Virginia Brasher was born Mary Virginia Jones on September 17, 1929 in Franklin, Texas to Ray and Norma Jones. She was the oldest of 8 children, of which her siblings were often reminded. They were members of the First Baptist Church of Franklin, where Virginia was baptized at the age of 12.

They moved to Ferris, Texas in 1943 where Virginia completed her high school education, graduating from Ferris High School in 1946. After high school she attended college at East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce, Texas where she majored in speech-education and minored in English and French. She graduated in May 1949. She was recruited to teach high school in Ennis, Texas in the fall of 1949. She taught English and speech, directed the junior and senior plays, and co-sponsored the pep squad. In Ennis she met the love of her life, Mardis Brasher, and they married on June 3, 1952. She taught school in Ennis until April of 1954. She left her teaching position to have her first daughter, Becky, later that year. Mardis took a new job and they moved to Dallas. She and Mardis became founding members of Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church and contributed in many ways. Here she helped start the first kindergarten and taught there until the birth of her second daughter, Janet, in February, 1960. She then started teaching in Dallas and did so for 21 years.

One of her greatest challenges in life occurred in the early 80's as she battled breast cancer. This happened between their move from Dallas to Quitman. With strength of faith, family and quality medical care, it was a challenge she conquered.

Returning to their small-town roots, in 1982 they moved from Dallas to Quitman. There, they lived the farm life, were members of First Baptist, Quitman, and Virginia continued her teaching for another 9 years before retiring. Once retired, she and Mardis would pack their minivan and leave for weeks at a time as they explored the U.S.

In 2002, and after discovering Lake Frankston, they sold the farm and moved to the lake. There, they joined First Baptist, Frankston. It was soon after arriving in their new home that Mardis preceded her in death. In the years following Mardis' passing, the church in Frankston became the perfect place for her to worship and serve. She made many new friends and taught her ladies Sunday school class. Through these activities she met and became fast friends with Mary Coker and the two have been inseparable ever since.

Virginia enjoyed her two granddaughters, Blair and Kelly. They had many enjoyable summers at the farm and many exciting adventures at zoos, exploring dinosaur tracks, learning to embroider and cook. She also delighted at the news and entertaining antics of her friends and family's grandkids.

Virginia loved to travel and she had a true 'sister of the heart' in her sister-in-law Helen. They took several cruises and trips to Branson. She also had great adventures with Janet and Larry, one of which was to London and Paris for her 80 ^th birthday. This is a quote from Virginia's personal scrapbook –"I have traveled by auto, bus, plane, train, ship, boat and ferry. I have ridden in a helicopter, a submarine, the subway and on the back of a camel."

Virginia also loved to quilt. Some of you have been recipients of these for special occasions, such as births, birthdays or weddings. She enjoyed this hobby but always wanted to have a purpose for making them for someone special.

Virginia was a faithful servant of her Lord and blessed with many friends and experiences during her time on earth. On March 9, 2023, the Lord called her home. So today we celebrate her well lived life.

Virginia is survived by daughters: Becky Zeller(husband Randy) and Janet Blair (husband Larry) and two granddaughters, Blair Parker (husband Chuck) and Kelly Zeller. She is also survived by her brother, Cal Jones (wife, Sandy), sister Cindy Sorrells and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Sandy Jones, Glynna Jones, Jane Jones, Bill and Helen Brasher, Fred and Sue Brasher and a multitude of nieces, nephews and extended family.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary of Ennis, Texas.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 1 p.m. in the Myrtle Cemetery with Scott Jones officiating under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc.

Submitted by family