Virginia Helen Mahaffie Runnels

Virginia Helen Runnels, 101, of Olathe, Kansas passed away surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, February 6,2025. She will forever be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend to everyone she knew.

Virginia was born on November 8, 1923 in Olathe, Kansas to Ruel D. and Lena Marie (Marlowich) Mahaffie. She attended and graduated from Olathe High School. She met the love of her life, Russell Earl Runnels, and they were married on July 3,1943. Together they raised their four children Tresa, Renee, Pam and Wayne.

Virginia worked several different jobs during her lifetime. She worked in retail sales but worked most of her career in food service, retiring from The Olathe School for the Deaf in 1989.

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents Ruel D. and Lena Mahaffie, her husband of 31 years, Russell Earl Runnels and her daughter I. Renee Silvers.

She is survived by her daughters, Tresa Murphy, her husband Mick and Pam Rushing, both of Olathe and her son Wayne Runnels of Paola, Kansas. Left behind to cherish her memory are her five grandchildren, Scott Murphy, Kim Novak (Jim), Monica Fromholtz (James), Mason Rushing (Leslie) and Gene (G.R.) Silvers. (They will tell you that their grandma made the best fudge in the world!) Six great grandchildren, Justin, Paige, Alexa, Aidan, Julia and Jackson.

Virginia is also preceded in death by her siblings. Four brothers, Lee, Claude, Raymond and Paul Mahaffie. Three sisters, Kathryn Weaver, Eloise Patrick and Minnie Midgett.

Funeral service Friday, February 21, 2025 at the McGilley & Frye Funeral Home, 105 East Loula Street, Olathe, KS. Interment in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, 13901 South Black Bob Road, Olathe, KS.

Condolences may be offered at www.McGilley-Frye.com