Genevea Violet Dolly Michael
Genevea Violet Dolly Michael, 83 of Dayton, entered eternal life on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. First known as “Girl Dolly”, she embraced each name she had in each chapter of her life.
“Girl Dolly” married Gary Emmett Michael in February 1962 and had three children. Gary always lovingly referred to her as “Nevie” and after that she became “Mom.” In 1991 and 1992, her first grandchildren were born. She and Gary moved from their home in Scherr, WV and settled in Bridgewater, VA where she earned her next name, “Grandma Michael.” By 1995, her grandson, Colton, was born and gave her perhaps her most common and memorable nickname of “Mur Mur,” which seemed to stick with everyone she knew.
Mur Mur never knew a stranger and we all learned some of life’s most valuable lessons from her. Like if the person in the checkout line behind you comments on how lovely your purse is, you should empty its contents right there and give it to them. When you make your bed, put the printed side down so the “pretty side” is touching you when you sleep. Her door was always open, and she never let you leave her home on an empty stomach. All the critics raved over her mashed potatoes, but she was most famously known for hosting the Breakfast Club. For all the years her grandchildren attended high school, Mur Mur’s kitchen was open every morning to feed them and all their friends – tons of them.
She also taught us that it’s important to have friends in “high places.” The Town of Dayton Police Department was known to stop at “Mrs. Michaels” for breakfast, lunch, dinner and the occasional late night (like 3:00 AM) snack because there wasn’t any place open. When the complaints started that the cops were spending too much time at her house, she would leave her famous blueberry muffins ready in the kitchen for them to stop by and pick up for their shift. Her secret, extra sugar and butter make them so much better. There was one instance where Gary was in the hospital with a blood clot in his leg, but Mrs. Michael wasn’t there as she was at home finishing dinner for the local police officers. When dinner was done, she left the door open with a note to the officers to let themselves in and enjoy dinner. When she returned home, dinner was eaten and the dishes were done. It wasn’t long before she hosted them again.
When her grandchildren grew older and either went away to college or stayed in town, she still sent them lunch money each week to make sure they were well fed and reminded of her love. And if she ever tried to give you money and you wouldn’t take it, she’d remind you that the bible says you must, then make you take it anyway.
If you’ve ever been to Mur Mur’s house chances are that there’s a record of it. Her blue and gold West Virginia room was signed by all her visitors. Had she lived any longer we would have needed to extend the signatures into the hallway. She taught us that having an open door had no rules and everyone was welcome, day or night.
Mur Mur had a mind that was sharp as a tack – and she kept everything to prove she was right. She taught us that tiny things are beautiful, that the best place to get stuff was at Dollar Tree but you should buy all your purses and crystal from Belk. Her spirit lives on in all the friends she made along the way, in the places that she shopped, with the girls at the bank, and through everyone that took care of her in her last few years on this earth. After her passing, the ladies at the bank and staff members at Bridgewater Retirement Community cried. She was just a special person.
Surviving is her husband, Gary Michael of Dayton; daughter Dana Getz and husband Daryl of Singers Glen; son Daniel Michael and wife Jodi of Bridgewater; five grandchildren, Brooke “Po Po” Wetherell and partner Bellamy; Colton “Boo” Wetherell and wife Nicole, who she was always so proud of; Thomas “Bubba” Michael, the smartest person she ever knew; Benjamin “Big Guy” Michael, her best chauffer; Sarah “Miss Priss” Michael, who she loved to the moon and back; two great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Caleb Wetherell, and her little dog, Koda – who she and Gary feed just as good as the rest of us. Her sister Arvella Smith and husband Harlan of Moorefield, WV, her sister Betty Olsen of Longmont, CO and several nieces and nephews also survive. She was proceeded in death by her father Loy Dolly, her mother Myrtle Dolly, her sister Mary Mallow, and her infant son David.
She also leaves behind a bunch of family and friends who are all better because they knew her. And although she is not with us anymore, we know she is looking down and saying that she hopes we have a good day, and she loves us. One of her favorite sayings was, “if that’s the worst mistake you make today, it’s still been a good day”. And for the record, she wanted everyone to know that her favorite gardening tool was the hoe.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Acorn Christian Church located at 1570 Virginia Ave, Harrisonburg, VA. This will start with a cookie social where stories will be shared amongst her friends and family and that will be followed by a service. Per her lifestyle, people are encouraged to wear something comfortable in her favorite color of violet or something with a WV logo. She is being cremated and a burial will be scheduled at a later date in Berkeley Springs, WV because she wasn’t a fan of the cold or when it’s hot enough for gnats.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, your local SPCA, or just help someone that needs it.
Finally, as Dr. Seuss said, “Don’t Cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”.
