Virginia ‘Ginny’ Masten

Virginia “Ginny” Rutherford Masten died on June 2, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer. 

She was born on July 24, 1933 in Coalwood, W.Va. to the late Robert E. and Etta Worrell Rutherford. Graduating for Big Creek High School in 1951, she went to college at Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing and graduated with a degree of nursing in 1954. Georgia Baptist School of Nursing became Mercer University, which she was tickled to see beat Duke in the NCAA basketball playoffs this year. She practiced nursing in many roles for 28 years at NC Baptist Hospital; from floor nursing to administrative supervisor the last 15 years, where she interviewed and placed new staff throughout the hospital, developed and maintained a central scheduling system, wrote policy and procedures and developed and administered an annual budget for the nursing office. She was always willing to help family, friends, neighbors, and strangers throughout her life. With an infectious smile and friendly personality, she knew no strangers. She enjoyed spending time with family, especially cooking one of her meals for them. Not only was she a gardener, but she loved to can her own vegetables, an art she learned from her mother and sister, Ruth. She lived her life through her faith in the Lord. Even when she faced her last trial with cancer, she would often say, “I know the Lord is with me and I’ll be alright”. She would not want you to grieve because her soul has been set free, but instead celebrate and remember the times you shared. 

Survivors: her husband of 55 years, Richard K. Masten Sr.; 2 sons, Richard K. Masten Jr. (Pat) and John David Masten of Winston-Salem; and a daughter, Martha M. Broadbent (Bryan) of Wilmington; 4 grandchildren, Matthew Kyle and Thomas Kerns Masten and Harrison Lee and Andrew William Broadbent; a sister, Sarah Ruth Beverly; a brother-in-law, F. David Masten; several nieces and nephews, two of which were dear to her, Robert William and Jeffrey Wayne Masten. 

She was also predeceased by a sister, Iris June Rutherford and a brother, Robert Earl Rutherford. 

A memorial service celebrating her life was held Saturday, June 7 at 2 p.m. at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel by James Hash. 

Memorials: donor’s choice. 

Online condolences: www.hayworth-miller.com.