Mary Virginia Plaugher
Mary Virginia Plaugher ("Gin" "Murry" ), 98, a lifelong resident of Briery Branch, passed away on June 17, 2024 at the Harmony House at the Bridgewater Retirement Community.
Mary was born on October 16, 1925 and was the fourth child of the late Zachariah Taylor and Nealie Mae (Howdyshell) Plaugher. She was preceded in death by siblings Annie Curry, Beulah Wichael, Robert "Budge" Plaugher, Pauline Losh and Joe Plaugher. She is also preceded in death by brother-in-law, Ben Wanger with whom she resided.
Mary is survived by her sister, Helen Wanger, with whom she resided her entire life. Also surviving is sister-in-law, Ann Plaugher and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Family was very important to Mary and she did her best to create activities to keep her family in touch with each other.
Mary was a member of the Briery Branch Church of the Brethren. She attended the Briery Branch School through 8th grade. Mary worked at various sewing factories and then retired from the Housekeeping Department at Bridgewater Home. Mary was a talented seamstress and sewed clothing for family, pieced and knotted comforters, pieced and hand quilted many quilts.
Mary was a traveler. She visited 47 states and several foreign countries with her cousin, the late Lucille Randolph. She also enjoyed spending weekends with her cousin, the late Georgia Moyer, near Mathias WV.
Mary's favorite weekend activity was spending time with family and friends at the Plaugher home known as "the camp". Time spent talking, eating, visiting and playing Rummy until the early morning hours. She was an avid Rummy player, who was known for holding the high cards and hated to lose.
Mary was a hard worker all of her life. Besides her working career, she helped with any task asked of her. She loved her African Violets, working in the garden, canning, cooking and pulling weeds. She was a babysitter and driver for her nieces, nephews and her great nieces and nephews.
Mary will be greatly missed by those who knew her. Per her wishes, she will be cremated and her ashes buried beside her parents at Sangerville Church of the Brethren Cemetery at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 24, 2024.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Clover Hill Rescue Squad, 2100 Clover Hill Road, Dayton, VA 22821 or Briery Branch Church of the Brethren, 6628 Briery Branch Road, Dayton, VA 22821.