E. Virginia (Files) Hoffman

Edith Virginia "Ginny" Files Hoffman, 93, formerly of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Sunday, May 22, at Providence Place Retirement Community, Pottsville, where she resided.

A daughter of the late Roy Thomas and Opal Mage (Reisinger) Files, Ginny was born May 4, 1929, and lived the early years of her life in Wiley Ford, W.Va. As a child she attended the Cumberland Church of the Nazarene in Cumberland, Md., where she sang with her sisters in church and on the radio, as early as 3 years old.

In 1946, Ginny began traveling with her late sisters, Beatrice, Vivian and Gloria, in Evangelistic work, where they would sing as a quartet, she would play the accordion and organ and her sister, Gloria, would preach. They traveled throughout the mid-Atlantic region and as far West as Missouri, proclaiming the Gospel for five years.

It was in 1944 that she met the love of her life, the late Earl G. "Buddy" Hoffman Jr., at Northeast Nazarene Camp. They maintained a seven-year long-distance relationship and married May 5, 1951. Ginny spent most of her married life being a loving wife, as well as a devoted mother to Steve L. Hoffman (Virginia), Seaford, Del., Patricia A. Berry (The Rev. Robert), Schuylkill Haven, and Penny Feveryear, (Galen), Narvon.

She was the co-owner and co-operator of Buddy's Service Station, managing the books from 1961 until he closed around 2006.

She joined the Schuylkill Haven Church of The Nazarene, after marrying into the Hoffman family in 1951, and was still a member when she passed. During her years of membership, she served the Lord through singing in various groups, teaching Sunday School and serving as Sunday School secretary, a church board member, chair of the Food Committee, Children's and Adult Music director and church organist.

Since the death of her husband, Buddy, on March 10, 2016, she has been through many struggles. During the past three years at Providence Place, she had multiple falls, broken bones and advancing dementia. The caretakers at Providence Place embraced her like family and cared for her with a love and tenderness that words of gratitude would never be adequate expressions for the care they provided.

Ginny's life was given in service to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; a life of service and expressions of Christ's love poured into her life.

In addition to her parents, husband and sisters, she was preceded in death by her brother, Les, and sister-in-law, Pastor Rose Hoffman.

In addition to her children, Ginny is survived by grandchildren, Steven and Scott Hoffman (Tanesha), Spencer Berry (Marah), Brianna Okerblom (Davin) and Megan Feveryear; great-grandchildren, Isabella, Ayden, Chase, Morgan and Reese; brother-in-law, Alan Pearsall; and nieces and nephews.

A viewing for family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at Church of the Nazarene, West Main Street, Schuylkill Haven. A Celebration of Life funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1, at the church, with Pastor Robert Berry officiating. An additional time for viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Private interment will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, at the family's convenience.

Memorial donations in Ginny's memory may be forwarded to Church of the Nazarene, 220 W. Main St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.

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