Virginia “Ginny” Small

Virginia “Ginny” Small, age 80, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, departed to be with the Lord on the night of Saturday, August 07, 2021.  The daughter of the late Dale and Tela Jones, she was born in Walker County, Alabama on June 22, 1941.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Jon-Michael Webster, and her sister, Mary Dale Sanford.

Ginny was born in Jasper, Alabama.  She graduated from Berea College in Kentucky with a degree in mathematics. She met her husband Gordon while at Berea. Gordon worked with the federal Forest Service, and they moved around the country with their three daughters.  Ginny loved to volunteer and serve in many capacities.  She volunteered with church youth groups in Wisconsin and Maryland. She served as Troop Leader and on the Blue Heron Girl Scout Council in Wisconsin. While in Maryland, she volunteered with the Smithsonian Institute and loved to share stories of all the people she met as she worked at the information desk.  Ginny developed an interest in libraries and began serving as church librarian in Maryland. After Gordon’s retirement, they moved to Balsam Gap in Haywood County, North Carolina and enjoyed 20 years living next to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Ginny continued to be very active with church and community needs including 15 years as the Media Center Director at First Baptist of Waynesville, North Carolina. She also volunteered with Operation Christmas Child and Samaritan’s Purse for many years and Hospice care for 9 years while in Waynesville. Four years ago, they moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Ginny loved sharing hospitality with those she could.  She made any guest feel right at home.  She often opened her home to those in need, whether it be international travelers in need of a home away from home, a family member needing end of life care, or a second chance.  She had an adventurous spirit and loved to try new things.

Perhaps she is best known as a woman who loved the Lord.  She was an avid studier of the scriptures, and it was her deep faith which led her to step out of her comfort zones and share the love of God in so many tangible ways and to so many individuals.

Ginny is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Gordon Small; three daughters, Jennifer Deetjen (Don) of Jackson, Wisconsin, Kathy Webster (Alex) of Birmingham, Alabama, and Heather Blasingame (Ben) of Mobile, Alabama: six grandchildren, Walter Huf, Emily Huf, Mina Webster, Sam Webster, Maggie Blasingame and Abby Blasingame; one brother, Perry Jones; and one sister, Joann Byram; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville on Wednesday, August 11^th at 3:00 p.m. with a short memorial service to follow at 4:00 p.m.  Interment will be in Walker Country, Alabama to be determined at a later date.