Mrs. Mary Virginia Leach Gillum

She was born January 27, 1921 in Harrisonburg and was the daughter of the late Wesley and Gertrude Puffenbarger Leach.

She was a 1938 graduate of Harrisonburg High School, where she was salutatorian of her class. She went to Washington, D.C., where she graduated from Strayer College and was a legal secretary for Cooke and Beneman, corporation lawyers. Later she returned to Harrisonburg and worked for George D. Conrad, Commonwealth’s Attorney. In the early 1960’s she worked as a reception-secretary at the First National Bank, now Bank of America. In 1968 she was Executive Secretary of the United Fund of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church for 77 years, having served on the Official Board, various committees and as treasurer of United Methodist Women for many years. She was named a Life Member of United Methodist Women in 1979.

She was past president of the Crestview Garden Club, past secretary of the Harrisonburg Council of Garden Clubs and from

1962-64 served as secretary of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society.

In 1997 she moved to Sunnyside Retirement Community. There she continued her interest in volunteer work, played bridge and often enjoyed introducing new residents to the history and charm of the Valley.

On October 10, 1948 she married Leonard Yancey Gillum who preceded her in death on March 27, 1993.

Virginia is survived by one daughter, Susan Carol Gillum Estrem and husband, Dan of Pasadena, MD, one son, John Lloyd Gillum of Tampa, FL, one granddaughter, Ginger Susan Gillum Irick and husband, Randy of Tampa, FL, two grandsons, Stephen Leonard Gillum of Aurora, IL, and Michael Elven Estrem and wife, Hayley of Hillsborough, NC, four great-grandsons and three great-granddaughters, and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Paul Wesley and Roy Lee Leach.

The family will receive friends 7-8:00 PM, Tuesday evening, June 1, at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.

A memorial service will be held 10:00 AM, Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Asbury United Methodist Church with Rev. Larry Thompson, Rev. Bob Talbott, Rev. James M. Johns, and Rev. Paul O’Gorek officiating. A private burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church Building Fund, 205 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801, in her memory.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindseyharrisonburg.com.