Edna Virginia “Ginger” Gay
November 1, 1955 ~ September 20, 2014
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Edna Virginia “Ginger” Gay, age 58, went to be with her Savior on September 20, 2014 after a battle with cancer.
She was a member of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Whitakers, where she served as choir director, pianist, and guitarist. She graduated from Enfield Academy and attended East Carolina University where she received a Batchelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She started her nursing career at Nash General Hospital in Labor and Delivery. She then worked at Vidant Edgecombe Hospital (Edgecombe General Hospital and Heritage Hospital) in Tarboro for over thirty years in the Emergency Department and served nineteen of those as a manager. Ginger was a strong advocate for the development of the paramedic program in Edgecombe County. During her career she wrote several grants to assist with the paramedic program and various hospital projects. She was also instrumental in the planning of the new Emergency Department at Vidant Edgecombe Hospital. She was well respected by her staff for her leadership and believed they were absolutely the best nurses.
One of her most memorable career experiences was guiding her staff through the aftermath left by Hurricane Floyd in 1999. She captured that experience in an article published by The Journal of Emergency Nursing. During her nursing career she won several awards including Nurse of the Year and North Carolinas Great 100 award for excellence in Nursing.
Despite being a paraplegic for 33 years from a car accident, Ginger never allowed her paralysis to inhibit her from living a full life. She loved to travel, fish, play the guitar and keyboard, snorkel, go white water rafting, swim and spend time with her beloved family. She was involved with her church and loved her church family. Walking her German Shepherd “Binga” on the farm was also a joy for her. Always a supporter of the underdog, Ginger was ready to intervene and assist those in need. She was told by many of how she inspired others through her determination to live life to the fullest.
Ginger leaves behind her beloved parents Louis Norman Gay, Jr and Minnie Jo Fisher Gay of Whitakers; sister June Gay Carlisle and husband Bobby of Conetoe; brother Louis Norman Gay III and wife Tracie of Red Oak; nephews Jesse Gay of Greenville, Travis Gay of Raleigh, Ashley Carlisle of Greenville, niece Amy Dixon and husband Brian of Conetoe; great nephews Cooper and Austin Dixon; a very special little girl, Traonna Fox; and her loving care giver Lynetric “NeNe” Evans. She also leaves behind all of her coworkers at Vidant Edgecombe Hospital, who she regarded as her second family.
A memorial service celebrating Gingers life will be held Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 11:00am at Wheeler Woodlief Funeral Home officiated by Reverend Joe Proctor and Reverend Dan Shepherd. The family will receive friends there immediately after the service. Friends and family may also visit her family at the home of her parents at 408 Main Street, Whitakers, NC on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. It was Gingers wishes that her cremains be buried in the family plot at White Oak Cemetery in Whitakers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Gethsemane Baptist Church Benevolent Fund, PO Box 715, Whitakers, NC 27891.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Wednesday 9/24, 12:00 pm
Service
Location Not Available
Tuesday 9/23, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Wednesday 9/24, 11:00 am
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
I loved Ginger, I will miss her and when I see her again we will sing and dance before our Lord. Bette Strickland
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Ginger was much younger than me and yet I do remember her and how she never let her injured body stop her from doing anything she put her mind to doing. Her family and friends will miss her dearly. Carolyn and Leon Neville
Ginger was such a special person and so many nurses that knew her have learned so much. Not just about nursing, but about life. She gave so much to others and her fAith was one of her greatest attributes. Her suffering is now over and she is free to run thru heavens gates. I am so honored to have known Ginger Gay.
Ginger was not only an excellent nurse, but a wonderful person. She was a positive influence to everyone at Vidant Edgecombe Hospital.
I have been awestruck and inspired by Ginger since the days at Edgecombe General Hospital. She was a remarkable nurse and a compassionate woman. Our hospital and county were enriched by her presence and she will be missed emmensely. God gained another Angel.
My hero and my friend….I am so thankful that God gave me the blessing of her presence and inspiration in my life…she taught me so many things but above all to love, to show compassion, and to always hold on to your faith.
An Angel she was here on earth and now in heaven. Ginger touched the lives of many people. She had a love for people that went above and beyond the norm, and it was shown. She definitely let her Light shine for the Lord. Rest now my sister. Dee Bullock VIDANT EDGECOMBE HOSPITAL
On behalf of Edgecombe County Rescue Squad – Please allow me to express our deepest sympathy. Ginger was a strong advocate of Pre-Hospital Paramedic Emergency Care, and her voice is missed. Ginger set a high standard for everyone, and we are all better providers because of her.
WOW! There are so many memories I could share of Ms. Ginger but here are a couple of my favorites. First I will never forget the night our choir was rehearsing for a Christmas Cantata. We were working really hard. We finished and someone in the choir asked Ginger how it sounded and her response was, in her sweet but serious tone Well truthfully, I have heard worse. We all new that we needed much more practice. I also remember Ms. Ginger asking my daughter and I to go to the park so Trayonna and Mary could play and spend some time together. They were only about 3 years old and even though the plan was for Mary and Trayonna to have fun I know Ms. Ginger and I had the most fun of all playing at the park. We may have lost an angel here on Earth but Heaven sure gained one and I know Ms. Ginger is singing in that Heavenly Choir of Angels. We miss you and we love you! The Moseley’s
Ginger was a great Nurse, leader and mentor. She gave praise when it was due and teaching when it was needed…never belittling or scolding. An inspiration and example to follow.
Ginger was such a giving person and caring of other people and always put them first. She will be greatly missed. My sympathy and prayers go out to her family. RIP Ginger. We will all see you again.
June, it was my pleasure being Gingers hairdresser and you were a wonderful caretaker.Having been one, I know what its like and done with love. Janice Foster
Love you and miss you, but you know that.
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
I have so many wonderful memories of Ginger from High School. We played an awful lot of basketball together and would hang out some on weekends. Though I have not seen her much since then, I thought about her often and admired her tremendously for how she always accepted the hand she was dealt and made the most of everything. Rest in peace my friend.
I am so blessed to have had the honor of being Ginger’s hairdresser. She was such an inspiration to me,with my battle of fighting cancer with my husband,and everyone who knew her. I will miss her smile and her wonderful attitude. God Bless,Janice foster
I will never forget her while we attended Hobgood Academy. There was never a dull moment in school. Ginger continued on to become a wonderful young woman. May God bless all of you during this time. Carol Moore
We never met in person, but your sweet cousin { Lynda Shepherd } helped our Shenandoah Baptist Church stay abreast of your condition. We’ve had U on our Prayer List for some time. Thoughts & Prayers are with the Family & Friends as they say their final good byes ! Remembering God makes no mistakes, he takes care of his children as he see best ..
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
Ginger was a nurses nurse always placing her patients first. A wonderful manager who made a difference in all our lives. Wick
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay
My best friend, confidant, buddy, and sister. You were the best, and I know you are so happy now running through heaven, but know that I miss you terribly, and look forward to the day when we will be together with our heavenly Father. Until then, I will strive each day to be half the person you were, and will carry the memories of you in my heart.
Lit a candle in memory of Edna Virginia Ginger Gay