Funeral services set for Lynchburg’s Ware family

LYNCHBURG NEWS & ADVANCE
Published: October 16, 2008

Funeral arrangements have been set for two women who died last weekend in an early-morning house fire in Lynchburg.

Virginia Nichols Ware and her daughter-in-law Lee Lewis Ware both died Sunday at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical Center after being pulled from a fire at Virginia Ware’s Graham Street house.

Virginia Ware’s son, Nick Ware, was injured in the fire and has since been treated and released. Nick and Lee Ware’s son Mac Ware was treated for minor injuries at Lynchburg General Hospital.

The fire was reported at 2 a.m. Saturday. Lynchburg Fire Marshall Greg Wormser said clothing near a baseboard heater ignited, sparking the blaze.

Nick and Mac Ware were able to make it out of the house, but firefighters had to pull Virginia and Lee from the burning building. One of the 28 firefighters who responded suffered burns.

Virginia Ware, 93, was a lifelong Lynchburg resident. She graduated from E.C. Glass High School in 1932 and was a retired bookkeeper with Leggetts.

Lee Ware, 50, graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1980 and received her master’s from Lynchburg College. She was a substitute teacher for Lynchburg City Schools.

Both women were members of Rivermont Avenue Baptist Church.

Virginia and Lee Wares’ funerals will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Spring Hill Cemetery. A reception will be held tonight Diuguid Wiggington Chapel.

While the American Red Cross is helping the two survivors with short-term housing, Rivermont Avenue Baptist Church has established a fund for those who want to help at Stellar One bank.

To donate: Contact Terry Brizendine at (434) 534-6787. A fund has been set up at Stellar One and checks can be made to the Ware Family Fund c/o Stellar One Bank 2102 Langhorne Road Lynchburg, VA 24501.