Mary Virginia Gray Hilton's Obituary
Mary Virginia Gray Hilton (Gin or Ginny to family and friends) died quietly in her sleep early morning January 4th, 2011. Born on November 1, 1915, she was the oldest of seven children born to Mary Edna Penninger Gray and Boyce Marvin Gray of northern Mecklenburg County. Gin was preceded in death by three of her siblings � brothers Preston and R.B. Gray, and sister Shirley Gray Wike � and is survived by her sisters, Frances (Fran) Gray Stephens and Evelyn Gray, and brother Tom Gray, all of the north Charlotte area. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews in the Charlotte area. Additionally, Ginny is survived by her son H.A. (Tony) Hilton, his wife, Christine Fesperman Hilton, and their children, Christian Hilton and Emily Hilton Goforth (husband Thad Goforth), and her great-granddaughters, Lily Gray Goforth and Bryony Morgan Goforth.
Gin was well known for her southern cooking and love of gardening. She was also a dedicated member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in China Grove, where she taught Sunday School and helped to start the Happy Club. Gin took time to help others by driving and delivering meals for �Meals on Wheels', and was a member of the Eastern Star, Eureka Lodge, in China Grove. Gin was also active with the Historic Society of China Grove, and was a member of a local Rook club. Gin also loved to travel, and spent time visiting her family out of state, and traveled with family and friends abroad.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 pm Friday, January 7, 2010, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in China Grove. Rev. Gregory Yeager will officiate. The family will receive friends from 11:30 to 12:45 pm Friday at the church. A private burial will follow the services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Shriner's Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or to the Masonic And Eastern Star Home for the Elderly, 700 S. Holden Road, Greensboro, NC 27407.
The family would like to extend thanks to some individuals for their support in the later years of Gin's life, specifically, Dr. Douglas Shellhorne, Lisa Morgan, and Casey Marion, RN, for their wise and compassionate care. The family would also like to thank her many friends for their continual visits and support of Gin in her decline.
She will be missed.
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