Virginia Towns Berry died on February 13, 2014 in Midland Memorial Hospital. She was born October 6, 1926 in Sweetwater, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, David Henry and Rita Ariel Towns, her brother Thomas Gideon Towns and her husband Oran Hubbard Berry, Jr. She was educated in the Sweetwater schools, attended Texas Tech University and worked for Shell Oil company in Midland where she met her future husband. They were married for forty five years before his death in 1992. His career as a Petroleum Engineer took them to Houston, Oklahoma City, Wichita, Kansas and back to Midland where they raised their three children, Oran H. Berry, III (Trey) of San Angelo, Leesa Hodges of Bryan, Alison McCord of Waco. Survivors include her children, son-in-law James Hodges, and daughter-in-law Linda Berry. Her grandchildren are David Berry of Seattle, Washington, Austin Berry of Austin, Emily Bingham and husband Lonnie of San Angelo, Ashley Sparkman and husband Kyle of Amarillo, Kendall Hay and husband Andrew of Amarillo, Caitlin Hodges of Houston, and Evan McCord of Waco. Her great grandchildren are John Kyle Sparkman, Reagan Sparkman, Blythe Sparkman, Cannon Sparkman and Thatcher Sparkman of Amarillo, and Amelie Hay and Aaron Hay of Amarillo. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and her sister-in-law Georgia Towns of Raleigh, North Carolina. She was a long time member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church and the Keystone Sunday School class. She also was an active member of Petroleum Engineer's Wives, Twentieth Century Study Club, Gwyn Garden Club, MRS Investment Club, and EnAmie Book Club. She was an avid supporter of the arts in Midland, belonging to Midland Arts Association, the Palette Club, Arts Assembly, and the Museum of the Southwest. She enjoyed her painting classes at Midland College. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, loved playing bridge, and meeting her lunch bunch friends each week. She was a Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, Youth Center Board Member, and did volunteer work in school PTA, Trinity Towers Auxiliary, and Hospice of Midland. Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her children and grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Dr. Gregory Bartha for his many years of exceptional medical care, and would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to all of her health care providers, including Darlene Salinas, Yadira Roman, Cecelia Carillo, Mary Pena, and Lorena Natividad. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Midland, 911 W. Texas Avenue, Midland, Texas 79701, or to a charity of your choice . A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Published in Midland Reporter-Telegram on Feb. 16, 2014