Vira LemonsJanuary 26, 1927 - July 27, 2010Vira Joyce Brenneman Lemons passed away Tuesday in Albany, following an extended illness. Vira was born at Tofield, Alberta, Canada, the daughter of Harvey and Uarda Hills Brenneman. Dr. McPherson, a country doctor, came to their farm home to assist with her birth.Vira was raised on the farm outside of Tofield, where she lived throughout her childhood. She attended a one-room country school. Vira's mother, who had been a school teacher, taught Vira to read and write, so she was placed in the second grade when she started public school. Because of this, Vira was always the youngest in her class. She often walked the two miles to school, which she attended until the family moved to Oregon. Vira attended the Albany High School, and she finished high school at the Hesston Academy in Hesston, Kan.Vira returned to Albany, where she worked at Sears. She was hired to work in the mail room, but soon she was doing the store's accounting.Vira met Eugene Lemons on a double date, and they were married within several months, on Oct. 18, 1946. They enjoyed an unusually close bond for nearly 49 years until Gene's death on July 23, 1995.  The church was an important part of Vira's life. She was baptized at the age of 10, and she became a member of the Albany Mennonite Church in 1940. Through the years, at various times, Vira and Gene established other Sunday schools and churches. In 1954 they began teaching summer Bible school in several locations in California.  They then taught Sunday school in Logsden.   After driving back and forth over narrow gravel roads each Sunday, they decided to move to that area. They lived in Logsden for several years, and during that time Gene was licensed as a pastor for the newly formed church. Vira taught Bible school and Sunday school, and organized a women's sewing organization as well as a community women's group.When Vira and Gene returned to Albany, they began a cabinet-making business, which grew into Lemons Millwork. As with so many things in their lives, this business was a working partnership, and Vira managed the finances.Vira had an avid interest in history. She was a member of the the Society of Mayflower Descendents.  She liked to tell the story that her ancestor Stephen Hopkins was on a ship headed for Jamestown when the ship was caught in a storm. Shakespeare wrote his play "The Tempest" about that incident. Vira was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and she served that group as chaplain. In addition to her interest in history, Vira loved gardening, collecting quilts and celebrating holidays with her family.Vira is survived by her daughter Linda and husband Larry Bardell of Albany; sons Daniel and wife Mary Smucker of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York,  and David Lemons and John Lemons, both of Salem. In addition, Vira has eight grandchildren: Tim Bardell, Lisa Sequeira, Andrea Boardman, Katherine Lemons, Sarah Lemons, Peter Lemons, Kelsey Lemons, and Avery Lemons. She also has eight great-grandchildren: Hailey, Taylor and Hunter Bardell, Jadi and Jessa Sequeira,  Katura Hostetler, and Kai and Mira Boardman. Vira is also survived by two sisters, Barbara Burkey of Albany and Lois Miller of Middlebury, Ind.; and one brother, Harley Brenneman of Albany.Vira was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, in 1995; infant daughter Laura Rose; one sister, Margaret Cross; and one brother, Roderick Brenneman Sr.The family would like to express gratitude to Julie McAdams for the special care and affection she showed Vira during the past year. Thanks also to everyone else who helped to care for Vira.There will be a viewing 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home.  A service will be held at the Albany Mennonite Church at 1:30 p.m.  Monday, August 2, 2010.Donations in Vira's memory can be made to Mennonite Central Committee, 21 S. 12th Street, P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA, 17501-0500.AAsum- Dufour Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements.