Virginia McLendon LaPrelle's Obituary
Virginia McLendon LaPrelle January 19, 1924 – January 31, 2020
Virginia McLendon LaPrelle passed away peacefully on January 31, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. A native of Dallas, she was born January 19, 1924 to parents, Alleene and George McLendon. She attended Bradfield Elementary, graduated from Highland Park High School in 1941, and SMU in 1944. At SMU, she was Rotunda Beauty and Favorite and was the football sweetheart to the SMU-Fordham game in NYC in 1941. In 1943 she represented SMU at the University of Texas Roundup in Austin. She belonged to Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was a member of the musical quartet, “Three Co’s and an Ed”. They sang for many of the SMU dances as well as USO shows during WWII. She wrote most of the music for the Script and Score musical productions produced by renowned director and producer, Bob Banner. After graduation she taught school at University Park Elementary until her marriage to James Lawson LaPrelle, Jr. in 1947. They loved boating on Lake Texoma with family and friends for many years. She was a member of the Dallas Woman’s Club, Dallas Garden Club, Highland Park United Methodist Church and the 2 x 2 class at HPUMC, where she led the singing for over 30 years! She served on the boards of HPUMC and the Craig Class and Seneca book club. She was a founder of the Gardeneers Garden Club and she and Lawson enjoyed their memberships in several dinner dance Clubs.
Virginia was an avid bridge player, loved every type of music, and mastered the computer at the age of 85! She loved her family dearly and had scores of friends, many for more than 90 years. Ginny adored her seven grandchildren as well as her 15 great-grandchildren and loved hosting family gatherings for holidays, birthdays and any other occasion she could think of! Ginny and Pop, as they were called by their grandchildren, loved each other deeply and taught them how to love unconditionally.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, James Lawson LaPrelle, Jr., as well as her sister, Maureen McLendon Ware, and her brother, George L. McLendon . She is survived by her daughter, Joan Eleazer and husband, Jeff, and their children Layne Eleazer Pitzer (Gavin) and Katie Eleazer Mattingly (Joe), her son Jim and wife Jan, and their children Alicia Lemar (Bart), Amanda Huhta (Kirk), Jimmy LaPrelle (Amber), her son Bob and wife Kellie and their children Mason and Murphy. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Jane Bausewine and Bea McLendon and 15 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Highland Park United Methodist Church on Friday, February 7 at 10:00 am with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
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