Virginia Henley Mankins

KILGORE — Services for Virginia Lucille Mankins, 84, of Kilgore, will be 2 p.m. Monday, December 23, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church in Kilgore, with the Rev. Scott Nowack officiating. Private family committal service will take place in Kilgore Cemetery following services and visitation. Mrs. Mankins passed away Friday, December 20, 2013, in Longview, Texas.
Mrs. Mankins was born May 23, 1929, in Crane, Texas, to the late Otis Malcom and Lillie Lucille Henley. Her family moved to Gladewater when she was a child and she was a graduate of Gladewater High School.
She attended Kilgore College, where she was a Rangerette and was a member of the Rangerettes Forever. Virginia continued her education at North Texas State University and later in life earned her master's degree in Political Science from the University of Texas at Tyler.
Virginia was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kilgore. She was also involved in many civic organizations. Mrs. Mankins was a past president of the Evergreen Garden Club, the Kilgore Council of Garden Clubs and the Coterie Club. She also served on the Greater East Texas March of Dimes Executive Board and the State Scholarship Committee for the Helen Pearson Scholarship.
Mrs. Mankins dedicated many years raising funds for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She also served as President of the Texas Legislative Ladies Club and was a fifty year member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority, holding many offices including State Board President.
Among her greatest joys was traveling, hosting events for family and friends, political activities and church functions. She will be remembered for her generous contributions helping those in need. Mrs. Mankins will be truly missed by all the family and friends she leaves behind.
Virginia is survived by her children, Janie (Carl) Harris, Jim Mankins Jr., Jenny (Frank) Baggett, Jan (Eddie) Warren, all of Kilgore and daughter, Lsha (Bill) Stanley of Henderson; grandchildren, Jeff (Alaina) Mercer, James (Jessica) Mercer, Jimi (Tamara) Mankins, Jamie (Kelly) Leach, Jennifer Mankins, Jalissa and Jenae' Baggett, Jeana (Al) Walters, Jay Philpott, Courtney Clinton, Allan (Jennifer) Stanley, Julie (Johnathan) Gage, Dalton Warren and Jessica (Luke) Altman; great-grandchildren, Mary Bess and J.T. Mercer, Jace and Jayden Mankins, Jersi Walters, Garrett and Cooper Stanley and Kimber Gage; two nephews, Dale Henley and Jay Henley; niece, Teresa Henley Greene; as well as many other loving family and friends.
Mrs. Mankins is preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, James Earl Mankins Sr.; and two brothers, Jimmy Dale Henley and Sonny Henley.
The family would like to especially thank all the wonderful staff at Country Place Village for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to First Presbyterian Church's Saturday Bread Fund, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Place, Memphis TN 38105 or www.stjude.org or charity of choice.
The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church.
Please sign the online register at www.raderfuneralhome.com