Virginia Brewer Ellington

On July 5, 2024, Virginia Maie Ellington (née Brewer) died at home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, surrounded by her loving family. Those who knew her best called her “Jennie”.  She was born at home on January 11, 1943, in Hays, Wilkes County, NC. Jennie was 81 years of age at the time of her passing.

Jennie was preceded in death by her parents Royal Edgar Brewer and Annie Rachel Cohee Brewer of Winston-Salem, NC.  Jennie is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 56 years, William “Bill” Henry Ellington of the home; her daughters, Lisa Ellington Sanders of Walnut Cove, NC, Robin Ellington Sizemore (James O. Sizemore, III) of High Point, NC; and her only son, William Malcolm Ellington (Tammy Beckerdite Ellington) of Winston-Salem, NC.

She is also survived by her siblings, Peggy Ann Danner, of Winston-Salem, NC, Lewis Henry Brewer (Lynda Kroeger Brewer) of Daytona Beach Shores, FL. Jennie was preceded in her death by siblings, Mary Lee Brewer Howerton Lynch, of Tampa, FL and Sadie Ellen Vestal (Gerald Vestal) of Yanceyville, NC, and her brother-in law Robert Moss Danner, of Winston-Salem, NC. Jennie was also preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Mary Octavia Hawkins Cohee and Joseph H. Hawkins

Aside from her husband, Jennie’s greatest joys centered around the lives of her beautiful grandchildren, Krystopher Lynn Kepley, David Russell Atkinson, Jr., Kristen Sanders Troutman, Michelle Victoria Sanders, Adam Craig Everhart, Alyssa Christine  Everhart, Ragan Nicole Ellington, Brett Karina Sizemore, Kelley Tornike Sizemore, and Reese Ellington Sizemore. She adored her entire extended family, her 7 great grand-children, her many nieces and nephews, and her best friend Louise Elledge.

Jennie graduated from Mineral Springs High School in 1961 and later advanced her career to the North Carolina School of the Performing Arts, Winston-Salem, NC as the Business Officer Manager; she retired in 1999.

Jennie married the love of her life, Bill Ellington, on July 27, 1968, at Midway United Methodist Church in Lexington, NC. Jennie and Bill were both single parents who resided next to one another in Winston-Salem, NC where they became friends and the designated primary care back-ups for one another’s children. When this friendship bloomed into a deep and abiding love for one another and their respective children, Bill decided to propose to Jennie.

The Ellington family would also like to express their deepest gratitude for the compassionate care through Trellis Supportive Care, namely Beverly Hall and Taylor Callaghan.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life service for Virginia Brewer Ellington that is scheduled for Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 2:00pm in the sanctuary of Oak Forest United Methodist Church, 11461 Old US Hwy 52, Winston Salem, NC, 27107. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Oak Forest United Methodist Church’s Utility Fund.