Virgie Suttle Bennet

Virgie Belle Suttle Bennett

Virgie Belle Suttle Bennett, age 93 of Bradley, formerly of Skelton, went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at the home of her daughter Helen Farley, by whom she was cared for her last 10+ years. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Born December 21, 1917 at Sanger, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Walter & Alice Kelly Settle. Virgie attended Pax High School through the eleventh grade and worked for the Carolina Market at Crab Orchard and Bradley for over 20 years.
She married Manuel John “Pete” Bennett on May 15, 1937 and had eight children. Her husband, Pete Bennett preceded her in death on August 19, 1995 as well as a daughter, Janet Eloise Bennett Grecco on December 4, 2005.
Virgie is survived by her seven remaining children; Linda & Paul Martin of Beckley, WV; Patsy & Jim Tomczyk of Knoxville, TN; Charles & Maxine Bennett of Bradley, WV; Helen & Don Farley of Sophia, WV; Ellen & Jerry Dean of Knoxville, TN; Sandy & David Allen of Beckley, WV; and Bobbie & John Dennis Humphrey of Beckley, WV. She is also survived by her sisters-in-laws, Helen Suttle of Round Lake Beach, IL; Opal Kohne, Phoenix, AZ; Drema Bennett, Prosperity, WV; and Mamie Suttle, Clear Creek, WV and Glen Bennett, a brother-in-law.
Virgie was a member of the Evening Star Quilters Guild, Senior Friends, and was a former member of Calvary Assembly of God where she sang in the choir and served as a children’s teacher for many years. When Pete could no longer drive, they moved their membership to Bradley Freewill Baptist. Virgie was a devoted Christian and reared her children to have a deep respect for God and others. She was filled with compassion for those who had little or fell upon hard times. Even when her family had little, she and Pete willingly shared what they had with others less fortunate. Grandchildren were a highlight of their life. There were 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Virgie began suffering from vascular dementia in the late 1990’s and gradually slipped into her own little world. She was always appreciative of the many visits to her home after Pete’s passing by her sisters-in-Christ from Bradley Freewill Baptist. The many cards and the visits and prayers by Pastors Peters and Daniel Legg during her several hospital stays were always welcomed and uplifting. She believed that church membership was a necessity and continued the practice of tithing that she and Pete had begun with their acceptance of salvation by the grace of God and the blood of Jesus.
The family will receive friends at Blue Ridge Funeral Home from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday. Funeral service will be conducted on Friday at 11:00 am with the Rev Wayne Peters and Rev Daniel Legg officiating. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.
Pall bearers will be Matt Jesse, Randy Bennett, Scott Ballard, Carl Grecco, John Phillip Humphrey, and Bill Wood. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to Bradley Freewill Baptist, Box 307, Bradley, WV 25818 or Hospice of Southern WV Inc., PO Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Dr. Beckley, WV.