Virginia Howie

"Remember me with smiles and laughter. That's the way I will remember you all. If you only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all." Virginia "Ginny" Neil Howie, age 82 of Black Rd. died Sunday, August 9, 2015 at Carolina Healthcare System - Cleveland. She was born on October 17, 1932 in Mecklenburg County to the late Marvin and Lilly Mae Bridges Ritchie. She was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church and Young at Heart. Ginny was a waitress for 37 years at Black's Grill and formerly employed at Jacks Cookies and Lance in Charlotte. She enjoyed going to the mountains and loved cooking and baking cakes for others.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Neil; infant son, Baby Boy Neil; her twin sister, Vera Matthews; and her half-siblings, Jack, Joe, L.J., Georgia, Emma, and Jessie.

Survivors include her husband, George Howie; daughter, Linda Ward; step-children, Eric Howie (Kim) and Cyndie Ferrell (Terry); grandchildren, Kevin Ward (Martha), Michael Ward, and Kelly Warzecha (Michael); great grandchildren, Jake Ward and Kayla Powell; numerous step-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Jo King, Bonnie Parker, and Sam Neill; and brother-in-law, Colen Neill (Janice).

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 3:00 PM at Shady Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Dale Hendricks and Rev. Keith Hollar officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Carpenter's Funeral & Cremation Services.

Memorials may be made to Shady Grove Baptist Church, 3240 Tyron Courthouse Rd. Cherryville, NC 28021 or to American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601.