Virginia Chandley Sheppard

Virginia Cook Chandley Sheppard, 81, of Asheville, passed away on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at Pisgah Manor Health Care Center. Born in Madison County to the late Edison and Molly Mae Gosnell Cook, she was a homemaker, and a member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church. Known as Virginia to many, Jenny to most, and Mom and Nanny to her descendants...she added life and spunk and joy to the lives of all who knew her! She adored babies, never knew a stranger, was the most generous person, and bluegrass gospel music made her shout or clog or both! She was lovingly loyal, selflessly serving, and intimately involved in the lives of her family members. Virginia beat breast cancer fifteen years ago, but in the past two years had to fight for her life again after developing lung cancer. Her first treatments were successful to slow the growth, but as time went on, her body grew too weak. Since last November, Virginia quickly deteriorated, and Wednesday, the kindness of our God said, "No more suffering, sweet one, it's time to come HOME!" God gave us 81 years with Virginia and she got to see four generations of descendants with the birth of her namesake, her great-granddaughter, Virginia "Genny Ruth" Bell in 2013. Her life is a legacy left. The God of the Bible promises Virginia is now with Him forever because of her faith in Jesus' life, death on the cross for sin, and resurrection that overcame death! She is with her God in eternal paradise, healed and whole, and those who also know Jesus will see her again one day!!! We grieve..but we grieve with heart-warming, tear-drying HOPE!" She is preceded in death by husbands, J.T. Chandley and Lucius Sheppard; and siblings, Hardy Cook, Theda Oakman, Edwin Cook and Bebe Huggins. Survivors include her daughter, Teresa Robinson (Dennis) of Asheville; her grandchildren, Jared Robinson, Kelcie Barker (Philip) and Lacey Bell (Jonathan), step-grandson, Shane Robinson (Charla), all of Asheville; great granddaughter, Virginia Ruth Bell; brother, Roy Cook (Linda) of Kernersville; sister, Vivian Wallin of Asheville and many nephews and nieces. A funeral service will be held Monday at 11:00 A.M. at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Jason Bartlett will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorials may be made to Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, 950 US Highway 70, Swannanoa, NC, 28778. Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the family.