Virginia Ellen "Ginger" Plummer

Virginia Ellen Plummer

Virginia (Ginger) Ellen Plummer, aged 94, of Nokesville, Virginia went home to be with her Lord on January 3, 2012. She passed away peacefully at the Halquist Memorial Inpatient Center in Arlington, Virginia, after a long illness. 'Ginger' was born in 1917, in Wisconsin to Essie Madora (Jacks) and Edwin Frederick Trively. She had a happy childhood and was a stellar student graduating as the Salutatorian of her 1935 high school class. After working for a year she went to college at Peru State Teacher's College in Nebraska earning her masters degree. Right after her graduation, she taught music and English in the same school where her Mother was teaching. In 1942, she went to work for Glen L. Martin Aircraft working on B-26's and B-29's as a "Rosie the Riveter." After WWII, she went to airline school in Kansas City, MO, and then, on to be a Passenger Agent for Mid-Continent Airlines in both Kansas City and Omaha, NE. It was during this time she met and married the love of her life, Robert Gordon Plummer who worked as a mechanic for United Airlines. 'Ginger' adored her new step-son Ralph, and in 1952 she returned to teaching 4th grade in Bellevue, NE. In 1960 they were blessed with the birth of their daughter Cindy, and in 1961 the family moved to Virginia where Bob was transferred to Dulles Airport. She went to work for the Prince William County School System five years later, teaching her favorite 4th grade classes at Parkside Elementary School. 'Ginger' retired from PWCS in 1982.

She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Prince William Retired Teachers, Christian Women's Club, the Lunch Bunch and Collector's Club and was a fifty year member of Sudley United Methodist Church where she had been the church organist in the 1960's. She also enjoyed visiting other churches near her home. 'Ginger' did cross-stitch, ceramics, was an avid reader, loved music and enjoyed the company of her friends. Family was the most important thing to her. She spent hours with her grandchildren as they grew up, teaching them to love reading and music, and to seek further education after high school. Virginia was predeceased by an infant son Ricky Lee Plummer; her parents; her twin siblings Kenneth Trively and Fonda Fulton; and her beloved husband of 49 years, Bob Plummer. She is survived by her daughter and caregiver of many years Cindy Burke and husband Dale; her step-son Ralph Plummer and wife Peggy of Mississippi. Also surviving are her grandchildren Becky Burke and husband Charlie Smith of Maryland; Matthew Burke of Nokesville, Virginia; Kimberly Herndon of Nebraska; and Christopher Plummer and wife Inger of Illinois. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Kevin and Kirsten Smith of Maryland; and Taylor and Haley Plummer of Illinois. She leaves behind her loving niece Stacey Tschirren and nephews Eddie and Kenny Trively, all of Nebraska. A very dear former student, Jerry Hill, and she wanted her special young people Daniel, Jacob and Mandy Hess to be remembered as she found so much joy being with them. Also mentioned is the family dog Bear, who stayed nearby her until the end as a good friend should. Virginia's sense of humor and love of life will be greatly missed by all her friends and family. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent, in her name, to Manassas Royal Arch Chapter No.81 Scholarship Fund, 9810 Cockrell Ln., Manassas, VA 20110; to Sudley United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 96, Catharpin, VA 20143 or to your local ASPCA. Funeral arrangements have been made through Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, under the direction of Michael Post. Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com.



This obituary was originally published in the News & Messenger (Woodbridge, VA).