Virginia Lee Michael

Surrounded by her family, Virginia Lee Grant Michael, 80, of Stuarts Draft went home to be with her Lord Friday afternoon, May 20, 2011 at her residence.

She was born June 12, 1930 in Augusta County, daughter of the late Russell H. and Elizabeth Painter Grant.

Mrs. Michael was a loving, caring, wife, mother and grandmother. She was known for sharing her cooking and baking with family, friends and shut ins. She was a pillar of strength and inspiration to her family and all who knew her. She was a member of the Stuarts Draft Baptist Church, where she was a former choir director and a faithful choir member. She was also a member of the Stuarts Draft Fire Dept. Ladies Auxillary and helped for years at the VFW. She was retired from Hollister, Inc.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Allen Hinkle Michael; son-in-law, William J. “Billy” Bond; three brothers, William, Harrison and Thomas Grant; also two infant grandsons.

Survivors include one son, A. Dale Michael and his wife, Carolyn of Craigsville; two daughters, Cathy Michael Bond, Brenda Michael Johnson and her husband Daniel of Stuarts Draft; grandchildren, Mark Campbell, Jennifer Kennedy, Anthony, Charles and B. Keith Johnson, Carrie Bethel, Jessica Michael; step-grandchildren, Paula Davies and Timothy Whitlock; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Sydney, Brittany, Brynn, Jered, Caleb, Tyrus, Emily, Maggie, Josh and Tyler; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Stuarts Draft Baptist Church.

A service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 23, 2011 in the Stuarts Draft Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. William Kopp officiating.

Active pallbearers will be Dale Michael, Mark Campbell, Anthony, Charles and Keith Johnson and Keith A. Ramsey.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jennifer, Sydney, and Brynn Kennedy, Carrie Bethel, and Jessica Michael.

The family would like to give special thanks to her caregivers, Cindy Blackwell, Sheila Groah, Valda Mosier, Jennifer Kennedy, June Cline and the Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah for their support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Stuarts Draft Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 1054, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477.

Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes have been entrusted with the arrangements.

Family and friends may view the obituary and sign the guest register on line at www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com