Well she’s all you’d ever want
She’s the kind I like to flaunt and take to dinner
But she always knows her place
She’s got style, she’s got grace, she’s a winner

She’s a lady
Whoa, whoa, whoa, she’s a lady
Talkin’ about that little lady
And the lady is mine


Well she’s never in the way
Always something nice to say, and what a blessin’
I can leave her on her own
Knowin’ she’s okay alone and there’s no messin’

She’s a lady
Whoa, whoa, whoa, she’s a lady
Talkin’ about that little lady
And the lady is mine

Well, she never asks very much
And I don’t refuse her
Always treat her with respect
I never would abuse her

What she’s got is hard to find
And I don’t want to lose her
Help me build a mountain from a little pile of clay, hey hey hey

Well she know’s what I’m about
She can take what I dish out, and that’s not easy
But she knows me through and through
And she knows just what to do and how to please me


She’s a lady
Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, she’s a lady
Talkin’ about that little lady
And the lady is mine


– From “She’s a Lady” by Paul Anka
(made famous by Tom Jones)

I can’t think of a song that more accurately describes the most wonderful lady I’ve ever had the pleasure to know, Virginia Poskevich. If I found out that her husband was the one to have penned the lyrics, I wouldn’t be at all surprised…for nothing says “ladylike” quite like her.

If you’re wondering who “Virginia” is…she is the grandmother I inherited when I said “I do” – my mother-in-law’s mother. She left this earth on July 21, 2019, breaking the hearts of countless souls she has touched who miss her immeasurably. I’m not referring to Grandma in past tense, because as the saying goes, “you can’t kill a Christian, you can only change his address”. She has not ceased to be, and the virtues she has are not gone…they will only continue to grow on into eternity. Her beautiful spirit is alive and well, though she is no longer with us in the flesh. We take comfort knowing that we will see her again, though our tears remind us of the wait.

My father-in-law was among several loved ones who stood up and said a word for Grandma’s honor at her funeral. He turned our thoughts to the Proverbs 31 woman, and noted how closely Grandma represented the prototype. He couldn’t have been more correct. I have to be honest…usually when the Proverbs 31 woman is mentioned, it becomes cliché almost to a fault. So few women truly fit the bill and live up to such a compliment…but Grandma did. It’s true we’d all like to think we are Proverbs 31 material…but let’s look at the opening passage for what it really says:

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. – Proverbs 31:10

Did you catch that? Who can find a virtuous woman?! Such ladies are not found on every corner…they are no dime a dozen. The women truly living God’s way are so desperately hard to find that they are of extraordinary value. I would like to echo my father-in-law’s sentiment that Grandma’s worth was and is indeed far above rubies.

Every woman would be wise to look to Virginia Poskevich as her role model, and I am here to share three good reasons why. Firstly, I believe that the value of Virginia is found…


Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. – Ephesians 5:22-24

If ever there were a contest for “best wife award” there would be no question of who I would nominate, for Grandma epitomizes the definition of godly submission…a virtue that is most near and dear to my heart.

Allow me to share a bit of history with you. Virginia’s husband, Robert “Bob” Poskevich, stands today as a wonderful Christian man…but it wasn’t always that way. There was a time when Grandma was the only Christian in their home…the first to be converted. For a time, she took their children to church alone…all nine of them. I don’t want to be disrespectful in the least, so suffice it to say only that Grandpa wasn’t always the kindest man, as is of course natural for those who have not yet become saved. Even so, she honored him and submitted herself under his authority with the sweetest of dignity. She didn’t harp on him and demand that he join her at the assembly. She didn’t belittle him to the children, or put him down to others. Instead, she took the approach that such a wife is called to in 1 Peter 3:1-2:

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

If she had taken the easy road, she would have nagged her husband to death…pushing him further and further away from Christ in the meantime. Instead, she focused only on bettering herself and pleasing her man…until eventually his heart could not resist being won over to the Lord.

