Virgene Adalee Barnhart Sorenson Friday

Virgene Adalee Barnhart Sorenson Friday was born August 5, 1924, in Quincy, Illinois.  She went to her eternal rest on October 2, 2023, at her home in Bessemer City, NC.

Virgene was preceded in death by her parents, Clinton Vere and Neva Jewel Johnston Barnhart; a sister, Gwenevere Frame; husband, John P. Sorenson (1918-1976); second husband, Russell L. Friday (1922-2002); and a son, John C. Sorenson (1949-2018).

She is survived by daughters, Sheryl L. Mokrzycki of Jacksonville, Illinois, and Patricia S. Burleson (Kenneth) of Bessemer City, North Carolina; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Virgene was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She lived in Quincy, Illinois throughout childhood and young adulthood. After her marriage to John Sorenson, she lived in numerous locations in the Midwest including Kirksville, Missouri; Keokuk, Iowa; Storm Lake, Iowa; Jamestown, North Dakota; Defiance, Ohio; finally settling for an extended period in Jacksonville, Illinois. After the death of her first husband, she remained in Jacksonville and eventually was married to Russell Friday. In 2014 she moved to North Carolina to live with her daughter and son-in-law.

Virgene worked various secretarial jobs in her early adulthood. She took a break from the workplace after the birth of her children to become a stay-at-home Mom. After her youngest child started to school, she embarked on a 35-year career with J.C. Penny Company. Virgene retired at the age of 75 and promptly took on a part-time position as a secretary for a local rehabilitation facility. She finally retired at the age of 77 to devote time to her family.

Virgene was active in volunteering with AARP, Singing with Sweet Adelines and was also a very active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville. She spent many hours knitting, crocheting, reading, and deeply enjoyed Music and the Arts.

One cannot begin to sum up the amazing person she was.  She was unassuming, pleasant, kind, humble and always had kind and positive things to say about everyone. She used to say that her father never had a bad word to say about anyone, a trait she definitely inherited. Her guidance and love will live on in the legacy of her children and grandchildren. She will be sorely missed by those who knew her, but we know that the Heavenly Father welcomed her with open arms.

Per her wishes, Virgene will be cremated and a memorial service for friends and family will be held at a later date in Jacksonville, Illinois. Her remains will be interred at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Jacksonville, Illinois after that service.