Virginia May Jacobs

Virginia May Jacobs resident of Aberdeen, Maryland since the age of 13, passed away on March 21, 2024. Born on May 12, 1932 in Lincoln, MO to the late Kenneth M. Henry and Roslie M. Henry (Sweeney), she was affectionately known as Ginny, Ginger, Mom, Grandmom, and most recently, Great Grandmom. She will be deeply missed by all her loved ones.

Virginia had a sense of humor and loved to tell stories from her childhood in Missouri. Her father was one of 11 siblings and as she said, “most were quite ornery.” She took great joy in being surrounded by such a large and close knit family. Her father enlisted in the Army and in 1945 he received orders to Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD where he served the rest of his time in the Chaplain Corps. They chose to remain in Maryland because her parents found employment but their Missouri family remained close in their hearts and they visited as often as possible. The Henry’s became members of the First Baptist Church in Havre de Grace, MD where Virginia remained an active member, rarely missing a service until she was physically limited from attending. She taught Sunday School for various ages from pre-school to adults, sang in the choir, and served as the Sunday School Director for many years.

Virginia was a 1949 graduate of Aberdeen High School. Henry as she was known to her classmates, was a member of the AHS glee club, the editor of the yearbook, and a decorated high school athlete. As a first-string left halfback on the fieldball team, she helped cinch two victories over Have de Grace leading the Eagles to the Class C State tournament. As captain of the girls’ basketball team Henry led her team all the way to the Maryland State finals. It was noted in her Senior Class Will that after much persuasion she agreed to leave behind her athletic ability. It had served her well though as it undoubtedly contributed to her future new name of “Jacobs” when she and Charles (also a highly decorated AHS athlete) married in 1951. Ginny and Jake were able to celebrate 71 years of marriage together.

Virginia graduated nursing from Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD in 1952 and began her career at Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace, MD. She worked in all areas of the hospital but eventually specialized and was well respected for her skills in the operating room. In 1964, she took a job as a civil servant at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Perry Point, MD. While working full time she earned her BS degree from University of Maryland at Baltimore in 1972. Virginia retired from nursing in 1992 to enjoy her time as Grandmom, however being a nurse always remained part of her identity.

Virginia demonstrated a life of faith in the Lord and even on her last day she spent time reading her bible. She was an avid reader, backyard birder, and enjoyed doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, but her greatest joy was her family. She rarely missed a special event for her children and through her own life example she taught them to work hard and to be independent. Virginia absolutely delighted in her grandchildren and along with her husband she was a staunch supporter of all of their endeavors. She absolutely beamed with pride and joy when she was able to hold her great grandson for the first time.

Along with her parents, she was pre-deceased by her beloved husband Charles “Jake’ Jacobs, her brother-in-law Edmund L. “Rudy” Jacobs and sister-in-law Margaret Jacobs. Memories of her will be cherished by her children, Charles H. Jacobs Jr (Eve); Kenneth L. Jacobs (Barbara); Catherine M. Hall (James) and her grandchildren, Andrew Jacobs (Victoria), Jennifer Thomas (Michael), David Jacobs (Megan) and Kelsey McRoberts. Those memories will be passed down and shared with her new great grandchild Theo Jacobs.

Visitations will be held at Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home on Wednesday March 27th from 5-8 pm and on Friday March 29th at 9 am with a service beginning at 10 am. Interment will follow at Baker Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at https://www.nationalmssociety.org/ or to Havre de Grace First Baptist Church, 108 South Stokes St. Havre de Grace, MD 21078.