Virginia “Ginny” May Stites, was an impressive 106 yrs old when she passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Springcreek Rehabilitation and Nursing Center under the care of Gentiva Hospice.
Virginia was born on January 29, 1919, at home in Jackson, MI, the daughter of Hobart and Eva (Ward) Haines. The family moved to Rome Center in 1932, and Ginny finished high school in Adrian, graduating with the Class of 1936.
On November 22, 1939, Ginny married Robert Stites and they made their home in Adrian. She worked at A.B. Park Department Store and Berndts Jewelry Store in Adrian. When Robert left for service in 1943, he was one of the first fathers in Adrian to go into the service. A day after he left, Ginny went to work at Hurd Lock Manufacturing Company. Ginny and their young son, David, relocated to Fort Lewis, Washington to be with Robert. While they were in Washington, Ginny worked as a purchasing agent for the Signal Repair Shop.
In 1945, Ginny was chosen by the Adrian Mayor to christen the “USS Victory Ship” for the city of Adrian. She was the matron of the Lenawee County Jail for 8 years while her husband was the sheriff from 1957 -1964. In 1971, she was appointed the District Court Administrator of Lenawee County, a position she held for 10 years before retiring in 1981. After the death of her husband, Ginny went on to serve as the Rollin Township clerk for 5 years. In 1992 Ginny fulfilled a dream she had when she moved to Hudson, MI and opened “Ginny’s Place” an antique store. She returned to Adrian in 2000 after closing her store.
Ginny was a long-time member of Adrian Presbyterian Church. Throughout her life, she was involved with her community and giving of her time and talents, including president of the American Legion Auxiliary, president of 8 & 40 Salon, president of Jaycees Auxiliary, volunteered for March of Dimes for many years, and more recently was a Devils Lake bridge club member for over 30 years. She enjoyed stamp collecting and working in her flower garden.
She is survived by her children, Douglas Stites who has been her caregiver for many years and Diane (Gary) Cobb; grandchildren, Richard (Stacey) Stites, Robert (Heather) Stites, Chris Myron, Michael (Fran) Stites and Todd (Dawn) Stites; 11 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren: and many wonderful nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; son, David Stites; and siblings, Donald Haines and Jerry (Ned) Hostetler.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian with Rev. Scott Elliott officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will take place from noon until the service begins at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.
Virginia was born on January 29, 1919, at home in Jackson, MI, the daughter of Hobart and Eva (Ward) Haines. The family moved to Rome Center in 1932, and Ginny finished high school in Adrian, graduating with the Class of 1936.
On November 22, 1939, Ginny married Robert Stites and they made their home in Adrian. She worked at A.B. Park Department Store and Berndts Jewelry Store in Adrian. When Robert left for service in 1943, he was one of the first fathers in Adrian to go into the service. A day after he left, Ginny went to work at Hurd Lock Manufacturing Company. Ginny and their young son, David, relocated to Fort Lewis, Washington to be with Robert. While they were in Washington, Ginny worked as a purchasing agent for the Signal Repair Shop.
In 1945, Ginny was chosen by the Adrian Mayor to christen the “USS Victory Ship” for the city of Adrian. She was the matron of the Lenawee County Jail for 8 years while her husband was the sheriff from 1957 -1964. In 1971, she was appointed the District Court Administrator of Lenawee County, a position she held for 10 years before retiring in 1981. After the death of her husband, Ginny went on to serve as the Rollin Township clerk for 5 years. In 1992 Ginny fulfilled a dream she had when she moved to Hudson, MI and opened “Ginny’s Place” an antique store. She returned to Adrian in 2000 after closing her store.
Ginny was a long-time member of Adrian Presbyterian Church. Throughout her life, she was involved with her community and giving of her time and talents, including president of the American Legion Auxiliary, president of 8 & 40 Salon, president of Jaycees Auxiliary, volunteered for March of Dimes for many years, and more recently was a Devils Lake bridge club member for over 30 years. She enjoyed stamp collecting and working in her flower garden.
She is survived by her children, Douglas Stites who has been her caregiver for many years and Diane (Gary) Cobb; grandchildren, Richard (Stacey) Stites, Robert (Heather) Stites, Chris Myron, Michael (Fran) Stites and Todd (Dawn) Stites; 11 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren: and many wonderful nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; son, David Stites; and siblings, Donald Haines and Jerry (Ned) Hostetler.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian with Rev. Scott Elliott officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will take place from noon until the service begins at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.
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