Virginia Osborne

On Sunday, May 15th, the doors of heaven opened and our precious mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother at the age of 89 entered into her eternal home rejoicing with all her family and friends who had gone before.

Virginia Johnston Osborne was born in Abilene on January 21, 1922, the only child of Clifford and Hattie Johnston. When Virginia was 14, she lost her mother to cancer. She then went to live with her grandparents, the Rev. Lee and Maude Johnston. She moved with her grandparents to Greenville, Texas, where her grandfather was pastoring a church and she graduated from Greenville High School. She began college at East Texas Baptist, but upon the death of her grandfather, she and her grandmother came back to Abilene and Virginia went to work for Hall Music Company. In 1946, after he had come home from the war, Virginia met Graydon Osborne and they married May 31, 1946 in Albany, Texas. They were blessed with 54 years of marriage before his death in February of 2000. They have left their children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren a cherished legacy of love and faith.

Virginia professed Christ as her Savior as a child and had been a longtime member of First Baptist Church Abilene. She actively participated in ministries of the church, and in later years was a faithful member of the Victory Bible Class. She was a tireless participant in her childrens lives and activities. Virginia was secretary at Anson Jones Elementary School and then went to work as a case worker for the Taylor County Welfare Department. When her daughters became students at HardinSimmons University, she went to work as secretary in the Student Union Building. When Graydon retired from Abilene Savings Association in 1975, Virginia also retired and they began enjoying traveling to visit grandchildren. They were avid bridge players and were a part of several groups. They also volunteered many hours at the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband William Graydon Osborne in February 2000.

She is survived by her daughters Janice Murray husband Don and Fran Adkins husband David grandchildren, Jana Williamson Byron, Mark Murray Mindy, Kori Chisham David, and Kristen Adkins and, greatgrandchildren, Ashley, Bethany and Colby Williamson and Kaelyn Murray. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephewsinlaw who she loved as her own.

Visitation will be Wednesday the 18th from 5:30 PM 7:30 PM at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM at Elmwood Memorial Park for family and friends who would like to attend. A celebration of Virginias life will follow at 3:00 PM at the chapel at Elmwood Funeral Home. Officiating these services will be Rev. Byron Williamson, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Rosenberg, Texas, and Rev. David Chisham, pastor of Rockville Christian Church, Rockville, Maryland.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
5:30 to 7:30 PM

Service

Graveside Service

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Thursday, May 19, 2011
2:00 PM

Chapel Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Thursday, May 19, 2011
3:00 PM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606

Memorial Contributions

PO Box 840692
Dallas, TX  75284


100 Chestnut Street
Abilene, TX  79602