Virginia S. Linkenhoker

Virginia Stanko Linkenhoker was born to Bessie and Pleas Oliver in the town of Packard in Whitley County Kentucky on April 20, 1918. She was the eldest of five children born in this small rural coal mining town. Being the oldest of five children, two boys (Wade and Arville) and two girls (Rose and Norma), she helped her mother care for the younger children. Virginia graduated from Black Star High School in 1936, top of her class, and then pursued a teaching degree at Cumberland College, a small Baptist school in Kentucky. Soon thereafter, she began teaching Elementary School in a small Kentucky town. In the early 1940’s, Virginia and her family moved to Baltimore. After taking a job at a local factory, supporting the war effort, she took up teaching again. Everything changed, then, when she met her future husband, Charles Stanko. They were married and years later, Cheryl Lynne, was born on Christmas Eve. What a fabulous Christmas present! Four years later right before Thanksgiving, Gina arrived. Virginia had the family that was first and foremost in her heart. Life was great for the Stanko family. Virginia was now a stay at home mom and Chuck was a successful insurance agent. After Cherri was born, Virginia kept her hand in elementary education – this was important to her as she talked about it often, but eventually gave it up to use her teaching skills raising her family. She insisted on making sure her children completed their homework every night, that they were prepared for school each day, and she made sure they got a good night’s sleep. The bedtime routine always included reading a story, singing “The Old Rugged Cross” and the dreaded flashcards. Gina and Cherri will never forget the dreaded addition, subtraction, multiplication and division flashcards—every night – the horror! The girls always thought bedtime was too early. But…Mom knows best. Cherri had to go to bed the same time as Gina and was promised that she could get up after Gina fell asleep, but, as anyone who knows Cherri could guess, she always fell asleep immediately. Virginia worked hard to make sure her family was well cared for. Dinner was always on the table by 5:30 pm. One of Virginia’s favorite meals was string beans with a sweet onion, pickled beets, cornbread and a big glass of buttermilk but she always cooked a well-balanced meal of meat, potato and vegetable for the family with a glass of milk for the girls. Dessert wasn’t a requirement but rather reserved for special occasions. The family always had clean and pressed clothes to wear-she even ironed Chuck’s boxers and handkerchiefs- and she always made sure everyone was well groomed. Of course, for herself, lipstick and the weekly hairdresser appointment were essential routines, showing the value she placed on being a lady. For many years Virginia, Chuck and the girls were active members of the very large Seventh Baptist church in North Baltimore. There they developed lifelong relationships with other families in the church – a very close Church family indeed! In 1969 Virginia, together with her family, moved to their newly built house in Glen Arm where they fell in love with the people of a small rural Methodist church, this Church, Waugh UMC. The Stanko’s, longtime Baptists were becoming Methodist. Virginia often said “There’s not much difference between Baptist and Methodists anyway”. In 1983, Chuck passed away. The girls were grown and living on their own. Virginia was living on her own, but not alone. Though she missed Chuck greatly, her two families continued to fill her heart. She continued to be an active member of Waugh UMC where she was the President of the Women’s Society for many years and on other committees of the church always helping out at flea markets, bazaars and other church missions. Cherri and Gina had children of their own, and Virginia’s new grandchildren, and eventually, great grandchildren, were precious to her. Time to change again. A long-time friend from Seventh Baptist church, Moore Linkenhoker, who had lost his wife, started calling on Virginia. Shortly thereafter they were married. Together with Moore, she became a Florida snowbird, spending winters there; except, of course, for the holidays. Their marriage lasted for 11 years ending with Moore’s passing. Virginia was once again on her own, but not for long, as she then moved to Davidsonville to live with Cherri being near to Gina. Although Virginia moved away from Glen Arm to be closer to her girls she remained a faithful member of Waugh . Virginia passed away, in peace, in her own bed, with her daughters at her side. Virginia was a kind, loving, thoughtful, and generous person. She always considered the needs of others; was protective of her daughters; valued education; and made it possible for her children and grandchildren to attend college. She was able to celebrate joyously all of their graduations. She liked to read the newspaper, front to back, on a daily basis as well as magazines and books. She enjoyed sewing – the girls wore the dresses and aprons to prove it. She enjoyed listening to big band music and dancing at the annual Boumi Temple New Year’s Eve parties and the State Farm conventions. They gave her the pleasure of dressing up in style; to be the public classy lady. Virginia loved the company of her family. She enjoyed every opportunity to celebrate birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, or no occasion at all. Her joy started early in life when her large extended family got together, every year, often renting a local park pavilion to celebrate her mother’s birthday. In typical family fashion everyone would bring food to share; and created memories in the July summers. Virginia loved to travel. She enjoyed taking the girls on cruises to the Caribbean, where the weather was spectacular. In fact, her picture in your bulletin was taken during dinner on one of those cruises. She enjoyed traveling with her sister, Rose, other friends, and her second husband, Moore. They traveled throughout the United States as well as internationally. She spoke often of her trips to Yellowstone, Yosemite, and other National Parks, Alaska, Australia, England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. And now, as it is time to say farewell to Virginia in her earthly form, let’s remember one of her favorite prayers.  “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change those things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” We can find comfort in knowing that her pain is gone, she positively touched many lives and she now lives in eternal life with our Lord in Heaven. God be with us til we meet again. We love you Mom.?On Friday, January 8, 2016, of Davidsonville, MD. Beloved wife of the late Moore Linkenhoker and the late Charles Stanko; loving mother of Cheryl Wojnar and her husband, Stanley, and Gina Perantoni; sister of Rose J. Rhatigan, Norma J. Sellers, the late Arville L. Oliver and the late Pleasant "Wade" Oliver, Jr.; grandmother of Christina Wojnar-Chan; Jennifer Perantoni, Rebecca Wojnar, and Angela Perantoni; great-grandmother of Austin Borden and Natalie Chan. Family will receive friends at the family-owned BEALL FUNERAL HOME, 6512 NW Crain Hwy. (Rte. 3 South), Bowie, MD on Sunday, January 17, 2016 from 4 to 7pm. A funeral service will be held at Waugh United Methodist Church, 11453 Long Green Pike, Glen Arm, MD on Monday, January 18, 2016 at 11am, with burial in the church cemetery. If desired, contributions may be made to Waugh United Methodist Church.