Obituary of Virginia Steele

Mrs. Steele, 97, of the Aldersgate Retirement Community, Charlotte, died Thursday, May 14, 2009 in the Harris Hospice Unit at Presbyterian Hospital. A native of Charlotte, she was born February 15, 1912, a daughter of the late Walter Stitt Robinson and Mary Jamison Robinson. Mrs. Steele was a graduate of Central High School in Charlotte and Women's College of The University of North Carolina, now University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was a teacher of history at Harding High School prior to the birth of her children. After her children were born, she left the teaching profession to raise her three children. She later was employed by the Elections office. She was an active member of Harrison United Methodist Church where she served in many capacities, but primarily as the Kindergarten teacher for over 40 years and Secretary of Finance for over 30 years. She was active in the Druggists Auxiliary and the United Methodist Women. Mrs. Steele was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Tobie Kell Steele. She is survived by three children, Mary Alice Steele Fox of Gastonia and her husband, Frank Fox; Tobie Kell Steele, Jr. of Charlotte and his wife, Jeanne Steele; and Virginia Steele Martin of Charlotte and her husband J. Chandler Martin; eight grandchildren, Lori Fox Vail of Atlanta, GA; Rebecca Fox Backus and Leigh Ann Fox Mantecon of Gastonia; Elizabeth Steele Newton and Cecily Steele of Raleigh, NC; and Jim Martin of New York, NY, Anne Marie Martin, and Bradley Martin, of Charlotte; and 6 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Dr. Walter Stitt Robinson, Jr. of Lawrence, KS and her sister, Mary Barry Robinson Hemby of Charlotte. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 16, at 11 a.m. at Harrison United Methodist Church with the Reverend Gayle Montgomery and Reverend Terry Hammell officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Interment will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harrison United Methodist Church, 15008 Lancaster Hwy., Pineville, NC 28134 or Aldersgate Retirement Community, 3800 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215.