Virginia Lee (Jones) Shanholtz

Virginia Lee “Jenny” Jones Shanholtz passed away Saturday, July 6, 2024.  She was born April 1, 1947 in Dayton, Ohio, daughter of the late James T. Jones and Anna Pearl Owens Jones.  She moved to New Burlington Road in fifth grade where she attended Kingman School.  While being a cheerleader at Clinton Massie, she and her friends composed the words to Clinton Massie’s fight song which is still used today.  Jenny graduated from Clinton Massie in 1965 alongside Larry, her high school sweetheart and husband of 56 years.  After graduating Saint Elizabeth Nursing School, she married Larry in 1968.  

Jenny worked as a nurse for Saint Elizabeth, Clinton Memorial, and the Council on Aging. While working as a gifted interior decorator at David Adair’s furniture, she put the finishing touches on their home. She was a devoted mother to three daughters and a woman of many talents.  She was an avid flower and vegetable gardener, skilled with a needle (embroidery, macrame, and sewing), artist, and a writer of poetry.

As the girls married, she composed her first cookbook as a gift to each bride. Later, as the grandkids grew, she compiled her second cookbook, 50 years of family favorites.  She included prints of her favorite paintings as a special touch to the cookbook.  She was a member of the art guild, and won awards for her oils, pastels, pencils, and watercolors. She also mastered the ancient art of wheat weaving.  She liked to travel internationally as well as sightsee the Nation.  She enjoyed hosting parties for family and friends and going dancing with Larry and “The Gang.”  

She was a devoted “Nana” to her eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and a loving aunt to many.  Her final gift is her last book being published from her countless hours of research for Jones/Shanholtz lineage.  

Jenny is survived by her devoted husband, Larry Shanholtz; cherished daughters, Christine Shanholtz, Cara (Lee) Kiser, and Jenna (Clay) Sheeley; eight grandchildren, who she referred to as “Angel Babies,” Galo Christopher Bustamante, Evelin Bustamante, Maelyn Kiser, Emmalee Kiser, Zachary Kiser, Caitlyn (Ben) Oliver, Clayton Monroe Sheeley, and Eli Sheeley; two great-grandchildren, Adalyn Oliver and Isabel Oliver; a sister, Carol Ann Thomas; treasured sisters-in-law and brothers in laws; and numerous loved nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Jenny was preceded in death by brothers, James T. Jones and Charles W. Jones.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, Thursday, July 11, 2024 at the Wilmington Church of Christ, 909 W. Locust St., Wilmington, Ohio.  A funeral service with Mike McCormick officiating will begin at 12:00 Noon, Thursday, followed by burial in Springfield Friends Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jenny’s memory can be made to the Wilmington Church of Christ, 909 W. Locust St. Wilmington, OH 45177 or to the Sharon United Methodist Church, 5181 State Route 380, Wilmington, OH 45177.

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