Virginia Marie Shanks Fleenor, 91, of Kingsport, departed this life to be with her Heavenly Father on Monday, April 22, 2019. She passed away unexpectedly, the day after Easter and four days before her 92nd birthday, while visiting her daughter in Florida. Virginia was born April 26, 1927 to the late Elmer and Fannie Kay Shanks in Lake Preston, SD and was raised in the Telford, TN area. She graduated from Washington College Academy in Limestone, TN. Virginia married Jack Herbert Fleenor to whom she bore four children before moving to the Kingsport area. Following Jack’s untimely death at age 40, due to cancer, Virginia found a career as an employment counselor with Snelling and Snelling, where she worked until she was 77.
As a single parent, she finished raising her family but also had time for personal pursuits such as international and domestic travel, visiting all 50 states, reading her bible, dancing and “playing games” at the Kingsport Senior Center. Virginia was a member of the Eastman Hiking club, donated her time and service to non-profit services in the Kingsport area and volunteered at local hospitals. She was a long time member of Kendrick’s Creek United Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents, Virginia is preceded in death by her loving husband, Jack H. Fleenor; sisters, Peggy Teeter and Edna Abuslaman; brother, Elbert Shanks; and daughter-in-law, Jill Fleenor.
Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Jerry Fleenor, Michael Fleenor and wife Marsha, Kent Fleenor; daughter, Debbie Myers and husband Kevin; also included are her six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, all who affectionately called her “Grammer”. Grandchildren: Jordan Fleenor and wife Candice, Karen Holzwarth and husband Todd, Becca Smith and husband Blake, Christy Griffith, Kylie Luff and husband Chad, and Katie Burgess and husband Chad. Great-grandchildren: Aiden Skelton, Gracie Overbey, Annie Overbey, Campbell Holzwarth, Kelsea Holzwarth, Trent Smith, Mark Smith, Marin Luff, Chandler Luff, Kai Burgess and Cali Burgess; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at East Lawn Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will follow at 4:00 pm with Rev. Steve Hopkins officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Virginia's honor to Kendricks Creek United Methodist Church, 1000 Kendricks Creek Road, Kingsport, TN 37663.
Online condolences may be made to the Fleenor family at www.eastlawnkingsport.com. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor of serving the Fleenor family.
