Virginia Mae Beavers, age 79 of Charleston, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday (October 22, 2008) at Hilltop Convalescent Center in Charleston.

She was born in Bushton, Illinois on May 11, 1929 the daughter of James Millard and Stella Mae (Catron) Richie. She was united in marriage to Jerry Beavers on January 9, 1961 in Shawneetown, Illinois.

She is survived by Jerry, her loving and devoted husband of more than forty-seven years; a daughter, Sheila Heston and her husband Kirk of Las Vegas, Nevada; two granddaughters, Jamie Ambrose of Las Vegas and Jennifer Gotschall and her husband Charles of Castle Rock, Colorado; three step-grandchildren, David and Chad Reynolds and Caleb Smith; two great-grandchildren, Adam and Austin Gotschall; six step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Jim Richie and his wife Wilma of Charleston; a half-sister, Ruth Rhodes of Mattoon and brothers and sisters-in law, Rex and Shirley Beavers of Green Valley, Arizona, Patricia Beavers of Tempe, Arizona and Mary Jane Beavers of Charleston.

In addition to her parents she was preceded by a sister, June Malcom; a step-daughter, Debra K. Woolever; a step-grandchild, Quinn Smith; two brothers-in-law, Jack Beavers and Max Beavers; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Cecil and Ethel Beavers.

Jenny (as she was affectionately known) was a member of Central Christian Church in Charleston, Women of the Moose Charleston Chapter 1175 and the Women's Bowling Association. She was employed at the Charleston Ben Franklin Store from 1955 - 1961 and then joined Moore Business Forms where she remained for thirty years until her retirement in 1991. She also enjoyed helping Jim, Wilma and the staff at Lawyer & Richie Florists.

Jenny loved to bowl - a passion she shared with her husband Jerry. She had also expanded her family to include the Wednesday Farmer's Market venders and customers. She looked forward each week to operating the Lawyer & Richie booth on the Charleston Square giving her the opportunity to spend time with the many people she became so fond of and who likewise became so fond of her. Jenny was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and was greatly disappointed that she could not persuade her brother Jim to abandon his St. Louis Cardinals. She was a wonderful wife to Jerry, a loving mother to Sheila, and delighted in her role as a grandmother and especially as a great-grandmother. She leaves a treasure chest of memories for her family and many friends.
(2008 Journal Gazette and Times-Courier)