Virginia G. Reese

Published 3:52 pm Tuesday, January 8, 2013

COURTLAND—Virginia Bernadette Griffin Reese of Courtland, Va., born November 11, 1931, passed away on Tuesday, January 8, 2013.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 49 years, Dr. Emmett F. Reese III, and leaves to cherish her memory two daughters and their families Laura Lass, Tim Lass, Tyler Lass and Kaylee Lass, Sharon Reese and Dan Brown; and her brother William Sully Griffin III and his wife Fran.

Mrs. Reese was a great listener and cared deeply about everyone who passed through her life over the years. Her great passion for the arts, education and the community were reflected in her lifelong pursuits.

She was raised in both Virginia and West Virginia with an extended family that was very important to her.

Mrs. Reese graduated from the College of New Rochelle in New York, but returned to the Franklin area before being married.

For many years she was a member of St. Jude’s Catholic Church where she served on the parish council and was a lay reader/lector, and later a congregant at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Reese’s life included retail and newspaper work, directing Franklin First Association, being a founder and past president of the Board of Directors for Southampton Academy and a trustee and chairman of the Walter Cecil Rawls Library and Museum. She later led construction and fundraising for the Rawls Museum Arts building.

Teaching at Southampton Academy and Paul D. Camp Community College was her most rewarding endeavor and she loved the interaction with her students.

She raised her daughters with pride as both mother and friend, and cherished her role as Nana to Tyler and Kaylee. Her joie de vivre will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to thank her loving caregivers Joyce, Sandy, May, Muriel, Julie, Teresa and Southampton Memorial Hospital Hospice.

Friends and family will celebrate Virginia’s life on Thursday, January 10, 2013, at 2 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Courtland, with the Rev. James W. Browder III and the Rev. Edmund Pickup officiating.

Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Virginia’s home in Courtland after the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Rawls Museum Arts or Southampton Academy. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.