Margie Lee Shick

Margie Lee Shick, 95, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2015. Margie Lee was born in Millboro Springs, VA., but lived most of her life near Waynesboro, VA. Her father, Rev. Charles Henry Phipps, served the pulpit at Mount Horeb Presbyterian Church in Grottoes, VA from 1929 to 1949, the longest pastorate in the history of the congregation. Rev. Phipps and his wife, Ruth had seven children, who became active members of Mount Horeb. Margie Lee joined Mount Horeb after her marriage to Melvin and continued to dedicate much of her life to the work of the church.

Margie Lee graduated from Mary Baldwin College in 1939, then taught third grade for three years. She enrolled in Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA, where she received her Master of Religious Education in 1944. She was a Sunday School Extension Worker for the Synod of Virginia, and later served as Director of Christian Education in Hazard, KY.

In 1948, Margie Lee was asked to speak on her work at Men's Conference at Massanetta Springs in Harrisonburg, VA during which she met Melvin H. Shick. The following year they were married in the First Presbyterian Church in Waynesboro, VA. Margie Lee and Mel lived in Front Royal, VA after they were married and had daughter, Gayle. In 1954, they moved to the Grottoes area where daughters, Doris and Ruth were born.

During the final years of their 45 years of marriage, Margie Lee and Mel moved to Belton, TX in 1992 to share the home of daughter, Gayle and her husband, Charles Shull. After Mel's death in 1995, Margie Lee remained in Belton until 2006, when she moved to Michigan to be close to her other daughters. She lived in an assisted living center in Temperance, MI near Doris and Mike DeNudt and her grandchildren, Morgan and Miles for seven years. In 2013, Margie Lee moved to Kalamazoo, MI, which is home of Ruth, and Ron Wiser.

Her beloved husband, Melvin Shick, precedes Margie Lee in death. Margie Lee is survived by three daughters, Gayle (Charles) Shull of Belton, TX, Doris (Mike) DeNudt of Riga, MI, and Ruth (Ron) Wiser of Kalamazoo, MI; and two grandchildren, Morgan DeNudt of Toledo, OH and Miles DeNudt of Ann Arbor, MI. Also she is survived by sisters LaVelle Pool and Ruth (Rev. William S.) Metzel and loving nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were brothers Brig. Gen. Charles Henry Phipps and Rev. Dr. William E. Phipps and sisters Rosa Williford and Lois Brown.

In a final note to her daughters and grandchildren, Margie Lee wrote, "Knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord has been an enriching experience for me. I not only want the refreshing power and love to be within my life, but to overflow into the lives of others with whom I come in contact. One of my prayers is that the image of Christ will be reflected in my life wherever He calls me to be His follower." Her wonderful spirit, joy and talents will be celebrated at an 11:00 a.m. graveside service and 11:30 a.m. memorial service at Mount Horeb Presbyterian Church in Grottoes, VA on Saturday, February 28. The family will also receive friends at Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Home in Waynesboro, VA from 6:00-8:00 pm on Friday, February 27th.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Mount Horeb Presbyterian Church, Memorial Fund, 4517 Rockfish Road, 
Grottoes, VA 24441. Or donate to the mission work of Margie Lee’s niece, Ruth Brown: Presbyterian World Mission at on-line:

http://www.presbyterianmission.org/donate/MI910004/ or via mail check to Presbyterian World Mission, P. O. Box 643700, Pittsburg, PA, 15264-3700; designate MI910004-Brown.