Virgil Rives

Virgil Arthur Rives WINDSOR - Virgil Arthur Rives, 90, died December 29, 2010. Mr. Rives was born in Dinwiddie County Dec. 8, 1920, the son of Sarah Ferguson and Aubrey Tucker Rives, and the stepson of William F. Jordan. He was predeceased by his brothers, Aubrey Tucker Rives Jr. and James Talmadge Rives. He was a lifelong Christian and attended the Methodist church. In 1943, Mr. Rives joined the U.S. Navy. After basic training, he departed from Norfolk on the Destroyer Escort USS Lough. He spent most of his navy time fighting the war in the Pacific. He saw action in the Battle for Leyte Gulf and could tell harrowing tales of Kamikaze attacks. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He returned to Norfolk where he met the "Sunshine of his Life," Ruth Hard. They traveled to her home in Massachusetts to marry Oct. 11, 1947. Afterwards, they lived in Norfolk until he retired from his career at Moon Engineering Co. in 1982. After retirement, Ruth and Virgil lived in Surry County before moving to Windsor. He never forgot the pleasures of his childhood and spent many of his happiest hours hunting in the fields, fishing the local waters, and growing vegetables and flowers to give to his many friends. He was a member of the Jamestown Society and the Union Hunt Club. His memory will live on forever in the hearts of his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his daughters, Susan Rives McRee, Charlotte Rives Carr and Nancy Rives Lents and their husbands, Griffith, Bill and Mark, respectively; and his grandchildren, Martin Carr, Lindsey Carr, Blair McRee and T.J. Lents. The family wishes to thank the caregivers and friends at Consulate Health Care of Windsor. A funeral will be conducted today, Jan. 8, at 2 p.m. in St. Luke's Church, Smithfield, with internment in the old cemetery immediately after. R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk is serving the family. It is requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Historic St. Luke's Church, 14477 Benn's Church Blvd., Smithfield, VA 23502 or the Alzheimer's Association, 6350 Center Drive, Suite 102, Norfolk, VA 23430. Condolences may be registered to the family at www.rwbakerfh.com.