CHARLOTTESVILLE — Kate Lee Cobb McGinnis passed away peacefully on Wednesday June 13, 2018 at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.   

A native of Isle of Wight County, she was born on June 28, 1935 to Frances Britt Cobb and William Macklin Cobb of Four Square, Smithfield.   Throughout her life Kate held an enduring love for Smithfield, her original home.   She was a 1953 graduate of Smithfield High School and later attended Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, graduating in 1957.  Always a strong advocate of education, she taught for several years in Virginia Beach and Washington D.C. and later served on boards at Salem College and Piedmont Virginia Community College.

On June 25, 1966, Kate married Bernard Lewis McGinnis of Shipman and moved to Nelson County shortly thereafter.    She was highly active in the community and Trinity Episcopal Church, where she served on the vestry and numerous other committees.  

Kate was devoted to her family and selflessly dedicated her life to improving the lives of everyone around her.  She embraced all with her love.

She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Jemima Cobb Glenn; her son, Bernard Lewis McGinnis II; and grandson, Thomas Meriwether Schultz. 

She is survived by her husband, Bernard Lewis McGinnis of Shipman; her daughter, Mary Cobb McGinnis Schultz and husband John Loesch Schultz Jr.; grandsons, William Loesch Schultz and Benjamin McGinnis Schultz of Winston-Salem, N. C.; her niece, Frances Glenn of Newport News; great nephew, William DeLoach of Richmond and a host of special friends.

Funeral and burial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday June 19, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Oak Ridge.   Following the service, Kate’s friends and family are invited to a celebration of her life at the family home, Tall Poplars, 75 Lentz Lane Shipman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church 475 Oak Ridge Road Arrington, Virginia 22922.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Wells Sheffield Funeral Chapel in Lovingston, 434-263-4097.