Vernie Evelyn Willenborg, 73, of Lexington Park, MD, died at Washington Hospital Center on June 17, 2012, after a courageous four year battle with cancer. Born July 8, 1938, in Bluefield, WV, she was the daughter of the late Charles Lee and Mattie B. Short. She was the eighth child of eleven born to her parents.

Vernie moved to Lexington Park, MD from Bluefield, WV in 1953, when she was fifteen years old. On August 7, 1957, she married her devoted and loving husband, LeRoy Willenborg at Hollywood Methodist Church. They celebrated fifty-five years together as best friends. She managed the Nav-Air Grill and owned V's Ceramics. She was an avid collector of many things. Her yards sales were legendary. She was a devoted wife and mother, and was a mother figure to many in Southern Maryland. She will be greatly missed.

In addition to her loving husband and best friend, she is survived by her children, David Leroy Willenborg (Lisa) of Hollywood, MD; Donald Bush Willenborg (Rose) of Lexington Park, MD; Edward Allen Willenborg (Mary Jo) of Leonardtown, MD; and Kelli Denise Willenborg of Lexington Park, MD; two grandsons; three granddaughters; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Elizabeth Alcorn of Florida; Helen Wright of Lexington Park, MD; Mary Princen of Lexington Park, MD; and Joyce Ann Smith of Princeton, WV; brothers, Robert Short of North Carolina; Danny Short of North Carolina; and Jackie Short of Delaware; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her brothers, Paul Short and Willis Short, her sister, Beulah Duncan, and one grandson.

Family will receive friends for Vernie's Life Celebration on Thursday, June 21, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Mark Garrett. Interment will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery, Great Mills, Maryland.

Pallbearers will be Donald Willenborg, Eddie Willenborg, David Willenborg, Danny Sites, Charlie Shorback and David Flower.

Memorial donations may be made to Lexington Park Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 339, Lexington Park, MD 20653.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.