Virginia Brauns Schmidt, 78, of Columbia, died Thursday, January 29, 2015. Born January 4, 1937 in Passaic, NJ, she was the daughter of the late William Herman Brauns and Grace Nichols Brauns. A member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Columbia, Virginia lived in New Jersey for the first half of her life, and in Georgia for most of her later years. Virginia loved all animals, especially her goats, and she was known as the "Goat Lady on the Hill" for nearly thirty years.

Virginia is survived by her daughter, Athena Grace Schmidt Westeren; sons, George Jeffery Schmidt, Scott Randal Schmidt, and Lawrence Adam Schmidt; two granddaughters; two grandsons; and two great-grandsons. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, William Erwin Brauns; and by her husband, George J. Schmidt, Jr.

A service will be held at 3 o'clock, Saturday, January 31st, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 7239 Patterson Road, Columbia, with The Rev. Mark Buchan officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the animal charity of one's choice. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel is assisting the family.