Virginia Avenelle Drennen of Summersville, peacefully passed away on November 30, 2022. Nearly Ninety-eight years ago, she was born to Okey and Bethel Johnson in Skyles, on February 5, 1925, or as she liked to say, 2-5-25. She was the first of what would become a family of two girls and four boys. As the original coal miner's daughter, she experienced the hardships of the great depression, World War II, and living at the poverty level in the 50's. While surviving this difficult period in the history of our country and the world, she witnessed and embraced as much progress and change as anyone in history.

She graduated from Nicholas County High School in 1942 and self-educated from that point until her death. From 1954 on, she worked as a secretary, accountant, and legal secretary to help support her family and ensure that her sons had opportunities not available to her including receiving college degrees. She developed a backbone of steel and a heart of love, faith, hope, and charity even though she did not often show charity to the officials calling her sons' football and basketball games and even in her last month, the games of her Mountaineers. These attributes allowed her to survive two fine husbands, Meredith Dodrill and Allen Drennen, two brothers, Bill and Larry Johnson, a son, Wayne Dodrill, and a grandson, David Dodrill. A pillar of Muddlety United Methodist Church, she remained their treasurer and taught her Sunday school class until she was 96 years old. She was active in Nicholas County and Summersville participating in numerous church groups and charities throughout her life.

A woman of many titles, Virginia, Gen, Mommy, Grandma, and GG, four sons  and Wayne's wife Mary Jo of Lewisburg survive her, Dale Dodrill (Carolyn) of Prospect, KY, Randy Dodrill (Caroline) of St Albans, , Jack Drennen (Jeanie) of Boise ID and Joe Drennen (Monica) of Wayne, MI as well as her sister Joy Robinson (Herman), her brothers Bob Johnson (Helen) and Conn Johnson (Joyce) and a special niece, Susan Vickers of Muddlety who has been a daughter to her for over 60 years. She also leaves behind twelve of her grandchildren and their spouses, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, many nieces, and nephews all of whom marvel at the unique combination of will to survive, determination to make her family a loving and caring one, and toughness mixed with love for those who surrounded her. Her family will miss her and remember all the sacrifices she made to give them the lives they are fortunate to be living today.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. Monday December 5 ^th in the Muddlety United Methodist Church with Rev. Herman P. Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in the Walker Memorial Park at Summersville. Friends may call at the church from 11 a.m. until service time on Monday. The Waters Funeral Chapel in Summersville is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be sent to Muddlety United Methodist Church or Hubbard House West, South Charleston, WV.

Condolences: watersfuneralchapel.com