his wife, Nicole, of Los Angeles, Calif.; granddaughter, Michelle G. Rifkin and her husband, Adam, of Palo Alto, Calif.; granddaughter, Donya Dickerson and her husband, Travis Adkins, of Brooklyn, N.Y. Of special pride to her were great-grandchildren, Caleb Dylan Gardner, Evelyn Marie Dickerson, and Diora Margaret Adkins.
Virgie raised two dear nephews, David Ray Harris whose wife is Sandy, and the late Tony A. Harris whose widow is Lydia (Liz), all of the Dayton, Ohio area. Another beloved nephew, David Michael Keith, of Holland, Mich. had a special place in her heart from the time when he came to care for her for nine months after she had cardiac bypass surgery. Other nephews included, Jim-Roy Harris Rochford and wife, Teri, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Errol (Ernie) Harris and wife, Martha, of Cleveland, Ohio. Two dear nieces are Mary Keith Feddick and Diane Keith, of Holland, Mich.
Virgie was a member of the Willis United Methodist Church. After her retirement, she enjoyed being part of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) through which she made new friends and enjoyed helping others through service projects. She was also a member of the quilting group.
Virgie loved the team of caring caregivers she had in her recent months of poor health. To her, they were more than caregivers, she lovingly referred to them as her friends when she talked about them. She respected and appreciated the faithful and thoughtful ministry of her pastor, Rev. Joshua D. Kilbourne. She and the family appreciated the care provided by the Carilion Home Hospice and Home Health Care Staff.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at Maberry Funeral Home in Floyd. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 27, 2010, at 2 p.m., interment to follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Willis, Va.
Flowers are appreciated as Virgie always enjoyed their beauty. Alternatively, a donation can be made to the Virgie Keith Gardner Scholarship in Textile and Apparel Management at the University of Missouri. Donations can be sent to: 137 Stanley Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo. 65211.