Virginia B. Runnels' Obituary
Virginia Burns Runnels died peacefully on September 22, 2022 at the age of 93. She will be lovingly remembered as a caring mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, wife and friend. Born February 15, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois to Grace and Carl Burns, Virginia attended the University of Texas, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. She married Charles Runnels on June 9, 1950 and began raising a family after her educational pursuits and traveled the world. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Education from TCU in Ft. Worth. Teaching young children in Special Education was one of the great joys of her life.
Virginia loved her family fiercely and never met a situation she could not find humor and grace to get through. She loved to laugh, and there was never a deck of cards or a set of golf clubs she couldn’t find a spirited competition in. Her love of her family, steadfast kindness and generosity, an ability to make a mean martini and her sense of humor made her a friend to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Virginia found joy in traveling the globe, playing golf, solving crossword puzzles, an occasional trip to the casino, laughing with loved ones, enjoying her jewelry collection and reading endless books. In addition, she was a self- appointed "Anglophile." She loved the pageantry of the British. She was in the Alpha Delta Pi sorority at both Southwestern University and the University of Texas and was considered an ADPi Beauty. She was a member and sang in the choir of the Episcopalian church.
Virginia is survived by her children Patricia Duke, Julie Smith and David Runnels; grandchildren Laura Estes, Grace Runnels and Margaret Runnels and a great granddaughter Serina Singh along with one niece, Kathy Evans. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, brother, nephew and granddaughter Katie Estes. Her spirit and joy will live on through those she loved.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, September 28th at 10:00 am at Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243
There will be a lunch served after at Northside Baptist Church, 2000 Denton Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006.
Funeral arrangements for Virginia Runnels have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Avenue, at the intersection of Restland Road, Dallas, Texas 75243, and can be reached at (972) 238-7111.
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