Virginia Cole Houston's Obituary
Virginia Cole Bonner Houston, “Jenny”, returned to her heavenly home on July 8, 2018. Born in Gladewater, Texas on October 28, 1924, Virginia grew up in Denton County, Texas, where she spent a magical childhood riding horses and learning values of compassion, integrity, and hard work from her wonderful parents. By equal turns rodeo queen and poet, her vision of heaven was a midnight horseback ride beneath a starry Texas sky.A lifelong learner, Virginia graduated with a degree in music from Texas Woman’s University. She played the piano, accordion, and even bagpipes. And she delighted in cooking, poetry and literature.In 1946, Virginia married Darcy Robert Bonner and moved to Dallas, where she shared her boundless love with her community, her friends, and most of all, her family. Later in life, she married B.F. “Doc” Houston, with whom she shared many wonderful adventures travelling the world. She was a devoted mother to her three children, Susan Bonner Mead, Carol Bonner Marsh, and Darcy Robert Bonner, Jr., and a dedicated grandmother to her grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.Virginia was one of a kind. Anyone who met her was captivated by her joyful spirit. Vivacious, soulful, intelligent, strong-willed, generous, and loving, she was the life of the party and the heart of her family.Her talents were many. She was a sparkling conversationalist with a remarkable sense of humor. Family dinners were often highlighted by her witty observations, which left everyone rolling on the floor with laughter while she smiled in delight. Her original poems and limericks were legendary. And she crafted incredibly creative decorations for every occasion and holiday; wielding her trusty hot glue gun, Virginia could turn glitter, beads, and ribbon into a masterpiece.Virginia loved her friends and community. Whether cooking up soup and apricot preserves from scratch for a sick friend or hosting Sunday School fish frys for 100 guests, she never tired of serving those around her. She was involved in many organizations throughout Dallas: the Dallas Woman’s Club, the Dallas Garden Club, the Dallas Country Club, Dallas Petroleum Club, Founders Garden Club of Dallas, Lakeside Browning Club, Mary K. Craig Class, and Dallas Dinner Dance Club, among others.Above all, Virginia was a woman of deep faith. A 45-year member of Highland Park United Methodist Church, she loved her Lord with all her heart, her soul, her strength, and her mind. She taught her family to do the same. Before each family dinner, Virginia led them in singing “Blest Be the Tie that Binds.” On birthdays and at Christmas, she penned each family member a card, reminding them that they are blessed children of God. She was right about that, more than she knew. To have known and loved her, laughed and cried with her, weathered the joys and sorrows of this life with her—we were very blessed indeed.Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, Jonnie D. and M.T. Cole and her seven siblings. Virginia outlived her two wonderful husbands, her daughter, Carol Bonner Marsh, and her step-daughter and step-son-in-law, Nancy and Norris Price. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Bonner Mead; son, Darcy Robert Bonner, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Marta Bonner; and son-in-law, Bill Marsh. She is lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Bonner Mead Allen (Thomas), Kirsten Marsh Breckinridge (Alex), Merritt Marsh, Catherine Mead Brady (Matthew), Darcy Bonner III (Amanda), Jordan Marsh Eppright (Trey), Cole Bonner (Kristen), Peter Marsh, Brooke Bonner; step-grandchildren, Jim Fortson, Rick Fortson, and Barbara Fortson (Alexander Faust), and 8 great-grandchildren.A memorial service for Virginia Houston will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2017 at 3:00 PM in the Sanctuary at Highland Park United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
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