Virginia (Jenny) F. Goodman Helvey Vass, our loving mother and grandmother, age 89, of Salem, went to her heavenly home on Monday, May 16, 2011. She was born a twin on August 5, 1921. Mama loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren unconditionally with pride and joy. She was young at heart and always ready to make others happy. Her talented hands touched many lives with her paintings and music. She had an artist’s passion for sketching people and beautiful scenery. We will always treasure her many beautiful oil paintings done especially for us. Playing the piano by ear, she loved to entertain with music. She played for the Rebekkah Lodge. She was a lifetime member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. Virginia was owner/operator of the L&H Store on West Main Street in Salem for over 30 years. She loved life and impacted many with her kind heart and unselfish love. Special thanks to Dr. Diane Wiggins and the staff of Springtree Health & Rehab for their devoted care of our mother. Preceding her in death were her two loving husbands, Lester D. Helvey and Raymond I. Vass; parents, Luther and Lula Goodman; brothers, Ralph, Harold, Daniel, Roy, and Laban Goodman; sisters, Viola Witt and Katherine Runyon; and daughters, Diana and Sarah Helvey. Her surviving family includes sons, Michael D. Helvey Sr. and wife, Diane, and Patrick Anthony Helvey (aka Ric McCord); daughter, Rhonda H. Pendleton and husband, Steve; grandchildren, Danielle H. Brugh, Michael D. Helvey Jr. and wife, Angela, Chad S. Pendleton and wife, Chris, Derek M. Pendleton, and Melissa Pendleton; great-grandchildren, Wesley A. Brugh, Austin H. Brugh, Kelsen M. Pendleton, Ansley C. Pendleton, Elaina M. Helvey, Jacob D. Hatfield, and Zach S. Hatfield; and her lifelong best friend, Becky Olander. A period of visitation will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2011 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 2 p.m. in the funeral home’s chapel. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.johnmoakey.com. The Vass family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441.