Virginia Lou Felix Paradise was born in 1923 in Atchison, Kansas as the first child of Ralph and Beulah Felix. She passed away February 15, 2015 at Redstone Village.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years Lt. Col USAF (Ret) Charles Howard Paradise, her brother Ralph Emerson Felix, Jr., and her eldest son Kirk Emerson Paradise. Virginia had an idyllic childhood in Atchison filled with music and dance. As first chair clarinet in high school she sat next to the handsome Charles Paradise, who always called her Ginny. They were married in 1942.
A career in the military took them to Air Force bases all over the United States, from California to Florida, with stops in Texas, Nebraska, Arizona, and Georgia. Their favorite tour of duty was the three years spent in Madrid, Spain, even though by then they had five children under the age of 10. Virginia learned to speak the language, fell in love with the culture, and had many great adventures with the lifelong friends she made there. Their final posting was to Langley Air Force Base where Charles was Director of Intelligence.
Virginia enjoyed her role as the quintessential military wife; where ever she went she transformed the house into a home for her husband and children. She relished the many close knit relationships she and Charles developed over the years and the miles. They maintained those friendships even after retiring to Huntsville in 1966.
Virginia found her perfect job at the Huntsville Times, where she spent 20 years reading proof and helping to get the paper out.
Always ready for an adventure, Virginia shared many travels with her children and grandchildren, and especially delighted in revisiting Spain.
Virginia loved her family, her friends, decorating for the holidays, beautiful clothes and shoes, her garden, winning at cards, chocolate and all animals, especially cats and birds.
Virginia is survived by daughters, Dianne Sammons (Calame), Linda James, and Susan Wolf; son, Scott Paradise (Rebecca); daughter-in-law, Diana Adair; and son-in-law, Jeff Wolf. Virginia loved her grandchildren best of all: Bradley and Eric (Liz) Paradise, Franklin and William Sammons, Timothy James, Casey Dozier (Julian), Evie and Thomas Wolf, and Georgia Paradise; and great-grandson, Jack Paradise.
Her last years were spent at Clarebridge of Hampton Cove, and her children will always be indebted to the wonderful caregivers there for their humor, compassion and patience.
Visitation will be Wednesday, February 18 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at Laughlin’s Service Funeral Home. A graveside service for the family will follow, with Rev. Coy Hallmark officiating.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a contribution may donate to TLC Animal Organization, PO Box 1531 Madison, Alabama, 35758-1531 or Huntsville Animal Services 4950 Triana Blvd, SW 35805.
