She was born on July 25, 1926, in the New Zion community outside Tylertown, MS. Her family was surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins during the hard years of the Great Depression. Her father died when she was eighteen months old. Somehow she and her five siblings made it.
Virginia was a person who wanted to do for others. The nursing profession attracted her after her 1942 graduation from New Zion High School, where she was valedictorian. She earned a degree in Nursing from the Gilfoy School of Nursing at Jackson’s Baptist Hospital in 1946. Her helping spirit infused her work as a Registered Nurse in various settings throughout her career. One of her favorite jobs was in the Student Health Center at Mississippi State University.
She married J. W. “Bill” McKie of Pickens, MS, on August 26, 1948. They were married almost 65 years until his death in 2013. Virginia was an avid fan of all things maroon and white, had an exceptionally green thumb, loved to laugh with her sisters, and spoiled her cats. She was a longtime active member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Rosanne McKie Lee (Jerry Lee) of Kenner LA and her son, John McKie of Madison MS, plus five nieces and five nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, Chalmers Stogner and Bertha Waldrup Stogner, sisters Elizabeth, Iris, and Phoebe and brothers Olson and William.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 27 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Brandon, MS. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am prior to the service. Interment will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson.
The family expresses gratitude to her caregivers over the years, especially Eloise Burch, and the staff at The Blake of Flowood.
Donations to the American Heart Association or St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Brandon are requested in lieu of flowers.
Please visit lakewoodfuneralhomes.com for online guestbook.
