Virgia Lee Bly was born October 26, 1930, to John W. and Johnnie May Kendall in Paris, Tennessee. She was the fifth of ten children. Due to early health issues, she was lovingly raised by her maternal grandmother, Dollie Diggs, who nurtured her with care and wisdom.
Virgia grew up in Paris, TN, where her competitive spirit and love of sports first bloomed. She proudly played on the Henry County High School basketball team alongside her two closest first cousins, Junelle Bester and Elizabeth Knox, affectionately known in the community as “those Kendall Girls.” Her love for the game stayed with her throughout her life. She remained a passionate basketball fan, cheering on her favorite college team, Tennessee, and her favorite NBA team, the Chicago Bulls. Lebron James was her current favorite player.
On November 4, 1952, Virgia married Charles Bly, Jr., and together they raised five children: Dollie, Jerry, Charles, Jeffery, and Yvette. As the matriarch of the Bly family, she led with a steady hand and a warm heart that anchored generations.
Virgia loved the Lord deeply and was a faithful servant throughout her life. She was an active member of First Missionary Baptist Church, where she served on the Mothers Board, the Mission Committee, and the Sisterhood Committee. She had also been a dedicated member of Mr. Zion Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, IA. Her relationship with God was central to who she was. This was evident in her faith, her kindness, and her unwavering commitment to prayer.
Later in life, Virgia discovered a new passion – painting. Though she had never held a paintbrush before, after her first stroke, you couldn’t tell her anything! She took to painting with boldness and joy and proudly gifted her portraits to family and friends, sharing her creativity with humility and pride. When able, Virgia enjoyed cooking, thrift shopping, going to yard sales, and attending church services. She loved going out to eat after any gathering or event and had a special fondness for sweets, always referring to them lovingly as “my dessert.”
Virgia’s passing leaves a void that can never be filled. As the beloved matriarch of her family, she was a source of guidance, faith, and unwavering love. She led her family with quiet strength, gentle wisdom, and deep well of grace that steadied those around her. Her legacy lives on in the lessons she taught, the strength she modeled, and the boundless love she shared with all who knew her.
She is survived by her sister, Audrey Lewis of Cedar Rapids, IA, and her brother, Robert Lawrence Kendall of Joppa, IL; her daughters, Dollie Davis O’Leary (Eugene) and Yvette Ledsinger (Archie), both of Metropolis, IL; and her son Jeffery Bly of Cedar Rapids, IA.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Bly Jr.; two sons, Jerry Bly and Charles Bly III; her grandson, Michael Bly; her parents, John and Johnnie Kendall; and seven of her siblings.
Virgia’s legacy lives on through her fifteen grandchildren: Donald Davis, Darius Davis (Wendy) of Las Vegas, NV; Joshua Bly (Trish) of Toledo IA; Nathan Ledsinger of Paducah, KY; JR Ledsinger of Cedar Rapids, IA; Jacob Ledsinger and Courtney Jackson (Anthony) of Paducah, KY; Johnathan Johnson, Shantana Johnson, Marvin Miller of Cedar Rapids, IA ; Diamond Johnson of Shenzhen, China; Akelia Thompson and Akury Thompson of Paducah, KY; and Breanna Bly and Alejandra Bly of Marshalltown, IA. She is also survived by many great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
Funeral services have been scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 2025, 12 noon at First Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Orlando McReynolds officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery in Choates, IL.
Family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour.
You may light a candle or leave online condolences at pettusrowlandfh.com.
