Virginia H. Fenwrick, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. She was lovingly surrounded by family who prayed and worshipped even in a moment of deep sorrow.

Virginia, known to many as Estelle-her middle name- was born on December 29,1938, in Suffolk, VA, to the proud parents of Virginia D. Hill and Sherman R. Hill (Both deceased). She was most recently married to James Willie Fenwrick (Deceased).

Estelle grew up in the Suffolk area and later moved to Hampton and then Newport News, Va. She went to East Suffolk High School, and she later got her LPN nursing license after training at Obici Hospital. Estelle recently shared a story about her mother's excitement when she got the news that Estelle had passed the licensing test. She also recalled her trip on the bus to Richmond and how an unknown elderly lady on the bus gave her a $20 bill to recognize this amazing accomplishment.

She continued to work at Obici, Dixie Hospital and other facilities for more than 40 years.

After the passing of her husband, Willie, Estelle lived independently in her apartment for about 20 years before her health started to decline and she then became a resident at Coliseum Nursing and Rehabilitation in Hampton, Va. It was at this nursing home where Estelle passed peacefully.

At the nursing home, Estelle made it clear to the nursing staff that she was to be called Ms. Virginia or Ms. Fenwrick. She was pretty adamant that she should not be called by her first name. We are sure she got that from her mother who used to say, 'you better put a handle on that name'.

Estelle loved good food and even while in the nursing home always tried to bribe her family and friends to bring her some chitterlings! A few of her family did break the rules a little and carried her KK doughnuts, milk shakes, chicken dumplings and just 2 weeks ago, at Estelle's request, she enjoyed a DQ chili cheese hotdog. We are grateful to the nursing staff who allowed us to do that as they were all seeking to give Estelle the best quality of life as her health continued to decline.

Estelle was a true believer in Christ and had been saved for many years. She was most recently a member of Chapel Grove UCC. While in the hospital, she would pause to say grace over her meals and when she was able, there are fond memories of her praying out loud asking for God to bless her and to bless those who were caring for her. Just days before her transition, when asked what she wanted the Lord to do for her, she quietly said, "to bless me".

So, today, we celebrate the life of Virginia H. Fenwrick knowing that her final resting place is not the nursing home, but HEAVEN!

Estelle was blessed with the following children--Joyce Ann Hill who resides in Florida and Eugenia Jeanette Butler Strange (Deceased), Kenneth Lee Hill (Deceased) and one stepson, James V. Fenwrick (Shirley) who resides in East Stroudsburg, PA.

She was also blessed to be one of six siblings-- Mary E. Haskins in Newport News and Diane Hill Taylor (Maurice Taylor) in Bowie, Maryland; she was preceded in death by her other siblings, Sherman Hill Jr, Willie Hill, and Deborah Whitby.

In addition, she has several grandchildren--Keith Hill, Tonisha Myers, Jonta Keels, Torrey Parker, Roshon Hill, Jesse Strange and Bryant Strange Jr as well as a host of great grandchildren, other family and friends who are grieving but also celebrating the life she lived.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 22, 2024 at O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home.  Viewing will be from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service.  Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.