Virginia Gail "Ginge" Gaither

Virginia Gail “Ginge” Gaither, 96, longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away Friday, April 9, 2010, in Moses Lake, Washington.

Virginia was born in Lexington, Nebraska, on March 9, 1914. She was the oldest of six daughters born to Lewis Henry Forrest and Eva Ethel Hale. When she was four years old, the family moved to Kit Carson, Colorado, where Virginia attended school and graduated from high school in 1931.

On February 12, 1933, in Hinesville, Arkansas, she married Lyle Leland Gaither Jr., the love of her life. They returned to Colorado where they farmed in Alamosa and Kit Carson. Their three children were born and raised there.

In 1949, they moved to Denver where Lyle pursued work on his Tire-Lite invention which warned motorists of impending tire blowouts. Virginia worked for a few years as a buyer and bookkeeper, but chose to be a stay-at-home mom. In 1974, Lee and Ginge moved to Moses Lake Washington to help on a farm and ag-related business owned jointly with son and daughter-in-law, Gayle and Mavis Gaither. Farming has always been in the family’s blood and being close to family was always important.

Virginia was a warm and caring Christian lady who was always involved in her church and taught Sunday school. She was very gifted in music and while in high school won awards for her talent. She also played the piano for church, and gave piano lessons for a number of years. Those who were close to Ginge will remember her for her love of nature, her grace, her sense of fashion, and her creative spirit. She will be so missed by all who knew her.

Virginia is survived by her son and wife, Gayle and Mavis Gaither of Moses Lake, Washington; daughter and husband, Donna and Joe Selby of Maple Valley, Washington; sisters, June Mills, Doris Price, Florene Price, Elaine Hill (Bob), and Terril Young (Earl), nine grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Leland Gaither, and daughter, Saundra Dee Clark.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at Kayser’s Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake. You may sign the guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Private family interment will be held at Pioneer Memorial Gardens preceding the funeral service. Funeral Services will be held at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 416 E. Nelson Rd., Moses Lake, Washington, on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. with her son, Rev. Gayle L. Gaither officiating. The public is invited. A reception luncheon will be held after the service.

Memorials may be made in Virginia’s name to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.