Virginia “Susie” Mae Kincheloe passed away peacefully on June 4th, 2020. She was surrounded by family in her final moments. She was the family cheerleader, a loving soul with boundless energy and a feisty personality. She was a hugger and a dancer and had the loudest laugh in the room.

Born in Greenfield, Missouri on August 31, 1931, to James I. Jenkins and Mabel Duffy Jenkins, Virginia was the only daughter born into a tight pack of six siblings. After graduation from Springfield High School, Virginia had her eye on the cutest Army Sergeant in town, Walter Kincheloe. They were married on December 29, 1950 and would welcome two sons, Thomas and Donald Kincheloe.

Virginia worked in restaurants around the city, baking and cooking or managing the bustle of customers. For many years, she managed the fabrics department at Walmart in Republic, where she was a master of the in-store announcements and organizer of yearly fashion shows. At home, she created delicious food with worthy of the best family gatherings. She possessed some sort of magic spell to keep pickles crisper than any store-bought variety and made an apple butter so perfect that apples would fight for the honor. She had 101 ways to use hamburger, all different and all delicious. No summer was complete without her strawberry shortcakes and homemade ice cream.

As a grandmother and aunt, she excelled at creating the best memories of family gatherings. She threw elaborate Halloween parties with haunted mazes and costumed characters. She held tea parties with her best china. She played outside and told ghost stories on campouts and taught us all that it doesn’t matter what we are doing, as long as we are together.

Virginia is proceeded in death by her husband, Walter; her son Tommy and his daughter Latrisha; her mother and father; and her brothers Sonny, Donald, and Melvin Jenkins.
She is survived by her son and biggest shortcake fan, Donald Kincheloe and his wife June, of Springfield. She had five granddaughters: Misty Kincheloe, April Neal, Tomarra Kincheloe, Amanda Salcido, and Aubrie Kincheloe, all of whom can’t remember the Friday nights of their childhood without her; Three great-grandchildren: Avery and Davin Acevedo, and Cecelia Mae Neal, who shares her middle name.

With respect to current events surrounding COVID-19 and the family’s wish to create a safe environment for all, arrangements are getting a little creative. Instead of a traditional visitation, the family will hold a “send-off” for Virginia on Wednesday, June 10th, from 1-2 pm at Hillside Baptist Church, 8366 W. State Highway 266, Springfield, MO 65802. Please stay in your vehicle and drive through the porte cochere, where the family will be waiting to greet and accept any spoken condolences from a safe distance. Following this, the hearse will continue to Vaughn Cemetery (442 Route H, Greenfield, 65661) for a graveside service at 3pm. All wanting to attend the graveside can wait in their cars in the parking lot to follow the procession or meet directly at the cemetery.

Virginia found solace, strength, and joy in God and her community at Hillside Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Virginia’s name to Hillside Baptist Church, 8366 W. State Highway 266, Springfield, MO 65802.