Virginia was born in her parent’s home in Temperance, MI on July 7, 1938. She was preceded in death, by her parents, Helen Gertrude (Vance) and Clarence Albert Rodd, and granddaughter, Renae Anne Colby. She is survived by her brother, Roy Clarence Rodd born 7-7-34, residing in Jonesville, MI.
Ginny graduated from Mason High School and attended Lansing Community College and Michigan State University with a BA English major and a minor in Secondary Education and Music. She was certified to teach secondary school.
Ginny moved to DeWitt and married Harry (Doc) Gene Colby in 1956 and had one child, Daniel (Sandra) Colby of Milford, NH.
In 1962she married Jack Stenberg and had Jon (Carolyn) Stenberg, and Michael (Jamie) Stenberg. She then married Loren Jones in 1979 and taught second grade for a time, well as substitute taught in schools in the Lansing area.
In 1988, Virginia graduated from paralegal school and worked in a Lansing law office.
For the past six years, Ginny was solely a music teacher. She had students ranging from children to adults. Many students received first prize in several recitals competitions. In 2001, she was awarded “Teacher of the Year” by the Michigan Music Teachers Association. On May 15, 2009, the Michigan Federation of Music Clubs honored and recognized her with a Certificate of Appreciation for faithful service to their organization for 25 years.
Ginny was a member of the Central Free Methodist Church in Lansing, where she played piano and was a praise band member/organist for the Haitian church for 5 years. She was also a member of the Redeemer Methodist Church in DeWitt, and was involved in teaching Sunday school and Bible Study Groups.
Virginia had a love for her Boston Terriers: Pepper, Sparkle, Samson and Charlie. Their antics gave her several years of joy and fun conversations with friends and family alike. Her terriers made many trips with her through the years. They were her traveling companions when she went to New Hampshire and Connecticut to visit her family there, as well as various other trips to “parts unknown”.
One of Ginny’s great qualities has been her ability to make friends with ease. She had an avid interest in people, in their cultures and celebrated the differences and likenesses of each. Ginny traveled to JuJu Island of the mainland of South Korea, She had a “grandmother” relationship with Su Han, her surrogate granddaughter and was adopted by the family of Chang Heub Lee(father) Nissan (mother), son Ek Han and daughter Su Han.
Ginny enjoyed traveling to other nations with Jon and Carolyn such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and China. In 2010, Ginny joined a group of travelers to Ireland, where she truly enjoyed herself. Ginny could always count on adding at least one new friend.
She was ardent reader and loved the written word, to the extent that she had a wonderful resource library of books the she had collected through the years. She really enjoyed audio books and could be found listening to them
Ginny was a big game player. She loved all sorts of games.
She loved to put together jig saw puzzles and work crosswords.
Virginia loved her sons and was very proud of all their accomplishments. She loved her Daughter-in-laws and especially adored each of her 11 grandchildren. She treasured her family, “adopted” and surrogate family as well as many, many friends
Visitation will be at Gorsline Runciman DeWitt Chapel on Monday, December 19 from 2-4 and 6-8. Funeral Services will be December 20, at Central Free Methodist Church, 828 North Washington Ave, Lansing, MI. at noon with visitation one hour prior to service.
In lieu of flowers, Ginny and her family would request the donations be sent to: Virginia Jones Memorial Fund, Calvary Free Methodist Church, 828 North Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48906. Arrangements made by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, DeWitt Chapel.
Online condolences may be made at: www.grdewitt.com
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