Virginia Luke Ingle, 93, (born Josie Bruce Luke in Homerville, Clinch County, GA on November 14, 1931) died on January 4, 2025, in North Wilkesboro, NC, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was deeply loved by her caregivers at Wilkes Assisted Living. Virginia was brought up as the daughter of a Church of God traveling evangelist where the entire family took part and traveled in a home-made trailer from church to church throughout the Southeast. As an adult, she was a highly successful sales representative for a Christian book publisher. She worked in the PTA and was always helping out in her children’s school. She loved her children—taking them everywhere on trips and outings—and good music. Later she taught porcelain doll making at the Iredell (NC) Senior Center.
In addition to her parents, Samuel and Augusta Register Luke, she was predeceased by her husband, Gene Clinton Ingle; her brothers Archie Luke, Eugene Luke, James Ray Luke; her sisters Maggie Luke Dixon, MaryEllen Luke Wiggins; and her son, Earl Henderson Pethel, Jr.
She is survived by: her brother, Grady Bruce Luke of Atlanta, GA; her son, Steve LeVerle Pethel (Susie) of Cherry Grove, SC; her daughter, Virginia Earlene Wulfsberg (Rolf) of Statesville, NC; her grandchildren, Steve Earl Pethel and Nicholas Ryan Pethel (Sharna) of Cherry Grove, SC, Larry Keith Cannon, Jr. (Heather) of Statesville, NC, and Angela Renee Cannon (Sandra) of Boiling Springs, NC. She is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday January 8, 2025, in the Chapel of Mackie Funeral Service in Granite Falls, with Rev, Jeff Spry officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Hills Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband Gene.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1:00-2:00 P.M. at Mackie Funeral Service in Granite Falls.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to Wilkes Assisted Living in North Wilkesboro, NC.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.mackiefh.com.
Mackie Funeral Service & Cremations of Granite Falls is serving the family.
Aunt Gin and I had birthdays on the 13th and 14th of November. I remember as a child she would make my baby doll clothes. I liked visiting her on the farm when I was little. Her children liked visiting with us. When I got older she always wanted me to do her hair up when she came to our house. She was a personality to be reckoned with. There is an old song that says ‘We shall meet but we shall miss her. There will be an empty chair. We shall not forget to bless her as we say our evening prayer ‘ Till we meet again aunt Gin.
I will always remember my sweet Aunt Gin. She visited us in Miami, Florida when I was in the first grade. My little school-friend said, ” I will call her Aunt Gin”. I said , “No, you can call her Mrs. Aunt Gin”. LoL!! I was possessive of my Aunt Gin. She was always a lot of fun. She loved to sing. She loved the Lord. She was always kind and hospitable to us. I love my Aunt Gin. We will miss her SO much.
Dear Ingle family, we are so sorry to hear about Virginia. She was a lovely lady who will be missed. You are in our prayers and may God give you peace and comfort in the coming days.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers!!!