Virginia Kathern Carlton

Virginia K. Carlton, 97, passed away at her home on Sunday June 27, 2010. She was born September 29, 1912 in Davenport, Washington to Charles and Mollie (Mundell) Funkhouser. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings, 4 brothers and 4 sisters.

On July 2, 1931, Virginia married Paul T. Carlton. To this union were born three children, Harold, Shirley and Joanne. Paul died in 1982; the next Summer Virginia’s daughter Joanne and son -in-law Don had an apartment built on to their house that became Virginia’s home for the rest of her life, nearly 30 years. Though she experienced the tragic death of her son Harold in 1990 and daughter Shirley in 1996, Virginia’s strong faith and trust in her God, Jehovah , enabled her to carry on with a positive attitude.

Virginia symbolized her dedication to Jehovah by public water baptism on July 27, 1941. She was very active in the local Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses and spent many hours in the house to house ministry, seeking to assist others to come to know the promises the Bible holds out for those who seek to “know” and serve Jehovah. She was active in this ministry right up until health issues became too difficult. Even then, she shared in the home Bible study program with some when her health would allow. In this activity within the Congregations and in the ministry, Virginia touched the lives of a great many people who will forever cherish having come to know her and share with her the wonderful truths found in the Bible! She came to be loved and respected by so many people, young and old alike, partly because she has shown love and respect to them in so many important ways.

It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to summarize the life of one who has lived to be nearly 100 years old! Virginia was a very humble person who truly was enthralled by the beauty of God’s Creation, both humankind and in nature. Some of her fondest memories were formed on camping trips with family and friends. Paul and Virginia also used to take advantages of opportunities to travel to “just see some of the beautiful landscapes, etc.“ She took great delight in coming to know the scriptural promises which outline that the present troubled conditions of this system will be soon done away with and the “righteous and peaceful “ rule of God’s Kingdom will be present. To see this earth and humanity return to perfection as Jehovah originally intended, was a deeply treasured thought to her. It was also promises like Rev. 21:3-5, which speak of doing away with “sorrow, pain, tears and even death itself”, that gave her confidence and a feeling of security. Perhaps greatest of all to her, was the prospect held out, both in the Hebrew and Greek portions of the Bible, of the valid hope of a resurrection. None of these hopes were born out of selfishness; rather, it was because she understood these things as the loving and tender promises of Jehovah, that were solidly founded on scripture. Virginia never tried to force her views on anyone; however there was certainly no doubts about the things in which she had vibrant faith. You could not be in conversation with her for very long without her explaining why she had such strong and solid faith.

Virginia has left a marvelous legacy of reliance on Jehovah for her daughter Joanne and her son-in-law Don Watson. This same legacy has passed on to Virginia’s daughter-in-law Susan Carlton, who Virginia often spoke of as being “more like a daughter, than a daughter-in-law! Virginia also set a fine example of courageous faith for her grandchildren, David , Phil and Kathy Carlton, Tony Dwinell, Tammy Yokum, Kim Rhines, Deanne Kessler, Mike Carlton, Pam Carlton and Donald Cary Watson . (Let it be noted, there is a certain amount of contention between these grand children as to “who was the ’Favorite’; however grandsons-in-law Donald Kessler, Bob Rhines and Bob Yokum along with granddaughters-in-law Lori Watson and Kelly Carlton all think they’re in the running as well!) In addition, Virginia also is survived by 18 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren along with nieces and nephews and almost countless friends. “Grandma Virginia” will always be in ours hearts and in our lives!

Viewing will take place at Keith & Keith Chapel, 902 W Yakima Avenue on Tuesday , June 29th from 4 pm to 8 pm and on Wednesday, June 30th from 10 am until 3 pm. A memorial service will be conducted at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 120 N 96th Avenue in Yakima on July 17th at 3 pm.