Virginia A. McCuen

Virginia A. McCuen, 81, known to her family and friends as “Gina,” died on Sunday, September 15, 2024 due to complications from Multiple Sclerosis. She was surrounded in love by her family. A memorial service will be celebrated in Lexington at St. Stephens Lutheran Church on September 28, 2024 at 11:00 am with a visitation immediately following.

Gina was an inspiration to all who knew her as a female business owner, activist in the community, or battling MS. She always expected the best in not only herself but of those around her. Gina was widely known for her tireless service to civic, business, professional and cultural activities within the greater Lexington/Columbia area. Gina was the franchise owner of Snelling and Snelling of Lexington which she opened in 1982 and is presently operated by her daughter, Elizabeth Smith Trenbeath. During the late 80’s Gina built an 8,000 square foot business complex named Victoria Square in downtown Lexington despite being told “nothing is happening in Lexington.” Her Snelling franchise went on to consistently place in the top 100 out of 300 Snelling offices. She successfully placed more than 1,700 people in positions with cumulative salaries of more than $28 million, was recognized as Regional Manager of the Year and Regional Consultant of the Year. As a result of having “cashed in” over 1 million dollars in job placements during her lifetime with Snelling, she was awarded The Million Dollar Club. Only 55 recruiters had surpassed the 1 million dollar mark in 1998 when she was awarded. Prior to opening her Snelling Franchise, Gina began her professional career at the University of Georgia as a career counselor in the Student Guidance Center. It was here that she met her first husband and father of her children. She married and moved to the Columbia area in 1968. She later served as a Coordinator with the Children in Placement Project with the Richland County Family Court from 1975-1976 under the late Judge Spigner (1,600 files were researched and foster children located). From 1977-1978 she served as the Coordinator of Counseling Services in the Office of Student Personnel Services at Columbia College. Gina worked as a staffing recruiter from 1978-1982 when she decided to take a bold step to open her own Snelling franchise in Lexington. Gina moved to Lake Murray in Lexington with her two daughters in 1979 after having lived in the St. Andrews area.

Gina was born February 10, 1943, to the late Lewis and Lillian Allen of Farmville, NC. She attended Farmville High School where she maintained many fond friendships throughout her life. Gina obtained her Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Ohio University in 1967 and Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy in 1965 from Barton College (formerly known as Atlantic Christian College) where she was named 2001 Alumnus of the Year. While at Barton College she was a cheerleader and founding member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. She remained actively involved in the Columbia Alumni Chapter of Tri Sigma. Gina was honored to receive the Golden Violet Award for 50 years of steadfast loyalty to the sorority. During her time at Barton College, Gina also had the honor to represent the city of Wilson in the Miss NC State Pageant in 1962.

Gina was recognized and respected throughout the Columbia community as a committed leader and has won numerous awards for her professional and volunteer work. Gina was a member of the Lexington Kiwanis Club where she served as a Lieutenant Governor in District 23 and was voted Kiwanian of the year in 2000. She was also elected as the first woman president of the St. Andrews Kiwanis club in 1995. She was elected first woman member of the Lexington County Zoning Board of Adjustments in 1981 where she served for 8 years, was awarded Columbia Woman of the Year in 1973, SME Distinguished Sales Award 1983, Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award 1985, Columbia Sertoma Club’s Service to Mankind award 1997, YWCA Twin Diamond Award 2000, Wil Lou Gray Award for statewide volunteer service 1997, was an active member of the Foster Care Review Board for 4 years. Gina served as a member and former Board member of the League of Women Voters, Girl Scouts of America Lifetime member and former troop leader, Board of Directors of the Congaree Girl Scout Council, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Confederacy, Columbia Symphony Lifetime Member, Lexington Technology Center Business Advocacy Board, Business Advisory Council at SC Vocational Rehabilitation’s Education Center, LRADAC Volunteer, Junior Achievement Volunteer at Irmo Elementary, State Dept of Education Advisory Committee for Marketing Curriculum for SC high schools, Judge for FBLA and DECA, Leadership Columbia 1999 and Leadership Lexington 2001, Guardian ad Litem 2012-2015, Board Member of the Columbia City Ballet, and the USC School of Medicine Board. Other community honors and affiliations were being named in the top 67 out of 80,000 Tri Sigma alumnae at the Centennial Celebration in 1998, Joan Snelling Award for volunteer service, SC Association of Personnel Services Outstanding Achievement Award 2000, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Lexington Chamber of Commerce (former Board member, committee volunteer), Irmo Chamber of Commerce, Lexington County Museum, and the Lexington Arts Association. She was an active fundraiser for many organizations and causes within the community. Gina attended not only Lexington United Methodist Church but also St. Stephens Lutheran Church where she had been an active member of both. She served as a Stephen Minister at LUMC. Her faith remained at the center of all she pursued in life. Gina maintained a spirit of enthusiasm, energy and leadership in everything she did. With all her achievements, she always had time for her children and was actively involved in supporting them.

Gina is survived by her sister, Mary Allen Steinbauer of Farmville, NC; daughters, Elizabeth Smith Trenbeath (Mike) of Lexington, Virginia “Ginger” Smith Davis (Patton) of Valparaiso, FL; stepson, Shannon Smith (Daniela) of Charlotte, NC; stepdaughters, Kathy Huntley (Harry), Sandra Holland (Scott), and Debbie Elmore; grandchildren, Megan Davis Alsaeedi, M.D. (Matt), Tripp Davis, Joseph Trenbeath, Nathaniel Smith, Caroline Smith, Sarah Smith, Annabeth Smith, Hunt Huntley, Fielder Huntley, Kathryn Huntley, Jennings Huntley, Sarah Holland, Ben Holland, Baker Elmore, McCuen Elmore; nephew, David Johnson (Ashley) of Charlotte, NC. Gina was preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Sam McCuen and her elder sister, Anne Frances Allen Sbolci.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Stephens Lutheran Church or the South Carolina Ballet (southcarolinaballet.com or mail checks to: 1545 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201).