Virginia Hendricks

(Martha) Virginia Kennemur Hendricks, a long time resident of Olympia, Washington, passed away on May 16th, 2018. She was 97 1/2 years old. Virginia was born on January 5th, 1921 in Cairo, Georgia to parents Martha (Mattie) Stokes and Robert Stephen Kennemur. Her grandparents were Dr. James Henry Stokes and Emma Virginia Pollard, Erin Tennessee, and Amanda Kirby and John Robert Kennemur, of Jasper, Georgia.

Virginia was raised in Whigham, Georgia, played the piano and won the title of "Miss Whigham" her senior year. Even after 70 years in the Northwest, Whigham was still "home" . A true "Georgia Peach", she never lost her Southern accent.

Virginia went on to graduate with honors from the University of Georgia and was a life time member of Kappa Delta Sorority. She taught school before returning to earn her Masters' Degree at Peabody/Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, TN.

While a student at the University of Georgia, she had the great opportunity to usher for the premiere showing of "Gone with the Wind", where she greeted many of the actors. This was a highlight of her college years.

In 1942 while still in school in Nashville, she received orders from the War Department to report to the West Palm Beach Naval Hospital in Florida where she was assigned to a team of four other professionals as the Bibliotherapist. She was not required to wear a naval uniform and instead had to wear a "pretty dress and a flower in her hair". Her team helped rehabilitate wounded soldiers returning from WWII. It was here that she met and married John Lyle Hendricks Jr., who served as a Chief Pharmacist Mate in the Navy. After the war, John brought her to his roots, the Northwest, where together they opened and operated Hendricks Rexall Drugs while also raising 8 children.

Their first child was born in 1948 and they went on to have 9 more. These years were filled with memories of the family home on Water Street, station wagons, "Bebop", Christmas mornings with huge trees and lots of decorations & gifts; and summer camp outs in a refurbished army tent to accommodate everyone. On Sunday mornings, this family of 10 took up an entire pew at St. John's Episcopal Church.

Virginia taught school at Garfield Elementary School and for many years was a Sunday School teacher and co-owned/worked the family drugstores. She belonged to D.A.R., the Order of Eastern Star, and was active in the Chamber of Commerce. She was an avid reader, and was writing a cookbook, "Linen Britches", even in her final months. She was happiest in her gardens, loved "her" birds, also a sports fan, she particularly enjoyed watching the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, football games and especially the Seahawks and her Georgia Bulldogs.

She started her own research company AT-PAC Research Consultants and her research and feasibility study was largely responsible for the decision to develop the original Capital Mall. She then purchased a franchise for Hendricks Hallmark Shop which she owned and operated in the mall for many years.

Virginia taught her children that family means everything. She encouraged all to continue their education and led by example with her passion for lifelong learning. At the age of 60, she began her PhD. She was both gracious and genteel, a true Southern lady, called "Miss Virginia" by many. As such, she adorned her tables with fresh flowers and used her finest dishes even for the simplest of occasions. She taught us all that good manners and strength of character will help us survive even the most difficult circumstances. She had many trials in her own life but always persevered.

Virginia was preceded in death by 3 of her children; her daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, sons Paul Robert and James Raleigh Hendricks (Martha), and her husband, John Lyle Hendricks Jr. She outlived both her younger brothers, James Robert and Robert Stokes Kennemur. She is survived by her children, Mary Virginia (Gina) Biggerstaff (Steve), Susan Kennemur Ritter (Scott), Georgia Anne Bailey, Judith Lynn (Jonathan Christopher), Evelyne Lee Hendricks (Stephen Hockey) and John Lyle Hendricks III. She leaves behind two nieces, a nephew, 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren who called her "Mommom".

She believed her greatest accomplishment was raising her children and her joy in life was spending time with her family. Virginia's service is scheduled for Tuesday, May 29th, at 11am at St. John's Episcopal Church in Olympia, with an interment to follow at Masonic Memorial Park. There will be a Celebration of Life in July at the Ritter Home. Please check back to this website periodically for updated information.

We already miss you, are so grateful for your love and will always remember your farewell signature..

"Good bye Shuga...come when you can."