Virginia “Jennie” Lee Holt Ferrell entered into the presence of our Lord on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. The daughter of Edward LeRoy and Mildred Carney Holt, Jennie was raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was married immediately after graduating from Needham Broughton High School to William Todd Ferrell. She later attended Hardbarger Business College and secured a job as a secretary with the Department of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University in 1976. She retired over 30 years later, taking countless relationships with her that lasted until her last days. After retirement she worked for variety of retail establishments, but her primary focus was the job of “grammy/mammy”.

She was proceeded in death by her mother, father, and her inseparable sister Carolyn Holt Pigott. Being less than 2 years apart, she and Carolyn were best friends until her untimely passing; a loss she would think of daily and never truly recover from. She is survived by her younger sister LeAnne Holt Madjar, whom she also loved dearly; son, William Todd Ferrell II (Jillison) and step-grandchildren Skylar and Alexandra Andrew; daughter, Leigh Michelle Ryals (Raymond) and grandchildren Hannah Ryals Aycock (Cameron), Luke Ryals (Lauren), and Seth Ryals; niece Angela Pigott and nephews Jeff Pigott and Lee Madjar.

Jennie was a ferocious reader and crossword puzzle expert. Her knowledge and vocabulary were unmatched. She was the one to call if you needed to remember the name of any actor/actress or movie or book series. She knew them all, who they were married to, who their children were, etc. It was quite amazing the information she was able to retain and offer. Her personality was infectious, her presence lit up the room, and she was quick with a joke to make everyone laugh. She had the gift of giving. It brought her such joy to give to others and she would spend countless hours, or days, or whatever it took to ensure her gift was a special and personal touch that brought as much joy to the receiver as possible. Christmas and birthdays were filled with the most precious memories and it was all because of her.

She was the best sister, the best wife, the best mother, the best grandmother, and the best friend anyone could have ever had. Her love was unconditional, never judgmental and flowed freely. She was always available to offer encouragement in time of need. She never felt like she deserved any recognition and never wanted anyone to “make a fuss” over her, but the truth is she deserved exactly that! She deserved to be brought into a room on shoulders held high, but always insisted on being the last to enter. She was always willing to take the high road, never willing to take credit and always the first and last to say the words “I love you”. Those where her last words to each of us the morning of her procedure and we will cherish them forever.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/clayton-nc/virginia-ferrell-10303641