Mary S. Ginn, 97, of Vanceburg, died peacefully Saturday, June 24, 2023, at the home of her daughter.
She was born at Quincy on August 29, 1925, a daughter of Charley and Nano Bradley Spriggs.
Mary married the man of her dreams in April 1940, Burnest Lee Ginn. The couple spent a short time during WWII working in Cleveland to support the war effort then returned to Vanceburg where they made their home. Mary and Burnest owned and operated Lewis County Motors, the Dodge/Plymouth dealership in Vanceburg, where Mary operated the parts and service department.
They purchased their lifetime home on Front Street in Vanceburg in 1950. Mary enjoyed many activities but being a homemaker was what she loved. She was an avid cook and could make the best chicken and dumplings which no one has been able to replicate. Every holiday revolved around her large round table with her serving and never sitting down. If you were lucky enough to enjoy one of her meals or spend time with Mary, your life is enriched. There will never be another Mary and there will never be another home like hers.
Over the years, Mary was active in 4-H, teaching sewing and cooking classes and attending camp in the summertime. God gifted her with the art of hospitality, and she never met a person she couldn’t care for or feed. Mary held a license as a short-wave radio operator, held a motorcycle license until age 67, studied Judo under Frank Dunaway, and was a Kentucky Colonel. She was an avid exerciser and met Jack LaLayne whose exercise program she followed.
Mary spent many days traveling with family, always being amazed by the sites she saw. Square dancing was another love. Each square dance dress was one of a kind, stitched by her.
In addition to all these activities, Mary cared for her grandchildren, Jeffrey L. Ginn (Nancy), Michael Ginn (Sondra), Jennifer Roberts (Philip), Mary Moore (Chris), and John Thomas (Elizabeth), who never knew about day care or babysitters. Caring for the grandchildren, she also operated Ginn Rentals and cared for Burnest during his final illness.
Later in life, Mary married Bruce Lewis and they enjoyed several years together until his death.
Mary is survived by her daughters, Susan Ginn-Noy of Vanceburg and Jeani Colette Thomas (Charles Carroll) of Huntington, West Virginia; grandson, David Vincent Boggs of Vanceburg; her stepsons, Samuel Ginn, and Burnest Ginn Jr.; a stepdaughter, Virginia Hunt; her grandchildren; and a multitude of great-grandchildren. She also leaves several nieces and nephews, and many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her.
In addition to her parents and husbands, Mary was preceded in death by her son, Jeffrey Robert Ginn; five brothers, Andrew, Carl, Charles, Joe, and Arthur Spriggs; and two sisters, Rachel Lane and Magdalene Isaac.
Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Vanceburg United Methodist Church with Dr. Joshua Sparks officiating, assisted by Donald Isaac, a nephew. Interment will be in Lewis County Memory Gardens at Black Oak.
Friends may call at Dickerson Funeral Home in Vanceburg from 10:00 a.m until Noon Saturday, July 1, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Hospital and Vanceburg United Methodist Church.
Condolences may be sent at www.globefamilyfc.com.
