Virginia Sweet Pea Grow Gleason

Virginia Leigh Grow Gleason left to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and to be reunited with loved ones who had preceded her on February 06, 2015. Virginia passed in her sleep at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Dana and Robert Crittenden in Harrisonburg, with whom she had resided since December 2011.

Virginia was born November 24th, 1933 to the late Marguerite Rogers Grow and Joseph H. Grow in Buena Vista, Virginia. She was the eldest of five siblings. Also known to family and friends in Buena Vista as "Sweet Pea", she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Emmett R. Gleason Sr. and brothers Thomas Grow and Keith Grow.

Virginia is survived by her daughter, Dana and son-in-law Robert of Harrisonburg and by her son, Emmett R. "Kip" Gleason of Radford, Va. and Kip's special friend, Sandy Klontz of Christiansburg, Va. She is also survived by four grandchildren she adored: Sam and Kaiti Crittenden of Harrisonburg and Michael and Carrie Gleason of Radford. She is also survived by brothers Joseph H. "Butch" Grow and wife Gerry and by Gwen V. Grow and wife Ruby, all of Buena Vista.

Virginia is also survived by a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

Virginia worked for nearly 40 years at JMU in food service as a Supervisor. She loved the students she served and became a mom away from home to many. Virginia loved crossword puzzles and they had to be tough ones. She loved playing bingo and all the many friends she met at the games. She only recently stopped playing due to her declining health. Virginia was an avid Redskins fan and recently purchased a John Riggins # 44 jersey, her favorite former Redskin player. She loved WWII documentaries, murder mysteries, the TV series Bones and most of all the game shows, "Family Feud", "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy". She competed with the TV contestants and often won - at home.

Virginia never met a stranger, often striking up conversations with other vacationers at the Outer Banks when she traveled with family. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 08, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 09, 2015 at 11:00 am with Reverend Joseph H. Grow, Sr. officiating in the chapel of the funeral home. Burial will be at Green Hill Cemetery in Buena Vista, VA at 2:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sentara RMH Heart and Vascular Services or a charity of your choice.

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