VIRGINIA STILES
The Lord requested the presence of Virginia "Ginny" Stiles, 96, widow of Lt. Col. Edward Stiles, on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, at her home in Palmetto, Georgia.
Born in Coolidge, Georgia, she was a daughter of the late L.G. Baker and Jewel Barrow Baker. She was, at different times, a member of Alice Drive Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church and Grace Baptist Church - through which she was active in missions including migrant and prison ministries, as well as Santee Baptist Crisis Closet, which she helped establish. She also was involved in establishing the first Hospice programs in Sumter, serving as director for two years. She was president of the American Cancer Society in Sumter for three years. Mrs. Stiles received the Governor's Volunteer Award in human services in 1986, presented by then Gov. Dick Riley. She proudly served her country in the U.S. Air Force beginning in 1951.
She is survived by a son, Michael, and daughter-in-law, Kim Stiles, of Atlanta; her grandchildren, Brad and Madeline Stiles; two stepdaughters, Allison Sexson and Sheridan Curtis; three step-grandsons; five step-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a son, Lehman; a sister; and two brothers.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel. Burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, support can be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation or Grace Baptist Church.
Special thanks to Kevin Geddings, whom she regarded as a son, and caregivers, Lisa Hardin, Linda Magnin and Geralena Baldwin.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.