Virginia Ella Hutcherson was born July 11, 1925 to George and Louise Hutcherson in St. Louis, Missouri. Virginia was the oldest of two girls. Her sister, Eula Catherine, was affectionately known as “Baby Sister” by friends and family – a nickname Virginia dubbed herself because, “that’s who she is.”
Virginia grew up in St. Louis, enjoying life with her family, learning to play the piano and sing, and being followed every day by a boy named Mentha Marley Jr., who had committed his life to hers at a very young age.
Virginia married Mentha on November 14, 1946. After starting their young family in St. Louis, Virginia and Mentha relocated to Indianapolis and established a life raising six children. In addition to staying at home with her family, Virginia actively participated in her church by singing in the Sunday choir, directing the children’s choir and participating in the activities of the United Methodist Women. Together, Virginia and Mentha participated in “The Band-ives,” a husband-and-wife social club that gathered once a month for food and fellowship. Music was also a big part of Virginia’s l...[more]
, and she actively kept up with the recordings and careers of everyone from Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne to Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.
Virginia and Mentha enjoyed 51 years of marriage – which included six children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren – before his death November 5, 1998. In the years to follow, Virginia watched their family grow to a total 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Virginia Marley died October 9, 2017 at her home surrounded by family and friends. She joins her husband and her baby sister in the afterlife, and is survived by all of her children, grandchildren and great-granchildren.
Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery
Indianapolis, IN 46208
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