Virginia H. (Garris) Kemerly

Virginia Helen Kemerly held many treasured titles throughout her life, but none more important to her than Christ follower, steadfast wife, beloved mother, and affectionate grandmother and great-grandmother. With a servant’s heart to the very end, Virginia passed away at the age of 92 on June 15, 2022, in the loving arms of her children.

Born May 20, 1930 to Emery and Helen Garris, Virginia grew up on a farm near Fortville, Indiana, and graduated from Fortville High School. She married the love of her life, Paul Edward Kemerly, on June 30, 1950 and, together, raised their own children in Fortville. Virginia devoted so much of herself to creating a welcoming, supportive, and loving home where her four children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, in addition to many family friends, would create countless fond memories of enjoying one another’s company. Some of the family’s fondest memories include watching her cheer on the Indiana Pacers and the I.U. Hoosiers as well as dazzling her audiences by exhibiting her talent of being able to listen to a tune and immediately play it by ear on the piano.   

Virginia will be remembered by her great love for God and others. She was an active member at Fortville Christian Church, where she selflessly served her community through teaching children’s Sunday school for 42 years, leading Music Makers children’s ministry, and heading the Love in Action ministry for over 20 years, writing thousands of cards to encourage and comfort the hearts of individuals and families as they navigated the landscape of life. Virginia poured out this same commitment and care upon her family through her endless devotion to their wellbeing: she supported her children in the pursuit of their vocational and familial dreams and warmly adored her grandchildren, as seen by her frequent attendance at various sporting, musical, and additional school-related and extracurricular events; her willingness to indulge requests for homemade macaroni and cheese while babysitting; and her ability to make each of them feel special to her.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her five siblings: sisters Ruth Boram, Alice Alleyne, Margaret Ellen Garris, Gleela Baldwin, and brother Robert Garris. She is survived by her son Michael Kemerly of Fortville, daughter Vicki Burt of Fishers, Debra (Bill) Stewart of Carmel, Jennifer Moss of Fortville, grandchildren Paul Burt, Marisha (Michael) Boyle, Sarah (Andrew) Beltz, Michael (Brittany) Burt, Bethany Stewart (fiancé Justin Perry), Scott (Shay) Stewart, Parker Stewart (fiancé Riley Beard), Bradley Moss, great-grandchildren Matthew Price, Kessler Beltz, Kemerly Beltz, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 10 am until noon at the Fortville Christian Church 9450 N. 200 West Fortville, IN 46040. A celebration to honor Virginia and the life she lived will begin at 12:00 pm. Burial will follow at Gravel Lawn Cemetery, Fortville. 

Contributions in honor and loving memory of Virginia may be made to Love in Action or children’s ministries at Fortville Christian Church 9450 N. 200 West Fortville, IN 46040. Online condolences may be shared at www.sealsfuneralhome.com.  

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