Virginia Ashley

Virginia Sue Ashley

Hattiesburg, MS

Virginia Sue (Jenny Sue) Durrett Ashley was born to Katharine Penick Durrett and Charles Durrett on July 6, 1922 in Marshall MO. She died in Hattiesburg MS on April 30, 2013.

Jenny Sue began her college studies at Stephens College in Columbia MO and concluded them at University of Missouri where she pledged Delta Gamma sorority. She graduated with a degree in medical arts.

In 1946 she met Grover (Ash) Ashley, a handsome ROTC instructor at Mizzou. They married that same year. Together they began an international and cultural adventure courtesy of the U.S. Air Force. Post-war Europe was afire with nationalism and reconstruction. Jenny Sue and Ash savored the excitement with posts in England, Germany and France where they made lasting friendships and memories. They returned stateside in 1955. Domestic posts spanned several states, and it was in these places that Jenny Sue launched her civic leadership.

When Ash retired from the military, they made their home in Hattiesburg. Ash took the position of Director of the University of Southern Mississippi Library.

Jenny Sue was instrumental in chartering the Delta Pi chapter of Delta Gamma at University of Southern Mississippi, a seminal act that returned to her years of gratifying relationships with Delta Gamma sisters whom she sponsored, mentored, cheered, dissuaded from mischief, and in some cases, assisted with college costs. In recognition of her lifetime of service, Delta Gamma bestowed on her the prestigious Cable Award. In 2006, the Jenny Sue Durrett Ashley scholarship fund was established through the Delta Gamma Foundation. The USM Delta Pi Chapter, for which she was Advisory Team Chairman for over 20 years, named its chapter room in her honor.

Jenny Sue was a tireless, devoted congregant of the Trinity Episcopal Church of Hattiesburg. Her service to her church included the Altar Guild, Merry Martha's ministry, Liturgy Committee, Grief Committee, Columbarium Committee and office volunteer. In league with her Merry Martha's team, she organized, decorated, cooked and served countless Trinity events in humble service to her Lord. She loved her church community.

Jenny Sue's brilliant organizational talents and soft heart will be missed by all who had the pleasure of her company and benefit of her wisdom.

Jenny Sue is survived by friends and family, her daughter, Anne Ashley, her grandson, Adams Johnson, both of Austin TX, her sister Trudi (husband Cyrus) Adams and niece Cynthia Adams Powell of Rockport TX, Pat Orman, Mary Johnson and her trusty schnauzer, Colonel.

The family expresses their appreciation to all who loved Jenny Sue, her personal physician Dr. Gardner Fletcher, Dr. Susi Folse, Dr. Rebecca Duff and most love and gratitude to her beautiful care giver, June Lawing.

Services will be held at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 509 W. Pine Street. Reception at 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2013, followed by 2:00 p.m. service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Trinity Episcopal Church for the ministry of Merry Martha's.