Virginia Cates

Virginia Marie "Ginny" Cates, 87, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at The Villas of Jackson.

She was born Dec. 16, 1932, in St. Louis to William H. and Agnes I. Westbrook Noelken. She and Richard T. Cates were married Jan. 1, 1956, at Hernando, Mississippi. He preceded her in death Sept. 8, 2001.

She retired from American Red Cross.

She volunteered for Humane Society of Southeast Missouri and Salvation Army.

Survivors include her daughters, Janice L. (James) Heninger of Carterville, Illinois, and Judi C. Cates of Cape Girardeau; son, Phillip A. (Sheila) Cates of Buffalo, Missouri; brother, Milton E. Noelken of Overland Park, Kansas; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death her parents; husband; sister, Naomi; brother, Marvin R. Noelken; and a grandchild.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Edie Bird officiating. Entombment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be given to Humane Society of Southeast Missouri or Alzheimer's Association.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.