Virginia A.S.K. Bjorlin

Charity Virginia Alexander Smith Kendrick Bjorlin died peacefully at Atrium Union West on Friday, December 29, 2023. Born in 1930 in Monroe, she was the only daughter of Dr. Samuel A. and Rebecca Stack Alexander. Her paternal grandparents were Samuel David Alexander and Mary Williamson Rea Alexander of Mecklenburg County, NC. Her maternal grandparents were Judge Amos M. Stack and Chattie Prather Stack of Danbury and Monroe, NC. Virginia was a member of the first Girl Scout troop in Monroe and attained the highest rank. She twice served as a Girl Scout troop leader. She also taught Red Cross swimming lessons.

Virginia was a retired high school mathematics teacher and amateur historian. She graduated from Monroe High School and attended UNC-Greensboro and Wingate College. She graduated from UNC-Charlotte and received her Master’s degree from Winthrop University.

After she retired from teaching, Virginia was a regular volunteer at the Heritage Room in Monroe. She served as President of the Union County Historical Society and of the Carolinas Genealogical Society. For 14 years, she was Chairman of the Union County Historic Preservation Commission. She received the award of Union County’s Woman of the Year in 2006. Her published books include Volumes I and II of The Heritage of Union County. She also wrote a history of Monroe for its 150th anniversary and an update a decade later. She frequently lectured to civic groups on local history.

A lifelong member of Central United Methodist Church, Virginia served as Historian for many years and wrote a history book for the church’s sesquicentennial. She sang in the choir (with her mother) for several decades, was twice President of United Methodist Women, and served on a conference committee.

In 1999, Virginia organized the League of Women Voters of Union County. She also organized the Lakeview Estates Homeowners Association.

An active member of John Foster Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Virginia served as Regent for ten years, as well as in other chapter offices. She was their first Honorary Regent. She was Director of District III of the North Carolina Society of DAR for five years and edited two books for the state Society: the centennial history and a Genealogical Register. She was also a member of the Colonial Dames of XVII Century.

Virginia is survived by a son, George Marvin Smith III and wife Marcia of Tryon, NC ; a daughter, Rebecca Smith Norwood and husband Billy Frank Norwood of Monroe; five grandsons: George Marvin Smith IV and wife Carmen of Monroe, Samuel Hill Smith and wife Liz, of Winston-Salem, NC, Major Ian Alexander Smith and wife Christina, of Ft. Myers, FL, Daniel Scott Norwood and wife Treena of Wingate, and William Andrew “Drew” Norwood and wife Corrie of Monroe. Also surviving are thirteen great-grandchildren: Kayla Marica Smith, Katherine Virginia Smith, Alexa Wichnoski-Smith, Landon Alexander Smith, Georgia Lou Smith, Madeline Elizabeth Norwood, William Andrew Norwood, Jr., Porter Lee Norwood, Cooper Scott Norwood and Finncher Dean Norwood, Alexander Kirk Norwood, Rowan Smith, and Dillon Smith.

She is also survived by Kendrick stepchildren: Gene H. Kendrick, Jr. of Johns Island, SC, Dr. Angela Kendrick Bergquist of Portland, OR, Dr. Eric Clyde Kendrick of Columbus, OH and Franklin Niven Kendrick of Asheville, NC; also Kendrick step-grandchildren, Gene H. Kendrick III, Katherine Elizabeth Kendrick, Dr. Curtis Stanley Bergquist, Dr. Savannah Leigh Bergquist, EmmaLee Niven Kendrick, Adam Clyde Kendrick and Alana Elise Kendrick. Her Bjorlin stepchildren are: David Carl Bjorlin of Aberdeen, NC, Lynn Marie Bjorlin of Des Moines, IA and Blair Bjorlin Wagner of Coralville, IA; and step-grandchildren, Libby and Nile Wagner.

Virginia was pre-deceased by her brothers Samuel A. Alexander, Jr., John Rea Alexander and Lee Stack Alexander; also her oldest grandson, Marcus Alexander Norwood and a great-grandson, Bennett Ellis Norwood. Her first husband, George Marvin “Spud” Smith, Jr., died in 1972. Her second husband, Gene Hoey Kendrick, died in 1993 and her third husband, Donald Leroy Bjorlin, died in 2002.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM in Central United Methodist Church Sanctuary, on Friday, January 5, 2024, with  visitation to follow in Central Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider memorials to Central United Methodist Church, 801 South Hayne Street, Monroe, NC 28112 or to the Heritage Room, P. O. Box 397, Monroe, NC 28111.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory is honored to care for the Bjorlin family.