VIRGINIA MAY ESTES BIBEE
Virginia (Gin) May Estes Bibee (aka Mama, Nannie, Queen Mother), 94, died peacefully Mar. 22 at the home of her daughter in Black Mountain, NC. Virginia Bibee was born Aug. 15, 1927 in Jackson, MS to Ambrose Foster Estes, Sr. and May Worthington Spencer Estes who predeceased her. Her family evacuated from their home in Glenn Allan, MS to Jackson for Virginia’s birth to escape the Mississippi River flood in 1927. Virginia’s father died when she was young and her mother later married Harry Erie Koch who also predeceased her. Virginia grew up in Laurel, MS where she graduated from high school. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State College for Women (now MUW) in Columbus, MS in 1950.
Virginia and James “Jim” Milton Bibee were married in 1950 and shared 59 years of adventuresome living until Jim’s death in 2010. She is survived by two children: Douglas Vance Bibee (Mary) of Granville, OH and Jamie Bibee Lloyd (Neal) of Black Mountain, NC; five grandchildren: Jonathan Bibee (Laura Escobar) of Trento, Italy, Benjamin Bibee (Leah Menzies) of Loveland, CO, Winston Bibee (Anne) of Virginia Beach, VA, Spencer Pharr of Austin, and Virginia Pharr (Maggie Schiller) of Weimar; three great grandchildren: Sam Bibee, Oliver Bibee, and Miles Bibee; three sisters-in-law; and 12 nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Ambrose Foster Estes, Jr.; and sisters, Maryanne Estes Platt and Linnie Worthington Estes Causey.
Virginia and Jim were long-time residents of Covington, LA and Weimar, TX. She was a lifelong learner with special interests in the study of Scripture, reading, music and the natural world. Taking seriously the instruction to “raise children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”, she shared her strong faith not only with her own children, but also with the children of the churches to which she belonged. She served as both a Deacon (the first woman to be ordained to that office in Covington, LA) and a Ruling Elder.
During her years in Weimar, she helped to establish the Museum, served on the Board of Weimar Public Library, was involved with Parents as Teachers and the Boys and Girls Club, and participated in a garden club and several book clubs. She and Jim traveled throughout the world and made frequent visits to their children and grandchildren.
Gracious, gentle and generous of spirit to the very end, she now has entered into the joy of her Maker.
Those desiring to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to consider Schulenburg/ Weimar Area Parents as Teachers, Boys and Girls Clubs of Champion Valley, First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, or the May Spencer Koch and Harry E. Koch Scholarship held by the MUW Foundation in Columbus, MS.
Words are inadequate for expressing gratitude to all of Virginia’s care team members both in Texas and North Carolina, as well as to Hospice Brazos Valley (TX) and Care Partners Hospice (NC).
A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be Saturday, May 21 at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, TX, 205 South Franklin Street in LaGrange.
Harwood Home for Funerals and Cremation Services is assisting the family. www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com