Lillian Violet Barnard Midkiff

Mrs. Lillian Violet Barnard Midkiff, 94, of 242 Paisley Drive, Mount Airy, passed away Wednesday night, February 8, 2012, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. Mrs. Midkiff was born February 7, 1918, in Patrick County, VA, one of eight children born to the late William Charlie and Sally Ellen Bowman Barnard. Violet retired from Renfro Corporation after 42 years of service and was a member of Flat Rock Pentecostal Holiness Church. She will always be remembered for her kind heart, faith in God, and great love for her family and many friends. She is survived by a daughter, Shelby Wood of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, George Michael and Mary Midkiff of Mount Airy; two grandsons and their spouses, George Michael Midkiff, Jr. and Suzanne Midkiff and Mitchell Paul and Tracy Midkiff, all of Mount Airy; five great-grandchildren, Mason Midkiff, Morgan Midkiff, Mitchell Midkiff, Klyne Midkiff, and Lillian "Lily" Midkiff, all of Mount Airy; four sisters, Oma Lee Hawks of King, Sylvia Large of Ararat, VA, Phoebe Baskin of Mount Airy, and Jessie "Jokie" Martin of Hillsville, VA; several special nieces and nephews and their families, Clinton "Bunky," Verna, and Debbie Midkiff of Newport News, VA, Donald Hicks of Martinsville, VA, Steve and Sheree Barnard and Patsy and Beamer Loftis, all of Mount Airy, Hilda Jones of Dobson, and Vickie Payne of Ararat, VA; and numerous devoted nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Midkiff was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, George Clifford Midkiff; an infant son, George Clifford Midkiff, Jr.; a son-in-law, Trent Gregson Wood; two sisters, Lucille Callahan and Malzy Hicks; and a brother, Bennie Barnard. The funeral service will be held Sunday, February 12, 2012, at 2:00 PM at Flat Rock Pentecostal Holiness Church, with Dr. David Sparks and the Rev. Tim Burton officiating. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, where her body will remain until carried to the church to lie-in-state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Flat Rock Pentecostal Holiness Church Building Fund, 166 Pentecostal Holiness Church Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030; or the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC 27017.