Virginia M. (McKnight) Garrett

Virginia Margaret (McKnight) Garrett, of Toronto, OH, died peacefully the evening of May 12, 2015 at Kobacker House hospice in Columbus, OH. Her family was with her continuously throughout the last days of her life.

Surviving are daughters, Georgia Kay Garrett and Janet Garrett-Miller, granddaughter Tara Lee Miller-Kesler (Sean), their families, and sister-in-law, Vicki McKnight. She was ‘Aunt Judy’ by many nieces and nephews and their families, including Donna Manning, Wilma Walker, Wanda Woodward, Dean McKnight and Ron Riggleman.

Virginia was born in Toronto on August 10, 1918, the tenth of 12 children of Woodburn McKnight and Sara (Morrow) McKnight.

Preceding her in death are her husband of 56 years, George Kenneth Garrett, whom she married April 30, 1939. Also preceding her are her parents; sisters Freda Stephens and Zetta Weidger; nine brothers: Freddy, Delbert, Clayton, Archie, Norman, twins Wilmont and William, Woodburn Jr. ‘Jack,’ and Eugene.

Virginia graduated from Toronto High School in 1936. She was recommended by her business teacher for the job as office assistant to Dr. Howard Minor when he opened medical practice in Steubenville, a job she held until she married. In later years she worked for McGowan Insurance, Ohio Power and the unemployment office.

A lifelong member of North River Avenue Christian Church, she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, was a member of Missionary Society and Victory Class, and served as a deaconess.

She was a Red Cross and RSVP volunteer. She devoted 2,612 hours at Trinity East Hospital and loved every minute of it.

Visitation for Virginia will be 1-4 p.m. Sunday, May 17 at the J.E. Foster Funeral Home 701 Findley St. in Toronto, where her funeral service will be held on Monday at 10am. There will be additional visitation on Monday from 9 am til time of service and her burial will follow in Toronto Union Cemetery.

If you wish, donations in her memory could be made to the church, the THS scholarship fund, or Meals on Wheels.

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