Virginia Blanche Aylor McGhee died on September 13, 2022, passing quietly at Countryside Assisted Living, Pratts, VA. She was born July 4, 1934 in Locust Dale, VA to the late Benjamin Wilson and Helen Lohr Aylor. She enjoyed special pride in sharing a birthday with her country. Virginia is survived by her husband of 64 years Kenneth McGhee, and three sons, Garry McGhee and wife Karla, Kevin McGhee and wife Cathy, and Hugh McGhee and friend Becky. Virginia also leaves behind six grandchildren, Jaime McMahon and her husband David of Greene County, and Ben, Conner, Nicholas, Clare, and Noah McGhee all of Madison. She also leaves great grandchildren Aidan Ryan and Kara Ruth McMahon of Greene County. She is also survived by a sister Ruth Aylor Lillard of Graves Mill and brother George Aylor of Madison. She was predeceased by her parents and by brothers Silas and Paul Aylor and by a sister Leah Kitchen.
Virginia was a 1952 graduate of Madison County High School and worked for many years at the former State Bank of Madison. She left the bank to raise her children and concentrate on community service through her work with the Madison United Methodist Church where she served many years as treasurer. During those years she also was a Cub Scout Den mother as well as Sunday school teacher. Later she participated in the founding and operation of Rainbow Preschool and later still as a bookkeeper at Madison County Library. She was also a member of the Madison County Historical Society and the Madison County Literacy Council and an active participant in the Madison Chapter of Habitat for Humanity during the years it worked in the county. In addition, she spent 8 years in public service as a member of the Madison County Planning Commission.
Virginia was a woman of many talents and loves. She especially loved her family and was a constant caregiver for grandchildren and for other children throughout their formative years when she taught them the values of God, country, family, and hard work. She was a tireless gardener and master country cook. Much of her work ethic was a result of her childhood and teenage years where she lost her mother when she was seven years old and went to live with an aunt until she was ten. At ten years of age she moved back home to assist in homemaking for her father and three brothers. Family members have referred to her as the glue that held the family together during the years she was the homemaker for the males in her family. After her marriage to Kenneth she continued to work for some years while Kenneth pursued his education. After that, Kenneth’s career afforded her the opportunity to travel extensively including visits to every state in the Union. She especially relished visits to Hawaii and Alaska. Through all trials and adversity her foremost mission in life was support of her family in whatever they undertook. Late in her life several strokes made the latter years very difficult for Virginia. She still met most challenges with an upbeat attitude until dementia took its toll.
A memorial service will be held Saturday September 24th at 11:00AM at Madison United Methodist Church, 505 S. Main ST, Madison. The service will be followed by a reception in the church social hall. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Madison United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 383, Madison, VA 22727 or to MESA, 927 Orange RD, Pratts, VA 22731. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the management and staff of Countryside Assisted Living for their tireless and dedicated work in caring for Virginia over the last two years of her life.
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