Virginia Whitworth Steele, age 91, formerly of the Avery's Creek area of Arden, NC and most recently Pell City, Alabama, passed on to her heavenly home on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, after a brief period of declining health. She must be rejoicing today as she meets her Savior, and is reunited with the family members she has missed so deeply.

She was born on June 8, 1921, the youngest of 5 children, to Ausburn Fredrick

Whitworth and Maude Ethel Baker Whitworth in Cleveland County, North Carolina.

Mrs. Steele is the widow of Deskau O. Steele, whom she married on November 24,

1938. Virginia and Deskau met when she was just finishing high school and married 5 months later, they were true soul mates the entire 57+ years of their marriage. Her beloved Deskau predeceased her in June of 1995. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Besides her parents and husband, Mrs. Steele was also predeceased by four siblings: John Allen Whitworth, Sr., Frederick Bentley Whitworth, Mary Ollie Whitworth Williams and Hall Baker

Whitworth Sr. and two of her nephews, John Allen (Sonny) Whitworth, Jr. and Kenneth Heyward Williams.

During their marriage, Virginia and Deskau resided in Charlotte, New London, CT,

(during WWII), New Smyrna, Fl, Darlington, SC and the Avery's Creek Community of

Arden, beginning in the 1960s, owning Steele's Grocery for 20+ years. “Jenny and

Bo” had a deep love for their family, all of their many friends and their beautiful mountains.

After the death of her husband, Virginia took great joy in helping others through her volunteer work. She was very active in her church, Avery's Creek Methodist Church, at the Billy Graham Cove, Park Ridge Hospital in Fletcher and the Care Partners of Hospice. She was happiest when she was busy and involved with her family or in her community.

Mrs. Steele is survived by her niece, Mava Williams Barfield, of Moody Alabama; niece, Laura Ellen Whitworth Carder; nephew Hall Baker Whitworth, Jr. both of Florida; nephew David Allen Whitworth, of Washington State; great nieces and Nephews, Andrea B. Bolger and Johanna B. Waters, of Greenville, S.C; J. Patrick Barfield of Moody, Al; Nannette Whitworth Zimmerebner and Wayne Allen Whitworth of San Antonia Texas as well as Hilton, Morgan, and Hillary Whitworth of Florida; and five great-great nieces and nephews who are missing her

today. “Aunt Jenny” took great joy in these young children over her last few years, reading books and playing games with them with great enthusiasm. It was not uncommon to find her sitting on the floor very involved in a make-believe game or story. These wonderful memories of our sweet Aunt Jenny are a comfort as we mourn her passing.

The family visitation will be on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Stamey Funeral Home, Fallston, N.C. with graveside service at Bess Chapel United Methodist Church, Cherryville, N.C. at 3:00 pm. The Rev. Roger Rearden and the

Rev. Bud Boatwright will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in her name to Bess Chapel United Methodist Church, Cemetery Care Fund, 6073 Flay Rd., Cherryville, N.C. 28021 or Oasis Healthcare, a Hospice Provider, Agape Road, Moody, Alabama 35004,