Virginia "Jinny Rixie" Gullett

Virginia "Jinny" Belle (Rixie) Gullett, 86, of Walnut, Illinois, passed away on August 28, 2025. She was born to parents Barney Rixie and Daisy (Henson) Rixie, on August 19, 1939 in Brookport, Illinois.

She graduated from Pope County Community High School in 1957.

Jinny met Marvin Gullett, Jr. on her daddy's farm, and they married. Together, they had a son, Daniel, and a daughter, Jeanne.

They moved from Golconda, IL in 1965 to make a better life in central Illinois, eventually settling in Marquette Heights. While raising the two kids and providing a loving home, Jinny volunteered as a Room Mother, a Library Assistant at the Marquette Heights Grade School, and a Brownie Leader. Later, she sold Royal Neighbors Insurance and Avon Products. When the kids flew the nest years later, Jinny went on to study Cosmetology at Flamingo Beauty College and graduated as a Cosmetologist and Instructor. She taught at Flamingo College, and later took a job at Regis Hair Salon in the Pekin Mall.

Longing for a simpler way of life, Jinny and Marv decided to move back "down home" and returned to Golconda. Making their home on Ben St., Jinny set up shop, first in the heart of town and, later in their home where she became a favorite stylist for many residents in the area. Several years went by and she decided to retire from the grueling demands of hairdressing. Not yet ready to simply "sit around the house", she was active at the Golden Circle Senior Center, served on the Golconda Library Board, and briefly managed the apartment complex in town.

Throughout her life, Jinny enjoyed meeting people and making friends. She had many hobbies over the years including being an avid reader, writing poetry, passing on family history, gardening, and bird watching.

When her health began to further decline, Jinny moved to Bradford, IL to reside with her son Dan and his family. She moved from there into Bradford Assisted Living and then to Heritage/ Allure of Walnut Nursing Home in Walnut, Illinois. She was well loved there and quickly became a member of the Resident Council. Jinny developed many friendships with both residents and staff at Allure. Sadly, in 2023, Jinny contracted Covid and shortly after developed dementia. When she passed on August 28th, she went peacefully with her loving daughter, Jeanne and her beloved daughter-in-law Holly holding her hands.

Virginia was preceded in death by her mother and father; husband, Marvin Gullett, Jr; son, Daniel R. Gullett; brother, Donald T. Rixie; sister, Della M. Neely and her husband Bobby Neely and their son Robert Neely and his wife Dawn; sister, Dorothy M. Barntish and her husband Jim Barntish; sister-in-law, Alethea (Gullett) Burton and her husband Joe Burton and their daughter Deb (Burton) Peterson; sister-in-law, Eva (Gullett) Robertson and her husband Harvey Robertson.

Surviving are daughter, Jeanne E. Gullett and spouse Holly A. Basting; daughter-in-law, Helen Sue (Crisman) Gullett; grandsons, Mason, Isaac, Amire, Kevin, and Brysen; niece, Deb (Barntish) Toavs; nephew, David Barntish and his wife Karin; niece, Gail (Robertson) Hahn and her husband Greg Hahn; and nephew, Bruce Burton and his wife Linda Sams Burton; niece, Tamara Rixie; niece, Carol Johnson; as well as many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Of particular note is Jinny's best friend, since their meeting as classmates at Pope County Community High School, who also survives, Marguerite (Phelps) Borum. Marguerite and Jinny shared many life experiences together, from graduation, to marriage the same year, to the births of their children, and beyond. The two were never long out of touch throughout the years, and Marguerite's final birthday card and letter to Jinny on August 19th was a loving reminder of their enduring friendship.

Services for Virginia 'Jinny' (Rixie) Gullett will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 1, 2025 at Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-Manus Funeral Home. Internment will follow at Audubon Cemetery at New Liberty, IL.

Friends and family are welcome to make a donation to The Alzheimer's Association or The National Audubon Society in Virginia's name in lieu of flowers if they so choose. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com.