DURHAM – Virginia (Ginger) Burns Gunnells, 80, passed away on October 26, 2014 at Croasdaile Village in Durham, North Carolina. She was born on May 6, 1934 in Greenwood, SC to the late James C. Burns, Jr and Virginia McGowan Burns. Ginger grew up in Greenwood, SC and was a graduate of Greenwood High School. She also graduated from the University of Georgia in 1952 where she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority.
Ginger was a talented golfer and equestrian. She enjoyed watching Duke Sports especially Duke Basketball.
Ginger was a member of All Saints Anglican Church, the House & Garden Club, and Junior League in Durham. A talented and recognized artist, her art was appreciated by all who knew her. She was especially gifted as a portrait and landscape artist in the media of water color, pastel, and oil. In her later years she devoted her time to jewelry making.
Along with two friends, she founded one of the first Triangle needle point ventures known as Rosemary’s Attic. She later became interested in photography and with two other partners began a successful graphics design firm known as Visual Impact.
The arts were important to her but her greatest love was her family, especially her three children. Some of her happiest days were spent with her family at their cottage on the North Carolina Coast.
Traveling both domestically and internationally was also an important part of her life. Especially, the times spent with her two close groups of “travel buddies” who shared many trips and ventures with her.
Ginger is survived by her husband of 58 years, Dr. J. Caulie Gunnells of Durham; her daughters, Virginia Burns Rhoton of Durham; Mary Madge Freeman of Greenville, SC; her son, Michael F. Gunnells of Durham; her brother, James C. Burns III and wife, Judi Mundy of Greenwood, SC; her grandsons, Michael E. Rhoton and Preston J. Freeman; and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held 2:00pm, Thursday, October 30, 2014 at The Preston Few Chapel in Croasdaile Pavilion. A reception will follow after the service. Inurnment will be 2:00pm Saturday, November 1, 2014 in Edgewood Cemetery, Greenwood, SC.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Duke Homecare and Hospice 4321 Medical Park Drive # 101, Durham, NC 27704 or a charity of your choice.
The Gunnells are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service in Durham and Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood, SC. Online condolences www.hallwynne.com, Select Obituaries.
Brenda Newcomb
October 28, 2014 at 10:54 amDr. Gunnells n Family, Would like you to accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your love one! I pray that each of you will remember all the good times and find peace knowing she’s sharing Heaven with our Lord!!! If there’s anything at all I can do for the Family, it would be an honor to oblige! Love to All, Brenda Newcomb
Tommy Hill
October 28, 2014 at 4:36 pmI was saddened to learn of the passing of your wife, Virginia. I am keenly aware of the sadness you are presently feeling as I lost my wife in August of 2000. Please know that that God built into our lives a wonderful thing called time and as it passes you, like me, will remember only the great memories that existed in your life together. May God richly bless and keep you and your family during this most difficult time.
Tommy Hill
Greenwood SC
Lenore & Vic Behar
October 28, 2014 at 9:11 pmWe were saddened to hear that Ginger was so sick, when we saw you last. And now we are saddened by the news of her death. Our condolences to you and your children. May her memory be a blessing to you.