The Life of VIRGINIA H. BOITNOTT
Virginia May Boitnott, 93, of Roanoke, Va., passed away peacefully at Our Lady of The Valley Nursing Home on Sunday, April 28, 2024.
“Jennie” was born in Callaway, Va., in a large family filled with love and hard work. She and her siblings helped the family live on what the mountain and the Good Lord provided. After marriage to her beloved husband, Wendell, she moved to Naff’s Community in Boones Mill, Va., where she worked alongside him growing apples for Boitnott Brothers Orchards for more than 50 years, until Wendell’s passing in 2002. She was truly the epitome of the Bible’s Proverbs 31 wife and mother.
Jennie, a talented and avid gardener, was passionate about growing vegetables and flowers, especially irises, dahlias, and award-winning-sized pumpkins. She generously shared her produce with family and friends. She prepared a garden every year until her death.
Jennie always had an open home for her neighbors. Many of the children of Naff’s Community over the years considered her as their "other mother.” She would indulge her own grandchildren to play in the creek, as well as teach them how to work in the garden. She considered laughter as the best medicine and said that we don’t stop laughing as we get old, but we get old when we stop laughing.
Jennie is survived by her brother, Samuel Holt (Joice); daughter, Elizabeth ‘Betsy” Dennis; her son, Chris Boitnott (Jennifer); her grandchildren, Justin Boitnott (Kelli), Rachel Atkinson (Kelly), Lydia Boitnott, and Isabella Boitnott; her one great-grandchild, Xavier Boitnott; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Dewey and Elizabeth; three brothers, Alger Holt, Bill Holt, and Maurice Holt; four sisters, Audrey Meador, Mary Wimmer, Nancy Setliff, and Stella Couch; and her son-in-law, Phil Dennis.
Jennie loved her Lord Jesus, her family and neighbors, the joy of hard work and the satisfaction of being content with the simple pleasures of life. She loved her mountains and once remarked to someone visiting that had a concern of finding their way back to the main highway, ‘Well, if you’re gonna get lost, at least get lost in the mountains.”
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2024, at Oakey’s South Chapel. A Funeral Service will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Oakey’s South Chapel with Pastor Todd Reed officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain View Memorial Park in Franklin County, Va. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.Oakeys.com.
We will be live-streaming the service for those who cannot attend. Click on the link below to view the service.