Obituary of Virginia Helmintoller Kendrick

Virginia Margaret Helmintoller Kendrick

June 20, 1945 - February 13, 2023

Ginny was born in Hinton, WV and made her lifelong home in Roanoke, where she passed away peacefully in the early morning while holding her son’s hand.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Augustus Mason Helmintoller Sr. and Hallie Mae (Mann) Helmintoller of Clifton Forge, VA; her brother Augustus Mason Helmintoller Jr. of Sun City, AZ and sister-in-law Katharine (Forstall) Helmintoller of Loveland, OH; brother Frederick Lamont Helmintoller of Roanoke, VA; sister Betty Jo (Helmintoller) Lilly and brother-in-law Stuart Lilly of Augusta, GA;  and sister Patricia (Helmintoller) Talbert of Lewisburg, WV. 

She is survived by her husband William Kendrick of Roanoke, VA; son Mitchell Bratton and partner Marilee Eiman of Durham, NC; granddaughter Randi Bratton of Richmond, VA; stepdaughter Susan Simmons of Ocean Isle Beach, NC; step-granddaughter Meredith Petty and wife Taylor Petty of Knoxville, MD; stepson Marcus Kendrick of Salem, VA, and step-grandson Zack Kendrick of Salem, VA; brother-in-law James Talbert of Lewisburg, WV; sister-in-law Janet (Young) Helmintoller of Gaithersburg, MD; former daughter-in-law Mary Grindstaff of Troutville, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews who she adored.

Ginny cherished her upbringing in the humble setting of rural West Virginia and later Clifton Forge, VA, before marrying her first husband Dewitt Talmadge Bratton in 1965, settling in Roanoke, and having a son. She married her husband Bill Kendrick in 1979. 

She had a long career in sales, succeeding in a male-dominated field and occasionally risking her job to demand the same pay as her male peers. Her competitive nature was a perfect fit for the hobby of four-wheel-drive drag racing that she shared with her husband Bill in the 1980’s, where she was always on a mission to take home more first place trophies than anybody else. She was a member of the Star City Corvette Club for over 25 years, forging many cherished friendships, including with Col. Dave Lofgren who has been a pillar for the family. She was a voracious reader, with a deep love of history, especially Virginia history.

Ginny valued family above all else. Always a fierce and loyal friend, she loved and protected those close to her. Whether you were a friend from childhood or came into her life recently, she loved you with all her heart. And if you were on her s*** list, well, good luck to you, because you’re going to need it.

Her infectious smile, wicked sense of humor, and vibrant personality will be deeply missed.

Please join us for a memorial service on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 2 pm, at Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory, 5160 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, VA 24019. Bring a memory to share, if you feel inclined.