Virginia Drake Dennis

Virginia (Jenny) Drake Dennis, 72, passed away Friday, September 19, 2008, at her home in Roanoke. She was the loving daughter of the late Almond and Annie Drake and grew up on a tobacco farm in Pinetops, N.C. Jenny was the devoted wife of the late F.M. Dennis and was wed for 37 years when he passed away in 1994, and was also preceded by one sister, Dora Drake Moore; and one brother, Edwin Brooks Drake. She attended Chowan College in N.C. and graduated and married the same day in June of 1956. She worked side by side with her husband at various newspapers in Georgia and North and South Carolina. Jenny retired from Parts Depot Inc. in Roanoke, working 22 years in customer service. She was an active member of North Roanoke Baptist Church and enjoyed the fellowship of the Gleaner's ministry. Jenny is survived by three sons and a daughter-in-law, Philip and his wife, Betsy, Michael, all of Roanoke, and Patrick, of Colonial Heights; four sisters, Mary Drake Stallings, of Tarboro, N.C., Eva Drake Bunn, of Greenville, N.C., Maude Drake Turner, and Alice Drake Williams, both of Rocky Mount, N.C.; one brother, Almond Jerkins Drake II, of Pinetops, N.C.; two grandchildren, Joe Dennis, of Roanoke, and Hannah Dennis, of Culpepper. Friends may visit with the family Sunday, September 21, 2008, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke. A memorial service celebrating Jenny's life will be 2 p.m. Monday, September 22, 2008, at North Roanoke Baptist Church with the Rev. Darryl Crim officiating. Memorials may be made in her name to North Roanoke Baptist Church, 6402 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, Va. 24019. Simpson Funeral Home and Crematory are handling the arrangements, 540-366-0707.