Virginia Lee McNeill Padgett

*Due to unforeseen circumstances, services for Mrs. Padgett will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery*

Virginia passed away at Cornerstone Gardens in Temple, TX the morning of December 31, 2023. She lived in Temple near her daughter since July 2016, after a serious fall left her unable to live alone in her home in Marion.

Virginia was a spunky redhead and had the lifelong temperament of her Scotch-Irish heritage (if you knew her you get this.)  The youngest daughter of Joe and Etta McNeill, she loved her heritage and family. She enjoyed cooking, crafting, quilting, cross-stitch, genealogy, taking care of her family and home and travelling. She was proud of her daughter, son, granddaughter and great-grandson. She enjoyed sharing their photos and telling anyone who would listen about their latest achievements and adventures.  After her husband passed in 2001, Virginia traveled extensively with her special Marion lady friends.  It was commonly known that if a tour bus went thru Marion, Virginia would be on it. She travelled all over the US and went on several cruises with her daughter and husband, travelling to the Western and Eastern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera and spent a month in Germany with her daughter and family, travelling in Germany, France and Austria.  

After Virginia completed rehabilitation from her fall, she lived in assisted living in Temple and was able to remain mostly independent until another fall in April 2022. She then became a resident at Cornerstone Gardens Rehab and Nursing facility. She enjoyed making new friends, had an infectious laugh, enjoyed a good joke, talking with people, playing games and musical entertainment.  She loved to tell stories about growing up in Marion and her home on Toms Creek Road.  She was a true North Carolinian all her life. She was known by the staff of Cornerstone Gardens as "Virginia from North Carolina", and that always made her smile.

Virginia wanted a simple service at Oak Grove Cemetery and to be buried beside her husband, Bill and son, Michael.  A short service for her will be held Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 2:30 pm at Oak Grove (Dogwood Drive).  Gordon Wharburton, will play a hymn on the bagpipes in her honor. She is survived by her daughter Judy French and husband, Terry; granddaughter, Stephanie Edgren and husband, Erik and  great-grandson, John Michael, and special friends Julie, Sam and Sara Ebert of Marion and Cleo Lima of Temple, TX.

Beam Funeral Home is in charge of Virginia's arrangements and interment. In lieu of flowers she requested donations be made in her memory to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Donations can also be made online at www.stjude.org.

Virginia's family would like to thank Chad Beam, Jarrett Cothron and the staff of Beam Funeral Home, Michael  and Brad Gaskins and Terry of Central Texas Mortuary Services,  the Nurses, CNA's and care providers of Cornerstone Gardens, Baylor Scott and White Hospice nurses and  Dr. Aval Na'Ree Green and Tametra Jones, FNP for their care and compassion.