Virginia Gardner Becker

Virginia Gardner Becker, 94, of Martinsville, passed away Thursday, September 19, 2013, at King’s Grant Retirement Community, where she had lived since 2001. She was born in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, August 2, 1919 to Chesley Walter Gardner and Jenny Sewell Gardner. She attended Chowan University and graduated from Women’s College of the University of North Carolina (UNC at Greensboro). Virginia served in the Navy (WAVES) during WWII from June 1943 to October 1945. She married her husband Bernie on April 20, 1945, and they came together to Martinsville in 1950. She was Bookkeeper for First Presbyterian Church of Martinsville for 20 years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Martinsville where she had served as Sunday School Superintendent and was active in United Methodist Women, the Read-Robins Sunday School Class and her church circle. She also enjoyed her book club and playing bridge.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Chesley Gardner.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Bernard C. Becker of King’s Grant; two daughters, Kathryn Antaramian and husband, Grant of Glen Allen, VA, Mary Davis Jones and husband, Ron of Greensboro, NC; one son, Mark Gardner Becker of Boones Mill, VA; seven grandchildren, Meg Moran and husband Terry, Susan Antaramian, Russell and Adam Becker, Michael, Christopher, and Graham Davis; one great-grandchild, Zachary Moran; a first cousin, Roxanna Faith of Hawaii, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Monday, September 23, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at King’s Grant Victory Chapel with Pastor Keith Ritchie, Rev. Ronald Mateer and Rev. Paul Johnson officiating.

The family will receive friends at King’s Grant following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 146 East Main Street, Martinsville, VA 24112 or to King’s Grant Fellowship Fund, 600 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Arrangements are by McKee-Stone Funeral Home in Martinsville.

To express condolences on line, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com