In all the conversations I have had with Grandma, never did I hear a cross word escape her lips in regards to past or present versions of Grandpa. Every word spoke of deep love and respect. Many women with hard-to-get-along-with husbands love to throw themselves a pity party and invite others to join in. They make their husbands out to be the ever cruel villains, and themselves the hapless victims. If Grandma was like other girls, she could have easily made her husband out to be Bob Poskevich the Zero…but instead she chose to build him up as Bob Poskevich the Hero.

I could name a hundred little things Grandma did that caught my attention…the way she signed her name Mrs. Robert Poskevich instead of Virginia. The fact that she named her first son “Robert Jr.” in honor of her head, “Robert Sr.”. The way she always gave her husband the largest and best looking portions at mealtime. How she always insisted her children obey their father, whether in his presence or not. How she talked to her children about Daddy as if he were the king of a castle, and always encouraged them to find ways to serve him. How she was always such a good sport when her husband teased with her. The fact that she took daily walks with Grandpa in her old age, even when it was difficult physically…just to be near him. I could go on and on, for this doesn’t even scratch the surface of her 65 years of godly submission to her true love. Yes, she indeed is a lady.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. – Proverbs 31:11-12

Secondly, the value of Virginia is found…


…Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. – Mark 10:43b-45

Second only to her submission as a wife, the next defining trait of Virginia Poskevich is found in her selfless service as a mother. Not only did Grandma raise nine children, but she raised nine children with the tender affections of a good mother cat for her kittens – coupled with the patience of Job! She knew that “a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame” (Proverbs 29:15), therefore she was attentive and dedicated in actively training her young charges.

Once, my husband and I asked Grandma’s advice on how to help our children to remember the things we had asked them to do. The answer was just as sweet as the lady who gave it…”just take their little face gently in your hands like so (as she takes my husband’s face into her hands) and say clearly and directly what you want them to remember. Then ask them to repeat in their own words so you know they understood”. Grandma’s parenting style was in no way lackadaisical. It is evident that she put in serious amounts of time and effort until she raised up young men and women of good repute.

I said previously how Grandma was diligent to bring her children to church, but her diligence extended past Sundays and Wednesdays alone. My mother-in-law always talks about her Momma’s open bible moving from place to place about the house as she did her daily tasks, stopping to read at intervals. Grandma always has a way of including the Lord in everything she does. She seamlessly adds her spiritual side into every conversation, to the point that it’s impossible to come away from her presence without being called to a higher plane.

She didn’t just talk the talk, but she truly walked the walk of service. Whether it was shopping on a budget, cooking delicious meals, tidying the home, bandaging scrapes and cuts, or having a heart-to-heart talk…she was always there for her kiddos, selflessly serving. Though spoken of widows, she brings to mind the exemplary description found in 1 Timothy 5:9b-10:

…having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have followed every good work.

Just like the Proverbs 31 woman, she filled her days with productivity for the sake of her family (see vvs. 13-24). Yes, she is indeed a lady.

Lastly, the value of Virginia is found…


But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. – 1 Peter 3:4

We have spoken of Grandma’s value in relation to her husband and to her children, and now we will consider her behavior to those outside of her most intimate circle. Her serene nature to all is second to none.

Grandma’s voice and the tone she used was sweeter than honey. She spoke slowly and deliberately. She spoke with gentility and clarity. She spoke with great care and kindness. She had a way of making you want to hang on to every word she said.

When others were loud, she was quiet. When others were short-tempered, she was even-keeled. When others were angry, she was calm. She kept her gentle composure, no matter the situation. Always under control.

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. – 1 Corinthians 9:27

Oh, that more women would have a Virginia spirit! The very definition of femininity, she was…and is. Yes, she is indeed a lady.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. – Proverbs 31:26


In conclusion…

Far above rubies. That is the value of Virginia. Just like the Proverbs 31 woman, Grandma’s value is not found in fame or fortune…but in her submission, in her service, and in her serenity. All for the glory of her God.

My father-in-law said it best:

“If Virginia Poskevich doesn’t fit the Proverbs 31 woman, then I don’t know who does.”

– Verlyn Bolks

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. – Proverbs 31:28-29

For God’s Glory,
Mrs. Dustin Bolks


Mrs. Dustin Bolks is a church of Christ preacher’s wife, and the home educating mother of two children. She and her family currently reside in Northwest Iowa.