Webster, a cherished matriarch and beloved member of the Middleton community, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2024, in her hometown of Middleton, Tennessee. Born on April 18, 1940, she graced this world for 84 remarkable years, leaving behind an enduring legacy of love, hard work, and family.
Virgia’s vocational journey was as vibrant as her interests and hobbies. Throughout her life, she diligently worked in various factories, showcasing her tireless work ethic. Her entrepreneurial spirit flourished as she partnered with her mother-in-law to own a fabric store for several years, delighting customers with her keen eye for quality and design. The pinnacle of her career was her joint venture with her husband, W.T. Webster, at their grocery store in Saulsbury, where they served the community with dedication from 1975 until 2006. Together they fostered a warm atmosphere, embodying the very essence of small-town hospitality.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Virgia was a woman of multifaceted interests that brought joy to her life and the lives of those around her. She was an avid square dancer, sharing countless spirited evenings with her husband and children, filling their lives with laughter and rhythm. At home, she enjoyed the creative arts—sewing and painting were her cherished pastimes. She also found joy in playing ‘chickenfoot,’ creating lasting memories with family and friends.
Virgia was the loving mother of Mechelle Duke and John of Middleton and Kenny Webster and Barbie of Madison, Alabama. Her bonds with her sisters, Jeanette Carter of Memphis and Betty Powell of Jackson, remains a testament to the strength of family ties. As a grandmother, she embraced her role wholeheartedly, nurturing and guiding her grandchildren: Ethan and Grace Lakey, Jill Guerra, Jenny, Dale, Courtney and Isabella Duke, and Cindy Webster. The joy only deepened as she welcomed her great-grandchildren—Dilylah Jones, Dani Lakey, Cody Meyers, Mary Kimery, Jettie, River, and Zoey Duke—and even three great-great-grandchildren, illustrating a family tree that flourished under her loving care.
Virgia was preceded in death by her devoted husband, W.T. Webster, whose legacy she honored each day. She also mourned the loss of her parents, Willie Dee Dowdy and Virginia Beatrice Houston Dowdy, along with her sister, Sandra Powell. Though these loved ones have departed, their influence and the memories shared continue to resonate in the hearts of those she leaves behind.
In celebration of Virgia’s life, family and friends are invited to pay their respects during the visitation at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Middleton, Tennessee, on December 28, 2024, from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM. Following this, a funeral service will commence at 1:00 PM, concluding with her interment at Rogers Springs Cemetery at 2:30 PM.
Virgia Webster’s indelible spirit remains a guiding light, treasured by all who were fortunate to know her. Her love, laughter, and wisdom will forever echo in the hearts of her family and friends, as they navigate the world carrying the essence of her life’s lessons and the warmth of her embrace.
