Mrs. Virginia G. Gaulden, 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at her home.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732 with Pastor Dan Johnston officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Cemetery, 4290 Old York Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10-10:45 am at the funeral home.
Born in Magdalena, New Mexico, Virginia was the daughter of the late James Claude Gordanier and the late Annie Eileen Hearn. In her early life, she worked for the US Government before relocating to the South. The couple eventually moved their young family to Panama, where they spent five years working with the Overseas Christian Servicemen Center. During this time, Virginia played a vital role in ministering to American servicemen stationed far from home, offering not only spiritual encouragement but also warmth, compassion, and a sense of family to those in need of connection.
In 1981, Virginia and her family settled in Rock Hill, as Brown returned to lead his family’s business, Gaulden Monuments. Virginia remained devoted to both her family and her community, working for several years at Trinity Bible School while raising her children. As the family business continued to grow, Virginia joined her husband at the monument company. Together, they built a legacy of service, care, and commitment to the families they served until their retirement in 2007.
Virginia is survived by her husband of nearly 65 years, Brown Gaulden; their son, Mitch Gaulden; daughters, Doris Farley (Mike) and Rachel Gaulden Raines; her brother, Roger Lee Gordanier; 11 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Mark Everett Gaulden, grandson, Mitchell Gaulden, Jr. and three brothers.
Memorials may be made in Virginia’s name to Chrysalis Autism Center, www.ctr.com/donate or to Samaritan’s Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org.
Condolences may be made to the Gaulden family at www.greenefuneralhome.net.