2010-01-14

Virginia Britt

1939-2010

Virginia Britt, 71, died Thursday, Jan. 7 – a year after surgery for cancer. She was greatly missed from the Medina community as she endured the chemotherapy and radiation treatment in Frisco, Texas.

Born Virginia Walker on Dec 20, 1939, Virginia was the daughter of Clyde Matthew Walker and Helen Margaret Tucker Walker. Her father, a soldier in World War II, was killed in 1944. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Silver Star. Virginia’s mother remarried to Donald Wayne Madderom, of whom Virginia was very fond.

Virginia and Joe Ray Britt were married in Canyon. The couple taught school in Amarillo, Colorado, Sunray and Pearsall before moving to Medina.

Because Joe and Virginia Britt moved to the area during a housing shortage, they lived in a 25-foot travel trailer from August through December – with their three children and dog and cat.

After serving as athletic director and head coach for eight years, Joe later taught high school history.

Virginia is remembered by many of the students who passed through Medina Independent School District since 1975. She and her husband made a lasting imprint on the lives of a great number of young people.

Both Britts served as sterling models for local youth. They conducted themselves and their classrooms with high academic standards; admirable goals; and values reflecting honesty, respect, love of country, and love of God. Their self-discipline and effective teaching techniques and discipline are often discussed at class reunions.

During her 30 years at MISD, Virginia taught many subjects and grade levels, but her best-loved subject was art.

Her involvement as student council sponsor and homecoming coordinator enabled her to keep in touch with many former students. Additionally, Virginia became instrumental in keeping alive the traditional carnival, parade and class reunion program in Medina.

Due to her love of education, many students and adults were drawn to Virginia, seeking counsel, affirmation and direction out of a dilemma. Throughout the years, she and Joe opened their home to several students.

Virginia is survived by her son Mike Britt and his wife, Kristi Kesel, of Corpus Christi; daughter Lisa Shope and her husband, Lanny, of Frisco, and son-in-law Sam Eoff of Kerrville.

Virginia’s beloved grandchildren – Jordin, Kimberly, Reagan, Meredith, Daniel, and Logan – will miss the good times they shared with her. They enjoyed being together and spending holidays and school vacations at her home. Each grandchild caught the joy of fishing from Virginia’s hands-on syle of “grand-mothering.”

The Medina community, their family and the great host of friends grieved with Virginia and Joe after their oldest daughter, Kim Eoff, was killed in an automobile accident in 1983.

Virginia’s sweet spirit and trust in God sustained her in this great personal loss and in the death of her husband to cancer.

A strong woman of faith, Virginia remained unwavering during her illness and the loss of her husband and daughter.

Though she had retired in 1997, she returned to teaching at Medina High School after the death of her husband. She was a greatly involved with her church family at First Baptist in Medina and with Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher Sorority.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be sent to the American Cancer Society, Medina Volunteer Fire Department or a charity of one’s choice.

Funeral services were held at First Baptist Church in Medina on Saturday, Jan. 9, with Brother Bill Moseley officiating. Interment followed at Oak Rest Cemetery. Pall Bearers were Gilbert Bower, Gary Davis, Glenn Davis, John Eoff, Jim Goerner and Richard Mims.

Condolences may be sent to the family by selecting the “Send Condolences” link at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.