Virginia Darden Meeks

Virginia "Ginny" Darden Meeks died peacefully surrounded by family and friends on February 23, 2017. Ginny's relatives and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Service 2:00 PM Monday, February 27, 2017 at Grace Church Cathedral, 98 Wentworth Street, Charleston. The family will greet friends at a reception to follow the service in the Parish Hall. Ginny was born on June 2, 1969 to Lila and Buster Meeks in Columbia, SC. She is survived by her greatest loves and accomplishments, Darden and Nolen Shuman, her children; by her beloved mother, Lila Meeks, of Beaufort; by her best friend and baby sister, Sydney Meeks Fowler (Shandon) of Mount Pleasant; by the most amazing nephew and niece in the whole wide world, Spencer and Lila Fowler; and by aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, family who aren't technically family, and the best group of friends ever assembled anywhere in the universe. She was predeceased by her father, Buster Meeks, and she sincerely hopes they are in heaven on a creek enjoying a beer and some boiled peanuts as you read this. She was a Beaufort Academy Eagle and a UNC Tar Heel. She earned her law degree at the University of South Carolina and her Masters of Law in Estate Planning at the University of Miami before practicing for twelve years. Like her father, she was a skilled and compassionate lawyer who often went above and beyond for her clients. In 2010, she landed the greatest job ever -- teaching Wills, Trusts and Estates at the Charleston School of Law. Like her mother, she was a talented and beloved professor who truly cared about her students and colleagues.Ginny volunteered in numerous capacities in the community, most recently running an estate planning clinic for patients at Roper Cancer Center. She provided pro bono legal services to several area nonprofit organizations in their early stages, including the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation and Lowcountry Lab Rescue, and served on committees at Grace Church Cathedral and the Charleston and S.C. Bars. Despite a busy full-time work schedule, Ginny always managed to actively participate with her children’s schools and sports teams. She was arguably the loudest and most passionate fan at every one of Darden and Nolen’s games. She was best known, however, for the countless ways, both large and small, in which she helped others every day of her life. Often those on the receiving end of her help were people she barely knew. Those lucky enough to have known her will remember her tremendous heart, sharp wit, and utter devotion to her family, friends, and UNC Tar Heels.Ginny was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in April 2015, and with the help of her family, her supportive friends, and her excellent medical team, she did her best to keep the cancer from abusing her body for as long as possible. Her family would like to thank Dr. George Keogh and the entire CHOA staff, Dr. Stanley Wilson, Dr. Lisa Carey, Dr. Ram Kalus, Dr. Louise Clay, Hospice of Charleston, and all the nurses, aides, staff members, and volunteers Ginny encountered, for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, Ginny asks that you consider making a gift to one of the following: (1) to the Mason Preparatory School Foundation in support of financial assistance to deserving sixth grade students, 56 Halsey Blvd., Charleston, SC 29401; (2) to the USC Beaufort Festival Series in honor of Lila N. Meeks, 801 Carteret St., Beaufort, SC 29902; or (3) to the Grace Church Cathedral Endowment Fund, 98 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC 29401.