- Date Of Birth: February 16, 1920
- Date Of Death: June 10, 2017
- State: Maryland
A TIME TO BE BORN: Mary Virginia Gaither was born the second child of eleven children to the late George H. and Augusta Barnes Owens on February 16, 1920 in Beallsville, Maryland. As a child, Gin, as she was affectionately called, grew up in Barnesville, Maryland and within the close-knit community of Stewartown, which is located in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
A TIME TO PLANT: Virginia received her formal education within the Montgomery County Public School System. As a child, Virginia embraced the responsibility of caring for and ensuring the wellA being of her younger siblings. She often bought her siblings’ clothing and shoes with the money she earned doing domestic work for families in Gaithersburg and Bethesda, Maryland.
A TIME TO LAUGH: Virginia’s passion and love for her family would always make her standout among the crowd. Her memorable stories about growing up and shared family moments were often accompanied by her signature dimpled smile. Her stories created moments of laughter and joy as well as provided new generations of children a glimpse into the past and the “good old days.” These memorable moments showcased her great wit and the cherished moments shared between family and friends.
A TIME TO CHERISH: On December 5, 1941, Virginia married George Edward Gaither of Mount Zion, locate-d- in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and later that month, George was drafted into the United States Army. After four years of service in the Army, George and Virginia moved to the Northeast section of Washington, DC, where they resided for 12 years. The happily married couple moved to Lincoln Park in Rockville, Maryland and lived there until her husband passed away in 1965. Virginia gave her life to Christ at Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She later transferred her membership to Stewartown United Methodist Church, now Goshen United Methodist Church, where she served diligently as an usher and worked with the United Methodist Women until her illness prevailed.
A TIME TO DEPART: Her profound spiritual conviction and love for God helped to prepare her to answer the call to go home to be with the Lord. She never complained about her circumstances and trusted God every day of her life. She fought a good fight, kept the faith, and went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Saturday, June 10, 2017.
A TIME OF BEREAVEMENT: The legacy of her seasons is cherished and left to her family: a devoted sister,
D. Marlene; two loyal brothers, E. Stanley and Lionel Owens; two sisters-in-law, Pearl and Annabelle Owens; one aunt Annabell Bolden; two devoted nieces, April Owens-Randolph and Mary “Sprout ” Johnson and a devoted nephew Maurice “Tim” Randolp, Sr.; a devoted friend, JeanA· Johnson; one goddaughter, Paula Frazier, and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. She is preceded in death by one sister Anna Branison; and six brothers, Elwood, George, Jr., Euell (Duck), Harold, Kenneth and John Owens.
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