Virginia Christenbury (1913 – 2005)

Virginia Gowin Christenbury, age 91, a resident of Kenosha died Wednesday June 29, 2005 at Hospitality Nursing and Rehab Center.

Born on July 3, 1913 in Rucker TN, she was the daughter of the late James Madison and Mary Belle (Cox) Gowin Sr.

She was educated in the schools of TN. As a young woman, she moved to Charlotte N.C.

On Nov. 10, 1938 she married Herman Monroe Christenbury in Charlotte N.C. They would later divorce.

She worked in the workforce for 44 years as an office manager at Edge Comb Steel, and also worked for Belks department store, and the North Carolina Credit Bureau. Upon her retirement, she lived in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee before moving to the Kenosha area to be near family.

She was very proud of her father who served in the Civil War fighting for the Union Army. Those who knew her came to appreciate her Southern Belle charm and her self-sufficient style. She loved poetry, as her brother James was a poet. She would often point out that her brother James was also the first Atomic War Veteran. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren and relished time spent with them. She was an important part of their lives.

She is survived by three grandchildren; Thomas (Julie) Christenbury of Pleasant Prairie; Cynthia (Terry) Creekmore of Kenosha; Joseph M. Christenbury of Atlanta GA; six great-grandchildren Gina, Patricia, Brigid and Destiny Christenbury all of Pleasant Prairie; and Nichole Whyte and Jacob Whyte both of Kenosha; and one great-great grandchild Cassandra Whyte.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; one son Thomas H. in 1993; three brothers, James Madison Gowin Jr., Drewey, John and three sisters Leola, Janie and Mary.

Private services will be held at a later date.