Obituary

Virginia Louise Muth
(April 5, 1923 - September 22, 2014)

Virginia Muth - wife, mother, grandmother, cook and outspoken, spunky lady who adored animals and anything Lawrence Welk, died Monday, Sept. 22, at the age of 91, leaving behind countless family and friends who cherished her. Those who met Virginia might have noticed the polished rings that sparkled on her worn fingers and the bright red lipstick that sometimes ended up on her front teeth. She liked to look her best by accessorizing with scarves and flashy brooch pins and she often told women: “always wear red lipstick and a hat so people will remember you."  Perhaps she picked up that line from her mother, Josephine Davis, who gave birth to Virginia on April 5, 1923. Virginia, also the daughter of Floyd Davis, was born in Sandusky, Ohio, but moved to Huntington as a child. She later married Daniel P. Muth and they moved to Point Pleasant, W.Va. so Dan could tackle his business, Mason Furniture. They eventually returned to Huntington and had four children, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She spent countless hours at The Club Inn Between, a bar in downtown Huntington owned by her sons, where patrons knew her as “mom.” She made a mean spaghetti sauce and a chili that regulars craved. In her prime, she was strong enough to crack an apple with her hands and she insisted on mowing her entire lawn by herself. She loved to draw and to paint and randomly used pieces of furniture as her canvas. She was likely one of the last in this world who could sew beautifully, leaving behind enough comfy quilts to keep her family warm on cold nights. She liked to keep busy, even during her older years, and made blankets for the homeless. She must’ve baked thousands of cookies for her family, especially her grandchildren, from the time they were toddlers to when they were living on their own. She was proud of her entire family, but called her female grandchildren “pioneer women” because they were able to enjoy life in a way that wasn’t acceptable for women in her day. Virginia often smelled of a 1970s perfume counter, with her all-time favorite fragrance being an $8 dollar bottle of Charlie perfume. A bottle still sits on her nightstand today. She was married to her husband for 69 long years and jokingly called him a silly, old fool. She also had other choice words for him not clean enough for print. She didn’t have much tact at times, but she always seemed sort of proud of that. When one of her grandchildren got married, she advised her that to be happy in a marriage you should listen to everything your husband says with a smile. And then go and do what you want anyway. Virginia is survived by three children and spouses, daughter, Sally, and Terry Smith; son, Danny Muth and Jill Jobst; son, Roger and Sheila Muth. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren who will always cherish fond memories of tea parties and fun trips to the park in her packed station wagon. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Lurene Porter and Verna Davis, and her daughter, Dianna Maynard. Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, Sept. 29, at Chapman’s Mortuary, with Pastor Brady K. Lipscomb officiating, followed by a burial at Woodmere Memorial Park. Virginia will be wearing her Sunday best, with polished red fingernails and her signature red lipstick to match. Friends may call from 11:00 am to service time Monday at the funeral home.