Virginia Salley

Mrs. Virginia Salley was the daughter of the late British Stephens and Magalene Stephens. She was born on August 4, 1945, in Smoaks, South Carolina, and transitioned this life into eternal rest on May 6, 2024. She lived a life dedicated to God, family, friends, and the church and touched the lives of all who came to know her. 

Virginia was raised in a Christian home and was nurtured in her faith at Lovely Hill Baptist Church before joining Springtown United Methodist Church. She loved serving the Lord with “her prayers, her presence, her gifts, and her services.”

As a faithful member of Springtown, Virginia served as a dedicated member of The Communion Stewards, the Mass and Praise Team Choirs, The Pastor’s Parish Relations Committee (PPRC), The Church Council, The Greeters, The United Women in Faith (UMW) and The Chairperson of the Finance Committee, The Anniversary Committee, and a former Chairperson of the PPRC. She also served the SC United Methodist Church Conference as a member of the Board of Pensions, The Conference Finance and Administration (CF&A), and The Black Methodist for Church Renewal (BMCR), 

Virginia was educated in the public schools of Colleton County and was a 1964 graduate of Ruffin High School. Later, she attended Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina, and retired from Coastal Electric Cooperative after 30 years. She was an entrepreneur and in 1985, she started her own business, Salley’s Fine Chocolates, Inc. 

Virginia enjoyed sewing and taught her girls the basics of fashion. Furthermore, she loved painting, cooking, gardening, and learning to play Chess.  Most of all she was an avid traveler and enjoyed traveling with the church and spending time with her family and friends.  

Virginia was married to her loving husband Joe R. Salley for 55 years, and God blessed this union with three children: Leslie Jenkins (Anthony) of Irmo, South Carolina, Corey Salley of Columbia, South Carolina, and Tarsha Salley of Charlotte, North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Marcus Stephens, Willie Stephens and Jacob Stephens as well as a sister-in-law, Adrienne Stephens, and a brother-in-law, Leroy Sanders.

She leaves to cherish memories of her two grandchildren Tre’ A. Jenkins and Justin Z. Jenkins, both of Charlotte, North Carolina; Surviving siblings; Minne Mae Sanders of Burlington, New Jersey; Roberta McFadden (James) of Brooklyn, New York; Ella Mae Stephens of Smoaks, South Carolina; Nathaniel Stephens (Brenda) of Smoaks, South Carolina. 

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