Virginia South Ashberry, 81, of Mathews, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011, in Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center.

She was born in Hudgins, Va., and was a hairdresser having had a shop at her home and also at different nursing homes in the area. She was a member of Westville Christian Church, and volunteered her time with the American Legion Post in Mathews by helping out in the kitchen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mabel Greenwood South; her husband, Clarence Ashberry; her sons, J.C. Ashberry and Jan Richard Ashberry; her sisters, Thelma Mae South and Lillian Evans, and her brother, Stanley South.

She is survived by her granddaughter, Michelle; two great-grandchildren; brother, Garnett F. South and his wife Janice of Mathews; brothers-in-law, Johnny Ashberry and his wife Martha Ann of Mathews, and Vernon Ashberry of Mathews; sister-in-law, Georgia South of North Carolina; nieces and nephews, Robert Smith, Diane Davis, Michael South, Dale South, Brenda and David Smith, and special friends, Nancy and Douglas Banfield and their children Walter and Molly.

Burial will be private.

The family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, Va. 23061.

The family would like to give special thanks to Johnny and Martha Ann Ashberry for their special care.

Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.