Emma Lee Virts

Emma Lee Virts (nee Hostler), 86, of Lucketts, VA passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, August 9, 2025 at INOVA Loudoun Hospital surrounded by her family. Born October 16, 1938 in Harper's Ferry, WV, she was the daughter of the late Forrest Earl "Buck" Hostler and Margaret Elizabeth Ott.

Emma Lee was the middle child of ten children and grew up "on the mountain" in Mannings, WV. She graduated from Charles Town High School in 1956 and was the only one of her siblings to finish high school. She worked at the Musselman's Processing Plant and was an operator for the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company before marrying Leo Thomas Virts on December 19, 1959. Emma Lee and Leo made their home in Lucketts on the Catoctin Ridge where Emma Lee became a full-time housewife and mother.

In 1979, Emma Lee went back to work as a fabricator in the window shop at Barber & Ross in Leesburg. Over the years, she was promoted to supervisor and shop foreman. She met Bill McGaha in 1980 who later became her partner in life until his passing in 1997.

Emma Lee was a skilled seamstress. She loved sewing, quilting and crocheting, making everything from doll clothes to blankets and bolsters for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening and every spring had many heirloom tomato transplants to share. She was most proud of her flowers; her peonies, African violets and Christmas cactus were among her favorites.

Emma Lee retired in 2003. She was a quiet woman and led a simple life. She enjoyed drinking black coffee, watching old Westerns, and sitting on her deck in the company of songbirds and squirrels with glorious views of the Sugarloaf from her front porch.

Emma Lee is survived by her son Kevin Michael Virts of Eutawville, SC; daughter Sharon D. Virts (Scott Miller) of Lucketts, VA; six grandchildren James Mason, Lucas Mason, Ciara Jenkins, Zachary Mozer, Nicholas Mozer, and Dylan Virts; two step-grandchildren Benjamin (Amanda) Miller and Avery Miller; one great-grandson Charlie Mason and two step-great-grandsons Bodhi and Aubrey Miller. Emma Lee was particularly close to her niece Sandra Kay Longerbeam.

Emma Lee is preceded in death by her partner William McGaha, her parents, and siblings Josephine "Jody" Longerbeam, Irene "Dickle" Seal, Pat Hostler, Ellen Biggs, Margaret "Margie" McDaniel, Albert Hostler, Carl "Kenny" Hostler, Judith "Judy" Cornell, and Wilma "Babes" Hostler.

Visitation is from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Thursday, August 14 at Hall Funeral Home in Purcellville, VA. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:30 pm on Friday, August 15 at Union Cemetery in Lovettsville VA with a reception following at the Lovettsville Game Club. While flowers are appreciated, donations can be made to the INOVA Virts Miller Family Emergency Trauma Center at Loudoun Hospital. (https://join.inova.org/tribute).

Arrangements by Hall Funeral Home. Please visit www.hallfh.com to express online condolences to the family. Emma Lee Virts