Virginia Lee Burrell Milligan

Our sister, Virginia Lee Burrell Milligan, known affectionately as "Ginn" went home to be with God, her parents, deceased family members and friends. Virginia died peacefully at her home in Tuckasegee at the age of 75. Ginn was married to Michael Milligan (deceased) of Illinois for 18 years. Virginia was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church, Sylva, North Carolina. She was particularly fond of singing in the church choir before she became ill with Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease. Virginia was a life-long professional nurse and health educator. She loved people and enjoyed caring for others. She graduated from Cullowhee High School and went on to hold nursing degrees as an LPN, RN, BS Degree Nurse (Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC), and a Master’s Degree Nurse (Gardner Webb College, Gastonia, NC). 

Over her 40+ year career, Virginia worked in health care agencies, including hospitals, county health departments, and nursing education institutions as a nurse and nursing supervisor. She also spent many years was a traveling diabetic educator and a nursing instructor at Haywood Community College. Virginia retired from the night supervisor position at Haywood County Hospital where she was highly respected by the many employees who knew and worked under her. Virginia was active in professional nursing associations and contributed to the development and improvement of professional nurses throughout our region. 

Virginia cared deeply about the plight of diabetic children and volunteered for many years as the Infirmary Nurse at Camp Coqui— a summer camp for diabetic children as part of a Memorial Mission Health Program initiative held at Bonclarken Presbyterian Conference Center, Flat Rock, North Carolina. Virginia loved to garden and particularly cultivate blue berries and azaleas. She held a Master Gardner certification. 

Virginia is the daughter of Chris and Emma Lou Fowler Burrell, Tuckasegee, NC . She is survived by one brother, Frank Burrell (Louise), Sylva, NC, two sisters: Elizabeth Burrell Balcerek (Jim), Tuckasegee, NC, and Ann Ahles (Mike), Hendersonville, NC. Virginia was deeply loved by niece Katherine Balcerek Medlin (Seth), Clinton, Tennessee, and nephews Marc Burrell (Myra), Clayton, NC, and Christopher Balcerek, (Marta) Palmer, Alaska. She had three great nephews, Matthew Burrell, Jack Balcerek, and James Medlin. 

A Celebration of Life is planned for Monday, July 21, 2025 at Appalachian Funeral Services, Sylva, North Carolina at 12:00 p.m with a visitation held prior from 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. Services will be led by Rev. Joe Yelton and Dr. Bob Holquist, and a Eulogy will be presented by Katherine Balcerek Medlin, neice. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church, 669 West Main Street, Sylva, North Carolina 28779. 

The Family would like to pay special tribute and give recognition to the wonderful care that was provided to Virginia from her Independent Care Givers, so that she could live in her home during the lengthy time of her illness. They are Kala Franks Northrup, Tammy Franks Mathis, Marie Moore Conner, Della Williams Lull, Vallyn Anderson, Deidra Bates, and MyJestic Franks. Virginia Lee Burrell Milligan of Tuckasegee, NC passed away on July 18, 2025.