The Rev. Dr. Virginia Mothershed, 55, of Charlotte, N.C., died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill.

Born April 9, 1954, in Columbia, she was the daughter of the late James Walter "Jake" Mothershed and Lois Durham Mothershed. She was a granddaughter of the late Walter & Lela Mahaffey Mothershed of Lancaster, and the late A. Ross and Eva Fant Durham of Chester County.

Dr. Mothershed was a graduate of Lenoir Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C.; received a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. and a Ph. D. in religion and philosophy from Kensington University in Kensington, England.

She was ordained as a Lutheran minister in 1980, and served several pastorates in North Carolina.

She was pastor of St. Michael's Lutheran Church, serving south Charlotte and York County and the chief therapist for the Renaissance Therapeutic Association.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by an aunt, uncles and numerous cousins.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, at 3 p.m. at Peachtree Centre, 1434 N. Limestone St. in Gaffney, with the Rev. Dr. Barry Lambert officiating.

There will be a private burial in Lancaster Memorial Park.

The family suggests that those who wish may make donations to the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House, 2275 India Hook Road, Rock Hill, S.C., 29732, or to the charity of one's choice, in memory of Dr. Mothershed.

Mahaffey Funeral Home & Cremation Center is assisting the Mothershed family.

Please visit mahaffeyfuneral. com to leave a condolence message.