Virginia June Mercer, 87, of Wichita, Kansas passed away on Saturday, April 10, 2021 in Wichita. Virginia was born the daughter of Clifford and Alta Gleason on December 16, 1933 in Kingman, Kansas. Virginia and Bud Mercer were united in marriage on May 26, 1950 in Garden City, Kansas. Together they celebrated 63 years of marriage before his passing in 2013.
Virginia loved her family and her home was always open to any who might need a place to stay or just a visit or a meal. She was well loved by all who knew her with her cheerful, calm personality that was always ready for fun, hard work, learning new things, and especially working in her garden. She was one of the few who seemed to really know who she was and was comfortable in her own skin, therefore making everyone else comfortable.
A child of the depression years, she grew up having little, yet feeling full, having a loving family who not only taught biblical principles to their children, but lived them and encouraged conversations and discussions of any and everything. She grew up knowing she was loved, being prepared for daily life through the many chores of garden, kitchen, home, including raising chickens and goats. As her mom’s right hand helper, she learned much from her mom who herself was a strong and resourceful woman of the times, happily married, but basically raising her children alone during the week while her husband was working away in order to have a job.
Virginia was young when she married Bud, and they shared a love that is rare and was a true picture of what God intended for marriage. It was hard to think of one without the other, they were truly one, yet she was strong enough in herself to truly embrace and enjoy life on her own after his death, even as the ache of missing him remained. In one of the many writing tablets found only thing written on the only page was this jewel that tells it all: “When I was young, with long blond hair—He loved me”
One of their favorite pastimes was to quote childrens’ sayings, from their kids, grandkids, or any others they heard, and use them with each other. We keep finding little scraps of paper with sayings on them. She even tried to write them all down in a book, and got one story in it. But as she said at the beginning of that writing: “I’ve had this book for several weeks and often wondered how writers ever start a story or an article. I wanted this to be a way to write down cute sayings by my grandchildren but when they aren’t here there’s nothing to write, when they’re here, I’m too busy to write, and when they’ve just left, and their words are fresh on my mind, I’m too tired to write!” She goes on, “I’m sure these excuses show some great flaw in my character, but that’s the beauty of being a grandmother to small children, they either don’t see or make excuses for ‘flawed’ grandmothers.”
She was a wonderful story teller and our children, when not living close by, received imaginative stories written in letters to them, and she often made up stories for them as they prepared for naps when they were together. She was also a prolific letter writer, a rarity today, and was known for her perfect, flowing penmanship.
She embraced life and enjoyed living a simple life centered on home, family and neighbors and kept track of people she knew and loved to the end through letters and phone calls.
Hers was a quiet faith, but bedrock on Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection for her salvation and forgiveness. She was one, like Jesus’ own mother, Mary, who truly knew how to take in a truth or moment of life and ponder it in her heart. I found a loose sheet of paper with these notes scribbled on it [typed as written]:
Quietness, brings peace, calmness ; the mind and heart are open only after the mouth shuts. Talk, is vain and when we are talking we can’t give others their turn. Proverbs 29:11 (waiting until we think of our words & checking if they are true, honest, and kind, we can decide if we are right before we cause trouble for ourselves or others) “A fool uttereth all his mind; but a wise man keepeth it in till afterward.”
On another piece of notepad with a shopping list: Ephesians and Proverbs 19 are referenced, then: “weighed down by an offence-Paul-extended grace, after killing Christians sober judgement; Christ’s grace to you; Grace is given to us give it to others; Thick skin and soft heart! Hurt people-hurt people; We label people God forgives Luke”
Through the years, I saw her live these truths out, along with so many others. To know her was to be blessed and loved.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; 3 brothers and 1 sister. Survivors include her sister; Mary Alta Stimatze, children; Matt (Gayle) Mercer, Melissa (Ray) Gammon, Mark Mercer, grandchildren; Chad (Sarah), Josh (Chris), Ben, Bekki (John), Beth, great-grandchildren; Will (Ashley), Kayla, Jon, Jared, Jack, Micah and Liam and many nieces and nephews.
A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita.
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